![Shohei Ohtani]()
When life comes at you this fast, is it more or less solace to know it was 100% your fault? Not sure anyone will be able to relate to the rapid downfall experienced by
Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Generational wealth by sheer proximity to the most talented hitting-pitching threat since Babe Ruth was at Mizuhara's fingertips. If he could only prevent himself from plunging into severe debt via stolen funds from his MLB superstar pal, and just held steady as a language translator, miscellaneous errand runner, and confidante, Mizuhara would be set for life.
Instead, per an exclusive report by the
New York Post, the guy is delivering Uber Eats around Los Angeles.
https://twitter.com/nypostsports/status/1798774942122824031
Surprising that Mizuhara could get a job to be honest. Did he lie on his resume, just like he lied initially about
stealing approximately $17 million from Ohtani to pay off sports betting debts? As he awaits a sentencing hearing on October 25, what must be running through Mizuhara's mind as he pedals/drives to his next Uber Eats delivery destination? Gotta be some dark places mentally for the guy.
Not to make light of gambling addiction. It's a real thing. It's just, like, if you were in Mizuhara's shoes pre-fraud scandal, wouldn't you put your brain in bubble wrap? Shut yourself away in the luxurious estates Ohtani must own across the globe? Got to a darkness retreat like Aaron Rodgers when you even get an inkling of doing something stupid like, say, betraying your friend who's given you a lifestyle you could only dream of? Just literally do anything
but what Mizuhara actually did.
Thoughts and prayers to the Uber Eats customers who draw Mizuhara as a deliver man. Considering the way Mizuhara fumbled the bag in Ohtani's orbit — "fumbled the bag" doesn't even begin to describe the combination self-sabotage/betrayal scheme he deployed — I'd be triple-checking my order post-hand-off to make sure the contents haven't spilled/exploded/intermingled on Mizuhara's journey across LA terrain.
At first, it sure didn't seem like everything added up that Ohtani had zero knowledge of his friend's gambling habits. Now that such a notion has been put to bed, all Mizuhara can do is keep as busy as possible in any which way he can until he awaits his sentencing fate. Could be as long as 33 years in prison. Oof.
As for Ohtani, his Los Angeles Dodgers are atop the NL West with a 38-25 record despite a two-game losing skid to Pittsburgh, and he's hitting as well as ever, including this dead-center rocket off
Pirates phenom/Livvy Dunne's boyfriend Paul Skenes.
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1798498527276126706
