As an ex sports betting addict I find it hard to believe he placed no bets on Baseball. Whenever I was down I would go to the sport I had the most knowledge in to recoup losses. The Interpreter would have inside info for MLB games and was already using an illegal bookie so I find it hard to believe he's playing by the rules.

"you cannot treat the super star differently" is absolutely right

You cannot convince me that there is a single professional sports team in California that does not tell their players that ALL sports betting is illegal there and this includes participation in betting in any way. Add that this type of bet is illegal nationwide, the “I didn’t know” defense doesn’t fly.

I was a dealer in Las Vegas for years and the casinos were full of Japanese gamblers on the weekends mainly. They bet on nearly everything. I would say they, more than any other culture were huge gamblers. It wasn't close.

Of course, if it was an 'anonymous' journeyman type player, they would have suspended / fired him and paraded him around as a warning to other players, in all sports.

Just come clean now Shoehei, don’t be a repeat of Pete. Admit you were wrong, or seppuku

Both Ohtani and the interpreter were Dodgers employees, so, the Dodgers ownership is involved. As usual in crimes, the coverup is worse.

MLB has officially announced that they're investigating Ohtani... He therefore should be placed on paid Administrative Leave until he's cleared!

The appropriate punishment is a life ban .Thats the precedent MLB set .

9 payments of 500k each time and he didn't know lol hes guilty as hell.

There was something lost in the Translation with the “Cover-Up” Stories.

I don't know if I lent money or if it was stolen, but one thing I can say for sure is that Ohtani absolutely does not engage in gambling. That's because playing in Major League Baseball has been his dream since childhood. He doesn't indulge in things like partying or drinking; he only focuses on baseball practice. He doesn't seek enjoyment outside of baseball; winning is the greatest joy in his life. While I'm not a die-hard fan of his, I know that much. He's been that kind of person since he was excelling in Japan. He's the kind of person who could be featured in Japanese school textbooks at such a young age. However, because he's a kind person, there's a slim possibility he might help repay debts if asked by Mizuhara, who supported him since his days in Japan. But if he knew it was a crime, Ohtani wouldn't assist. Even if Mizuhara is like a non-blood-related brother to him, I don't think he would do anything to ruin his own baseball career because he's living the dream he wished for as a child.

A couple of obvious points. 4.5 million sent to a bookie does not mean 4.5 million was lost. Were there winnings coming the other way mixed in? We will eventually find out. Secondly, one can participate in sports betting without knowing anything about the sport being bet on by wagering based on someone else's advice. So saying it couldn't have been Ohtani betting because he knows nothing about American sports doesn't float well.

Well that went sideways quick..Ohtani banned and Yamaminors shut down by August.

It is highly unlikely that Shohei Ohtani was unaware of a wire transfer originating from his account to settle a gambling debt, given the standard financial protocols requiring explicit consent for such transactions. While it remains uncertain whether Ohtani personally engaged in gambling, the linkage of his account to a payment made to an illicit bookmaker in California strongly suggests a violation of gambling laws, irrespective of his knowledge or intent. The obligation now lies with Ohtani to transparently address this issue. The assertion that the funds were misappropriated appears highly questionable. Had the debt not been satisfied via wire transfer, one might concede to the possibility of theft. However, the execution of a wire transfer implies a degree of authorization that makes the theft narrative highly implausible, as wire transfers typically require multiple levels of verification and consent. Moreover, the Los Angeles Dodgers' decision to defer a substantial portion of Ohtani's compensation, ostensibly to circumvent California's tax regulations, indicates a level of financial oversight by the team that extends to Ohtani's personal finances. This level of financial oversight by the Dodgers raises questions about their potential knowledge or complicity in the alleged gambling activities.

I love how he makes all this assumptions that are all negative but doesn’t make assumptions that could actually be plausible showing Ippei lied and fooled everyone.

It's ironic that MLB is investigating a sports betting scandal when they are going move a MLB team to Las Vegas.

😂😂😂 no way in hell they do anything to ohtani but they sure as hell will black ball trever bower just like in real life theres a two tier justice system

Ippei is covering for Ohtani in my opinion. Ohtani is able to take care of his friend at any time.

if they let Shohei skate on this they have no grounds anymore for not putting pete rose in the hall of fame.

Is this going to be baseball's version of too big to fail?

I've been trying to figure out why this is a big deal. The pete rose refrence 👌well done sampson

The $ Dollar bill always wins.

MJS It's going to get worse the longer they let him play, until it is resolved and investigated. It looks like they are sweeping things under the rug. They need to sweep Roses gambling under the rug, he paid his time, MLB needs to reinstate him.

Yeah right, 4.5 mil in the hole and one doesnt bet on the one sport they have a deep knowledge of LOL

In America , a lot of people is very strict for Ipei Mizuhara and Otani. In Japan,many people respect them!

Please do your best impression of Rod Serling.

Where's the ESPN video?

It st difficult for me to believe that a competent book maker would allow a translator to accumulate a debt of $4.5 million. Just saying.

Where was today's show?

i did believe that Othano was probably betting

So he paid 4.5 million dollars for something he knew nothing about.

Love the way you break it down David. Also happy Purim

In my opinion, legal implications and the suspension of players are completely different and independent things. I honestly think one way or anther Shohei Ohtani wouldve crossed the law, at a technical level. E.g. transferring money to someone else without filing for tax. But this does not mean Shohei Ohtani must be suspended. So long as the integrity of the sport is maintained, i.e. he didn't bet on baseball, he should be allowed to play. By all accouns we've heard, no body have betted on baseball. So imo, under no narrative we have at hand, Shohei can be revolked of his right to play in MLB. Sure he maybe placed charges for whatever he is responsible for, but this will not necessarily result in his termination.

True

The real plot twist would be MLB re-instating Pete Rose to protect Shohei.

The reason Othani got deferred payments was so that he didn’t gamble it all at once.😂😂😂😂😂

yes him is a gambler no his interpreter

I have a feeling there's some truth to the original story it's likely Ohtani may have tried to cover the payment for Mizuhara who was a long term friend and I assume Mizuhara tricked Ohtani on the reason for needing the money ie gambling debts but nothing illegal. However, because sports betting is illegal in California which it's likely Ohtani had no clue that it was illegal what Mizuhara was doing but once the lawyers heard this the story had to change from covered friends' debts to my money was stolen by Mizuhara. Either way Mizuhara really screwing his friend Ohtani over. Mizuhara is definitely going down I really hope Ohtani is protected he is a once in a century talent.

Imagine Ohtani was gambling through his interpreter to this bookie!!! And how do they know he wasn't betting on baseball because his interpreter said so???? This guy clearly threw Ohtani under the bus with that ESPN interview! What we do know with certainty as much as Ohtani is loved,HES NOT VERY BRIGHT

Say it ain't so, Sho!

I highly doubt he gambles. he's the guy that spent years living in a team's dorm in japan instead getting his own place and let his parents take care of his money. he's also the guy that left NPB early to go to MLB, in process he missed out on millions of dollars when signed with Angels, and then deferred MAJORITY of his contract with Dodgers so he can concentrate on playing baseball. Now, him paying off his friend's gambling debt is good intention but definitely backfired.

MLB and the Dodgers threw Trevor Out of baseball based on accusations so the same should be applied . Unless they are what ?

Maybe Gavin Newsome can step in and pardon him. Doesn’t seem to be that big a deal to me. But I guess they could deport him. Remember Nixon went after John Lennon and he was a superstar.

Wait by opening day he will be hit with a fine and suspension he might not even play a game the whole season

Who give a damn about gambling it’s his own money should be able to do whatever he wants with it.the government want there cut that’s it

America is a democratic country and it’s best to let Dominion to decide.

What's fair is fair. MLB has to investigate. If he's found guilty, he must be punished otherwise mlb completely loses credibility. Not just with me but millions of fans who want to protect the integrity. Punishment cannot be arbitrary. If Bauer was exiled even though he was innocent all along, Ohtani must suffer the same consequence. There isn't a single player that is bigger than the game. I'm an Angels fan as well, and I'm an Ohtani fan, but I'd say the same thing about Trout.

No they will fine him 4.5 million dollars 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Ippey not Epay

I'd bet money Bauer is laughing his ass off right now!!!

Yeppei is just a proxy. Its ohtani's money n his bet

I see a cover up from MLB.

He is innocent. He had nothing to do with gambling. Get a life!

Please tell it how it is David. It’s beyond obvious that Ohtani is the one betting and running it thru his interpreter. What bookie is going to let someone run up a 4.5 million debt when it’s public knowledge they only make 300k a year. Cmon. It’s obvious.

Do not mislaed the fact!!! Ohtani wasn't aware of Mizuhara's gambling habits! Ohtani wasn't involved in the illegal gambling at all. Ohtan's only sin was to trust Mizuhara for all of his finances. Consider the timing. Mizuhara started gambling since 2021 after he met with the betting booker in San Diego. And during the September and October when the money was transferred twice, Ohtani got surgery on his right arm and on the healing and recovery process. At that time, Mizuhara was only person who could handle Ohtani's finances, such as bill payments. Do not mislead the fact hinting the involvement of Ohtani in the illegal gambling!

No big deal

They’re gonna treat the superstar differently. Does anyone actually believe that MLB will suspend the biggest star on the planet, in the galaxy, in the known universe? Nah, slap on the wrist for Shohei “baby face Finster” Ohtani. His interpreter gonna get charged and so is the bookie, that’s it. Nothing else to see here folks, PLAY BALL!

Gotta be Ohtani. The interpreter didn’t have the cash to bet that much.

Samson has become a disgruntled baseball fan with zero credibility and a massive hard-on for Ohtani. Just a few months ago he was saying that the Angels had made illegal promises to Ohtani six years ago and that's why he was going to re-sign with them. Pathetic.

Either way, Shohei’s hands are dirty in this. Regardless if he knew he was breaking the law or not. Doesn’t mean he was being malicious. But wrong is wrong.

ANY OTHER PLAYER IS SUSPENDED BUT THE GOLDEN BOY WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY

if sports betting is illegal in california and his money was stolen, can Shohei get a refund?

More likely that Shohei was gambling by proxy Ippei is a fall guy

If ohtani isn't suspended, I am DONE with the MLB. The evidence is CLEAR. The money wasn't "stolen" !

This whole mess had to happen because they went to Korea. It's all Korea's fault. That's how we Japanese view it.

Ippei changed his story because ohtani $$$ paid him !!!!! Ohtani deserves to be suspended while they "investigate" what already has been CONCLUDED !!!! Ohtani is a gambler. He gave joe kelly a truck. Im sure he gave his translator money. Hes "generous"