Shohei Ohtani’s dog is truly a show-stopper.
Ohtani, after an incredible first season with the Dodgers, unsurprisingly took home the National League MVP on Thursday night, garnering all 30 first-place votes for a unanimous decision.
Ohtani, sitting with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, and their dog, Decoy, got the news on a live feed as teammate Clayton Kershaw announce that the designated hitter won the top NL award.
But as the excitement was palpable, Decoy decided to jump off the couch and scamper away in a scene-stealing move.
Both Ohtani and Tanaka looked at each other in stunned disbelief as the beloved pup ran off-screen.
Just one year ago, the world was introduced to Ohtani’s dog during the American League MVP award announcement, when the two-way star and dog shared a high-five.
It led to plenty of questions about the pooch’s name, which Ohtani later revealed to be Decoy after he signed with the Dodgers.
Decoy had more moments of fame this past season when he and Ohtani were featured on a bobblehead given away as a promotion at Dodger Stadium on a night where the dog even got to take part in an adorable ceremonial first pitch.
The Dutch Kooikerhondje also took part in the Dodgers’ victory parade in Los Angeles after the World Series win over the Yankees.
After Decoy ran away during the MVP announcement, Ohtani gave a few hugs and handshakes before fist-bumping his wife, which one user on X likened to the Tiger Woods “big dog” meme that has become popular on social media.
This came three days after Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and girlfriend Livvy Dunne had a funny moment where the All-Star was stoic while the LSU gymnast was super enthusiastic — which led to an awkward kiss — after the hurler was named NL Rookie of the Year.
Ohtani smashed his way to his third MVP award, leading the NL in a slew of categories, including in on-base percentage (.390), slugging (.646), OPS (1.036), homers (54) and RBIs (130) as he became the first player in the history of MLB to hit 50 long balls and steal 50 bases in the same season.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor finished second in the voting while the Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte finished third.
