Shohei Ohtani has once again proven why he is widely regarded as the most electrifying talent in baseball, securing his fourth consecutive National League Most Valuable Player award on November 13, 2025, just weeks after leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to their 2025 World Series title. Yet while the baseball world celebrated another historic achievement for the two-way superstar, it was a fluffy Dutch Kooikerhondje named Decoy who stole the show and sent social media into meltdown.
The moment came during the traditional MVP reveal call, delivered this year by Dodgers legend and special advisor Don Mattingly. Seated on a couch with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, and Decoy perched between them, Ohtani listened quietly as Mattingly informed him of the near-unanimous vote. As soon as the words were spoken, Ohtani wrapped one arm around Tanaka in a warm hug, then immediately turned to Decoy and planted a tender kiss on top of the dog’s head. The sequence, captured live and instantly shared across MLB’s official channels, exploded online within minutes.
“Decoy just got the MVP kiss before the wife ,” one viral post read, racking up millions of views. Another user wrote, “Shohei Ohtani kissing Decoy instead of Mamiko is the most Shohei thing ever. Man loves that dog more than life.” The clip quickly became one of the most shared baseball moments of the year, with fans delighting in the wholesome awkwardness of the scene.
For anyone who has followed Ohtani’s career, the canine celebration was anything but surprising. The 31-year-old Japanese phenom has always been fiercely private about his personal life, rarely showing public affection toward anyone, human or otherwise, except Decoy. The Dutch Kooikerhondje has been Ohtani’s constant companion since joining the Dodgers in 2024, appearing in countless photos, traveling with the team, and even taking the mound at Dodger Stadium to throw out a ceremonial first pitch, an event immortalized with a wildly popular bobblehead giveaway that saw fans line up for more than four hours.
Decoy’s stardom reached new heights during the 2024 MVP announcement when Clayton Kershaw broke the news to Ohtani via video call. The excited pup leapt off the couch and bolted across the room mid-interview, forcing Kershaw to laugh and declare, “Looks like Decoy is the real MVP here.” One year later, the dog managed to upstage his owner yet again, this time with a kiss that instantly became meme gold.
Speaking through his interpreter after receiving the 2025 honor, Ohtani remained characteristically humble, emphasizing team success over individual accolades. “The biggest thing is obviously being able to win the World Series. That’s first and foremost,” he said. “Getting crowned MVP is icing on the cake, but I really appreciate the support from all my teammates and everyone around me.” When asked about the viral Decoy moment, Ohtani simply smiled and said, “Decoy has been with me through everything. He deserved that kiss.”
With this latest MVP, Ohtani continues to rewrite baseball history. He is now just the second player ever to win four MVP awards, trailing only Barry Bonds’ record of seven, and the first in MLB history to win both an MVP and a World Series title in each of his first two seasons with a new team. His 2025 campaign was nothing short of legendary: a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, 59 stolen bases, and a 3.21 ERA with 212 strikeouts over 187 innings pitched, all while recovering from elbow surgery and helping the Dodgers capture their eighth championship.
Yet for millions of fans around the world, the numbers took a backseat to the image of baseball’s biggest superstar choosing to celebrate one of his greatest individual honors by kissing his dog on national television. The moment perfectly encapsulated Ohtani’s personality: reserved and intensely private with humans, but completely unable to hide his affection for the four-legged friend who has become as much a part of the Dodgers and Stripes brand as the player himself.
Decoy, already a certified celebrity with his own verified Instagram account and sponsorship deals, has solidified his status as the most beloved dog in sports. From bobblehead nights to first-pitch ceremonies to stealing MVP reveals, the Kooikerhondje has proven that sometimes the real star isn’t the one holding the trophy; it’s the one getting the kiss when the trophy is won.
As Ohtani continues to chase more records, more rings, and perhaps even Bonds’ all-time MVP mark, one thing is certain: wherever Shohei goes, Decoy won’t be far behind, and the internet will be ready with cameras, memes, and endless heart-eye emojis for baseball’s most adorable duo.
