Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels’ star player, and his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, have come under scrutiny due to Mizuhara’s involvement in gambling activities. This has led to his firing and sparked multiple investigations. The situation has left many, including former Angels manager Joe Maddon, with questions and concerns.
Maddon, who managed Ohtani from 2020 until June 2022, had a front-row seat to witness the close bond between the two and relied heavily on Mizuhara as their liaison. He considered Mizuhara to be a trusted companion for Ohtani and was shocked to hear about his alleged disloyalty. Maddon expressed his visceral upset about the situation and his disbelief that someone like Mizuhara could have been involved in such activities.
The relationship between Ohtani and Mizuhara was described by Maddon as that of best friends who were inseparable. All of Ohtani’s affairs seemed to flow through the interpreter and his agent, Nez Balelo of CAA Sports. Maddon even speculated that Mizuhara may have had access to Ohtani’s bank account to handle daily bill payments. However, he found it difficult to believe that the agency would not have been aware of large transactions like the alleged $4.5 million wired from Ohtani’s account to an alleged bookmaker.
Balelo and CAA Sports declined to comment on the matter through a spokesperson. A source familiar with Ohtani’s financial affairs stated that while Balelo may have general knowledge of Ohtani’s finances, they are managed by a separate accounting firm. This raises questions about whether Ohtani had other people around him to handle day-to-day challenges off the field, to which Maddon replied that it was primarily Mizuhara and Balelo.
The unexpected revelation of Mizuhara’s gambling activities has left Maddon and others wondering how much Ohtani knew about it. Maddon expressed his desire to ask Ohtani if he was aware of Mizuhara’s betting habits and if he helped pay off any debts. He also questioned whether Ohtani himself had ever placed bets on anything. These questions remain unanswered, as Ohtani addressed similar concerns in a statement but did not provide further details.
During his discussion on the Starkville podcast, Maddon touched on various topics beyond the Ohtani situation. He emphasized the need for more extensive vetting of future interpreters and their involvement in players’ lives. He also mentioned the possibility of trading Mike Trout and the importance of having a conversation with him about it. Additionally, Maddon shared his thoughts on his own future and expressed interest in other baseball-related roles besides managing.
The situation involving Ohtani and Mizuhara has shed light on the world of illegal betting and its impact on players and their support staff. The extent of Ohtani’s involvement and knowledge remains uncertain, leaving many eager for answers. As investigations continue, it is clear that this unexpected turn of events has raised important questions about trust, loyalty, and accountability within the world of professional baseball.