Shohei Ohtani, known as the 'perfect person' in Japan for his manners and behavior, faced a setback as his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers over allegations of illegal gambling and misappropriation of Ohtani's funds. The law firm representing Ohtani described it as a 'massive theft.'
The Seoul Series, the first MLB games in South Korea, was intended to showcase Ohtani to a baseball audience in Asia. However, a bomb threat targeting Ohtani briefly overshadowed the event, though no explosives were found.
Following Mizuhara's dismissal, Ohtani's readiness for the games was unaffected, with a different interpreter stepping in. Despite the allegations against Mizuhara, Ohtani remained focused, delivering a solid performance in the game.
Mizuhara, who had been closely associated with Ohtani since his arrival in the U.S. in 2017, claimed that Ohtani was unaware of his illegal gambling activities. Marketing and sports culture experts noted that as long as Ohtani is not directly implicated, his public image may remain untarnished.
While the allegations against Mizuhara may reinforce the perception of Ohtani as a dedicated athlete, concerns were raised about athletes placing excessive trust in familiar individuals. Experts emphasized the importance of better judgment in selecting associates.
Overall, the incident has raised questions about the relationships athletes form and the potential risks of dependency on close acquaintances. Ohtani's reputation, characterized by his dedication to baseball, may withstand the allegations, provided he is not directly linked to any wrongdoing.
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