Mookie Betts insisted the gambling spree involving Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter won’t deter the Dodgers, the favorites to win the World Series, as MLB’s official Opening Day begins Thursday.
“No, no, no, no.” Betts recently told TMZ. It can be distracting. “We focus on the business, we work on the business, that’s all we follow first.”
The Dodgers are projected to be the top team in baseball after a historic offseason, but all the early focus was on illegal gambling allegations against Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
Otani claims to be the victim of “grand theft” to make up for at least $4.5 million in gambling losses incurred by Mizuhara.
The two-way superstar finally addressed the situation on Monday, saying he was not involved.
There has been some confusion over the story since Ohtani’s agent first told ESPN that he transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara’s debts.
Mizuhara provided details about what happened, but Otani’s camp came later.”denied” Interpreter account.
“I didn’t know this was happening until a few days ago,” Ohtani said Monday. “The bottom line is that Ippei stole money from my account and lied to me.”
Ohtani also claimed that he has never bet on baseball because gambling is illegal in California.
“I have never bet on baseball or any other sport, and I have never asked anyone to bet on my behalf,” Ohtani said. “I have never used a bookmaker to bet on sports.”
The Department of Homeland Security is working with the IRS to investigate the situation. According to ESPNalong with MLB, but Ohtani’s camp has remained silent about what authorities are involved in.
Ohtani and the Dodgers will try to live up to high expectations while dealing with the fallout.
What you need to know about Shohei Otani’s accusations against his former interpreter
A lawyer representing Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has accused former interpreter and longtime friend Ippei Mizuhara of “grand theft” in connection with a $4.5 million bombing.
After signing a 10-year, $700 million contract this offseason with the Angels, the two-time AL MVP reportedly had huge gambling debts that needed to be repaid.
Mizuhara initially said ESPN Ohtani had offered to repay the debt, but later changed his story and claimed he had no knowledge of the Eight-Nine wire transfer from Ohtani’s account to the alleged illegal bookmaker.
According to ESPN, the Ohtani camp “denied” Mizuhara’s initial story.
He was fired shortly after the Dodgers’ season opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea, and while Ohtani’s camp is seeking a law enforcement investigation following an investigation by the National Tax Agency, Ohtani has not yet spoken publicly about the situation. .
“I’ve never bet on baseball,” Mizuhara told ESPN. “That’s 100 percent. We knew that rule. … We’ll have a meeting in spring training about that.”
Both sides maintain that Ohtani is not involved in any gambling.
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After acquiring Ohtani for a record $700 million, starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the largest pitching contract in history, and former Rays ace Tyler Glasnow, expectations for the Dodgers in 2024 are sky-high. .
Most pundits predict the Dodgers and Braves will clash in the National League, but the Phillies and a few others might also have something to say.
Betts is enjoying getting to know Ohtani, who is hitting behind him on the second hole.
“It’s great,” Betts told TMZ. “He’s a really good teammate, but I don’t really hear about him because a lot of things are private. I get to see him up close and personal and see how he works and spends his day. I’m really glad I got to see it. It’s amazing.”
The Dodgers (1-1) opened their season last week with a short two-game set against the Padres in South Korea and will have their home opener against the Cardinals on Thursday at 4:10 p.m. ET.
