Shohei Ohtani Celebrates MVP Win with Family

Shohei Ohtani really made a statement with his recent MVP win.

The newly minted four-time MVP, enjoying his time with the Dodgers for a second consecutive year, shared a quirky yet entertaining moment with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, and their dog, Decoy.

Following the announcement made by former Yankees legend and current free agent coach Don Mattingly about Ohtani being named the National League’s top player, MLB Network showcased a lighthearted video. In it, Ohtani, 31, was seen on a couch, with Decoy nestled beside him and his wife on the other side.

In a charming display, he leaned down to give his wife a hug while simultaneously showering Decoy with affection. Strangely, he ended up kissing the dog instead of his wife, which amused many social media users.

“After winning the MVP award, it was Decoy who was kissed by Ohtani🤣🐶,” noted a user on X, highlighting the humorous moment.

Ohtani is known for being quite reserved, and it wasn’t until last year that their relationship came to light. They’ve been spotted together in public more frequently since he joined the Dodgers, and they welcomed a baby girl this past April.

Meanwhile, Decoy has become somewhat of a social media sensation.

Ohtani has shared numerous adorable photos of his dog on Instagram, which certainly adds a personal touch to his championship journey following the Dodgers’ World Series victory against the Yankees last season.

In a funny twist during last year’s MVP celebration, Decoy even dashed off the couch while Ohtani and Tanaka shared a fist bump.

Additionally, the dog had the honor of throwing a first pitch at a Dodgers game in 2024.

Regardless of who received affection, the Otani family had plenty to celebrate as Ohtani continues to solidify his legacy as one of baseball’s greatest players. The former Angel has consistently finished within the top two of MVP voting for five consecutive years, though he came in second to Yankees star Aaron Judge in 2022.

This year, Judge claimed another AL MVP title, becoming the first among three Judges to achieve that distinction.

Ohtani delivered an impressive season, recording 55 home runs, driving in 102 runs, and maintaining a batting average of .282 along with a .392 on-base percentage and a .622 slugging percentage. His OPS of 1.014 was the highest in the National League, earning him the MVP honors ahead of Kyle Schwarber and Juan Soto.

After recovering from Tommy John surgery, he made 14 starts with a record of 1 win and 1 loss, featuring an ERA of 2.87.

His standout moment came during Game 4 of the NLCS, where he pitched six scoreless innings, striking out 10 batters and hitting three home runs, marking one of the most remarkable single-game performances in MLB history.

In Game 3 of the World Series, Ohtani showcased his skill further, helping the Dodgers win 6-5 in 18 innings with a remarkable performance: reaching base in all nine at-bats, going 4-for-4, hitting two home runs, and amassing four extra-base hits.

With Ohtani on the team, the Dodgers now hold a 2-2 record in World Series victories and in National League MVP voting since he signed a 10-year, $700 million deal through the 2024 season.