Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is fighting to regain ownership of $325,000 worth of baseball cards that were fraudulently purchased by Ippei Mizuhara, his former interpreter and confidant. In a recent report by The Athletic, it was revealed that Ohtani has asked a federal judge to help him recover the stolen items.
The controversy surrounding Ohtani and Mizuhara dates back to the previous offseason, when it was discovered that Mizuhara had embezzled millions from the American League Most Valuable Player to fund his gambling activities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California later confirmed that Mizuhara used the stolen funds to purchase approximately 1,000 baseball cards, totaling about $325,000.
Not only is Ohtani seeking the return of the stolen baseball cards, he is also requesting the court’s help in recovering trading cards featuring his likeness and signature, which were among the items confiscated from Mizuhara. These personally signed cards have sentimental value to Ohtani and he wants them returned to his possession.
Despite being involved in this off-field scandal, Ohtani had an exceptional 2024 MLB season with the Dodgers. In his first year with the team, he made an immediate impact and helped lead them to a World Series victory. Across 135 games and 731 plate appearances, Ohtani showed off his hitting prowess by slashing .310/.390/.646 with a staggering total of 54 home runs and 130 RBIs.
Ohtani’s success on the field only adds more weight to his quest for justice to regain what is rightfully his. His determination to not let this scandal overshadow his achievements demonstrates his resilience as both an athlete and an individual. The looming legal battle will undoubtedly be a crucial chapter in Ohtani’s career, one that could potentially shape his legacy both on and off the field.
As court proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how Ohtani’s quest for justice will play out. Will he be successful in recovering his stolen baseball cards and collectibles? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Shohei Ohtani is not willing to let anyone take away what he has rightfully earned through his hard work and dedication to the game.
