For all the attention the Los Angeles Dodgers garner because of their star-studded roster, there is close to equal interest in players’ pets.
Particularly with Shohei Ohtani, whose dog, Decoy (“Dekopin” in Japanese), is seemingly just as beloved as the two-way star. Decoy’s popularity increased last season when he ‘threw out’ the ceremonial first pitch for Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium.
Decoy is with Mamiko and Ohtani at Spring Training, and a Japanese outlet captured him playing alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s dog, an American Staffordshire Terrier.
Shohei’s dog Decoy and Yoshinobu’s dog 🐶 playing
Yoshinobu’s dog is such a calm muscled chonky king, while decoy is like speed king 🤴 pic.twitter.com/9L4ECdCbOG
— shobae 大谷翔平 ¹⁷ Ohtani Shohei ¹⁷ 🐶 (@shoheisaveus) February 14, 2025
Decoy and Yoshinobu’s dog are friends and have been playing together since November 🥹
Yoshinobu said the breed of his dog is “American Staffordshire Terrier.” He said it’s kind of similar to pit bull https://t.co/xPjrHk28NA pic.twitter.com/YpzyNH881M
— shobae 大谷翔平 ¹⁷ Ohtani Shohei ¹⁷ 🐶 (@shoheisaveus) February 13, 2025
Yamamoto’s dog ironically was dressed in an Ohtani Dodgers jersey while running around the player’s area at Camelback Ranch. Yamamoto told reporters he adopted the dog around last summer.
That timeline lines up with when Yamamoto was on the injured list because of right triceps tightness/rotator cuff strain. He missed nearly three months because of the injury.
Now Yamamoto is heading into a second season with the Dodgers that is likely to begin with starting on Opening Day in the Tokyo Series.
What to know about Shohei Ohtani’s dog
Decoy is a Dutch Kooikerhondje, which are considered lively, agile, self-confident, good-natured and alert. The American Kennel Club notes the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje breed is faithful, easy-going and friendly in the home.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Mookie Betts recently voiced their support of Decoy becoming an unofficial Dodgers mascot.
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