I thought Ohtani said 10x more than I expected. He stated that he never made any bets and that his interpretor stole the money without his authorization. Its unlikely his lawyers would have allowed him to make these statements if they aren't true.

It is ironic they show “BET MGM” banner all through Shohei talks.

From sports commentators to detectives. Lol

My wife is Japanese, from Japan. She told me a couple of days ago that she had read in the Japanese news that Ohtani has mulltiple bank accounts, including on set up to fund all of his charity work, and that Ippei had access to and managed that account, including check-writing privileges for that account, etc. I'm sure that this will all come out. Ken and the rest need a good Japanese friend to help read such news before they go speculating about Ohtani or any or JP player.

Hasn’t anybody ever heard of POA?

Not sure how much Ohtani has in total cash, but he makes 50 million a year in Ads. When you have that big amount of cash, 4.5 million wont be that noticeable compared to someone who only has 10 million.

The vitriol coming out against Ohtani is sad to me. I get the Dodgers haters getting their licks in, but he's already guilty in so many eyes.

Every crowd in an opposing city is going to be on him mercilessly

This is a group of decent people.

Equally important, and I think a more obvious and more glaring question is; how does a low, 6 figure salary interpreter get extended $4.5 million in credit with a professional bookie, or with anyone else, in any other situation on the planet unless there is a known backer for the debtor that can meet the debt obligation? Ohtani is guilty has hell and everyone in baseball is in denial.

Watch for former Dodger Michael Busch as ROY. He hit 25 HR and 90 RBI in AAA.

What you have to understand is that when Shohei moved to the US for the first year, he didn’t have any English capability. That means for establishing any bank account he needed Ippei’s help, and for buying all the daily things, he needed the Ippei’s help. Thus, Ippei had plenty of occasions to know the ID’s and Passwords of the bank accounts, for Man tends to use the same password for different bank accounts, and at least some of the accounts for purchase of daily materials, Shohei must have let Ippei to use it, as daily necessities. Information is always conveyed through language and if an interpreter always between Shohei and the rest of the world, there is no wonder if Ippei had come to know where the shohei’s bank accounts are and could guess their password(s)!

Some many question. 2

Ken is protecting his access

Shohei should sue the media

In addition to Urias and Mateo, the Orioles just signed Tony Kemp to a major league deal and cut Maton. They're starting the year off with these three and no Holliday, Mayo or Norby. How about cutting Maton in favor of Holliday instead of Tony Kemp...

If Ippei had access to his personal devices or his home, is it that hard to get his banking info? Even if he had authorized access to the account, I guess I don't find that overly strange, considering his position as far more than a translator. Kinda dumb on Shohei's part maybe, but it's not something I'd find shocking. Also, I think the closer you are to someone, the more likely you are to NOT notice strange/sketch things. People get cheated on all the time without having any idea, for example. I think we subconsciously assume the best of people close to us. I have no idea what the outcome will be, but I tend to believe Shohei, at this moment. I don't find the story as far fetched as others seem to. What do I know though. 🤷🏼

I want to like this channel but AJ just drags down every second.

First statement form Ken Rosenthal "There are still a lot of answers that I and a lot of other people would like to see answered..." Too bad, you guys are not entitled to answers! This is a guy who dealt with every conversation with Othani. All he had to say is "Othani said this..."

2:42 AJ continuing being a POS well after his career has ended

Have you guys heard of a poa? Not that difficult my goodness. Look it up. This shit happens all the time. And ippei admitted it in the hotel

Well, if I was in trouble, and in court, I would love to have Ken for a judge. I can’t believe how lenient he’s been in his approach with Ohtani

Ohtani generates more revenue than a lot of companies. And how often do we hear of an employee who embezzled millions from a company and ownership or a CEO did not know until they got caught? But let the investigations play out and see what comes out of it. I'm very disappointed in the jump to conclusions and make accusations society we live in.

I'm curious if/when Shohei files a police report and presses charges against Ippei. Since obviously he's not lying to avoid criminal and MLB penalties against himself.

Some fans will be brutal. Can't wait for the "CHEATER" signs....

Excuse me sir who the hell is we?

little Pete 🎰

Babe Ruth got busted for gambling too. There's a letter he wrote you can find online. Plus wasn't Ohtani at a poker game ? Well if he was he was betting in SD at a poker game . Was that legal ?

I see lies can explain to Feds we will see 🤨

Shohei told you: he trusted Ippei Mitzuhara. Mitzuhara ingratiated himself to Ohtani when Ohtani was a teenager by lying about his credentials because Mitzuhara never went to UCR, he never worked for Boston or NY Yankees. You might say they should have vetted him better, and that is true but that happened in Japan. They probably relied more on their personal contact with him. Then once they got here, Mitzuhara totally isolated Ohtani. Mitzuhara controlled Ohtani's every communication with anyone, even with his own business reps. Damn shame he was a crook/gambling addict.

It will only become a distraction if the Dodgers are losing and Shohei is not performing. But, on the contrary if Shohei is hitting home runs and the Dodgers are killing it, then not so much or much less so.

🎰

Ohtani cannot say anything while a criminal case is being investigated. Assistant stolen money from their rich boss is more common than you think. And Ippei is like that to shohei, he's not only interpreter. He handling his business everyday.😂 When I worked as an interpreter, I had to assist the players on just about every aspect of their daily lives. These include: opening bank accounts, taking them to DMV to get licenses, and setting up utilities. I also carried their check books on the road for clubhouse dues. Those who know his upbringing and personality know that he is an honest person. Ohtani is completely innocent👍

Choosing " the Great Inning killers" Mateo, Urias, and Nevin over Holiday Stowers and Mayo is PURE STUPIDITY!!!

On MLB network someone said think Brian Kenny that Shohei and Ippei were seen laughing and joking with eachother recently Sure , That’s what Anybody would do With Someone who Stole 4.5 Million of Your Money and Threatened your image!!

I don't care if Ohtani did it or not. What matters is that the truth will never see the light of day because MLB and the richest organization in MLB cannot allow it to destroy their branding considering the investment they have in Ohtani over the next ten years.

It's not the betting that bothers me . I just feel lying here. There's absolutely 💯 the bank would not communicate with Ohtani if a payment that size was happening. Ask the Bank !!

Guilty

Otani had to be aware of the money transfer just had to look at his account

When does the FBI get involved in a fraud case? The FBI may become involved in financial crimes, such as mail, mortgage, and wire fraud, when larger sums of money are involved or when affected institutions are federally insured. Most crimes fall on state or local authorities. However, the FBI will become involved in politically motivated or severe cases.

Blackballed from Manfred cronies....wish an owner would stand up and say we need a proven pitcher for league minimum. Manfred was butt hurt with Bauers' blog when he was pitching.

Imagine you are a pro athlete. You got a contract with a Japanese team. You move to Tokyo, open a bank account, get a cell phone contract, open a credit card account, set up rent payment, pay utilities, buy a car, get an insurance, and etc. do you think you can do this in the language you don't know? When you have to deal with these things, Ippei wouldn't have bothered to get one time code from Shohei for online banking.

fascinating that all this is taking place at the same time the wonderful tv series shogun is being shown. watching the series, it becomes obvious that the japanese sense of integrity is so very different from the western, even in 2024. losing face is still the primo bad, and causing someone above you to lose face is the worst aspect of this. whichever stance ultimately prevails as 'truth', will ippei fall on his sword for failing his lord?

I’m just confused as to why Ohtani changed his original statement, first it was stated that Ohtani paid his debts then a total 180 to He stole money from me. That’s the part that’s confusing, unless the first story that came out wasn’t credible. Just have to wait and see.

Aj is still a jerk and has no personality and played like a C plus calibre player

Sounds like you're about to cry I'm sorry what's the problem no story?

i'm giving ohtani benefit of doubt...he's been honest & transparent throughout his career...where-as ippei has been lying about too many things throughout his career...including the school he attended

Didn't the reporter say she saw with her own eyes Shohei's signature on 2x $500.000 checks? Why is Shohei signing massive checks to the interpreter?

This sent the WRONG message to Holiday and their belief in his skills. Wouldn't surprise me if Holiday never signs with the O's! Pure Stupidity by Elias and Hyde!

Guys it’s caused we poor…and we worry about money way too much…rich people are rich for a reason…they don’t think about money…they be shitting in the restroom and still getting paid millions. I’m sure the last thing ohtanis is worried about before going to bed is money. Haha

He just threw his friend under the bus to cover up for his gambling habits... I'm sorry, but there's no way Ohtani is a saint.

I forgot the Rangers won the World Series.

The sports media needs to stop acting ignorant. Everyone with a brain knows Ohtani didn't do anything wrong. Stop appeasing conspiracy theorists and racist haters.

It seems to me like the media is pecking on the flesh of the maybe seems to me that your integrity needs to be checked so why don't you just get a life bruh

Don't believe a word Ohtani and his people say. They're trying to rescue his career. They know he was gambling and paid Ippei's debt. This story is too weird. And Ohtani knows English. Mike Trout said a few years ago that Ohtani already mastered English. He doesn't need a translator.

Ohtani literally said he doesn't ever monitor his own bank accounts. And his mom manages his money in Japan. He could care less how much he has and is telling the truth.

The story they're presenting is plausible?? Uh, no Ken.

You guys are late! July 22, 2022, a bet of $1,000,000 was placed for the Atlanta Braves to score over 6.5 runs against the Los Angeles Angels parlayed with Braves -3.5. The bet was placed with a bookie in Mizusawa (Shohei's home town). The pitcher for the Angels that day? Shohei Ohtani. The stats for Shohei that day were as followed, 6.1 IP, 6 H, 6 ER and 1 BB. At the plate you ask? 0-3 with 2 strike outs. Shohei is done!

Folk DO NOT UNDERSTAND illegal bookmakers. BOOKMAKERS want gamblers to get into debt, even 4.5 million in debt such as Ippei who is close to Shohei. Reason: #1: Ippei has insider knowledge about baseball and can give insider information. #2: Ippei can get desperate and take money from Shohei, i.e. embezzlement.

Anything is plausible. It’s plausible he’s lying. Rich ppl get scammed by their ACCOUNTANTS people who are in control of their finances. Not the HELP. DUDE is the interpreter.

I'm sorry and you are God who?

I wouldn’t notice $25 missing from my account. I’d imagine, with his amount, $1M is similar lol

Why don't we ask your wife what happened last night and see if you're guilty of anything or did you lie? Or did she lie?

Here's what's known we believe in God this man was sent to God to the dodgers to bring that City together that's what we believe ESPN needs to go and get a life

only the dodgers and the mlb believe on him

Shohei is only interested in baseball but not in money. When he was in Japan, his parents managed his money, and he didn't know how much he had in his bank account. In the U.S., Ippei was taking care of Shohei like a baby. Ohtani is not interested in money, and that's why he gave up his high income in Japan and went to the States to play baseball at a higher level. Besides, his English is not good enough to understand anything complicated, although he can handle simple daily conversations.

We got absolutely nothing from that self centered liar

This dog and pony show just threw gasoline on this.

What a sense of entitlement these reporters have. No one owes anyone an explanation. If a law was broken, then the law will address it. Other than that, if nobody’s business. And if you need that kind of news to drum up, interest in what you do for a living, you are a sad person with a sad job.

and if indeed Ippei was a gambling addict, there are lots of things he will do to get funds and cover up. People dont understand gambling addicts' minds

If ohtani were black 😂😅

Ohtani Is Lying

Ken is so desperately to find something from nothing, these dudes are not even giving Ohtani the better benefit of doubt, instead give to an admitted liar, degenerate gambler, and fraudster(Ippei). Ken is still bitter about Ohtani’s free agency decision. Sad. These guys have a hard-on for nailing Ohtani and killing baseball it appears. These guys are so desperate for a non story. I’ll keep receipts 🧾 for this clown show. Hope Ohtani NEVER give this 🤡 show a chance in near future. Pathetic. Was a fan!

Off course he’s gonna deny it’s obvious, its like the nba fraud of being lebron the goat