Shohei Ohtani’s translator, Ippei Mizuhara, unexpectedly found himself at the center of the baseball world Wednesday when he was fired for his alleged involvement in a “grand theft” of the Japanese star’s money transferred to illegal bookmakers.
According to the Los Angeles TimesOtani’s lawyers claim Mizuhara, 39, used millions of dollars to bet with Matthew Bowyer, a bookmaker based in Orange County, California.
ESPN reported At least $4.5 million was reportedly transferred to the bookmaker’s operations.
Suwon was waived Wednesday after the Dodgers played their regular-season opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea.
The team said in a statement Wednesday night that he was seen in the dugout during the team’s win over the Padres.
“The Dodgers are aware of the media reports and are gathering information. The team has confirmed that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been fired. The team has no further comment at this time.”
Mizuhara has been involved in the baseball world for many years as an interpreter for other players, until he attracted even more attention after joining the Angels along with Ohtani in 2017.
When did Ippei Mizuhara come to America?
Born in Tomakomai, Japan, Mizuhara moved to the United States with his family in 1991 when his father began working as a chef in Los Angeles. According to Japanese reports.
He attended Diamond Bar High School, where he played soccer and basketball, and then attended the University of California, Riverside, graduating in 2007.
Where did Ippei Mizuhara work before joining the Dodgers?
After graduating from Riverside College, Mizuhara joined the Red Sox as a translator for left-handed relief pitcher Hideki Okajima, pitching for Boston from 2007 to 2011, and was named an American League All-Star in his first season in the United States. .
In 2013, Mizuhara was hired by Japan’s professional baseball team, the Nippon-Ham Fighters, as an interpreter, translating Japanese to English for some players, including Red Sox reliever Chris Martin, who played for the Fighters in 2016 and 2017. served as an interpreter.
“Ippei was a lot of fun, liked to play video games, and kept things light. That’s probably why he was so successful with Shohei,” Martin recently said. He said this on the “Baseball is not boring” program..
What is the relationship between Ippei Mizuhara and Shohei Otani?
Otani started his professional career at the age of 18 and played in Japan from 2013 to 2017, the same time Mizuhara was in the team.
The two-way star eventually came to the United States and signed with the Angels before the 2018 season.
When Ohtani moved to California, Mizuhara also became an interpreter for the Angels.
In addition to his match duties, Mizuhara frequently accompanied Ohtani to other media events.
In particular, Mizuhara served as Ohtani’s catcher in the 2021 Home Run Derby held at Coors Field, Colorado.
Otani, who was the No. 1 seed in the tournament, lost in the first round to Juan Soto, then a member of the Nationals.
Mizuhara joined the National League side this offseason when Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
Have Ippei Mizuhara and Shohei Otani been indicted?
ESPN said Bowyer is being investigated by federal authorities and could face felony charges, but Mizuhara and Ohtani have not yet been contacted by law enforcement.
The paper said in a report that Mizuhara said he did not bet on baseball.
