Shohei Ohtani is a batter, a pitcher and now an author.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star announced on Thursday that he is publishing a children’s book entitled “Decoy Saves Opening Day,” centered around his dog Decoy (aka. Dekopin). The book, published by Harper Collins, will be co-authored with Michael Blank, with pictures by Fanny Liem.
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It is due to hit store shelves on Feb. 3.
The book’s synopsis:
Decoy can’t wait to throw the first pitch on Opening Day of the new baseball season! The stadium has hot dogs, the biggest backyard he’s ever seen, and thousands of his best human friends. It’s going to be the best day ever, but—oh, no!—Decoy forgot his lucky baseball at home! Can he get his ball and make it back to the stadium before it’s too late?
Decoy, a Kooikerhondje, throwing a first pitch comes straight from reality, as he “threw” the first pitch at a game last year on a night the Dodgers gave away a bobblehead of him and Ohtani.
It was extremely cute.
Per Harper Collins, Ohtani hopes to use proceeds of “Decoy Saves Opening Day” to support animal rescue organizations.
Decoy has been a featured player in Ohtani’s life since the announcement of the 2023 American League MVP award, which Ohtani won unanimously in his final season with the Los Angeles Angels. Decoy, whose name was unknown until Ohtani’s introduction with the Dodgers, immediately went viral while sitting on the couch with Ohtani on the broadcast and has since become beloved in both Japan and the United States.
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