Shohei Ohtani hit a home run to start the game on his second bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium, right after he and his dog, Decoy, did the ceremonial first pitch.
Ohtani hit a 1-2 pitch from Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes into right-center for his 42nd homer of the season on Wednesday night. He went 2 for 4, scored three runs, and stole two bases.
“I think I was more nervous with the ceremonial pitch than Decoy,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I’m glad everything went well.”
The second Ohtani bobblehead giveaway was just as popular as the first.
Or, as Yogi Berra might say, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”
Long lines of cars were backed up on the roads around the stadium five hours before the game against the Orioles on Wednesday night.
Some drivers went the wrong way to get around a blocked intersection near one of the stadium gates where no traffic officers were present.
“I’m just happy that I made it,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “It took me forever to get inside Dodger Stadium. I actually picked up one of the Dodger workers. She was struggling up the hill, so I gave her a lift.”
Only the first 40,000 fans got the bobblehead, which shows a smiling Ohtani holding Decoy (his Japanese name is Dekopin).
Some gold versions were mixed in randomly. The souvenirs were quickly listed on eBay, though prices seemed lower than for his first bobblehead in May.
“Man, there is a high demand for this dang bobblehead,” Roberts said.
Ohtani carried Decoy to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. He placed the ball on the rubber and took a catching position behind home plate. After Ohtani signaled, the Dutch Kooikerhondje — wearing his own uniform — picked up the ball in his mouth and carried it to Ohtani.
He mentioned that it took three weeks to train the dog, who stayed calm in front of the sold-out crowd of 53,290. They had a practice run at the stadium before the big event.
They did a hand-to-paw high five as the crowd cheered loudly and Ohtani smiled widely.
“I’m impressed that the dog was already that well-trained, but I guess if it’s Shohei’s dog, nothing should be surprising,” Roberts said.
Many fans, especially Japanese ones, waited patiently in a long line under the hot sun before the main gate 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 September 20, 2019. That promotion caused traffic jams for hours before game time.
Ohtani walked, popped out, and struck out that night in a 7-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
The Dodgers have planned one more Ohtani giveaway to celebrate his first season in Los Angeles after six years with the Angels in Anaheim. The September giveaway will be a shirt, following a hat giveaway in July.
Ohtani joined the Dodgers last December with a $700 million, 10-year contract. Last week, he became the fastest player in major league history — and the sixth ever — to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season, and he achieved it in the same game.
He is now aiming for a new milestone: 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
Roberts said he is still amazed by the excitement surrounding Ohtani.
“When you’re in it day to day, he’s a baseball player that just wants to play,” the manager said, “but when you see how he impacts the game and moves the needle like he does, I’ve just never seen anything like this. It is incredible.”
