Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 28, is also going to feature his dog. The Ohtani bobblehead has him carrying Decoy (“Dekopin” in Japanese) and each of their heads is moveable.
Ohtani’s dog, a Dutch Kooikerhondje, became a celebrity when he was seen with the two-way star for the 2023 American League MVP Award announcement on MLB Network. Decoy’s popularity then went into overdrive amid a free agency rumor that his name offered a clue as to which team Ohtani would sign with.
That proved to be unfounded, but Ohtani did not reveal Dekopin’s name until being asked at his introductory press conference after signing a record-setting contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
#Dodgers announced the Shohei Ohtani bobblehead giveaway on Aug. 28 is going to feature Decoy as well. pic.twitter.com/FP3kvHaNq4
— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) June 18, 2024
“His name is Dekopin,” Ohtani said through former translator Ippei Mizuhara. “That’s a Japanese name. I figured it would be hard for American people to announce it, so he has an American name, Decoy. So you can call him Decoy or Dekopin.”
Decoy’s importance to Ohtani was later all the more evident when he was featured on the Instagram announcement of his marriage to Mamiko Tanaka.
Introducing the Shohei and Decoy Bobblehead. Need we say more?
: https://t.co/36IUWLzvoH pic.twitter.com/Mmp7rVoxcI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 18, 2024
Decoy also was recognized by Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, who issued a fake United States visa for him during Ohtani’s visit to the United States Embassy in Tokyo.
Shohei Ohtani bobbleheads
The Dodgers previously held an Ohtani bobblehead giveaway at Dodger Stadium on May 16, which generated plenty of excitement and long lines as fans arrived early.
During Spring Training, FOCO released a bobblehead of Ohtani with Decoy that quickly sold out.
The first 40,000 ticketed fans in attendance on Aug. 28 will receive the new Ohtani and Dekopin bobblehead.
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