In Japan, Ohtani’s ‘perfect person’ image could take a hit with firing of interpreter over gambling
9 months ago

In Japan, Ohtani’s ‘perfect person’ image could take a hit with firing of interpreter over gambling

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — Shohei Ohtani is referred to in Japan as “kanpeki no hito” — the perfect person — because of his manners and impeccable behavior. “Right now he’s the image of Major League Baseball.” Mizuhara, 39, was let go from the team following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker. As long as Ohtani isn’t directly accused of illegal betting, the allegations won’t meaningfully hurt his carefully crafted public image, said Lee Seung-yun, a marketing professor at Seoul’s Konkuk University. “Information spreads at amazing speeds these days, narratives are made before the truth of the facts are figured out, and if Ohtani was seen as a questionable character, the allegations would have really hurt him.” “But his image is so strong and impeccable, and as long as he wasn’t directly involved, the allegations may just end up a blip,” Lee added. Lee Jong-Sung, a sports culture expert at Seoul’s Hanyang University, said Ohtani’s image to global fans, including South Koreans, was that of a mysterious monk who “fully devoted himself into a religion called baseball.” He said the allegations facing Mizuhara so far only may only strengthen that impression of Ohtani — a person who’s driven by perfection in baseball but more naïve and simple-hearted with other things.

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History of this topic

Baseball star Shohei Ohtani seeks $325,000 worth of baseball cards from his ex-interpreter
Trending News
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Baseball star Shohei Ohtani seeks $325,000 worth of baseball cards from his ex-interpreter

Associated Press  

Baseball star Shohei Ohtani wants his former interpreter to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of baseball cards he says were fraudulently bought using his money. The Los Angeles Dodgers star is also requesting Ippei Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million from the unsuspecting athlete, return signed collectible baseball …

Shohei Ohtani, his translator, and the $180m betting scandal that hangs over baseball's biggest superstar as he seeks World Series glory
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani, his translator, and the $180m betting scandal that hangs over baseball's biggest superstar as he seeks World Series glory

Daily Mail  

Shohei Ohtani had something penciled in for Friday, October 25, long before the Los Angeles Dodgers secured their spot in the World Series. Ippei Mizuhara was accused of stealing $17million from baseball icon Shohei Ohtani The Los Angeles Dodgers star signed a 10-year, $700million deal back in December 2023 Last month, however, the hearing was postponed to December - at …

With more gambling cases likely, Ohtani debacle is a lesson to MLB
3 months, 1 week ago

With more gambling cases likely, Ohtani debacle is a lesson to MLB

LA Times  

The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, right, and his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, leave after a news conference ahead of a workout in South Korea on March 16. Both the Dodgers and MLB have remained mostly silent about their actions during the days before The Times broke the story about Ohtani’s name surfacing in the federal probe and the theft allegations against …

Midway through his first season as a Dodger, Shohei Ohtani is a Hollywood blockbuster
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Midway through his first season as a Dodger, Shohei Ohtani is a Hollywood blockbuster

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Halfway through his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani looks quite comfortable with his new surroundings. So I think overall, looking back, it’s been a really good first half.” Ohtani, who turns 30 on July 5, agreed to a record-shattering $700 million, 10-year contract in December. But at the same time, as a hitter, I’ve …

Ippei Mizuhara spoke for baseball star Shohei Ohtani. He also stole nearly $17M from him
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Ippei Mizuhara spoke for baseball star Shohei Ohtani. He also stole nearly $17M from him

Associated Press  

SANTA ANA, Calif. — As an interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara was supposed to bridge the gap between baseball star Shohei Ohtani and his English-speaking teammates and fans as the duo traveled from Southern California to ballparks across the U.S. Inside baseball, Mizuhara stood by Ohtani’s side for many of the Japanese sensation’s career highlights, from serving as his catcher during the …

Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, pleads not guilty as a formality
7 months, 1 week ago

Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, pleads not guilty as a formality

LA Times  

A courtroom sketch of Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, in federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The former interpreter for Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pleaded not guilty Tuesday to bank and tax fraud, a formality before following through on a plea deal he’s negotiated with federal prosecutors to admit guilt in a wide-ranging sports …

TV series based on Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal in the works at Lionsgate
7 months, 2 weeks ago

TV series based on Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal in the works at Lionsgate

LA Times  

Lionsgate Television is developing a scripted series based on the real-life gambling scandal involving Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter. The series will be produced by Tony Award winner Scott Delman, known for “The Book of Mormon” and “A Raisin in the Sun,” and sports journalist Albert Chen, Santa Monica-based Lionsgate said Thursday. “This is Major League Baseball’s biggest sports gambling …

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara reaches plea agreement on 2 federal charges
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara reaches plea agreement on 2 federal charges

CNN  

CNN — The former interpreter and longtime friend of MLB megastar Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to illegally transferring almost $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account, according to a news release from the US Department of Justice. “From no later than November 2021 to March 2024, Mizuhara used Ohtani’s password to successfully sign into …

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter agrees to plead guilty to stealing $17 million
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter agrees to plead guilty to stealing $17 million

LA Times  

Ippei Mizuhara, left, stands next to Shohei Ohtani and translates during an interview at Dodger Stadium on Feb. 3, 2024. Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, has agreed to plead guilty in federal court to stealing millions of dollars from Ohtani to cover gambling debts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Without telling Ohtani, prosecutors …

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara makes first court appearance in L.A.
8 months, 1 week ago

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara makes first court appearance in L.A.

LA Times  

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, made his first court appearance Friday afternoon on charges that he stole more than $16 million from the Dodgers superstar to cover debts with an illegal bookmaker. “Our investigation has revealed that due to the position of trust he occupied with Mr. Ohtani, Mr. Mizuhara had unique access to Mr. Ohtani’s finances,” …

Shohei Ohtani ‘grateful’ for investigation into ex-interpreter: ‘I’d like to focus on baseball’
8 months, 1 week ago

Shohei Ohtani ‘grateful’ for investigation into ex-interpreter: ‘I’d like to focus on baseball’

LA Times  

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani stands on the field at Dodger Stadium before a Freeway Series game against the Angels in March. At that news conference, which took place on March 25, Ohtani said he had no knowledge of the wire transfers Mizuhara made from his account, that he had never gambled on sports or used an illegal bookmaker, and that …

Shohei Ohtani translator indicted for gambling theft: Ippei Mizuhara betrayed Ohtani; his agent and communications team did too.
54 years, 11 months ago

Shohei Ohtani translator indicted for gambling theft: Ippei Mizuhara betrayed Ohtani; his agent and communications team did too.

Slate  

At the end of March, Shohei Ohtani gave his side of a story that had become a runaway train. The Los Angeles Dodgers fired Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, while federal law enforcement and Major League Baseball conducted their own investigations. After all of the initial contradictions from others, Ohtani’s story was simple: Mizuhara, who had a gambling problem, had stolen …

Here’s how investigators allege Ippei Mizuhara stole $16 million from Shohei Ohtani
8 months, 1 week ago

Here’s how investigators allege Ippei Mizuhara stole $16 million from Shohei Ohtani

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities allege Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, stole more than $16 million from the two-way baseball sensation to cover his gambling debts. Mizuhara placed nearly 25 wagers per day and lost nearly $41 million The complaint says Mizuhara’s phone contained hundreds of pages of text messages with a …

Shohei Ohtani's Translator Accused Of Stealing Over $16 Million From Baseball Star's Account
8 months, 1 week ago

Shohei Ohtani's Translator Accused Of Stealing Over $16 Million From Baseball Star's Account

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged the Japanese-language translator for Shohei Ohtani with felony bank fraud, accusing Ippei Mizuhara of stealing millions of dollars from the Los Angeles Dodgers star to cover his own gambling debts. According to an affidavit provided to HuffPost, Mizuhara transferred more than $16 million out of Ohtani’s checking account from November 2021 to …

Former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani charged with bank fraud in sports betting case
8 months, 1 week ago

Former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani charged with bank fraud in sports betting case

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The former longtime interpreter for …

Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter charged with stealing $16M from baseball star in sports betting case
8 months, 1 week ago

Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter charged with stealing $16M from baseball star in sports betting case

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities charged the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani on Thursday with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling bets and debts. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said Mizuhara was so intertwined in Ohtani’s life and career that he became the star’s …

Ohtani interpreter stole more than $16 million from baseball star, feds allege
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Ohtani interpreter stole more than $16 million from baseball star, feds allege

LA Times  

Federal prosecutors have charged Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, with stealing more than $16 million from the Dodgers superstar to pay debts with an alleged illegal bookmaker, as part of a sprawling scheme that stretched over two years and involved illicit wagers of more than 10 times that amount. The 36-page criminal complaint alleges that Mizuhara arranged …

Why feds say Shohei Ohtani is a ‘victim’: Interpreter allegedly paid gambling debts pretending to be Dodger
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Why feds say Shohei Ohtani is a ‘victim’: Interpreter allegedly paid gambling debts pretending to be Dodger

LA Times  

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani “cooperated fully” with an investigation of his former interpreter and was cleared of wrongdoing, the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California said. When Japanese interpreter Ippei Mizuhara lost bets, he paid a bookmaker with money allegedly stolen from Shohei Ohtani, a staggering total of more than $16 million — nearly four times what previously …

What's next for Shohei Ohtani, MLB after Ippei Mizuhara charges?
8 months, 2 weeks ago

What's next for Shohei Ohtani, MLB after Ippei Mizuhara charges?

LA Times  

On March 25, Shohei Ohtani stood before television cameras at Dodger Stadium and said this about his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara: “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.” That same day, according to a federal criminal complaint filed Thursday, Ohtani granted consent for law enforcement officials to search his phone. The 37-page complaint, which charges …

Shohei Ohtani's legend continues as baseball star, not a gambler
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani's legend continues as baseball star, not a gambler

LA Times  

Two weeks after sinking into a murky abyss, the legend of Shohei Ohtani has suddenly come up for air, surfacing powerfully through a thick layer of felonious lies and criminal deceit. I didn’t quite believe Ohtani when he recently threw Mizuhara under the bus by saying, “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.” With Thursday’s …

Japanese treat Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal like ‘presidential election.’ Media take his side
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Japanese treat Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal like ‘presidential election.’ Media take his side

LA Times  

Japanese citizens recognize that baseball players betting on baseball — even if the wagers aren’t made on a bettor’s team — is taboo. In a statement he read to an assembly of about 70 reporters at Dodger Stadium last week, Ohtani said, “I never bet on baseball or any other sports, or have never asked somebody to do on my …

Dodgers' Ohtani, Betts and Freeman are matching the Big Three hype
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Dodgers' Ohtani, Betts and Freeman are matching the Big Three hype

LA Times  

Welcome to — Boom! “I was the only one who didn’t hit a home run,” said Ohtani, poor guy, so sad. “It’s great to be a starting pitcher behind a lineup like that.” He was talking about the entire lineup and, indeed, Max Muncy added two RBIs, James Outman knocked in a run, and Will Smith kept that first inning …

Shohei Ohtani shows no hint he's distracted by gambling scandal
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani shows no hint he's distracted by gambling scandal

LA Times  

Shohei Ohtani might as well have been talking about a television show he watched the night before or his commute to Dodger Stadium in the morning. “It’s under investigation,” Ohtani said, “so I can’t say anything.” California What to know about the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal Shohei Ohtani is considered a victim as prosecutors charge ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara with …

The mysterious life — and questionable claims — of Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter
8 months, 3 weeks ago

The mysterious life — and questionable claims — of Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter

LA Times  

They were one of the best-known duos in baseball. Mizuhara’s initial claims that Ohtani had made the payments as a favor to cover his gambling debts were a “complete lie,” Ohtani said. The biography furnished by the Angels and cited by many media outlets said Mizuhara graduated from UC Riverside in 2007, but the school’s records “do not show a …

Here’s what we know about the allegations against Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Here’s what we know about the allegations against Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Only a week has passed since the Los Angeles Dodgers abruptly fired Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter and constant companion of their new $700 million slugger, Shohei Ohtani. Here are the basics as Ohtani and the Dodgers prepare for their home opener against St. Louis on Thursday: It’s opening day, but the biggest story in baseball remains the …

How the saga of Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter unfolded — and why it’s not over
8 months, 4 weeks ago

How the saga of Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter unfolded — and why it’s not over

LA Times  

The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, right, and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, leave a news conference ahead of a baseball workout at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 16. Ohtani also said he has “never bet on anything or bet for anyone on a sporting event or asked someone to bet for me.” He also denied knowingly paying Mizuhara’s gambling debts. …

Plaschke: Do you still believe in Shohei Ohtani? I'm not sure
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Plaschke: Do you still believe in Shohei Ohtani? I'm not sure

LA Times  

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, talks to interpreter Ippei Mizuhara during the fifth inning of a against the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. California What to know about the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal Shohei Ohtani is considered a victim as prosecutors charge ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara with bank fraud after $16 million was stolen from the …

Shohei Ohtani gambling interpreter investigation: The Dodgers star says Ippei Mizuhara lied to him and to the press. It adds up.
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani gambling interpreter investigation: The Dodgers star says Ippei Mizuhara lied to him and to the press. It adds up.

Slate  

The biggest star in baseball is involved in a burgeoning sports betting scandal, but there’s been considerable question this week about where that involvement sits on a sliding scale. Except that, by later that very day, Ohtani’s American lawyers released a statement that said, “In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the …

Shohei Ohtani gets warm reception in Anaheim before Dodgers lose to Angels
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani gets warm reception in Anaheim before Dodgers lose to Angels

LA Times  

Shohei Ohtani strikes out in the fourth inning against the Angels on Tuesday. Ohtani went hitless in six at-bats with three strikeouts and two walks in the three games, which were sandwiched between last week’s season-opening two-game set against the San Diego Padres in South Korea and Thursday’s home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. “The last week, he’s kind …

Gambling saga raises one big question: Who is Shohei Ohtani?
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Gambling saga raises one big question: Who is Shohei Ohtani?

LA Times  

Guided by two pages of notes in a black folder, Shohei Ohtani offered a step-by-step account of how he discovered his former interpreter had allegedly stolen from him to cover gambling losses. California What to know about the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal Shohei Ohtani is considered a victim as prosecutors charge ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara with bank fraud after $16 …

Shohei Ohtani Categorically Denies Any Links To Gambling
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani Categorically Denies Any Links To Gambling

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Baseball star Shohei Ohtani said Monday that he never agreed to pay Ippei Mizuhara’s gambling debt and is “beyond shocked” at how his now-fired interpreter took advantage of him. Ohtani, who spoke through the Los Angeles Dodgers’ performance operations manager, Will Ireton, at a news conference, said, “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has …

Shohei Ohtani to make first comments since illegal gambling, theft allegations against interpreter
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani to make first comments since illegal gambling, theft allegations against interpreter

Hindustan Times  

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is set to make his first public comments Monday since his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the Los Angeles Dodgers star. HT Image The Dodgers said Ohtani would speak at 2:45 p.m. PDT in the team's interview room, and that TV cameras and photographers would not …

Shohei Ohtani says he never bet on sports, interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole money, told lies
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani says he never bet on sports, interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole money, told lies

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani said Monday he never bet on sports or knowingly paid any gambling debts accumulated by his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani hasn’t addressed the Dodgers in a group since Mizuhara’s firing, but he had explained himself to several Dodgers individually, manager Dave Roberts said. So Ippei has been telling everyone around that he has been …

MLB investigating gambling, theft allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara
9 months ago

MLB investigating gambling, theft allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has opened a formal investigation into illegal gambling and theft allegations involving Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara was let go from the team Wednesday following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and claims from Ohtani’s attorneys that …

MLB investigating Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter amid gambling allegations
9 months ago

MLB investigating Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter amid gambling allegations

LA Times  

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani speaks to reporters with his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, left, at his side during DodgerFest at Dodger Stadium in February. Major League Baseball announced Friday it has opened an investigation into the allegations surrounding Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his now ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations …

What to know about the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal
9 months ago

What to know about the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal

LA Times  

Shohei Ohtani is considered a victim after federal prosecutors charged his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, with bank fraud for allegedly stealing $16 million from the Dodgers star to pay gambling debts that Mizuhara owed to a reputed Orange County bookmaker. Last month, Ohtani’s representatives accused his former right-hand man of engaging in a “massive theft” of Ohtani’s funds, with millions …

Who is Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s interpreter?
9 months ago

Who is Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s interpreter?

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — Japanese interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers after allegations he stole money from baseball star Shohei Ohtani to service illegal gambling debts. The 39-year-old Mizuhara is a familiar face to baseball fans as Ohtani’s companion, having interpreted for the star with mainly media since Ohtani moved to the United States in …

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired by Dodgers after ‘massive theft’ allegations
9 months ago

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired by Dodgers after ‘massive theft’ allegations

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

Is Shohei Ohtani a theft victim? Is he in trouble? Legal experts say probes underway
9 months ago

Is Shohei Ohtani a theft victim? Is he in trouble? Legal experts say probes underway

LA Times  

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, right, and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, leave after a news conference ahead of a baseball workout at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea on March 16. “If there has been a ‘massive theft,’ you would expect Ohtani’s people to cooperate with federal investigators,” said Jeff Ifrah, a former federal prosecutor and sports betting expert …

Shohei Ohtani must grow up after Ippei Mizuhara revelations
9 months ago

Shohei Ohtani must grow up after Ippei Mizuhara revelations

LA Times  

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani stands in the dugout as he gets set to bat during Thursday’s game against the Padres. ESPN said it was preparing a report based on an assertion by Ohtani’s spokesman that Ohtani transferred money to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debts. The spokesman later recanted his initial claims about Ohtani paying down Mizuhara’s debts and disavowed Mizuhara’s …

Startled Dodgers move on after Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter accused of theft, gambling
9 months ago

Startled Dodgers move on after Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter accused of theft, gambling

LA Times  

The camera shot of the dugout looked reminiscent of so many before. As The Times first reported, representatives of Ohtani accused his interpreter of engaging in a “massive theft” of the two-way star’s funds, with millions of dollars of Ohtani’s money allegedly used to pay off gambling debts Mizuhara owed to a bookmaker. Like I said, no matter what cards …

Who is Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired amid gambling accusations?
9 months ago

Who is Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired amid gambling accusations?

LA Times  

Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara were practically connected at the hip for 6½ years, the bond between the world’s most famous baseball player and his interpreter so tight that the Dodgers two-way star was rarely, if ever, seen in public without Mizuhara in tow. Mizuhara, 39, was abruptly fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday after representatives of Ohtani accused the …

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired by Dodgers after allegations of ‘massive theft’ from Japanese star
9 months ago

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired by Dodgers after allegations of ‘massive theft’ from Japanese star

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the Japanese baseball star. Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, 39, was let go from the team Wednesday following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker. The team is …

Shohei Ohtani’s attorneys accuse interpreter of ‘massive theft’ tied to alleged gambling
9 months ago

Shohei Ohtani’s attorneys accuse interpreter of ‘massive theft’ tied to alleged gambling

LA Times  

Representatives of Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday accused his interpreter of engaging in a “massive theft” of the ballplayer’s funds to place bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker who is the target of a federal investigation. The punishment for gambling with an illegal bookmaker or their agent isn’t specified in MLB rules, but is left up to “such penalty …

Shohei Ohtani mindful that his situation on the Dodgers is unique
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani mindful that his situation on the Dodgers is unique

LA Times  

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani speaks to reporters at Camelback Ranch on Friday. While complimenting Ohtani for his modesty, Roberts also said, “There’s a lion in there.” The manager continued, “For me, that’s the perfect combo. “He does this whole pre-pitch routine between every single swing and just how intentional every single thing he does, whether it’s in the weight room, …

Asian Americans go bonkers over Ohtani for his superhuman baseball prowess — and for shattering stereotypes
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Asian Americans go bonkers over Ohtani for his superhuman baseball prowess — and for shattering stereotypes

LA Times  

People stop to take photos of a mural by artist Gustavo Zermeno Jr. featuring newest Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, left, and Mookie Betts. “You don’t really see many Asian faces on TV across any field, let alone sports,” said Siew, 34, who is Chinese American. The 68-year-old Japanese American was excited when Hideo Nomo joined the Dodgers in 1995 as …

Ohtani cashes in as fans in Japan wait for him to deliver more goods and play in a World Series
1 year ago

Ohtani cashes in as fans in Japan wait for him to deliver more goods and play in a World Series

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Now that Shohei Ohtani has his money — a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers — some fans in Japan are waiting for one more thing to complete the deal. “I want Ohtani to play in the World Series,” said Isshin Watanabe, a baseball fan speaking on Sunday near Tokyo’s famous Ginza shopping area. …

Review: In Shohei Ohtani documentary, secret to star’s success is in defying expectations
1 year, 1 month ago

Review: In Shohei Ohtani documentary, secret to star’s success is in defying expectations

LA Times  

Shohei Ohtani has become a household name among baseball fans. The answer, at least in part, rests in a typically unseen side of the two-way star that director Toru Tokikawa captured in his upcoming documentary, “Shohei Ohtani: Beyond the Dream,” which will be available Nov. 17 exclusively on ESPN+. “When we started filming, the title was ‘Shohei Ohtani: Chasing the …

Major League Baseball: Shohei Ohtani, Japan's 'Frankenstein', enjoying monster success in USA
3 years, 2 months ago

Major League Baseball: Shohei Ohtani, Japan's 'Frankenstein', enjoying monster success in USA

Firstpost  

There is more to Shohei Ohtani’s magnetic appeal than just sublime athletic ability. Tokyo: He’s the “Frankenstein” taking baseball by storm and following in the legendary footsteps of Babe Ruth — but Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani is still humble enough to pick up litter. “If you were to give Frankenstein every unique talent into one player, you’d get Shohei Ohtani,” …

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