Although he’s right-handed, Kobe Bryant belted a home run left-handed Sunday during Richard Sherman’s celebrity softball game at Safeco Field in Seattle.
The Lakers’ All-Star guard isn’t likely to retire from basketball to pursue America’s national pastime as Michael Jordan once did, but he showed once again he’s a gifted multi-sport athlete.
The event, hosted by the Seattle Seahawks cornerback, featured a number of Sherman’s teammates (Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin and others) and current or past NBA players including Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford, Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton and Bryant.
After the game, Bryant gave credit to former NFL player Lawyer Milloy for his batting success.
“The only reason I hit that homer is because of @LawyerMilloy no doubt about it! #coaching #philwho #thankU,” Bryant tweeted.
Coming off a down season after sitting out all but six games because of Achilles’ tendon and knee injuries, Bryant recently declared himself fully healed and ready for the 2014-15 season.
The veteran guard is in the first year of a two-season, $48.5-million contract extension.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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