A dispute involving their best talent, Shohei Ohtani, rocked the Los Angeles Dodgers as they finished the Seoul Series during their historic MLB trip to South Korea.
The Dodgers fired Ohtani’s longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara for allegedly participating in an unlawful gambling scam. Attorneys for Ohtani also think that Mizuhara took millions from Ohtani so she could gamble.
Mizuhara was with the Dodgers for the Seoul Series and was seen during the team’s first media availability session. He was also in the dugout on Opening Day.
After the Dodgers’ win to open their season, Mizuhara addressed the clubhouse regarding the allegations and took full responsibility to clear Ohtani while admitting to a gambling addiction.
However, Mizuhara’s stance and claims changed in interviews with ESPN. Mizuhara first stated he asked Ohtani to help pay off gambling debts and an agreement was reached.
Mizuhara then told ESPN that Ohtani never transferred money and wasn’t aware of his illegal betting activity.
MLB has a policy that prohibits “any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee” from betting on baseball or making illegal bets involving other sports.
If personnel is found to have participated in such acts, punishment is “such penalty as the Commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct.”
Leave a Reply