Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani Denies Making Any Sports Bets

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Since arriving in the MLB Shohei Ohtani has been one of the league’s biggest stars. He was all the talk of the off-season. As the Japanese star took his talents to the other team in Los Angeles, the Dodgers. It seemed as though the 2024 season was going to be a different year for the superstar. With being on a new team and dealing with Tommy-John surgery. Also, his only use would be his skills at the plate this season. However, now it seems like Ohtani is in the middle of a hurricane looking to escape.

It became public knowledge late last week that Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizhurra had been reportedly stealing from Ohtani and using that money to place illegal sports bets. When the news first broke, most already assumed that the new face of the Dodgers was somehow involved in the messy situation. However, on Monday, he faced the media and claimed that Mizhurra was the only person involved in the sports betting crimes.

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Shohei Ohtani Faces Heavy Criticisms Over Sports Betting Scandal

While he didn’t answer questions from the media, the Dodgers biggest off-season signing let the media know he had no dealings in this scandal. “I never bet on baseball or any other sports, or never have asked somebody to do it on my behalf. I have never went through a bookmaker to bet on sports.” While this is far from the end of this saga, Ohtani is standing his ground that he had no idea this was even happening.

Baseball isn’t new to betting scandals. The greatest hitter the game has ever seen Pete Rose, has been banned from baseball for years after it was found out that he was betting on baseball. There’s no question the MLB will take this issue seriously. It’s not like they allowed player’s to take performance enhancing drugs to make the game more exciting to watch. For the latest news in sports and pop culture, stay up to date with us here at HNHH.

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Shohei Ohtani Asks For Theft Investigation As More Details About Interpreter Scandal Emerge

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Shohei Ohtani and his representatives have asked an unknown law enforcement agency to investigate allegations of “massive theft” aimed at the MLB star’s former interpreter. The move comes a few days after Ippei Mizuhara was fired and as more details about the case emerge. The version of events from Ohtani’s camp seeks to move any culpability of illegal betting payments away from the Dodgers star. Per ESPN, Ohtani had no knowledge of Mizuhara’s gambling addiction, debts, or payments made to an illegal California bookmaker. Furthermore, Ohtani’s camp claims that the initial confusion was due to them relying on Mizuhara to translate Ohtani’s version of events.

While the primary law enforcement agency remains unknown, the IRS confirmed to ESPN that they were investigating Mizuhara and his bookie, Matthew Bowyer. Bowyer is accused of running an illegal bookie operation in California, where sports betting remains outlawed. Furthermore, Bowyer ran a credit-based operation, which is common for illegal betting operations. Government-regulated betting operations require bettors to pay upfront. However, the full situation with Ohtani remains a developing story. The Dodgers, after opening the season in Korea, will welcome the Cardinals to Dodger Stadium for Opening Day next week.

Read More: Dodgers Quickly Announce New Interpreter For Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani Reveals Identity Of His Wife

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers grounds out in the 8th inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game between San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 21, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)

Elsewhere, Ohtani recently revealed that his wife is former pro basketball player Mamiko Tanaka. Ohtani arrived at the Dodgers’ spring training with the news that he had “recently married someone” in his home country of Japan. However, he did not reveal the identity of his wife until now. Ohtani posted a photo of the pair as they boarded a plane to South Korea for the Dodgers’ season opener. Ohtani said that the couple met “three or four years ago” in Japan. He also, hilariously, referred to Tanaka as a “completely normal Japanese woman”.

Tanaka played for Waseeda University and later for the Fujitsu Red Wave in Japan’s pro league. However, she stepped away from professional basketball last year. This led many fans to speculate that she had gotten married or was otherwise focusing on her personal life.

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Shohei Ohtani Embroiled In Gambling Scandal After Interpreter Fired

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Last night, the Dodgers fired the longtime interpreter of Shohei Ohtani after an ESPN investigation revealed that the man had allegedly stolen millions from the MLB star to cover gambling debts. Originally, a spokesperson for Ohtani told ESPN that Ohtani had willingly given Ippei Mizuhara $4.5M to cover the debts. However, after Mizuhara spoke with ESPN himself, Ohtani’s camp issued a statement alleging “massive theft”, although they did not explicitly name Mizuhara. This all came to light due to a federal investigation into an illegal California betting operation. Matthew Bowyer reportedly received a million dollars from Ohtani’s bank account. However, sources close to the betting operation told ESPN that Bowyer only ever interacted with Mizuhara.

Of course, this has led to a wave of conspiracy theories. Some believe that Mizuhara was Ohtani’s intermediary, placing bets on the Dodgers star’s behalf. All bets that Mizuhara made were on sports other than baseball. However, at this time, Ohtani will not face discipline and is not under investigation himself over Mizuhara’s actions. Mizuhara told ESPN that he had asked Ohtani to pay off his debts last year and that he did not know that Bowyer’s outfit was illegal. This remains a developing story.

Read More: Shohei Ohtani Signs $700M Deal With Dodgers, Largest Contract In Baseball History

Shohei Ohtani Reveals Identity Of His Wife

Elsewhere, Ohtani recently revealed that his wife is former pro basketball player Mamiko Tanaka. Ohtani arrived at the Dodgers’ spring training with the news that he had “recently married someone” in his home country of Japan. However, he did not reveal the identity of his wife until now. Ohtani posted a photo of the pair as they boarded a plane to South Korea for the Dodgers’ season opener.

Tanaka played for Waseeda University and later for the Fujitsu Red Wave in Japan’s pro league. However, she stepped away from professional basketball last year, leading many fans to speculate that she had gotten married or was otherwise focusing on her personal life.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Lands 10-Year $700M Contract, Largest Salary In Sports History

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After an aggressive negotiation, reigning American League MVP Shohei Ohtani has agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million deal, according to his agent, Nez Balelo. The team officially announced the deal on Monday night. 

“To all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself,” Ohtani wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday. “Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world.”

“This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player,” Balelo said in a statement. “Shohei is thrilled to be a part of the Dodgers organization. He is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success. Shohei and I want to thank all the organizations that reached out to us for their interest and respect, especially the wonderful people we got to know even better as this process unfolded.

“We know fans, media and the entire industry had a high degree of interest in this process, and we want to express our appreciation for their passion and their consideration as it played out.”

The 29-year-old’s contract is said to be the largest contract in worldwide sports history, surpassing soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s $674 million deal with FC Barcelona from 2017-21. (It also surpasses the roughly $679 million Kylian Mbappé would earn if he opts to stay with PSG through 2025.)

In terms of the history of American professional sports, it surpasses Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year, $450 million extension; in baseball, it exceeds former teammate Mike Trout, who agreed to a 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the California Angels back in 2019.

As for free-agent deals, this is the largest by dollar amount in MLB history by $340 million, surpassing Aaron Judge’s nine-year, $360 million contract inked ahead of the 2023 season. It also breaks the record for average annual value for an MLB contract, previously set by Max Scherzer at $43.3 million with the Mets ahead of the 2022 season, then tied by Justin Verlander with the Mets a year later.

Ohtani, who will turn 30 on July 5, is locked up through 2033, which will be his age-39 season. A two-time unanimous MVP, three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Ohtani has been far and away the most impressive two-way player in MLB history.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Lands 10-Year $700M Contract, Largest Salary In Sports History first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Lands 10-Year $700M Contract, Largest Salary In Sports History appeared first on The Source.

Shohei Ohtani Signs $700M Deal With Dodgers, Largest Contract In Baseball History

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Shohei Ohtani, baseball’s superstar, has signed a 10-year, $700M deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal is the largest in the history of baseball. Furthermore, it brings an end to the understated and surprisingly quiet sweepstakes for the most sought-after free agent in baseball. “I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself. Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world,” Ohtani wrote after the deal was announced.

Ohtani’s deal eclipses the previous record nearly by over $250M. The previous mark was $426.5M, set by Mike Trout’s 12-year deal with the Angels. “This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player. Shohei is thrilled to be a part of the Dodgers organization. He is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success. Shohei and I want to thank all the organizations that reached out to us for their interest and respect. Especially the wonderful people we got to know even better as this process unfolded. We know fans, media and the entire industry had a high degree of interest in this process, and we want to express our appreciation for their passion and their consideration as it played out,” Ohtani’s agent said in a statement.

Read More: Shohei Ohtani Reaches Historic Two-Way Player Milestone

Shohei Ohtani Will Hit, Not Pitch In 2024

Of course, Ohtani has established himself as the new definition of a two-way player. However, he not spend his first season in LA as a two-way player. Towards the end of the 2023 season, Ohtani tore his ulnar collateral ligament. Requiring surgery, Ohtani will not pitch next season. This will limit him to hitting duties, which he is likely to do from the designated hitter role.

As the news was announced, Ohtani thanked the Angels faithful for supporting him for the first six years of his MLB career. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years. As well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process. Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever,” Ohtani wrote.

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Shohei Ohtani Makes History With Two Blunders

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Shohei Ohtani has quickly risen to stardom in the MLB. The Los Angeles Angels star is known for doing it all, literally. Ohtani is a starting pitcher and one of the best offensive weapons on the team. The league has never seen someone with the talent of the Japanese sensation. However, on Wednesday, Ohtani made baseball history for all the wrong reasons. But the moment will forever be remembered by all the fans of the MLB.

The MLB has started a set of new rules this season. One of those rules is the pitch clock. The pitch clock is an attempt to speed up the game while gaining new eyes on the product. Baseball has long been known as the game that drags on, with very little action in downtime. Now with the pitch clock, pitchers only have 20 seconds to deliver their next pitch. On the other side, batters have 15 seconds to be in the batter’s box for said pitch. Failing to do so as a pitcher results in a ball call for the batter. While for the batter, it is a called strike. On Wednesday, Ohtani was the first player to ever have a violation as a pitcher and hitter in the same game.

Shohei Ohtani Creates History In Less Than Satisfying Fashion

The chances of this happening were larger than most think. Ohtani takes the mound at least once a week. While during those appearances, Ohtani will also perform hitting duties. The Angels phenom took the incidents in stride. Because, really, there’s no other way to take the violations. Ohtani has already had a huge year on the diamond. The do it all athlete helped lead Japan to the 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship. The final moment of that game saw Ohtani striking out his Angels teammate Mike Trout.

The pitch clock has seemed to be a positive impact on baseball. Games are finishing up a lot faster than in previous years. However, the most important rule change this season may very well be the banning of the shift. Now it seems as if we are seeing more hits. Especially up the middle of the field. Baseball is changing for the better, and no one seems to have that big of an issue. What are your thoughts on the new rules in the MLB? Sounds off in the comment section with your thoughts. For the latest happenings inside the MLB, stay right here at HNHH.