In the big league of Major League Baseball, controversies can sometimes rival the spectacle on the field. The latest off-field drama involves Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter and close associate of two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara is now the subject of a federal investigation, facing allegations that would fit right into a crime novel. The twist? It involves an eye-popping misuse of funds totaling over $16 million, not on extravagant luxuries but on something quite unexpectedly mundane: baseball cards.
According to a detailed 37-page complaint by federal prosecutors, Mizuhara’s role transcended linguistic duties, venturing into financial mismanagement that reads like a cautionary tale of betrayal. Charged with bank fraud, investigators claim he siphoned Ohtani’s millions to settle massive gambling debts and to acquire about 1,000 baseball cards—a collector’s binge that would make any aficionado envious, were it not for the dubious source of the funds.
These collectibles weren’t just any baseball cards. Mizuhara shelled out an average of $325 per card on online marketplaces such as eBay and Whatnot under the alias “Jay Min.” Allegedly, packages brimming with cards—featuring stars like Juan Soto, Yogi Berra, and even Ohtani himself—were conveniently delivered to none other than the Dodgers’ clubhouse, where Mizuhara had them stashed away by an unwitting employee.
The depths of Mizuhara’s alleged deceit didn’t stop at collectibles. His passion—or perhaps compulsion—for gambling is laid bare in the investigation. With around 19,000 bets placed resulting in a staggering net loss of $40.7 million, his betting habits reveal a desperate gamble far removed from the diamond. Importantly, these wagers steered clear of Major League Baseball games, a small relief in an otherwise damning profile of addiction.
The unraveling of this sordid affair began innocently enough in 2018 when Mizuhara assisted a then-new-to-the-U.S. Ohtani in navigating the complexities of financial setups in a foreign land. Ohtani, trusting and unfamiliar with the language, never intended for Mizuhara to have control over his financial affairs. Yet, prosecutors assert that Mizuhara leveraged this trust, positioning himself to divert Ohtani’s wealth quietly to his coffers, posing as Ohtani to authorize wire transfers to his gambling associates.
As the authorities meticulously inventory the mountain of purchased cards and delve deeper into the electronic footprints of his transactions, the scope of Mizuhara’s alleged fraud becomes clearer. IRS Special Investigator Chris Seymour highlighted the protective care with which the cards were kept—an indication of their intended use for collection and perhaps, eventual sale.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada’s condemnation of Mizuhara’s actions underscores the gravity of the breach of trust, especially given the close professional relationship Mizuhara had with Ohtani, who has cooperated fully with law enforcement and denied any knowledge or authorization of Mizuhara’s financial escapades.
Mizuhara is expected to appear in court in downtown Los Angeles soon, facing the formidable task of defending against the substantial allegations of fraud. As this case progresses, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities associated with immense wealth and the potentially predatory practices that can lurk in the shadows of trust and authority. Meanwhile, the baseball world watches closely, reminded that the game’s dramas aren’t confined to the field and sometimes spill into the realms of law and order.