The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their World Series victory, have earned recognition with several nominations for the upcoming ESPY Awards airing on July 16 on ABC. The team’s standout players, including Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, represent the Dodgers among the key nominees this year.
Ohtani and Other Athletes Compete for Men’s Best Athlete
Shohei Ohtani, the 2024 National League MVP known for making baseball history with the first-ever 50-50 season, is among four contenders for the best male athlete award. He shares the spotlight with Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Saquon Barkley from the Philadelphia Eagles, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Notably, Ohtani, Allen, and Gilgeous-Alexander each secured MVP honors recently, while Ohtani, Barkley, and Gilgeous-Alexander captured championships in their respective sports.
Freeman Nominated for Best Championship Performance
Freddie Freeman received a nod for the best championship performance after his historic walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of last October’s World Series, which secured a win over the New York Yankees. He is nominated alongside elite athletes such as Simone Biles and Stephen Curry for their performances during the 2024 Summer Olympics, and Rory McIlroy, who completed a career grand slam by winning The Masters.
MLB Player Awards Include Top Dodgers Figures
Both Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman are candidates for the best MLB player ESPY, competing with Aaron Judge and Tarik Skubal. Their nominations further highlight the exceptional season the Dodgers and their players have enjoyed.
Dodgers Among Teams Nominated for Best Team ESPY
The Dodgers join a competitive field for the best team award, which includes the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers, New York Liberty of the WNBA, Ohio State as college football playoff champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia Eagles, North Carolina Tar Heels women’s lacrosse, U.S. Women’s national soccer team, and the UConn women’s basketball team. This array of nominees underscores the Dodgers’ standing among premier sports teams across various disciplines.