SUMMARY
- Shohei Ohtani, the baseball star, signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Fans were curious about the dog's name, suspecting it might hold clues about Ohtani's future team.
Shohei Ohtani, renowned for his extraordinary dual talents on the ballpark, captured the attention of fans worldwide when he signed a staggering $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The suspense surrounding his contract and team choice kept the baseball world on edge. However, once the dust settled on that front, a new mystery emerged—the identity of Sho-time’s new companion.
This fur baby made an appearance alongside Ohtani as he accepted the 2023 American League MVP Award in November. Yet, the dog’s name remained shrouded in mystery, prompting speculation and curiosity among fans. Before Ohtani made the deal with the Dodgers, there was widespread speculation about whether the dog’s name held a clue about his future team.
Shohei Ohtani disclosed his dog’s name during his first press conference as a Dodger
The nail-biting speculation surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s dog’s name turned out to be unfounded when it was revealed that it held no clues at all as to which team he was going to join. During his first-ever press conference as a Dodger, Sho-time touched upon a myriad of topics, including his recent UCL surgery, his transition from Halos to the Dodgers, and, notably, his pup and its elusive name.
The MLB off-season’s most heartwarming side story has now come to a charming resolution, as the Dodgers’ newly acquired $700 million star disclosed that his dog goes by the name Dekopin. This Japanese term translates to the act of flicking someone’s forehead. However, for simplicity, Ohtani also mentioned that fans are more than welcome to refer to Dekopin as ‘Decoy.’
DECOY 😍
(via Shohei Ohtani /IG) pic.twitter.com/7rMpjTrMUI
— MLB (@MLB) December 15, 2023
In another funny story, the US embassy in Japan bestowed upon Decoy a special honorary oversized mock Visa, according to people.com. Man’s best friend, a dog, embodies an indomitable spirit and possesses a soul that forms an unparalleled connection with humans.
Is it showtime or is it Sho-time!? Thrilled to meet trailblazing two-time @MLB MVP Ohtani-san again – my lucky day. Maybe next time I’ll be fortunate enough to meet his MVPup, Decoy – this “visa” should help? I promise my bark is worse than my bite! ⚾️🐾@Dodgers @DodgersNation pic.twitter.com/hzPZRPYnSn
— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) January 11, 2024
In Japanese culture, this bond between people and their dogs is particularly special. For them, dogs symbolize qualities such as diligence, honor, and unwavering devotion, much like Shohei Ohtani himself. Additionally, they are often viewed as guardian spirits, with their statues gracing the entrances of numerous Shinto temples and shrines.
Rarely does the sports world witness such genuine and heartwarming interactions between athletes and their pets. This special bond between Sho-time and Decoy has an endearing quality that not only shows the human version of one of the best players in the ballgame right now but also finds him a place in the general public’s hearts.
