Ohtani revealed the trick was three weeks in the making
MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani enjoyed another historic night at the ballpark on Wednesday – but was overshadowed by his own pet dog.
The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger was joined by his pooch Decoy for the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium.
Thousands of fans queued to get their hands on an Ohtani collectible bobblehead ahead of the Dodgers showdown with the Baltimore Orioles.
Lines began to form outside the iconic LA arena around 5 am PT, per MLB.com.
Ohtani led the excitable Dutch Kooikerhondje out onto the field before the game with almost 20,000 fans already in their seats.
The pair were met with a huge roar as the adorable pooch was left alone with the ball on the mound.
Ohtani took a knee behind home plate, with Decoy then sprinting over to deliver his “pitch.”
To more deafening cheers from the crowd, Decoy completed the trick by giving the Dodgers star a high-five.
“That’s adorable can’t lie,” wrote one fan in response to the viral footage.
“Dudes dog is more famous than 99.9999% of the world,” laughed another.
“This is the content we need,” said a third.
“The adorable duo, Decoy and Shohei, stole the show with the most precious first pitch ever,” commented a fourth.
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Ohtani revealed after the game he had been practicing the trick with Decoy for three weeks, per the NY Times.
“It’s a really special night,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.
“I hope to buy some special snack for him.”
On the field, Ohtani put on a show as 53,290 fans packed out the stands in LA.
MLB All-Star starters 2024
American League
C: Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
2B: Marcus Semien (Texas Rangers)
3B: José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
SS: Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)
OF: Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
OF: Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians)
OF: Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
DH: Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros)
National League
C: William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers)
1B: Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
2B: Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks)
3B: Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies)
SS: Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies)
OF: Jurickson Profar (San Diego Padres)
OF: Teoscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers)
OF: Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
The Japanese star crushed his 42nd homer of the season in the first inning of the contest.
Ohtani drove a slider from former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes deep into the right-field seats.
The Dodgers would go on to win 6-4, with Ohtani stealing two more bases.
“Shohei, his bobblehead night and to hit a homer and steal a couple of bases,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
“I’m telling you, any big moment, he seems to rise up to the occasion.”
Crosstown traffic
Two-time AL MVP Ohtani joined the Dodgers last summer from the Los Angeles Angels.
He signed a huge ten-year deal with the franchise, worth over $700 million.
Ohtani’s star power has been in evidence both on and off the field throughout the 2024 season.
He has delivered at the plate, smashing 152 hits from 515 at-bats with an average of .295.
The Dodgers improved to 79-54 on the season following Wednesday’s win over the Orioles.
They currently top the National League West, three games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
