Los Angeles Dodgers fans have a soft spot for Shohei Ohtani—and it seems his dog, Dekopin (affectionately known as Decoy), has won over their hearts even more. Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium was a celebration of both, as Ohtani made MLB history, showcased some fun with his furry friend, and inspired some of the longest lines ever seen at the stadium.
The excitement began well before the game when the Dodgers announced a special giveaway: an Ohtani and Decoy bobblehead. Fans quickly adjusted their plans to ensure they were among the first 40,000 through the gates to snag this limited-edition collectible. By 1:22 p.m. PT—six hours before the first pitch, four hours before the gates opened, and hours before parking was accessible—the line at the Sunset Boulevard Gate had already wrapped around the block, filled with eager fans who began arriving as early as 11 a.m.
Shohei Ohtani and his dog Decoy rewarded last night’s wild horde of bobblehead seekers with something special.https://t.co/5TT8D67p0B
— Dodgers’ Way (@DodgersWayFS) August 29, 2024
As the evening progressed, the line grew longer and more intense, resembling a scene from a dystopian movie where people are desperate for scarce resources. With Dodger Stadium’s capacity at 56,000 and only 40,000 bobbleheads available, securing this souvenir was no guarantee, prompting many fans to leave nothing to chance.
The night featured more than just a giveaway, as Decoy took the spotlight for a memorable moment. The Dutch Kooikerhondje “threw” the first pitch to his owner, Shohei Ohtani, to the delight of the crowd, followed by an adorable high-five. Ohtani later shared that training Decoy for this special occasion took about three weeks.
Ohtani, however, saved his more powerful performance for the game itself. Facing Baltimore Orioles starter Corbin Burnes, Ohtani launched his 42nd home run of the season in the first inning. He continued to make waves by advancing to second and third on a passed ball, further highlighting his unique skill set. With this, Ohtani matched Alex Rodriguez’s record for the most combined home runs and stolen bases in a single season in MLB history. One more home run and stolen base would propel Ohtani into uncharted territory, edging him closer to a historic 50-50 season.
Ohtani’s impressive showing contributed significantly to the Dodgers’ 6-4 victory, improving their record to an MLB-best 78-54.
⚾🔵 #Ohtani and His Dog Share First-Pitch Duties Before #Dodgers Superstar Blasts Leadoff Homer#GVWire #News #sports #California #baseball #mlb #majorleaguebaseball #mlbbaseball #mlbnews #losangeles #ladodgers #losangelesdodgers #shoheiohtani https://t.co/IWEbO1D8fm
— GV Wire • News (@GVWire) August 29, 2024
The buzz around Ohtani and Decoy is not new to Dodgers fans. This isn’t the first time the Dodgers have given away an Ohtani bobblehead this season—previous giveaways have seen similar enthusiasm. However, Decoy’s inclusion has added an extra layer of charm for fans who are eager to collect unique memorabilia. Decoy first captured public attention during Ohtani’s MVP acceptance speech last year. The dog’s name, which had been a mystery for a while, was finally revealed at Ohtani’s introductory news conference at Dodger Stadium. Since then, Decoy has become a beloved mascot among fans, symbolizing both Ohtani’s personal life and his monumental career.
Key Points:
i. Dodgers fans turned out in droves for an Ohtani and Decoy bobblehead giveaway, leading to exceptionally long lines hours before the game.
ii. Ohtani’s dog Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje, participated in the first pitch, much to the delight of fans.
iii. Ohtani hit his 42nd home run of the season and made MLB history by matching Alex Rodriguez’s combined home run and stolen base record.
iv. The Dodgers won the game 6-4, boosting their record to an MLB-best 78-54.
v. Decoy’s growing popularity began with Ohtani’s MVP speech, adding a beloved new mascot to the Dodgers fan base.
James Kravitz – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
