Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers congratulates his dog Decoy after Decoy throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles, Aug. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles.
12:09 JST, August 29, 2024
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a home run on the first pitch of the game, his second bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium, shortly after the Japanese superstar and his dog performed the ceremonial first pitch.
Ohtani hit a 1-2 pitch from Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes to right-center for his 42nd home run of the season.
The second Ohtani bobblehead giveaway proved to be just as popular as the first.
Or: “It’s déjà vu all over again,” as Yogi Berra liked to say.
Five hours before the team hosted the Orioles on Wednesday night, long lines of cars formed on the roads surrounding the stadium.
Some drivers drove to the wrong side of the road when they passed an intersection that was blocked at one of the stadium gates, where there were no traffic controllers.
“I’m just glad I made it,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “It took me forever to get into Dodger Stadium. I actually picked up one of the Dodger employees. She was struggling up the mound, so I picked her up and gave her a little ride.”
The bobblehead of Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is seen prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles on August 29, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Only the first 40,000 fans received the bobblehead, which depicts a smiling Ohtani holding his dog Decoy (Japanese name is Dekopin). There were a few gold versions mixed in. The souvenirs quickly went up on Ebay, although the prices appear to be much lower than for his first bobblehead in May.
Man, there’s really a demand for this damn bobblehead, Roberts said.
Ohtani carried Decoy to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. He placed the ball on the rubber and took up a catching position behind home plate. After Ohtani gave the signal, the Dutch Kooikerhondje—dressed in his home uniform—picked up the ball in his mouth and carried it to Ohtani.
They high-fived as the crowd cheered wildly and Ohtani smiled broadly.
He’s clearly enjoying all the success and promoting himself and his dog, Roberts said.
Fans, many of them Japanese, waited patiently in the blazing sun in a line that stretched far out to the main entrance before it opened.
The first Ohtani bobblehead giveaway in May — featuring him in his batting stance — drew a sellout crowd of 53,527 — the largest in the majors this season and the most at Dodger Stadium since Sept. 20, 2019. The promotion caused hours of traffic congestion leading up to the game.
Ohtani walked, popped out and struck out that night in a 7-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
The Dodgers have another Ohtani giveaway planned to mark the two-way superstar’s first season in Los Angeles after six years in Anaheim with the Angels. The September promotion is a jersey. The team gave away hats in July.
Ohtani joined the Dodgers last December, signing a $700 million, 10-year contract. Last week, he became the fastest player in major league history — and sixth all-time — to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season — accomplishing the feat in the same game.
He now aims for something that has never been done before: 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.
Roberts says he’s still amazed by the mania surrounding Ohtani.
When you’re around him day-to-day, he’s a baseball player who just wants to play, the manager said, “but when you see him make an impact and move the needle the way he’s doing and has done, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s unbelievable.”
