By Riley Sakurada Posted March 6, 2018
Following Jordan and his dream of the big leagues, Kobe Bryant is coming out of retirement. That’s right, to become a player for the LA Dodgers. Kobe is “not just doing this to strive past Jordan,” Kobe told reporters.
“I have always had a dream of being a professional baseball player. I played in High School and really wanted to pursue it when I had the chance but the NBA offered more money,” said Kobe.
Dave Roberts, manager of the Dodgers, saw Kobe during spring ball and saw that this old-timer had raw talent and was very athletic.
”Despite Kobe being 39 years old he is showing some real talent. He is playing hard and giving it everything. He is one of the most athletic players I have noticed this year,” said Roberts.
Kobe has impressed many players out on the field with his agility and ability to come up with the ball no matter what direction its hit at him.
“He has quick reflexes and reacts very quickly to the ball,” said Smith, the team’s assistant manager.
Being one of the best center fielders at spring training, pitchers have even caught on to Kobe. Clayton Kershaw is very happy to have a reliable outfielder out there so that he doesn’t have to worry if he hangs a curve or throws a meaty change-up right down the pipe. He has an outfielder with range and speed to cover much of the field.
“Somehow, Kobe always comes down with the ball. No matter how difficult the ball is to catch, he does everything in his power to get the ball in his mitt,” said Joe Mandie.
With all the work he has been putting in, many coaches have their eyes on him. He is a top prospect in the league and has many offers going anywhere from the San Francisco Giants to the Boston Red Sox. Even the New York Yankees have their eye on him. The one that stood out to him was the Dodgers’ offer of $5.7 million. Puig, the current all-star outfielder for the LA Dodgers, is making just 5.5, and the closest offer to this was the San Francisco Giants at 3.2 million.
