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☆ Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter surrenders to authorities on bank fraud charges
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Diana Dasrath | Antonio Planas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mizuhara is charged with bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Mizuhara committed "massive fraud" against Ohtani to satisfy an "insatiable appetite for illegal sports gambling," Estrada said. Mizuhara, who did not bet on baseball, is "linked to an illegal gambling operation," Estrada said. The transfers from the bank account were made from devices and IP addresses associated with Mizuhara, federal prosecutors said in a statement. During this time, the contact information on Ohtani's bank account allegedly was changed to connect the account to Mizuhara's phone number and to an anonymous email address linked to Mizuhara, prosecutors said.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ippei, Ippei Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Martin Estrada, Ohtani, Estrada, Mizuhara's Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Dodger, Major League Baseball, Central, Central District of, Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels, NBC News Locations: Los Angeles, Newport Beach , California, U.S, Central District, Central District of California, Anaheim, Southern California

☆ Ohtani translator accused of stealing $16 million from Dodgers star
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Shohei Ohtani answers questions and Ippei Mizuhara translates during the Shohei Ohtani-Los Angeles Dodgers press conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Dec. 14, 2023. Shohei Ohtani's former translator Ippei Mizuhara allegedly stole more than $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star to cover millions of dollars of gambling debts, the U.S. attorney's office announced Thursday. Over that time, the attorney's office discovered that Mizuhara had full access to Ohtani's bank accounts. Phone records indicate he accessed them online and lied to the bank pretending to be Ohtani, the office said. Attorneys for Ohtani, Mizuhara and the Dodgers declined to give immediate comment on the charges.

Persons: Shohei, Ippei Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Ohtani, Martin Estrada, Estrada, I've Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger, Ohtani, Dodgers, DOJ, D.C, MLB, Los Angeles Angels, American League, Major League Locations: Los Angeles, U.S, Ohtani, Ohtani's, Southern California, Las Vegas, Washington, California

☆ After Ohtani and Kikuchi, Japan high school toasts latest baseball prodigy
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Hanako Montgomery | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Banners herald Los Angeles Dodgers megastar Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, their faces greeting every visitor. But now, Hanamaki Higashi High School celebrates a new prodigy in its midst – one whose high-school records beat even those of Ohtani and Kikuchi. “The presence of legends like Shohei Ohtani and Yusei Kikuchi were a huge factor as to why I got into baseball – I fell in love with the sport,” Sasaki told CNN. Now, with the emergence of three baseball stars from Hanamaki Higashi, Sasaki’s teammates swell with pride at the honor of walking the same corridors. Despite its status as a public school with a modest baseball budget, Hanamaki Higashi has impressively produced three outstanding athletes.

Persons: Shohei, Yusei Kikuchi, Hanamaki, Kikuchi, Rintaro Sasaki doesn’t, ” Sasaki, Sasaki, he’ll, ”, Hiroshi, Ohtani, Shohei Ohtani, “, Taichi Murakami, Hanamaki Higashi, it’s Organizations: Japan CNN —, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, School, baseball, CNN, Stanford University in, Stanford, Los Angeles Angels, Angel, Kyodo, baseball’s, Dodgers, American League Locations: Hanamaki, Japan, Iwate prefecture, Stanford University in California, America, “, Anaheim , California, Higashi, Hanamaki Higashi

☆ MLB Opening Day: 2024 regular season kicks off in full with Shohei Ohtani cloud looming
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Although fans have been treated to a glimpse of MLB action, the 2024 season kicks off in full on Thursday with Opening Day. How to watchThe Opening Day slate of games takes place on Thursday, March 28, with 26 teams taking to the field. The Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels kick off the day’s action at 3:05 PM ET at Camden Yards in Maryland. Ohtani cloud overshadows Dodgers startThe majority of the Los Angeles Dodgers offseason was dominated with optimism and talk of a World Series challenge after the acquisition of two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani and pitching phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ohtani prepares for a pitch during the Dodgers' preseason game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Persons: Tuesday’s Francis Scott Key, Shohei Ohtani, phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ohtani, Ippei, Mizuhara, Yamamoto, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, Harry, Juan Soto, Soto, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole, Stanton, Nathan Ray Seebeck, Ronald Acuña Jr, Acuña, Tim Nwachukwu, Wyatt Longford Organizations: CNN, Seoul, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Deigo Padres, MLB, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Camden, Orioles, Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, baseball’s, League, St, Louis Cardinals, Bronx Bombers, New York Yankees, Yankees, San Diego Padres, San, American League, Houston Astros, Judge, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, National League, Braves, NL, Phillies, National, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins –, Cleveland Guardians, Oakland Athletics –, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Locations: South Korea, Camden Yards, Maryland, Seoul, Ohtani, San Diego, Atlanta, Texas

☆ Shohei Ohtani plays in Dodgers’ loss to Angels after addressing gambling and theft allegations against former interpreter
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani went hitless for a second straight game as the Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Los Angeles Angels 6-0 on Monday at Dodger Stadium. Before the game, the two-time MVP spoke publicly for the first time since gambling and theft allegations against his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, came to light last week. Ohtani prepares to bat against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The Internal Revenue Service and Major League Baseball are investigating the matter, with the league trying to determine whether its strict rules against gambling have been broken. The Dodgers will close out the three-game exhibition against the Angels on Tuesday.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, “, I’ve, ”, Will Ireton, Mizuhara, ” Ohtani, Jae C, gambles, ESPN’s Tisha Thompson Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Dodger, Dodgers, ESPN, Internal Revenue Service, Major League Baseball, American League, Angels Locations: South Korea

CNN —Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is expected to address the media Monday as Major League Baseball investigates allegations of theft against his former interpreter. “I think it’ll give us a little bit more clarity.”Roberts spoke before the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over Ohtani’s former team, the Los Angeles Angels. Bookie’s attorney speaks to CNNVideo Ad Feedback MLB launches investigation into Ohtani allegations 03:03 - Source: CNNBass, Bowyer’s attorney, told CNN that her client dealt with Ippei Mizuhara. I don’t have access to that information,” she told CNN. • After learning about the allegations against Ohtani and Mizuhara, MLB on Friday announced it would be pursuing an investigation.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, “, Dave Roberts, ” Roberts, Ohtani’s, Ippei Mizuhara, Mathew Bowyer, “ Mathew Bowyer, Diane Bass, Scott Villiard, Bowyer, Mizuhara, Ohtani, ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, Ippei, ” Bass, ” Bowyer, ” Mizuhara, ”, Bass, • Mizuhara Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, ” Dodgers, Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Dodger, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, Mizuhara, MLB, Internal Revenue Service, “ Major League Baseball, Department of Investigations, IRS, Angeles Field Office, Nippon, Ham Fighters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League, “ feds, Padres, Ohtani’s, San Diego Padres Locations: Bowyer, California, Ippei, San Diego, Mizuhara’s, Seoul, South Korea

☆ Shohei Ohtani says his interpreter stole money from his account and 'told lies'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Dennis Romero | Mirna Alsharif | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Shohei Ohtani answers questions and Ippei Mizuhara translates during the Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles Dodgers Press Conference at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, December 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani spoke to the media on Monday for the first time since his former interpreter became wrapped up in an alleged sports gambling scandal. "Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies," Ohtani said in Japanese with the help of a different interpreter. Mizuhara met Ohtani when he went to Japan to work as an interpreter for the Hokkaidō Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, Nippon.com reported. The scandal was first reported Wednesday by The Los Angeles Times and ESPN.

Persons: Shohei, Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Ohtani, Ippei, Nippon.com, Matthew Bowyer of, Diane Bass, Bowyer's, Bowyer, Bass, Boyer, Shohei Otani, Matthew Bowyer's Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers Press, Dodger, Los Angeles , California . Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, Dodgers, Hokkaidō, Ham Fighters, Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Times, ESPN, NBC News, Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security, FBI, NBC Locations: Los Angeles , California, Ohtani, Japan, Southern California, Matthew Bowyer of Orange County , California, South Korea

• But after the interview, Ohtani’s spokesperson “disavowed” Mizuhara’s account, then released a statement saying Ohtani had been the victim of theft. • Later on Wednesday, Mizuhara was fired as Ohtani’s interpreter. ESPN’s Thompson said the interpreter and Ohtani’s representatives did “a big 180” in what they were telling her. At first, Ohtani’s spokesperson told ESPN the player had transferred money to help pay off Mizuhara’s gambling debts, the outlet reported. “I’ve been told (Mizuhara) says something to the effect of ‘I’m sorry.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ippei, “, Mathew Bowyer, Scott Villiard, Bowyer, Diane Bass, Ohtani, ”, Dave Roberts, • Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Ohtani’s, Bowyer “, ‘, Bass, “ Mathew Bowyer, ” Bass, ” Mizuhara, Tisha Thompson, Thompson, –, ESPN’s Thompson, Berk Brettler, Shohei, “ I’ve, ’ ” Thompson Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, Internal Revenue Service, Angeles Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, “ Major League Baseball, Department of Investigations, IRS, Angeles Field Office, CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Ohtani’s, San Diego Padres, MLB, Ohtani, Padres, ” CNN, “ feds, Los Angeles Angels, Shohei’s, Angels, The Dodgers, Nippon, Ham Fighters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League Locations: California, Seoul, South Korea, San Diego, Mizuhara’s, Ippei

☆ Shohei Ohtani reveals his new wife’s identity – basketball star Mamiko Tanaka
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( David Close | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Two weeks after making the surprise announcement of his marriage, Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani has revealed his new wife’s identity – and she’s also a top athlete. Ohtani, 29, on Thursday posted a photo on Instagram of the couple standing shoulder-to-shoulder beside the Los Angeles Dodgers’ team plane as they traveled to South Korea. Tanaka, 27, also played for Japan at U16, U17 and U18 levels, according to her profile on international governing body FIBA’s website. Ohtani, who is known for his two-way abilities on the field, is a hugely popular figure in his native Japan. That announcement stunned fans – and Ohtani and topics related to his marriage quickly became Japan’s top five trending topics on social platform X.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, she’s, Mamiko Tanaka, Tanaka, Ohtani, “, ”, – Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers, League, Dodgers, Fujitsu Red Wave, Japan Basketball League, Japan, U16, U18, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels Locations: South Korea, Japan

CNN —Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani revealed on Thursday that he is now married. “The season is approaching, I am pleased to announce to you that I have gotten married,” Ohtani said in a surprise post in Japanese on Instagram. In the meantime, he urged the media to refrain from reaching out for interviews to him and his family. Following his post on Instagram, Ohtani and topics related to his marriage became Japan’s top five trending topics on X, formerly known as Twitter, with his announcement stunning fans. “Taking off work to mourn the loss of Shohei,” one user replied to Ohtani’s post.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, “, ” Ohtani, ”, Ohtani Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Angels, Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, League, Chicago White Sox, American League Locations: Japanese

What players are wearing has garnered as much attention as what they’re doing at spring training. “First and most important, these are Nike jerseys. “So I think after people wear them a little bit, they’re going to be really popular,” Manfred said. And the players who would prefer the previous uniform designs realize they don’t have much choice in the matter. He has played 13 seasons and has a career .253 batting average with a .305 on-base percentage, .430 slugging percentage, 164 homers and 636 RBIs.

Persons: “, Trea Turner, Rob Manfred, ” Manfred, They’re, Nike didn’t, Manfred, Louis, Nolan Arenado, Adley Rutschman, Ronald Acuña Jr, ” Arenado, Matt Strahm, Dave Meluni, Meluni, they’re, ” Meluni, Mike Trout, Jason Heyward, ” Strahm, we’ve, ESCOBAR, Eduardo Escobar, CASTILLO, utilityman Diego Castillo, Liván Soto, Castillo, Soto, ___ Organizations: Major League Baseball, Nike, ” Philadelphia Phillies, MLB, Atlanta, NL, ” Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates Locations: Baltimore, America

NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler was suspended through the 2024 World Series on Friday by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who concluded he directed team staff to fabricate injuries to create open roster spots. “I cooperated fully and transparently with MLB’s investigation, and I accept their decision,” Eppler said in a statement. No other Mets personnel were disciplined by the commissioner's office, a second person familiar with the investigation said, also on condition of anonymity. Eppler, 48, was the Mets general manager from November 2021 until he quit last Oct. 5, three days after owner Steven Cohen hired David Stearns as president of baseball operations. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended in January 2020 through that year’s World Series for their roles in the team using a video camera to steal signs.

Persons: Billy Eppler, Rob Manfred, Manfred, Eppler, “, ” Eppler, Eppler’s, Jay Reisinger, Steven Cohen, David Stearns, A.J, Hinch, Jeff Luhnow, Alex Cora Organizations: Former New York Mets, Mets, Associated Press, Major League Baseball, MLB, IL, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, WME Sports, Astros, Red Sox Locations: Houston

☆ Shohei Ohtani’s $700M Dodgers contract is huge — but its actual value is much lower
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-15 | by ( David K. Li | Kate Dore | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani attends a press conference on his presentation after signing a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Dec. 14, 2023. At first glance, Shohei Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is nothing short of a Ruthian blockbuster, topping all other free agent pacts. The deal was originally reported as a $700 million, 10-year deal, which drastically tops all previous MLB contracts in terms of total compensation and average annual value. And on the other side of the spectrum, annual inflation was consistently less than 2% for much of the 2010s. For him, the decision to sign the deal with the Dodgers had more to do with earning things on the field than off.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Colin Gerrety, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Chavez, we've, Christopher Woods, Woods, he's, It's, I'm, Ohtani, David K, Li Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, NBC, Wealth, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, The Dodgers, Star, Silvis, Labor Department, Federal Reserve Locations: Los Angeles , California, Vienna , Virginia, Charlotte , North Carolina, L.A

☆ Shohei Ohtani — deferring $680 million of his contract for 10 years — may face some financial risks, advisors say
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-14 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shohei Ohtani, formerly of the Los Angeles Angels, pitches during a game in Anaheim, California, on July 6, 2021. Shohei Ohtani made history this week with a 10-year, $700 million contract to play for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. The Japanese superstar will receive $2 million per year over the 10-year agreement, which defers $68 million annually. But Ohtani will receive the bulk of his contract, $680 million in payments, between 2034 and 2043, without interest. For 2024, California's top tax rate climbs to 14.4%, which includes a 1.1% payroll tax on all income.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Bobby Bonilla, Ken Griffey, Eric Bronnenkant, Bronnenkant Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, Finance Locations: Anaheim , California, California

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels will not trade three-time AL MVP Mike Trout, general manager Perry Minasian confirmed at MLB's winter meetings on Tuesday. “Mike Trout will not be getting traded, 100%,” Minasian told MLB.com and other outlets. Trout is under contract through 2030, and he makes $35.45 million annually with a full no-trade clause. Ohtani met with the Dodgers in the past few days, their general manager, Dave Roberts, said Tuesday. The Angels will play next year under new manager Ron Washington, who said last month that Trout and Anthony Rendon are key leaders and players for the club.

Persons: Mike Trout, Perry Minasian, Minasian, Arte Moreno's, ” Minasian, Trout, —, ” Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Dave Roberts, Ron Washington, Anthony Rendon, Rendon, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Angels, Dodgers, Los Angeles Locations: Tenn, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Los

Big-name free agents appear in no hurry to strike deals at the winter meetings, biding time until Shohei Ohtani potentially breaks the record for richest contract set 4 1/2 years ago by Mike Trout. “It's probably a little slower from a conversation standpoint at a winter meetings than it normally would,” New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday. Behind Ohtani in the hitters free-agent pecking order are Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman, both represented by the sport's biggest agent, Scott Boras. Among starting pitchers, the market includes Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, also represented by Boras. “He’s going to make other pitchers better.”___AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker contributed to this report.

Persons: ., Shohei, Mike Trout, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, “ It's, ”, David Stearns, hasn't, ” Ohtani, Nez, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Scott Boras, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Farhan Zaidi, “, Ross Atkins, Atkins, San Diego, Juan Soto, Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, Evan White, Cole Phillips, Jackson Kowar, Gonzales, White, Eugenio Suárez, Carlos Vargas, Seby Zavala, Scott Servais, “ That’s, Jackson Chourio, “ There’s, I’m, ” Chourio, Milwaukee, Wade Miley, Pat Murphy, “ He’s, Teresa M, Walker, ___ Organizations: ” New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Creative Artists Agency, Gaylord, Convention, Boras, San Francisco Giants, CBA, Blue Jays, San, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Atlanta, Seattle, ” Mariners, Brewers Locations: Tenn, Nez Balelo, ” Toronto, Nashville, Seattle, Arizona, Milwaukee

NEW YORK (AP) — Brad Ausmus was hired by the New York Yankees on Tuesday to replace Carlos Mendoza as bench coach for manager Aaron Boone. Now 54, Ausmus spent 2022 as the Oakland Athletics' bench coach for manager Bob Melvin. Mendoza had been the Yankees' bench coach for four seasons when he left on Nov. 13 to manage the New York Mets. The Yankees said Tuesday that Ausmus will become the third bench coach for Boone, who started with Josh Bard as his bench coach in 2018-19. Ausmus hit .251 with 80 homers and 607 RBIs in 18 seasons for the Padres (1993-96), Detroit (1996, 1999-2000) and Houston (1997-98, 2001-08).

Persons: Brad Ausmus, Carlos Mendoza, Aaron Boone, Ausmus, Bob Melvin, Mendoza, Boone, Josh Bard, ___ Organizations: New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, AL Central, Tigers, Baltimore, Oakland Athletics, Yankees, New York Mets, Dartmouth, Padres Locations: Detroit, New York, Colorado, San Diego, Houston

☆ Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr. named unanimous MLB MVPs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Ohtani becomes the first player ever to be named unanimous American League MVP twice and joins Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera as the only foreign-born players to win the award multiple times. Earning a total of 420 points, Ohtani beat out Texas Rangers teammates Corey Seager with 264 points and Marcus Semien with 216 points. Additionally, Acuña led the majors with 149 runs, 217 hits, an on-base percentage of .416) and a 1.012 OPS. “I feel really happy and privileged to be here with my family,” Acuña said in Spanish on MLB Network, surrounded by friends and family. Prior to Thursday, there had never been two unanimous MVPs announced by the writers’ association in the same season, dating back to 1931.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr, Ohtani, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Aaron, Judge, ” Ohtani, Seager, congrats, Acuña, ” Acuña, ”, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, MVPs Organizations: CNN, Atlanta Braves, Baseball Writers ’ Association of America, American League, Texas Rangers, MLB Network, Los Angeles Angels, Angels, New York, NL, Los Angeles Dodgers Locations: Spanish, Venezuela, Latin America

☆ Ohtani wins second American League MVP award in unanimous vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 30, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits an RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. He is the first player to win the MVP Award unanimously more than once, having also done so in 2021. Ohtani finished second in voting last year behind New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge . "Obviously I wanted to win last year but Judge had a spectacular season and, deservedly so, he won it. So I wanted to come back stronger and try to win this year," Ohtani said via an interpreter.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Ross, Ohtani, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Babe Ruth, Aaron Judge, Judge, Ohtani's, Ronald Acuna, Acuna, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Amy Tennery, Frank Pingue Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Bank, USA, Major League Baseball, American League, Writers ' Association of America, Texas Rangers, MLB, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Braves, Thomson Locations: Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, USA, Venezuelan, New York

He was a unanimous MVP in 2021 and finished second to the Yankees' Aaron Judge in voting last year. This was just the 20th unanimous MVP vote since the award was established in 1931. Corey Seager was second with 24 second--place votes and 264 points, and Texas teammate Marcus Semien was third with five second-place votes and 216 points. Ohtani last spoke with reporters on Aug. 9, two weeks before he hurt the elbow while pitching against Cincinnati. Ohtani won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 after leaving the Pacific League’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to sign with the Angels.

Persons: Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Babe Ruth, Ruth batted, Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr, Tommy John, Nez Balelo, ___ Organizations: American League, Los Angeles Angels, Baseball Writers ’ Association of America, Yankees, Rangers, AL, Boston, Ohtani, Baseball, Cincinnati, Pacific, Ham Fighters, Angels, Pacific League's Locations: Texas, Hokkaido Nippon

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. was a unanimous winner of his first National League Most Valuable Player award on Thursday after becoming the first big leaguer with 40 homers and 70 stolen bases in a season. Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Otani won the American League honor, becoming the first two-time unanimous MVP. Mookie Betts received all 30 second-place votes and 270 points, followed by Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Freddie Freeman with 227 points. Betts earned the 2018 AL MVP award with Boston and Freeman was the 2020 NL MVP with the Dodgers. Betts batted .307 with 39 homers and 107 RBIs, and Freeman hit .331 with 29 homers and 102 RBIs.

Persons: — Ronald Acuña Jr, Shohei Otani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Betts, Freeman, Acuña, Guaria, ____ Organizations: National League, Los Angeles Angels, American League, Atlanta Braves, Baseball Writers ’ Association of America, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston, Dodgers, NL, Braves, Philadelphia Locations: Atlanta

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was among seven players who turned down $20,325,000 qualifying offers from their former teams Tuesday and remained on free agent market to pursue more lucrative contracts. In addition to Ohtani saying no to the Los Angeles Angels, others who declined to accept were outfielder Cody Bellinger (Chicago Cubs), pitchers Josh Hader and Blake Snell (San Diego), Aaron Nola (Philadelphia), Sonny Gray (Minnesota) and third baseman Matt Chapman (Toronto). A team signing the player could lose one or two draft picks. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 10 of 131 offers have been accepted. Ohtani heads a free agent class that also includes starting pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery, along with Nola, Snell, Gray and Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is not attached to draft-pick compensation.

Persons: Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Josh Hader, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, Matt Chapman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jordan Montgomery, Snell, Gray, Yoshinobu Yamamoto Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, Qualifying Locations: San Diego, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Toronto, Nola

They will try to sway Hal Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees, too — another owner identified as someone who could be convinced to vote against Vegas. The devoted fan group chose 15 owners to receive the box, selected because maybe — just maybe — there's one more chance to keep the A's in Oakland. MLB owners are expected to vote on the proposed relocation next Wednesday or Thursday during their annual meetings, to be held this year in Arlington, Texas. On June 13, furious fans showed up at the Coliseum and implored owner John Fisher to sell the team with what they called a reverse boycott. Thousands wore green “SELL” T-shirts and chanted “Sell the team!” throughout a 2-1 victory against Tampa Bay.

Persons: John Henry, Hal Steinbrenner, Arte Moreno, Ray Davis, John Stanton, ” Paul Bailey, Oaklandish, “, Sheng Thao, ”, Stephen Lucero, John Fisher, Trevor May, Fisher, May, Lucero, Chrissy, it's Organizations: OAKLAND, Boston Red Sox, Area, New York Yankees, Vegas, Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, AP, Oakland, MLB, Coliseum, Tampa Bay, Dodgers, City Locations: Calif, Oakland, Las Vegas, ., Alameda, Arlington , Texas, Tampa Bay .

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Two-way star and coveted free agent Shohei Ohtani is donating about 60,000 baseball gloves to Japanese elementary schools. Ohtani, a free agent who has spent the past six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, announced Wednesday on Instagram that he's donating the youth gloves to schools throughout Japan. “I’m happy to announce that I will be donating approximately 60,000 youth gloves to every elementary school in Japan,” Ohtani said. “That comes out to around 20,000 elementary schools. I’m hoping the kids can spend their days happily with a lot of energy through baseball.”The gloves Ohtani is donating are from New Balance, one of his corporate partners.

Persons: Shohei, “, ” Ohtani, Tommy John Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, I’m Locations: ANAHEIM, Calif, Japan

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The race to add two-way baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani in a blockbuster free agency deal is off to a clandestine start. “Special player, that’s all I’ll say,” said Chris Young, general manager of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. “We may ask some questions, but I can’t tell you we’re diving all in,” Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said. Privately, they're surely discussing the developing Ohtani sweepstakes, which could cost the winning team upward of $500 million. “You have to have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, so on and so forth.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, ”, Chris Young, “ We’re, Brian Cashman, “, Dana Brown, they're, “ There's, Perry Minasian, We've, Tommy John, Nathan Eovaldi, Jameson Taillon, Daniel Hudson, Jason Isringhausen, Walker Buehler —, TJ, —, Ohtani, He’s, There’s, he’s, Brown, ” Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Tim Anderson, Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mike Trout, ” Minasian, We're, Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto, ” Dipoto Organizations: Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, ” Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Privately, Los Angeles Angels, ” Angels, He’s, MLB, Current Dodgers, Astros GM, Cubs, Former Angels, Seattle Mariners, Seattle GM, Mariners Locations: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, Scottsdale, ”, Arizona

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