In a long history of controversy, Major League Baseball has seen its fair share of scandals, with the latest taking place within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. The team has fired Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, amidst allegations of illegal gambling and theft from Ohtani. ESPN initially reported Mizuhara admitting to Ohtani paying off his gambling debts, but later changed his story, claiming Ohtani had no knowledge of the debts – a claim supported by Ohtani’s attorneys.
This scandal adds to a list of infamous incidents in MLB history, including the 1919 Black Sox scandal where eight White Sox players conspired to throw the World Series, the Pittsburgh drug trials of 1985 involving notable players like Dave Parker and Keith Hernandez, Pete Rose’s lifetime ban for betting on baseball, the Steroid Era implicating stars like Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez, and the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal in 2017 leading to fines, suspensions, and dismissals of top management.
Controversy and scandal have not been strangers to professional baseball, and MLB has had to confront and address various issues throughout its long history. From gambling scandals to drug use and cheating, the sport has faced challenges that have tested its integrity and credibility. The recent incident involving Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers is just the latest in a series of controversies that have plagued America’s pastime.
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