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Alden Gonzalez, editor at ESPN
LOS ANGELES – Fans were lined up outside Dodger Stadium as early as 9 a.m. PT on Wednesday, 10 hours before the first pitch of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the Baltimore Orioles. By 2:30 p.m., the line was so long and the crowds so large that the parking gates were practically forced open – two hours earlier than the normal first pitch time of 7:10 p.m.
The reason, of course, is Shohei Ohtani. Specifically, a bobblehead of Shohei Ohtani, the second such gift this season. And even more specifically, a bobblehead featuring Shohei Ohtani and his dog, Decoy, who has built a cult following since his first public appearance at the MVP announcement on MLB Network last year.
The Dodgers said only the first 40,000 fans – for a stadium with a capacity of about 56,000 – will get one. And a very limited number of those are made of gold, driving up the demand – not to mention the potential value – even further.
The first golden bobblehead goes to Shohei and Decoy. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/lpziRN9d8X
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) 28 August 2024
Excitement level for Shohei and Decoy. 📈 pic.twitter.com/54viWyFYBY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) 29 August 2024
Dodgers fans streamed into the stadium when the parking lot gates opened at 2:30 p.m. An hour later, thousands of fans were waiting outside each of the entrance gates. They weren’t allowed in until 4:30 p.m., 40 minutes earlier than usual, and got a rare chance to watch Ohtani throw a bullpen session by crowding the edges of the left-field stands.
“It’s unbelievable,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said shortly after 4 p.m., when he had pregame time. “I don’t know if it was Shohei or Decoy or some combination, but man, the demand for those damn bobbleheads is huge. It took me forever to get into Dodger Stadium. There’s a long line, so if you’re planning on coming, you better be gone by now.”
