As Astros fan Saul Malek read the criminal complaint alleging interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole more than $16 million from Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani to pay his gambling debts, Malek was less stunned by the enormity of Mizuhara’s sports betting habit than by how familiar his behavior felt.
Malek, 26, is a recovering gambling addict. The rush he first chased with fantasy sports became problematic in college when he was connected with a bookie. Malek put $10 on the Royals to beat the Blue Jays. The Royals won, 15-5. Easy money. Malek won a $20 bet that weekend, underdog Bears over Steelers in overtime. Soon Malek started betting bigger — $50, then $100 — and losing. The wary voice in his head was drowned out by a more confident one claiming a big win was around the corner.
With Ippei Mizuhara facing federal criminal charges, Major League Baseball is expected to find that Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani did nothing wrong.According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, via Sports Business Journal, MLB “is expected to quickly interview, and clear Shohei Ohtani of any wrongdoing once the federal government’s investigation is complete.”
The federal investigation seems to be close to ending, given the lengthy and detailed affidavit filed against Mizuhara last week. The document paints Ohtani as a victim, exonerating him of any knowledge of or involvement with gambling.
At times, baseball’s biggest star seemed in danger of being tainted by a gambling scandal, before his longtime interpreter was charged with fraud.By Tim Arango and Michael S. SchmidtIn the clubhouse after the Los Angeles Dodgers won their season opener in Seoul last month, Shohei Ohtani’s longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, made a stunning admission to the team: He was a gambling addict, and Ohtani had paid his debts to a bookmaker.
Ohtani, who is not fluent in English, listened but failed to fully grasp what Mizuhara said. He knew enough to grow suspicious, however, and he wanted answers.
A couple of hours later, around midnight, Ohtani finally had the chance to pull Mizuhara into a conference room in the basement of the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in Seoul.
The federal investigation and MLB’s response juxtaposed with a recovering gambling addict’s story serve as a reminder of the damaging impact of gambling addiction and the far-reaching consequences it can have on individuals and professional sports. As the case unfolds, MLB’s quick action to clear Shohei Ohtani of any wrongdoing demonstrates the importance of thoroughly investigating and addressing such allegations to protect the integrity of the sport and its players. Ohtani’s focus on returning to the game is a testament to his resilience in the face of adversity.
