• Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff WriterAug 28, 2024, 09:14 PM ET

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      ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.

LOS ANGELES — Fans were spotted lining up outside Dodger Stadium as early as 9 a.m. PT on Wednesday, 10 hours before the first pitch of the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ game against the Baltimore Orioles. By 2:30 p.m., the line had become so long, the demand to enter so high, that parking gates were practically forced to open — two hours before they normally would for a 7:10 first pitch.

The reason, of course: Shohei Ohtani. More specifically, a Shohei Ohtani bobblehead, the second such giveaway this season. Even more specifically, a bobblehead depicting Shohei Ohtani and his dog, Decoy, who has built a cult following since first revealing himself to the public during last year’s MVP announcement on MLB Network.

The Dodgers said only the first 40,000 fans — for a stadium with a capacity of about 56,000 — will get one. And a very limited number of them are gold, ratcheting the demand — not to mention the potential value — even further. The first Ohtani bobblehead from May 17 included 1,700 special-edition versions in which he wore a gray jersey. This bobblehead is believed to have about that many special editions in gold.

Dodgers fans rushed into the ballpark when the parking lot gates first opened at 2:30 p.m. An hour later, there were thousands of fans waiting outside each of the entry gates. They were allowed in at 4:30, 40 minutes earlier than usual, and got the rare opportunity to watch Ohtani throw a bullpen session by cramming the edges of the left-field bleachers.

“It’s unbelievable,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said during his pregame availability a little after 4. “I don’t know if it was Shohei or Decoy or a combo, but man, there’s a high demand for these dang bobbleheads. It took me forever to get inside Dodger Stadium. There’s a long line, so if you plan on coming you better have already left.”

Before the game started, Ohtani carried Decoy to the mound for ceremonial first pitch duties. He placed the ball on the rubber and took up a catching position behind home plate. After Ohtani gave a signal, the Dutch Kooikerhondje picked up the ball in his mouth and carried it to Ohtani.

The crowd cheered wildly as Ohtani smiled broadly.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.