More than five hours before first pitch Wednesday, fans were already lining up outside Dodger Stadium for the night’s bobblehead giveaway featuring Shohei Ohtani and his dog, Dekopin.
Once inside, they got to see both subjects in real life, too.
Not only was Ohtani atop the Dodgers’ lineup Wednesday, in his customary slot as designated hitter. But his dog, a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje who attracted online fame during Ohtani’s free agency this winter, was also at the ballpark for the occasion.
For the ceremonial first pitch, Ohtani carried Dekopin out to the mound, placed a ball on the rubber, then ran and crouched behind home plate.