Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Ohtani, wife Mamiko Tanaka and dog Decoy arrive at Dodger Stadium for the team’s World Series Championship celebration. Mandatory Credit: Sandy Hooper-USA TODAY via Imagn Images
NEW YORK— As Los Angeles Dodgers fans thronged to the World Series victory parade in Los Angeles on Friday, many had their eyes on most valuable player Freddie Freeman. But in the mix was another MVP — the Dodgers’ most valuable pet: Decoy Ohtani, dog of Shohei.
The much-memed Decoy, a Nederlanse kooikerhondje, or Dutch kooikerhondje, was nestled in Ohtani’s arms on the top section of a double-decker parade bus.
Article continues after this advertisementDecoy has become a fixture of Dodgers — and dog — fandom. The pup was on Ohtani’s lap when he learned he was the first Major League Baseball player ever to be unanimously selected twice as Most Valuable Player, which he achieved while with the Los Angeles Angels.
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS RESULTS: PBA Finals Ginebra vs TNT Game 4 November 3 SPORTS PBA Finals: Ginebra dominates TNT in Game 4 to tie series at 2-2 SPORTS PBA Finals: Stephen Holt typifies Ginebra resilience in equalizerREAD: Shohei Ohtani, his dog Decoy share first-pitch duties
Decoy also featured in Ohtani’s post-victory Instagram post, with photos of the dog being taken for a walk amid autumnal foliage and looking groggy in bed just after images of the Dodgers’ champagne celebration.
Article continues after this advertisement
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani holds his dog Decoy during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
After Ohtani went on to sign a record $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers, some of the first questions that reporters had for him were about the dog. At a news conference, the Japanese-born Ohtani revealed his pet’s name — in Japanese, Dekopin, but he suggested that Decoy would be easier for Americans to pronounce.
Article continues after this advertisementIt’s also a fitting name for a member of this Dutch duck-hunting breed. Indeed, the English word “decoy” is thought to come from the Dutch term “de kooi,” which means “the cage.”
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Shohei Ohtani reveals dog’s name at Dodgers’ introduction
The Nederlandse kooikerhondje (pronounced NAY’-dehr-lahn-seh KOY’-kehr-hahnd-jeh) was initially trained to get ducks’ attention and then lure them into net-covered canals for hunters to catch. Take a look at many a Dutch Old Master painting, and if you spot a smallish, brown and white, spaniel-like dog with long ears, you’ve probably seen an ancestor of today’s kooikerhondje.
Article continues after this advertisementOwners say the breed is lively and clever.
Clever enough to, for instance, carry out the ceremonial first pitch in front of nearly 54,000 people, as Decoy did at a Dodgers-Orioles game in August.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Decoy’s portrait might not be hanging on a museum wallhappy day, but he’s been immortalized in an Ohtani bobblehead. The pooch also got a special, supersized “visa” during a visit to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo last winter.
READ NEXT PBA Finals: Pogoy, TNT get dose of own medicine in Game 3 loss Grant Williams: No’malicious intent’ behind hard f... EDITORS' PICK Marcos signs laws creating new court branches across PH Tropical depression may enter PAR on Nov. 4 PNP-ACG led Manila Pogo hub raid – NCRPO MUPH rallies support for Chelsea Manalo in Miss Universe 2024 polls US nuclear bomber joins air drill with South Korea, Japan PCG transports about 9,000 relief boxes for Kristine victims in Bicol MOST READ Marcos, BARMM leaders discuss collaboration for 2025 elections Marcos declares Nov. 4 ‘Day of National Mourning’ LPA seen outside PAR, chance of becoming a typhoon is low DOJ urged to issue lookout bulletin vs OVP officials Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments