The excitement at Dodger Stadium reached new heights during Shohei Ohtani’s second bobblehead night, following a long line of fans hours before the game’s start. On Wednesday, thousands sought bobbleheads featuring not only Ohtani but also his dog, Dekopin, with 40,000 given away to a sold-out crowd of more than 52,000. Despite the massive turnout, over 12,000 fans ended up empty-handed due to many reselling the items for significant profits online.
Fans who missed out were treated to a delightful experience. On the first bobblehead night, Ohtani and his wife Mamiko allowed a young fan from UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital to throw the first pitch. This time, Ohtani took a whimsical approach by letting Dekopin deliver the first pitch. The moment was heartwarming, as Dekopin ran from the mound to Ohtani behind home plate, capturing the crowd’s affection.
Shortly after this charming event, Ohtani continued to make headlines by hitting his 42nd home run of the season. Facing Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, he launched a slider 391 feet over the center field wall in the first inning, contributing to the Dodgers’ victory. Additionally, Teoscar Hernández hit a three-run homer in the third inning, while pitcher Walker Buehler delivered an impressive performance, allowing only two earned runs across 4 2/3 innings while striking out four.
With the win, the Dodgers maintained their status as the best team in baseball and approached a .600 win percentage. The positive atmosphere at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night set a hopeful tone for the team’s upcoming series.