In a move that surprised absolutely no one in the baseball community, Shohei Ohtani secured his second consecutive National League Most Valuable Player award on Thursday. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar, having triumphantly returned to the pitcher's mound after 2024 elbow surgery, reaffirmed his status as the sport's premier two-way talent, a force that propelled his team to a second straight World Series championship.
A Season of Unmatched Dominance
The 2025 season saw Ohtani deliver staggering performances that left statisticians and fans in awe. He led all of baseball in bases, runs, and extra-base hits, cementing his offensive supremacy. On the mound, his prowess was equally formidable; his 2.87 earned-run average across 14 appearances ranked as the second-best mark of his already illustrious career.
This collective excellence resulted in a clean sweep from the Baseball Writers' Association of America, with Ohtani garnering all 30 first-place votes. This remarkable achievement marks the fourth time in five years he has received this unanimous honour, a streak that began during his tenure with the American League's Los Angeles Angels. At just 31 years of age and entering his ninth MLB season, Ohtani now sits behind only the legendary seven-time MVP, Barry Bonds, in the record books.
The Viral Celebration Moment
While the MVP award itself was widely anticipated, Ohtani's victory celebration provided an unexpected and instantly viral twist. Broadcast live on MLB Network, Ohtani was seen receiving the news via satellite from his home, seated on a sofa with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, and their dog. In a moment that captured immediate attention, the superstar embraced both his wife and his pet, but then offered a kiss to his dog, Decoy, rather than his glamorous wife, the mother of his baby daughter.
The reaction on social media platform X was swift and amused. "Ohtani hugging his wife while kissing his dog," one fan noted, adding a humorous "lol." Another commented, "Lol at Ohtani kissing his dog and not his wife," while a third quipped, "Ohtani reaches for his wife, but kisses… the dog." The moment even prompted a rival Padres supporter to jest, "I knew that marriage was just for publicity." However, not all reactions were light-hearted, with one critic labelling Ohtani "a real a**hole" for the perceived snub.
Understanding the Cultural Context
For those familiar with Japanese culture, Ohtani's display of affection may be less baffling. Public displays of affection (PDA) are generally frowned upon in Japan. As noted by several travel publications, while a quick peck might not be explicitly forbidden, it can draw disapproving looks, and it is considered respectful to keep such intimacy to a minimum in public view.
In contrast, the affection shown towards pets is a different matter. Dogs in Japan are often considered cherished family members, with the country being known for its pampered pooches. This cultural nuance offers a plausible explanation for Ohtani's instinctive choice to kiss Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje whose Japanese name is 'Dekopin'—a term referring to the playful action of flicking someone's forehead.
Decoy is no stranger to the spotlight, having been part of two World Series celebrations and even appearing aboard a double-decker bus with Ohtani and Tanaka during the Dodgers' championship parade. The bond between the athlete and his dog was simply the most visible part of a phenomenal season where Ohtani also set a new personal best by belting 55 home runs and led the league with a .622 slugging percentage. His offensive value was quantified by a 179 OPS+, meaning he was 79 percent more valuable than the average MLB hitter in 2025, making his MVP award as deserved as his dog's affection was evident.
