The Associated Press named Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani as its Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, a feat that puts him level with NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James are the only four-time winners.
"I'm very honored," Ohtani told the AP's Beth Harris through his translator, Matt Hidaka. "Obviously all the hard work has paid off. Maybe next year, I'll get the award again.
Ohani added, "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.