On Wednesday night, new Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run as a member of his new team. But what should have been a source of celebration for him, the team, and the fans has turned into a bit of a scandal as Ohtani appears caught in a lie.
The historic home run ball was caught by Dodgers fan Ambar Roman, who understandably wanted a bit of compensation if she was going to give it back to Shohei Ohtani given what it would be worth if she sold it. But after heavy pressure from the Dodgers – including a threat that they would refuse to authenticate the ball if she left with it – she was given just two signed hats, a signed bat and ball, according to The Athletic.
During this process, Ohtani claims that he spoke to Roman and was able to get the ball back.
“I was able to talk to the fan, and was able to get it back,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton, according to The Athletic. “Obviously it’s a very special ball, a lot of feelings toward it, I’m very grateful that it’s back.”
But there’s one big problem: Roman claims she never met or spoke to Ohtani himself.
It’s not clear whether or not there was a mistranslation on the part of Ireton, but it certainly caused a big reaction from the MLB world.
just another nothing to see here normal honest day with Shohei https://t.co/HH0zvGinQS
— lukezim (@lukezim) April 4, 2024
Ohtani turning into a pretty unlikable dude https://t.co/IWAmnr1q8R
— Taylor Davis (@tay13gup) April 4, 2024
Time to fire another interpreter. It’s ALWAYS those gosh darn interpreters. https://t.co/DvP8gOm68Z
— @SFGiantsMemes (@SFGiantsMemer) April 5, 2024
Did not have Ohtani becoming a villain on my 2024 bingo card https://t.co/mUeBfS6osr
— YOKED YANDY (@facksy11) April 4, 2024
It would be funny if it turned out Shohei was a pathological liar https://t.co/VN69jySdrs
— Elaine Benes Gesserit (@notdylm) April 4, 2024
Ohtani might be on translator number 3 by the end of the month https://t.co/lmg9m9pPyh
— Phill (@MeekPhill_) April 4, 2024
The Dodgers did not wish to comment on the complaints for the fan and did not clarify the comments from Ohtani.
