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☆ Alex Morgan says goodbye in final match of illustrious 15-year career
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

SAN DIEGO — Fighting tears, Alex Morgan waved to the crowd and walked off the field for the last time on Sunday as she capped an impactful 15-year career. The two-time Women’s World Cup winner announced on Thursday she was pregnant with her second child and retiring from the game. Overall, it was her 150th career appearance in National Women’s Soccer League play. Morgan’s U.S. national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012. Morgan played in 224 matches for the U.S. national team, with 123 goals (fifth on the career list) and 53 assists (ninth).

Persons: Alex Morgan, subbing, ” Morgan, Morgan, Charlie, Joe Musgrove, ”, Jessica Berman, “, Amber Brunner, equitably, Alex Organizations: DIEGO, San Diego Wave, North Carolina Courage, Women’s Soccer League, England, Portland Thorns, Wave, U.S ., U.S, Soccer, Community, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, men’s Locations: France, Morgan’s, U.S

☆ Bookie pleads guilty to running illegal gambling business used by ex-Ohtani interpreter
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

SANTA ANA, Calif. — A Southern California bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty Friday to running an illegal gambling business. “I was running an illegal gambling operation, laundering money through other people’s bank accounts,” Bowyer told the judge. According to prosecutors, Bowyer ran an illegal gambling business for at least five years in Southern California and Las Vegas, and he took wagers from more than 700 bettors, including Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Meanwhile, sports gambling is illegal in California, even as 38 states and the District of Columbia allow some form of it. Federal prosecutors said Bowyer’s other customers included a professional baseball player for a Southern California club and a former minor league player.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Mathew Bowyer, “, ” Bowyer, Bowyer, Ippei, Mizuhara, Ohtani, didn’t, Bowyer’s, Pete Rose, Tucupita Marcano, Marcano, Rose, he’d Organizations: SANTA ANA, Calif, District of Columbia, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Prosecutors, Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, MLB Locations: SANTA, —, Southern California, Santa Ana, Las Vegas, California

☆ Betting scandals have rocked sports this year. Here's why that could be a good thing.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

While the expansion of legal sports betting has made gambling more accessible, it's also helped spot infractions like these. The MLB also said it was tipped off about Marcano's betting activity by a legal sports-betting operator, ESPN reported. "When you are operating in the dark, you have no idea what is actually happening — if refs are partaking in illegal betting or players are partaking in betting," Slane said. Many US states where sports betting is legal require gambling companies to work with a licensed independent integrity-monitoring service, like IC360 or Sportradar, to identify suspicious betting activity. They could be college football players betting on the NFL, or NFL players betting on games their teams weren't playing in.

Persons: —, Jontay Porter, Tucupita Marcano, Lucas Paqueta, he's, It's, Shohei Ohtani, it's, Sara Slane, Pete Rose, sportsbooks, Matt Holt, Porter, Holt, that's, Slane, They're, Jim Brown, bettors, Brown, Sportradar, they're, IC360 Organizations: Service, NBA, Toronto Raptors, Raptors, San Diego Padres, Premier League, Football Association, Business, University of Alabama, Dodgers, Sports, Major League Baseball, MLB, ESPN, IC360, Alabama baseball, Iowa State University, Leagues, North America, NFL Locations: Slane, Ohio, sportsbooks, North, Sportradar, Colorado

☆ 2024 has become the year of gambling scandals in the sports world. That could be a good thing.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

While the expansion of legal sports betting has made gambling more accessible, it's also helped spot infractions like these. The MLB also said it was tipped off about Marcano's betting activity by a legal sports-betting operator, ESPN reported. There's little data available to show whether gambling violations like these occur more or less often in the age of legal gambling, in part because they weren't easily tracked before 2018. They could be college football players betting on the NFL, or NFL players betting on games their teams weren't playing in. As sports-betting continues to expand in more states and the industry evolves, there may be more gambling scandals to come.

☆ The rise in sports betting and gambling violations by pro athletes, in 4 charts
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-15 | by ( Annette Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

As pro athletes deal with the ramifications of betting on games, a growing number of people are also grappling with mental health issues associated with sports betting. Gambling addiction hotlines across the country have reported a huge surge in traffic in recent years. Texts and chats to the National Problem Gambling Helpline have increased around 800% since 2018 while call volume grew nearly 80%. The annual national social cost of problem gambling — including job loss and gambling-related criminal justice — amounts to around $14 billion, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling. In January, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Andrea Salinas introduced the Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act, which would use federal funding to treat and study problem gambling.

Persons: Tucupita, Jontay Porter, Robert Manfred, —, There’s, LeBron James, ”, Charlie Baker —, National Collegiate Athletic Association —, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Andrea Salinas Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, National Basketball Association, Toronto Raptors, MLB, US, State helplines, of Ohio, National Council, Sports, American Gaming Association, Leagues, NBA, ESPN, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Investment Locations: New Jersey, Nevada, Washington, DC, Massachusetts, Las Vegas

☆ 6 sports-betting execs break down the biggest challenges facing the industry and how they're trying to solve them
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Tiara White | Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewLegal sports betting is becoming more mainstream in the US, and regulators and leagues are starting to scrutinize it more closely. The industry's evolution is creating new challenges in areas like player protection, responsible gaming, and product innovation. "They're really trying to squeeze out as much profit and as much margin as they can, and it's starting to feel that way," Doctor told BI, describing what he considers one of the biggest challenges facing the industry. "When it comes to responsible gaming and responsible betting," she said.

Persons: —, Tucupita Marcano, sportsbooks, Zach Doctor, They're, Joe Maloney, Ashley Cahill, Dave Foppert, DraftKings, Foppert, Christiana Yebra, Max, Yebra, we'll, Mark Nerenberg Organizations: Service, San Diego Padres, Major League Baseball, Business, PNC Bank VP, American Gaming Association, Sports, Netflix

☆ Betting is the ‘Achilles’ heel’ of US sports. Are leagues doing enough?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“But matters affecting the integrity of the game have a chilling effect across the board and governing bodies know this is their Achilles heel,” he warned. Fast forward to 2024 and the gambling industry is engrained in US sports culture with leagues, franchises, players and networks now partnering with betting organizations. “We need legislation to do things like prevent sports betting advertising, and to prevent prop betting. However, it can be often in leagues’ financial interest for betting to increase in popularity. “The sports leagues have turned to sports betting because it increases fan avidity.

Persons: Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani, Tucupita Marcano, Jontay Porter, ” David Carter, ”, Paul Sancya, – it’s, Andrew Zimbalist, Zimbalist, ’ ”, “, William Hill, Mike Segar, Porter, Long Phi Pham, Pham, Breon Peace, Victor Matheson, Matheson, Adam Silver, Robert D, Manfred , Jr, Wayne Gretzky, Bruce Bennett, ’ Zimbalist, LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes, Connor McDavid’s, ” Matheson, ” Carter, ” Zimbalist, CNN’s Thomas Schlachter Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, National Basketball Association, Toronto Raptors, NBA, USC Marshall School of Business, MGM Grand Detroit, DC, Super, American Gaming, Smith College, Monmouth, Reuters, Authorities, Supreme, College of, NFL, MLB, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Madison, Garden, “, NCAA, National Council Locations: Brooklyn, Michigan, Detroit, Washington, Oceanport , New Jersey, U.S, Porter , Brooklyn, New York City

☆ MLB bans Padres player for betting on his team's games
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

MLB player Tucupita Marcano has been banned for gambling on his own team's games. Marcano bet on 25 Pittsburgh Pirates games he didn't play in. AdvertisementIn yet another spots-betting scandal, San Diego Padres player Tucupita Marcano has been permanently banned for gambling on hundreds of games — including his own team's. Major League Baseball (MLB) cited Rule 21 stating players can't bet on games where they have "a duty to perform," but noted Marcano didn't actually play in any of the games. Four other players also received one-year suspensions for gambling, MLB announced Tuesday.

Persons: Tucupita Marcano, Marcano, —, didn't Organizations: Pittsburgh Pirates, Service, San Diego Padres, Major League Baseball, MLB, Business

☆ San Diego Padres player Tucupita Marcano banned for life by MLB after betting on games
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano has been banned for life by Major League Baseball for betting on baseball games. The MLB investigation found that 25 of those bets included Pirates games while Marcano was assigned to the Major League club. Those players are Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres minor league pitcher Jay Groome, Philadelphia Phillies minor league infielder José Rodríguez and Arizona Diamondbacks minor league pitcher Andrew Saalfrank. According to MLB rules, a player found guilty of betting on baseball games involving teams other than their own are subject to a one-year suspension. “The longstanding prohibition against betting on Major League Baseball games by those in the sport has been a bedrock principle for over a century.

Persons: Tucupita Marcano, Marcano, ”, Michael Kelly, Jay Groome, José Rodríguez, Andrew Saalfrank, Rob Manfred, Manfred, “, Kelly, A’s, Michael, Rodríguez Organizations: CNN, San Diego Padres, Major League Baseball, MLB, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates, Major League, Marcano’s Pirates, Padres, Major League Baseball’s, “, Players Association, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, “ MLB, Oakland, Phillies, Diamondbacks

☆ MLB bans Padres’ Tucupita Marcano permanently for betting on baseball
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Lukas Weese | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Major League Baseball permanently banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano on Tuesday for placing hundreds of bets on baseball, including wagers on the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was a member of the team last season. MLB’s Department of Investigations found Marcano placed 387 baseball bets, including 231 MLB-related bets, through a legal sportsbook in 2022 and 2023, the league said. The Department of Investigations found all four players placed MLB-related bets while in the minors. MLB said a legal sports betting operator informed the league in March that it had “identified past baseball betting activity” from accounts connected to multiple players. He placed 29 baseball bets, including 28 MLB-related bets and one parlay bet on college baseball games in 2021 and 2022, the league said.

Persons: Tucupita Marcano, Marcano, Pete Rose, Rob Manfred, Michael Kelly, Jay Groome, José Rodriguez, Andrew Saalfrank —, ”, Kelly —, Marcano hadn’t, Kelly, Groome, Rodríguez, Saalfrank, Zac BonDurant Organizations: Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB’s Department of Investigations, MLB, Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Major League, Oakland Athletics, Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Department, Investigations, ’, A’s, Marcano, Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Triple, Phillies, Chicago White, Diamondbacks, Getty

☆ 16 rising stars of sports betting and gaming who are driving growth areas like responsible gaming, micro betting, and pick 'em fantasy
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Richard Taylor helped build BetMGM's responsible-gaming departmentRichard Taylor. He knew working in responsible gaming could bring a lot of good to the industry. He was previously the director of responsible gaming at MGM Resorts International and moved almost four years ago to BetMGM, where he currently serves in the same role. "I was fortunate enough to be selected to be the first director of responsible gaming," he told BI. He said this excited him because he could take the knowledge he obtained over the years to hopefully help young staff build good habits.

Persons: Richard Taylor, Mitchell Ternay, Taylor Organizations: MGM Resorts International, San Diego Padres, Las Vegas Locations: Las Vegas, Taylor

☆ Can MLB save the starting pitcher? The search for solutions to baseball’s ‘existential crisis’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Jayson Stark | Ken Rosenthal | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +20 min

Ten active major-league starting pitchers have won a Cy Young Award — and nine of them have spent time on the injured list in 2024. The issue is not only the health of the modern starting pitcher, but the role those starters play in the sport these days. “You’ve got to get the starting pitcher back. But has the starting pitcher crisis risen to that level? If you’re a dominating starting pitcher in this era, it probably means you throw harder than the average pitcher.

Persons: Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton, Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, ’, Cy Young, Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes, Yu Darvish, Justin Steele, ”, Max Scherzer, “ You’ve, Patrick Mahomes, isn’t, that’s, weren’t, here’s, It’s, they’d, you’re, they’re, David Ortiz, Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Adam Wainwright, they’ve, “, North America aren’t, I’ve, you’ve, ” Scherzer, Corbin Burnes, Patrick Smith, Rob Manfred, we’re, “ You’re, wouldn’t, it’s, “ that’s, He’s, Manfred, Eamonn Dalton, Conrad Williams , Jr, Matthew Grimes Jr Organizations: Cy, Wrigley, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Cubs, Padres, Major League Baseball, Texas Rangers, NFL, Athletic, MLB, American League, of Fame, didn’t, Atlantic League, Red Sox, National League, North America, Orioles, Newsday, Getty Images, Atlanta Braves, Getty

☆ Matt Hilton: Beekeeper revels in ‘surreal’ experience after his MLB heroics, gets a trading card deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Don Riddell | Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Beekeeper Matt Hilton said the last few days have been “crazy” after becoming the latest star of Major League Baseball. Hilton became the hero on Tuesday after he was called out to deal with a swarm of bees that was delaying the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game. I mean, I’m going to Chase Field and the Diamondbacks and Dodgers playing,” Hilton told CNN Sport’s Don Riddell. Beekeeper Hilton hypes up the crowd after removing the swarm of bees. Limited edition trading cardThe spotlight, though, still remains on Hilton after the beekeeper’s efforts were further rewarded with his very own Topps trading card.

Persons: Matt Hilton, Hilton, Arizona’s, ” Hilton, CNN Sport’s Don Riddell, “, ”, Bonnie Tyler’s “, Beekeeper Hilton hypes, Christian Petersen, “ It’s, I’m, “ We’ve Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chase Field, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Blue Sky Pest, Hilton, Topps, ” Topps, Twitter, The Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres

☆ Bally Sports regional networks go dark for Comcast cable customers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Negotiations between Comcast and Bally Sports' operator Diamond Sports Group, which has been under bankruptcy protection since last year, broke down following a dispute over terms. Pay-TV distributors have been losing customers at a fast clip in recent years as customers opt for cheaper streaming options. Comcast had more than 13.6 million pay-TV customers as of March 31, after losing 487,000 subscribers during the first quarter. Some regional sports networks have begun offering streaming options to customers at a price point that doesn't upend the pay-TV model. In addition to Comcast, Diamond has held negotiations in recent weeks with Charter Communications — which provides pay-TV services under the Spectrum brand — DirecTV and Cox Communications.

Persons: Diamond, Cox Organizations: Bally, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Target, The Astros, Twins, Comcast, Bally Sports, Diamond Sports Group, MLB, Detroit Tigers, NBA, NHL, Diamond, Comcast ., Communications, DirecTV, Cox Communications, Charter, Google, Disney, San Diego Padres, Phoenix Suns, CNBC Locations: Minneapolis , Minnesota, NBCUniversal

☆ Larry Lucchino, Top Executive at Three M.L.B. Teams, Dies at 78
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Richard Sandomir | More About Richard Sandomir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Larry Lucchino, who as a top executive with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres oversaw the design and construction of modern stadiums that evoke their surroundings — Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore and Petco Park in San Diego — and who as president of the Boston Red Sox preserved Fenway Park for generations, died on Tuesday. The Red Sox announced the death but did not say where he died or give a cause. He had been treated for cancer three times. In Mr. Lucchino’s 14 years with the team, the Red Sox won the World Series three times — the first of those championships, in 2004, broke an 86-year drought — and reached the postseason seven times. He oversaw improvements to Fenway Park that included installing seats above the Green Monster, the 37-foot-high left field wall, and vastly expanding concourses and concession areas.

Persons: Larry Lucchino, San Diego —, “, ” John Henry, ” Mr, Lucchino, Henry, Lucchino’s Organizations: Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Camden Yards, Boston Red Sox, Red Sox Locations: Baltimore, San Diego, Boston

☆ 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

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

• 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

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Shohei Ohtani may be South Korea's most-beloved Japanese athlete, a testament to his charm in softening any lingering animosity between the two neighbors. “I think Ohtani would perhaps be the first Japanese athlete who we can say we like. After his arrival in South Korea, he told reporters that he’s always respected South Korea’s national teams and called South Korea “one of my favorite countries." In 2019, a forced-labor issue triggered widespread public campaigns in South Korea to boycott Japanese goods and services. But despite their often-rocky political relations, South Korea and Japan are closely linked to each other culturally and economically.

Persons: covets, ”, Lee Jong, “, Hwang Seon, he’s, Yoon Suk, Heung, ” Lee, ___ Organizations: Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Korean, Dodgers, Seoul’s Hanyang University, Ohtani’s South, South, Twitter, Tottenham Hotspur Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Korean, Japan, Korea, South Koreans

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani says the upcoming Major League Baseball season opener against the San Diego Padres in Seoul will provide “great memories” for him and his wife, but he’ll attempt to focus on baseball. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesThe Dodgers-Padres games on March 20-21 will be Ohtani’s debut with the Dodgers, and they will be the first MLB regular season games in Seoul. Ohtani says he is aware of the intense international media focus on the games in Seoul. Members of his fan club in South Korea put up placards welcoming Ohtani’s arrival at Incheon international airport on Friday. I’ve always watched the games between Japan and Korea and I always respected, looked up to Team Korea and Korean players,” Ohtani said.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, ”, Ohtani, Mamiko Tanaka, “, ” Otani, hadn’t, Tanaka, I’m, ” Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, That’s, they’ve, I’ve, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, Dodgers, Fujitsu Red Wave, Japan Basketball League, Padres, MLB, Incheon, Team Korea Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Seoul, Ohtani, Japan, Korean, Korea

☆ 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

☆ See-Through Baseball Pants Have Fans, and Brands, Pointing Fingers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Eve Peyser | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At the end of this month, Major League Baseball will officially commence its 2024 season, and with spring training already in full swing, the chatter among hard-core fans and casual observers has been unusually spirited. Unfortunately, the conversation has not been about the New York Yankees trading for Juan Soto or the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Shohei Ohtani. Instead, people cannot stop talking about the league’s new uniforms, specifically the pants, which leave little to the imagination. “Buying my wife Fanatics baseball pants instead of lingerie,” read an X post with more than 33,000 likes. “Whenever I’m nervous public speaking I just pretend people in the audience are wearing Fanatics baseball pants,” another person joked.

Persons: Juan Soto, Shohei Ohtani, — Organizations: Major League Baseball, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Nike, San Diego Padres

☆ MLB players concerned about uniform’s ‘see-through’ pants ahead of the new season
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Major League Baseball players have been faced with an unusual problem ahead of the new season: a malfunctioning wardrobe. Players and fans have already voiced their concerns about the new jerseys being worn this season, and on Thursday, as spring training games got underway, MLB Players’ Association (MLBPA) executive director Tony Clark also shared concerns about the pants. “A lot of the rhetoric is confirmation that the pants are see-through,” said Clark, according to ESPN. Players also wore them during last season’s All-Star Game, and Nike and MLB said they were well received at the time. “They’re designed to be performance wear as opposed to what’s been traditionally worn, so they are going to be different,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said about the uniforms.

Persons: Tony Clark, ”, Clark, “ It’s, ” Clark, TJ, “, we’ve, Daniel Shirey, “ They’re, what’s, Rob Manfred Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, MLB, ’, ESPN, Nike, Baltimore Orioles, TJ Maxx, CNN, LA Dodgers, San Diego Padres Locations: Seoul, South Korea

“World Series Champions. Bochy noted the challenges in winning one World Series, but also made reference to what the Chiefs accomplished last Sunday. Of the 169 players who became free agents after the World Series, more than half were still without a team when the week began. Molina managed Criollos de Caguas in winter ball and Puerto Rico in the recently completed Caribbean World Series. The Yankees and Brewers swapped relievers with left-hander Clayton Andrews going to New York and right-hander Johan Quezada going to Milwaukee.

Persons: ”, I’ve, Bruce Bochy, Bochy, Chris Young, ” Young, Shohei, Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez, Elly De La Cruz, Ian Happ, ” Happ, “, NL Cy Young, Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Yasmani Grandal, Shintaro Fujinami, Phil Maton, Scott Alexander, Spencer Turnbull, Tommy John, Craig Counsell, Bob Melvin, Pat Murphy, Mike Shildt, Melvin, Carlos Mendoza, That’s, Stephen Vogt, Terry Francona, Ron Washington, Phil Nevin, Joe Espada, Dusty, ” Espada, I’m, ” MOLINA, Yadier, Molina, Criollos, John Mozeliak, Louis, Peyton Burdick, Burdick, Clayton Andrews, Johan Quezada, Jay Cohen, Stephen Hawkins, Marc Berman, Chuck King, ___ Organizations: Texas Rangers, ”, Rangers, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Dodger, Mariners, Super Bowl . Young Cincinnati, Cubs, NL, New York Mets, Philadelphia, NL Central, Chicago, Brewers, Padres, National League, American, Houston, Louis Cardinals, Puerto, ” Cardinals, Baseball, Cardinals, Marlins, Triple, The Yankees, AP Baseball Locations: Surprise , Arizona, ” Texas, Texas, Seoul, South Korea, Peoria , Arizona, Las Vegas, Goodyear , Arizona, Florida, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Oakland, Milwaukee, San Francisco, San Diego, Cleveland, Caguas, Puerto Rico, Miami, Jacksonville, New York

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Free-agent reliever Wandy Peralta and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a $16.5 million, four-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said Wednesday. The person spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical exam and hadn’t been finalized. The 32-year-old left-hander spent the last three seasons with the New York Yankees. While they still have big holes elsewhere heading into spring training, the budget-minded Padres at least have a well-stocked bullpen. The Padres have only two outfielders on their active roster and need to firm up their rotation behind Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Michael King.

Persons: Wandy Peralta, hadn’t, Woo, Suk, Yuki Matsui, Robert Suarez, Josh Hader, flopping, Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Michael King, King, Juan Soto, Trent Grisham, ___ Organizations: DIEGO, San Diego Padres, Associated Press, New York Yankees, Padres, Houston, Yankees Locations: South Korea, Japan, Diego, New York

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