From fetching first pitches to making red carpet appearances, Decoy Ohtani -- recently promoted to big brother! -- continues to wow us with his many talents. And his human Shohei Ohtani isn't doing too bad himself, throwing triple-digit heat regularly as he works his way back as a pitcher and all. As we appreciate the dynamic duo, let's take a look back at some of the four-legged icon's career highlights.
Much Ado About Woofing
The goodest boy of Major League Baseball made his print editorial debut in a children's book titled "Decoy Saves Opening Day." Written by his human with the help of some friends, the story seems to be based on some of Decoy's real-life adventures. No spoilers here, but the plot thickens when Decoy forgets his lucky baseball at home. Can he get his ball and make it back to the stadium before it's too late?
A pup of the people
After the Dodgers won the 2024 World Series, about 250,000 people filled the streets of Los Angeles for the long-awaited parade -- surely to get a glimpse of Most Valuable Pup Decoy. After a crazy, winding October, though -- in which the world got to see Ohtani in the postseason for the very first time -- both Decoy and his human were ready for some well-deserved rest.
How The West Was Woof
When the Dodgers clinched the National League West, their 11th title in the past 12 seasons, Decoy was of course on hand. He joined Ohtani and his wife, basketball queen Mamiko Tanaka, on the field after the game -- floppy ear and all -- to celebrate his hard work cheering on his boys throughout the season.
It’s called fashion, look it up
Ohtani, who had opted for a more subtle look on the All-Star Red Carpet in years past, debuted a one-of-a-kind suit inspired by little Decoy. That’s right: "I chose the color based on my dog, and here's my dog in my suit,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.
But that’s not all! For Players’ Weekend, Ohtani debuted a pair of custom cleats featuring Decoy, and they may have turned into a good luck charm of sorts. He wore them long after Players’ Weekend, including in the infamous 50-50 game, in which he went an absurd 6-for-6 with three homers, 10 RBIs and two steals. Pretty much everything he was wearing, including his cleats, went straight to Cooperstown. Yes, this means Decoy has his own little place in the Hall of Fame.
First ... fetch?
Immortalized with his human in the form of a (golden) bobblehead, Decoy was tasked with first pitch honors. Ever the team player, the pup of the hour delivered a perfect strike from the mound. Oh, and his dad went yard in his first at-bat.
As Dodgers announcer Joe Davis said: “Shohei Ohtani, meeting the moment, reading the room and leaving the yard!”
Welcome to the Dodgers! First things first ...
When Ohtani won the 2023 AL MVP Award unanimously in November 2023, he had a special furry guest seated beside him who easily stole the show. Just one problem -- we didn’t catch his name!
After Ohtani signed an unprecedented 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers, the media flocked to Dodger Stadium for his introductory press conference with their hardest-hitting questions ready to go. The hardest hitting of them all, perhaps? What’s your dog’s name?! It’s Decoy! But his government name -- or at least the one that shows up on his passport -- is Dekopin, which means flicking someone’s forehead in Japanese.