Anthony Davis, the talented forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, recently embraced the city of Los Angeles in a special way. On Tuesday night, Davis had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch during Lakers Night at Dodger Stadium, just before the Los Angeles Dodgers took on the Toronto Blue Jays and secured a resounding 16-3 victory.
With all eyes on him, Davis confidently delivered a pitch that sailed over the plate and landed securely in the glove of Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. The 26-year-old basketball star couldn’t hide his excitement and was beaming with joy after his successful throw.
The idea of Davis participating in this ceremonial event stemmed from a music video for Lakers Night, released on August 8. It featured Jansen inviting Davis to take the mound for the first pitch. Cody Bellinger, a strong contender for the National League MVP, even had a chance to interact with Davis before he stepped onto the field.
Since his trade to the Lakers from the New Orleans Pelicans in June, Davis has made Los Angeles his new home. Prior to his move, Davis spent seven seasons with the Pelicans after being selected as the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft.
During his introductory press conference in July, Davis expressed his mixed emotions about leaving the Pelicans but also saw the trade as an incredible opportunity to join the Lakers. He acknowledged the significance of the move and stated his desire to bring a championship to Los Angeles.
The Dodgers have made it to the World Series in the past two seasons but unfortunately fell short both times. On the other hand, the Lakers have not reached the NBA playoffs since the 2012-13 season. With Davis now playing alongside LeBron James, fans are left wondering which team, the Dodgers or the Lakers, will bring a championship title to the city of Los Angeles first.
As Davis continues to settle into his new surroundings and build chemistry with his Lakers teammates, the anticipation and excitement for success on both the basketball court and the baseball diamond in Los Angeles continue to grow.