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Shohei Ohtani was slated to become the MLB’s next prominent figure. What does it signify that he’s now at the center of a controversy?

Reft stated that he truly believes he is a unique individual and that can never be taken away from him.

According to Burgos, the decision to begin the season in Seoul was a way to showcase MLB’s international brand and engage with Korean fans in order to expand their overall global fan base.Shohei Ohtani

The intention was to provide baseball with a positive new beginning. However, he is now surrounded by doubt and controversy, at a particularly bad time.
Although Ohtani has faced significant pressure since his debut in 2018, some believe that the scandal could actually have a positive effect on his public perception.The Japanese-born Ohtani has become one of baseball’s most recognizable figures since his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels, drawing fans from across the globe for his exceptional skill both on the mound and at the plate. But the two-time MVP’s move this season from the Angels — a team that last made the playoffs a decade ago — to the Los Angeles Dodgers — a franchise that made the playoffs 37 times and clinched seven World Series rings — has been considered by sports fans as one that would usher in a championship dynasty for his new team. It also came with the largest contract in North American sports history, with Ohtani signing for 0 million over 10 years.

Ryan Reft, a historian at the Library of Congress whose work is featured in the anthology “Asian American Sporting Cultures,” stated that there are numerous potential storylines that could portray him in a more relatable light. Ultimately, he has not caused harm to anyone and only suffered a loss of .5 million.

The controversy came to light as Ohtani made his debut with the Dodgers, coinciding with the first game of the Major League Baseball regular season against the Padres and the first ever MLB game played in Seoul, South Korea.

There are ongoing doubts regarding the player’s awareness of Mizuhara’s gambling behavior and their connection to the situation. According to league representatives, the MLB was not aware of the case until the media informed them. They have not received any communication from federal prosecutors and are currently collecting information.

“According to Adrian Burgos, a sports historian and professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, yesterday was meant to be the day that 29-year-old Ohtani was officially recognized as the new king of baseball. However, the recent events have overshadowed this possibility, and regardless of any conclusions, it’s a disappointment to see an international superstar like Ohtani linked to one of the greatest offenses in the sport.”

Burgos and Stanley Thangaraj, who leads the study of race, ethnicity, and social justice at Stonehill College, both pointed out that the number of viewers for sports could increase, but the integrity of the game may be impacted. Additionally, the surge of interest in baseball may not be sustained in the long run.

Due to Ohtani’s monumental impact as one of the most exceptional players in the league, coupled with the hope for him to rejuvenate a sport that has been declining in popularity, numerous experts suggest that the scandal may result in increased attention towards baseball. However, this attention may not stem from positive motives.Baseball, once considered America’s favorite pastime, has lost viewership steadily over the past several decades, with the 2023 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks being the least watched in television history. Thangaraj said baseball’s decline can in part be attributed to its slow embrace of cultures outside of white, working-class America. While the U.S. has become more diverse and its culture more globalized, he said, baseball has not kept up.

Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, (as seen in the photo above by Ashley Landis/AP)

According to Burgos, the Seoul Series, which was originally intended for TV, was disrupted by the accompanying story. As a result, MLB needs to put in more effort to attract fans for the right reasons – a true interest in the game itself instead of being distracted by other issues.

And given Ohtani’s tendency to keep his personal life close to the vest, Reft believes that his performance on the field is likely to remain at All-Star level. One example of Ohtani’s discretion is how he was able to keep his relationship to basketball player Mamiko Tanaka under wraps until he posted about their surprise marriage on social media in February.

Experts also mention that his first game with the Dodgers in Seoul on Wednesday, just before the controversy erupted, was intended to attract a wider global audience.

According to Thangaraj, we have an individual who is portrayed and promoted as extremely wholesome and virtuous – the typical nice guy next door. This raises the question of how Asian players, often seen as reserved and solely focused on the game, will now be viewed in light of the greater context surrounding the sport.

Baseball has had its fair share of gambling controversies. Pete Rose, a player-manager for the Cincinnati Reds, was prohibited from the sport in 1989 due to allegations of betting on his team’s games. The infamous Black Sox scandal of 1919 involved the Chicago White Sox purposely losing the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. This infamous event earned the team the nickname “Black Sox.” In contrast, Ohtani has not faced any accusations of engaging in betting activities, and Mizuhara has denied placing any bets on baseball games.

According to Thangaraj, the league’s intense promotion of Ohtani signifies recognition of both his indisputable skill and the influence of the Asian market. However, he also believes that Ohtani’s positive image, along with stereotypes surrounding Asian players, played a significant role in the league’s actions.

According to Burgos, individuals will definitely be interested in the chaos. This is one of the charming aspects of Americana.

He stated that the MLB chose this as a means to increase their earnings, so it’s not unexpected that someone affiliated with the MLB would become involved.

According to Thangaraj, the MLB must expand its narrative beyond the traditional image of rural, white baseball. The era of “Field of Dreams” is over and in order to promote the brand, the MLB must evolve.

Burgos pointed out that it could pose a challenge for the MLB to take a moral stance on the topic of gambling, given the prevalence of sports betting in the sport’s culture. In 2021, Draft Kings, a sports betting company, announced an increased partnership with the MLB, offering live game streaming and sports betting options.
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Experts are concerned that the recent accusations against his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, could negatively impact an important moment for Ohtani and potentially harm the game. Ohtani’s legal team alleges that he was a victim of a major theft related to sports betting.

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