Ohtani’s Dog Steals the Show “Throwing” First Pitch at Dodgers Game

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28, 2024 — In a heartwarming display that captivated fans at Dodger Stadium, Shohei Ohtani’s dog, Decoy, took center stage on Wednesday night, delivering a unique ceremonial first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the Baltimore Orioles.

The event, which coincided with a special bobblehead giveaway featuring Ohtani and Decoy, drew massive crowds hours before the game’s start. Fans began lining up as early as 5 a.m. PT, with an estimated 20,000 people outside the stadium four hours before the first pitch. The Dodgers prepared 40,000 bobbleheads for the 53,000 expected attendees, including about 2,000 coveted gold editions to be randomly distributed.

Tonight’s star, Decoy. pic.twitter.com/jvyhQ1m7WR

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 28, 2024

“I’m just happy that I made it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “It took me forever to get inside Dodger Stadium. I actually picked up one of the Dodger workers. She was laboring up the hill, so I gave her a little lift.”

The scene outside the stadium even surprised Ohtani himself. “I was surprised as well when I came to the park with my family,” he said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I wasn’t really aware of the situation. I thought it was some other special event going on.”

Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje sporting his own Dodgers jersey, waited patiently on the pitcher’s mound as Ohtani crouched behind home plate. On cue, the well-trained pup picked up the baseball in his mouth and trotted it to his owner, eliciting roars of approval from the sellout crowd of 53,290 spectators.

“I think I was more nervous with the ceremonial pitch than Decoy,” Ohtani admitted after the game. “I’m glad everything went well.”

The superstar revealed it took three weeks to train Decoy for the special moment, including a practice run at the stadium before the big night. The duo shared a hand-to-paw high five following the successful delivery.

Following the canine’s crowd-pleasing performance, Ohtani continued the excitement on the field. In his first at-bat, he launched his 42nd home run of the season off Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes. Ohtani finished the night going 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two stolen bases, helping lead the Dodgers to a 6-4 victory.

Roberts was impressed by both Ohtani and his four-legged friend. “I heard that Decoy was going to throw the first pitch, and I’m impressed that the dog was already that trained,” Roberts laughed. “I guess if it’s Shohei’s dog, nothing should be that surprising. That was pretty impressive.”

The event highlighted Ohtani’s immense popularity in his first season with the Dodgers. The two-way phenom is chasing history, aiming to become the first player in Major League Baseball to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. With 42 homers and 42 stolen bases and 29 regular season games remaining, he’s well on his way to achieving this unprecedented feat.

“Shohei, his bobblehead night and to hit a homer and steal a couple bases,” Roberts marveled. “I’m telling you, any big moment, he seems to rise up to the occasion.”

As for Decoy, whose Japanese name is Dekopin (meaning “flicking someone’s forehead”), he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite in his own right. Ohtani playfully mentioned his plans for his furry companion after the memorable evening: “It’s a really special night. I hope to buy some special snack for him.”

The night served as a perfect illustration of Ohtani’s star power both on and off the field, with his canine companion proving to be the perfect wingman for baseball’s biggest sensation. The bobblehead giveaway was so popular that some gold editions were reportedly listed on online marketplaces for as much as $10,000, though it’s unclear how many actually sold at that price.

Roberts summed up the Ohtani phenomenon: “When you’re in it day to day, he’s a baseball player that just wants to play, but when you see him impact and move the needle like he does and has, I’ve just never seen anything like this. It is incredible.”

As the Dodgers continue their quest for a 2024 World Series title in Ohtani’s inaugural season in the City of Angels, it’s clear that Ohtani and Decoy have captured the hearts of fans and brought a unique charm to America’s pastime. With every home run, stolen base, and bark, they’re adding a new dimension to baseball’s rich tapestry of stories.

Ohtani’s extraordinary talent teamed up with his charming four-legged companion are proving that in baseball, it’s not just the game-winning plays that captivate us, but the unexpected moments of joy – like a faithful dog, with ball in mouth, trotting from the pitcher’s mound to home plate – that truly make the sport magical.