LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani continues to make his mark in the world of sports, having been named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time in 2024. This accomplishment places him alongside basketball icon Michael Jordan, as they both share the honor three times, and he is just one recognition shy of the four-time winners, Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James.
In an exclusive interview, Ohtani expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’m very honored,” with the assistance of translator Matt Hidaka. He acknowledged the dedication and hard work that contributed to his success, hinting at a potential future win: “Maybe next year, I’ll get the award again.” Ohtani garnered 48 out of 74 votes cast by sports journalists from the AP, marking his win following previous accolades in 2021 and 2023 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels.
Reflecting on his childhood in Japan, Ohtani mentioned his admiration for legends like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, noting their achievements in the U.S. The AP has been honoring outstanding athletes since 1931, with golfer Babe Didrikson holding the record for the most wins at six times, the highest for any athlete.
Coming in second in the 2024 voting was French swimmer Léon Marchand, who captured four gold medals at the Paris Olympics, earning 10 votes. Third place went to golfer Scottie Scheffler, who celebrated a remarkable year with victories including the Masters and an Olympic gold medal, finishing with nine votes.
After transitioning from the struggling Los Angeles Angels to the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani secured his third Most Valuable Player award, this time in the National League. He played a pivotal role in guiding the Dodgers to their eighth World Series title, achieving a remarkable feat by joining Major League Baseball’s 50/50 club, hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases.
Ohtani’s journey continued when he signed a massive 10-year contract with the Dodgers worth $700 million in December 2023. Despite undergoing rehabilitation from a significant right elbow surgery in September 2023, he enhanced his offensive reputation. Ohtani delivered spectacular performances at the plate, setting a personal record with a .310 batting average and surpassing his previous bests in home runs and steals.
One of the culminating moments of Ohtani’s season came in September when he made headlines with a historic game against the Miami Marlins, achieving 6 hits in 6 at-bats, including three home runs and ten RBIs, while also stealing two bases.
Brad Ausmus, who managed the Angels during Ohtani’s second season, remarked, “It wouldn’t shock me if he went 60/60 and 20 wins a year from now,” emphasizing Ohtani’s status as perhaps the best athlete in baseball history.
Knowing the Dodgers’ franchise record for home runs in a season was 49, Ohtani was pleased to break his own previous record of 46, stating, “I kind of wanted to get over that bar…I was pleasantly surprised I was able to pass that record.” Throughout the season, he was instrumental to Dodgers’ offense, remaining healthy until the World Series where he suffered a shoulder injury during Game 2 while attempting to steal second base.
Following the Dodgers’ championship celebration in early November, Ohtani underwent surgery for his injury. He shared an optimistic outlook on his recovery, stating, “I don’t have full range of motion yet, but it feels a lot better…there’s obviously still a little bit of tightness, but slowly but surely it’s getting better.” Ohtani has been steadily ramping up his rehabilitation, aiming toward regaining full health.
As the Dodgers prepare for the 2025 season, Ohtani anticipates potential changes in their pitching rotation. He mentioned, “We may go with a five-man rotation with a bullpen game…or we may have a six-man rotation. But it’s all about balancing out when we can get rest and recuperate.” The Dodgers will kick off the 2025 season in Japan, where Ohtani will be under even greater scrutiny from his fans.
“I want to be fully healthy by the time the opening games do start,” he stated. Ohtani acknowledged the immense expectations on him when he performs, but he emphasized the importance of staying grounded by focusing on what he can control and trusting his teammates.
Ohtani’s impact extends beyond the field; he has significantly increased the Dodgers’ popularity among Japanese fans. Fans have flocked from Japan to watch him play across the U.S., leading to a surge in merchandise sales, particularly his No. 17 jersey. His presence has also attracted several new sponsors from Japan.
Despite his fame, Ohtani maintains a level of privacy. His surprise announcement of his marriage to former basketball player Mamiko Tanaka caught teammates off guard. His off-field challenges included a public scandal involving his former interpreter, who was found guilty of financial misconduct, which thankfully did not involve Ohtani.
A softer moment came in August when Ohtani and his dog, Decoy, charmed fans during their bobblehead night, which helped elevate Decoy’s popularity and highlight a special bond between them.
Heading into the next season, Ohtani is focused on not only surpassing his past achievements but also aiming for another World Series title. With his unique talent and abilities, the excitement surrounding Ohtani’s journey only continues to grow as the Dodgers and their fans look forward to what the future holds for their star player.
” It’s exciting to see what 2025 has for Shohei Ohtani,” his manager remarked, showcasing the anticipation for another incredible season ahead.
