Shohei Ohtani, the talented two-way player for the Los Angeles Angels, has found himself embroiled in controversy after denying allegations of betting on sports. The accusations were brought to light by his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who claimed that Ohtani had been involved in illegal gambling activities.
Mizuhara also alleged that Ohtani had stolen money from him and lied about various aspects of their relationship. These shocking revelations have cast a shadow over Ohtani's reputation as a rising star in Major League Baseball.
In his first public comments about the controversy that has clouded the start of MLB's 2024 season, the Japanese-born Ohtani, who spoke through an interpreter, said he was saddened and shocked at hearing the allegations.
The Dodgers fired Mizuhara last week, after Ohtani's representatives said they "discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities."
The scandal has threatened to overshadow the start of MLB’s Opening Day on Thursday, challenged the public’s understanding of one of baseball’s biggest stars and brought renewed scrutiny to professional sports’ closeness with gambling.
The Internal Revenue Service and Major League Baseball are investigating the matter, with the league trying to determine whether its strict rules against gambling have been broken. A player or employee who gambles on baseball can be suspended for a year, while someone who gambles on a game they are in some way a part of can be suspended for life. MLB’s commissioner can also penalize someone who goes outside legal sports betting entities and gambles with a bookie.
Mizuhara met Ohtani when he went to Japan to work as an interpreter for the Hokkaidō Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, Nippon.com reported. Ohtani had joined the team as a rookie in 2013.
When Ohtani, already on the rise as a coveted two-way player who excelled at pitching and hitting, signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017, he brought Mizuhara along with him.
Detmers sent Ohtani reeling backwards with a Ball 4 fastball that accidentally came close to hitting the star.
Ohtani smiled and looked slightly shaken as he took first base — an appropriate cap to an uncomfortable day at the ballpark.
“To summarize how I am feeling right now, I am just beyond shocked,” Ohtani said. “It is really hard to verbalize how I am feeling at this point. The season is going to start, so I am going to let my lawyers handle matters from here on out. I am completely assisting in all investigations that are taking place right now.”
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