Shohei Ohtani's Dog Decoy 'Throws' the Perfect First Pitch on Pup's Bobblehead Night

Gabrielle Rockson
·2-min read

Thousands of fans gathered at Dodger Stadium Wednesday, Aug. 28, to watch the Dodgers take on the Orioles and to get a bobblehead of Ohtani and his dog

<p>Los Angeles Dodgers/X</p> Shohei Ohtani and his dog Decoy

Los Angeles Dodgers/X

Shohei Ohtani and his dog Decoy

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers isn't the only baseball pitcher in his home.

On Wednesday, Aug. 28, thousands of fans watched Dekopin "Decoy," Ohtani's dog, deliver a perfect first pitch to his owner for their bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium.

In a video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani, 30, carries his pet as he walks onto the field to help Decoy with the dog's first pitch.

Footage of Decoy's first pitch shows the dog fetching the ball more than throwing it. In the clip of the pup's pitch, Decoy grabs the ball with his mouth and runs it from the pitcher's mound to Ohtani, who is squatting in the batter's box.

Following the successful pitch, Decoy received a treat from his proud owner and enthusiastic applause from the audience, many of whom came to the game to receive the night's promotional item: a bobblehead featuring Ohtani and Decoy.

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<p>Los Angeles Dodgers/X</p> Shohei Ohtani and dog Decoy

Los Angeles Dodgers/X

Shohei Ohtani and dog Decoy

According to Major League Baseball's website, around 20,000 people waited outside four hours before the first pitch, excited to collect their giveaway bobbleheads.

Ohtani told the outlet through interpreter Will Ireton that he was surprised by the turnout and initially thought the crowds were for "some other special event going on."

Related: Who Is Shohei Ohtani's Wife? All About Mamiko Tanaka

Reuters reports that the "Shohei & Decoy" figure features Ohtani smiling while holding his Dutch Kooikerhondje.

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Decoy's adorable first pitch appears to have acted as a good luck charm for Ohtani. The pet parent hit a lead-off home run and stole two bases in the Dodgers' home game against the Baltimore Orioles that followed Decoy's pitch.

Related: The 18 Greatest Celebrity First Pitches of All Time

The Los Angeles Dodgers ended up winning the game 6-4.

"Shohei, his bobblehead night and to hit a homer and steal a couple bases," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told MLB. "I'm telling you, any big moment, he seems to rise up to the occasion."

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