THE YEAR OF SHOHEI OHTANI 🔥 From SCANDAL to WORLD SERIES to MVP 📈 | The Sports Reporters

On The Sports Reporters, Jeremy Schaap, Bill Rhoden, Trey Wingo and Hannah Storm discuss Shohei Ohtani's 2024 including the gambling scandal with his former interpreter, joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning the World Series, starting the 50/50 club and winning his third MVP award.

[fualexander]

ESPN better take down this trash clip before they get destroyed by the backlash. Shohei Ohtani was cleared by the DOJ, let alone named a "victim" in the case. Shohei could sue Wingo and Rhoden for defamation. I can't believe ESPN would allow such unfounded gossip material to go on air.

[e.m]

What are haters... those first two commentators are two haters.

[abssch]

Did the reporter just say his interpreter was “the fall guy”? Ohtani was exonerated by the USDOJ and designated as the victim. ESPN, this is straight up slander.

[もこもこ-ti]

I just can’t believe how stupid they are… they better read the 37 pages of FEDs report before they make themselves look stupid. FEDs already cleared him as a 100% VICTIM. Ohtani had zero involvement and zero knowledge about Ippei’s gambling problems and also was totally not aware of being ripped off. Just read the report before you say something. Everything you want to know is written in there.

[otani]

ohtani did not have to escape anything …he was innocent

[Erica-myqw]

I “disliked” this video, not because of Ohtani, who I have great respect for as the (IMO) quite obvious GOAT of baseball, but because of the two absolute clowns on the ends of the panel. This was slander, plain and simple, not to mention completely baseless and actually totally disproven slander to boot.

I’m well aware that the human appetite for ugliness runs deep, but why anyone would feel the need to bring up that terrible situation other than to commend Shohei for not letting it distract him from his responsibilities to his team and his own personal pursuit of excellence is beyond me.

ESPN should remove this video and issue a public apology, and if I were Shohei I would not speak another word to any ESPN reporter or personnel until they did so. He seems too good natured and focused on his task to take such a measure (and I understand that the odds of him even being aware of this are slim), but it would be absolutely warranted in my opinion. Do better ESPN; Ohtani’s story is fascinating enough without having to resort to baseless accusations and outright lies.

[anngene]

“The fall guy?” — Fire the 2 guys immediately. Hannah is an absolute professional for steering it back.

[かい-nyv]

I am Japanese, I was so disappointed what two guys said about Shohei.
They don't have the right to say anything about baseball include Ohtani.

[jxhide]

The old racist guys trying to blame ohtani still even afted Fed cleared him. Better to leave racists off yout panel.

[Zagirus]

*Ohtani's first year with the Dodgers while recovering from a tommy surgery:*

- Set the franchise record for most home runs in a single season with 54 home runs
- Achieved a 9.2 Offensive bWAR, the highest in Dodgers' history, surpassing Mike Piazza’s 9.0 mark in 1997
- Holds the franchise record for most RBIs in a single game with 10 RBIs (in the game he went 6-for-6 with 3 home runs, 5 XBH and 2 stolen bases)
- Most XBH by a LA Dodger (99)
- Achieved an RBI in 10 consecutive games, surpassing Roy Campanella's record of 9 RBIs in 1955
- 411 total bases, setting a LA Dodgers record, surpassing Adrián Beltré’s 376 total bases in 2004
- Hit the most home runs in a single season at Dodgers' home games with 28 home runs
- Achieved a 190 OPS+, the highest in a qualified season in Dodgers history, surpassing Mike Piazza’s 185 OPS+ in 1997
- Set a Dodgers record with 134 runs scored, leading the majors in this category
- Posted a .646 slugging percentage, leading the NL and setting a new Dodgers record, surpassing Gary Sheffield’s .643 mark in 2000
- Led the Dodgers in all offensive categories in a single season

*Postseason performance:*

Heroically saved the Dodgers from getting swept by the Padres with his massive clutch 3-run homer in the NLDS, having an outstanding NLCS performance with a 1.184 OPS, .364 AVG, .818 with RISP, leading with 9 runs, reaching the bases 17 TIMES, and of course, he massively contributed to Game 1 of the World Series with his series-changing clutch double in the 8th inning that led to Freddie's grand slam, dealing a blow to the Yankees' morale. But unfortunately, Ohtani's postseason run ended in Game 2 when his shoulder was dislocated, requiring surgery after the series. But his presence alone in the lineup messed with the Yanks' pitching game.

Ohtani and the Dodgers are destined for GREATNESS!!!

[honganshaw]

That 2 old head absolutely shameless, even FBI can't let them believe

[suika]

ESPN apologize to Ohtani.
You should once again make a correct excuse here..
Ohtani is the real victim, You were guilty of social media harassment., every day.
Chapter 37 of the statement explains the circumstances well, read it.
Making slanderous statements online can open you to claims for damages.

[cathyl]

This piece is even far below ESPN’s standard. Surprised ESPN even allowed it.

[wertly]

Regular bottom of the barrell reporters could never understand what it takes to be great at a certain discipline. The concentrated focus and maniacal drive that it takes to do the required workload day in and day out. Do they think Shohei is the greatest baseball player of all-time because he is closely monitoring his finances. No, he is the greatest because his whole life from a young age was geared toward optimising his baseball prowess and abilities. SMH.... these guys sound like straight-up salty haters. If they are so sure about him being guilty, I can't wait to see their compelling evidence that a full-scale federal investigation was unable to find. Straight up BOZO's!

[LAChannel-pyll]

Can’t believe that some stupid sports writers still think they know more than the Feds, Homeland Security and the IRS.

Get over it and if you think the interpreter is still the fall guy, then prove it.

[andrewlee]

That was pure slander. Let me get this straight: you can just say that when someone is exonerated? If that's the case, anybody can make any allegation regardless of the veracity.

[PMorinaga]

some non players are ignorant. and discrimination still present in america. haters still dwelling on something that was resolved in court.

[juergenwest]

Saying “fall guy” is irresponsible and outlandish. The DOJ doesn’t mess around like that.

[neilpm]

Even when he played in Japan, his Mom took care of finances, so it is not a surprise he would be out of the loop. All he does is play ball.

[Shakazulu.]

I’m getting so annoyed by these ignorants and it’s not even about myself. I’m sure these haters haven’t read the affidavit and just talking.