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MLB Opens Investigation Into Allegations Involving Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara

By Darragh McDonald | March 22, 2024 at 5:50pm CDT

Major League Baseball issued a statement today, which reads as follows: “Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhari [sic] from the news media. Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter.”

Mizuhara, Ohtani’s long-time interpreter and friend, was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday. Reports had emerged which connected Mizuhara to an illegal gambling operation in California, where sports betting is not legal. Per those reports, over $4.5MM was wired from an account in Ohtani’s name to the gambling ring. Mizuhara and a spokesperson for Ohtani initially told ESPN that the debts were Mizuhara’s and Ohtani sent the money to help his friend pay them off. But attorneys representing Ohtani later claimed that the player had been “the victim of a massive theft.”

The league opening an investigation was inevitable. Even if Mizuhara was the only one involved, there would be serious grounds for concern. All MLB players and employees are prohibited from betting on baseball, given their access to information that may not be public. They can bet on sports other than baseball and Mizuhara insists that he never did bet on baseball, but the connection to an illegal operation under federal investigation makes it a different matter.

The fact that the sport’s biggest star is involved only gives the league further grounds to look into it. To this point, there’s been nothing to suggest that Ohtani himself did any betting. Per the initial reporting from earlier this week, multiple sources asserted that Ohtani does not gamble. But multiple wire transfers in his name to an illegal operation under federal investigation was clearly going to be grounds for the league to take a look. As recently pointed out by Craig Calcaterra at Cup of Coffee, Ohtani may have violated federal laws and/or league rules just by wiring the money, even if he did no gambling whatsoever.

Per T.J. Quinn of ESPN, the league is expected to request interviews with all parties, including both Ohtani and Mizuhara, though “officials will have no way to compel Mizuhara’s cooperation since he no longer works for baseball.” Quinn adds that Ohtani will have a right to refuse as a member of the MLBPA.

In terms of organizations outside the league, Quinn adds that neither the California Bureau of Investigation nor the FBI are investigating. Stephen Wade, Tong-Hyung Kim and Stefanie Dazio of The Associated Press reported earlier today that Mizuhara is being criminally investigated by the IRS.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani

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Post a Comment

562 Comments

  1. Free Ippei

    1 year ago

    And here we go

    26
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      Ippei-ki-yay

      26
      Reply
      • Buckner

        1 year ago

        We’re going to learn he’s got an account at Bet365.
        Then what? They run advertising DURING THE GAMES suggesting everyone bet on games.

        This is ridiculous.

        9
        Reply
        • BlueSkies_LA

          1 year ago

          But you just made that up, right?

          4
          Reply
        • Free Ippei

          1 year ago

          Bro sit this one out. Doyer fans been obnoxious laughing at everyone dishing it out for eons. Now it’s time for you to take it like a man.

          22
          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Gambling is illegal in Ca.

          Holding people accountable for breaking laws is never ridiculous.

          Vegas is an hour away by plane had ippei or ohtani wanted to place bets they could have done so legally there.

          Why didn’t they? Well Vegas records what you bet on. Like baseball games.

          28
          Reply
        • cobby100

          1 year ago

          FI bitter much? Dishing what out? Because they’re committed to winning? Please.

          2
          Reply
        • weaselpuppy

          1 year ago

          California coukd give two shytes about criminal activity in general, so nothing Burger with sauce.

          5
          Reply
        • NYCityRiddler

          1 year ago

          $700M shot to hell…and Wander boy thought he had problems! Ahahaha!

          2
          Reply
        • njbirdsfan

          1 year ago

          You know it’s funny…you demand law and order, and when someone tries to hold someone accountable, it’s a nothing burger. So which is it?

          And I’m assuming you’re referring to all the retail theft. Maybe the better question for you Republicans is why you get all upset when your economic policies are essentially give all the money to a handful of people, the wealth never trickles down, and when the choices are starve or steal, it’s on the starving person, not the person who put them there.

          And before you try to play the old “get a job” routine…you offshored all the jobs, and gutted cities, just to save more on taxes. So skip it.

          6
          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Me?

          I actually demand equal treatment under the law.
          For example you’d be doing prison time for illegally gambling but rich people aren’t held to that same standard.

          Little bit different than law and order.

          Far as “politics” nobody is ever held accountable for anything democrat or republican.

          Hilary was never held accountable for Benghazi
          Bush was never held accountable for weapons of mass destruction
          Obama was never held accountable for war crimes and stealing money for Haiti
          Nobody is ever held accountable in politics. On either side. They’re all criminals. Yes even democrats.

          19
          Reply
        • Free Ippei

          1 year ago

          Hahaha NJbirdsfan get off your high horse bro what a straw man comment

          8
          Reply
        • fox471 Dave

          1 year ago

          Nice try teenager. The biggest and richest donors to politicians are Democrats. Happy with the way things are going, get into a politics chatroom. Let’s stick to baseball.

          9
          Reply
        • jeppeson

          1 year ago

          Touche

          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          Easy

          You left off a politician who was not held accountable for January 6th

          2
          Reply
        • Free Ippei

          1 year ago

          MVP does not speak for most Padre fans

          1
          Reply
        • disgustingomar

          1 year ago

          Especially democrats lol

          Reply
        • Giant Willy

          1 year ago

          Duck da fodgers

          Reply
        • Phree4u

          1 year ago

          So they sell food at the apple store, footlocker and Gucci stored?

          Those thieves your defending aren’t stealing food.

          2
          Reply
        • Dock_Elvis

          1 year ago

          Bucker….these bets were places with an illegal booking in CA where sports gambling is illegal. There’s wire transfers.

          Reply
      • Dotnet22

        1 year ago

        Mister Falcon

        2
        Reply
        • astick

          1 year ago

          Bro!!!! Brilliant. I thought no one remembered that.

          1
          Reply
    • Shadow Banned

      1 year ago

      The let the Astros off with a slap on the wrist. What they did arguable caused more damage to players like Judge (snubbed if MVP) and other guys careers.

      Ohtani should be scotch free by those standards.

      3
      Reply
      • Pads Fans

        1 year ago

        MLB could not place any penalty on the Astros players because that offense was not in the CBA at the time. There was no crime to penalize so there was no penalty. All of that has to be collectively bargained ahead of time.

        They could on people the team employed and on the team and they gave the maximum penalty the agreement between the owners allowed for.

        The rules in this case have been on the MLB books for over 100 years and in the CBA since the very first one over 50 years ago.

        6
        Reply
      • Cat Mando

        1 year ago

        Not trying to be grammar police but it’s actually “scot free”. In medieval England there was a tax called a “scot”. Some were able to avoid it and were “scot free”.

        13
        Reply
        • Shadow Banned

          1 year ago

          Thanks grammar police

          3
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          I will take free scotch. Can I have a 20 year unblended Glenlivet?

          2
          Reply
        • Shadow Banned

          1 year ago

          Just be happy with that series split in Korea. I don’t expect it to be that close between the Dodgers and Padres this season.

          1
          Reply
        • gomer33

          1 year ago

          He was being the ignorance police, and you are guilty as charged.

          2
          Reply
        • njbirdsfan

          1 year ago

          We all know what the problem with Scotland is.

          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          You thinking it’s all republicans fault when it’s democrats fault too but you’re so blinded by politics you refuse to see crimes committed by your own party cause you’re scared of some dude with a bad tan and hair style?

          7
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          Kilts? Cause it sure ain’t the whiskey.

          1
          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          End democracy lol. Is that the new slogan?

          Meanwhile the current admin ships off billions of US tax dollars to foreign countries and you can’t afford groceries or gas. Democracy!

          Both suck.

          6
          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          And wasn’t it the current admins that forced people to take a shot that did not work as intended with threats of job loss and fired federal employees for not complying with their insane mandates who they were forced to hire back and will be forced to pay back pay for wrongful termination?

          How’s that democracy? Seems very totalitarian

          5
          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          “The vaccine is one of the greatest achievements of mankind,” Trump told conservative commentator Candace Owens in an interview on Wednesday. …

          “I came up with a vaccine, with three vaccines all are very, very good,” Trump said in the interview, referring to the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots.

          nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-renews-pra…

          2
          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Sure. Who forced people into taking it?

          We are talking about democracy here. Forcing people to do something under threat of retaliation for not doing so isn’t democracy. It’s coerced obedience.

          4
          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          I can’t defy the laws of physics.

          1
          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Get down with your bad self.

          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Yes insane mandates. Take this or you lose your job was by far and away an insane approach. Funny you mention Germany cause they also used that tactic on the Jewish in concentration camp. Used them as human guinea pigs except if they refused they died.

          Did C19 go away? No. Despite multiple promises of a cure all it never happened. Nobody mandates a therapeutic to help symptoms. There’s a reason polio shots are mandated for school. They work as intended. There’s a reason they backed off mandates for c19. They didn’t work. You know what other shots aren’t mandated? Cold and flu cause it doesn’t stop it you can still get it, like c19

          So you want orange man bad held accountable but not Ray Epps who engaged in far worse behavior than Trump did in regards to January 6th? Yeah sounds about right for someone incapable of looking past the political spectrum.

          4
          Reply
      • goob

        1 year ago

        Nah, he’s scotch-taped to this.

        Reply
      • Dock_Elvis

        1 year ago

        Scotch free? Buck Weaver has been banned 120 years for knowing ABOUT the 1919 Scandal. Never took a dime

        Reply
    • Deleted Userr

      1 year ago

      Did Padres2019 finally get banned?

      1
      Reply
    • Johnny Devil

      1 year ago

      Open shut case..Deferred money for a reason.

      1
      Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        Maybe Shohei gave his password to Ippei so that he could buy Ashley Kelly a Porsche.

        The wire transfers were before that?

        Next try!

        3
        Reply
    • VegasSDfan

      1 year ago

      There goes the dodgers season

      3
      Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        It’s just a DH, they will call up someone from the minors who will hit 25 home runs.

        2
        Reply
    • Show all 45 replies
  2. tigers182

    1 year ago

    10 seconds later…
    MLB: We found nothing!

    50
    Reply
    • getrealgone2

      1 year ago

      LAPD internal affairs involved?

      4
      Reply
    • just_thinkin

      1 year ago

      Lol, facts

      Reply
    • stan lee the manly

      1 year ago

      Definitely how it is going to go. Bauer was public enemy number one and Ohtani is the leagues cash cow, these two investigations are going to be handled very differently.

      27
      Reply
      • JoeBrady

        1 year ago

        Next from MLB “we are re-instating Rose”

        9
        Reply
      • gomer33

        1 year ago

        Username checks out.

        17
        Reply
      • its_happening

        1 year ago

        Stan Lee that’s because Ohtani never questioned the league. If you are correct, and I believe you are, the fans should not stand for it.

        Reply
      • Deleted Userr

        1 year ago

        @I.M. Insane Was Bauer not a Dodger when they suspended him?

        12
        Reply
      • stymeedone

        1 year ago

        Pete Rose, Charlie Hustle, was the all time hits leader, and the All-American face of the game. He didn’t get a slap on the wrist. Lets wait til we see what happens.

        5
        Reply
        • This one belongs to the Reds

          1 year ago

          Different era. The commissioners office had some class then, he wasn’t a puppet of the large markets like now.

          From Bud Selig on, the “best interests of baseball” became non-existent.

          1
          Reply
      • PiratesFan1981

        1 year ago

        @I.M Insane that would be a slippery slope for the MLB. First name comes to mind with similar betting and ban, Pete Rose. Pete Rose was a lot more established than Ohtani. Rose is banned still.

        3
        Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        Rose was also a sex predator who as a married 34 year old with two kids slept with a 15 year old girl and says he thought she was 16 at the time.

        But look, let’s see if the “interpreter” bet on baseball or just other sports. If there was betting on baseball there should be a suspension regardless of if they can prove whether it was Shohei or Ippei.

        7
        Reply
      • Comrade Tipsy McBlotto

        1 year ago

        But even if Ohtani was simply helping out his friend who had gambling problems, that isn’t the same as another ex-major leaguer bullying women, assaulting them, and then lying about it.

        3
        Reply
      • Comrade Tipsy McBlotto

        1 year ago

        Why a suspension? There is ZERO evidence that points towards Ohtani. If some bookie said, “Yeah, Ohtani lays on occasional bet with me.” Okay. Now you have grounds for a suspension. Otherwise, no. Bauer was NOT suspended because someone accused his friend of sexually assaulting a woman. HE was accused. God, people are just out for blood with Ohtani.

        5
        Reply
      • Deleted Userr

        1 year ago

        @Ubaldo Jimenez Sex predator? That’s slander!

        1
        Reply
      • CF

        1 year ago

        You mean other than Ohtani sending multiple payments to a bookie?

        Seems like pretty solid evidence to me…

        I really dont care about what happens, but I am sure Ohtani is in serious trouble.

        Tom Brady was suspended for “more likely than not” knowing the balls were deflated a little….Ohtani is in a worse situation, gambling, with a paper trial and multiple admission of illegal acts and he probably lied.

        Sorry, Ohtani is in trouble, not end of career trouble, but ruin your reputation trouble.

        9
        Reply
      • The Saber-toothed Superfife

        1 year ago

        Really. I was under.the impression, Bauer was a dumb, not so savy person who was baited into that type of stuff, not by one person but a group of people.who have a common heritage and are anti Wasp. They were actual organized scammers and proud of that heritage. Jimenez is sexually battering Bauer. I lived in Madrid, before any extradition treaty with England. I had the very distastful and unfortuante experience of having to deal with people who cound not.go back to Ireland or Great Britain because of.the Belfast.thing. Very nasty people.who raised very nasty people. They are obsessed.
        Calling a single.male sexual preditor in and of itself is sexual battery. I think the moron just wanted to get laid.

        1
        Reply
      • Comrade Tipsy McBlotto

        1 year ago

        The Houston Astros. That investigation went into the season.

        2
        Reply
      • Fever Pitch Guy

        1 year ago

        Pirate – You do realize Rose was also the manager at the time he was placing bets on his team …. right?

        1
        Reply
      • Fever Pitch Guy

        1 year ago

        Comrade – Do you really not understand the chain of events with Ohtani? Or are you just a fanboy of his?

        7
        Reply
      • JoeBrady

        1 year ago

        Comrade Tipsy McBlotto2 hours ago
        There is ZERO evidence that points towards Ohtani.
        =======================
        Pssst. $4.5M worth of transfers from Ohtani’s accounts.

        7
        Reply
      • holycowdude

        1 year ago

        Ubaldo – this is a really dumb (and flat out wrong) assessment of both instances, yet you keep posting it. Bauer was ACCUSED and then proven to be innocent. Sure, he has some dispicable kinks but he didn’t do anything illegal. Seems like you don’t know what predator means…? And “Ohtani helping a friend” by paying a criminal bookie in a state where sports betting is illegal is a federal offense any way you slice it. The only way the Golden Goose wiggles out of this is if they can prove he was not involved and his best friend truly stole from him. But Ippi already blew that theory up with his first statement when he admitted Ohtani was knowingly paying off his debt. Brush up on the facts before you continue posting the same misinformation, please.

        2
        Reply
      • Deleted Userr

        1 year ago

        I really do wish Bauer would sue randos on the internet who refer to him as a “predator.” They probably don’t have enough money to be worth suing over though.

        Reply
      • Cat Mando

        1 year ago

        Fever….he bet on babseball not only as a manager but as a player/manager. Records (betting slips bookie records) showing it were uncovered in 2015

        2
        Reply
      • its_happening

        1 year ago

        Consentual sex equals sex predator? Good stuff Ubaldo. Clearly you don’t understand baseball or what a sex predator is. You must believe anyone buying condoms at the local convenient store is a sex predator also. SMH…

        3
        Reply
      • its_happening

        1 year ago

        Ubaldo is allergic to facts, holycow.

        2
        Reply
      • Jeremy320

        1 year ago

        Ohtani changed his story. That is the first evidence of wrong-doing and he connected to every thing. Only a matter of time here unfortunately.

        2
        Reply
      • User 3180623956

        1 year ago

        Jeremy- is it evidence though? Maybe he said that helped him first because he didn’t want his s best friend to get into worse trouble than he already was in and then changed his story to the truth because he realized he, himself was going to get into trouble had he stuck with that story.

        Reply
      • This one belongs to the Reds

        1 year ago

        I guess he would have to sue law enforcement in three different cities as well.

        Some people have their own delusions that can’t be colored by facts. There are lots more reasons MLB is staying away than the general public knows, far more than one incident.

        3
        Reply
      • BlueSkies_LA

        1 year ago

        The Dodgers did not suspend him, the commissioner did, per the rules of the CBA. Everything that happened subsequently was per this process. The Dodgers had no involvement with it whatsoever, except for having to pay him a lot of money for not playing.

        Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        Insane

        Give it up, no one wants a pitcher with a reputation for choking.

        2
        Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        It’s happening

        Nope, at my age eating dinner out suffices for foreplay

        Like I said, no one wants a pitcher with a reputation for choking

        2
        Reply
      • Deleted Userr

        1 year ago

        @Ubaldo Jimenez…

        “Bauer is, indeed, a sexual predator.”

        How dare you call an innocent man a sexual predator. I hope he sues you next.

        “Numerous accusations of going further than consent allowed.”

        Keyword: accusations. I could “accuse” you of doing the same right now if I wanted to.

        “… of which he was NOT ‘acquitted.'”

        Yeah. He was BETTER than acquitted. The case was so weak the DA wouldn’t even file. He absolutely would have been acquitted if the DA had filed.

        “Sounding pretty fascist…”

        Anyone with $100 to waste and a ride to the court house can sue anyone for any reason at all here in the states.

        1
        Reply
      • The Saber-toothed Superfife

        1 year ago

        Just face the fact, our country is under attack guided by Old World orientated people. Our country, the power structure, it’s people. A bunch of people are trying to make it about race. Who are they? It was absolutely questioned when this country was established.

        1
        Reply
      • its_happening

        1 year ago

        Manny maybe at your age you should sit out adult conversations as you’ve shown you are incapable.

        Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/ohtani-set-to-address-med…

        1
        Reply
      • its_happening

        1 year ago

        Oh good. A link.

        BTW you should identify with choking. You are a Cubs fan.

        Reply
      • Pads Fans

        1 year ago

        Two different issues, so I will address both.

        1st Bauer

        Bauer and his lawyer both admitted he beat and choked Hill. Whether it was consensual or not, he admitted committing the act. There were 2 other women that got restraining orders against him for the same thing.

        The DA declined to press criminal charges because it was a he said, she said type of case and very, very few of those go to court. I remember reading in the LA times at the time that less than 10% are ever criminally charged. That sounds high to me. In San Diego county about 5% of reported sexual assault cases go to court.

        That does NOT mean he was found innocent of sexual assault by a judge or jury in a court of law.

        Bauer was found guilty on 3 counts, each with a different woman, of violating the MLB Domestic Violence Policy by MLB and by an independent arbitrator.

        The only time he did go to court, Bauer lost the defamation case he filed against Deadspin. They found that Deadspin was in the right to say in their article that the doctors said she had been beaten to the point she had basilar facial fractures. Remember, Bauer had already admitted HE was the one that beat her.

        Bauer had 3 women file for a restraining order and 2 won that order. Not sure what your definition of predator is, but if multiple women file for a restraining order against you, that is a predator to me.

        Now about Ohtani.

        Regardless of whether he was doing it to cover his own gambling debts or to pay off his interpreter’s gambling debts, Ohtani likely committed wire fraud, a federal offense punishable by up to a 20 year jail sentence per charge.

        For transfers from a personal bank account, Its practically impossible for anyone to make a wire transfer of over $10,000 without the account holders knowledge and active participation in the transfer. That means that at the very least, Ohtani knew about and helped Mizuhara(sp?) make the transfers and that is a crime.

        One of the things that has to be done is make a detailed report about the reason for the wire transfer. The claim by Ohtani’s camp originally that it was for a “loan” is not enough. What was the loan to purchase? Who is the lender? What is their CA license? The bank will require all that information and more. https://www.fincen.gov has information on exactly what is required in that disclosure.

        Banks also have the information available in Japanese so Ohtani could read exactly what he was filling out and attesting to. Remember, the bank is liable for illegal activities that are facilitated by wire transfers. They can get extremely large fines for each transfer if its found out to be for illegal activities, so you have to tell them exactly what the transfer is for and they are diligent in acquiring that information. That means that Ohtani or Mizuhara or both lied in filling out that form. That constitutes wire fraud.

        As I noted above, wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years per count and as others have noted, the federal sentencing guidelines call for 66 months per count the defendant is convicted on. Often the sentences are served concurrently, so even if its 9-10 or even 15 counts, it could all be served at the same time. The minimum is 5.5 years in jail.

        The total dollar amount of wire transfers was “over $4.5 million with the largest transfers being $500k. That means a minimum of 9 wire transfers over a 3 year period. That constitutes a pattern of fraud and a court is not going to go easy on the perpetrator of repeated crimes.

        All of this is to say that its not something that MLB can minimize and Ohtani is in deep trouble if its found he is in any way part of making the wire transfers. It will be extremely hard to prove that his interpreter had the kind of access to make those transfers without Ohtani’s participation.

        Personally, I don’t believe any bookie that is taking high enough dollar bets for a gambler to run up $500k+ debts at a time and over $.5 million in total would do so without knowing exactly what the income level is of the person making the bets. They would want to know you have the means to cover your bets since they are basically extending a loan to you.

        Mizuhara was making a reported $80k from the Angels during the time the gambling was going on. He was hired at $300k by the Dodgers when Ohtani was signed by them. Maybe he was being paid separately by Ohtani in addition to what the Angels were paying him, I don’t have any indication of that or information to say he wasn’t. Maybe he was making $300k total during that 2021-2023 time frame.

        I believe that Ohtani was the one making the bets and Mizuhara was just the bet runner, just like Rose had multiple bet runners including Tommy Gioiosa and Michael Bertolini. That is just my opinion and because of the federal investigation of the matter, the truth will come out.

        Reply
      • Deleted Userrrr

        1 year ago

        It’s not “he said she said” if the DA has video of Bauer committing acts that the law does not recognize the other person’s ability to consent to. Which is what Hill is alleging is the case.

        MLB doesn’t find people “guilty” of anything.

        Not even being charged is better, at least from a defendant’s point of view, than being charged but acquitted. Not worse. So saying “That does NOT mean he was found innocent of sexual assault by a judge or jury in a court of law” isn’t exactly an argument against Bauer. The DA 100% would have charged him if they thought they *might* have gotten a conviction.

        Reply
      • Deleted Userrrr

        1 year ago

        @Ubaldo Jimenez Well according to you and the other Lindsey Hill simps on here they DA has a smoking gun on Bauer and didn’t charge him because “reasons” as if a liberal LA county DA isn’t licking his chops at the prospect of taking down a high profile celebrity.

        Restraining orders are a whole separate beast and have an even lower burden of proof than a civil case. The league investigation doesn’t prove anything either seeing as other players have been suspended for doing less than Bauer.

        Reply
      • Deleted Userr

        1 year ago

        @Ubaldo Hope Lindsey Hill sees this bro!

        Reply
      • Deleted Userr

        1 year ago

        @Ubaldo Can’t wait until Bauer sues your behind.

        Reply
    • Johnny Devil

      1 year ago

      In your dreams.

      1
      Reply
    • Fred Lingenfelser

      1 year ago

      Punishment will be deferred.

      5
      Reply
    • Comrade Tipsy McBlotto

      1 year ago

      Like, maybe because there is nothing on Ohtani?

      Reply
      • Gwynning

        1 year ago

        Calm down Comrade. We simply don’t know that yet.

        1
        Reply
      • Schlitz

        1 year ago

        Wishfull thinking.

        Reply
    • Show all 46 replies
  3. Jason Hanselman

    1 year ago

    Based on past precedent shouldn’t he be suspended pending the outcome of said investigation?

    50
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    • Easy as 1 2 3

      1 year ago

      He should be suspended with pay until it’s sorted out simply because his camp and ippei have already admitted on record he’s involved in a crime by wiring TWO installments of 500,000 to a bookie from his account.

      Aiding and abetting illegal gambling is also a crime in CA.

      To wire that much money at once no way ohtani was unaware. Moving that much cash could require account holder approval.

      53
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      • rememberthecoop

        1 year ago

        Ah, but he retracted that comment, didn’t he?

        1
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        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Ah, his bank account still showed up twice on a bookies ledger involving two wire transfers of 500,000 a piece.

          Federal law requires banks to report more than 10,000 worth of money moving to the IRS and bank regulation limit withdraws you can make without further approval from account holders.

          25
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        • rememberthecoop

          1 year ago

          Ah, I was just pointing that out. Personally, I agree with you. He’s guilty as hell.

          8
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        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Ah

          1
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        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          It is not clear to me that Shohei authorized the first statement, it could have been authorized by Ippei.

          Reply
        • CF

          1 year ago

          And you think that is credible?

          2
          Reply
      • wvredsfan

        1 year ago

        yeah and he has accountants who I hope reconcile his bank accounts… regardless if he has a couple hundred million, wire transfers are kinda hard to ignore if you reconcile bank accounts

        10
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        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          According to some very smart people

          Ohtani willingly gave his interpreter access to his bank account information, logins, account numbers routing numbers, etc cause reasons.

          Cause you know
          Your family friends employees have that information right?

          And ohtani was completely unaware 4,500,000 dollars was missing and was never alerted in any way shape or form about it until the espn interview

          22
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        • all in the suit that you wear

          1 year ago

          Just speculating. Maybe the interpreter had access to Ohtani’s cell phone and he used it to text or email Ohtani’s accountants telling them to send the money to the bookie. He then erases it from the phone and when Ohtani finds out he says the money was stolen from him.

          2
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        • Phree4u

          1 year ago

          And why would there be an ESPN interview to begin with? Especially with these lines of questions?

          Sounds like someone was tipped off to federal investigations that have been ongoing and are trying to spin this story and create a much disinformation as possible to protect the golden boy.

          Makes the deferred deal seem super reasonable and financially savvy for both parties if dealing with a degenerate gambler, doesn’t it?

          16
          Reply
        • Seamaholic

          1 year ago

          You think a rather large red flag would not go up for those accountants upon receiving that request?

          10
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        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          This happened from 2021 through the beginning of the 2023 season. Ohtani had earned a total of $9.695 million in MLB and $32.5 million in endorsements before taxes, agent fees, and expenses to that point in his career. $4.5 million represents more than 10% of his gross income.

          6
          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          True but don’t forget his earnings in Japan.

          1
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        • Jason Hanselman

          1 year ago

          Norm MacDonald voice: Also don’t forget his winnings from illegal gambling. Allegedly.

          14
          Reply
        • Cleon Jones

          1 year ago

          True, could easily amount to another couple of thousand.

          2
          Reply
        • TheMan 3

          1 year ago

          I don’t buy it. A reputable bank would have notified Ohtani of that large sum of money being withdrawn from his bank account just to ensure he wasn’t being scammed
          Maybe a few hundred here and there but 4.5 million dollars?
          Who does he bank with?
          Moe, Larry and Curly Financial?

          20
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          He made just under $3 million total in Japan. Coming to MLB made Ohtani into a cash cow and that didn’t really start until 2023 after most of this happening.

          Reply
        • vjwhitmore

          1 year ago

          Or Ohtani is using it as “Plausible deniability”…

          1
          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          My Maserati does 185

          5
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          i lost my license, now I don’t drive

          2
          Reply
        • GASoxFan

          1 year ago

          Suit, if you’ve ever wired large sums of money there’s a LOT more involved than just shooting off a text.

          1
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          You are correct about that. If you think 2-step verification is a pain, try wiring more than $10k.

          There are federal forms that have to be signed under the BSA and its reported to the IRS. The bank has to must submit a Currency Transaction Report, which includes details about the parties involved and why you are transferring the money.

          The law is there to prevent money laundering and other criminal activities so its not just “hey, I will click this button on your phone when the bank notifies you and the transfer will go through”.

          If it is from a business, it might be easier, but from an individual’s account its an involved process.

          2
          Reply
      • lemonlyman

        1 year ago

        As an accountant, you can absolutely grant ppl access to your accounts to move that much money without owner approval.

        For someone worth as much as Ohtani is, it’s not hard to believe that this could go unnoticed by Shohei.

        Do I believe he didn’t know about it? Absolutely not. But the amount doesn’t matter and wouldn’t be a red flag in and of itself. Wires of this size are made constantly at large banks, and pretty regularly at small banks as well.

        I imagine, given their close relationship, that Ohtani would have made Ippshit an authorizer on some of his accounts.

        5
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        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Ohtani willingly talked to his bank, said this individual who is at best a friend is approved to take out 1 million dollars, or 500,000 once every 6 months for instance for whatever reason no questions asked?

          Yeah that’s a bit of a stretch. Even multi millionaire aren’t going to give someone that kind of unrestricted access to pull such large sums out whenever they feel like it for whatever reason.

          Especially since, for this very reason, you can be involved in a crime.

          14
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        • Phree4u

          1 year ago

          I agree on the face of your argument.

          But a translator is not someone who fits the profile of being in charge of any of my money.

          A translator would be at the top of the list of someone who could potentially rip me off and would get a paycheck, a 1099 and an ear to talk into.

          Nothing else.

          Lawyers, financial institutions, accountants would be on charge of that, with another third party to forensically audit everything in
          Perpetualality .

          Especially if I’m just a baseball player with a billion dollars coming my way.

          7
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        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Currently the narrative is ippei stole from ohtani

          If he was given access then it’s not stealing ippei was allowed to do so, wire out large sums, which undermines the whole narrative they’re trying to create which is ohtani was unaware and ippei stole for him.

          So no I don’t believe at any point ippei was given that much power over the accounts. And ohtani was made aware of it by default of large sums being moved.

          7
          Reply
        • Poolhalljunkies

          1 year ago

          But unless these types of transfers were normal for him wouldnt his accountant have raised some sort of alarm? Or at least questioned it

          3
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        • all in the suit that you wear

          1 year ago

          Pool: I would hope so. I was just speculating as unbelievable things can happen.

          1
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        • wvredsfan

          1 year ago

          and remember wire transfers have to list the account holder, so his accountant would see $500,000.00 to “whatever” & a brief description must be attached… either lots of Shohei’s people were in on the stealing or Shohei knew all about it

          3
          Reply
        • JoeBrady

          1 year ago

          I imagine, given their close relationship, that Ohtani would have made Ippshit an authorizer on some of his accounts.
          ========================
          Why? This is not like a credit card where your employees can charge $10-20k for convenience, What would the benefit be for allowing your interpreter to wire $500K?

          2
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        • AngelsFan1968

          1 year ago

          As an account or financial manager for company, it’s easier for them to embezzle from their employer because they control the books and would have better chance hiding their nefarious acts.

          Professional athletes have teams of accountants to manage their financial affairs due to the millions of dollars involved. On top of their federal tax returns, they have to also file state tax returns for every state they play a game.

          Ohtani showed his financial acumen when it came out during contract negotiations that the money deferrals was his idea.

          I can’t believe anyone would give his buddy access to all of their millions. If you have millions and want to help your buddy to pay off illegal gambling debts, and being in the position/stature he is, why wouldn’t he give a ‘loan’ directly to his buddy. Then let the buddy payoff whomever he owes the money to from his own bank account?

          3
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        • JoeBrady

          1 year ago

          Lawyers, financial institutions, accountants would be on charge of that,
          =========================
          None of them would have access either, not like this. I can wire money, but my boss has to release it. He can wire money, but his boss would have to release it. Monthly statements get sent out. Accountants prepare reports.

          1
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        • Yankee Clipper

          1 year ago

          Doesn’t everybody remember he had a wife? Forget about bosses and accountant, you try to systematically displace $4.5MM via wire from anybody with a wife without her knowing or asking her husband questions about it and tell me how that goes….

          3
          Reply
        • AngelsFan1968

          1 year ago

          Well that;s another story. Seems he married during the off season. When did the feds start investigating the illegal book maker?

          Reply
        • stymeedone

          1 year ago

          Maybe you give that access to your accountant or financial manager. What legitimate reason would require your interpreter to have access?

          3
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          They arrested the bookie in October of 2023.

          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          Maybe Ippei has the account information because he communicates in English with Shohei’s money managers.

          I’m not buying it, but that’s the best story I’ve got if I’m his attorney.

          3
          Reply
        • The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

          1 year ago

          Well, as a former banker, I can assure you that there are multiple controls over wires of this sort. High profile clients like Shohei are even coded in banking systems to get extra attention and scrutiny with transactions and only certain people in the bank can even see their accounts.

          There is a less than zero possibility that his interpreter wired money out of his account without multiple controls including callbacks, positive identification, RSA key entry among others.

          Ohtani initiated and sent those wires. Otherwise the bank has massive criminal liability for his friend doing so. Ohtani doesn’t realize that he has accused his friend AND his bank of major crimes. It won’t take long to find out he’s lying and then it’s all over for him.

          12
          Reply
        • CardsFan57

          1 year ago

          He has a Japanese wife. That’s a very different thing than a US wife.

          2
          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          I bet that he has a prenuptial agreement

          2
          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          1 year ago

          Yeah, Cards, I know. I was just kidding around. Or maybe I was projecting…lol.

          3
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          As an accountant you certainly know about the Banking Secrecy Act of 1970 and about the process anyone has to go through to wire transfer more than $10k. How the transaction is reported to the IRS and how the bank is responsible for making sure that the transfer is not part of an illegal act, oh like GAMBLING in California.

          2
          Reply
        • Jack Dawkins

          1 year ago

          Pads, I believe that the IRS is the only federal agency involved at the moment. Apparently, this is just a thread in a bigger investigation about bookmaking that has also involved Yasiel Puig in another thread. Uncle Sam wants his taxes.

          Reply
        • Jack Dawkins

          1 year ago

          This may have been tried by Shohei but Ippei, the self professed gambling addict, kept using the funds to just get in deeper. Everybody knows what happens if you don’t pay your bookie so it got down to paying directly because Ippei was not to be trusted to do it. Unfortunately, doing it this way is a violation of MLB regulations. To absolve Shohei of any blame, Ippei has to say he committed theft. Anything less could mean suspension for Shohei. At least MLB is not a court of law. Good Intentions and Ignorance of the Law can fly if MLB wants them to.

          Reply
        • CardsFan57

          1 year ago

          Paying those illegal gambling debts by Ohtani wouldn’t just violate MLB rules. It’s a felony. It’s either proven to be theft or Ohtani is a felon. The skeptic in me says that realization by Ohtani is why the story changed. The MLB investigation is secondary to Ohtani’s future. He better hope the corrected story is the truth.

          2
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        • Jack Dawkins

          1 year ago

          I feel that the primary motive for Shohei to make those series of payments was to stop a visit from Rocky Balboa to Ippei’s house if the money didn’t flow. It is possible that Shohei was never schooled in the fine print clauses of the document about gambling before spring training every year. Maybe all he knew is Don’t Bet On Baseball. I, myself, sign SOME documents without reading or pondering the legalese of the fine print. It could be that Ippei didn’t translate all that fine print and explain what it all meant for seven springs in a row.

          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          1 year ago

          I understand the desire to seek reasons Ohtani may have unknowingly committed a federal law violation; but in law, and per the law, ignorance of the law (for whatever reason) is no excuse.

          I do feel that Ohtani was probably trying to do the right thing by his friend if he did wire those transfers. But, it’s an irrelevant fact as far as a violation is concerned.

          2
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        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          I and I’m sure many more people would more respect for ohtani if he actually stuck with the first version of the story. Remorse and motive go a long way if you’re an accessory to a crime.

          “Yes my close friend came to me and said he was in a huge gambling debt and in fear of his life and mine

          I thought the best course of action was to forgive his debts for him for his safety and mine

          I did not know him gambling was against the law here in America. I never gambled never made bets. Just made arrangements to help my close friend before something serious happened. We are making arrangements to get him help with his gambling addiction.”

          And I’m sure the legal process would take kindly on his generosity and do a fine or something minimal

          If that’s actually truly what happened.

          But now they’re playing games trying to hide and change narratives and it’s not a good look for them.

          Reply
        • Jack Dawkins

          1 year ago

          You are right Clipper but I am referring to MLB law which has its own rules and justifications for its rulings. MLB is not a court of law with strict precedents. It is a definite violation of MLB rules to send money to an unlicensed betting organization for any purpose. As far as federal violations, IRS is the only agency involved at the moment. So far, it’s just a money crime with possible tax implications. The feds don’t bust the players. They want the bookie chain and how these guys use casinos to lay off bets.

          1
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        • Yankee Clipper

          1 year ago

          Yes, Jack, my apologies. I did misinterpret which system to which you were referring. I agree, MLB can take into consideration any and all mitigating factors and apply them however they wish, so long as they don’t violate employment law or the CBA. Valid point.

          1
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        • CardsFan57

          1 year ago

          That’s why people with that kind of money hire very good attorneys and do nothing of importance without talking to those attorneys.

          2
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        • Phree4u

          1 year ago

          His agency is Japanese, so no interpreter needed and I would assume any legal documents presented to him to sign were in Japanese or had a transcript in Japanese at the least.

          1
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        • Phree4u

          1 year ago

          If it is indeed the truth, it would be best to just own it and move on. He will get a year suspension and we will all forgive and forget.

          If he is lying through his teeth, it will be discovered eventually and he shouldn’t get any white glove treatment, throw the book at him.

          1
          Reply
    • getrealgone2

      1 year ago

      Is it all under the same procedures as CDV?

      Reply
      • Easy as 1 2 3

        1 year ago

        Fun fact about the law

        Unknowingly participating in a crime doesn’t protect you from ramifications or punishment.

        And if ohtani gave him access the whole “he stole from me” is a lie. He didn’t steal anything. Which is the current version of the narrative.

        Reply
        • getrealgone2

          1 year ago

          What? I’m asking is if someone is accused of CDV they get suspended while MLB does their thing. Is it the same for an investigation into gambling or other crimes?

          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Sorry reply went to wrong person

          And it’s more who did it than what they did

          By all accounts Bauer is a grade A hole so I doubt there was much hesitation suspending a dude who throws balls over fences cause he’s mad.

          Reply
        • mlb fan

          1 year ago

          “Fun fact about the law…Unknowningly participating in a crime doesn’t protect you”…That’s not 100% true at all, because there’s a whole category of crimes known as scienter crimes where prosecutors have to prove you knew a crime was being committed. The most commonly known type of these crimes is “receiving stolen goods”, where it has to be PROVEN you either knew or should have known you were committing a crime. You cannot be convicted of “receiving stolen goods” if it’s established you didn’t know(or had no reason to know)the goods were stolen.

          2
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        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Reread what I said

          It doesn’t protect you. Thats fact. To charge you or not charge you is up to prosecutors, the law itself doesn’t provide protections at all.

          Unknowingly participating doesn’t protect you and yes you can still have charges brought against you even if you unknowingly participate in a crime.

          2
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        • mlb fan

          1 year ago

          “It doesn’t protect you”…Not knowing a crime is being committed is actually a fairly good defense, my friend. In criminal law it could be the difference between being sentenced at the high range of sentences, the low range of sentences or being completely exonerated. And in civil law not knowing could be the difference between a $500,000 judgment against you or your company or a $5,000,000 judgment against you or your company. Why do you think Ohtani’s story has flipped between him first having knowledge of the situation and then, when his lawyers are involved, he suddenly had ZERO knowledge of the situation and was robbed by his interpreter?

          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Law as it is written doesn’t provide protections. Law as it is written says you committed a crime. Very few instances do laws as written say “charge them unless they didn’t know then they’re not in trouble”

          That’s for prosecutors to determine.

          Prosecutors decided if you should or should not be charged.

          The law itself as it is written does not protect you. You can and will be charge if a prosecutor decides to so, even if you unknowingly participate.

          Good example.

          They changed their story to money was stolen ohtani had no clue because…….if ippei said yes ohtani gave me money but didn’t know about my gambling problems or me paying off debts he could still be considered an accomplice even though he’s unknowingly participating.

          They’d have a lot of question asking why he gave such huge sums

          1
          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          There’s a reason they’re going with stolen and unknowing vs gave it ippei and didn’t know why ippei needed the money.

          For this exact reason.

          He could still get in trouble in the 2nd scenario.

          1
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          Easy, that is entirely what RICO laws are about. You don’t have to know what the overriding crime was to be charged as a co-conspirator for your part in it,. Even if you didn’t know that what you were doing was a crime.

          1
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        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          Oddly enough gambling falls under RICO laws

          1
          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          Easy

          I think you are mistaken. If I give my girlfriend my ATM card and the PIN number so she can withdraw 20 for gas- and then a week later she withdraws 1000 without my consent, I believe that would comprise theft.

          2
          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 year ago

          Manny, I think that actually, your GF using your ATM and PIN, even for $20, would be technically illegal on it’s own. No one gets charged for doing that, because there’d be zero complaints. But, if she took 1K you’d complain, and you’re right, there’d be grounds for her being charged.

          Reply
        • Schlitz

          1 year ago

          If you give your girlfriend your debit card and pin number, good luck on the charges and getting your money back!

          Reply
    • Snuffy

      1 year ago

      Yeah, but…

      Reply
    • Show all 69 replies
  4. statman

    1 year ago

    will be interesting to see how much effort they put into this … there is no way that Shohei would not be aware of wires from his account of this magnitude.

    28
    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      1 year ago

      Of course not. But it sounds like the interpreter is taking the bullet for his pal.

      19
      Reply
      • gomer33

        1 year ago

        I’m sure he will be well reimbursed once he starts making real coin.

        4
        Reply
        • keving

          1 year ago

          Deferred. Figures.

          Reply
    • Dock_Elvis

      1 year ago

      I believe at $7,500 the federal laundering system is triggered. He would have been notified personally of the suspicious activity in his account. This doesn’t add up. It’s going to get ugly.

      3
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      • This one belongs to the Reds

        1 year ago

        I think it is $10,000 now but yes, it triggers a suspicious activity report.

        3
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        • Dock_Elvis

          1 year ago

          It’s certainly a quantum level past the threshold for sure.

          I’m going with Ohtani knew and tried to help his friend. Which was the original story. I get it, if true. But that’d still come with consequences. I doubt the Feds would have major interest in him unless they find they need to be. But we might see some names pop up in the bookies seized records.

          CBA violation here is a season suspension. The damage to Ohtani is done in the public mind. Fans will taunt the Astros after the last player from those teams has gone along. Public perception matters to branding.

          Again, MLB has the PR capacity of metal in a microwave.

          2
          Reply
        • This one belongs to the Reds

          1 year ago

          Dock, that last statement was a great description, and might even be an understatement.

          As one who worked in MiLB, I have always said MLB teams could learn something from how minor league teams have to promote in order to survive.

          1
          Reply
        • getrealgone2

          1 year ago

          Interesting, Reds. Can you elaborate on how MLB could learn from MiLB? What work did you do?

          Reply
  5. longines64

    1 year ago

    Lawyer’s up and we have a paid off fall guy!!

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    Reply
    • small_market_chub

      1 year ago

      Ippei was paid off when he thought the narrative was going to be that Ohtani simply paid off his gambling debts. Now that they’re accusing Ippei of theft, I’d wager he’s not going to be as eager to take the fall

      17
      Reply
      • User 3014224641

        1 year ago

        If the translator was getting his gambling debt paid off, how did he intend on paying the tax penalties associated with such a large gift from Ohtani?

        11
        Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          18-40% in gift tax. That is twice Mazahura’s annual income at a minimum.

          3
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          Just realized, the donor pays the gift tax unless the IRS counts it as income.

          1
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        • Jack Dawkins

          1 year ago

          The money is described as a “loan” by the sender, Otani. It’s not described as a gift even though logic says it’s a gift. How’s Ippei supposed to pay back 4.5 million? It was never going to happen.

          2
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    • Pads Fans

      1 year ago

      Mazahura is facing a very long prison sentence if convicted on wire fraud which is the most serious of the charges he could be brought up on.

      Under 18 U.S.C. § 1343, wire fraud is a federal crime that carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000 for individuals. This would be at least 9 counts since $500k is the largest transfer that was made in this case and it was at least $4.5 million..

      Do you think that Mazahura will be willing to go to prison for the next 20 years to protect Ohtani?

      12
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      • prov356

        1 year ago

        Pads Fan – That 20 year sentence is the “up to” sentence with a lot of factors that go into the calculation. The fed system is a points based system. He has zero points for criminal history category assuming he has no criminal history. The offense level is probably low as a financial crime with no “victim” unless there was truly fraud or theft. Even then, it wouldn’t be like a drug case or crime of violence. Assuming he’s charged in the feds, if he pleads guilty he gets points off for acceptance of responsibility. If he cooperates he gets more reduction with a “5K” motion from the prosecutor. The counts will possibly combine for sentencing. Realistically, he would get anywhere from probation to up to 24 months maybe.

        Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          up to 20 years PER Count. There would be a minimum of 9 counts, possibly more.

          The victim is Ohtani. He is the one asking law enforcement to look into the alleged theft.

          Wire Fraud is one of the most serious financial crimes. The last one I saw of this magnitude, the perpetrator got 30 years.

          Realistically he would get a minimum of the recommended sentencing guidelines which is 66 months per count if he pleads guilty.

          Reply
        • Torpedo Bat

          1 year ago

          @Pads Fan I hear you. The feds already nabbed their prize in Bowyer. Mazahura can be a cooperating witness and possibly not do time for multiple counts of wire fraud. However, he’ll also have to work out seperate agreements with the IRS and CA DA’s office if they opt to pursue charges, if any. The goal of the feds is to nail Bowyer and whomever his co-conspirators are running the gambling ops.

          3
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        • Jack Dawkins

          1 year ago

          He can try to get an even better deal by cooperating and agreeing to testify in court against this Bowyer fellow. The feds will offer this if it ever gets that far.

          Reply
        • Dock_Elvis

          1 year ago

          That might be the Federal goal. But if there’s famous names involved. They’ll likely be outed. MLB will deal with disciplinarian infractions. I can’t hardly see Ohtani getting away clean on this. The Feds won’t care one iota about covering up a mess for baseball. It’s time for journalism to do its job.

          1
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        • prov356

          1 year ago

          Nah, like I said the counts would possibly combine at sentencing. For example, if a felon gets caught possessing a gun, a conviction of T18, USC 922g has a sentence of up to 10 years. If he gets caught with 10 guns, he isn’t exposed to up to 10 years times 10 counts. The counts combine at sentencing for one sentence of up to 10 years. Either way you slice it, even if he were sentenced to up to 20 years for 9 counts, the sentences would run concurrent, not consecutive.

          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          The minimum sentencing guidelines is 66 months per count. That is 5.5 years if they DO allow him to serve the sentences concurrently. .

          You ARE exposed to 10 counts for 10 guns. You may not get charged with 10 counts, but its possible. If there is a long history of crime or you lie to the prosecutors about your involvement they will hit you as hard as they are allowed to,

          You CAN have the counts combined at sentencing, but they don’t HAVE to do so. Sometimes the judge rules that you can serve your sentences on separate charges concurrently, but not every time and they don’t HAVE to do it at all.

          Wire fraud is considered one of the most serious of federal crimes, that is why the penalties are so severe, so its highly doubtful that someone with a 3 year history of violations for a total of over $4.5 million and that lied to investigators would get off easy regardless of who they are. Being a baseball player doesn’t help Ohtani in this case.

          Reply
        • Torpedo Bat

          1 year ago

          Deals can be made with the feds. Story time – I know a guy who created one of the first cryptocurrency exchanges. He also knowingly facilitated financial transactions for illicit goods/services on Silk Road, a defunct darkweb marketplace. His cooperation with the feds directly led to the collapse of Silk Road and its elusive founder’s arrest. The witness with no criminal background history was fined nominally and served only one year in federal prison. He was also allowed to keep the vast majority of his built wealth.

          While these baseball guys may not have the dame kind of clout to help bring down such an enormous enterprise, prison time is not a given.

          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          A former business partner was embezzling from the company that purchased my company and funneling it into his gambling on both stocks and sports. Not illegal gambling, legal gambling.

          When he was caught the feds hit him with 24 counts of wire fraud for a total of $600k over a 4+ year period. He had no criminal background. As far as I know he had never even had a traffic ticket. He was squeaky clean.

          He lied to the FBI and IRS investigators, so when he went to court it was on all 24 wire fraud charges. He was also hit with embezzlement and several other charges in state court in Georgia.

          When he was convicted, the judge combined the wire fraud charges and he was sentenced to serve 11 years 6 months on the federal charges. I believe that he is eligible for parole after 36 months.

          The use of crypto to facilitate financial transactions is far less regulated than bank wire transfers. That your friend was given a slap on the wrist is consistent with that fact.

          So far, Ohtani and his camp have not been forthcoming about his involvement in the wire transfers and there is no indication he is cooperating as a witness in the case against Bowyer.

          When he finds out the seriousness of what he is facing, he might change his tactics, but that is what we know as of today. If Ohtani lies to investigators when he is called in to speak to them, he will get hit with the maximum they can bring against him.

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        • Torpedo Bat

          1 year ago

          My friend didn’t lie and negotiated a deal. He was sentenced to two years I believe and barred from directly operating another exchange. He now works as an int’l industry consultant but lives in the States.

          Reply
        • prov356

          1 year ago

          Pads – “The minimum sentencing guidelines is 66 months per count.”

          There is no minimum mandatory sentence except for drug cases. Where are you getting your information because it seems very inaccurate.

          Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        A few phone calls can be made, and he will be sent back to Japan

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  6. kanye

    1 year ago

    Womp Womp

    Reply
    • rottenboyfriend

      1 year ago

      Ippie is nothing more than the fall guy! No translator would be able to establish a credit limit of 4.5M or even $500,000 with a yearly salary of no more than $200,000 after taxes. He probably booked Ohtani’s bets for him and the bookie knew Ohtani was the actual better! Nothing else would make since!

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      • rottenboyfriend

        1 year ago

        The questions that matter most are is gambling illegal where Ohtani placed his bets and did he place bets on baseball.. Apparently Mr. Clean Ohtani enjoys gambling!

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      • AngelsFan1968

        1 year ago

        Yep. There isn’t a bookie alive that would allow anyone to run up a 4.5M debt. Allowing that kind of credit requires due diligence to ensure that the person has the means to repay it.

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  7. Johnny utah

    1 year ago

    Ohtahni deserves the same punishment as the hit king!

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    • Wire to wire 2024

      1 year ago

      I’d rather just see rose in the hall

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      • Johnny utah

        1 year ago

        me too! its a disgrace how they treated pete (and shoeless joe if we’re on the topic)

        but if pete is banned, so too should shohei. no special treatment

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        • Phree4u

          1 year ago

          I’ll agree if it’s proven that any of the bets paid for by ohtani were on baseball. If they can’t prove there was a bet on baseball then no.

          Decibel at the minimum should be suspended with pay as per the precedence they set with bauer among many others.

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        • mlb fan

          1 year ago

          “It’s a disgrace how they treated Pete”…I’m a big Pete Rose guy and always have been, but it’s not a “disgrace” how Pete was treated at all. You simply cannot have the LEADER(Manager) of a Major League baseball team betting on baseball games(potentially which he has inside knowledge). Each situation is completely different and Pete was already given a chance to clear his name and did/could not. Ohtani will ostensibly be given the same chance and if he’s found to be in violation of MLB rules or Federal laws, he will almost certainly be punished accordingly. You simply cannot use any potential Ohtani transgressions, which have yet to be adjudicated, to justify what Pete Rose did, although one could argue a lifetime ban is excessive.

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        • Bobcastelliniscat

          1 year ago

          First of all it’s not a “lifetime” ban, it’s a “permanent” ban. Which means it outlives Pete Rose. Second, Pete got exactly what he deserves and if Othani bet on baseball he should receive the exact same punishment.

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        • Lars MacDonald

          1 year ago

          Shoeless Joe was also treated correctly.

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        • Bobcastelliniscat

          1 year ago

          Agreed

          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          Bob

          Key words “betting on baseball” deserves a permanent ban

          Betting on boxing or the WNBA will get a slap on the wrist or be covered up and blamed on interpreter

          1
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        • Jack Dawkins

          1 year ago

          Manny, the big No-No is betting with unlicensed, unregulated organizations. Going to Vegas or the dog track or an Indian casino or Draft Kings is perfectly fine for MLB people. Betting on anything with a bookie is a forbidden act.

          Reply
        • Dock_Elvis

          1 year ago

          Shoeless Joe took 20k to toss the series all while pulling up on balls in the OF according to Christy Matthewson who was watching for a fix.

          The actual innocent party in all this is Buck Weaver. I did 8 weeks of major research into the Black Sox Scandal, and likely seen material the casual person has not. I came away feeling less for Comiskey and Joe Jackson. But with a true feeling that Buck Weaver was hung out to dry.

          Reply
        • Johnny utah

          1 year ago

          @elvis

          Shoeless hit .375 while everyone else hit .100
          Also he wasnt the brightest fella. Couldnt even sign his own name. No excuse just think he just went along with it not rly thinking about it. Anyhow, the black sox were all banned yet not a single astro got a slap on the wrist & the managers came back with jobs a yr later . there is a shameful disgraceful double standard in current MLB. And whatever the outcome of the investigation ohtani probably receives zero punishment because that’s the way it is. If you Pete rose you get permanently banned. If you’re Mr. 700 million everybody turns a blind eye.

          Reply
        • Dock_Elvis

          1 year ago

          I agree on the Astros. And I agree on Shoeless Joe too. He was ignorant. But he at first lied about the amounts. He admitted guilt in the grand jury testimony. Like I said I spent 8 solid weeks on that scandal. Joe accepted 20k, which is about 380K today. He’s one of the few players who actually got a dime.

          I asked the same question as to his offense. He hit. How could he be losing games? The rumors of a fix were present before the series began. None other than Christy Mathewson sat with Hugh Fullerton…at Fullertons request…and was asked to keep track of any plays he deemed very suspicious in the field. He had many on Shoeless Joe. A hit is obvious. Knowing a LF pulled up on a ball in play is something the casual fan there might not have noticed. Christy Matthewson did.

          The fact is Joe Jackson took 20k from gamblers. That doesn’t make him an evil person. But it’s fact by admittance. Comiskey treated those guys like crap. He should have been tossed out too!

          But I’m VERY firm that Buck Weaver should have been let go and should be reinstated today.

          Reply
        • Jack Dawkins

          1 year ago

          The Mathewson-Fullerton scoring critique was depicted in that movie 8 Men Out. Fixing games had been a frequently recurring problem in baseball since the 1870s before the Black Sox. Ever since the iron fist came down with Landis, the incidents have become less frequent. Landis banned guys if they heard about the fix but failed to report it to team officials immediately which is what happened to Weaver I believe. But this latest gambling scandal is about violating a different MLB rule about using unlicensed sports book operations to place bets AKA bookies. If it doesn’t expand beyond that, MLB has dodged a disaster.

          Reply
        • Dock_Elvis

          1 year ago

          My entire issue in comparison is with the treatment of Buck Weaver. I’m not attempting to make an equivocal case for the Black Sox Scandal and Ohtani himself. Just the fact there’s precedent for a ban for simple knowledge of gambling elements. Personally, I’d consider (if true) committing wire fraud to settle a gambling debt a worse crime in baseballs eyes than anything Buck Weaver was guilty of. It’s a CBA violation punishable by a one year suspension. It seems a but ridiculous that Weaver remains banned after 120 years when he committed absolutely zero crime, or what would on the surface even seem like a commensurate act. That’s all I’m really getting at.

          As to Eight Men out. Movie based off the book. There’s a LOT of details left out of both. I’d compare the Asinoff book to the Moneyball book. It’s a it of a narrative.

          I’ve read more than 700 pages of legal documents on the case. Various depositions. Tons of interviews. There’s just so much left out of that and filtered through Eight Men out in the public mind.

          Of course…it’s all my personal conclusions. But I found both Jackson and Comiskey guilty. The numbers in the Series for Joe don’t matter to the facts. I was prepared to go where the evidence took me. The information on the missing grand jury testimony is actually in Bill Veecks autobiography.

          I came away feeling Weaver for shafted.

          Reply
      • switchhittingwitches

        1 year ago

        Im
        Convinced they will reverse and induct rose..right after he passes so he cant enjoy/profit from it

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        • Johnny utah

          1 year ago

          I’ve been thinking same thing for years
          The moment pete dies mlb decides “we’ve had a change of heart and want to honor the all time hit king”

          They want him to suffer, which is insane
          But also its been 35 yrs alreadt let the man in the HOF!

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        • Joe says...

          1 year ago

          That isn’t how it works. MLB has nothing to do with who get in the HOF.

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        • Bobcastelliniscat

          1 year ago

          Yeah, well Shoeless Joe is still waiting so I wouldn’t bet on it. (See what I did there?)

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        • ayeah

          1 year ago

          But Ippei and Ohtani may be betting on Shoeless Joe on making it. How do you think they fell 4.5 million in the hole.

          Reply
      • Cleon Jones

        1 year ago

        But Tulip and Puetenia are left to wait? Nah….

        Reply
    • Joe says...

      1 year ago

      What Ohtani did, or didn’t do, is nt the same as what Rose did.

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      • Johnny utah

        1 year ago

        you’re right, its not the same
        because rose was a manager and ohtani is a player. a player gambling on his own sport the worst thing you can possible do. worse than bonds taking PEDs. if ohtani actually bet on mlb, he should receive nothing less than lifetime ban, and he should be traded back to japan for a can of tuna fish

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        • Phree4u

          1 year ago

          There’s a sign in the locker room stating exactly that. And I guarantee there was a Japanese language version of the sign in the angels clubhouse

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        • Joe says...

          1 year ago

          If they find that Ohtani bet (even indirectly by paying off his interpreter’s gambling debt) on baseball he should be banned for life. At the moment baseball doesn’t seem to be a part of it.
          I feel no need to get into Rose’s situation beyond saying I think he should remain banned.

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        • filihok

          1 year ago

          Ju

          “the same
          because rose was a manager and ohtani is a player. a player gambling on his own sport the worst thing you can possible do. ”

          Why is that worse than the manager?

          The manager has arguably more ability to impact a game than a single player

          1
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        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          Seems to me the starting pitcher and manager have the most impact

          If he bet on games that he pitched that might top a manager, manager would top a position player

          In any event, it should not take long to find out whether baseball was bet on or not

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        • Johnny utah

          1 year ago

          If he bet on mlb then a permanent ban
          If he bet on sports other than mlb, 1 year suspension

          Gambling’s illegal in CA. Thats a crime. Up to 6 months in jail. Giving him a Slap on the wrist is a slap in the face of the integrity of the game which has already been compromised

          Bauer was a weirdo but never found guilty of any crime and he was suspended for like 2 yrs and never threw another major league pitch again

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        • Torpedo Bat

          1 year ago

          I guess no one here has read Pete Rose’s autobiography “My Prison Without Bars”. Rose himself admitted to repeatedly lying about his gambling and then finally confessed. By that time, it was already too late which he also acknowledges.

          1
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        • Johnny utah

          1 year ago

          If the authorities conduct proper & fair investigation. Then ohtani might be going to a prison WITH bars

          2
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        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          If Ohtani bet on baseball, I agree with the permanent ban

          If Ippei bet on baseball, and Ohtani declines to be interviewed by MLB, some suspension is justified even with nothing more than circumstantial evidence

          But if neither Ohtani nor Ippei bet in baseball, I doubt there will be a suspension and MLB will “agree” that it was the interpreter

          2
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        • HuntingtonAve

          1 year ago

          If Ippei did bet on baseball he clearly was terrible at it.

          1
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    • Johnny Bravo

      1 year ago

      Only have to say two words about this
      Pete Rose

      Reply
    • Show all 32 replies
  8. Johnny utah

    1 year ago

    If ohtahni is banned, Can LA void the deal & get the 700 million back?

    8
    Reply
    • Rsox

      1 year ago

      Shouldn’t be too hard since they won’t pay they vast majority of it for a decade

      7
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      • Bart

        1 year ago

        my understanding is that they had to put about 480 mil into a trust that would eventually be the 680 mil in 2034

        1
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    • Phree4u

      1 year ago

      If he is banned. His contract is nullified. He will get paid while he’s suspended at prorated 2mil per year.

      I would assume the the 68 mill per year deferred would also be prorated and paid at the deferred to date, but I’m not sure.

      I would think the deferred payments could be nullified later if the dodgers chose the breach of contract legal argument, but I have no idea, that’s pure speculation on my part.

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  9. Salzilla

    1 year ago

    Well there you go, lawyerbacks, now you can say something. Still, not passing judgment till we know more. And shhh neither are they. 😉

    4
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    • Salzilla

      1 year ago

      Akso, the folks that are rooting for Ohtani to be guilty are the worst kind of people.

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      • youngliam

        1 year ago

        I think he should face consequences for whatever he is responsible for, but as a player he is good for the game so nothing too severe. A year suspension at the most? We shall see how it all plays out.

        Reply
      • User 3180623956

        1 year ago

        Exactly Salzilla. They are disgusting.

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      • Enrico Pallazzo

        1 year ago

        Agreed. Scum.

        Reply
      • its_happening

        1 year ago

        Almost as bad as guys who talk about how this will affect their fantasy team.

        Reply
        • Salzilla

          1 year ago

          Waaaah sorry you have no joy in life.

          Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      1 year ago

      While I agree with you that Ohtani being innocent is perhaps the best outcome for the game and fans, I don’t understand MLB’s public relations stance in this yesterday. Why not simply state they are gathering information for a potential investigation? Instead they release information saying Ohtani is not the subject of an internal MLB investigation.

      MLB creates MLB’s own problems with stuff like this, imho. And, I think it makes it worse for Ohtani, unfortunately.

      MLB saying they “gathered further information, thus changing their stance from “no investigation” to “under investigation” seems to imply some level of evidence above what has already been released. If they have, that’s fine. If they haven’t, they’re only harming his reputation, imo.

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      • Easy as 1 2 3

        1 year ago

        Cause he bet on baseball and they’re trying to cover up he bet on baseball.

        LA to Vegas is an hour flight. 2 hours both ways

        Ohtani AND Ippei could have flown out, placed bets, and would have been perfectly legal long as it was on football basketball tennis golf soccer horses. Heck betting on horses is actually legal in CA. So are fantasy sports and gambling at casinos.

        Problem is Vegas tracks what you bet on by law. Aka tracks that you bet on baseball.

        Only reason you do an illegal underground gambling ring is to avoid detection. Illegal underground rings aren’t reporting anything to anyone.

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        • Salzilla

          1 year ago

          You have a serious problem about this. Your hate is obvious. Take a mute.

          Reply
        • Easy as 1 2 3

          1 year ago

          I don’t hate ohtani.

          Believing people should be held accountable for their actions isn’t hate.

          Sorry your parents raised you incorrectly if you think being famous and rich should exclude you from laws.

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  10. laball23

    1 year ago

    Smartest thing they could have done. So much speculation right now. Still contend the first version of Ippei’s story is the right one which would still spell trouble for Shohei.

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    • tedtheodorelogan

      1 year ago

      Seems fairly obvious that’s the case, and once the lawyers got involved that’s when the lies started happening. But I’d be willing to bet, no bookie needed, that MLB won’t do anything to punish the golden child.

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      • Seven_Costanza

        1 year ago

        Plus idk how they prove Ohtani knew about it if the interpreter keeps taking the blame. I think the first story is the most likely but theyll need some sort of evidence on Ohtani.

        Reply
        • Simm

          1 year ago

          Because of the wire transfers. They are likely going to be the real problem for Ohtani.

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        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          The financial institution can tell the investigators
          what device the authorization has made from,
          the IP address it was on at the time,
          the time it was made,
          the login used (I say that because there are 4 people in my company authorized to make bank transactions and we all have our own separate login),
          and if a notification was sent to Ohtani before authorizing the transfer. I get a text asking if the bank transfer was authorized on anything over $10k for my company.

          This is going to be very interesting the way it plays out.

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        • 1984wasntamanual

          1 year ago

          MLB doesn’t.

          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          1 year ago

          Just remember, MLB doesn’t have to “prove” anything regarding Ohtani knowing. They just have to believe he did it and render judgement. Administrative penalties are enforced at the Commissioner’s discretion, so long as no employment law is violated in the process.

          There’s nothing to prevent Manfred (other than the obvious) from finding that Ohtani violated MLB rules and regulations based on his wire transfers along with the initial statements from Ohtani’s own camp.

          It’s a completely different system from the criminal system. And the fact criminal defense attorneys said he didn’t do it has no bearing on MLB, just like with the Bauer case.

          Imo, they will not find him guilty of anything, nor will they pursue any additional administrative charges against him, absent very clear damning evidence to the contrary.

          My hope is that they ban Ohtani if he did something wrong, but exonerate him if he didn’t. As for which he is (guilty or innocent), only Ohtani, Ippei, and God know.

          4
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        • Bobcastelliniscat

          1 year ago

          The interpreter may not be willing to go to prison to protect Ohtani, if that is indeed what he has been doing.

          4
          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          1 year ago

          Certainly changed Sammy the Bull’s perspective. But they were offering him tens of millions either.

          Reply
        • Brew’88

          1 year ago

          I have no evidence of course, but rumor has it God speaks to some privileged individuals, so they must know too

          1
          Reply
        • ayeah

          1 year ago

          “As for which he is (guilty or innocent), only Ohtani, Ippei, and God know.”…And the bookie who took the bet knows too.

          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          1 year ago

          He may know, but he never met with Ohtani, allegedly. He said he just received the transfers. I’m fairly certain receiving the name, Shohei Ohtani, on $500K wire transfers was enough to encourage a continued line of betting though.

          I mean, I know a handful of Shohei Ohtani’s from the neighborhood, but there can’t be that many…

          Reply
      • youngliam

        1 year ago

        I thought that too, but how does a guy who makes ~$300k/year rack up $4.5m in debt? I doubt a bookie gives a man of his income that kind of credit line.

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        • 1984wasntamanual

          1 year ago

          Especially in California, where his take home is closer to $150-200k. This isn’t like getting a mortgage with a 30 year payment plan.

          1
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        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          1 year ago

          You can if you keep introducing other “whales” aka big losing bettors to the bookie. Mazahura was in the hole so much in the beginning that he was never going to see a single winning dollar hit his account.

          There are bookies out there who don’t even book bets with their bosses bc they already know your series of bets will be net losses. They’ll keep giving you action and extending credit as long as you bring in new action.

          1
          Reply
  11. Johnny utah

    1 year ago

    This will be the nail in the coffin for baseball

    First mlb lost fans bec of bonds/PED users
    Then nfl/nba usurped mlb in popularity
    Then Manfred botched pandemic season
    Then player strike
    Then rule changes
    Now the face of baseball is a degenerate gambler

    RIP major league baseball
    1903-2024

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    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      1 year ago

      lol

      11
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    • all in the suit that you wear

      1 year ago

      Nah. Baseball will live on.

      13
      Reply
      • Phree4u

        1 year ago

        Baseball will get over this. Dodgers fans and ohtani fanboys might not, but the rest of us are laughing.

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        Reply
    • mike127

      1 year ago

      The irony of you utilizing the word “usurped”.

      Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      1 year ago

      Be serious, this isn’t 1940s. Kids are downloading an app and betting by their 19th birthday.

      4 million dollars to Shohei is the equivalent of $4000 to any of us. Sure not a good look overall, but society and MLB baseball have got in to bed with gambling so this is the realities of that.

      If he was (Shoheih was at the core of this as long as he wasnt betting on baseball, it really shouldn’t matter, it certainly won’t be the death of baseball

      2
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      • Baseball’s Topics on Baseball Today

        1 year ago

        This is exactly why this is a big deal. This recent gambling craze is so utterly obnoxious I’m ready to cut ties with sports.

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        • Dustyslambchops23

          1 year ago

          That I agree with, gambling can be addictive and ruin people’s lives, the fact that we allow it to be marketed to people and kids, it’s pretty insane. I’ve never seen an industry go from taboo to sports sponsorships so quickly.

          Next we’ll have Sunday night football, presented by Colombian Pure

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        • Phree4u

          1 year ago

          That might actually make me watch football.

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        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          Dusty

          Next someone will say that the Oakland As are moving to Las Vegas

          2
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      • JoeBrady

        1 year ago

        4 million dollars to Shohei is the equivalent of $4000 to any of us.
        ============================
        Let’s say that is true. I get a notification for any transaction for a fraction of that amount. So I am going to know if $4,000 just disappeared. It is almost unimaginable that any of these stories are true.

        2
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        • Dustyslambchops23

          1 year ago

          The math is good, I’m not saying he didn’t know I agree that seems impossible, I’m saying if he made a couple of million dollar bets it’s really not that big of a deal

          Reply
      • Schlitz

        1 year ago

        It wont be the death of Baseball, but its a big deal, unless MLB Baseball wants to set new gambling standards, you can’t pretend or declare the standards have changed.

        Reply
        • Dustyslambchops23

          1 year ago

          They changed the standards when they let gambling companies become major sponsors

          Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      1 year ago

      I’m sure this is sarcasm, but let me still jump in here and say that the rules changes don’t belong on your list. Fans have been overwhelmingly in favor of the shortened games.

      2
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      • Johnny utah

        1 year ago

        @coop

        Lol what fans?
        And at what cost? Losing tons of previously loyal fans? Mlb is so unpopular. Forget nfl/nba, they dominate baseball. But nascar & golf and even soccer receives more attention than mlb. Pretty soon bowling & darts will be ahead in popularity

        4
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        • Jean Matrac

          1 year ago

          Johnny utah, Where are you getting your data from? Last season attendance was 70.7M,, up 6.1M from the year before.

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        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          Johnny

          There are over MLB 2450 baseball games per year and attendance is probably around 40 million fans. Tell me again how you think golf, bowling and U.S. soccer might surpass that?

          2
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        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          A few years back, cumulative MLB attendance exceded both footballs, hockey and NBA combined

          MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
           Over 70 million total annual attendees
           30,000 average per event

          MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
          7 million total annual attendees
           22,000 per event

          NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
          22 million total annual attendees
          18,000 per game

          NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
          18 million total annual attendees

          NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
          22 million total annual attendees
          18,000 per event

          2
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        • Johnny utah

          1 year ago

          Lol nba arenas only hold 18,000 fans max
          Nfl only has 16 gms a year (now its 17)
          Mlb stadiums have 50,000 seats! And play 162 gms

          The f are you comparing??

          Also i never said nhl or major league soccer are more popular. International soccer yes. You’re going to see the biggest crowds in sports history during world cup ‘26 in US

          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 year ago

          Most MLB stadiums do not have 50K seats. Only two have 50K. and one of those is in Oakland, soon to be replaced by a smaller park. The other one is Dodger Stadium, and they drew over 3.8M last season. Only five stadiums seat between 45K to 50K. Six seat less than 40K.

          It still comes down to the fact that MLB had more than 70 million in attendance. last season. If MLB was dying, the size of the stadium would be irrelevant, since it doesn’t matter how big or little a stadium is, if fans were staying away. Clearly, as shown by the numbers, they aren’t.

          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          Put differently, baseball is the only sport with fans intense enough, and enough of them, to enjoy a 162 game season.

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        • ayeah

          1 year ago

          And that was only because the Phillies made it to the playoffs the last two years. Philadelphia fans pack CBP when they make it into the playoffs.

          Reply
    • CardsFan57

      1 year ago

      Disclaimer: I’ve never supported steroids in professional baseball. I think there’s more evidence that baseball regained more fans than they ever lost because of steroids.

      3
      Reply
    • youngliam

      1 year ago

      They gained more fans than they ever had in the past because of the steroid-era. The same fans who were shaking their heads in 2006 had spent the last decade cheering and turning a blind eye to what they knew was happening. Hypocrites all around. Hating Bonds but loving David Ortiz should make that abundantly clear. At the end of the day, steroids paid for all those new stadiums we sit in today.

      4
      Reply
    • Show all 24 replies
  12. getrealgone2

    1 year ago

    youtube.com/watch?v=NRS62nccwmw

    Reply
  13. BennyGiant

    1 year ago

    Hell yeah, get em!

    3
    Reply
  14. User 2161944466

    1 year ago

    A toatal solar eclipse, a cicada uprising and now this. This is going to be such a weird spring

    3
    Reply
  15. bronyaur

    1 year ago

    This is the right thing to do. We don’t know what we don’t know yet. It is really unfair to anyone involved for us to speculate irresponsibly. The talk shows and web boards have to fill their spaces with something, but that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t be adults and exhibit a little patience. We’ll find out whatever we will find out soon enough, and not everything in the universe is an elaborate conspiracy. Usually it’s just weird randomness.

    8
    Reply
    • Mojo37

      1 year ago

      Agreed. But you can’t stop the bottom feeders. All you can do is ignore them.

      4
      Reply
      • luclusciano

        1 year ago

        Or come here to read for entertainment purposes.

        2
        Reply
    • Phree4u

      1 year ago

      That’s the thing. This story broke days ago. The media couldn’t shut up about his dogs name or what shampoo he uses, it was insane. Then this story pops, an article gets scrubbed and then leaked.

      This is a big deal. There wouldn’t be media silence if there wasn’t collusion going on to limit damage to the absolute minimum.

      7
      Reply
    • Simm

      1 year ago

      It’s not speculation the 2 transfers of 500k were wired to an eligible gambling business. So yeah there is enough evidence of foul play to speculate. Plus we already have the two different stories from his interpreter. Can easily see the first one was closer to the truth then the second one which came after lawyers found out about the situation.

      6
      Reply
    • youngliam

      1 year ago

      I disagree. The league, media and authorities involved would be irresponsible to make assumptions. We, the nobodies, have every right to speculate.

      8
      Reply
      • Simm

        1 year ago

        Especially when you hear conflicting reports.

        I know all dodgers fan think that his interpreter snuck into Ohtani’s room while he was sleeping and grabbed his phone. Pushed his thumb up against it to unlock it and made those wire transfers. Ohtani didn’t realize it (for months) even though he was missing 4.5m. That’s because he is so rich he doesn’t ever bother to look at his account. Don’t ask them if doing a wire trans for 500k can be done that easy. They start to shiver.

        Signed every dodger fan.

        2
        Reply
    • JoeBrady

      1 year ago

      but that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t be adults and exhibit a little patience.
      ======================
      There is nothing wrong with us speculating. In fact, I would argue that it is speculation that keeps this from getting swept under the rug. And I don’t judge harshly,

      But they have to explain it. If it is all innocent, then just explain what happened. Once I see people go into radio silence, I always ask why.

      6
      Reply
    • CF

      1 year ago

      Yes, lets not speculate on a website that has “Rumors” in its name…

      1
      Reply
  16. 10centBeerNight

    1 year ago

    They need to come clean. And let the chips fall where they may.

    1
    Reply
  17. User 4204968895

    1 year ago

    You are the company you keep, Shohei…

    3
    Reply
  18. Rsox

    1 year ago

    Unless Shohei is that naive and trusting to allow access to his bank accounts there is no way he didn’t know about any of this as I’m sure he gets alerts and bank statements and probably knows how to read

    7
    Reply
    • 99socalfrc

      1 year ago

      That’s just it, he said he did know about the payments first then later said the money was stolen.

      1
      Reply
      • Simm

        1 year ago

        They call the second statement lies…he didn’t realize the wire penalty. Ohtani is full of it…

        4
        Reply
        • CF

          1 year ago

          Yep, there ya go.

          Reply
  19. Jabronie23

    1 year ago

    Hope he doesn’t get banned. Would be bad for the game. I don’t care about gambling

    1
    Reply
  20. Duffy S. Cliff

    1 year ago

    Damn, you would think MLB would spell the guy’s name right in their official statement…

    4
    Reply
    • Persi W

      1 year ago

      Otani is another spelling of his name and is how it is listed on the bank records.

      Reply
      • Bobcastelliniscat

        1 year ago

        I think Duffy was referring to the interpreter.

        Reply
  21. Butter Biscuits

    1 year ago

    Some owner who couldn’t sign him probably snitched on him to the media

    Reply
    • 99socalfrc

      1 year ago

      Honestly the way Ohtani acts reminds me of Michael Jackson. So closed off and overly guarded. It doesn’t surprise me one bit he has this sort of thing going on behind closed doors.

      4
      Reply
    • ayeah

      1 year ago

      Because that owner read one of those writer’s article saying his team was in talks with Ohtani and Ohtani was close to signing with his team. So, the owner went out and made a million dollar bet that Ohtani was going to sign with his team. When Ohtani didn’t sign with his team. He got stuck paying the lost bet and then took the story to ESPN that Ohtani’s interpreter was making bets with an illegal bookie.

      It’s all making sense now.

      Says the Dodger fan who is crying the Dodgers blues that Ohtani is innocent and was set up.

      Reply
  22. revolver

    1 year ago

    Wait until Ohtani realizes his 70 million per year was deferred. Talk about lost in translation.

    6
    Reply
    • Phree4u

      1 year ago

      Sounds that was the last bet he lost on.

      1
      Reply
    • Smelly_Cobb

      1 year ago

      thanks, I sprayed coffee on my keyboard

      2
      Reply
  23. BlueSkies_LA

    1 year ago

    To the surprise of exactly nobody.

    Reply
  24. MadmanTX 2

    1 year ago

    Boom. Poor Dodgers: the honeymoon hasn’t lasted long.

    5
    Reply
  25. 99socalfrc

    1 year ago

    So all Pete needed all these years was an interpreter?

    19
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      1 year ago

      lol, right. THAT’S what kept him out of the Hall. rich.

      1
      Reply
      • 99socalfrc

        1 year ago

        @deGrom/Langford Texas Ranger (In Bauer We Trust) out here easily taking home the dumbest comment of the day award. Congrats son!

        2
        Reply
  26. Albert Belle's corked bat

    1 year ago

    Wonder if Ben Verlander is still gonna be Ohtani’s stalker now

    1
    Reply
  27. Johnny utah

    1 year ago

    Manfred’s ready to sweep this under the rug lol
    He’ll reinstate pete rose & personally induct him into HOF before banning shohei
    Mlb is a joke and this is the biggest emergency since barry bonds’ head grew to be the size of a watermelon

    3
    Reply
  28. Rangerfan99

    1 year ago

    I think it’s real simple to understand as to whether or not Ohtani was involved with this before hand. The bookmaker would not have let this guy get into such a massive hole, nine times his annual salary, unless he knew there was a deeper well backing the guy up.

    That’s where this starts. Not saying Ohtani was gambling, but he knew and participated in some illegal ways.

    14
    Reply
    • getrealgone2

      1 year ago

      Yeah something doesn’t add up. Does it mean Ohtani is some degenerate gambler? No, but something ain’t kosher.

      2
      Reply
      • Simm

        1 year ago

        At the very least the interpreter said Ohtani was backing him. Whether that’s true or not idk. What I do know is bookies don’t let you ring up 4.5m in debt without collateral. Which obviously he did t have because he couldn’t pay it.

        6
        Reply
        • differentbears

          1 year ago

          Perhaps a bookie who knows you’re making 300-500k?

          Reply
        • Rangerfan99

          1 year ago

          Nine times in what you make in a year is not a good investment for the book. This guy’s debt was the bookie’s investment. He will not let you keep trying to win back your money unless he was sure of something on his end. Ohtani participated in some way even if it was a simple voucher or an “understanding”.

          1
          Reply
        • differentbears

          1 year ago

          Or leverage… knowing as they did that this guy was tied to Ohtani. Or that Ippei implied this “understanding” without Ohtani being involved at all.

          We’re talking about a player who deferred 68 million a year for 11-20 years instead of taking 50 million a year up front. And someone who lives and sleeps baseball (apparently be brought a mattress into the Angels’ ballpark and slept there sometimes). And someone whose people literally reached out to MLB and said they wanted this investigated.

          I don’t know what the hell is going on with this story. But I’m pretty confident Ohtani was not gambling, that he was in the dark on this until recently. The concerning thing for me is if the part about helping Ippei with money is true, that’s a crime on its own. But I have no idea what the actual truth is, and no one else does either. Since the “story” broke, it’s been changed and denied and changed again. I don’t know who is doing the talking (other than Ippei and the bookmakers), what was actually said, and never mind the potential for something being lost in translation.

          I do know that Ohtani’s camp said they wanted MLB to investigate the stealing of his money. The fact that that’s how they’ve worded it in the most recent info suggests that it was likely the case all along.

          Reply
        • Phree4u

          1 year ago

          Why would they want mlb to investigate theft?

          As far as I can tell or find anywhere, ohtani has not filed a police report. The FBI and the state of California are not involved.

          The IRS is the only entity investigating.

          Reply
        • Simm

          1 year ago

          The feds are the ones investigating the bookies.

          It’s funny how Ohtani’s team came out and said they would file theft charges. If they haven’t yet let see if they do. Lying to Feds is a crime as well.

          Reply
  29. DarrenDreifortsContract

    1 year ago

    I can’t imagine Ohtani is some degenerate gambler trying to turn his 700 million into 1 billion. If I had to guess I would say he was taken advantage of.

    Hopefully…

    3
    Reply
    • Bobby Meacham

      1 year ago

      Come on man! Wake up! He’s not trying to turn his 700 million into a billion…this is all about the high of winning…it’s an addiction and you may be lucky you don’t understand that part.

      4
      Reply
    • Simm

      1 year ago

      You don’t have to be a degenerate gambler to run up a bill like that. You just have to bet big and win. Gambling is like a high, winning money is twice as good as earning it.

      4
      Reply
      • JoeBrady

        1 year ago

        winning money is twice as good as earning it.
        ============================
        Arguable the greatest line in movie history, if only because it is true. I can win enough money in poker where it wouldn’t even cover my bar tab, but it’ll take two hours for me to explain how I won it.

        Reply
    • Smelly_Cobb

      1 year ago

      Seems like he at least consented to paying off his homie’s illegal gambling debt.

      1
      Reply
      • Simm

        1 year ago

        Exactly at the least…which is also illegal.

        2
        Reply
    • Pads Fans

      1 year ago

      This all happened in 2021 through the beginning of the 2023 season. Ohtani had not gotten his $700 million deal and his career earning between MLB, NPB, and endorsements was less than $45 million.

      Reply
      • Simm

        1 year ago

        No he has made more than 45m before he sign with the dodgers.

        Reply
        • Simm

          1 year ago

          He had a net worth of 50m at the time he signed with the dodgers. It’s not a crazy amount which makes even less likely he forked over 4.5m for a friends gambling debt.

          1
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          The gambling occurred between 2021 and early 2023. He had earned $9.6 million in MLB to that point plus $32 million in endorsements. He signed with the Dodgers for the 2024 season.

          Reply
    • 1984wasntamanual

      1 year ago

      Ever heard of a dude named Michael Jordan?

      1
      Reply
      • CF

        1 year ago

        You beat me to it…

        Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        Ippei bet on Adonis Creed?

        1
        Reply
    • CF

      1 year ago

      Michael Jordan was a crazy gambler as is Charles Barkley. They say they like the excitement.

      Reply
  30. MPrck

    1 year ago

    They have to, the official story is so wild it stinks to high heaven. Sure white guys are the enemy now, but history just can’t be Pete, and Shoeless Joe. as the bad guys. Yakuza, the Mob, so many suspects. Why did M.L.B wait till the season started to break the news ? Why is Bauer still blacklisted ? Lots of questions need to be answered.

    9
    Reply
    • 1984wasntamanual

      1 year ago

      Because he made the league look incredibly stupid about spider tac

      1
      Reply
    • ayeah

      1 year ago

      “Why did M.L.B wait till the season started to break the news ?” Seriously? You had to ask that question? It’s called ratings. It’s called getting people to pay attention to your dying sport. It’s called getting people to look into the sport betting apps MLB promotes and advertises during every game. Which in turns makes more money for MLB at the perfect time… as a new season is beginning. It’s all about the ratings and the money.

      Reply
      • Free Ippei

        1 year ago

        Any news is good news? Not so sure about that one in regards to this. MLB certainly does not want this PR

        Reply
        • ayeah

          1 year ago

          Technically, MLB didn’t ask for this to happen. That was brought on by the investigation and the media bringing the story to light.

          If it was up to Manfred, none of this would have happened in the first place.

          But the media and MLB will take all the revenue and attention it will bring towards them now. There are 29 other teams that are benefitting from the Dodgers and Ohtani’s problem.

          1
          Reply
  31. deepseamonster32

    1 year ago

    Had to have been betting on Angels games with all the money he lost

    2
    Reply
  32. carrigansghost

    1 year ago

    For that price, I’ll take the hit and do prison country club time.

    Reply
    • Pads Fans

      1 year ago

      For 20 years?

      1
      Reply
  33. Reynaldo's

    1 year ago

    insert lazy_security_guard.gif

    1
    Reply
  34. beyou02215

    1 year ago

    This seems awful fishy. Ohtani is owed due process but that he was involved in illegal gambling, even tangentially, could (and should) be very problematic for his career. At worst, this could end up being a huge fall from grace and at least, this has to be a major distraction for the Dodgers.

    4
    Reply
    • Enrico Pallazzo

      1 year ago

      Even if he was betting on other sports the punishment will be a slap on the wrist. If he bet on baseball then of course things will be different. In 2015 the league fined Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart an undisclosed amount after determining he he placed illegal sports bets. Because he did not bet on baseball that was the extent of his penalty.

      Reply
    • 1984wasntamanual

      1 year ago

      Due process from MLB? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

      2
      Reply
  35. Non Roster Invitee

    1 year ago

    I hope He signed Ohtani’s name on those transfers.

    Reply
  36. Americanentropy

    1 year ago

    MLB is not going to kill their unicorn.

    5
    Reply
    • Bobby Meacham

      1 year ago

      Yeah not a chance. Sweep sweep sweep….there it’s gone!

      Reply
  37. AToweringFlyBall

    1 year ago

    It’s never the crime, it’s the cover up. Follow the money.

    7
    Reply
  38. wvsteve

    1 year ago

    I bet they put Pete in the HOF sooner than later.

    1
    Reply
    • Pads Fans

      1 year ago

      Soon after he dies? Probably. While he is alive? Not likely.

      Reply
  39. User 2161944466

    1 year ago

    Make an example out of him by suspending him two full innings

    3
    Reply
    • Bobby Meacham

      1 year ago

      Reply
  40. Viveleempireevil

    1 year ago

    Ding! And thus it begins. If I’m Michael Bowyer and I’m under investigation by the F.B.I. and I’ve got receipts showing somebody famous bet on pro sports including MLB, you can bet your sweet life I’m using to get the best deal I can. Is there still a chance that Ohtani is just an affable rube who happens to play MLB and got taken by the translator/violator? Sure.
    But that is rapidly turning from likelihood to possibility.
    And that is not good.

    3
    Reply
    • 1984wasntamanual

      1 year ago

      Why? It’d make way more sense to keep that quiet so you have millions of dollars when you get out of prison.

      Reply
    • Torpedo Bat

      1 year ago

      The FBI and DOJ rarely go after the bettors in the cases like Bowyer’s. They’ll want to know how his ops functions and go after other co-conspirators and competitors if they give him a chance to flip.

      In the early days of crypto/dark web, not a single purchaser of illicit goods were prosecuted. They were only interested in busting the market operators and transaction facilitators.

      Reply
      • Yankee Clipper

        1 year ago

        Typically, the way it works is bettors can be good Witnesses for a case, or good Suspects. The person’s classification in the report doesn’t matter to the FBI; but if you try to play games, especially as a high-profile client, the FBI will mess your day up bad.

        Reply
  41. Larry D.

    1 year ago

    They’ve already got their lamb. Nothing is going to happen to him.

    1
    Reply
  42. Enrico Pallazzo

    1 year ago

    Highly recommend reading this article

    espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39784809/dodgers-shohei-oh…

    3
    Reply
    • AToweringFlyBall

      1 year ago

      This timeline is stunning.

      3
      Reply
    • Easy as 1 2 3

      1 year ago

      Notice how he went from detailed answers to one word answer. He was advised by lawyers and legal teams to say little as possible and say yes or no not add any details. 100%!

      2
      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      1 year ago

      What a mess. I can’t believe any of it until we start seeing the wire transfers.

      But why wasn’t LA providing Ohtani with a new translator as soon as they found out that they had an issue?

      Reply
  43. HiredGun23

    1 year ago

    Slap fights and guessing people’s weight are highly addictive forms of gambling. They are the gateway to rock, paper, scissors…

    2
    Reply
  44. Bart

    1 year ago

    Ohtanis baseball experience is about to change dramatically. In Anaheim he was protected and he self-isolated. Opposition fans treated him with respect. Now he will be trolled by road fans, especially Giant and Padre fans, mercilessly. I imagine he will hear things that he has never heard before. He better have a really thick skin to survive this.

    4
    Reply
    • User 4095290658

      1 year ago

      He won’t understand the insults if his translator is in jail.

      5
      Reply
      • Pads Fans

        1 year ago

        Good hecklers learn their insults in the player’s language. 🙂

        1
        Reply
    • Viveleempireevil

      1 year ago

      and he will be trolled… in Japanese.

      1
      Reply
      • Pads Fans

        1 year ago

        Gyanburā …..Gyanburā … Gyanburā

        Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          Ohtani Meiyo ga nai

          Ohtani Meiyo ga nai

          Ohtani Meiyo ga nai

          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          Ōtani wa hanzai-sha

          Ōtani wa hanzai-sha

          Ōtani wa hanzai-sha

          The chants write themselves

          Reply
  45. thefallensoldier

    1 year ago

    Bet MLB will sweep whatever he did under the rug

    5
    Reply
    • ayeah

      1 year ago

      I agree they may try. But you can bet the government will then step in and investigate.

      This won’t go away too quickly. Unless MLB wants another black eye on their way of running the sport. Betting is one area they do not tread lightly. It’s one area of their rules that is strongly enforced.

      Though, I am sure the MLB brass is extremely upset on this matter and deeply disturbed that this came out in the media. Because now they are going to lose a marketing media frenzy face of MLB.

      6
      Reply
  46. Joirgro 2

    1 year ago

    Maybe he needed money to pay taxes. Oh wait, he doesn’t pay taxes.

    2
    Reply
    • Pads Fans

      1 year ago

      He pays taxes. Federal taxes, in every state he plays in, plus in Japan.

      Reply
  47. SupremeZeus

    1 year ago

    MLB’s investigation will be sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook.

    15
    Reply
  48. J0hnnyRing04013

    1 year ago

    Pete Rose has joined the chat

    2
    Reply
    • ayeah

      1 year ago

      I wonder if Pete is betting on whether Ohtani will be found guilty or not, and if he will be banned?

      2
      Reply
  49. Enrico Pallazzo

    1 year ago

    Players that have literally beaten and strangled their wives/girlfriends have been suspended and come back and the league and fans seem pretty cool with them. Ozuna comes to mind first but I’m sure there are others. Yet somehow gambling is some sort of unforgiveable crime? In a league very visibly sponsored by gambling companies? Not saying I think Ohtani actually broke any gambling rules based on the current information but even if he did then why the hell should anyone care unless he was betting against his own team and throwing games? If someone has an intelligent answer to this I’d love to hear it.

    Reply
    • 1984wasntamanual

      1 year ago

      If the players are betting on the game > players may affect the outcome of those games due to those bets > undermines credibility of the league > MLB = WWE.

      Reply
      • Not a clever name

        1 year ago

        I agree but if the player is betting on the game and can control the outcome of the game why would he be 4.5 million in debt? What did he do? Know the outcome and intentionally take the losing bet?

        Reply
        • ayeah

          1 year ago

          It’s easy to understand. Go back and read the stories on Pete Rose’s gambling while playing. He was found guilty on betting on his games played AND managed, yet was in debt with his bookies.

          And as I mentioned in another post… if Ohtani believes highly in his ability and his team, I am sure he would have been betting big bucks on those years with Angels on winning games, Division, AL Championship games and World Series. How many did his Angels team win those years he played with them? Those would be lost bets.

          Which raises another question. Could this be his reason for signing with the Dodgers? A better chance at winning those Division, NL Championship and World Series bets he was betting on his team would win? And to make up some of those losses?

          Reply
        • Enrico Pallazzo

          1 year ago

          Great points. Thanks for you reply and that all makes sense. If none of this betting was on baseball then this all goes away without more than a slap on the wrist. If they can prove he was betting on baseball then he might be toast

          Reply
    • desertbull

      1 year ago

      Is betting on sports legal in California?

      Yes or no?

      Is betting on sports allowed in the current CBA?

      Yes or no?

      1
      Reply
      • Smelly_Cobb

        1 year ago

        Betting on sports is illegal in CA

        I believe MLB players can bet on non-baseball sports, assuming sports betting is legal in the jurisdiction they place the wagers.

        Reply
    • Jack Dawkins

      1 year ago

      If a player sends money to an illegal bookmaking operation for any reason, he is in violation of an MLB regulation. Apparently, all players have to sign some anti gambling MLB document every spring acknowledging this provision among others in fine print that may or may not be in Japanese. If the Dodgers were relying on Ippei to translate all this from English for Shohei, maybe he didn’t for whatever reason.

      2
      Reply
  50. Johnny Bravo

    1 year ago

    After this, let’s in-state, Pete Rose back in baseball to the Hall of Fame

    1
    Reply
  51. Dennis Boyd

    1 year ago

    Tokyo Rose

    2
    Reply
    • 2020vision

      1 year ago

      I’m stealing Tokyo Rose…, Oil Can.

      1
      Reply
  52. User 2976510776

    1 year ago

    If they’re claiming theft or they got conned then they have to file a complaint w Newport PD or OC Sheriff and they will have to explain everything so Ohtani’s story will have to come out unless he drops charges. And if he’s wrong now he can be sued.

    2
    Reply
  53. Cleon Jones

    1 year ago

    It would a real kick if they find another 4Mill wired to Stormy Daniels.

    4
    Reply
  54. ayeah

    1 year ago

    “In terms of organizations outside the league, Quinn adds that neither the California Bureau of Investigation nor the FBI are investigating.”

    So, in other words, the 4.5 million dollars noted being betted was actually wired from MLB, the Dodgers and Ohtani to pay the California Bureau of Investigation and the FBI to look the other way and not find Ohtani was involved in any way?

    Reply
    • CardsFan57

      1 year ago

      I don’t believe for one second that Quinn has any idea of which agencies are investigating this. There’s no doubt crimes were committed beyond tax fraud. Some law enforcement agency is investigating this situation.

      1
      Reply
  55. Moneybags 2

    1 year ago

    The unarguable point is that money was wired directly from Ohtani’s account to an illegal entity – therefor punishment has to be given to Ohtani by either / or the MLB and the feds

    6
    Reply
  56. Albert Belle's corked bat

    1 year ago

    espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39784809/dodgers-shohei-oh… ….. A timeline of this story starting from last Sunday from ESPN who broke the news.

    Reply
  57. Birdieman2

    1 year ago

    If the LA DA was on the case, Ohtani would have nothing to worry about. That DA doesn’t prosecute anybody.

    6
    Reply
    • Smelly_Cobb

      1 year ago

      Gascon is a joke

      2
      Reply
  58. Cleon Jones

    1 year ago

    Look, they didnt place bets on games, just on particular plays, like balls/strikes/outs/hits etc….Really, whats the meaning of “is” anyhow….

    Reply
    • Not a clever name

      1 year ago

      If they did, the inside information didn’t help much, the dude was 4.5 million in debt to his bookie. Maybe he should bet against monies information he got.

      1
      Reply
  59. Niekro floater

    1 year ago

    Imagine if u were big star in Japan n didn’t know a word of English, you’d be pretty reliant on your interpeter. Has had em since ’17 w/Angel’s so there’s some type of bond, closeness. Who should be scrutinized is Ohtani’s money ppl unless they did find indiscreptencies in his accounting n were 1s to bring attention to matter. Can’t expect international superstar, 1 of most marketable athletes on earth w/all his endorsements to keep track of his everyday account balances. If anything reads like Ohtani’s guilty of bein too trustworthy. Gambling is hell of disease.

    2
    Reply
    • 2020vision

      1 year ago

      Imagine your interpreter becomes your best friend. In 7 years of being around a professional language interpreter and English speaking co-workers, you have zero command of the English language except the between innings station mentions saying, “theeeees Ezzz Sho-Hay Oh-tawneeee and yo leeeseneen doooo Ahn-gells ray-D-Ohhh.” I say he knows and speaks English but hasn’t let anyone know how much. There can be recordings and everyone will say Ohtani can’t speak English so it can’t be Shohei. The dude’s a criminal mastermind. Now, how does the new wife tie into all of this? Does she have Yakuza connections? This is how conspiracy theories work.

      Reply
  60. dasit

    1 year ago

    come on, mlb. if a guy is taking the fall and going to jail in order to protect your profits, the least you can do is spell his name right

    4
    Reply
    • Jack Dawkins

      1 year ago

      I went to school decades ago with a Japanese American kid named Otani with no H. Same with a kid named Ono no H. This H is a modern addition in Romaji for the Western world.

      Reply
      • ayeah

        1 year ago

        Say wat? Tat too witout the H’s.

        Reply
  61. Citizen1

    1 year ago

    Story even more fishier than a bass rodeo tournament by announcing it when the parties are over seas. Ippei Mizuhari probably doesn’t fly back to us. Can’t interview. Case inconclusive.

    1
    Reply
    • Free Ippei

      1 year ago

      Free
      Me

      Reply
    • ayeah

      1 year ago

      They don’t need to talk with the Ippei. They only need to see the wire transfer receipts and whose accounts they came from. That is the person who will need to answer the questions.

      Reply
  62. aragon

    1 year ago

    Anywhere he goes ‘Gambler’ by Kenny Rodgers blaring!

    4
    Reply
    • 2020vision

      1 year ago

      Public address announcer at every away stadium: “Now betting….Shohei Ohtani”

      Reply
  63. briar-patch thatcher

    1 year ago

    Get his ‘awe-shucks, i’m perfect’ nonsense out of MLB. never trusted him. The Dodgers curse lives on with full force—with full recompense. We have Wyatt Langford, we’ll be fine.

    7
    Reply
  64. Mikenmn

    1 year ago

    MLB ramps up the investigation while Oakland waits for Las Vegas to shovel bales of $100 bills their way. Tell me again how serious gambling is.

    3
    Reply
    • Easy as 1 2 3

      1 year ago

      To the government? Big.

      You best be sure government will make sure they piece of every $ you get.

      1
      Reply
  65. User 2976510776

    1 year ago

    Either Ohtani is the “big dumb jock” and his interpreter was the ultimate con man who could give 2 entirely different conversations between Ohtani and the person who he’s talking to. And not one person who speaks Japanese ever tipped Ohtani off. Or Ohtani’s team is full of it.

    7
    Reply
  66. AL B DAMNED

    1 year ago

    NO HUNT..BEWARE..OPEN/CLOSE..NO CREDIT..EARNEST T BASS..!!

    Reply
  67. Non Roster Invitee

    1 year ago

    99% of you were wrong in the basic law language about J.D. Davis. So this is just Jell-O

    1
    Reply
  68. cheapseater

    1 year ago

    I was an AI/CGI Ray Liotta to play him in the movie adaptation.

    Reply
    • User 4095290658

      1 year ago

      Field of Deferrals?

      4
      Reply
  69. DarkSide830

    1 year ago

    Yawn. Unless Shohei is throwing games I don’t care. And honestly, I’m not an LA fan, so I don’t care either way.

    Reply
    • BennyGiant

      1 year ago

      Well, you are a Philly fan and I dont think yall care about anything moral.

      3
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        1 year ago

        Wow! Sick burn. How will I ever recover from that gross overgeneralization!

        1
        Reply
  70. The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

    1 year ago

    Every bookie I knows extends $4.5 million in credit to guys making $85,000 a year. Oh wait, no they don’t.

    Pretty obvious that the interpreter is the straw man hiding Ohtani’s betting. ESPN reports that the debt ballooned from just under $1 million at the end of 2022, to over $4 million by early 2023.

    Sounds like somebody laid $3 million on Jalen Hurts and the Eagles to beat the Chiefs…lol

    6
    Reply
  71. grandsalametime

    1 year ago

    Waiting for Ohtani to call this a witchhunt.

    1
    Reply
    • Free Ippei

      1 year ago

      Free me

      Reply
  72. Not a clever name

    1 year ago

    Not a dodger fan and I would love to see them flush all that money down the drain or lose Ohtani all together, but to be fair. If his inside information landed him 4.5 million in debt than he is welcome to it as far as I am concerned. I am not at all upset that I didn’t have that same information.

    Reply
  73. its_happening

    1 year ago

    If baseball games aren’t bet on, fine. But if Ohtani is using his interpreter as a fall guy, get Ohtani some help.

    1
    Reply
  74. getrealgone2

    1 year ago

    Wait, didn’t just the other day MLB said they weren’t going to investigate Ohtani? What new info did they get?

    Reply
    • The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

      1 year ago

      The fact that there is tax evasion and wire fraud as part of this crazy story. I’m waiting to hear that Ohtani has gone missing from the team plane back to L.A. and resurfaces back in Japan (no extradition) because he wants to be closer to family and play there instead.

      Reply
      • getrealgone2

        1 year ago

        That would be the quite the finale.

        1
        Reply
      • Pads Fans

        1 year ago

        en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_extrad…

        Reply
        • The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

          1 year ago

          See that “DC” footnote next to Japan? Japan is a dual criminality (DC) nation. Which means if they do not have the same exact law there, they ignore any extradition requests.

          Japan does not extradite to the U.S. Unless its a major crime like murder.

          1
          Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        Bonilla

        More likely they announce that his wife is “homesick” and so they decided to return

        1
        Reply
  75. The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

    1 year ago

    “Shohei, did you place these bets and wire this money”?

    SO: “Beisbol has bean berry berry goot to me”. “No understand”

    4
    Reply
  76. MarkTwain60

    1 year ago

    Has the fired interpreter left the country? There are nations which do not have extradition treaties with the US. There are even countries that refuse extradition requests.
    An illegal bookmaker is making a claim regarding a prominent athlete in exchange for what? How much reliance can anyone place on the assertions a known criminal has possibly arisen from possible blackmail?
    If the interpreter does not cooperate with MLB, Ohtani refuses per his rights under the CBA and there are no federal justice agencies even looking into this situation, specifically what facts will MLB investigate?
    We haven’t even touched on how far the powerful owners of the LAD will go to protect their meal ticket.
    It seems laughable right now.

    1
    Reply
    • The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

      1 year ago

      The fired interpreter is an American. He lives in Orange County. He isn’t fleeing anywhere, though Shohei might. Japan doesn’t extradite.

      2
      Reply
      • Pads Fans

        1 year ago

        en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_extrad…

        Reply
        • The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

          1 year ago

          See that “DC” footnote next to Japan? Japan is a dual criminality (DC) nation. Which means if they do not have the same exact law there, they ignore any extradition requests.

          Japan does not extradite to the U.S. Unless its a major crime like murder.

          Now you know.

          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          1 year ago

          They extradited two Japanese citizens to the US on gambling charges in 2019.

          They would extradite Ohtani or Mizuhura

          1
          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 year ago

          They would extradite Ippei because he is American. Unless he has an “accident” first.

          1
          Reply
    • ayeah

      1 year ago

      “An illegal bookmaker is making a claim regarding a prominent athlete in exchange for what? How much reliance can anyone place on the assertions a known criminal has possibly arisen from possible blackmail?”

      Go back and read the Pete Rose gambling cases. He was also found guilty from receipts with a bookie who was reported as being an illegal and known liar bookie.

      2
      Reply
      • Pads Fans

        1 year ago

        One of Pete’s best friends was a bet runner for him too. Placing the bets in Pete’s name.

        Reply
  77. whyhayzee

    1 year ago

    It’s an illegal gambling operation. Can you bust the people running it? That is what needs to happen FIRST. Then you can rake OTHER people if you must but start with the illegal gambling operation.

    Reply
    • The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

      1 year ago

      uhhhhhhh, they did. That’s how the records were uncovered that Ohtani was wiring them money.

      5
      Reply
  78. Cash-Man-NY

    1 year ago

    Well this explains all that deferred money. He barely loses anything if he gets suspended at this point in time. In my opinion If it is proven that he Knowingly had any involvement At all with gambling and or organized crime mlb Better Not give him just a slap on the wrist because he is a cash cow

    Somebody dodged a bullet. Can you guess who?

    c7.alamy.com/comp/TY725F/los-angeles-angels-owner-…

    1
    Reply
    • The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

      1 year ago

      The crazy deferral structure now starts making a lot more sense in hindsight. Apparently the bookie was busted in October 2023 and that’s when it came to light that Ohtani was wiring him money. ESPN has apparently been on this for months.

      If I’m in his shoes and afraid I might be getting hit with a giant suspension without pay, pay me the minimum, but put $480 million into an escrow account that I get to access after my career is over. Kind of genius.

      And if MLB suspends me, the Nippon League would be thrilled to have me back and pay me a giant salary.

      7
      Reply
  79. Albert Belle's corked bat

    1 year ago

    Per ESPN: Braves infielder David Fletcher was at an illegal poker game ( at team hotel ) w/ Otahni’s interpreter.

    4
    Reply
  80. cubfanforever

    1 year ago

    “ Shohei, it’s Donald”

    Reply
  81. phenomenalajs

    1 year ago

    Are the prohibitions against betting on baseball limited to MLB games? He may have bet on NPB games.

    2
    Reply
  82. 2020vision

    1 year ago

    I’m surprised Pete Rose hasn’t given interviews about this yet.

    1
    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      1 year ago

      He’d be dumb to say anything right now without the full story which none of us have. He still wants his shot at entering the HOF.

      Reply
  83. Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

    1 year ago

    This does not bode well for Ohtani. I have no faith in MLB to thoroughly investigate this especially since it’s run by a puppet like Manfraud. By past precedent though Ohtani should be suspended without pay till the “investigation” is over.

    3
    Reply
    • Viveleempireevil

      1 year ago

      Thought he’s already without pay…at least until 2038.

      Reply
  84. Free Ippei

    1 year ago

    Manfred gonna retire earlier than announced I expect

    Reply
  85. User 4095290658

    1 year ago

    I wonder if the Dodgers FO would trade Ohtani and all his salary for Bauer on a league minimum contract at this point?

    1
    Reply
    • The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

      1 year ago

      Haha Dodgers have quite the track record. Urias, Bauer and Ohtani. Wonder what’s next? Yamamoto found out to be a hitman for the Yakuza?

      6
      Reply
      • ayeah

        1 year ago

        Yeah, the Dodgers are becoming the embarrassment of MLB bad luck Mets team of the west coast.

        Reply
  86. Easy as 1 2 3

    1 year ago

    U mad bro?

    No but seriously mlb investigating itself and found that it didn’t do anything wrong is a strong possibility.

    2
    Reply
    • Easy as 1 2 3

      1 year ago

      MLB investigating itself (a player that’s part of the mlb who they anre investigating) and found it did nothing wrong (whatever the player is accused of).

      Seems like you let someone on the internet upset you. You felt the need to call them out. Clearly they got to you made you mad. I haven’t seen anyone mention you. Maybe they forgot about you?

      1
      Reply
    • Easy as 1 2 3

      1 year ago

      Who do players play for? Which league? Pretty sure it’s called Major League Baseball or MLB for short.

      You’re probably thinking MLBPA which isn’t actually a league it’s a union designed to protect players rights. Again not a league.

      But yes. Players are employed by MLB

      1
      Reply
    • its_happening

      1 year ago

      Somehow political affiliation comes into the chat. Not a good 24 hours for you. Probably need a timeout UJ.

      Reply
  87. 30 Parks

    1 year ago

    One way or another, that interpreter screwed-up a pretty sweet gig.

    1
    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      1 year ago

      Amen to that! Coincidentally, I just ordered Rosetta Stone’s Japanese course! Wish me luck…

      1
      Reply
  88. saluelthpops

    1 year ago

    “To this point, there’s been nothing to suggest that Ohtani himself did any betting.”

    Nothing? So millions of dollars transferred from a personal account to an illegal gambling ring doesn’t qualify as “possibly involved?” This takes gullibility to whole new level.

    10
    Reply
  89. Old York

    1 year ago

    @Ubaldo Jimenez

    Well, someone did something illegal and to tell me that his translator making $300K per year has a $4M debt, seems pretty ridiculous. Was he translating for every player in the game?

    2
    Reply
    • The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

      1 year ago

      He actually was only making $85,000 until hired by the Dodgers. They bumped his pay to $300k. Which makes the $4.5M of credit even more unbelievable.

      4
      Reply
    • Old York

      1 year ago

      @Ubaldo Jimenez

      Are you talking about that woman?

      1
      Reply
    • Pads Fans

      1 year ago

      Women. 3 women.

      3
      Reply
    • Deleted Userr

      1 year ago

      And not a single one of them credible

      3
      Reply
    • Troutahni

      1 year ago

      Ubaldo, now that made me laugh.

      Reply
    • User 3180623956

      1 year ago

      harambe- I bet that you’re the same type of person that believes that 91 felony counts against someone is a witch hunt and not a sign that m, at the very least, they do some shady stuff…

      Reply
    • Deleted Userr

      1 year ago

      We’re talking about Bauer here. He, specifically, was framed.

      1
      Reply
    • User 3180623956

      1 year ago

      By three women? Yeah, ok…

      Reply
    • Deleted Userr

      1 year ago

      How many people accused Laci Green of r*pe back in 2016? You mean to tell me every single one of them was lying?

      Reply
  90. Old York

    1 year ago

    So much for his Hall of Fame asperations.

    2
    Reply
    • User 1855579867

      1 year ago

      But he still has Hall of Fame aspirations.

      Reply
      • ayeah

        1 year ago

        So did Pete Rose. What difference does it make?

        Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      Old York

      Probably has Hall of Fame perspirations right now

      2
      Reply
  91. mynameispepe

    1 year ago

    suspension deffered until 2078

    1
    Reply
  92. The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

    1 year ago

    I have a few Ohtani rookie cards in Gem Mint 10. Willing to make a deal. No reasonable offer refused.

    3
    Reply
    • Pads Fans

      1 year ago

      I have 4 dozen 2018 Topps Update Rookie #US1 PSA graded between 9 and 10. What are they selling for right now?

      Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      There is an authenticated baseball signed by interpreter Ippei Mizuhara listed on eBay right now. Not kidding.

      1
      Reply
      • ayeah

        1 year ago

        For how much? 4.5 million dollars?

        1
        Reply
  93. Mr. McNasty

    1 year ago

    sees no evil, covering his eyes
    hears no evil, covering his ears
    speaks no evil, covering his mouth

    1
    Reply
  94. AC Surf Baseball

    1 year ago

    Phillies/Braves NLCS. Have a feeling between this and Mookie at SS. Serious concerns after Yoshiyama debut. This is not looking good for the Dodgers. And the Giants added Snell and an all-world defensive 3B to help the back of that staff. Can’t believe it’s gotten to this.

    Reply
    • B-rocker

      1 year ago

      Oh calm down.

      Reply
  95. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    1 year ago

    So many speculators and experts.
    Wow. MLBTR is were the knowledgeable people.hang out.
    How could I have.missed.it?
    Woohoo! The uber rich and popular guy is getting screwed! Kinda makes you feel good, doesn’t it?
    Everybody jump on board!
    Maybe send Ohtani to Barrow with.the expansion team?

    Reply
  96. The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

    1 year ago

    Arte Moreno is either the luckiest man on earth or the smartest man on earth. Lucky it is.

    2
    Reply
    • StusFirstDollar

      1 year ago

      A broken clock is correct twice a day..

      1
      Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        At least an analog one, a digital one might not show any time at all

        Reply
    • The_M4N

      1 year ago

      Or smartest.

      Reply
  97. Free Ippei

    1 year ago

    Shohei aka the big guy

    1
    Reply
  98. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    1 year ago

    The mob

    .betting
    Against.the Dodgers.

    Reply
    • Troutahni

      1 year ago

      Arnold Rothstein is smiling in his grave.

      Reply
      • The Saber-toothed Superfife

        1 year ago

        “When I gambled, nothing else mattered.”

        Reply
  99. Fred Lingenfelser

    1 year ago

    Shohei “Jussie” Ohtani.

    Reply
  100. ATinz

    1 year ago

    When your life is so pathetic that you’re hoping for someone to get caught do something illegal because you don’t like a sports team. Get a life, people. Good Lord!

    2
    Reply
    • JoeBrady

      1 year ago

      Get a life, people.
      ======================
      Dude, this is part of life. The dude screwed up and is in the news. What are people supposed to do? Ignore it?

      3
      Reply
      • User 3180623956

        1 year ago

        Joe, you obviously didn’t read his whole comment. Try again.

        Reply
    • Free Ippei

      1 year ago

      It’s the cover up that is provocative

      Reply
  101. Yankeesforever

    1 year ago

    Ohtani may soon be sporting a new uniform with a few more numbers on the back.

    1
    Reply
  102. James Midway

    1 year ago

    It will be like OJ looking for the dude that really did it.

    1
    Reply
  103. Fred McGriff HR

    1 year ago

    Ohtani is guilty – Trevor Bauer accusers.

    Reply
  104. The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla

    1 year ago

    We’ll have more on this breaking scandal on MLB Network sponsored by DraftKings in a moment.

    Reply
  105. Fred McGriff HR

    1 year ago

    Facts: Betting is illegal in CA. Theft & thieving is legal and condoned & approved by certain people in CA. Scale or magnitude of theft is irrelevant.

    Reply
  106. @DaOldDerbyBastard

    1 year ago

    Easy as 1 2 3 was an easy mute. Fuggin goober.

    1
    Reply
    • Rally Goose

      1 year ago

      And you felt the need to announce this to the whole board… why?

      4
      Reply
  107. Deleted Userr

    1 year ago

    Sexual predator? That’s slander!

    Reply
  108. 3768902

    1 year ago

    MLB:

    “We are currently in the information gathering stage, but we can preliminarily share that there is no evidence that Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, and the 1919 Chicago White Sox didnt collude to force Shohei Ohtani to commit wire fraud.”

    1
    Reply
  109. Raysasineppswasplanted

    1 year ago

    From Ippei to Uppei….

    Reply
  110. cencal

    1 year ago

    Most of you guys are sad.

    You are the same people that said that Bauer fractured the girl’s skull, beat her half to death and on and on.

    Reading this, there are STILL idiots who are saying the guy is a sexual monster and on and on. Just because your sex like is boring as hell and you wives only do missionary with the lights off, doesn’t mean that other people don’t like some other things. Sorry to tell you but MOST women like rough.

    Now onto Otani, no facts out. No smoking gun. Nothing other than a guy that has 100 bills as plentiful as the sand on a beach that pays off his best friends debt, and these same people need some blood.

    I don’t even think Wander Franco got this much hate!

    If I pay off my brother’s drug dealer for hole he dug, guess what, I am not a druggie. Paying a drug dealer is illegal I would guess but would anyone really charge me? Hell no. Unless you are Trump, no DA is charging you for something like that. Same with Ohtani. Because it’s HIM, this will become a huge thing. MUCH more than guys who beat their wives, shoot guns to intimidate women, so steroids to cheat, or steal signs in real time to cheat people from MVPs and World Series titles.

    GTFOH with this nonsense

    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      It is not mutually exclusive that one of three Bauer accusers set him up as an easy mark and that, at her request, he hit and injured her while she was unconscious.

      2
      Reply
    • Free Ippei

      1 year ago

      You lost me after you stopped talking about what most women like

      4
      Reply
      • getrealgone2

        1 year ago

        Yeah what a tool. Dude couldn’t get laid in a morgue.

        Reply
    • BennyGiant

      1 year ago

      Sounds like you are just really bad at sex if that is what they request. Would also explain the angst…

      2
      Reply
  111. Jordan 5

    1 year ago

    I bet he didn’t do it.

    2
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      Did you change your user name to “Jordan” just for this post?

      Was “Jordan23” already taken?

      1
      Reply
    • The_M4N

      1 year ago

      @Jordan 5, I see what you did there. Well played. Cigar for you!

      Reply
  112. Troutahni

    1 year ago

    My Mother-in-law asked me today if I thought that Ippei and Shohei could possibly be lovers. I never really thought of that, but could this be a big reason this is all happening? They have been inseparable since 2017 and they met in 2013. He might have the Wife role in addition to handling their finances. She thinks it’s weird for Shohei to still have a translator following him around since he’s embarking on his seventh season in MLB.

    2
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      And maybe the payments to the bookie were because they were being blackmailed and in fact never gambled at all?

      Nice fiction.

      I am not even sure if I believe that you have a mother-in-law.

      3
      Reply
    • Giant Willy

      1 year ago

      You know, that’s not at all out of the range of possibilities

      Reply
  113. Troutahni

    1 year ago

    She thought it very strange for Ohtani to get married and for her to pop up out of nowhere. She said they probably did this to protect his image in case Ohtani and Ippei’s relationship is publicly revealed in the next couple of weeks and months. I never even thought of this. My M-I-L has more street smarts than any person I’ve ever met. She constantly surprises me with the way her mind works. She should of been an attorney or a detective. A very smart Lady!

    1
    Reply
    • Free Ippei

      1 year ago

      Is she single?

      1
      Reply
  114. A NYer

    1 year ago

    As neither Shohei Ohtani (as a union member) nor Ippei Mizuhara (as a former employee) have any obligation to cooperate, I do not see how an investigation will unearth anything, even if Ohtani did gamble.

    1
    Reply
    • Jack Dawkins

      1 year ago

      There are going to be two entities asking for cooperation. The IRS can be held at bay for awhile by invoking 5th Amendment rights. MLB can be mightily offended by non-cooperation and do whatever they want about it. So far, the MLB investigation is only about Ippei who can be banned but not much else. IRS cases involving bookies don’t prosecute the players. They want the players to inform on the bookie who could lead them to bigger fish like casinos that accept layoff bets from bookies.

      Reply
  115. Free Ippei

    1 year ago

    Ms Hill is that you?

    Reply
  116. Giant Willy

    1 year ago

    Looks like Ohtani’s days in MLB are very possibly numbered

    1
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      Mr. Cochran: If the glove does not fit, you must acquit.

      Prosecutor: But he’s just a DH this year.

      Mr. Cochran: Oh, sh$t..

      2
      Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      Mr. Cochran: If the glove does not fit, you must acquit.

      Prosecutor: He’s just a DH this year, he has no glove.

      Mr. Cochran: Oh, $hit!

      1
      Reply
  117. Raysasineppswasplanted

    1 year ago

    Whatever the course this ippeigate lead us to, this wont be a business as usual year in mlb especially in the ohtani’s camp.

    1
    Reply
  118. 1984wasntamanual

    1 year ago

    Ah yes, because “doing an investigation” means it can’t be swept under the rug…This site needs an age limit, so many stupid children in the comments.

    Reply
  119. Dock_Elvis

    1 year ago

    Reinstate Buck Weaver

    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      He was frozen and will return in the 25th Century

      1
      Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        1 year ago

        Biddi-biddi-biddi

        1
        Reply
  120. ayeah

    1 year ago

    I can see the headlines now if convicted and banned from baseball… Say it isn’t so Oh!

    Headline first reported by ayeah.

    1
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      But it is not Sadaharu Oh!

      2
      Reply
    • The_M4N

      1 year ago

      How about, “the Sho is ovah!”

      Reply
  121. The_M4N

    1 year ago

    Maybe Ohtany can defer any punishment until his playing days are over.

    2
    Reply
  122. ayeah

    1 year ago

    “I never bet on baseball,” Mizuhara told ESPN. “That’s 100%. I knew that rule. … We have a meeting about that in spring training.”

    This is a bunch of bull!

    For isn’t this a known rule…baseball players aren’t forbidden from betting on sports, “but doing so with an illegal or offshore bookie is against the rules.” mentioned in their spring training meetings?

    If MLB is so strict on their betting rules, I am sure doing so with an illegal or offshore bookie is against the rules is mentioned too in their spring training meetings and he DID break that rule. What then would make you believe he is telling the truth that he never bet on baseball then?

    Also, they have been living and working in California for going on 7 years under the known law, “Under current state laws, there is nowhere in California where it is legal to place bets on sports events.” None of this rule is mentioned in any of the spring training meetings?

    Again, if he knew the rule to NEVER bet on baseball and yet bet with an illegal bookie AND in a state where gambling is against both of those rules too. Then how can you truly believe he is being honest in that he never bet on baseball?

    BS!

    It’s another betting scandal bad day for MLB.

    2
    Reply
  123. ayeah

    1 year ago

    And to wrap it all up, he will be on Dr. Phil getting reamed out by Dr. Phil on how could he not know wiring money to his interpreter’s illegal bookie wasn’t going to get him in hot water with MLB and banned from baseball.

    Reply
  124. Jeremy320

    1 year ago

    Indefinite suspension during investigation in 3…2…1 followed by lifetime MLB ban and criminal prosecution in CA.

    1
    Reply
  125. Viveleempireevil

    1 year ago

    For all those on here drawing a legal and practical equivalency between Fan Duel and Bet 360 and MLB players actually betting on baseball, I would remind the readers of a quote by the late, great, Harry Truman. He used to say “the only thing new in this world, is the history you don;t know.” The reason that MLB has historically taken such a hard line on Rule 21 is that gambling on games eventually leads to fixing of games as in 1919. If the fans get the feeling that games are being thrown as they were regularly at the time of the Black Sox, that is the end of the sport, at least at the MLB level. Which is why Pete Rose is still banned from MLB. If Ohtani’s name winds up linked to even one bet on one game…he is done.

    Reply
  126. DFAed in Gaffa

    1 year ago

    Shoheiless Joe

    Reply
  127. Trump4TheWin

    1 year ago

    Say it ain’t sho…

    Reply
    • Giant Willy

      1 year ago

      I’m not into politics on sports threads, but I don’t think we need a MSM propaganda mouth for vice president. Just sayin

      1
      Reply
      • Free Ippei

        1 year ago

        San Fran is calling and they want their tranq and poop back

        Reply
        • Giant Willy

          1 year ago

          They must be in Chicago, New York or Texas right now eh?

          Reply
  128. Wheeler Dealer

    1 year ago

    Wouldn’t that be something if it came out boy wonder is a dirty bird

    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      He’s a St. Louis Cardinal?

      2
      Reply
  129. AL B DAMNED

    1 year ago

    For someone that wasn’t supposed to pitch this year, Ohtani can still throw us a curve, then a knuckleball..from 1st story to 2nd story! Interpreter talked, Ohtani’s legal team talked..Ohtani..crickets..Dodgers..No Comment..MLB DOI..Standard statement..Manfred..crickets..to be continued!

    1
    Reply
  130. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    1 year ago

    Just think how it could be done.
    Family member or friend or business partner bets on the game.
    Pays you or your family member or friend later.
    No geniuses involved.

    Manfred was/is bad for baseball.
    Manfred was/is bad for America.

    Reply
  131. Viveleempireevil

    1 year ago

    This is the 609th reply to this “non-story”.

    Reply
    • Free Ippei

      1 year ago

      Non story lol give us a better story to discuss please because this is provocative

      1
      Reply
    • ayeah

      1 year ago

      And if this is a “non-story” why are you reading and replying to it?

      1
      Reply
  132. holycow16

    1 year ago

    Go Cubs Go!!

    Reply
  133. ayeah

    1 year ago

    This just in. Ohtani gets banned from baseball then gets hired by DraftKings to be their spokesperson.

    1
    Reply
  134. Catuli Carl

    1 year ago

    This is extremely dumb. Sports betting is perfectly legal in many US states and should be legal everywhere. No government has a right to prohibit people from betting their own money. If they actually try to throw the book at him, the jury should nullify.

    Reply
  135. GSWfanklay

    1 year ago

    If he was a white guy from America he wouldn’t be allowed to play

    2
    Reply
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