Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani wins record-tying fourth AP male athlete of 12 months award

PASADENA, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani is catching up with extra legends.

The baseball famous person ends 2025 by profitable The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the fourth time, tying him with Lance Armstrong, LeBron James and Tiger Woods for many amongst male honorees.

“Receiving this award multiple times is something truly special,” Ohtani stated in Japanese in an unique interview with the AP.

Ohtani acquired 29 of 47 votes in balloting amongst sports activities journalists from the AP and its members after his two-way dominance culminated in a repeat World Series title for his Los Angeles Dodgers — delivering maybe the best single-game particular person efficiency in sports activities historical past alongside the way in which. He beforehand received the award in 2024, his first season with the Dodgers, and in 2023 and 2021, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.

The AP honour has been given out since 1931. Multi-sport standout Babe Didrikson Zaharias received six occasions over the Nineteen Thirties, ’40s and ’50s, essentially the most by a person or lady.

The ultra-competitive Ohtani’s newest win broke a tie with Michael Jordan, who together with Woods, he adopted whereas rising up in Japan.

“Last year, I said I wanted to win this award again, and I will work hard so that I can win it again next year as well,” he stated.

Swedish-American pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, who received his third consecutive world title and has set the world report 14 occasions, together with 4 occasions in 2025, was second with 5 votes in balloting introduced Tuesday. Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s top-ranked tennis participant who received titles on the French and U.S. Opens, was third with 4.

The AP Female Athlete of the Year shall be introduced Wednesday.

Ohtani returns to two-way supremacy

Ohtani has proven exceptional consistency since becoming a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers on a then-record $700 million, 10-year contract in December 2023.

He received his fourth profession Most Valuable Player award (second with the Dodgers) by unanimous vote, the primary participant in main league historical past to take action.

This 12 months, he posted a 1.014 OPS and hit 55 dwelling runs. Returning to the mound for the primary time since 2023, he had a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 47 innings over 14 begins.

Ohtani saved his finest for the post-season.

In Game 4 of the National League Championship Series towards the Milwaukee Brewers, he pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and hit three dwelling runs to earn MVP honours. He stated it was his biggest recreation in a profession stuffed with unimaginable feats.

“If you think about it in terms of a single game, I’d say that’s probably true,” he stated. “It was a crucial game in the postseason, and I personally feel I played quite well in that game.”

Does he shock himself?

“Well, yes, there are times when I feel that way about myself, and of course there are times when I think I’m not good enough,” he stated, “so I suppose athletes experience both kinds of feelings.”

Another 12 months, one other championship for Ohtani and the Dodgers

Ohtani confirmed he’s human in Game 7 of the World Series. He singled within the first inning after which took the mound on brief relaxation, however he struggled together with his command. He gave up a three-run homer to Toronto’s Bo Bichette together with 5 hits in 2 1/3 innings.

But he and the Dodgers raised a second straight World Series trophy after outlasting the Blue Jays in essentially the most scintillating Series in latest reminiscence.

“Shohei obviously has the weight of the world on his shoulders as far as expectations, being probably the face of baseball, certainly when you’re talking about the world,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated after Game 7. “It’s just really special what he’s done. Just a great person and a great competitor.”

Ohtani’s presence has been transformative for MLB’s international attain. Game 7 of this World Series averaged 13.1 million viewers in Japan, the most-watched World Series recreation on a single community there ever, and 51 million watched worldwide to make it the most-viewed since Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.

How does Ohtani hold topping himself?

“I think the higher your goals are, the more you have to do, and the more you want to do,” he stated. “If you’re satisfied with where you are now, I don’t think it’s possible to achieve your goals without putting in the effort. So, setting goals high is what I believe is most important.”

The Dodgers fastidiously managed Ohtani’s return to pitching this 12 months by step by step rising his workload after rehabbing from elbow surgical procedure in September 2023. His innings have been initially capped earlier than he was allowed to make longer begins as he felt higher.

“When it comes to feeling nervous, being on the mound definitely makes me more tense,” he stated. “It’s a position where you can single-handedly ruin a game, and at the same time, it’s also a position where you can contribute to a win. So, in my mind, I feel that being a pitcher is truly a special role.”

At 31, Ohtani has undergone three main surgical procedures: two on his proper elbow and one other on his left shoulder. Regardless of the bodily and psychological put on and tear, he plans on remaining a two-way participant his complete profession.

“I think it’s best to keep doing it right up until the moment I retire,” he stated.

Ohtani plans to play for Japan within the World Baseball Classic in March.

“I’m still not sure whether I’ll be pitching,” he stated. “I’ve been given permission to play in the tournament, but as for how much and in what way, including on the batting side, that’s something we’ll be discussing.”

Winning a 3rd consecutive World Series championship is amongst Ohtani’s greatest objectives in 2026.

“Staying healthy and appearing in every game without injury, that’s the smallest goal I have,” he stated.

An thrilling 12 months off the sector, too

Ohtani turned a father for the primary time when his spouse, Mamiko Tanaka, gave start to their daughter in April. He fastidiously guards towards revealing her title and any particulars about his dwelling life. No phrase on how his beloved canine Decoy reacted to having a brand new sibling, both.

Ohtani’s American followers take pleasure in listening to him communicate English on the uncommon events he’s executed so publicly, together with at each World Series celebrations. He understands a lot of the language, though he makes use of an interpreter in interviews.

“I think it would be best if I could speak in English, so even if it’s just small steps, I want to keep working at it,” he stated. “Whether it’s with fans or in different situations, being able to speak directly in English might help bridge the gap between us.”

In the meantime, he’ll hold letting his bat and arm communicate volumes.