LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE!!: Dave Roberts Finds Major Positive In Shohei Ohtani Scandal … But Is A Suspension Looming??

Casey Kaye
By Casey Kaye
(Credit: Talkin Baseball / Jomboy Media)

Unfortunately, the Shohei Ohtani scandal has in many ways overshadowed Opening Day in Major League Baseball.

After all, it’s not every day that the richest man in a sport’s history and/or his interpreter gets wrapped up in an illegal gambling scandal. 

Yet, here we are…

As big of a headache as it is, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has seen plenty of positives in the situation. 

Roberts told the media that he’s already observed Ohtani being more involved and engaged with his teammates.

He commented that Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, in many ways acted as a middle-man between Ohtani and not just his teammates, but Roberts himself. 

“Actually, I would argue that it’s going to help relationships internally, because there’s no longer a buffer,” the skipper said.

“I’ve already seen it. The last couple days, I think Shohei’s been even more engaging with his teammates, and I think there’s only upside with that.”

Mizuhara, who had been with Ohtani for over six years and was an integral part of his support system, was fired by the Dodgers last week when the story originally broke. 

Initially, Ohtani’s camp stated that the Japanese star himself made wire transfers to an illegal bookmaker to cover Mizuhara’s $4.5 million gambling debt.

The camp quickly changed their tune and stated that Ohtani had nothing to do with the gambling debts or the paying of them. Instead, he was a victim of theft by Mizuhara who allegedly made the transfers without Ohtani’s knowledge. 

“I never bet on baseball or any other sports and have never asked someone to do so on my behalf and have never bet through a bookmaker,” Ohtani said earlier this week. 

“Until a couple of days ago, I didn’t know this was happening … Ippei has stolen money from my account and told lies.”

“I didn’t know that Ippei [Mizuhara] had a gambling addiction and was in debt. Obviously, I never agreed to pay off the debt or make payments to the bookmaker,” he added.

“In conclusion, I want to say I have never bet on sports or used a bookmaker. I am beyond shocked. It’s really hard to verbalize how I’m feeling at this point. The season is gonna start so will let my lawyers handle matters from here on out.”

Right or wrong, plenty of people doubt Ohtani’s story and think he at the very least had knowledge of the situation.

Maybe there’s more to the story. Maybe there’s not…

Regardless, Ohtani has always had an excellent reputation as both a person and teammate. 

“I know he wanted to get some more answers and clarity for him to be able to talk to the media. I think that’s good for him, to be able to get that off his chest,” Dodgers slugger Freddie Freeman said in support of Ohtani. 

Interestingly, Ohtani is thought by some to be much more understanding of English than is let on.

As a matter of fact, Roberts believes that not having Mizuhara around will allow Ohtani to more naturally fit in on his new team without constantly having an interpreter handle everything for him. 

“He’s been around long enough. It’s just naturally going to happen, but if he needs assistance or support, he has it,” Roberts said of the new situation. 

What are your thoughts on this whole messy situation?

What do you think the investigations will find???

 

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