Shohei Ohtani's Decoy Is A Card Hobby Darling; The 1993 Milk Bone Superstars Set Showcases More Baseball Pups

Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje, has appeared on a Topps Now card with Ohtani. We explore another set from 30 years ago featuring other baseball players and their "best friends."

Aug 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) dog Decoy delivers the first pitch before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani had a heartwarming moment when his dog, Decoy, “threw” the first pitch of an August 28th game at Dodger Stadium. 

Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje, has become a celebrity in his own right, appearing last year on the MLB Network when Ohtani accepted his second AL MVP Award by video. 

Topps commemorated Decoy’s cameo with a Topps Now card that finished with a print run of 37,585.

Decoy's first card sold more than 37,000 copies. /

Collectors seeking other dog-themed baseball cards might want to check out the 1993 Milk-Bone baseball set. Comprising 20 cards, the set includes pictures of baseball players with their “best friends” by their side. 

As for fashion, the pictures capture the essence of early 1990s men’s casual wear. Here’s looking at you, Rob Dibble.

Rob Dibble with a wonderful knitted sweater, track suit pants, and boots. /

Two cards were included in each specially marked box of Milk-Bone Flavor Snacks and Milk-bone Dog Treats. Collectors could get the entire set by redeeming three UPC codes as proof of purchase and filling out a mail-in order form.

At the time, 50 cents were donated to the American Society to Prevent Animal Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for every set ordered.

All 20 players and their dogs in the 1993 Milk Bone Superstars set. /

Six of the 20 cards include Hall of Famers and other big-time players like Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro. PSA has only graded 127 of the Milk-Bone cards, with Cal Ripken Jr. being the most graded with 48 submissions. Sixteen Ripkens received a perfect PSA 10 Gem Mint grade. 

The complete set can be found on eBay for as little as $7 with shipping. There is a slight premium for the two-card bundles in their original plastic packaging.

As for my favorite card? Perhaps Will Clark’s wonderful tongue-wagging Labrador retriever, aptly named ‘Psycho.’

Will Clark was an intense ballplayer. Psycho appears happy right by his side. /