LOS ANGELES – Shohei Ohtani sat back in his seat inside the press conference room at Dodger Stadium. He adjusted his hat and opened a folder containing a few points he wanted to make sure he got across.
During the 12-minute press conference, Ohtani spoke only through translator Will Ireton and took no questions from the more than 70 reporters in attendance, but the two-time American League Most Valuable Player unanimously voted for Ohtani. said he has never bet on baseball or any other sport. He plays sports and does not pay any illegal bookmakers.
“I have never bet on baseball or any other sport, and I have never asked anyone to bet on my behalf,” Ohtani said. “I never asked a bookmaker to do that for me. I didn't know this was happening until a few days ago. The bottom line is that Ippei stole money from my account. I stole it and lied about it.”
The first story surrounding the sports betting allegations surfaced early Wednesday morning in South Korea during the Dodgers' back-to-back game against the Padres.
Before the first game in Seoul, Mizuhara gave an interview to ESPN in which he claimed that Ohtani sent money to illegal bookmakers to cover Mizuhara's debts, which were reportedly at least $4.5 million. . Mizuhara later recanted, saying Otani had no knowledge of the gambling debt.
Ohtani recalled that before Wednesday's season opener against the Padres, Mizuhara approached him at the stadium and asked to talk after the game.
“Mr. Ippei said, “Let's talk one-on-one at the hotel after the meeting,'' so I waited until then,'' says Otani.
After that night's victory, Mizuhara addressed the Dodgers inside the clubhouse, during which Ohtani heard about Mizuhara's gambling debts and Mizuhara's claims that he had volunteered the money. explained that it was his first time and he was confused. to repay the amount.
“Until that team meeting,” Ohtani said. “I didn't even know that Ippei had a gambling addiction and was in debt. I never agreed to pay off the debt or make payments to the bookmakers.”
When Ohtani and Mizuhara returned to the team hotel, the two longtime friends sat down to discuss the situation, Ohtani said. Otani did not go into details of the conversation, but he left with the understanding that Mizuhara had withdrawn money from his bank account.
“When I got back to the hotel and spoke to him one-on-one, I found out he was in a lot of debt,” Otani said. “During that interview, it became clear that Ippei had admitted to using my account to send money to bookmakers.”
Ohtani did not say how Mizuhara gained access to his account or why the former interpreter initially claimed that Ohtani was willing to lend him money to pay bookmakers. However, Mizuhara said in a media interview, “He never revealed anything to me.'' He also admitted that his conversation with Mr. Mizuhara at the hotel led him to approach his agent with questions about the possible theft.
“When he was finally able to talk to his agent, he learned that Ippei had been lying the whole time and began contacting the Dodgers and his attorney,” Ohtani said. “And the Dodgers and their lawyers also realized that they had been lied to. My lawyer recommended that I get the proper authorities to handle this matter because this is a fraud.”
In the end, Ohtani wanted to reiterate that he never gambled, especially when it came to baseball. Of course, that's an important difference.
Major League Baseball Rule 21(d)(3) states, “Any player, umpire, club or league official or employee who places a bet with an illegal bookmaker, or with an agent of an illegal bookmaker, A penalty shall be imposed.” judged to be appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the act. ”
In 2015, Marlins pitcher Jared Cossert was fined but not suspended by MLB for violating Rule 21(d)(3), but the league said Cossert did not bet on baseball. Because I made a decision.
“I'm really shocked. It's really hard to put into words how I feel at this point,” Ohtani said. “I'm going to leave it to my lawyers to decide what happens next. I'm going to keep my eyes on the season. … I'm sure there will be a continued investigation.”
MLB announced Friday that the league has begun a formal investigation process into the matter.
