Shohei Ohtani Named Best MLB Player During 2025 ESPY Awards; Dodgers Lose In Other Categories

The Los Angeles Dodgers were well-represented at the 2025 ESPY Awards that took place Wednesday night at The Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman were nominated in multiple categories, while the Dodgers were also among the nominees for the Best Team, which encompasses championship winners across the major sports leagues and college athletics.

However, the Dodgers only came away with one award as Ohtani was named the Best MLB Player of the 2024 season, beating out Freeman, Aaron Judge and Tarik Skubal.

Last year, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to record a 50-50 season, finishing with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.

In total, Ohtani hit .310/.390/.646/1.036 with 130 RBI, 134 runs, 38 doubles, seven triples, 54 home runs, 59 stolen bases, a 180 wRC+ and 8.9 WAR while leading the Dodgers to a World Series title.

Ohtani was voted the unanimous winner of the 2024 National League MVP Award, and it was his third unanimous MVP after winning two in the American League. He is the only player in MLB history to win a unanimous MVP more than once.

In addition to his MVP Award, Ohtani was also named the NL Hank Aaron Award winner, the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter, the NL Outstanding Player as part of the Players Choice Awards, Sporting News’ MLB Player of the Year, and he won his third Silver Slugger Award while being selected to the All-MLB Team.

Now, he has one more award to add to his overflowing trophy case.

Dodgers losses at ESPYS

While the Dodgers still had a win in the Best MLB Player category despite Freeman’s loss, they were not so fortunate in other categories.

Ohtani fell short of winning Best Athlete in the Men’s Sports category as the NBA’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder took home the honor.

Freeman was nominated for Best Championship Performance as the result of his 2024 World Series MVP Award, but he lost out to Simone Biles due to her 2024 Olympic gymnastics showing.

In addition, the Dodgers lost to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles for the Best Team award.