The start of the 2024 MLB season got off to a rocky start for $700 million man, Shohei Ohtani.
Not because of anything that was happening on the field with his new team, the Los Angeles Dodgers – but because of what was happening off of it.
Of course, I’m referring to the gambling scandal that rocked the baseball world.
As everyone knows, Ohtani’s trusted interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was stealing money from the Japanese phenom’s bank account in order to pay off gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker.
There are some who still find the whole story very fishy. However, Mazuhara has pled guilty to his charges and faces up to 33-years in prison.
Meanwhile, Major League Baseball has cleared Ohtani of any wrongdoing in the matter.
“Based on the thoroughness of the federal investigation that was made public, the information MLB collected, and the criminal proceeding being resolved without being contested, MLB considers Shohei Ohtani a victim of fraud, and this matter has been closed,” Major League Baseball said in a statement.
Ohtani, who admitted to having trouble sleeping during the whole saga, expressed his relief that the investigated has concluded and he can get back to solely focusing on baseball.
“Now that the investigation has been completed, this full admission of guilt has brought important closure to me and my family,” he said in a statement.
“I want to sincerely thank the authorities for finishing their thorough and effective investigation so quickly and uncovering all of the evidence.
“This has been a uniquely challenging time, so I am especially grateful for my support team – my family, agent, agency, lawyers, and advisers along with the entire Dodger organization, who showed endless support throughout this process.
“It’s time to close this chapter, move on and continue to focus on playing and winning ballgames.”
As for Mizuhara, he has been spotted delivering Uber Eats in the Los Angeles area as he awaits his sentencing.
(Credit to the New York Post for obtaining the photos.)
Mizuhara is scheduled for sentencing on October 25th.
In a statement, Mizuhara confessed to his wrongdoing, acknowledging his role in wiring money from Ohtani’s bank account to settle his gambling debts.
“I worked for victim A and had access to his bank account and had fallen into major gambling debt,” Mizuhara’s statement read. “I went ahead and wired money… with his bank account.”
Meanwhile, Ohtani is in the middle of another brilliant season.
He’s currently batting .322 with 15 home runs and 40 RBI’s to go along with an impressive .989 OPS.
The Philadelphia Phillies will certainly be a major obstacle for Ohtani and the Dodgers come October. But for now, Los Angeles is standing strong with a 38-25 record, good for first-place in the NL West.
As for Mizuhara, he’s taken responsibility for his actions and will soon pay a dear price for them.
Having said that, it’s admirable that he’s grinding away with Uber Eats, making an honest living (for the time being).
What are your thoughts on the whole situation???