Devendra Kumar
Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend, Ippei Mizuhara, was let go by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday after allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the player surfaced. According to reports, Mizuhara was seen regularly discussing Ohtani’s at-bats with the player over a tablet computer, leading to concerns about the level of access he had to Ohtani’s personal and professional life.
Ohtani’s lawyers released a statement saying the player had been the victim of a massive theft, with Mizuhara allegedly stealing large sums of money from Ohtani’s bank account. The team confirmed Mizuhara’s termination, citing concerns about his involvement in illegal activities and the potential impact on the team’s reputation.
Mizuhara has been Ohtani’s constant companion and interpreter since the player arrived in the US in 2017, and had even served as Ohtani’s catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game. However, his alleged involvement in illegal gambling and theft has raised serious concerns within the baseball community.
Despite the scandal, the Dodgers do not plan to have Ohtani sit out any games, and he is expected to continue playing as usual. However, the incident has cast a shadow over Ohtani’s highly anticipated debut with the Dodgers, and has put his reputation and the reputation of the team at risk.
The news of Mizuhara’s termination comes a day after a reported bomb threat against Ohtani, which was found to be unfounded. The incident has also raised questions about the level of scrutiny and oversight within the baseball community, particularly with regards to the MLB’s gambling policy.
According to the policy, players and team employees are prohibited from wagering, even legally, on baseball and are banned from betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers. The penalty for betting on baseball is punishable with a one-year ban from the sport.
As news of the scandal spread, security at the Gocheok Sky Dome was stepped up on Thursday, with police and dogs checking the hallways hours before the game started. The team will now have to find a new interpreter for Ohtani, who is considered one of the most talented players in the league.
In a bizarre twist, Mizuhara told ESPN that he had made large sports bets, including on international football, the NBA, and the NFL. However, he denied betting on baseball, claiming that he knew it was against the rules. The incident has put a damper on the excitement surrounding Ohtani’s recent marriage to Mamiko Tanaka, and has raised concerns about the integrity of the game.