Massive lines formed outside Dodger Stadium for the Shohei Ohtani bobblehead giveaway, showcasing the excitement surrounding the two-way superstar.
Earlier this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced a unique giveaway featuring a special bobblehead that not only depicted Ohtani but also included his beloved dog, Decoy. The furry companion gained significant attention during Ohtani’s free agency, culminating in his historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
The giveaway took place during Wednesday’s game, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT. By 11 a.m., fans, including a notable number of Japanese supporters, had already formed a lengthy line that extended far from the main entrance, braving the heat while eagerly anticipating their chance to receive the coveted bobblehead:
Some drivers attempted to navigate a blocked intersection near one of the stadium gates, where traffic control was absent.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed relief at finally making it inside the stadium. “It took me forever to get inside Dodger Stadium. I actually picked up one of the Dodger workers who was struggling up the hill and gave her a little lift,” he shared before the game.
Only the first 40,000 fans were eligible to receive the bobblehead, adding to its allure.
This bobblehead has been promoted as a special collector’s item. The packaging itself serves as a keepsake, featuring Ohtani’s career statistics and exclusive images of Decoy. Among the giveaway items, special-edition gold versions of the bobblehead were randomly included.
Interestingly, the first gold bobblehead was reserved for Ohtani, who brought Decoy along to the game:
Ohtani also treated early arrivals to an additional surprise by throwing in the bullpen, continuing his rehabilitation as a pitcher following major right elbow surgery just over a year ago.
Ohtani has certainly lived up to expectations as a designated hitter this season. He leads the National League in OPS (.993), home runs (41), and stolen bases (40). These achievements have placed him among the elite, making him the sixth player in MLB history and the first Dodger to enter the “40-40” club for home runs and stolen bases in a single season. He is also on track to potentially become the first player to achieve “50-50” in both categories. Ohtani ranks in the top five across virtually all major offensive metrics in Major League Baseball.
Despite serving solely as a designated hitter this season, Ohtani is the overwhelming favorite (-2300) to win the National League MVP award. This would mark his third career MVP title, making him only the second player in MLB history to win MVP honors in both the American and National Leagues.
Roberts expressed his astonishment at the fervor surrounding Ohtani.
“When you’re in it day to day, he’s just a baseball player who wants to play,” the manager remarked. “But when you see him impact and move the needle like he does, I’ve never seen anything like this. It is incredible,” he added, reflecting the unique phenomenon that Ohtani represents in the world of baseball.
