They were counting the decimals. "Pay to the order of... Matthew Bowyer... four million, five hundred thousand dollars AND NINE CENTS!"7 figures, but what's a little exaggeration among friends.
They were counting the decimals. "Pay to the order of... Matthew Bowyer... four million, five hundred thousand dollars AND NINE CENTS!"7 figures, but what's a little exaggeration among friends.
If Im following, both Ohtani stories include a large money wire from Ohtani's very own bank account to a black-market bookie who is under federal investigation.You literally said they told two different stories which is not the same thing as conflating two stories into one.
If either story proves to be true, I'm not concerned about anything. If there is some weird third story (which many people appear to conjuring up out of thin air without any evidence), then I reserve the right to judge it then.
People seem to be leaping forward five steps and are saying that Ohtani was making bets with an illegal bookie, and neither story has, in any way, provided any shred of proof that he has done any of that...and frankly, that's the only thing that I would consider worrisome if it came to light.
Has Ohtani made a statement yet?It doesn’t bother you that Ohtani may have known about his translator’s debts and maybe even paid them off, but then publicly accused him of “massive theft” to avoid being personally implicated in the transfers?
New to late stage capitalism? It's a motherfucker.I’m confused. How can MLB make something “go away” that is possibly a federal crime? I mean, isn’t participating in illegal gambling still a crime in this country? If Ohtani actually did that, how does it matter what MLB wants to happen?
Yeah, that’s not helpful.New to late stage capitalism? It's a motherfucker.
Brian Griffin, you've become quite the idealist in your old age!Yeah, that’s not helpful.
I'm probably a bit slow right now, but what is the implication of the bolded?Japanese sources are saying Ohtani has deleted all the photos of his bestie from IG. Another story going around is that one of the wires sent was on the same day as his last arm surgery.
How could Ohtani send a wire if he's in the Hospital. Someone else had to do it.I'm probably a bit slow right now, but what is the implication of the bolded?
He did it before going in for surgery? Possibly weird. Possibly nothing.How could Ohtani send a wire if he's in the Hospital. Someone else had to do it.
Most banks allow you to future date wires.How could Ohtani send a wire if he's in the Hospital. Someone else had to do it.
Was it an announcement or a reply to a question that may have been asked?Red Sox announced Mizuhara never worked for Red Sox. I guess everyone is trying to stay clear of the explosion when it finally goes off.
Sox say he never worked for him.I just noticed that Mizuhara previously worked for the Sox, as Okajima's interpreter (2007-2011).
https://theathletic.com/5364216/2024/03/23/shohei-ohtani-ippei-mizuhara-biography-inaccuracies/?source=user_shared_articleEarlier this week, the Red Sox released a statement insisting that Mizuhara has never worked for the team.
“We are reaching out to all of you because of reports in various outlets stating that Ippei Mizuhara worked for the Red Sox as an interpreter, which is incorrect,” read a message from the club distributed to media members on Friday. “Mizuhara was never employed by the Boston Red Sox in any capacity and was not an interpreter for Hideki Okajima during the pitcher’s time with the team. Please know that we have thoroughly checked our files to ensure we are providing accurate information.”
LOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani briefly came into the Dodgers' clubhouse Sunday and declared he would make himself available, and address the illegal gambling and theft allegations levied against his former interpreter, the following afternoon.
Does "make himself available" mean he will answer questions?Per ESPN, Ohtani will address the media on Monday afternoon about this.
It does to me.Does "make himself available" mean he will answer questions?
I'm guessing he'll be advised not to. Not while the incident is being investigated.Does "make himself available" mean he will answer questions?
Yeah, same here........but....dangerous/self incriminating possibilities. I guess he has to say "something". There'll be things lost in translation no doubt.It does to me.
And with a new translator, in theory, who know how accurate.Yeah, same here........but....dangerous/self incriminating possibilities. I guess he has to say "something". There'll be things lost in translation no doubt.
I'm looking forward to hearing him express his great loyalty for the Dodger fans, given that the Dodgers were the only team to approach him with an offer during free agency.And with a new translator, in theory, who know how accurate.
Maybe the qualifying offer had something to do with itI'm looking forward to hearing him express his great loyalty for the Dodger fans, given that the Dodgers were the only team to approach him with an offer during free agency.
if i'm espn, i'm bringing my own translatorAnd with a new translator, in theory, who know how accurate.
I honestly can’t think of many Asian employees of ESPN. Mina Kimes and Gary Striewski (really) are the only two with Asian heritage I can come up with.if i'm espn, i'm bringing my own translator
they can hire a translator ... the idea is, have instant feedback on whether ohtani's camp is spinning what he says. if you wait until someone reviews the tape, you lose the chance to respond in real timeI honestly can’t think of many Asian employees of ESPN. Mina Kimes and Gary Strewski (really) are the only two with Asian heritage I can come up with.
Evidence Ohtani bet on MLB games. SuspensionAny idea what MLB punishment might be in store for Ohtani if they can pin the gambling on him?
And just to note that there still isn't any evidence he actually bet on anything at all.Evidence Ohtani bet on MLB games. Suspension
Evidence Ohtani bet on his teams games.
Lifetime ban is the precedent.
Evidence that Ohtani bet on other sports but not baseball.
Why would there even be ANY punishment?
Basically, without proof he bet on baseball this is a huge nothingburger.
I think it’s mentioned somewhere upthread but if he’s betting with FD, DK, MGM and not baseball, no problem. Betting with illegal bookies, problem.Evidence that Ohtani bet on other sports but not baseball.
Why would there even be ANY punishment?
Because gambling is illegal in that state so he's probably guilty of half a dozen felonies.Evidence Ohtani bet on MLB games. Suspension
Evidence Ohtani bet on his teams games.
Lifetime ban is the precedent.
Evidence that Ohtani bet on other sports but not baseball.
Why would there even be ANY punishment?
Basically, without proof he bet on baseball this is a huge nothingburger.
FD and DK are illegal where he is. MGM probably too, but I'm not sure.I think it’s mentioned somewhere upthread but if he’s betting with FD, DK, MGM and not baseball, no problem. Betting with illegal bookies, problem.
Because gambling is illegal in that state so he's probably guilty of half a dozen felonies.
Also the CBA prohibits any illegal gambling, which this is, and betting with a bookie
Accepting bets as an illegal bookie is a felony.I think it’s mentioned somewhere upthread but if he’s betting with FD, DK, MGM and not baseball, no problem. Betting with illegal bookies, problem.
So you're saying Ohtani's circumstances are a non-issue?Betting with an illegal bookie is not.
Laws on this vary by state. AFAIK betting on sports is itself mostly illegal in California (outside of horses). https://www.federallawyers.com/criminal-defense/is-sports-betting-legal-in-california/ seems to support that.Accepting bets as an illegal bookie is a felony.
Betting with an illegal bookie is not.
Basically, it is the bookmaking that is illegal and not the betting.
Legally a total non-issue even in CA where it isn’t illegal to place a bet only to accept one. His problem would be if he bet on baseball just like Rose. Now I’m sure there would be ways to frame him by using wire acts, interstate laws, etc but nobody is doing this to anyone without an agenda.So you're saying Ohtani's circumstances are a non-issue?
[Citation needed]Legally a total non-issue even in CA where it isn’t illegal to place a bet only to accept one.
The idea that you would refer to the possibility of criminal charges for wire fraud or federal money laundering (“interstate laws”) as an attempt to “frame” Ohtani suggests that you might be the one with an agenda.Legally a total non-issue even in CA where it isn’t illegal to place a bet only to accept one. His problem would be if he bet on baseball just like Rose. Now I’m sure there would be ways to frame him by using wire acts, interstate laws, etc but nobody is doing this to anyone without an agenda.
Can MLB players bet with bookies?
No. It doesn’t matter what sport. Players cannot make “illegal bets on any sport or event, including bets placed with illegal bookmakers or illegal off-shore sports betting websites or applications.” So they cannot place a bet in a state like California where it is still illegal.
I would agree that normally nobody would care if a friend of Ohtani's literally bet his mortgage money and lost a $4.5M bet on a soccer match made on DraftKings, even if the bet took place in CA. Nobody would be going to jail.Legally a total non-issue even in CA where it isn’t illegal to place a bet only to accept one. His problem would be if he bet on baseball just like Rose. Now I’m sure there would be ways to frame him by using wire acts, interstate laws, etc but nobody is doing this to anyone without an agenda.
There’s no agenda in thinking that law enforcement wouldn’t dig deep into their playbook with some aiding and abetting charge to force Ohtani to flip on the gambling operation. That’s the only way anyone would be going after a bettor. Is there a precedent of this occuring for any other reason? Ohtani’s concerns otherwise would only be with MLB.The idea that you would refer to the possibility of criminal charges for wire fraud or federal money laundering (“interstate laws”) as an attempt to “frame” Othani suggests that you might be the one with an agenda.
I’ll repeat what I said earlier in the thread: the original story from Othani’s camp - that he was paying off his friend’s debt - is one that may have technically exposed him to criminal liability, but wasn’t (IMO) going to result in any charges or punishment by MLB. Changing stories so abruptly and making the interpreter the fall guy is the only reason I feel like there may be a problem for Othani.
We’ll see how it goes today, but it feels like a foolish risk to have Othani say anything at this point.