Ohtani Denies Involvement in Gambling Inquiry, “Saddened and Shocked” by Ippei’s “Lies”

Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani finally addressed the media Monday after the firing of his interpreter and best friend Ippei Mizuhara for “massive theft,” denying any involvement in the matter.

“I never bet on baseball or any other sport,” Ohtani said through his new interpreter.

It was revealed that Mizuhara had spent $4.5 million of Ohtani’s funds to repay gambling debts that he owed to a bookmaker. 

“I’m very saddened and shocked that someone I have trusted has done this,” Ohtani said.

ESPN investigative reporter Tisha Thompson had a 90-minute interview with Mizuhara about the scandal, and he told her that Ohtani was aware of his situation and paid the money for him through his account.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ ownership was informed about the scandal and told Mizuhara to address the team about his gambling problem.  One anonymous Dodgers player asked what this had to do with the team, and ownership said that it was Ohtani who had paid off Mizuhara’s debts.

Ohtani, who is not fluent in English, was initially confused when his name was dropped and asked a different interpreter what Mizuhara was talking about.  When he found out what was said, he denied this and claimed that Mizuhara actually stole his money and paid the bookmaker himself.

“Up until a couple days ago, I didn’t even know that this was happening,” Ohtani said.  “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.”

After his firing and Ohtani’s vehement denial in any involvement, Thompson reached out again to Mizuhara asking if he had lied during the interview.  According to Thompson, he admitted that he lied.

There has been some skepticism on whose story is true, considering that the payments were in Ohtani’s name.   If Mizuhara had committed grand theft, he would have had access to Ohtani’s bank account.

Although this is incredulous, it is not impossible, for Ohtani and Mizuhara had more than a player/interpreter relationship.  They were best friends to the point of having a sibling relationship.  The usually-stoic Ohtani appeared more emotional while addressing the media about the scandal.

Ohtani, a two-time MVP, is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, consistently being compared to Babe Ruth.  If he is implicated in the investigation, his chances of becoming a Hall of Famer will most likely be erased due to the MLB’s strict anti-gambling policy.

Pete Rose, the all-time hits leader in MLB history, is not in the Hall of Fame due to being caught gambling on baseball.

The investigation is still ongoing.