Shohei Ohtani had more bobblehead nights as a Dodger than seasons on the team.
Los Angeles on Wednesday held the second bobblehead presentation for the designated hitter in his first season with the club. The first time Ohtani was honored with a replica of himself was on May 16, when the bobblehead posed in his batting stance.
The second time around, however, Ohtani’s bobblehead features a famous guest – his dog, Decoy. The 30-year-old Japanese superstar arrived at Dodgers Stadium before the game with Decoy in tow, leaving the pup to take center stage.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ohtani’s dog, who accompanied the two-way player on his second Blockbuster Giveaway night.
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Bobblehead Night by Shohei Ohtani
The first 40,000 people to visit Dodger Stadium on Wednesday will receive the bobblehead, which features a smiling Ohtani in his gray uniform holding Decoy to his left side. Even the giveaway’s packaging is sleek, with a retro look and Japanese script printed on cardstock.
Even the box for Shohei Ohtani and Decoy’s bobblehead is a collector’s item 🤩
Featuring photos of Decoy, Sho’s career stats, and more! pic.twitter.com/WzjwCgw9SK
— MLB (@MLB) 28 August 2024
A select number of gold versions of the bobblehead are also available, one of which was given to Ohtani upon his arrival at the stadium.
Fans lined up outside the stadium before noon to get their hands on the bobblehead before the team’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at 7:10 p.m. PT. With a stadium capacity of just over 56,000, a sellout would mean several thousand fans would miss the drawing.
Fans in LA lined up more than 7 hours before the game started to give away Shohei Ohtani’s bobble head 🤯 pic.twitter.com/MsO7vPGbfW
— MLB (@MLB) 28 August 2024
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What kind of dog does Shohei Ohtani have?
Decoy – whose Japanese name, according to Ohtani, is “Dekopin” – is a Dutch Kooikerhondje. The Dutch breed was often used as a decoy for hunters, which may have inspired the name for Ohtani’s pup.
Ohtani’s dog made his first public appearance on an MLB Network broadcast in 2023, when Ohtani was named American League MVP for the second time in three seasons.
Since then, the MLB star has featured Decoy on several occasions, including on the inside of his jacket for the 2024 All-Star Game red carpet and on his cleats during Players’ Weekend.
