Shohei Ohtani's former manager, Joe Maddon, expresses disbelief and heartbreak over the alleged gambling scandal involving Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who is accused of stealing millions from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts. Ohtani's initial representatives claimed he voluntarily paid off Mizuhara's debts, but Ohtani's legal team later stated that Mizuhara stole the funds without Ohtani's knowledge. Maddon finds Ohtani's story plausible, given the close relationship between interpreters and players, but questions how Ohtani's agency, responsible for managing his affairs, could have missed the missing $4.5 million.
Former Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon expresses disbelief and confusion over the gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who is accused of betting $4.5 million with an illegal bookie operation. Maddon, who managed Ohtani for three seasons, insists that he never saw any signs of discord between Ohtani and Mizuhara and believes Ohtani is not materialistic, making the scandal even more perplexing. He also voices concerns about the impact of sports gambling on professional leagues and hopes for a thorough investigation by MLB before jumping to conclusions.
MLB Network will air a special on Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, featuring managers Terry Francona and Joe Maddon discussing the game for the first time. The special will include discussions on key plays, moments, and strategies, providing insight into the historic night when the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series title in 108 years.
