Shohei Ohtani

[Chopper 17230]

LOL sure. You'd rather believe he's a criminal mastermind who managed to hide all incriminating evidence tying himself to a sad and sorry gambling addiction downfall -- cellular, ip address, voice recordings at bank, and all evidence apparently that exists -- while also having his agent, his bookkeeper and accountant all expose themselves as failing to live up to their fiduciary responsibilities. And having his personal rep admit even to the bookie, the US Attorney and a court that he's guilty of theft.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24542204-usa-v-mizuhara-complaint

[Beau Vine 54204]

Some people just want to believe the craziest shit. 

I don't get it.

[n64ra 1080]

On 4/13/2024 at 1:01 PM, Chopper said:

Per the charges against Ippei Mizuhara and all the documented info it contains, there's nothing for him to sing about.

The government has recorded phone calls from the bank with audio of Mizuhara posing as Ohtani.

The government has a list of all bets Mizuhara placed and none were on baseball.

The government has years of texts (criminal charge says almost 10,000 pages of texts) between Mizuhara and Ohtani, and there's no discussion between them about this entire drama, nor that Ohtani knew anything about Ippei's betting or debts.

Ohtani told the government’s investigators that he thought all his support staff had access to all of his accounts. The problem was that his support staff (his agent, his financial manager, etc.) did not and do not speak Japanese and their only point of contact was Mizuhara. Incredible that they didn't have their own interpreters.

Ohtani cooperated with the federal investigation including voluntarily providing his cell phone for a full forensic investigation, and is considered a victim of fraud.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/japanese-language-translator-charged-complaint-illegally-transferring-more-16-million

 

This helps with the part I didn't follow, which was the accountant missing around $8M a year. Mizuhara must have provided fake translations to explain where the money went.

[Chopper 17230]

24 minutes ago, n64ra said:

This helps with the part I didn't follow, which was the accountant missing around $8M a year. Mizuhara must have provided fake translations to explain where the money went.

Basically yes. But the situation was so exploitable for him that he didn't even need to explain anything directly to an accountant.

Mizuhara was point-of-contact and translator for Ohtani in his dealings with his US agent, who doesn't speak Japanese nor do any of their employees. The agent also employs the accountant and other financial staff. Mizuhara was translating both sides of all meetings and conversations with the agent and their staff for Ohtani and even had at least one meeting with them without Ohtani present.

Ohtani earned a reported $65 Million in in endorsements alone in 2023 through the agent in question. So when Ohtani would occasionally inquire (through Mizuhara) about his overall financial picture maintained by the US agent, it didn't look so bad /s. Plus Mizuhara assisted him with those inquiries and those funds don't include whatever Ohtani had in Japan.

Mizuhara told the agent that the bank account from which he had made all the wire transfers was private and non-interest bearing, so the agency didn't need to see anything about it for tax or other purposes, and said Ohtani wanted it that way. The agent followed that directive and gave that same directive to the accountants whenever they'd inquire about it, which was apparently more than once. Mizuhara had also compromised it by inserting a fake email contact (one that was one character off from Ohtani's).

The Fed's investigated whether it could be that Mizuhara was acting on behalf of Ohtani, and/or that Mizuhara's initial claim that it was a loan was factual. But each wire transfer was electronically tied back to Mizuhara. There's no evidence Ohtani knew about what Mizuhara was doing, nor that he had any interest in gambling or knew about the bookies, and that includes that there was almost 2 years of wire transfers solely initiated by Mizuhara, who maintained an ongoing text dialog with the illegal bookie about the wire transfers and his struggles in setting them up, especially initially. Plus Mizuhara was recorded lying to the bank while impersonating Ohtani trying to get those wire transfers rolling. 

A search of Ohtani's phone showed no evidence that it had ever had accessed the bank account Mizuhara was stealing from. Also that he had never accessed the illegal gambling websites used by the bookie, none of his text messages discussed sports betting or even Mizuhara's gambling debts. Also he had never contacted the bookie nor discussed them with Mizuhara nor anyone else. All of that information was all over Mizuhara's phone plus his interest in gambling (accounts with draftkings and multiple other legal sites.)

Incidentally, it was an employee of a Vegas casino who first put Mizuhara in touch with the illegal bookie. We're left to wonder how long this might have gone on had the Feds not decided to investigate illegal gambling in the LA area, busted several, gained a cooperating witness, including one tied to the bookie Mizuhara was using.

[closetohumping 17433]

On 4/14/2024 at 12:02 PM, Chopper said:

LOL sure. You'd rather believe he's a criminal mastermind who managed to hide all incriminating evidence tying himself to a sad and sorry gambling addiction downfall -- cellular, ip address, voice recordings at bank, and all evidence apparently that exists -- while also having his agent, his bookkeeper and accountant all expose themselves as failing to live up to their fiduciary responsibilities. And having his personal rep admit even to the bookie, the US Attorney and a court that he's guilty of theft.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24542204-usa-v-mizuhara-complaint

That’s just pilots error being pilots error. No cr

[n64ra 1080]

22 hours ago, Chopper said:

Basically yes. But the situation was so exploitable for him that he didn't even need to explain anything directly to an accountant.

Mizuhara was point-of-contact and translator for Ohtani in his dealings with his US agent, who doesn't speak Japanese nor do any of their employees. The agent also employs the accountant and other financial staff. Mizuhara was translating both sides of all meetings and conversations with the agent and their staff for Ohtani and even had at least one meeting with them without Ohtani present.

Ohtani earned a reported $65 Million in in endorsements alone in 2023 through the agent in question. So when Ohtani would occasionally inquire (through Mizuhara) about his overall financial picture maintained by the US agent, it didn't look so bad /s. Plus Mizuhara assisted him with those inquiries and those funds don't include whatever Ohtani had in Japan.

Mizuhara told the agent that the bank account from which he had made all the wire transfers was private and non-interest bearing, so the agency didn't need to see anything about it for tax or other purposes, and said Ohtani wanted it that way. The agent followed that directive and gave that same directive to the accountants whenever they'd inquire about it, which was apparently more than once. Mizuhara had also compromised it by inserting a fake email contact (one that was one character off from Ohtani's).

The Fed's investigated whether it could be that Mizuhara was acting on behalf of Ohtani, and/or that Mizuhara's initial claim that it was a loan was factual. But each wire transfer was electronically tied back to Mizuhara. There's no evidence Ohtani knew about what Mizuhara was doing, nor that he had any interest in gambling or knew about the bookies, and that includes that there was almost 2 years of wire transfers solely initiated by Mizuhara, who maintained an ongoing text dialog with the illegal bookie about the wire transfers and his struggles in setting them up, especially initially. Plus Mizuhara was recorded lying to the bank while impersonating Ohtani trying to get those wire transfers rolling. 

A search of Ohtani's phone showed no evidence that it had ever had accessed the bank account Mizuhara was stealing from. Also that he had never accessed the illegal gambling websites used by the bookie, none of his text messages discussed sports betting or even Mizuhara's gambling debts. Also he had never contacted the bookie nor discussed them with Mizuhara nor anyone else. All of that information was all over Mizuhara's phone plus his interest in gambling (accounts with draftkings and multiple other legal sites.)

Incidentally, it was an employee of a Vegas casino who first put Mizuhara in touch with the illegal bookie. We're left to wonder how long this might have gone on had the Feds not decided to investigate illegal gambling in the LA area, busted several, gained a cooperating witness, including one tied to the bookie Mizuhara was using.

What is illegal gambling these days?

[freyguy 4260]

42 minutes ago, n64ra said:

What is illegal gambling these days?

 

[Beau Vine 54204]

46 minutes ago, n64ra said:

What is illegal gambling these days?

Are you a cop?

[YGIFS 19449]

What if, to cover his debts, Ohtani sold special edition cards like NIL style to fans.  Different types of them and fans could trade them, or sell them online to other fans or institutions.  And he could say they'll certainly appreciate in value as he gets back to the pitcher's mound.  Has any baseball player ever considered licensing themselves out like that, in/on card format that's fungible?  I may have stumbled upon the greatest marketing idea for baseball merch since the ballcap.

Edited April 16 by YGIFS

[Chopper 17230]

2 hours ago, n64ra said:

What is illegal gambling these days?

You'd think not much. Apparently it's where they avoid all regulation and compete with the legally operating companies.

 

[UTexasFight 9427]

1 hour ago, YGIFS said:

What if, to cover his debts, Ohtani sold special edition cards like NIL style to fans.  Different types of them and fans could trade them, or sell them online to other fans or institutions.  And he could say they'll certainly appreciate in value as he gets back to the pitcher's mound.  Has any baseball player ever considered licensing themselves out like that, in/on card format that's fungible?  I may have stumbled upon the greatest marketing idea for baseball merch since the ballcap.

Of what? Of him mowing the grass? Frying an egg? Brushing his teeth?

anything of him in uniform/associated with baseball will be met with the swift/long arm of MLB Licensing

[closetohumping 17433]

2 hours ago, YGIFS said:

What if, to cover his debts, Ohtani sold special edition cards like NIL style to fans.  Different types of them and fans could trade them, or sell them online to other fans or institutions.  And he could say they'll certainly appreciate in value as he gets back to the pitcher's mound.  Has any baseball player ever considered licensing themselves out like that, in/on card format that's fungible?  I may have stumbled upon the greatest marketing idea for baseball merch since the ballcap.

Who does Ohtani owe money to?

[YGIFS 19449]

Wait, so baseball trading cards already exist?  I was being facetious.  

I am looking forward to finally seeing him play in Houston later this Summer, figure there was a chance he'd be pitching as well.  But with the injury, we'll settle for DH.  

[Dutchrudder 11133]

4 hours ago, closetohumping said:

Who does Ohtani owe money to?

He doesn't, but he's out around 24? million if we are to believe the accusations against his interpreter.  That's a huge chunk of change to a guy only making 2m a year in salary. He really needs to pick up some new endorsement deals to fill in that cash, maybe ESPN Bet could use a new frontman?

[Beau Vine 54204]

10 hours ago, Dutchrudder said:

That's a huge chunk of change to a guy only making 2m a year in salary.

He made $65M in endorsement money last year...

[Dutchrudder 11133]

12 minutes ago, Beau Vine said:

He made $65M in endorsement money last year...

And he gets taxed a huge amount for that, about 37%. Plus he's building his own 20 million dollar home/compound in Hawaii, probably spending elsewhere moving to a new city, etc etc.  I know his potential earnings are ungodly, but missing 24m is probably a pretty big dent in his bank account at the moment. 

[n64ra 1080]

17 hours ago, Chopper said:

You'd think not much. Apparently it's where they avoid all regulation and compete with the legally operating companies.

 

This. Gambling is everywhere and all over sports. Feels like it'd be difficult to make illegal gambling now, so this is what it'd have to be.

[Francisco 2.0 32386]

Shot (check the date):

 

 

 

Chaser:

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40058806/ohtani-money-mizuhara-bookie-vegas-casino

 

Quote

The series of $500,000 payments Ippei Mizuhara sent from Shohei Ohtani's bank account to an illegal bookmaking operation was forwarded to California and Las Vegas casinos, where the money was deposited in gambling accounts, converted to playing chips and later cashed out to pay the bookie, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the operation told ESPN.

The description of what happened to Ohtani's money sheds new light on the ongoing federal probe that drew global attention after his interpreter, Mizuhara, was accused of stealing $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger to feed what he has called a gambling addiction.

 

Quote

Mathew Bowyer, the California bookmaker who took Mizuhara's bets, was a frequent customer at Las Vegas casino Resorts World. The sources told ESPN that Mizuhara paid his losses to Bowyer's associate, who forwarded the money to his own "marker" accounts at Resorts World and Pechanga Resort Casino in Southern California. The men then withdrew chips from the marker account, gambled with them, and if they won, cashed out.

Bowyer, 49, lost $7.9 million at Resorts World from June 2022 to October 2023, according to multiple sources. After Bowyer's home was raided by federal agents on Oct. 5, he was dubbed a known bookmaker and banned from entering casinos throughout the United States, according to sources with direct knowledge of the ban.

 

Quote

Neither Bowyer nor his associate has been named in any indictment unsealed to date.

Attorneys for both Bowyer and his associate declined to comment.

Multiple sources told ESPN that Resorts World is at the center of what federal authorities described in an affidavit as an investigation into "illegal sports bookmaking organizations operating in Southern California, and the laundering of the proceeds of these operations through casinos in Las Vegas." Twelve people have been charged or convicted to date, and two Vegas casinos have agreed to pay fines, according to the affidavit. Resorts World was served a federal subpoena last August that sought, among other things, documents related to its anti-money laundering policies.

 

 

Spoiler

A spokesperson for Resorts World told ESPN the casino does not comment on ongoing legal matters. "Resorts World Las Vegas takes any suggestion of violations seriously and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation," the spokesperson said.

Resorts World opened its doors to the public in 2021 under the leadership of Scott Sibella, who was MGM Grand's president from 2011 until he left for Resorts World in 2019. Sibella pleaded guilty to charges that, as president of MGM Grand, he failed to file suspicious activity reports about another Southern California bookie, Wayne Nix.

Nix, a former minor league baseball player, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to operating an illegal gambling business and filing a false tax return. His clients included NBA legend Scottie Pippen, former MLB All-Star Yasiel Puig and Maverick Carter, the longtime friend and business manager of NBA superstar LeBron James.

The Nevada Current reported that Resorts World received a federal grand jury subpoena in August seeking "documents relating to the Company's Anti-Money Laundering policies, Know Your Customer practices, policies and practices relating to extensions of credit, comps or other benefits, use of promotional chips, and other customer transactions."

In September, Resorts World fired Sibella for "violating company policies."

On Oct. 5, federal agents raided Bowyer's home, seizing computers, cell phones, jewelry, luxury handbags, a money counting machine, cash and chips from several casinos, according to search warrant documents obtained by ESPN.

Federal agents, according to the documents, were authorized to seize records that could show evidence of Bowyer committing federal crimes, including transmission of wagering information, operation of an illegal gambling business, structuring to evade reporting requirements, and laundering the proceeds of an illegal gambling business.

Multiple sources told ESPN that Bowyer, who has worked as a commodity broker and owns a Brazilian jiu-jitsu studio, got into the bookmaking business more than 20 years ago. It became his primary source of income soon after the 2008 financial crisis, when he befriended bookmaker Owen Hanson, the former USC football player convicted of running an international drug trafficking, gambling and money laundering operation. Hanson went to federal prison on a 21-year sentence in 2017 but had his sentence reduced and was released in March.

Unlike sportsbooks, where customers have to front money, bookies allow people to bet on credit. Mizuhara, who was one of more than 600 bettors with Bowyer's book, ran up a debt of $40.7 million, according to federal authorities.

In an interview about the Mizuhara investigation, which included several text exchanges between the interpreter and Bowyer, Tyler Hatcher, the special agent in charge at IRS Criminal Investigation in Los Angeles, told ESPN that Bowyer's behavior was "typical of bookies."

"They're salesmen, right?" he said. "Their job is to ... try to get them to continue to play. That's what I saw. Just another salesman continuing to say, 'Oh, it's OK.' You know, 'we'll get it next time.'"

Hatcher would not discuss the investigation into Bowyer.

Bookmakers like Bowyer typically rely on agents, or sub-bookies, to find clients. According to a bookmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity, the agents are paid returns of anywhere from 10% to 50% of a losing bet, depending on the value of the client.

"It depends on the arrangement. I've had it where I give 10% regardless if they win or lose because I want the customer and he's going to lose in the long run," the bookmaker said.

In a state where sports betting is not legal, Bowyer is among a small group of bookmakers who compete with each other for business but also work together, running credit checks on potential customers and flagging "sharps," or professional gamblers, according to sources with firsthand knowledge of bookmaking operations.

"We cross-reference clients. We call each other," the bookmaker said. "It's a very small network of guys. There are only 10 big names in the business. Everyone else is an agent."

Sources familiar with Bowyer's operation told ESPN that Bowyer has a long history with casinos, which he uses for both business and pleasure.

Bowyer is known in Vegas as a "whale," a high-stakes gambler unafraid to lose millions on the casino floor. He has a reputation of bringing anywhere between $250,000 to $1 million each visit, which was as often as two or three times a month, the sources said.

He often brought a small group of friends who, according to the sources, coordinated bets and consolidated their balances at the end of their trip.

Casino employees are required to file suspicious activity reports for red flag behavior or when they know or suspect that money for any transaction over $5,000 is derived from illegal activity.

Resorts World did not answer ESPN's questions about whether Bowyer's activities triggered any such reports.

Failure to file these reports is a federal crime, to which Sibella pleaded guilty as part of the Nix investigation. Sibella could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for May 8 in Los Angeles.

According to multiple sources with direct knowledge, Bowyer; his wife, Nicole; and their small circle of associates began making regular trips to Resorts World after it opened in 2021. Bowyer dropped more than $800,000 in his first visit, the sources said.

In return, Bowyer and his group received high-end "comps" through his casino host, who earned money in commission based on how much they gambled. The comps included free food and beverage, golf, tickets to shows and sporting events, shopping sprees, hotel suites and promo chips.

Resorts World, where Sibella was then president, authorized Nicole Bowyer to replace Bowyer's casino host, allowing the couple to recoup some of his losses through payments to his wife, the sources told ESPN.

Even before the current federal investigation into his bookmaking activities, Bowyer had been "86'd," or banned, from Vegas casinos like MGM Grand, the Palazzo and the Venetian, according to the sources. The Palazzo and the Venetian later reinstated him.

Records from his 2011 bankruptcy filing show Bowyer declared $425,000 in gambling losses at the Cosmopolitan and Aria casinos in Las Vegas between 2010 and 2011.

In 2015, Bowyer received a $1.2 million line of credit from the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, which sued him three years later in tribal court to get the money back, according to court filings. As of last year, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation that owns the casino was still trying to recoup its funds.

 

[Beau Vine 54204]

 

 

[Sbbruin 21828]

Leading MLB in avg and HRs.  May have been worth it after all.

[NeverMarryAStripper 21870]

And gambling losses

[closetohumping 17433]

[Gil Bang 25907]

5 hours ago, Sbbruin said:

Leading MLB in avg and HRs.  May have been worth it after all.

Have you seen all the deals with Japanese companies that the Dodgers have made?   

He's paying for himself. 

[Sbbruin 21828]

1 hour ago, Gil Bang said:

Have you seen all the deals with Japanese companies that the Dodgers have made?   

He's paying for himself. 

I went on Friday.  Paid $113 for 4 dogs, 2 soft drinks, 2 beers, and peanuts.  So yeah, they’re making it back.

[UpperWestside 6159]

7 hours ago, Sbbruin said:

Leading MLB in avg and HRs.  May have been worth it after all.

He’s an incredible athlete and I would say he’s a once in a lifetime baseball player. Can’t wait until he can pitch again next season.

[hookemATL 11701]

8 hours ago, Sbbruin said:

Leading MLB in avg and HRs.  May have been worth it after all.

[Derka 6136]

he could feasibly compete for the triple crown while also going 40/40. the fact that he’s running again only elevates his offensive ceiling that much more.

[Gil Bang 25907]

 

[YGIFS 19449]

Do you still call it "pilfer" at $17mm?  I feel that's an insult to that many commas.  

[closetohumping 17433]

9 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

 

Wow.  He’s willing to go to jail for 33 years to cover up for his buddy?

[Pam Cummings 9639]

Has anyone ever blown a sweeter gig in a more epic fashion?

[ConferenceRoom 6141]

16 hours ago, closetohumping said:

Wow.  He’s willing to go to jail for 33 years to cover up for his buddy?

 

[Chopper 17230]

Lionsgate Television has a new scripted series in development.

Quote

Tony Award winner and producer Scott Delman, who has credits on Broadway shows from "Mean Girls" to "The Book of Mormon" as well as serving as executive producer on "Station Eleven," and former Sports Illustrated reporter Albert Chen, author of the sports gambling book "Billion Dollar Fantasy," are behind the untitled project.

 

[Gil Bang 25907]

He just bought Adam Corolla's house for 7.8 million.

[YGIFS 19449]

How the fuck did Adam Corolla get enough money to buy that house in the first house?  I mean, he's funny and all.  But does "The Man Show" syndication package really pay that well?  

Also, 128 total bases through just 50 games with 13 stolen bases.  Fucking insane.  

[Gil Bang 25907]

Corolla has a podcast that actually makes money.  And, he's become a darling to a certain segment of the population, and grifts off of that. 

[Dutchrudder 11133]

Case Closed! 

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40277006/ippei-mizuhara-ex-interpreter-shohei-ohtani-pleads-guilty

Quote

Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, pleads guilty

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges during a change-of-plea hearing in federal court on Tuesday morning, two counts that carry a maximum prison sentence of 33 years.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. PT. After Mizuhara's guilty plea, Major League Baseball announced it was closing its investigation into the matter.

Mizuhara, 39, wore a black suit with a white undershirt while standing alongside his attorney, Michael Freedman, in the 10th floor of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and United States Courthouse. U.S. district judge John W. Holcomb presided over the hearing.

Mizuhara stood behind a lectern alongside Freedman and repeatedly replied "yes sir" and "no sir" while Holcomb asked him questions about his knowledge of the plea agreement and the rights he was forfeiting by admitting guilt. Near the end of the hearing, which lasted about 50 minutes, a prosecution attorney outlined the bank fraud charges against Mizuhara.

When asked by Holcomb to describe what he did, Mizuhara said: "I worked for Victim A [Ohtani] and I had access to his bank account and I had fallen into major gambling debt, and the only way that I could think of was to use his money. I had access to Bank A. So I went ahead and wired money for my gambling debt with his bank account."

Mizuhara walked out of the courthouse shortly thereafter and did not have any comment while mobbed by media members on the way to a car.

U.S. attorney Martin Estrada said Mizuhara is not a U.S. citizen and therefore faces "significant immigration consequences," including "a risk of deportation." Any consequences, however, wouldn't apply until after Mizuhara completes his sentencing.

Ohtani also released a statement after Mizuhara's guilty plea.

"Now that the investigation has been completed, this full admission of guilt has brought important closure to me and my family," Ohtani said. "I want to sincerely thank the authorities for finishing their thorough and effective investigation so quickly and uncovering all of the evidence.

"This has been a uniquely challenging time, so I am especially grateful for my support team - my family, agent, agency, lawyers, and advisors along with the entire Dodger organization, who showed endless support throughout this process.

"It's time to close this chapter, move on and continue to focus on playing and winning ballgames."

The Dodgers also released a statement expressing their intentions to move forward.

"With today's plea in the criminal proceedings against Ippei Mizuhara and the conclusion of both federal and MLB investigations, the Dodgers are pleased that Shohei and the team can put this entire matter behind them and move forward in pursuit of a World Series title," the statement read.

Federal authorities formally accused Mizuhara of bank fraud on April 11 after he wired nearly $17 million from Ohtani's account to pay off gambling debts with an offshore bookmaker named Mathew Bowyer, who is under federal investigation. Mizuhara placed somewhere in the neighborhood of 19,000 wagers from December 2021 to January 2024 without Ohtani's knowledge, according to the complaint, winning more than $142M and losing more than $182M.

Bets were not placed on baseball. U.S. attorney Martin Estrada said Ohtani, who has vehemently denied involvement in or knowledge of Mizuhara's bets, "is considered a victim in this case."

Mizuhara pleaded not guilty to bank and tax fraud during his arraignment in federal court in Los Angeles on May 14, a formality ahead of a plea deal he negotiated with federal prosecutors. Bank fraud charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison and the false tax return charge -- in which he allegedly owed an additional $1.15 million after filing a false return with multiple inaccuracies for tax year 2022 -- carries a sentence of up to three years.

Mizuhara told the judge on Tuesday he "did not report that money on my taxes."

The Dodgers initially fired Mizuhara on March 20 in the wake of media inquiries surrounding at least $4.5M in wire transfers sent from Ohtani's bank account to a Southern California bookmaking operation run by Bowyer that is under federal investigation. Mizuhara initially told ESPN that Ohtani oversaw the wire transfers but later walked back his account and said Ohtani had no knowledge of his gambling activities. Ohtani's lawyers then accused him of "massive theft."

In a long, prepared statement in front of the media on March 25, Ohtani said he is "very sad and shocked that someone who I've trusted has done this," later adding: "Ippei has been stealing money from us and told lies."

 

[Goodman 3273]

1 hour ago, Dutchrudder said:

Case Closed! 

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40277006/ippei-mizuhara-ex-interpreter-shohei-ohtani-pleads-guilty

 

[Firemans4Horn 18034]

Best baseball player of all time, IMO

[Macanudo 12974]

39 minutes ago, Firemans4Horn said:

Best baseball player of all time, IMO

Um, no?

 

 

[closetohumping 17433]

On 5/24/2024 at 9:04 AM, Gil Bang said:

Corolla has a podcast that actually makes money.  And, he's become a darling to a certain segment of the population, and grifts off of that. 

Meanwhile Dr Drew is hawking supplements

[Derka 6136]

i’ve yet to hear the argument against shohei being the best ever baseball player, which he clearly is. he’s a perennial cy young candidate who just had the first ever 50/50 season in the history of baseball. unless tarik skubal starts going 50/50 from the plate or kyle tucker suddenly leads the league in k/9 with a 1.01 whip as a starting pitcher i can’t figure out how there’s any debate about this at all.

Edited September 20 by Derka

[Firemans4Horn 18034]

51 out of 55 steals this year. Lulz

[Foosters 17820]

1 hour ago, Macanudo said:

Um, no?

 

 

who ya got?

[TonyTexas 10505]

2 hours ago, Derka said:

i’ve yet to hear the argument against shohei being the best ever baseball player

Are you confused/disappointed that no one is arguing with you?

[Sbbruin 21828]

Going to see the Great and Powerful Oh tonight.

[David Dennison 18841]

3 hours ago, Derka said:

i’ve yet to hear the argument against shohei being the best ever baseball player, which he clearly is. he’s a perennial cy young candidate who just had the first ever 50/50 season in the history of baseball. unless tarik skubal starts going 50/50 from the plate or kyle tucker suddenly leads the league in k/9 with a 1.01 whip as a starting pitcher i can’t figure out how there’s any debate about this at all.

There's always going to be debate because it's an opinion. 

You may be right, you may be wrong. There's no way of knowing.

If you go by numbers, however, he's not the best offensive player in baseball this year.

[Gil Bang 25907]

49 minutes ago, David Dennison said:

There's always going to be debate because it's an opinion. 

You may be right, you may be wrong. There's no way of knowing.

If you go by numbers, however, he's not the best offensive player in baseball this year.

elaborate

[David Dennison 18841]

2 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

elaborate

He does not have the best offensive numbers in baseball.

[Gil Bang 25907]

who does?