Baseball fans witnessed a delightful double act at the weekend's prestigious awards ceremony, where Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani wasn't the only member of his household to receive a major honour. The two-time World Series champion secured the National League Most Valuable Player award at the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) Awards Dinner in New York on Saturday. However, he faced charming competition from his own beloved pet, Decoy, who captured an accolade of his very own.
Decoy's Rise to Canine Stardom
Ohtani's famous kooikerhondje pup has basked in the public eye for several years, and his burgeoning fame was formally acknowledged at the event. Decoy was bestowed with the humorous yet official-sounding title of National League Most Valuable Dog. The Japanese baseball sensation proved to be an immensely proud owner, commemorating his dog's achievement by posing for photographs with Decoy and the commemorative plaque. The two-way star further shared a solo snapshot of the dapper canine wearing a bowtie, with the award plaque resting proudly beside him.
A Celebrity Pup's Life
Decoy is no stranger to the limelight or championship glory. The pup has now been part of two World Series victory celebrations with the Dodgers. He was famously seen aboard a double-decker bus during the team's championship parade in November, alongside baseball's biggest superstar and his wife, basketball player Mamiko Tanaka. His popularity among the Dodgers faithful in Los Angeles has soared, leading the organisation to create special honours for him.
In 2024, Decoy performed a ceremonial first pitch in front of a roaring crowd of nearly 54,000 spectators at a Dodgers-Orioles game. His likeness has been immortalised in an official Ohtani bobblehead figure. Furthermore, during a previous winter visit to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the pooch received a specially crafted, supersized 'visa' document. Decoy was also by Ohtani's side for a pivotal moment last November, when it was announced the slugger had won his second consecutive National League MVP award.
A Viral Moment of Affection
That November announcement produced a now-viral and heartwarming scene. As seen on MLB Network, Ohtani received the MVP news via satellite while seated on a couch with his wife and dog. In a spontaneous display of affection, he immediately hugged and kissed Decoy before embracing his wife. This adorable sequence captivated fans on social media, with many noting the playful order of his celebratory affections.
Ohtani's Dominant Season
The backdrop to this canine celebration is another phenomenal year for Shohei Ohtani. Following his return to the mound after 2024 elbow surgery, he re-established himself as baseball's premier two-way sensation, instrumental in leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a second consecutive World Series title. Offensively, he led all of baseball in several key categories including bases, runs, and extra-base hits. On the pitching side, his 2.87 earned-run average across 14 appearances ranked as the second-best mark of his illustrious career.
This exceptional all-around performance resulted in Ohtani receiving a unanimous selection for the NL MVP award, capturing all 30 first-place votes from the BBWAA. Remarkably, this marks the fourth time in five years he has achieved this feat, a period spanning his tenure with both the Los Angeles Angels and the Dodgers. In the history of the award, only the legendary seven-time MVP Barry Bonds has won it more times than Ohtani, who at just 31 years of age is now entering his ninth MLB season with his legacy still growing.
