More on Shohei OHTANI's interpreter, IPPEI MIZUHARA's SPORTS BETTING SCANDAL: Background/Timeline

Many questions remain to be answered in Mizuhara gambling scandal
ROBERT WHITING
MAR 21, 2024
URL https://robertwhiting.substack.com/p/many-questions-remain-to-be-answered

Seattle Mariners Bullpen Catcher, Justin Novak
Baseball Reference https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Justin_Novak

More on Shohei OHTANI's interpreter, IPPEI MIZUHARA's SPORTS BETTING SCANDAL: Background/Timeline

Background:
Mizuhara Ippei (born December 31, 1984) is a Japanese interpreter known for his work with Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels. He serves as a Japanese-English and English-Japanese interpreter during Ohtani's media appearances and interactions with teammates. Previously, he interpreted for Hideki Okajima of the Boston Red Sox and English-speaking players of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Biography:
Early Life:
Mizuhara grew up in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, until the age of six when his father, Hidemasa, a Japanese chef, moved the family to the United States in 1991 to work as a chef in Los Angeles. Throughout his school years, he was active in soccer and basketball clubs. He graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 2007.

As an Interpreter:
Mizuhara's interest in Major League Baseball (MLB) was sparked by Hideo Nomo's success with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In February 2012, he was hired by the New York Yankees as the exclusive interpreter for Hideki Okajima. However, Okajima's contract was terminated due to a failed physical examination, resulting in the termination of Mizuhara's contract.

Returning to Japan in 2012, he became the team interpreter for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, offering support for foreign players such as Brandon Laird and Chris Martin. Mizuhara earned the nickname "Ippei-chan" and was highly regarded by both Japanese and foreign players.

As Shohei Ohtani's Exclusive Interpreter:
In 2017, when Shohei Ohtani transferred from the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to the Los Angeles Angels, Mizuhara joined the Angels as Ohtani's personal interpreter. He provides support in both personal and professional capacities, including driving Ohtani and engaging in activities like playing catch with him.

Despite Ohtani's unique schedule, Mizuhara ensures he is not isolated within the team. He actively participates in team activities and fosters camaraderie among players. In 2018, Ohtani gifted him an all-expenses-paid honeymoon ticket as a wedding gift.

During Ohtani's rehabilitation in 2018 and 2019, Mizuhara provided emotional support, engaging in activities to help him relax. Even after Ohtani obtained his U.S. driver's license in February 2020, Mizuhara continued riding in the passenger seat.

In 2021, Mizuhara accompanied Ohtani to the Home Run Derby and acted as a pitcher during the MLB All-Star Game pre-season event. He was recognized as the "MVI" (Most Valuable Interpreter) by the Angels on November 22 of the same year.

During the lockout following MLB's labor agreement negotiations in the off-season of 2021, Mizuhara temporarily left the Angels but rejoined the team after the agreement was signed on March 10.

In the 5th World Baseball Classic in 2023, Mizuhara served as a team interpreter for the Japanese national team alongside Shingo Horie. He also acted as a liaison and interpreter for manager Hideki Kuriyama when Lars Nootbaar, the first Japanese-American to play for the national team, participated in the tournament. Nootbaar expressed gratitude to Mizuhara during the championship press conference, eliciting laughter from those present.

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"Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal: Piecing together the confusing timeline, based on what we've been told so far"
The scandal has already seen a change in the story from Ohtani's camp
Jack Baer,. Staff writer Fri, Mar 22, 2024

URL https://sports.yahoo.com/shohei-ohtani-interpreter-scandal-piecing-together-the-confusing-timeline-based-on-what-weve-been-told-so-far-014454049.html

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18 U.S. Code § 1084 - Transmission of wagering information; penalties

URL https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1084

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