Overview
- Shohei Ohtani won the 2026 ESPY for Best Single-Game Performance for his Game 4 outing in the 2025 NLCS, when he hit three home runs and pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts.
- Ohtani was not at the ceremony because of left-knee inflammation; Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said team doctors drained fluid from the knee and expect him to return to the lineup.
- Mike Tyson, Jake Paul and DJ Khaled presented the award on stage Wednesday, with Paul announcing Ohtani's absence.
- As the presenters left the stage Tyson was heard off-mic asking, 'Shohei's a guy?' — a moment captured by the broadcast, posted by accounts including Jomboy Media, and shared widely within hours.
- The viral clip shifted much of the public conversation from Ohtani's on-field achievement to questions about presenter preparation and the risks of hot mics at live shows.