This picture taken on March 20, 2024 shows Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (R) and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (L) in the dugout during the 2024 MLB Seoul Series baseball game between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. The Los Angeles Dodgers said on March 21 they had fired Shohei Ohtani's interpreter after the Japanese baseball star's representatives claimed he had been the victim of "a massive theft" reported to involve millions of dollars. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Dodgers supported Shohei Ohtani amidst speculation about his connection to his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara’s gambling scandal. A member of the team explained why they backed Ohtani without hesitation.
During an episode of “The Chris Rose Rotation” podcast, Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow revealed that players assured Ohtani of their support. They found it easy to trust him due to his willingness to address the situation openly and promptly.
Glasnow stated, “In the clubhouse, it was clear right away that he was innocent. His immediate reaction was, ‘Take my phone! Let’s sort this out!’ We all knew early on that something fishy was going on with Ippei.”
Ohtani’s ability to stay focused amidst distractions has been praised, and this incident underscores that resilience. His transparency convinced his Dodger teammates that he was not involved in any wrongdoing.
Ohtani consistently maintained his innocence, asserting that he was a victim of deception. Eventually, legal documents supported his claims, allowing him to move forward with the season, just as his teammates had anticipated.
