Overview
- Shohei Ohtani won the ESPY for Best Single‑Game Performance Wednesday for his Game 4 showing in the 2025 NLCS in which he hit three home runs and pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts.
- Boxing legend Mike Tyson joined Jake Paul and DJ Khaled to present the award and was heard off‑mic asking “Shohei’s a guy?” as the presenters left the stage, a clip that was captured on video and spread quickly online.
- The hot‑mic clip dominated coverage and drew a mix of amusement, criticism, and alternate readings that Tyson may have meant a complimentary remark rather than literal confusion about Ohtani’s gender.
- Ohtani did not attend the ESPYs because he recently had fluid drained from his left knee for irritation and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the player is expected to rejoin the team for the upcoming road series.
- The episode highlights how live award shows and social media amplification can reframe an athlete’s recognition and underscores Ohtani’s status as a global two‑way MLB star with ongoing injury management.