Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) with his dog Decoy after he delivered he first pitch before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium on Aug 28, 2024.
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani released a new children’s book title “Decoy Saves Opening Day” on Tuesday. He co-authored his debut children’s picture book with author Michael Blank.
The proceeds from the book will go to support local animal shelters.
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The book tells an exciting story of Ohtani’s dog, Decoy, preparing to throw the first pitch of the Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium. In the book, Decoy forgets his lucky baseball, and the book takes readers through his adventure of retrieving that ball in time to throw the first pitch.
“Decoy has been by my side through so many meaningful moments, and I’m excited to share a story that celebrates what makes him so special,” Ohtani said in a press release from HarperCollins Children’s Books. “I hope it brings joy to young readers and that our support of animal rescue organizations helps more incredible dogs find loving homes.”
Decoy delivered the first pitch at Dodger Stadium in real life for a game against the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 28, 2024. The Dodgers also gifted the first 40,000 fans a special edition bobblehead of Ohtani and Decoy before the game.
Aug 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) with his dog Decoy after he delivered he first pitch before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Ohtani Wanted to Write the Book For His Daughter
Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, welcomed their daughter to the world on April 19, 2025. She is Ohtani’s first child.
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While on tour promoting his new book, Ohtani told NBC News he wanted to write a book that told his baseball story, so that he could read the book to his daughter.
“The initial idea was, basically, I had my daughter coming soon,” Ohtani said. “So timing wise, I felt it was … a nice time to maybe be able to read her a book about my story, as well as our dog Decoy’s story. That it’d be kind of cool if we could do that together.”
Ohtani is entering the third season of his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in 2026. He has won two World Series championships in two seasons and will look to win a third straight title next season with Los Angeles.
Until then, Ohtani will be representing Team Japan as a designated hitter in the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March. Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto will also compete for Team Japan.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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