LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani may be the GOAT, but it’s a different animal that takes center stage in his first-ever children’s book: his beloved pet dog Decoy (Decopin if you speak Japanese).
On February 3, 2026, HarperCollins Children’s Books released Decoy Saves Opening Day, a picture book credited to Shohei Ohtani and Michael Blank, with illustrations by Fanny Liem. The story is inspired by Ohtani’s famous dog, Decoy, who’s become a regular presence in Ohtani’s life (and plenty of Dodgers fans’ feeds).
The premise is pure Opening Day chaos, kid-style. In the book, Decoy is thrilled to throw out the first pitch “to kick off the new baseball season,” and the stadium feels like “the biggest backyard he’s ever seen.” The target is simple: throw the ceremonial first pitch to his “best human friend,” world champion baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Then the problem hits — Decoy realizes he left his lucky baseball at home, and the clock starts. HarperCollins describes it as a “fast-paced adventure” that takes young readers behind the scenes of Opening Day as Decoy races to get the ball and return to the stadium “before it’s too late.”
Ohtani’s quote in the release is exactly the kind of straightforward, heartfelt thing you’d expect from him. “Decoy has been by my side through so many meaningful moments, and I’m excited to share a story that celebrates what makes him so special,” Ohtani said. “I hope it brings joy to young readers and that our support of animal rescue organizations helps more incredible dogs find loving homes.”
That last part matters. HarperCollins notes that Ohtani is “a proud sponsor of animal rescue organizations,” and that he 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.” So while the book’s Decoy is trying to save Opening Day, the real-life Decoy is tied to a cause Ohtani clearly cares about.
Michael Blank, the co-author, framed it from the parent angle — the nightly routine, the rereads, the kid test. “As a lifelong baseball fan and a dad who reads with his kids every night, it’s been a dream come true to work with Shohei to help tell Decoy’s story,” Blank said, adding that his kids “ask for it again and again.” He also delivers the line every Dodgers household is going to end up repeating: “I know other young readers will be cheering for the real MVP of our tale: Decoy, the Most Valuable Pup!”
HarperCollins editorial director David Linker leaned into the “first-ever picture book” angle and why this one fits: “It’s a perfect celebration of friendship, teamwork, and hustle, and the perfect addition to any family’s library,” he said.
Dodgers fans don’t need much convincing that Decoy is already part of the Ohtani era in L.A. The release even nods to the real-life crossover moment: Decoy “throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium in August 2024.” If you remember the stadium reaction that night, you can probably picture a kid-friendly version of that same energy on the page — bright lights, big crowd, and a dog who takes his job extremely seriously.
For the book details, HarperCollins lists:
- Decoy Saves Opening Day
- By Shohei Ohtani and Michael Blank
- Illustrated by Fanny Liem
- On sale: February 3, 2026
- ISBNs: Hardcover 9780063460775, E-Book 9780063460782, Digital Audio 9780063460799
Ohtani’s name is obviously doing a lot of the heavy lifting here, but the idea itself is sweet: a baseball story built for kids, tied to an actual dog Dodgers fans already know, and connected to helping rescue animals find homes. If you’ve got young readers in your life — or you’re building the next generation of Dodger fans one bedtime story at a time — this one is sitting on the shelf now.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
