From Los Angeles Dodgers all-star Shohei Ohtani comes a fast-paced and heartwarming fictional story about his real-life dog Decoy’s first pitch on Opening Day of the baseball season. Decoy can’t wait to throw the first pitch on Opening Day of the new baseball season! The stadium has hot dogs, the biggest backyard he’s ever seen, and thousands of his best human friends. It’s going to be the best day ever, but -- oh, no! -- Decoy forgot his lucky baseball at home! Can he get his ball and make it back to the stadium before it’s too late? Shohei Ohtani is the biggest name in baseball and a proud sponsor of animal rescue organizations. Shohei 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. While their fictional counterparts are saving opening day, Shohei and Decoy are working to help real-life animals in need. Step up to the plate with LA Dodger, all-star, and MLB MVP Shohei Ohtani in his adorable debut story about his even more adorable pup, Decoy. Shohei Ohtani is the most recognizable name in Major League Baseball. He’s the first player in MLB history to unanimously win three MVP awards, in 2021, 2023, and 2024. In his first season with the Dodgers, he helped lead the team to their eighth World Series Championship and became the first full-time designated hitter to win the MVP award. Beyond being a star-player on the field, Shohei is a loving husband & father and a dog dad to Decoy. Michael Blank is a storyteller, baseball fanatic, and dad to two amazing kids, Charlotte and Harrison, who inspire his imagination every single day. He is also a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Connect Ventures. Born and raised in Indonesia, Fanny Liem (she /her) has always loved to draw. Her passion for storytelling and illustration started with her introduction to picture books, which were often gifts from her uncle. Fanny recently decided to make her hobby a career, and she is now following her dream as a full-time children’s book illustrator. When she is not drawing, you can find her watching movies and/or listening to country music. Publisher: HarperCollins Publish Date: February 3, 2026 Pages: 32 Language: English Type: Hardback EAN/UPC: 9780063460775 Dimensions: 10.0 X 10.0 | 1.4 pounds BISAC Categories: Kids
