Dodgers Shohei Ohtani Wins The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for Third Time; Joins Michael Jordan
Another achievement has been unlocked for one of baseball’s biggest stars. The Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani wins The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time; which now has him joining the realm of the legendary Michael Jordan. Jordan during his playing days had also enjoyed receiving this honor from AP on three occasions. Shohei now trails only four-time winners Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James.
Major League Baseball proudly heralded the news online to fans this week. They revealed,
“Shohei Ohtani has won The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year award for the third time.
He now ties Michael Jordan and is one win away from tying LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong for the most wins all-time.
‘Growing up in Japan, I did follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods,’ Ohtani said. ‘I would see their accolades and how they were successful in the United States.’
Now if you are wondering how the AP went about selecting Ohtani for this honor, it was thanks to a voting process. In balloting by 74 sports journalists from the AP and its members, Ohtani received 48 votes. He previously won the award in 2023 and 2021, when he was with the Angels.
Nevertheless, the dynamic and magnetic Ohtani was thrilled to get such accolades from the Associated Press. “I’m very honored,” Ohtani said through translator Matt Hidaka in an exclusive interview with the AP. “Obviously all the hard work has paid off. Maybe next year, I’ll get the award again.”
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani Wins The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for Third Time; Joins Michael Jordan
The Associated Press also provided reasons as to why they selected Ohtani. AP states,
“Ohtani signed a then-record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2023. Already a two-way superstar, he embellished his reputation even further despite not pitching all season while he rehabilitated from a second major right elbow surgery he had in September 2023.
Moving from the beleaguered Los Angeles Angels to the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award and first in the National League, led his new team to its eighth World Series championship and created Major League Baseball’s 50/50 club by hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases.
Ohtani went wild on offense, making every at-bat a must-see moment. The 6-foot-4 designated hitter batted a career-high .310 while easily surpassing his previous career highs in home runs and stolen bases.”
Yes, starting your own 50/50 club in baseball is pretty impressive. Of course, there were plenty of athletes from the MLB to the NBA to Golf that were also worthy of acknowledgement. But what is being witnessed from Ohtani is elite as well. Now, we wait and see what he does once he is able to take the mound again.
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