Shohei Ohtani and Baseball’s Recurring Nightmare

The superstar’s arrival with the Dodgers was supposed to be a turning point for baseball, but now the sport must grapple with another scandal that threatens to undermine its integrity

In December of 2023, the axis of power in baseball was set to experience a seismic shift. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have won over 100 games in five of the last six full MLB seasons, signed superstar Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year $700 million contract To a roster that already was filled with All-Stars. This move ensured that not only would the Dodgers be the favorites to win the World Series this year, but were set up to be a baseball dynasty for years to come.

Ohtani was the most sought-after free agent since Alex Rodriguez signed with the Texas Rangers at the turn of the century. Ohtani has been compared to Babe Ruth, the rare player that can pitch and hit at an incredibly high level. The fact that he went from a franchise that does not have a ton of history (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) to one of the most prestigious franchises in baseball’s history was a tremendous win for Major League Baseball. That optimism has now been shattered as there have been reports of a potential gambling scandal that surrounds Ohtani and his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. The scandal comes at the worst possible time for baseball, presenting a roadblock for its return…