Initially, Mizuhara reportedly told ESPN that Ohtani had agreed to cover his gambling debts. An Ohtani spokesman was cited as corroborating this claim to ESPN, only to retract the statement a day later and involve Ohtani’s legal team.
It’s important to note that all parties involved, including Mizuhara and the alleged illegal bookmaker, have stated that Ohtani himself does not gamble. While Major League Baseball permits players to bet on sports other than baseball through legal channels, gambling via illegal means is strictly prohibited. According to ESPN’s sources within the gambling operation, the alleged bookmaker facilitated bets placed by Mizuhara on soccer and other non-baseball sports.
For clarity, here is the chronology of events as outlined in ESPN’s report, along with some additional context:
2013: Ohtani Meets Mizuhara in Japan
The relationship between Ohtani and Mizuhara traces back to the very beginning of Ohtani’s professional baseball career in Japan. In 2013, Ohtani’s rookie season was with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, where he first crossed paths with Mizuhara, who had been hired that year to serve as an interpreter for American player Chris Martin on the same team.
Their paths intertwined from those formative stages of Ohtani’s career, establishing a connection that would endure as they both eventually made the transition to Major League Baseball in the United States.
2018: Ohtani Moves to MLB, Mizuhara is With Him
In 2017, Ohtani’s signing with the Los Angeles Angels was met with great excitement and fanfare. As part of Ohtani’s transition to MLB, the Angels hired Mizuhara to serve as his personal interpreter. Over the next six seasons, Ohtani’s star rose rapidly as he claimed Rookie of the Year honors and two MVP awards, with Mizuhara facilitating communication at every step. However, Mizuhara’s role extended beyond interpretation, as he also caught for Ohtani during the Home Run Derby and even joined him as a workout partner.
Their relationship evolved into one transcending the typical player-interpreter dynamic, with Mizuhara becoming an omnipresent figure in Ohtani’s blossoming MLB career.
2021: Mizuhara Meets Bowyer
According to the reports, Mizuhara, who had allegedly been placing bets on the DraftKings platform, encountered Mathew Bowyer, the purported bookmaker, during a poker game in San Diego. Mizuhara later asserted that he believed it was legal to place wagers with Bowyer’s operation, which he proceeded to do extensively.
2023: Broken Down By Month
September-October- $1 million is sent to Bowyer under Ohtani’s name
Bank records revealed two wire transfers totaling $1 million bearing Ohtani’s name, with the funds routed to an associate of Bowyer. The description on these transfers was listed as “loan.” One source cited by ESPN alleges that Bowyer intentionally cultivated the impression that Ohtani was a client of his operation, potentially to bolster its credibility and attract more business.
According to Mizuhara’s claims, the $1 million in wire transfers occurred after Ohtani had purportedly agreed to cover $4.5 million of Mizuhara’s outstanding gambling debts.
While Ohtani was allegedly “unhappy” about the situation, Mizuhara stated that Ohtani agreed to provide financial assistance with the understanding that it would prevent Mizuhara from continuing to accrue such debts. Furthermore, Mizuhara asserted that Ohtani personally logged into his own computer and initiated the wire transfers under Mizuhara’s guidance.
October- Bowyer’s home is raided
Federal authorities executed a raid on Bowyer’s residence, with the search warrant inventory listing various items seized by agents. These included cash, casino chips, banking documents, a money-counting machine, multiple computers, portable storage devices, and cellphones. The raid suggests authorities were gathering potential evidence related to illegal gambling or financial activities
December- Ohtani signs with the Dodgers
Ohtani shattered Major League Baseball’s record for the largest contract when he agreed to a staggering 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Notably, an astronomical $680 million of this lucrative pact is structured as deferred payments that will be disbursed to Ohtani after the completion of the contract’s full term
2024: Broken Down By Month
January-Feds notice Ohtani’s name in Bowyer’s operation
Feds learn that Ohtani name is on transfers.
March 19- Mizuhara speaks to ESPN
ESPN eventually gets wind of the story and contacts Ohtani’s camp, while the star is in South Korea. Crucially, a spokesman tells ESPN that Ohtani transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debt, then makes Mizuhara available for a 90-minute interview in which he lays out the supposed story
March 20 – It all starts to go down
Yesterday alone:
- Ohtani contributed to the Dodgers’ 5-2 season-opening victory against the San Diego Padres.
- An ESPN reporter inquired with Ohtani’s camp about Mizuhara’s claim that Ohtani was present and facilitated the transfer of funds to cover gambling debts, with the understanding that Ohtani would be repaid.
- Ohtani’s spokesman consulted with the player’s attorneys at Berk Brettler LLP, subsequently disavowing Mizuhara’s account.
- Berk Brettler LLP issued a statement asserting that “Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft,” and that the matter would be turned over to authorities.
- In a follow-up interview with ESPN, Mizuhara agreed to comment but refused to address whether he had been accused of theft, citing instructions from an undisclosed source.
- Mizuhara then retracted his original story, stating that Ohtani was unaware of his gambling activities, debts, and did not initiate the wire transfers.
- The Los Angeles Times broke the story after receiving the statement from Ohtani’s legal team.
- In the wake of the allegations, the Dodgers terminated Mizuhara’s employment.
March 21- No comment
In the aftermath of the Dodgers’ 15-11 defeat against the Padres, team public relations officials closely monitored Ohtani at his locker, shielding him from reporters. Ultimately, Ohtani exited the locker room without addressing the media.
So what does this all mean? We do not know yet. We are on the precipice of the biggest gambling scandal since Pete Rose. That is a fact. Probably not what Dodgers faithful were hoping for.
Stay tuned in here for more on the Ohtani Gambling Scandal.
By Vincent Quezada
information courtesy of ESPN
Photo Courtesy of MLB
Use our promo code : WeLikeSportz for 10% off!
WE LIKE SPORTZ SHOW 
Please subscribe to my blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person