# Shotenfreude about Ohtani **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [March 27, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460 "2024-03-27T15:19:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/1 "2024-03-27T15:19:23Z")
So, baseball’s biggest star and the prize free agent of the Dodgers just got busted wiring $4.5 million to an illegal bookie, presumably to cover his losses. Initially, the explanation was that he gave the money to his interpreter to cover his (the interpreter’s) gambling debts. Then someone pointed out that that story still involved Ohtani breaking laws and MLB rules, so suddenly Ohtani’s story changed. Actually, he had no knowledge at all that his interpreter and close personal friend had a gambling problem, and the interpreter stole the money from him and wired it from his personal account without his knowledge or permission. Naturally, Ohtani promptly reported this to the relevant legal authorities…[oh, no, turns out he never actually reported it to anyone.](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/mar/27/shohei-ohtani-ippei-mizuhara-theft-allegations-wire-police-report-baseball) Anybody here find Ohtani remotely credible? I look forward gleefully to a summer of exploding scandal, ideally culminating in a lifetime ban. Why, yes, as a matter of fact I am a Giants fan, how did you guess? 😁 ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/2 "2024-03-27T15:43:22Z")
I am also a Giants fan and wish that no good befalls the Dodgers, who every year amass the best team money can buy. Having said that, how does one say “stop talking and lawyer up” in Japanese? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/3 "2024-03-27T15:47:22Z")
By any chance, did you mean _[schadenfreude](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schadenfreude)_? ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/4 "2024-03-27T15:51:12Z")
Yeah, but his first name is Shohei. I guess the pun would have been funnier if I had mentioned his first name in the post. 🙁 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/5 "2024-03-27T15:53:37Z")
Ah, sorry, I missed the pun. My mistake. I’ll change my link so it is less obtrusive. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/6 "2024-03-27T15:54:54Z")
Not familiar with Japanese sports culture but I’m wondering if Ohtani thought this sort of thing was okay in Japan so he figured it was no big deal in America. Regardless, though, $4.5 million is a lot. How much do you have to value a friendship with your interpreter that you pay THAT much for him out of pocket? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/7 "2024-03-27T15:56:41Z")
Is he going to get a Pete Rose type ban for life? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/8 "2024-03-27T15:57:02Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > My mistake. If only I had a word to describe the enjoyment I’m feeling here. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/9 "2024-03-27T16:00:55Z")
Nothing has been proven yet and was he betting on baseball? Because the lifetime ban would require that he was betting on baseball as far as I know. But if he was doing something illegal, it could be grounds for a lesser punishment and could break his contract. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/10 "2024-03-27T16:01:41Z")
A related question: why would bookies allow an interpreter to run up a $4.5 million debt? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/11 "2024-03-27T16:02:19Z")
Yeah, this is going to get ugly. Twitter sleuths are already speculating that he was throwing games. (Of course, they offer absolutely no corroboration for how they know these supposed bets were placed). > **[Twitter Thread Appears To Show Evidence Of Shohei Ohtani Throwing Games As...](https://brobible.com/sports/article/twitter-x-thread-shohei-ohtani-throwing-games/)** > > Despite not being under investigation by Major League Baseball, Shohei Ohtani has not been able to dodge the scrutiny of fans over an ongoing gambling ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/12 "2024-03-27T16:14:31Z")
Interestingly, Pete Rose had [this to say](https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pete_rose_has_savage_reaction_to_shohei_ohtani_saga/s1_127_40159095) about the situation: > Well back in the ’70s and ’80s, I wish I’d have had an interpreter. I’d be scot-free. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/13 "2024-03-27T16:18:16Z")
Presumably because he name-dropped the billion dollar man. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/14 "2024-03-27T16:18:20Z")
I have a harder time believing this one. 1) Ohtani wasn’t lacking for money, he knew he’d be in for a massive payday with his second contract someday and 2) Ohtani certainly seemed like someone who wanted to win. If the Angels were losing, it’s because they sucked as a team. I mean, Ohtani was performing great feats of pitching and batting. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/15 "2024-03-27T16:42:20Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I have a harder time believing this one. As do I. But the speculation is going to be relentless. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/16 "2024-03-27T16:51:05Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Initially, the explanation was that he gave the money to his interpreter to cover his (the interpreter’s) gambling debts. Then someone pointed out that that story still involved Ohtani breaking laws and MLB rules, so suddenly Ohtani’s story changed. This is the interpreter’s changing story you are relating. The AP reports that everyone involved has consistently claimed Ohtani does not bet on sports. Monday, Ohtani said he has never knowingly paid a bookie but that was after the interpreter’s change of story to ESPN. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/17 "2024-03-27T17:08:33Z")
[Here’s](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39784809/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-mizuhara-theft-line) a timeline on [espn.com](http://espn.com). Ohtani’s spokesman initially admitted Ohtani had given Mizuhara money to pay debts, and quoted Ohtani as saying “Yes, I sent several large payments”. In this version, though, Ohtani didn’t know the money was going to gambling debts, and didn’t ask. Hey, when a friend asks you for $4.5 million, you don’t ask questions, right? The current story is that that now-ex “spokesman” was communicating with Ohtani exclusively through Mizuhara’s interpretation, and Mizuhara was feeding him lies. I guess it never occurred to Ohtani that maybe it might be appropriate to use a different interpreter for that job? But yes, all versions of the story agree that Ohtani himself didn’t place any bets. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/18 "2024-03-27T17:13:45Z")
This interpreter has also apparently lied about where he went to college and having worked for the Red Sox and Yankees. I won’t be surprised if we next see him in New York running for Congress. > **[Questions raised about résumé of Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter](https://www.dailynews.com/2024/03/25/questions-raised-about-resume-of-shohei-ohtanis-ex-interpreter/)** > > Ippei Mizuhara didn’t attend UC Riverside or work for the Yankees or Red Sox, officials say. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/19 "2024-03-27T17:15:16Z")
I think that joke was made in the Spring Training thread in fact. Nope, the hotstove thread. > [@MLB Hotstove, or the 2024 Ohtani sweepstakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/269): > > Next revelation: Mizuhara wasn’t even Mizuhara all along! Rips off mask to reveal Santos underneath How awkward would it be if Ohtani ended up being suspended for the 2025 season for his role in wiring money to an illegal bookie, and the Japanese fans don’t get to see their hometown hero? As Ohtani is practically the face of baseball right now, I predict Rob Manfred and Ohtani’s lawyers will negotiate his punishment down to a moderate fine, with no suspension, “totally cool what happened, no… ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460/20 "2024-03-27T17:30:23Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I guess it never occurred to Ohtani that maybe it might be appropriate to use a different interpreter for that job? By most accounts it seems he was a trusted friend who had been with him inseparably since 2018. Getting ripped off by an addict friend (and I gotta assume Mizuhara is a gambling addict to wrack up that scale of debt) who you foolishly trusted is a pretty bog standard experience - the only difference here is one of scale. Mizuhara may even be a pretty nice guy in general (or not, could be he is just a cynical grifter). But if there is one universal truism it is that you can never fully trust even the most sincere, genuinely nice addict because far too often the addiction can and will override every bit of decency. Addict’s may not consciously lie, but their addiction can make liars out of them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotenfreude-about-ohtani/999460.md?page=2)