Dodgers pay tribute to Kobe, Gigi Bryant

On what would have been his 42nd birthday, the Dodgers paid tribute to the late Laker legend and future NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, prior to Sunday’s game. Kobe, Gianna and seven others perished in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.

Players and coaches wore either Bryant’s No. 8 or No. 24 while a special video, narrated by Vin Scully, paid tribute to the five-time NBA champion and his daughter.

Additionally, Kobe's No. 24 and Gianna's No. 2 were placed on the mound.

Manager Dave Roberts, who wore a No. 24 Kobe jersey, said he remembered Bryant throwing out a first pitch at Dodger Stadium while Roberts was a Dodgers outfielder. Roberts reflected on what Bryant represented.

“Tenacity, consistency, winning. Just the [competitiveness],” said Roberts. “Doing things the right way and really looking out and being a servant to so many people in greater Los Angeles.”

The Dodgers continued to pay their respects during their 11-3 win over the Rockies. Enrique Hernández marked his fourth-inning three-run home run at the plate by pantomiming a three-pointer in honor of Kobe.

"Kobe -- for three," said Hernández. "When you shoot a three-pointer, you go, 'Kobe.' We lost Kobe a little too soon. What he meant to this city and the entire world, to see the impact he had on athletes and non-athletes, that tells you what type of person he was. For us to be able to be part of something like that is very meaningful, and I'm glad we did something really nice and we also were able to win that game for him and it's something I'll always remember."

"To see the Kobe jerseys in our lockers was special and to reflect on his birthday and he's a champion, one of the greatest of all time," said Roberts. "For us to sweep the Rockies and play good baseball and to enjoy tonight, get an off-day tomorrow, it couldn't be a more perfect day. Appreciate the Rockies celebrating Kobe's birthday as well. The Dodgers did a nice tribute."