Los Angeles
Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has once again cemented his legacy in sports history, earning the Associated Press (AP) Male Athlete of the Year award for the third time in 2024. This achievement ties him with basketball legend Michael Jordan, placing him just one win shy of the record held by Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James, who each have four wins.

In an exclusive interview with the AP, Ohtani expressed his gratitude through translator Matt Hidaka: “I’m very honored. Obviously, all the hard work has paid off. Maybe next year, I’ll get the award again.”

Ohtani received 48 points in voting conducted by 74 sports journalists. He previously won the award in 2023 and 2021 during his time with the Los Angeles Angels. Reflecting on his inspirations, Ohtani said, “Growing up in Japan, I did follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. I would see their accolades and how they were successful in the United States.”

The AP Male Athlete of the Year award, established in 1931, has seen six-time winner Babe Didrikson hold the record across both male and female athletes.

French swimmer Léon Marchand, a four-time gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, ranked second with 10 votes, while golfer Scottie Scheffler, winner of the Masters and an Olympic gold medal, came in third with nine votes.

Ohtani’s achievements in 2024 included winning his third Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and his first in the National League after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. Leading his new team to its eighth World Series title, Ohtani created MLB’s historic 50/50 club by hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases. He signed a record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2023.

Despite sitting out as a pitcher due to elbow surgery in September 2023, Ohtani delivered a career-high batting average of .310, shattering personal records in home runs and stolen bases. Former Angels manager Brad Ausmus praised Ohtani, saying, “This guy is the greatest athlete to ever play the sport of baseball, and there’s not a close second.”

Ohtani also broke the Dodgers’ single-season home run record of 49, finishing the season with 54. “I kind of wanted to get over that bar,” Ohtani said. “I was pleasantly surprised I was able to pass that record.”

Although he sustained a left shoulder injury during Game 2 of the World Series, Ohtani played through the pain, helping the Dodgers secure their championship. He underwent surgery shortly after the victory celebration in early November, marking another chapter in an already historic career.