Shohei Ohtani and his teammates had enjoyed a promising spring, but a gambling scandal changed the tone of the exhibition season. (Photo by Joe Eigo/Cronkite News)
GLENDALE – Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani said Monday that he is “saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted” put him in the middle of a sports betting scandal.
Ohtani’s friend and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, 39, was fired by the team Wednesday following reports about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well over $1 million
Ohtani said he has never bet on baseball or any other sport, nor did he have anyone place bets on his behalf.
“Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies,” he said through an interpreter in Los Angeles.
Shohei Ohtani (left) and Mookie Betts (right) high five Freddie Freeman after Freeman’s grand slam during a Dodgers’ March 6 game in Glendale. Ohtani is finding life on the field more enjoyable these days than off it. (Photo by Joe Eigo/Cronkite News)
Ohtani and his teammates had enjoyed a promising spring, but the gambling scandal changed the tone of the exhibition season.
Before the Dodgers departed to South Korea for their opening series against the San Diego Padres, arguably the most stacked roster in baseball history began preparing for the upcoming season at Camelback Ranch in Glendale.
The rich got richer this offseason. As if a lineup spearheaded by two former MVPs needed any more assistance, this offseason they added the best player on the planet, Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani watches his single up the middle . Few players have demonstrated dominance at a pitcher and home run hitter like Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani shares a laugh with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates before their game against the White Sox. (Photos by Joe Eigo/Cronkite News)
Left: Shohei Ohtani watches his single up the middle . Few players have demonstrated dominance at a pitcher and home run hitter like Ohtani. Right: Shohei Ohtani shares a laugh with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates before their game against the White Sox. (Photos by Joe Eigo/Cronkite News)
Ohtani took his talents across town from the Los Angeles Angels to the Dodgers, swapping Angels red for Dodgers blue, in an unprecedented move worth $700 million over 10 years. The catch: $680 million was deferred to not take effect until 2033, meaning baseball’s otherworldly talent will only account for $2 million of the Dodgers’ payroll each of the next 10 seasons.
The addition of Ohtani had the vibes at Camelback Ranch sky high, with dreams of more October glory beckoning.
Mookie Betts hits a chopper down the third base line. He has separated himself as a standout leadoff man. (Photo by Joe Eigo/Cronkite News)
The Dodgers lineup was already a murders row, headlined by 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts and 2020 National League MVP Freddie Freeman. The only Achilles heel of their loaded lineup was their pitching staff, which was deeply replenished by another Japanese superstar, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Rays ace Tyler Glasnow.
Last season in Japan, Yamamoto posted a mind boggling 1.16 ERA with 176 strikeouts. He’s won Japan’s last three Eiji Sawamura awards, Japan’s equivalent to the MLB’s Cy Young award. In the five seasons where he’s thrown over 100 innings, he’s posted an ERA under 2.00 in four of those five seasons.
Freddie Freeman ignites the crowd after hitting a grand slam for the Dodgers.
Dodger first baseman Freddie Freeman has seven All-Star Game appearances heading into 2024. (Photos by Joe Eigo/Cronkite News)
Left: Freddie Freeman ignites the crowd after hitting a grand slam for the Dodgers. Right: Dodger first baseman Freddie Freeman has seven All-Star Game appearances heading into 2024. (Photos by Joe Eigo/Cronkite News)
For perspective, only 13 pitchers in MLB history have finished a season with an ERA equal or lower than Yamamoto’s from last season. The last of whom was Bob Gibson in 1968 with a 1.12 ERA.
It’s not hard to see why the Dodgers were willing to shell out $325 million over the next 12 seasons for a guy who hadn’t even stepped foot on a mound at any level of Major League Baseball.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has thrown two no-hitters in Japan so far in his young career.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks to be the ace of the revamped Dodgers rotation in 2023. (Photos by Joe Eigo/Cronkite News)
Left: Yoshinobu Yamamoto has thrown two no-hitters in Japan so far in his young career. Right: Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks to be the ace of the revamped Dodgers rotation in 2023. (Photos by Joe Eigo/Cronkite News)
Year after year, the Dodgers front office has been as ambitious as they come with filling out its rosters, but this season feels different. The team has been on the cusp of a dynasty for over half a decade, and the vibes surrounding this roster seem like a group ready to let their potential explode.
As long as an off-the-field scandal doesn’t stand in their way.
Joe Eigo expects to graduate in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism. Eigo is in his third semester at Cronkite News. He has previously worked with Inferno Intel, WCSN, The State Press and The Racing Experts.