Dec 14, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtan (left) speaks to interpreter Ippei Mizuhara at introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers-Press Conference
(New York, NY) – First, allow me to take part in the time-honored tradition that’s all but required in our litigious, “I’ll sue you!” society.
The following is subject to ongoing investigations, and as the half-baked commentary of a sports radio columnist – it should be taken with a full shaker of salt. But, at the same time, I wasn’t born yesterday. And, gambling has an ugly history within the ranks of professional and collegiate sports – perhaps especially baseball.
It’s absolutely accurate to say that of the so-called “big four” – NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB – only baseball has ever had its championship game called into question and allegedly tainted by players outright throwing games. And, boy we sure could use a man like Kenesaw Mountain Landis, again. Or, at the very least, Bart Giamatti.
Notably, eight baseball players were banned outright from MLB in 1919 when members of the Chicago White Sox allegedly conspired with gamblers to throw the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. The game’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose remains persona non-grata, on the outside looking in of Cooperstown, because he allegedly bet on games – while managing the Reds nearly 65 years after the “Black Sox Scandal.”
Then MLB commissioner Bart Giamatti banned Rose in 1989. Landis – the league’s first-ever commissioner – banned the eight players, including Shoeless Joe Jackson – considered by some to be one of the best natural talents ever to lace-em up in MLB.
Now, in 2024, just days shy of Opening Day, the dark side of gambling rears its ugly head in baseball.
Superstar Shohei Ohtani, ahead of his first season with the LA Dodgers, has fired his interpreter – allegedly because he was stealing from his boss, and using the cash to cover gambling debts that had been illegally placed with a bookie in California.
Ohtani, speaking with reporters Monday for the first time since the situation unfolded, denied he’s ever bet on games. He also expressed shock that his interpreter, and someone he considered a friend, would steal from him or be a gambling addict.
Without getting into the nitty gritty (you can look it up yourself to follow the twists and turns) Ohtani has changed his story at least once here. First he said he covered the debts for his interpreter, then said he was stolen from and had no idea what was going on.
So that’s fishy to begin with. Secondly, these were reportedly payments made in the millions of dollars to the bookie. We’re supposed to believe Ohtani has an account with millions of dollars in it – in liquid cash – and he’s got no idea money is being withdrawn from it?
Making a simple trip to the grocery store these days and exceeding $100 while buying avocados, bread, and cans of seltzer results in a cell phone alert/ text message. But apparently Ohtani was none the wiser when millions were being funneled toward a bookie.
Don’t hold your breath, but the MLB will apparently investigate all of this. The notion that Ohtani will further unlock revenues in Asia, and become the face of the sport in the process, is probably irrelevant. Oh, and MLB’s ongoing business relationship with DraftKings, FanDuel – yeah, no factor there.
And now I will remove the tongue planted firmly in my cheek and get ready for the 2024 season.
