Former Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Has the Shohei Ohtani dog mystery been solved?

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 12/10/23

Shohei Ohtani’s adorable dog went viral last month when the former Los Angeles Angels star won the American League MVP Award, but Ohtani never revealed the dog’s name. That mystery might be a step closer to being solved.

Ohtani was interviewed by MLB Network after being announced as the MVP winner. The Japanese star was sitting on a couch and holding his dog for the interview. He celebrated with a nice high-five from his pooch.

Naturally, everyone wanted to know the dog’s name. Ohtani never revealed it publicly, and ESPN’s Pablo Torre said he was told Ohtani had a good reason for that. Torre said there was a rumor that “the dog’s name is the name of one of the teams (Ohtani is) considering.”

"The rumor I have heard is that Shohei Ohtani’s dog's name — the reason they're not saying it — is because the dog's name is the name of one of the teams he is considering."

— @PabloTorre pic.twitter.com/XtT57zuUKm

— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) December 8, 2023

Ohtani announced on Saturday that he has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Does that mean his dog’s name is “Dodger?” Is the dog a “Dodger Dog,” which is what hot dogs are called at Dodger Stadium? Like the rest of us, Ohtani’s new teammate Walker Buehler wants an answer.

So his dog was named Dodger after all?

— Walker Buehler (@buehlersdayoff) December 9, 2023

I’d like to think it was named Walker but I guess I’ll find out soon.

— Walker Buehler (@buehlersdayoff) December 9, 2023

Ohtani is a very private person, which we saw with the way he handled his free agency. It is possible he just would rather not have people know the name of his dog.

Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers. It does not sound like any other team was even close to matching the contract.