Shohei Ohtani Named Male Athlete of the Year by AP for a Record-Equalling Fourth Time

Shohei Ohtani has made history by being named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the fourth time, joining legends like Lance Armstrong, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods. At 31, the Los Angeles Dodgers star earned 29 out of 47 votes from sports journalists, significantly outperforming other nominees, including pole vaulter Armand Duplantis and tennis player Carlos Alcaraz.

This recognition follows an extraordinary 2025 season in which Ohtani played a pivotal role in leading the Dodgers to their second consecutive World Series title. He was also awarded his fourth Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade, becoming the first player ever to win the MVP unanimously.

Throughout the season, Ohtani showcased remarkable talent both as a hitter and a pitcher. He finished with a .282 batting average, a career-high 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 146 runs over 158 games. Additionally, after recovering from elbow surgery, he pitched in 14 games with a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts.

One of his standout performances occurred during Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, where he pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters while hitting three home runs, earning him MVP honors for that game. Reflecting on his performance, Ohtani acknowledged its significance.

His influence extends beyond the baseball diamond, drawing a massive global aunce. The 2025 World Series garnered an impressive 13.1 million viewers in Japan and 51 million worldwide, the highest viewership since 1991.

As Ohtani looks to the future, he emphasizes his commitment to maintaining exceptional standards, solidifying his status as one of the most versatile athletes in sports history.