LOS ANGELES — Minutes after the main event, Shohei Ohtani was back in the spotlight. Thousands flocked to Dodger Stadium hours before first pitch at 7:10 p.m. PT Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles, eager to get a bobblehead featuring Ohtani and baseball’s most famous Dutch Kooikerhondje, Decoy. The traffic jam was so bad that manager Dave Roberts had to stop and help a stadium worker get to the ballpark despite the crush.
Ohtani made sure they didn’t leave empty-handed, crouching behind home plate as Decoy threw the ceremonial first pitch to him. When he returned in the second half of the first inning, he put on an even better show, driving a slider by former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes into the right-field seats for his 42nd home run of the season.
Decoy got the first pitch for Shohei Ohtani tonight! 🥹🐶 pic.twitter.com/zD7QsbX5SI
— MLB (@MLB) 29 August 2024
He finished the night with two stolen bases to his name (now at 42), and the Dodgers took a 6-4 victory over the Orioles to maintain their three-game lead in the NL West.
“I tell you, in every big moment, he seems to rise to the occasion,” Roberts said.
Ohtani’s first summer as a Los Angeles Dodger is already fitting in the shadow of the Hollywood sign, as the organization has exploited the $700 million superstar not only for his outstanding performance on the field – on Friday night, Ohtani became the fastest player (and only the sixth in major league history) to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a season – but also for the numerous lucrative business opportunities off the field. Ohtani’s first bobblehead night in May against the Cincinnati Reds was a sold-out event, drawing 52,527 fans to the stadium.
His second work, in which Ohtani holds his dog, had a Willy Wonka twist: a select number of bobbleheads were painted gold. It drew 53,290 spectators who saw Decoy throw the ball in his mouth to Ohtani in a unique ceremonial first pitch.
Excitement level for Shohei and Decoy. 📈 pic.twitter.com/54viWyFYBY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) 29 August 2024
Ohtani said he trained Decoy for the Gambit for nearly three weeks, including a recent “dry run” at Dodger Stadium.
“This is really a special night,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I hope I can buy him a special snack.”
The lines began as early as 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning and stretched to Vin Scully Avenue in front of the stadium’s main entrance. Even Ohtani was stunned when he saw the huge crowds: “I thought it was some other special event.”
“I’m just glad I got it,” Roberts said before the game. “It’s unbelievable. I don’t know if it was Shohei or Decoy or a combination, but the demand for that damn bobblehead is high. It took me forever to get to Dodger Stadium. There was a long line. If you’re planning on coming, you better be gone by now.”
Enough people found their seats in time so that the real Ohtani could also offer them something.
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(Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)