MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani wasn’t the only one in his household bringing home the awards at the weekend.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star took home the NL MVP award at the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) Awards Dinner in New York on Saturday.
But the two-time World Series winner had competition from his own dog, Decoy, who took home an award of his own.
Ohtani’s famous kooikerhondje pup has enjoyed his fair share of the spotlight in recent years and his rising stardom was recognized on Saturday when he was named National League Most Valuable Dog.
And the Japanese player was a proud owner as he commemorated his pup’s achievement by posing with Decoy and the plaque.
The two-way star also shared a solo snap of the canine wearing a bowtie with the plaque resting against him.
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s dog has become a firm favorite
The pup, named Decoy, was honored with the National League Most Valuable Dog award
Ohtani’s dog has now been part of two World Series celebrations and was seen aboard a double-decker bus with baseball’s biggest superstar and his basketball player wife during the Dodgers’ championship parade back in November.
The pup has quickly become a fan favorite among the Dodgers faithful with Los Angeles giving him an honor of his own.
Back in 2024, Decoy carried out the ceremonial first pitch in front of nearly 54,000 people at a Dodgers-Orioles game.
He’s also been immortalized in an Ohtani bobblehead. The pooch additionally got a special, supersized ‘visa’ during a visit to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo the previous winter.
Decoy was also by Ohtani’s side when it was announced that the slugger had won his second straight National League MVP award back in November.
In a now-viral moment, Ohtani immediately hugged and kissed his dog before his wife after being named MVP.
As seen on MLB Network, Ohtani received the honor via satellite while seated on a couch with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, and dog, both of whom he embraced. He also offered up a kiss, but not to the glamorous mother of his baby daughter.
‘Ohtani hugging his wife while kissing his dog,’ one of many fans noticed on X, adding: ‘lol.’
The pooch joined in the World Series celebrations atop a double decker bus in Los Angeles
Ohtani, Decoy and Mamiko Tanaka sit on a couch as he learns he’s won another MVP award
With his return to the mound following 2024 elbow surgery, Ohtani was once again baseball’s two-way sensation while leading his Los Angeles Dodgers to a second consecutive World Series title.
Not only did he lead baseball in bases, runs and extra-base hits, but his 2.87 earned-run average in 14 appearances was actually the second-best mark of his distinguished career.
As a result, Ohtani garnered all 30 votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America for a remarkable fourth time in five years dating back to his tenure with the American League’s Los Angeles Angels. Only seven-time MVP Barry Bonds has captured the award more than Ohtani, who is still just 31 and entering ninth MLB season.
