Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time on Monday, tying basketball great Michael Jordan’s total and claiming the award for the second straight year.
The 30-year-old is one shy of record four-time winners, road cyclist Lance Armstrong, golfer Tiger Woods and basketball icon LeBron James, in receiving the honor, winning 48 of 74 votes this year by sports journalists from the AP and its members.
“I’m very honored,” Ohtani is quoted as saying through his interpreter. “Obviously, all the hard work has paid off. Maybe next year, I’ll get the award again.”
The two-way star won the award in 2021 and 2023 while with the Los Angeles Angels when he claimed the American League MVP unanimously.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to his 54th home run of the season in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies on Sept. 27, 2024, at Coors Field in Denver. (Kyodo)
Elbow surgery in September 2023 ruled him out of pitching this year, his first with the Dodgers, but Ohtani won his third unanimous MVP, this time in the National League, to become the first primary designated hitter to win the award.
Ohtani led the NL with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs and 134 runs, while finishing second in stolen bases with 59, becoming the first MLB player with 50 homers and 50 steals in the same season.
“Growing up in Japan, I did follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods,” said Ohtani, who helped the Dodgers to their eighth World Series title. “I would see their accolades and how they were successful in the United States.”
French swimmer Leon Marchand won 10 votes to rank second after winning four gold medals at the Paris Olympics. Golfer Scottie Scheffler earned nine votes for third after winning the Masters and an Olympic gold medal.
