[Saba Sports News] Fernando Tatis Jr. is set to channel the Mamba Mentality during the Padres’ visit to the L.A. Dodgers this week. The MLB star, who signed a $340 million deal with San Diego in 2021, acquired a unique pair of custom purple and gold Jordan 1s adorned with around 4,750 crystals in honor of Kobe Bryant.
These cleats also pay tribute to Kobe with his two retired jersey numbers, No. 8 and No. 24, featured on the heel. Tatis, known as “El Niño,” sought out Stadium Custom Kicks to create these special cleats for the upcoming series at Dodger Stadium, paying homage to the late Lakers legend.
It’s a fitting choice for Tatis to sport the Kobe kicks in this series, which begins on Monday night, as Kobe was a frequent attendee of Dodger games during his time in Los Angeles and even threw the first ceremonial pitch in 2000. Notably, Bryant’s eldest daughter, Natalia, recently followed in her father’s footsteps by throwing the first pitch to Mookie Betts earlier this month.