Mamiko Tanaka Steps into the Spotlight with Shohei Ohtani and Their Celebrity Dog Decoy

Mamiko Tanaka, the wife of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, has been making rare public appearances as her husband and the Dodgers celebrated their 2024 World Series victory. The Dodgers clinched the title with a thrilling 7-6 win over the New York Yankees in Game 5, marking their second championship in the past four seasons and Ohtani’s first World Series win.

Tanaka, who prefers to stay away from the spotlight, attended all five World Series games and made a notable appearance at the Dodgers’ World Series parade on November 1. She joined her husband on a float, although it was their dog, Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje, that stole the show. Decoy has become a regular at games when Tanaka is in attendance and has previously been involved in pre-game ceremonies, such as “throwing out” the ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Baltimore Orioles.

During the parade, Tanaka stepped out of her comfort zone to interact with fans, posing for pictures and smiling at the crowd. This was a rare public outing for her, especially without her husband by her side. On the day of the victory parade, Tanaka and Decoy made an appearance at Dodger Stadium without Ohtani, where she took photos with fans.

Tanaka’s background includes her time as a professional basketball player for the Fujitsu Red Wave in the Women's Japan Basketball League from 2019 to 2023. Her athletic prowess was highlighted when footage of her playing basketball surfaced and went viral before Game 5 of the World Series.

The celebration marked a special moment for both Ohtani and Tanaka, with Ohtani giving a rare speech in English at Dodger Stadium, expressing his honor and gratitude to be part of the team and thanking the fans.