Shohei Ohtani showcases his multi-faceted talents as a batter, pitcher, and now, a storyteller.
The celebrated Los Angeles Dodgers player revealed plans on Thursday to release a children’s book titled “Decoy Saves Opening Day,” a heartwarming narrative centered around his canine companion, Decoy (also known as Dekopin). The literary work, brought to life by Harper Collins, will be a collaborative effort with co-author Michael Blank and illustrator Fanny Liem.
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Anticipated to be available in bookstores on Feb. 3.
The book’s summary unfolds as follows:
Decoy is overflowing with excitement to deliver the inaugural pitch on the highly anticipated Opening Day of the baseball season! The stadium is filled with the irresistible aroma of hot dogs, presents an expansive playground unlike anything he’s ever encountered, and welcomes a multitude of his cherished human companions. It promises to be an unforgettable day, but — disaster strikes! — Decoy realizes he has left his prized lucky baseball back at home! Can he embark on a retrieval mission and successfully return to the stadium before time runs out?
The concept of Decoy, a Kooikerhondje breed, participating in the ceremonial first pitch draws inspiration from real-life events, as he playfully “threw” the opening pitch during a game last year, coinciding with the Dodgers’ distribution of a bobblehead featuring him alongside Ohtani.
It was an undeniably endearing moment.
According to Harper Collins, Ohtani intends to utilize the earnings generated from “Decoy Saves Opening Day” to provide assistance to organizations dedicated to animal welfare.
Decoy has prominently featured in Ohtani’s life since the announcement of the 2023 American League MVP award, an honor Ohtani received unanimously during his concluding season with the Los Angeles Angels. Decoy, whose name remained undisclosed until Ohtani’s introduction with the Dodgers, swiftly gained widespread recognition after being seen relaxing alongside Ohtani on the broadcast, subsequently earning affection from fans in both Japan and the United States.
