It is the third time in Ohtani’s career winning the honor, tying NBA legend Michael Jordan.
For the third time in his major league career, Shohei Ohtani has been named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year.
Ohtani had a season for the ages, establishing the 50-50 club, becoming the first Dodger in history to hit 50 home runs and becoming the first primary designated hitter to win the MVP award, the third in his career. All while leading his team to their eighth World Series championship in franchise history.
His three Male Athlete of the Year recognitions are tied with NBA Hall of Fame guard— and arguably the greatest basketball player of all time— Michael Jordan. Ohtani now trails golfer Tiger Woods, NBA superstar LeBron James, and former (and disgraced) cyclist Lance Armstrong, who all have been named Male Athlete of the Year four times.
Ohtani spoke on being honored as the AP Male Athlete of the Year, remarking that he grew up idolizing sports icons like Jordan and Wood, per Beth Harris of the Associated Press.
“Growing up in Japan, I did follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods,” he said. “I would see their accolades and how they were successful in the United States.”
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Free agent pitcher Jack Flaherty recently had his own smoothie at the supermarket Erewhon.
The jfLAre smoothie ran at stores from October 25 until December 16, and a portion of the proceeds were donated to the Tyler Skaggs foundation, an organization that provides access to sports and recreation programs named in honor of the late pitcher who passed away in 2019.
Flaherty appeared on the Run it Back show on FanDuel TV, where he was asked by former NBA forward Chandler Parsons about the story behind his smoothie.
“So we make the World Series… one of my best friends— they’re family friends— they run Erewhon, and I happened to hang out with the family’s son… my friend’s little brother texts me and is like, ‘Hey, Erewhon wants to run a smoothie for the Dodgers…’ I’m not going to say no to that.”
Another Dodgers World Series champion from 2020 is signing with the Texas Rangers, this time being designated hitter Joc Pederson signing for two years and $37 million. The news was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Pederson spent the 2024 season as a platoon bat against right handed pitching with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he thrived in his new role, slashing .275/.393/.515 with 23 home runs, 64 RBI, a career high 151 wRC+ and 3.0 fWAR in 132 games with Arizona.