Shohei Ohtani 4-3 Michael Jordan
Ohtani has won the AP Male Athlete of the Year award yet again, dominating the voting ahead of Armand Duplantis and Carlos Alcaraz.
After an unforgettable MLB season, Shohei Ohtani continues to make history. For the third straight year, the Los Angeles Dodgers star has been named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, cementing his place among the all-time greats. It’s his fourth time winning the award, tying legends like LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and Lance Armstrong - and surpassing Michael Jordan, who claimed it three times.
An overwhelming Ohtani victory
The National League MVP and two-time World Series champion dominated the ballot, earning 29 votes. He finished well ahead of pole vaulter Armand Duplantis (5 votes) and tennis star Carlos Alcaraz (4 votes).
“Receiving this award multiple times is something truly special,” Ohtani told an interview with AP, adding: “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.”
Shohei Ohtani is the AP's Male Athlete of the Year for a record-tying fourth time. https://t.co/EqyGUGmwVN
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 9, 2025
Ohtani: A phenomenon in Dodger blue
Since signing his record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in 2023, Ohtani has continued to redefine what’s possible in baseball. This marks the fifth consecutive year an MLB player has taken home the AP honor - following Aaron Judge in 2022 and Ohtani himself in 2021.
This year, Ohtani also became the first player in MLB history to win the MVP award unanimously, adding yet another milestone to his résumé. That brings his total to four Most Valuable Player awards in Major League Baseball.
This season, Ohtani posted an OPS of 1.014 and crushed 55 home runs. Returning to the mound for the first time since 2023, he recorded a 2.87 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 47 innings across 14 starts.
A global icon
Ohtani’s impact goes far beyond the diamond. His presence alone helped Game 7 of this year’s World Series draw an average of 13.1 million viewers in Japan, making it the most-watched World Series game ever on a single network in that country. Worldwide, 51 million people tuned in, making it the most-watched Game 7 since 1991.
Related stories
We’ve just learned something new about Ohtani
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment