Shohei Ohtani spent much of last year under the shadow of one of the biggest scandals in baseball in recent years. When it was revealed that his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, had stolen millions from him to cover gambling debts.
Mizuhara later admitted to transferring almost $17 million from Ohtani’s accounts, impersonating him in dozens of calls to banks. He was sentenced to nearly five years in prison and ordered to pay the money back, but the damage to Ohtani’s reputation was already done.
The Dodgers star, who has been on both sides of the court, overcame controversy and had an MVP season last year. He has maintained that level this season, although some fans are still wondering if Ohtani was directly involved.
Clearing up any doubts
Now, Mizuhara’s former bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, has revealed the moment that erased his own doubts.
“I thought Ippei was betting with or for Shohei Ohtani,” Bowyer said. “I’m at an Angels game [in Los Angeles], and [Ohtani] is on the mound. He’s pitching and I’m on my website, of course. I’m watching the bets. Bets come in, and he’s pitching. So that answered the question for me: that [the bets] were all from Ippei.”
However, Bowyer admitted that he was not sure if Ohtani was still involved, but understood that the bets came from the now former interpreter of the player.
Ohtani: Navigating between sports and the extra-sporting
Although the betting scandal is finally behind him, Ohtani faces another legal battle. A lawsuit in Hawaii accuses him and his representatives of interfering in a $240 million real estate project.
For now, the bookmaker’s revelation helps Ohtani close a chapter on an unpleasant saga. His focus is back on the Dodgers, who are trying to maintain their lead in the National League West. The 31-year-old faces Kyle Schwarber and Cal Raleigh in the National League MVP race and will look to put off-field controversies behind him as he strives to help his team to another title.
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