Recently, professional baseball star Shohei Ohtani received a special gift from KONAMI: a custom-made Yu-Gi-Oh! card featuring his beloved dog, Decoy. The gift arrived in a box from KONAMI, and unboxing it was an exciting and anticipated moment, as such unique presents are rare worldwide.
This exclusive card immortalizes Decoy, Ohtani's pet, who famously took part in the ceremonial first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game in August 2024 against the Baltimore Orioles. The card's artwork depicts Decoy standing on the pitcher's mound, capturing that memorable scene. The gift coincided nicely with Decoy's second birthday in May, making it a thoughtful birthday present.
The Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Details
The card portrays Decoy as a Level 1, Light Attribute, Beast-Type Normal Monster, with 50 attack and 50 defense points. These modest stats symbolically represent Ohtani's historic achievement as the first and only Major League Baseball player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases within a single season of 150 games.
The card's flavor text reads:
An angel of happiness that descended upon the sacred mound. It is said he descended with his partner to perform the special First Pitch ceremony. People were enchanted by his graceful fur and cute appearance, and the ceremony concluded with a high-five. Showtime with his partner will continue in the future.
A Heartfelt Tribute and Collector's Item
This card is not only a playable Yu-Gi-Oh! card but also a heartfelt tribute to the bond between Shohei Ohtani and his dog. KONAMI, known for blending Yu-Gi-Oh! with real-world celebrations and collaborations, created this one-of-a-kind card as a unique collector's item unlikely to be released commercially.
Ohtani shared the unboxing video and images of the card and portrait of Decoy on his Instagram, drawing attention from both baseball fans and Yu-Gi-Oh! enthusiasts worldwide.
Visual Highlights
- Unboxing video showing the KONAMI-branded box and the special card inside.
- Illustration of Decoy standing on the pitcher's mound, wearing a Dodgers uniform.
- Close-up of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card with the 50 ATK and DEF stats and the poetic description.
- Photos of Shohei Ohtani's dog Decoy and Ohtani's Instagram post featuring the gift.
