Bets, Lies and Videotape

Ohtani and his former translator consume our attention as Opening Day draws near

I’m going to break a promise to myself. I need to write about Ohtani. The problem is that theories and opinions far outnumber facts at this point. WTP was not created to be another voice in the saturated landscape of hot takes. But, damnit, Shohei! What have you done? Say it ain’t Sho.

Since I began to draft this piece last Thursday, I’ve had to make several edits as new information continues to come to light. Again, this isn’t the kind of writing that inspires me to rush to my keyboard; at the same time, it’s Ohtani.

In case you haven’t heard: Ohtani’s translator and longtime friend, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday after news broke concerning a federal investigation of an illegal bookmaker in Orange County, California, who reportedly has received $4.5 million in wire transfers from the two-time MVP’s bank account.

Mizuhara initially asserted in an interview with ESPN that he had incurred gambling debts and his friend Ohtani paid them off for him. Before that story could gain traction, Ohtani’s camp (who exactly, I’m not certain) disavowed the translator’s story and categorized the wire transfers as “massive theft.”

That’s enough recap. If you’d like more background, I recommend reading this article from the Los Angeles Times. Four investigative reporters from the newspaper broke part of the story; the accounts seem to have been perverted as more outlets and analysts have involved themselves. Tisha Thompson and others at ESPN uncovered more of the story. On Friday, Thompson laid out a critical timeline that put the events in clearer focus. She’s done an outstanding job tracking the story.

For every well-researched and properly sourced story about this matter, it’s as though there are 10,000 opinion pieces. Here’s to proper journalism!

Thompson’s timeline informs us that last Sunday, a few days before any of this became public, MLB became aware that something potentially scandalous was happening concerning Ohtani. One of the most interesting parts of Thompson’s findings is that Mizuhara met bookie Mathew Bowyer at a poker game in San Diego that also included former Angels infielder (and current Braves player) David Fletcher. More on that later.

I have more questions than answers, but we can rest assured that, in the coming days, weeks, and months, most details will come to light. For now, I’m left wondering who was driving the white Bronco and who was sitting in the back seat?

I don’t think any of us had ever looked at Ohtani as a potential degenerate gambler. Perhaps he’s not a degenerate, just not very good at picking winners. Or maybe it’s Mizuhara, as he asserted in his quickly disavowed conversation with ESPN, who’s bad at betting. Or maybe it’s something no one has discussed yet. Regardless, $4.5 million doesn’t just end up lost in translation.

I’m reminded of my earliest days working for the Padres. Suddenly, people I knew from afar solely as one-dimensional ballplayers had fleshed out personalities. I quickly learned that excellence on the field doesn’t automatically equate to excellence in other facets of life.

How could Ohtani end up in debt to a bookie, we wonder. He posted pictures with his adorable puppy. Yet another reminder that multiple truths can coexist: A man can both love his dog and lose millions — or have a close friend lose millions — betting on sports. Lord knows what their browser histories might reveal.

The initial interview “arranged” between Mizuhara and ESPN gave rise to the explanation was quickly repudiated by Ohtani’s people. That interview took place on Tuesday, according to ESPN, a day before the news broke. (Again, other than agent Nez Balelo, who hasn’t spoken publicly on this matter at all yet, I don’t know who Ohtani’s team fully consists of. His lawyers at Berk Brettler LLP issued a statement as part of the disavowal. But, still, when the media refers to Ohtani’s “camp,” I’m left wondering who exactly and how many of them we’re talking about.)

I’ve been told by more than one person in the industry that Ohtani has a large entourage. What immediately jumped out to me is that it would take quite a bit of solidarity to maintain a consistent narrative across multiple pockets of the player’s flock. We’ve already heard two different explanations. I’m comfortable believing that we’re still waiting on the truth. Did Ohtani wire the money to help his buddy? Did his buddy steal from the two-way star? Not exactly subtle differences. Someone call Mulder and Scully.

I’m curious about the stupidity and sloppiness behind issuing two contradictory stories on the same day! How much of that is arrogance, how much is confusion, how much is that the multiple moving parts of Ohtani’s camp — folks with differing agendas and motivations?

Also, was the LA Times tracking this story before it surfaced? Who was pushing the buttons that led to this story developing while the Dodgers were in Korea? Dropping this bombshell while the team was on the other side of the Pacific seems too shrewd to be unintentional. Who exactly leaked or advanced this story knowing that part of the Dodgers’ business operations team was 16 hours ahead of the offices at Chavez Ravine?

Don’t forget, this week was not the first time in recent history that the Dodgers’ crisis management efforts have proven flimsy. Just last year, Pride Night at Dodger Stadium sparked controversy. The team invited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a nonprofit organization that raises money for the LGBTQ community, to participate. When specific players, including Clayton Kershaw, took exception to the group’s behavior —they like to dress as Catholic nuns — the Dodgers uninvited them. Guess what? That caused further backlash, so the Dodgers reinvited the Sisters and attempted to appease other parties by re-establishing Christian Faith and Family Day.

Controversy around community engagement initiatives and pre-game entertainment is different than a gambling matter involving a uniformed player. But, in both circumstances, the Dodgers communications efforts were reactionary and hastily assembled. Balk!

The Dodgers, however, aren’t the only organization that might need to provide answers. Former Angels player David Fletcher admitted to playing in a poker game with Bowyer, the Orange County bookmaker at the center of this story. ESPN reports that Bowyer was able to enter the poker game at the Angels’ team hotel in San Diego through an acquaintance of Fletcher.

Nearly five years ago, on July 1, 2019, Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died from a drug overdose. Eric Kay, the former communications director of the Angels, is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence, having been found guilty of drug distribution that led to Skaggs’ death. The dynamics around the story are complicated and sensitive. As details were released following the tragedy, I remember wondering how the Angels could have allowed an employee who had twice that year been in drug rehab programs to maintain close and private contact with players and other credentialed clubhouse personnel. The organization had failed, I believed.

I thought back to 2019 when I realized that wire transfers from Ohtani to the bookmaker were initiated while the current Dodger was still with the Angels. Based on what we know as of yesterday, most or all of the events under investigation occurred during Ohtani’s tenure in Anaheim.

Ohtani indicated yesterday that he will speak to the media today. What questions will be answered? What new questions will arise? What will we believe?

Mizuhara, meanwhile, is losing credibility. Reporters recently discovered possible (petty and unnecessary) lies in his media guide biography. Will Ohtani address his former associate’s track record?

And, as we move past tomorrow, which organization — the Dodgers or the Angels — will have to engage in greater damage control?

I don’t want to get in over my head with potential legal ramifications, so I’ll stick to baseball: Rule 21, which I read to a clubhouse full of Major League players a couple times during my career, states that betting with illegal bookmakers is subject to a penalty “as the Commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct.” Seems delightfully ambiguous.

The LA Times journalists learned that prosecutors had a lead on bookie Mathew Bowyer. Their sources tied Bowyer to Mizuhara. While Ohtani’s punishment within baseball will be levied by the Commissioner, who’s to say what might happen from a legal standpoint?

Will a prosecutor want to make an example of Ohtani? Will various parties around Ohtani cooperate or pursue their own best interests? Does the federal government find a different way to collect some of the taxes that Ohtani will avoid paying by living outside of the country when his deferred salary payments totaling $680 million begin?

Fellow countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up five runs in one inning of work against the Padres on Thursday. Awfully sporting of Ohtani to divert the media’s attention.

I’ve been fascinated by this story since it broke, yet I’m hopeful that when the season begins (or resumes) on Thursday, we’ll have better things to flak about. I’ve considered turning a wall of my garage into a crime board, complete with photos, push pins, and string to connect collaborators and co-conspirators.

The truth is out there.