Shohei Ohtani to Face Pete Rose’s Fate? Ippei Mizuhara Scandal Rocks Two-Way Phenom’s Cooperstown Hopes

Published 03/21/2024, 7:12 AM EDT

The Shohei Ohtani-Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal continues to send shockwaves through Major League Baseball. The two-way superstar’s once-pristine image has been tarnished by his interpreter, Mizuhara, who the Los Angeles Dodgers fired amidst a whirlwind of allegations. Mizuhara confessed to stealing millions from Ohtani and wiring the funds to an illegal bookmaker to cover his gambling losses.

Initially, reports suggested Ohtani had paid Mizuhara’s debts, a testament to their close friendship. However, Ohtani’s legal representation paints a different picture, asserting their client is the victim of “massive theft.”

The sudden shift in narratives has sparked widespread suspicion that Shohei Ohtani himself may be involved in the gambling scandal. Ippei’s attempts to shield the two-way superstar and claim full responsibility have done little to quell these doubts.

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“Obviously, this is all my fault, everything I’ve done… I’m ready to face all the consequences,” Mizuhara admitted in an ESPN interview. Whether this confession is born out of guilt or an attempt to shield his friend remains to be seen. The question of intent in this predicament hangs heavy, drawing parallels to the infamous Pete Rose scandal and raising concerns about a potential tarnish on Ohtani’s legacy.

Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has indeed been fired by the Dodgers after Ohtani’s lawyers accused Mizuhara of stealing from Ohtani in relation to a gambling problem, as the LA Times reported. He has been Ohtani’s longtime interpreter. Yamamoto fortunately has his own interpreter.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 20, 2024

Comparisons to Rose, the all-time hits leader and former Cincinnati Reds’ manager who was banned for life after betting on baseball games, are inescapable. While Shohei Ohtani’s situation doesn’t directly involve manipulating games, his connection to alleged illegal gambling through Mizuhara casts a long shadow.

Mizuhara reportedly placed bets on various sports, including the NBA, NFL, and college football—a direct violation of MLB rules. This breach of conduct severely compromises his future in the sport, as betting on any sport through illegal bookmakers carries serious consequences.

Ohtani is a global superstar, and this scandal risks irrevocably damaging his reputation and tarnishing the sport, implying a tolerance for gambling. Most tragically, it could jeopardize the two-way superstar’s Hall of Fame trajectory.

Is Shohei Ohtani’s future Hall of Fame in peril?

Ohtani’s otherworldly hitting and pitching prowess are undeniable, but his character is a crucial component of Cooperstown’s consideration. While no official bans are in place yet, the potential exists for MLB to hand down a severe suspension; the minimum for betting on baseball is one year. Such a stain on his record would severely damage his Hall of Fame candidacy.

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The Shohei Ohtani / Ippei Betting Scandal just dropped and is sure to take the MLB world by storm in the upcoming weeks.
Ohtani's long time translator / best friend has been FIRED by the LA Dodgers for supposedly "stealing" $4.5M of Ohtani's money to pay an off-shore book.
But… pic.twitter.com/Tt0bQBTLZg
— Devine Sports Gospel (@DevineGospel) March 20, 2024

Commissioner Rob Manfred has reiterated his hardline approach against gambling, pointing to Pete Rose’s ban as an unyielding precedent. Despite the league’s lucrative partnerships with gambling companies, Manfred previously made it clear in a BBWAA meeting that “players and other people who are in a position to influence the outcome of the game are going to be subject to a different set of rules than everyone else in the world.” Yet much remains unknown about Ohtani’s situation at this moment.

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An official investigation is likely pending, and the outcome hinges on Shohei Ohtani’s level of complicity. Should MLB find sufficient evidence of his involvement in gambling, the league could act swiftly, potentially shattering the image of one of its biggest stars. For now, the baseball world anxiously awaits a possibly tarnished legacy hanging in the balance.

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Written by:

Shrabana Sengupta is an MLB writer at EssentiallySports. Shrabana shot to fame when she covered two prime MLB events: the 2023 World Series and the Free Agency that followed. During the 2023 World Series, Shrabana wrote her unfeigned perspectives on the Texas Rangers’ Corey Seager and his wife, the 27x World Series Champions’ heartbreaking season, and later covered Shohei Ohtani’s highly anticipated record-breaking contract in 2023-24.

Edited by:

Deepanshi Bajaj

Shohei Ohtani to Face Pete Rose’s Fate? Ippei Mizuhara Scandal Rocks Two-Way Phenom’s Cooperstown Hopes

Is Shohei Ohtani’s future Hall of Fame in peril?

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