On Monday, baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani addressed the recent revelation regarding his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stating that he was unaware of Mizuhara’s alleged involvement in gambling and theft until just a few days ago. Speaking through an interpreter in his first public remarks on the matter, the Japanese-born Ohtani expressed his sadness and shock upon learning about the allegations.
The controversy surrounding Mizuhara has cast a shadow over the beginning of the 2024 MLB season. Last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers took swift action, terminating Mizuhara’s employment after Ohtani’s representatives disclosed that they had uncovered evidence suggesting Ohtani had fallen victim to substantial theft. The matter has since been handed over to the authorities for further investigation
During a live press conference broadcast on the MLB Network from the team’s interview room, Shohei Ohtani made it emphatically clear that he has never engaged in sports betting. With a sense of betrayal evident in his voice, Ohtani revealed that Ippei Mizuhara, his now-dismissed interpreter, had been siphoning money from his accounts and fabricating stories to cover his tracks.
Expressing a mix of disbelief and dismay, Ohtani recounted how Mizuhara had misrepresented his financial situation, falsely claiming that Ohtani was helping a friend pay off debts. Struggling to articulate the depth of his emotions, Ohtani admitted to feeling profoundly shocked by the revelations.
In response to this breach of trust, Ohtani disclosed that his legal advisors had advised him to involve the authorities due to the severity of the theft and fraud involved. He emphasized his full cooperation with ongoing investigations, asserting his commitment to uncovering the truth and seeking justice in the matter.
Ohtani emphasized that he would leave the legal proceedings to his attorneys, opting instead to direct his focus back to the game. “I’m eager to shift my attention back to the season, and I appreciate the opportunity to address this,” he stated, wrapping up his remarks.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Ohtani declined to field questions from the media, bringing the briefing to a close after just over 10 minutes. Meanwhile, later that Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers squared off against the Los Angeles Angels in an exhibition game.
Dodger’s manager Dave Roberts had earlier expressed his approval of Ohtani’s decision to speak out. “I think it’s a positive step. It’s the appropriate action,” Roberts commented during a media gathering on Sunday. “I’m pleased that he’s chosen to speak, to share his perspective and insights on the entire situation. It should provide some clarity for us.”
Ohtani, renowned as a two-time American League MVP, made headlines during the off-season with his staggering $700 million deal with the Dodgers.