Shohei Ohtani hits record-equaling 175th MLB home run vs. Padres… just hours after his ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was in court over claims he stole $16MILLION from Dodgers star
Shohei Ohtani hit a Major League Baseball record 175th home run on Friday night – just hours after his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara appeared in court on allegations that he stole $16 million from the Dodgers star.
Ohtani tied Hideki Matsui for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player with a solo shot during the first inning of Los Angeles’ game against the San Diego Padres.
The $700 million superstar hit an elevated outside fastball from Michael King from 400 feet into the center field stands with one out, putting the Dodgers up 2-1. It was his fourth homer for the Dodgers in eight games.
On Friday afternoon, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered Mizuhara to undergo gambling addiction treatment, amid allegations that he used $16 million from Ohtani’s bank account to pay off debts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Friday night’s game that Ohtani handled the situation “with flying colors.”
Shohei Ohtani hit a record 175th home run in Major League Baseball on Friday evening
Against the Padres, Ohtani tied Hideki Matsui for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player
The $700 million superstar drove an elevated fastball 400 feet into the center field stands
“He’s done a great job of just focusing on playing baseball and not letting it distract him,” Roberts said.
Ohtani also extended his hitting streak to eight games.
Ohtani, a two-time AL MVP, signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers during the offseason after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
Matsui played 10 seasons in the Majors from 2003 to 2012. His first seven years were with the New York Yankees, followed by one season with the Angels, Oakland and Tampa Bay.
Ichiro Suzuki is the only other Japanese-born player to reach the century mark in home runs with 117.
Ippei Mizuhara appeared in court on allegations that he stole $16 million from the Dodgers star
“He’s done a great job of just focusing on baseball,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said
Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million deal, extended his hitting streak to eight games