Newly acquired Rams star Myles Garrett threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Dodgers vs. Angels, wearing a shirt with Kobe Bryant’s face and a Dodgers hat. LA followed with a huge first-inning surge and a 9-2 win, while Garrett also hinted at discussions
The first pitch didn’t just land—it snapped into the strike zone, right down the middle of home plate.
Myles Garrett. the Los Angeles Rams’ blockbuster addition acquired on June 1st. took the mound before Saturday’s game between the Dodgers and Angels wearing a shirt with Kobe Bryant’s face on it and a Dodgers hat. The ceremonial moment turned into a statement. One pitch came as a laser—an immediate, perfectly placed strike.
Garrett’s arrival in Los Angeles has been generating buzz fast, and the Dodgers’ night only added fuel. After his pitch, the stands didn’t have to wait long for something to cheer. The Dodgers erupted in the first inning with an offensive explosion, scoring nine runs. That early surge carried them to a 9-2 victory on Saturday night.
The pitch also offered a hint at how quickly Garrett is trying to fit into the city’s sports culture—especially with that unmistakable Kobe Bryant tribute. For fans. it felt like the kind of headline moment you get when a superstar doesn’t just arrive. he shows up in the language people in LA already understand.
There’s another layer, too, and it’s rooted in what happens next. With Garrett now in the Rams’ spotlight. the idea of a dream pairing in Los Angeles has returned to the conversation. Former Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a defensive standard for years, is reportedly mulling over a return to the NFL. The possibility of joining Garrett and the Rams on a Super Bowl run has him in serious consideration.
Garrett acknowledged the excitement around it. “We haven’t talked yet, but definitely expect to talk soon. I don’t know what his plans are and I won’t pretend to know, but a lot of people are excited and thrilled about the possibility of him coming back,” Garrett said in an interview with J.B. Long.
As Super Bowl 61 approaches at SoFi Stadium. the Rams are already being viewed as the widely accepted favorite to win the title—and Garrett’s quick start. both on the field and in the city. has only made that storyline feel more real. If the Aaron Donald angle develops, the 2026 season could take on a different kind of gravity in Los Angeles.
Myles Garrett Los Angeles Rams Dodgers vs Angels Kobe Bryant first pitch Aaron Donald Super Bowl 61 SoFi Stadium