The 2026 ESPY Awards provided plenty of memorable moments, but perhaps none more unexpected than the interaction between boxing legend Mike Tyson and internet personality Jake Paul when announcing one of the night's biggest awards. After correctly pronouncing Shohei Ohtani's name while presenting the Best Single-Game Performance ESPY, Tyson turned to Paul and asked, "Shohei's a guy?" The question, captured clearly on the live broadcast, sent social media into a frenzy and left many fans both amused and incredulous that a former world champion athlete would be unfamiliar with arguably the most famous baseball player on the planet.
Tyson, along with Paul and record producer DJ Khaled, had the honor of presenting the award to Ohtani, who was not in attendance. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar was resting nagging injuries and preparing for a crucial series against the New York Yankees. As Paul explained that Ohtani sent his gratitude and appreciation, Tyson's confusion became apparent. The boxing icon leaned in and whispered the now-viral question, prompting Paul to confirm, "He's a guy, yeah." The moment, while brief, encapsulated a fascinating intersection of sports cultures and generations.
Ohtani's Historic Achievement
The award that sparked Tyson's query was for Ohtani's extraordinary performance in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. In that decisive contest, Ohtani struck out 10 batters over six scoreless innings on the mound while also launching three home runs at the plate. It was a feat that had never been accomplished in postseason history and seemed almost mythical, even by Ohtani's standards. The game catapulted the Dodgers to the World Series and cemented Ohtani's legacy as a once-in-a-lifetime talent.
Ohtani also took home the Best MLB Player award that night, further solidifying his status as the face of baseball. His 2025 season was nothing short of legendary: he posted a 2.81 ERA with 197 strikeouts as a pitcher while batting .302 with 48 home runs and 112 RBIs as a hitter. Such two-way dominance hasn't been seen since Babe Ruth, and many analysts argue Ohtani's peak even surpasses that of the Sultan of Swat. His merchandise sales have skyrocketed, with his jerseys consistently ranking among the top sellers globally, and murals depicting his likeness dot the streets of Los Angeles.
Why Mike Tyson Might Not Know Shohei Ohtani
While the moment was humorous, it also highlighted a natural divide in sports fandom. Mike Tyson, now 60 years old, rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s when baseball's biggest stars were players like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, and Cal Ripken Jr. Tyson's focus has always been on boxing, and he has rarely been known as an avid baseball follower. Moreover, Ohtani's stardom is a relatively recent phenomenon on a global scale. He burst onto the scene in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels, but it wasn't until his MVP seasons in 2021 and 2023, followed by his move to the Dodgers in 2024, that he became a household name beyond die-hard baseball fans.
There's also the factor of generation. The ESPYs bring together athletes from all sports, but not everyone keeps up with every league. Tyson, despite his legendary status, may simply not follow baseball closely. His question wasn't malicious; it was a genuine moment of unfamiliarity that resonated because Ohtani is so ubiquitous in sports media. Even casual sports fans in the United States are bombarded with Ohtani highlights, but someone like Tyson, who spends much of his time on his podcast, cannabis business, and occasional boxing exhibitions, might not have the same exposure.
Reactions and Memes
Social media erupted almost instantly. The sports commentary account Jomboy Media posted a clip of the exchange, which racked up millions of views within hours. Memes comparing Tyson's confusion to iconic pop culture misunderstandings circulated widely. Some fans defended Tyson, noting that he's a boxer first and foremost, while others expressed disbelief that anyone could be unaware of Ohtani's accomplishments. Jake Paul, who has often feuded with Tyson in the past, seemed amused by the exchange and later posted a lighthearted tweet: "Even legends need to catch up on baseball. Shohei is a guy, and he's a beast."
The moment also sparked broader conversations about how sports fandom can be siloed. For instance, NBA fans might not follow MLB closely, and vice versa. However, Ohtani has transcended baseball in a way few athletes have. He has appeared on national talk shows, signed landmark endorsement deals with brands like New Balance and Fanatics, and even had a documentary made about his journey from Japan to MLB stardom. Yet, the Tyson incident serves as a reminder that even in an interconnected world, there are still pockets of ignorance, especially among older generations.
Ohtani's 2026 Season and Recent Health Updates
At the time of the ESPYs, Ohtani was dealing with a nagging left knee issue that had bothered him since before the All-Star break. He received a lubricant injection to manage the irritation, and the Dodgers have been cautious with his workload. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani would likely make his next pitching start on Wednesday in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Despite the injury, Ohtani's numbers in 2026 have been stellar: a 2.95 ERA and 145 strikeouts over 120 innings pitched, combined with a .288 batting average, 32 home runs, and 88 RBIs. The Dodgers currently hold the best record in baseball, and Ohtani is a frontrunner for his fourth MVP award.
The upcoming series against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium carries extra weight, as it is a rematch of the 2024 World Series, which the Dodgers won in six games. Ohtani's return to the lineup for Friday's opener was a relief for fans, even though he went 0-for-4 in a 2-1 victory. His presence alone changes the dynamic of any game, and the Yankees are preparing for both his pitching and hitting prowess. The knee injury has limited his pitching schedule, but Ohtani has insisted he's ready to contribute however the team needs.
Historical Context: Ohtani vs. Babe Ruth and Others
Tyson's question ironically mirrors a common theme in discussions about Ohtani: the need to constantly remind people how unprecedented his career is. Babe Ruth also hit and pitched in the early 20th century, but Ruth eventually gave up pitching to focus on hitting. Ohtani has maintained both roles at an elite level for nearly a decade, including during the peak of modern analytics and specialized training. His 2025 season, in particular, drew comparisons to Ruth's legendary 1918 campaign when the Bambino led the league in home runs while posting a 2.22 ERA. But Ohtani's three-homer, 10-strikeout postseason game eclipses anything Ruth ever did in October.
Beyond Ruth, Ohtani's impact is often compared to that of other cross-sport icons like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. Yet neither of those athletes achieved the sustained two-way success Ohtani has in baseball. Jackson and Sanders were multi-sport stars, but they didn't pitch at an elite level. Ohtani is truly a unicorn, and his ESPY wins reflect that. The Best Single-Game Performance award placed him alongside NBA players like Bam Adebayo, who also had a historic game, but Ohtani's performance was deemed more remarkable by voters.
Despite the accolades, Ohtani remains humble and focused. He rarely seeks the spotlight and often deflects praise to his teammates. His absence from the ESPYs was seen as a sign of his dedication to recovery and preparation for the second half of the season. In a statement released by the Dodgers, Ohtani expressed gratitude for the awards and said he was honored to be recognized by his peers.
Mike Tyson's Legacy and the Generational Gap
Mike Tyson's legacy in sports is secure. He became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20 and remains one of the most recognizable figures in boxing. However, his interests have always been narrow, and he has been open about his lack of knowledge in other sports. In interviews, Tyson has admitted he doesn't watch much baseball or basketball, preferring to focus on boxing and his various business ventures. This makes his confusion about Ohtani less surprising, though still amusing given the context.
The viral moment also highlights a broader trend: the ESPYs often serve as a melting pot where athletes from different disciplines interact, and these interactions can yield humorous misunderstandings. In 2023, for example, tennis star Serena Williams famously asked who a certain NBA player was during an ESPY segment. Such moments humanize these larger-than-life figures and remind us that even idols can be out of touch with aspects of pop culture.
For the baseball world, the incident was a teaching moment. Many fans took to social media to educate followers on Ohtani's achievements, posting videos of his greatest hits and explaining why he is considered the greatest baseball player of all time. The hope is that Tyson will now take the time to learn about Ohtani, perhaps watching some of his games or highlights. The internet's response was largely good-natured, with most fans recognizing that Tyson's question came from a place of genuine curiosity rather than disrespect.
The Future of Ohtani's Stardom
As Ohtani continues to dominate, moments like Tyson's question will likely become rarer. His fame is still growing, particularly in regions outside of traditional baseball markets. In Japan, Ohtani is a national hero, but in the United States, he is already one of the most marketable athletes in sports. His face adorns billboards, his jerseys are top sellers, and his every start is a must-watch event. The Dodgers have built their entire marketing strategy around him, and the team's success is inextricably linked to his health and performance.
Looking ahead, Ohtani's 2026 season could culminate in another World Series run. The Dodgers are stacked with talent, including stars like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and a deep pitching staff. If Ohtani leads them to another championship, his legend will only grow. And perhaps next year, when he inevitably wins more ESPYs, Mike Tyson will know exactly who he is—and maybe even have a favorite highlight to share.
Source:Yahoo Sports News