Shohei Ohtani has new venture up his sleeve — a children's book
Just days after the two-way star's fifth All-Star appearance, Ohtani, 31, announced that he is coming out with a children's book.
Ohtani posted to his Instagram on Thursday that he had co-written a children's book about his dog, Decoy.
Advertisement
The book, titled 'Decoy Saves Opening Day,' is available for preorder and is set to be released in February of next year.
According to the book's website from publisher HarperCollins, the story is about Decoy forgetting his lucky baseball when he is set to throw out the first pitch on Opening Day.
Advertisement
Shohei Ohtani smiles after grounding out during second inning of the National League's win over the American League on July 15, 2025, in Atlanta.
AP
The website also says Ohtani plans to use the profits from the book to help non-profit animal rescue organizations.
'Shohei Ohtani is the biggest name in baseball and a proud sponsor of animal rescue organizations,' the website reads. 'Shohei and Decoy hope to use the publication of 'Decoy Saves Opening Day' to support the work these amazing nonprofits do helping dogs find their forever homes. While their fictional counterparts are saving opening day, Shohei and Decoy are working to help real-life animals in need.'
Outside of the book writing, Ohtani is ramping up his full-time pitching comeback for the Dodgers.
Advertisement
Shohei Ohtani delivers a pitch in the first inning of the Dodgers' 2-1 win over the Giants on July 12, 2025 in San Francisco.
Getty Images
In his final outing before the All-Star break on Saturday, Ohtani threw three scoreless innings in the Dodgers' 2-1 victory over the rival Giants.
The three-time MVP allowed just one hit while striking out four in his fifth appearance this season.
'Overall a very efficient outing,' Ohtani told reporters through an interpreter. 'I was glad that I was able to prevent runs and we were able to keep the lead throughout the game.'
Advertisement
Ohtani, who did not pitch during the 2024 season, also said he felt his command is improving.
'Aside from the stuff, I'm more happy with the command of my pitches and being able to attack the zone,' Ohtani said. 'Today was one of those days where my fastball felt pretty good, so I leaned on it a little bit more today.'
At the plate, he leads the National League with 32 home runs and a .988 OPS.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
2 minutes ago
- New York Post
Ichiro hilariously needles lone writer who left him off Hall of Fame ballot
Ichiro has a Hall of Fame mind and on off the field. The long-time Seattle Mariner didn't hold back during his Hall of Fame acceptance speech on Sunday, calling out the lone Baseball Writers' Association voter who failed to include him on his or her ballot, despite his historic career achievements. 'Three‑thousand hits or 262 hits in one season are achievements recognized by the writers. Well, all but one of you. And by the way, the offer for that writer to have dinner at my home has now expired,' Ichiro said to a roaring Cooperstown crowd. Ichiro Suzuki speaks during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 27, 2025 in Cooperstown, New York. Getty Images Ichiro headlined the 2025 class, sharing the Cooperstown stage with CC Sabathia and elite reliever Billy Wagner, while legendary players Dick Allen and Dave Parker were inducted posthumously. Ichiro was selected on his first ballot with a sweeping 99.7 percent of the vote share, collecting 393 of 394 votes. The achievement also makes Ichiro the first Asian-born Hall of Fame inductee. Over 19 MLB seasons, Ichiro racked up 3,089 major league hits with a career batting average of a blistering .311, as well as 509 stolen bases, 10 Gold Gloves, three Silver Slugger awards, and two batting titles. Ichiro's single-season record of 262 hits in 2004 still stands to this day. Inductees, from left, Billy Wagner, Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Willa Allen, representing her late husband late Dick Allen and David Parker II, representing his late father Dave Parker pose for a photograph after the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 27, 2025 in Cooperstown, New York. Getty Images Ichiro's 242 hits as a rookie in 2001 are also 10th all-time and second after 1930 — that season he won both MVP and Rookie of the Year in the American League. He also reached 10 consecutive All-Star games to begin his career, an MLB record. As of Ichiro's speech, the writer who left him off the ballot, keeping him from becoming the second unanimous first ballot Hall of Famer, has remained anonymous. Mariano Rivera received a perfect 425 of 425 votes for his initial Hall of Fame bid in 2019. Ichiro's 99.7 percent ties Derek Jeter for second place.
Boston Globe
2 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Seth Lugo, a possible starting pitcher option at the trade deadline, signs two-year extension with Royals
Advertisement Rumors surfaced of Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Related : It appears that they are going to make a push for a second consecutive playoff appearance. The Royals acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Diamondbacks for reliever Andrew Hoffmann late Saturday, shoring up a weakness in the lineup by adding a righthanded bat. Now, they have indicated that Lugo remains a big part of their future with his extension — an especially timely one given it came the same day that All-Star pitcher Kris Bubic went on the injured list. Advertisement Kansas City also is missing starters Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen due to injuries. Both are expected back at some point in August, and the Royals are hopeful that their return to the rotation will propel them down the stretch run. After beating the Guardians on Sunday, the Royals were four games back of the final American League wild-card spot.
Fox Sports
2 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Mauricio and Soto lead Mets past Giants 5-3 for 7th straight win
Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ronny Mauricio and Juan Soto homered in the seventh inning, and the New York Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Sunday to match a season best with their seventh straight win. Mauricio had a career-high four hits, going 4 for 4 with two doubles and a tying homer from the bottom spot in the batting order. Jeff McNeil doubled twice to help the Mets complete a three-game sweep and extend their NL East lead to 1 1/2 games over Philadelphia. Matt Chapman homered twice and drove in all three runs for the Giants, who loaded the bases in the ninth on two walks and a hit batter. Edwin Diaz struck out Willy Adames and Chapman to end it. The Mets, who also had a seven-game winning streak in April, trailed 3-2 following Chapman's second homer, a two-run drive off starter Kodai Senga in the fifth. Mauricio tied it when the rookie drove a 1-0 slider from reliever Randy Rodriguez (3-2) into McCovey Cove leading off the seventh. After Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor struck out, Soto hit his team-leading 25th home run to left, giving the Mets a 4-3 lead. They added an insurance run in the ninth on consecutive doubles by Mauricio and Nimmo. Jose Butto (3-1), the second of four Mets relievers, retired three batters for the win. Gregory Soto pitched a perfect seventh in his New York debut, and Díaz worked the ninth for his 23rd save. Senga walked five in five innings. He allowed three runs and four hits. Key moment Mauricio shut down a potential Giants rally when he fielded Adames' slow grounder in front of third base and then quickly reversed direction to tag out Heliot Ramos trying to advance from second. Key stat Rodriguez had allowed only one home run all season before the Mets got to him twice in one inning. Up next Mets RHP Frankie Montas (3-1, 4.62 ERA) faces the Padres in San Diego on Monday. Carson Whisenhunt, the Giants' top pitching prospect, will make his major league debut Monday against Pittsburgh. ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 3
