{"id":71616,"date":"2025-07-18T03:32:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T03:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/71616\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T03:32:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T03:32:11","slug":"shohei-ohtani-has-new-venture-up-his-sleeve-a-childrens-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/71616\/","title":{"rendered":"Shohei Ohtani has new venture up his sleeve \u2014 a children’s book"},"content":{"rendered":"

What can\u2019t Shohei Ohtani do?<\/p>\n

Just days after the two-way star\u2019s fifth All-Star appearance, Ohtani, 31, announced that he is coming out with a children\u2019s book.<\/p>\n

Ohtani posted to his Instagram<\/a> on Thursday that he had co-written a children\u2019s book about his dog, Decoy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The book, titled \u201cDecoy Saves Opening Day,\u201d is available for preorder and is set to be released in February of next year.<\/p>\n

According to the book\u2019s website<\/a> from publisher HarperCollins, the story is about Decoy forgetting his lucky baseball when he is set to throw out the first pitch on Opening Day.<\/p>\n

\"ShoheiShohei Ohtani smiles after grounding out during second inning of the National League\u2019s win over the American League on July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. AP<\/p>\n

The website also says Ohtani plans to use the profits from the book to help non-profit animal rescue organizations.<\/p>\n

\u201cShohei Ohtani is the biggest name in baseball and a proud sponsor of animal rescue organizations,\u201d the website reads. \u201cShohei and Decoy hope to use the publication of \u2018Decoy Saves Opening Day\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside of the book writing, Ohtani is ramping up his full-time pitching comeback for the Dodgers.<\/p>\n

\"LosShohei Ohtani delivers a pitch in the first inning of the Dodgers\u2019 2-1 win over the Giants on July 12, 2025 in San Francisco. Getty Images<\/p>\n

In his final outing before the All-Star break on Saturday, Ohtani threw three scoreless innings<\/a> in the Dodgers\u2019 2-1 victory over the rival Giants.<\/p>\n

The three-time MVP allowed just one hit while striking out four in his fifth appearance this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cOverall a very efficient outing,\u201d Ohtani told reporters through an interpreter. \u201cI was glad that I was able to prevent runs and we were able to keep the lead throughout the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ohtani, who did not pitch during the 2024 season, also said he felt his command is improving.<\/p>\n

\u201cAside from the stuff, I\u2019m more happy with the command of my pitches and being able to attack the zone,\u201d Ohtani said. \u201cToday was one of those days where my fastball felt pretty good, so I leaned on it a little bit more today.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the plate, he leads the National League with 32 home runs and a .988 OPS.<\/p>\n

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