One thing is for sure: The Los Angeles Dodgers know how to do a tribute right. And Friday night at Dodger Stadium was a simple testament to that. The entire crowd buzzed in anticipation as they waited for Kobe Bryant’s daughter Bianka to step onto the mound. The 8-year-old was smiling, ready to throw the ceremonial first pitch on a night dedicated to celebrating her father’s legacy.

The tribute came on August 8—8/8—a date that carries plenty of weight for the Lakers icon who wore both No. 8 and No. 24 in his Hall of Fame career. Every fan in the stands on this day even went home with a limited edition Kobe bobblehead. It had Bryant in his purple No. 8 jersey and with a baseball bat in his hand. And yes, the bobblehead bats lefty, because Kobe, though right-handed apparently, liked hitting from the left side in baseball.

As far as Bianka’s pitch goes, it was a beauty. It went straight to the glove of Freddie Freeman. The entire crowd gave her a standing ovation—it was a goosebumps moment. On the stand to witness this beautiful moment were Vanessa Bryant and her daughters. Natalia, who is now 22 years old, is a rising model and a recent USC film school grad. And even 6-year-old Capri was there, who got the crowd going by saying the iconic line, “It’s time for Dodgers baseball.”

Freeman’s wife captured the moment for Instagram and posted a shot of Bianka mid-throw. Chelsea Freeman gave a caption saying, “the sweetest moment.” Sweet it was indeed—the perfect blend of sport, family, and legacy. And when it comes to family, the Freemans have gone through thick and thin, last year with their son’s sudden illness. For the Bryant family, this was not just a ceremony; it was home. They have been fans of Dodgers fans for a long time. Vanessa often shares shots of their trips to the ballpark.

Kobe Bryant‘s tragic passing in January 2020, along with his daughter, left an irreplaceable hole in Los Angeles. He was not just a Lakers great, right? He was the symbol of excellence in a city that is extremely spoiled with sports legends. The Dodgers tribute, meanwhile, is almost an annual tradition. This time, it’s a chance for fans to celebrate the Mamba’s legacy through his daughters. They have almost grown up in front of the eyes of baseball fans after all. And this night was not just about the game; it was about an 8-year-old standing tall to honor her father’s memory with a perfect pitch.

Dodgers win big on Kobe Bryant night

Clayton Kershaw couldn’t have picked a better night to deal honestly. On a night that was all about honoring Kobe Bryant’s legacy, the Dodgers ace took the mound and did exactly what fans would expect from a future Hall of Famer. In six innings, he allowed just one run, and that was in the second inning—it was like watching the Kershaw of the past.

But if you think that it was only Kershaw as the pitcher, you would be disappointed. Because the Blue Jays sent over their worthy arm, Max Scherzer, and even he had that energy. He matched Kershaw inning for inning and only gave up two runs over his six-frame outing. Talk about a pitcher’s showdown! However, the game moved towards the Los Angeles Dodgers’ favor.

The seventh inning is where things changed, and everything that happened happened. Alex Freeland raced home on a fielder’s choice, then Will Smith worked a bases-loaded walk in another run. Then Teoscar Hernandez lifted a sac fly to make it 5-1. From then on, the outcome felt like it was locked. Blake Treinen took care of the rest and shut down the ninth, which sealed the win.

For the Dodgers fans, this was a perfect night—a win, and honoring the legend. Perfect!