Posted on 03/25/2024 1:55:07 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Ohtani will reportedly read a prepared statement and not take questions from reporters on Monday afternoon
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani will speak with the media on Monday for the first time since Major League Baseball opened an investigation into allegations that his longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara -- since fired by the Dodgers -- had placed illegal bets on non-baseball sports and Ohtani's bank account was used to pay an illegal bookmaker. Ohtani will reportedly speak around 5:45 p.m. ET and make a statement. He is not expected to answer questions from reporters, per ESPN.
MLB's policy allows personnel to gamble on non-diamond sports (e.g. baseball and softball) provided that such activity is legal in that jurisdiction. Sports betting remains illegal in California, however. That, in turn, explains why Mizuhara is alleged to have placed his bets with an accused bookmaker at the center of a federal investigation.
The accused bookmaker, Matthew Bowyer, has denied through his lawyer that he ever talked to or met Ohtani, but Mizuhara originally claimed that Ohtani voluntarily paid off his gambling debts. Mizuhara later changed his story, stating that Ohtani was not aware of the situation. A law firm representing Ohtani told CBS Sports that the two-way superstar "has been the victim of a massive theft."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Sunday, including Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, that he thinks it'll be "good" for Ohtani to speak with the media about the situation. He reiterated that he does not believe the Ohtani-Mizuhara story has been a distraction to the rest of the clubhouse.
The Dodgers opened the MLB season last week with a two-game set in Seoul, South Korea against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers, who went 1-1 in those games, will now close out their exhibition schedule with three games against the Los Angeles Angels. The Dodgers will then return to their regular season schedule on March 28, with a four-game set at home against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Something is not right about this story. I sense many parties are shielding Ohtani from culpability.
The idea he was going to answer questions was ludicrous.
He really should be suspended pending investigation.
Yes. He’s big money.
The poster boy for baseball.
They want to sweep this under the rug.
Call him Shoeless Sho, or Say it ain’t so, Sho.
Best make a statement from Tokyo.
Or, that was actually his gambling debt, and he threw his friend under the bus to get out of trouble. (Possibly with the friend's buy in)
Does Manfred have the guts to ban Ohtani from baseball in his prime, if he is guilty?
If I was Pete Rose I'd be mad if they didn't. Especially if he bet on baseball?
“...but MLB star won’t take questions...”
Works for Bidenski.
Would that be without pay?
Don’t know.
Or maybe he should retire from baseball to pursue his dreams of minor league basketball? Sound familiar?
Yes, I’ve heard the Michael Jordan comparison.
I do not think Manfred has the guts but more so I think Manfred has the guts to cover it up.
Pay off Ippy, or whatever his name is.
Saying he stole 4.5 million dollars is pretty heavy duty.
Can they get him a plea deal with no prison?
The Houston Astros are the Donald Trump of MLB, "Big League" !
BEAT THE GARBAGE CAN SLOWLY!
You know MLB found the Yankees started the whole thing, but they buried it, right ?
But the Yankees and the Dodgers are the Democrats of baseball, nothing will ever happen to them when they break the rules, and the Sports press will attack anyone who is a threat to their teams.
More here...
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/03/21/baseball/mlb/ohtani-ippei-mizuhara-relationship/
And Astros. No team got away with more than them. And Red Sox.
Ohtani will not be suspended or expelled. He’s too big a name in east Asia where MLB is making lotsa yen/won in merch and broadcasts, and where saving face is more important than getting the facts.
If Ohtani were from the DR instead and playing for a small-market team like the Rays, he’d be Wanderfrancoed in a NY minute.
Ohtani throwing Ippy under the bus now.
“Ippy stealing money from my account and telling lies.”
So nothing will happen to Ohtani because he plays for a protected team, while Pete Rose will never get in to the HOF, because he did not play for the Yankees or the Dodgers.
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