Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers to honor Kobe Bryant Sunday

By Kevin Henry |

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the basketball game at Staples Center November 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

On what would have been his 42nd birthday, the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers will take time out of their Sunday pregame schedule to honor the memory of Kobe Bryant.

With the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers finishing up a three-game series at Dodger Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the day will not only belong to two teams battling for supremacy in the National League West, but also the first observed birthday for NBA superstar Kobe Bryant since his untimely death back in late January.

The Dodgers will be honoring not only Kobe’s memory on Sunday, but also that of his daughter, Gianna, who also died in the helicopter crash.

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The ceremony, which is expected to contain a video tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers superstar and his daughter, will be carried by SportsNet LA (Dodgers television home) beginning at 12:40 p.m. (Pacific), with the Dodgers and Rockies slated to begin their game at 1:10 p.m.

Bryant and his daughter were among nine people who were killed on January 26 when the helicopter they were on (heading to Gianna’s basketball game as part of a youth basketball tournament) powered into a hillside outside of Los Angeles in foggy conditions.

Bryant’s death touched many throughout professional sports, including Colorado All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado. A native of Southern California, Arenado mentioned Bryant in an open letter he wrote to fans released by the Rockies through social media in March when baseball had been paused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Tough times like now, and when KB 8/24 [Kobe Bryant] passed away, make you take a step back and realize what’s important in life: faith, family and friends. Be safe and let’s be there for each other now. God Bless.”

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Arenado will be among those on the field when Bryant’s tribute is played on Sunday at Chavez Ravine.

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