LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani sat again in his seat contained in the press convention room at Dodger Stadium. He adjusted his cap and opened a folder that consisted of among the factors he wished to ensure he relayed.
Within the 12-minute press convention, which solely consisted of Ohtani speaking by means of interpreter Will Ireton and no questions from the 70-plus reporters in attendance, the two-time unanimous American League Most Priceless Participant mentioned that he has by no means wager on baseball or different sports activities and has not made any funds to an unlawful bookmaker.
“I’ve by no means wager on baseball or some other sports activities or requested somebody to do it on my behalf,” Ohtani mentioned. “I’ve by no means requested a bookmaker to do it on my behalf. Up till just a few days in the past, I didn’t know this was occurring. In conclusion, Ippei has been stealing cash from my account and has informed lies.”
The preliminary story surrounding the sports activities playing allegations surfaced early Wednesday morning in South Korea whereas the Dodgers have been in the midst of a two-game collection towards the Padres.
Earlier than the primary recreation in Seoul, Mizuhara spoke to ESPN and claimed that Ohtani had wired cash to the unlawful bookmaker to be able to cowl Mizuhara’s debt, which was a reported sum of a minimum of $4.5 million. Mizuhara later backtracked and mentioned Ohtani had no information of his playing money owed.
Ohtani recalled that earlier than the opening recreation towards the Padres on Wednesday, Mizuhara had approached him on the stadium, asking him to talk following the sport.
“I used to be informed by Ippei, ‘Let’s speak one on one within the lodge after the assembly,’ so I used to be ready till then,” Ohtani mentioned.
Mizuhara addressed the Dodgers contained in the clubhouse following their win that night time, and through that deal with, Ohtani mentioned he was confused, explaining that it was the primary time he had heard about Mizuhara’s playing money owed or his claims that he had willingly given him cash to be able to repay the sum.
“Up till that workforce assembly,” Ohtani mentioned. “I didn’t even know Ippei had a playing dependancy and was in debt. I by no means agreed to repay the debt or make funds to the bookmaker.”
As soon as Ohtani and Mizuhara acquired again to the workforce lodge, Ohtani mentioned, the 2 longtime buddies sat down and talked by means of the scenario. Whereas Ohtani didn’t get into any specifics of that dialog, he did stroll away understanding that Mizuhara had taken cash from his checking account.
“Once we went again to the lodge and talked one on one, that’s once I came upon he had an enormous debt,” Ohtani mentioned. “It was revealed to me throughout that assembly, Ippei admitted he was sending cash, utilizing my account, to the bookmaker.”
Ohtani didn’t deal with how Mizuhara gained entry to his account or why the previous interpreter first claimed that Ohtani willingly lent him cash to pay the bookmaker, although he did say that Mizuhara “by no means revealed to me” in regards to the media inquiries. He additionally acknowledged that his speak with Mizuhara on the lodge led to him reaching out to his representatives with questions surrounding potential theft.
“Once I was lastly capable of speak to my representatives, that’s when my representatives came upon Ippei has been mendacity the entire time and I began contacting the Dodgers and my legal professionals,” Ohtani mentioned. “And the Dodgers and the legal professionals came upon as nicely that they’ve been lied to. My legal professionals really useful that since that is fraud, that we now have the right authorities deal with this matter.”
Ultimately, Ohtani wished to reiterate that he by no means made bets, particularly not on baseball. That, in fact, is a crucial distinction.
Main League Baseball’s Rule 21 (d)(3) states that “Any participant, umpire, or Membership or League official or worker who locations bets with unlawful e-book makers, or brokers for unlawful e-book makers, shall be topic to such penalty because the Commissioner deems applicable in gentle of the information and circumstances of the conduct.”
In 2015, Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart was fined and never suspended by MLB for violating Rule 21 (d)(3), although after it was decided by the league that Cosart had not wager on baseball.
“I’m simply past shocked. It’s actually arduous to verbalize how I’m feeling at this level,” Ohtani mentioned. “I’m going to let my legal professionals deal with issues from right here on out. I’m trying ahead to specializing in the season. … I’m certain there might be persevering with investigations transferring ahead.”
MLB introduced on Friday that the league had begun the formal strategy of investigating the matter.