Decoy Ohtani: Most valuable pet of the World Series
The Dodgers’ Most Valuable Pet: Decoy Ohtani
As Los Angeles Dodgers fans celebrated their World Series victory at the parade in Los Angeles, all eyes were on MVP Freddie Freeman. However, another MVP stole the show – Decoy Ohtani, the beloved dog of Shohei Ohtani.
Decoy, a Dutch kooikerhondje, was lovingly cradled in Ohtani’s arms on the top deck of a double-decker parade bus, much to the delight of fans.
This adorable pup has become a fixture in Dodgers and dog fandom alike. Decoy was even present on Ohtani’s lap when he received the prestigious honor of being unanimously selected as Most Valuable Player twice, a historic achievement in Major League Baseball.
Not only did Decoy make appearances on Ohtani’s social media posts, but he also garnered attention during Ohtani’s press conferences after signing a record-breaking $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers. Reporters were quick to ask about the beloved pet, with Ohtani revealing his name – Dekopin in Japanese, but preferring the simpler name of Decoy for American fans.
The name Decoy is quite fitting for this Dutch duck-hunting breed. The Nederlandse kooikerhondje was originally trained to attract ducks and lead them into net-covered canals for hunters to capture. This breed’s ancestors can be seen in Dutch Old Master paintings, recognized by their small, brown and white spaniel-like appearance with long ears.
Owners of kooikerhondjes describe them as lively and intelligent, traits that Decoy certainly embodies. From carrying out ceremonial first pitches at Dodgers games to being immortalized in a bobblehead, Decoy has captured the hearts of fans everywhere.
While Decoy’s portrait may not hang in a museum, he did receive a special “visa” during a visit to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, solidifying his status as a beloved and cherished member of the Dodgers family.
