Shohei Ohtani pens sweet Happy New Year message ft. adorable snap of furry friend Decoy in chic jacket

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani took to Instagram to post an adorable snap of his pet dog Dekopin, who's known as "Decoy" in America, wishing his fans the best for the new year and thanking them for their unwavering support in 2024.

"Happy New Year! Thank you for your continued support this year!" Shohei Ohtani captioned his Instagram post in his native Japanese language.

Per Sports Illustrated, Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje, was first brought home by Ohtani in 2023 after he underwent surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament, more commonly known in the baseball world as a Tommy John surgery. The pup kept him company when he was confined to his home during the initial months of his recovery.

Decoy, the dog of Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered the first pitch before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 28, 2024. (Credits: Getty)

Since then, Decoy has gone on to become quite the fan favorite himself, having been spotted on numerous occasions alongside Shohei Ohtani. In Aug. 2024, Decoy became the first ever dog to "throw" a ceremonial first pitch as he ran the ball into the glove Shohei Ohtani's glove. The pup was also very much included in the Dodgers's 2024 World Series winning celebrations, with Ohtani taking him along on the bus parade through the city.

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Shohei Ohtani and wife Mamiko Tanaka expecting their first child

In late December, MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani took to Instagram to announce that he and his better half, Mamiko Tanaka, are expecting their first child together. Their dog, Decoy, is also featured in the adorable photo.

"Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!" Shohei Ohtani captioned his Instagram post

The big news is the perfect finishing touch to an excellent 2024 for Shohei Ohtani, who had just ended one of the best-ever individual big league seasons only a few months prior. After an incredible regular season, the 30-year-old was unanimously voted as the NL MVP, wherein he became the 'founding member' of the 50-50 club.

Ohtani also had plenty to celebrate with his team: first, he won the NL West division championship before going on to win the pennant and ultimately the biggest prize in baseball - the World Series - as teammate Freddie Freeman came to the party to make light work of the New York Yankees.