One of the biggest stories in sports as of late has been the curious details of an ongoing fraud investigation involving Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara involving sports gambling. And naturally, this led to perhaps the most famous athlete involved in a gambling scandal, Pete Rose to make a statement on the matter.
For those who are unaware of the Ohtani-Mizuhara situation, Mizuhara is currently being investigated for stealing $4.5 million from Shohei Ohtani to pay off gambling debts from an illegal bookmaker.
Ohtani has proclaimed his innocence and cut ties with Mizuhara. But there have been some seemingly been some conspiracy theories out there that Mizuhara could be taking the fall for Ohtani, who perhaps asked Mizuhara to place bets on his behalf.
There currently isn’t any evidence to support that theory. But Pete Rose seemingly subscribes to the theory, offering some interesting comments on the matter over the weekend.
“Well, back in the 70s and 80s I wish I had an interpreter,” said Rose. I’d be scot-free.”
Pete Rose says Shohei Ohtani is guilty 😂😂
He wished he had interpreter – bc he would have been scot-free. pic.twitter.com/jMqEO4vrFs
— Mike Daddino (@mike_daddino) March 25, 2024
Rose was famously banned from baseball permanently in 1989 due to a decade-long gambling investigation that found that he was betting on baseball games as a player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds.
This scandal has of course affected his achievements in the sport, keeping him out of the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame despite a legendary playing career in Cincinnati.
Only time will tell whether more information emerges about Ohtani and his alleged involvement with gambling. But Rose clearly isn’t convinced that Ohtani is innocent in this situation whatsoever.
