Shohei Ohtani’s calm, deliberate delivery Monday of his version of events surrounding the payment of his longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara’s gambling debts leaves no doubt where he stands on the matter.
He does not and never has placed bets on any sport. He was oblivious to the alleged theft by Mizuhara of millions of dollars from his bank account. He is shocked and saddened. Lawyers can take it from here. Play ball!
And by the way, Ohtani unequivocally branded his former close friend, workout partner and right-hand man as a liar and a thief.