Mike Tyson had an unexpected moment during the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night. He learned something new about Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
The moment occurred as he helped present an award for the best single-game performance. He opened the envelope and said, “And the ESPY Award goes to — check this out — Shohei Ohtani.” As one of the Paul brothers explained that Ohtani could not be present to receive the award, Tyson turned and asked, “Shohei’s a guy?”
“Shohei’s a guy?”
Mike Tyson awarded Shohei Ohtani the ESPY for best single-game performance, but had one very important question afterwards pic.twitter.com/sdDZFW0dwS
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 16, 2026
When the hot mic captured that comment, it immediately sparked conversations. Some people on social media used it as a sign that Tyson clearly doesn’t care about other sports. Some said that Tyson needed to learn about “another GOAT” (Greatest of All Time).
“Mike Tyson asking if Shohei is a guy after handing him an ESPY for three homers and six scoreless innings in one game says everything about how far baseball still travels outside its own fan base,” another person added. “That start might be the best single game performance in sports history.”
Ohtani, who is a man, won the ESPY Award after delivering a standout performance in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. He hit three home runs and pitched six innings without allowing a score as the Dodgers won 5-1.
Los Angeles ultimately defeated the Brewers in the Championship Series and reached the World Series for the second consecutive season. They then won the World Series and ended the year as champions for the second consecutive time.
“That was probably the greatest postseason performance of all time,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in October 2025. “There’s been a lot of postseason games. And there’s a reason why he’s the greatest player on the planet.
“What he did on the mound, what he did at the plate, he created a lot of memories for a lot of people. So for us to have a game-clinching — to do it in a game-clinching game at home, wins the NLCS MVP, pretty special. I’m just happy to be able to go along for the ride.”
