This is the Japanese MLB pitcher’s fourth National League MVP win in a row

Shohei Ohtani celebrated a significant career milestone with his wife and dog, but it was the Dutch Kooikerhondje canine that took the spotlight.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, former Yankee first basemen and Toronto Blue Jays coach, Don Mattingly, announced that Ohtani, a 31-year-old pitcher for the 2025 World Series champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers, had won the National League’s Most Valuable Player honor for the fourth year in a row.

During the announcement, Ohtani sat with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, and their dog, Decoy. As Mattingly gave Ohtani the good news, the professional baseball player simultaneously hugged Tanaka and kissed Decoy.

Shohei Ohtani kisses his dog instead of his wife after winning 2025 NL MVP
Shohei Ohtani, his dog Decoy, Mamiko Tanaka.
MLB/X

“Decoy was the one who got a kiss from Ohtani after winning MVP 🤣🐶,” wrote an X user of the slightly awkward, but adorable, moment.

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Fans of the Japanese pitching phenom noted that he may reserve his public displays of affection for his dog rather than his wife, as Ohtani is a relatively private person.

While Ohtani appreciates his privacy, he has always been open about his love for Decoy, and fans adore the dog too. The pup joined his famous dad on the pitcher’s mound in 2024 to try his paw at throwing a first pitch. The precious event was marked with a special bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium, where baseball lovers waited over four hours for a chance to get a bobblehead of Ohtani and Decoy before watching the dog throw his first pitch.

On his fourth MVP win, which was almost a unanimous decision for the fourth time in a row, Ohtani said through an interpreter, “The biggest thing is obviously being able to win the World Series. That’s first and foremost.”

“You know, it’s icing on the cake just to be able to get an individual award, being crowned MVP, but I just really appreciate the support from all my teammates, everybody around me, my supporting staff,” he said.

Shohei Ohtani kisses his dog instead of his wife after winning 2025 NL MVP
Shohei Ohtani goes to hug dog Decoy and wife Mamiko Tanaka.
MLB/X

This isn’t the first time Decoy has taken center stage at one of Ohtani’s MVP moments. During the 2024 announcement, which was shared by Ohtani’s teammate Clayton Kershaw, Decoy was so excited that he jumped off the couch and ran off, stealing the scene.

Ohtani is the first player in Major League Baseball history to win an MVP and a World Series Championship in each of his two seasons with a team.

The pitcher is also only the second player in Major League Baseball history to win four MVP Awards. Barry Bonds, who has an impressive seven MVPs, is the only baseball player with more MVP honors than Ohtani.