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USA Today via Reuters

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Debate

Bill Clinton and Shohei Ohtani on a bobblehead—genius or just plain weird?

The Dodgers are at it again with their awesome giveaways, and this time they’re really hitting it out of the park! Next week, on August 28, when the Dodgers take on the Baltimore Orioles, fans will get their hands on a super cool Shohei Ohtani bobblehead. However, there’s a slight twist in what the Blue Crew is doing this time. Normally, the Men in Blue honor their stars, but this time, the Dodgers are honoring a pet. That’s right, Shohei Ohtani’s second bobblehead day has a little Decoy gift for his fans.

Just a few days after announcing their Kobe T-shirt giveaway, on Thursday, the Dodgers, through their social media, revealed that they’ll be giving away special Shohei Ohtani bobbleheads featuring Ohtani and his beloved dog, Decoy. And wait, there’s more—the bobbleheads are all gold! In the picture shared by the team, we can see Ohtani holding Decoy—how cool is that? It does sound pretty cool, but not everyone is on the same page. Some fans are having a good laugh, comparing the bobblehead to Bill Clinton and whatnot!

Shohei Ohtani and his love for his furry friend

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No matter the take on the bobbleheads, Ohtani and his dog, Decoy, are definitely winning hearts in real life. While Ohtani remains a top favorite among baseball fans, Decoy has recently gained a lot of popularity, especially among Dodgers supporters. And all of this credit should be given to Ohtani’s creative approach at the Players Weekend. This event has always given baseball stars a fun chance to get creative with their gear, from colorful bats and gloves to custom cleats.

We saw the same creativity this year, as the Dodgers players really brought their personalities to the field. Freddie Freeman sported three bats, each named after one of his sons, while Jason Heyward’s bats had a special tribute to his kids, too. And the Dodgers’ star player, Shohei Ohtani, turned heads by wearing custom New Balance cleats featuring Decoy, his furry companion. The unique touch quickly went viral.

Fans might think that this is the first time he’s gone all out for his furry friend, but that’s not true. He was once seen wearing a suit covered in Decoy’s name and even got Decoy on his American visa—now that’s love! Thanks to the Dodgers’ latest giveaway, their bond is getting even more attention. Ever since the team shared the picture, fans have been buzzing about the gold Shohei Ohtani bobblehead featuring Decoy. The reactions are all over the place. While some are loving the unique touch, others have mixed feelings about the design.

How are the Dodger fans reacting to this new promotion?

One fan playfully joked, “That’s Bill Clinton!” and this comment caused a buzz online. Whether it looks like Bill Clinton or not is up for debate, but it’s funny to note that Clinton had his own famous dog, Buddy, who was a hit among his fans, just like Decoy is for Ohtani. It seems like both pairs of stars—Ohtani and Decoy and Clinton and Buddy—have their special place in people’s hearts!

Another follower jumped in with, “It’s going to be a blood bath!” It’s a playful nod to the intensity of Ohtani’s fanbase. Just look at his past bobblehead nights—the energy is off the charts. For instance, a record-breaking 53,527 fans showed up for his bobblehead giveaway, turning the stadium into a sea of enthusiastic supporters. Whenever Ohtani is involved, the crowds are nothing short of a frenzy. One can expect another such gathering on August 28.

What’s your perspective on:

Bill Clinton and Shohei Ohtani on a bobblehead—genius or just plain weird?

Have an interesting take?

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In another comment, a fan quipped, “Man’s best friend: 100% more reliable than former translator/traitor/thief.” It’s a very remark, isn’t it? But it has a deep meaning. Undoubtedly, Ohtani’s dog is his loyal friend, especially compared to his former translator Mizuhara, who was ironically his best friend but later stole over $16 million from his bank accounts. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to the theft, which put Ohtani’s career at risk too. Fortunately, Ohtani was proven innocent and had no involvement in the scandal, or else he would have had much to lose.

 “These are gonna go for $1,000!”– Another fan chimed in, commenting on how these bobbleheads have now become hot commodities that people are ready to pay such a big amount for. The last Ohtani bobblehead night saw them selling for over $5,000, and this time around promises even more excitement. Last time, the stadium was packed with fans eager to snag the bobbleheads. With Ohtani’s furry friend joining the scene this year, fans will surely drive up the demand to get this super rare memorabilia.

A different perspective came from a fan who said, “Enough with the bobbleheads already! Please, I’m begging. Do better. Do more.” While the bobblehead craze continues, the Dodgers’ bobblehead tradition dates back to 2001, starting with a tribute to Tommy Lasorda. Since then, they’ve given away bobbleheads of 24 different athletes. But did you know that the Dodgers’ love for bobbleheads actually stretches even further back?

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The trend might have gained traction in 2001, but bobbleheads have been a part of baseball culture since the 1960s. It’s pretty amazing to think how something that started way back then has evolved into such a fan-favorite tradition today! Fans heading to the game should arrive early to snag this special souvenir. It’s not every day that a bobblehead features not just a baseball superstar but also his furry friend. This unique touch is what makes these Dodgers giveaways so memorable.

What are your thoughts on the bobblehead? Share them in the comments!

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