Shohei Ohtani Reveals How He Celebrated Decoy’s Birthday
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has kept many parts of his personal life private, but he is not shy about sharing what his dog, Decoy, is up to.
Decoy is arguably the world’s most popular animal, and he recently celebrated his third birthday.
In his celebration, Decoy was seen wearing a baby blue birthday hat while enjoying a fancy treat.
Served on a plate, he was eating a cat, which is certainly dog-friendly, a series of treats, whipped cream, and even a strawberry.
His celebration was the dog version of a human birthday celebration, but considering Decoy’s reaction to the treats, he looked delighted by their taste.
Ohtani and Decoy share a special bond, with the dog being present at any celebration, of which there have been many over the past three years.
Decoy has thrown the first pitch at a Dodgers game and has regular access to the stadium, which he and Ohtani have taken advantage of.
What does Decoy mean to Ohtani?
Ohtani has made it no secret that Decoy is more than just a pet or property; his dog is his friend, treated like family.
“I don’t look at Decoy like I’m his owner, he’s just we’re friends, me and Decoy are friends, we’re family,” Ohtani said over the offseason.
The Japanese star released a book about Decoy titled “Decoy Saves Opening Day.” It is a children’s book, and the profits go to helping out other animals.
Decoy, in the story, is tasked with finding the ball to throw on Opening Day.
“Decoy can’t wait to throw the first pitch on Opening Day of the new baseball season! The stadium has hot dogs, the biggest backyard he’s ever seen, and thousands of his best human friends,” the book’s description reads.
“It’s going to be the best day ever, but—oh, no!—Decoy forgot his lucky baseball at home! Can he get his ball and make it back to the stadium before it’s too late?”
Ohtani and his furry friend are the most adorable duo in baseball, and Ohtani’s latest photo dump highlights how precious their relationship is.
Shohei Ohtani gets ‘Little League home run’ with ball hit off netting at Angel Stadium in Dodgers’ 15-2 win
After getting a couple of days off from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ everyday lineup, Shohei Ohtani might have had some pent-up energy to burn off.
If so, the two-way superstar likely got that out of his system with a sprint around the bases for a “Little League home run” in Saturday’s 15-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Facing Alek Manoah in the eighth inning, Ohtani pulled a changeup into the right-field corner at Angel Stadium. The ball bounced off the warning track on its way into the stands.
However, the ball then rebounded from the protective netting set up along the first-base line. Angels right fielder Jo Adell stopped pursuing the ball, believing the hit was a ground-rule double. Yet the umpires made no such ruling and the play was still live.
Ohtani ran to third base for a triple, but Adell’s relay throw skipped past second baseman Oswald Peraza and rolled into the infield. That allowed Ohtani to score on a “Little League home run.” Or, as it was officially scored, a triple and error on Adell. Three runs scored on the play, giving the Dodgers a 9-2 lead.
The play was reviewed and Angels manager Kurt Suzuki argued that fan interference should have left Ohtani with a double. However, the Angel Stadium ground rules — newly established with the netting installed for this season — said the ball rightly stayed in play and had to be fielded.
“A ball that strikes the front of the netting, even if it hits the camera, is live and in play unless it becomes lodged or is otherwise deemed unplayable (i.e. goes completely through the netting),” the ground rules state.
“That was a tough one, obviously,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki told reporters afterward. “Before the nets were down the line, that ball bounces into the stands and it’s two bases. But we just challenged, we thought maybe [it] might have hit a fan and it didn’t, obviously. So, you know, unfortunate.”
Following Ohtani’s dash around the base, Mookie Betts hit his fourth home run of the season — a real one that went over the left-field wall into the stands — to put the Dodgers up 10-2. In the ninth inning, Ohtani added a three-run double off Manoah, who allowed eight earned runs, six hits and three walks in just 1 1/3 innings.
Ohtani finished with five RBI, batting 2-for-4 with two walks. His slump, during which he’s slashed .159/.275/.273 so far through May, might be over. In his past three games, Ohtani is 5-for-12 with two doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBI.
“We were hoping to get a reset with a couple days off, and I think that’s what happened,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game. “I think he’s just feeling better and quicker with the bat.”
The Dodgers have won four consecutive games since losing four in a row, moving them into first place in the NL West by a half-game over the San Diego Padres.