Shohei Ohtani finally blasted his first home run of the regular season as a Los Angeles Dodger. His former translator Ippei Mizuhara might be really happy.
It’s highly possible that Ohtani’s former translator, who the Dodgers fired March 20 after he allegedly stole $4.5 million from Ohtani to cover his gambling debts, bet on the over.
Ohtani’s long-awaited home run with the Dodgers extended LA’s lead over the San Francisco Giants to 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning in the Wednesday night contest.
THE FIRST OF MANY FOR SHOHEI OHTANI. pic.twitter.com/6x0zye1GnZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 4, 2024
After a Jorge Soler bomb the next inning inched the Giants back to within a run, the game’s score was 5-4 Dodgers and the 8.5 over officially hit, which would put some cash in Ippei’s pocket if he took the over.
JORGE SOLER MY GOODNESS 😳 pic.twitter.com/luEW0UjpYE
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 4, 2024
Ohtani claimed the dinger relieved some pressure from him after he signed a $700 million contract in the offseason. (RELATED: MLB Team Loses Opening Game Because Of Hole In First Baseman’s Glove)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 28: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers talks with interpreter Will Ireton after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1 in an Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 14: Shohei Ohtani poses for a photo with his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (R) and agent Nez Balelo (L) after being introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 27: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara arrive to a game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch on February 27, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 3: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an infield single against pitcher Kyle Harrison #45 of the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on April 3, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 3: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is interviewed by Kirsten Watson, sideline reporter and host for the Los Angeles Dodgers, after sweeping the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on April 3, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JULY 12: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (R) speak in a press conference revealing the All Star starting lineups at McGregor Square near Coors Field on July 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
“Honestly, very relieved that I was able to hit my first homer,” Ohtani’s new interpreter Will Ireton said after the game. “It’s been awhile, and honestly my swing hasn’t been great. So, overall very relieved.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 14: Shohei Ohtani speaks with his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara prior to being introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 9: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 9, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 01: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates at second base after hitting double during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 3: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat against pitcher Kyle Harrison #45 of the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on April 3, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
You know who else is probably relieved? Anyone who’s been betting on Ohtani’s home run prop bets through the Dodgers first 9 games of the season. If I was a betting man (and I am), I’d bet that Ippei bet on Ohtani to blast a four-bagger in more games than not. Given that the former Dodgers translator found himself in a massive $4.5 million hole, it’s probably safe to say he’s used to the odd losing streak here or there. But, who knows, maybe with that blast his luck (and Ohtani’s) is finally turning around.