Shohei Ohtani’s world just got a whole lot more complicated. Imagine, his own interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is at the center of a whirlwind of accusations. It’s like something out of a movie, but not the kind you’d want to star in. The Dodgers’ superstar is allegedly a victim of a “massive theft.” Yeah, you heard that right.
According to reports by ESPN, a staggering $4.5 million vanished from Ohtani’s bank account, wired to a bookie under the feds’ microscope. And who’s in the middle of it all? Mizuhara, his buddy and interpreter. Talk about a plot twist. The Dodgers didn’t waste any time; they cut ties with Mizuhara on Wednesday.
Then, MLB stepped in, launching an investigation into this mess on Friday. Ohtani, for his part, broke his silence on Monday. He denied any involvement in betting or even knowing about Mizuhara’s gambling antics. Mizuhara, on the other hand, had a chat with ESPN last week. At first, he claimed Ohtani was just helping him out with his gambling debts. But, plot twist, he flipped his story the next day, saying Ohtani was clueless about the payments.
This drama unfolded in Seoul, South Korea, of all places. The Dodgers and Ohtani were there, kicking off the 2024 MLB season. After a win against the Padres, Mizuhara faced the music in the clubhouse. He admitted to his gambling problem and apologized. But here’s the kicker: Ohtani found out about the missing money only then. And just like that, Mizuhara’s story changed again, the Dodgers fired him, and Ohtani’s lawyers were on the warpath, declaring him a victim of theft.
Mizuhara, who’s been Ohtani’s right-hand man since 2018, insisted he never bet on baseball. Diane Bass, the lawyer for the accused bookie, backed him up. But here’s the thing: sports betting is a no-go in California. And betting on any sport, legal or not, is against MLB rules.
The plot thickens as ESPN revealed on Thursday that Ohtani’s camp is calling for a law enforcement investigation into the alleged theft. And guess what? The IRS is now sniffing around Mizuhara and the bookie.
Lawyers’ accusations
The bookie, identified by the L.A. Times as Mathew Bowyer, is in hot water. Federal agents raided his place last year, and now Ohtani’s name is being dragged into it. Ohtani’s lawyers, after digging into the matter, are crying foul over Mizuhara’s alleged theft. Bowyer’s lawyer, Bass, is keeping it simple: “Mr. Bowyer had no contact with Mr. Ohtani.” Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles is keeping mum.
Interpreter’s response
Mizuhara initially told ESPN he needed Ohtani to bail him out of his gambling debts. He thought his bets through Bowyer were on the up and up. “He wasn’t happy about it,” Mizuhara said about Ohtani, “but he said he’d help me out.” But then, Mizuhara changed his tune, claiming Ohtani was in the dark about his gambling debts and the money transfers. Mizuhara’s betting wasn’t on baseball, he said, but on a mix of international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football.
The story’s twists and turns don’t stop. ESPN’s Tisha Thompson shared that as Ohtani’s team pieced together what happened, they initially only had Mizuhara’s side of the story. Remember, California voters said a big no to legalizing sports gambling in 2022. With Mizuhara out, Will Ireton is stepping in as Ohtani’s temporary interpreter.
What are Ohtani and the Dodgers saying?
Ohtani and the Dodgers kept quiet until this week. Ohtani, through Ireton, shared that he was blindsided by Mizuhara’s actions. “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has been telling lies,” Ohtani revealed. He found out about Mizuhara’s gambling after a team meeting. “I’m beyond shocked,” Ohtani said, leaving the legal battles to his lawyers while focusing on the game.
Dodgers’ execs are tight-lipped. Manager Dave Roberts believes Ohtani speaking out is a good move and insists the scandal won’t distract the team. Team president Andrew Friedman simply said, “there’s nothing to say.”
Is MLB investigating?
Yes, MLB is on it. They started gathering info as soon as the news hit and have now formally begun their investigation. Ohtani is still playing, not benched by administrative leave or the restricted list.
Could Ohtani face punishment?
MLB’s rules are clear: no gambling on baseball. But Mizuhara claims he bet on other sports. Still, the rules are strict about dealing with illegal bookies. The league was in the dark about the investigation until the story broke. Ohtani might also face legal troubles, according to a California gambling law expert.
Who is Ippei Mizuhara?
Mizuhara has been by Ohtani’s side since he joined the MLB in 2017. For more on this unfolding saga, stay tuned.
