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Good morning! Long day of golf ahead.
Serious business: The Ohtani saga reaches a shocking end
Three weeks ago, a potential betting scandal involving baseball’s biggest star, Shohei Ohtani, shook the sport. Yesterday, in an incredibly rapid turn of events, the case appeared to have been resolved.
Federal prosecutors have filed a lengthy complaint against Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s former performer, accusing Mizuhara of steal more than $16 million of Ohtani to support the performer’s gambling addiction. Before yesterday, we only knew about $4.5 million.
Two sides of this proverbial coin:
- For Ohtani, This seems like an exemption, as Ken Rosenthal writes. The complaint included stark evidence of Mizuhara’s wrongdoing and supported Ohtani’s version of the story. The superstar lost money and a formerly dear friend, but he and the game of baseball escaped without tarnishing their reputation. That’s all he can hope for. He can move on now, probably crushing home runs for the best team in baseball.
- For Mizuhara, the pain has only just begun. The details of the complaint filed against him were surprising. He allegedly placed approximately 19,000 bets over a three-year period, ranging from $10 to $160,000.. Investigators acquired messages between Mizuhara and the bookmaker in question, which included a reading of text: “Technically, I stole (Ohtani). It’s over for me. » This will do it. Mizuhara is working on a plea deal.
- Fabian Ardaya has a breakdown of the quality of the entire affidavit herewhich includes a long list of regrettable Mizuhara texts. A choice: “I’m bad at sports betting, huh? Lol.” Both sad and relevant.
The investigation also revealed an answer to the lingering question I had: How did Mizuhara gain such intimate access to Ohtani’s finances? It turns out the interpreter helped Ohtani open the accounts, then eventually impersonated him on the phone with bank officials to authorize large transactions. Frame.
For now, we can all move forward.
Feedback loop: The best major overtakes of the first day
Let’s start with the most important: your votes yesterday’s poll. I completely agree with this count and love that we all disagree with Gary Player. The Masters is awesome.
The first round of this superb tournament was cut short yesterday by darkness, following a delay due to weather conditions early in the morning. A few comments :
- Current leader Bryson DeChambeau he’s no longer the guy who brags that Augusta is a par 67 for him, as Gabby Herzig noted. This is a smarter DeChambeau.
- But Scottie Scheffler, the world’s best golfer, is only one stroke behind, posting his first bogey-free Masters round. And, as advanced statistics show, he’s in full command of, um, Augusta National every round he plays. Everyone should be afraid. (He could also leave at any time).
- Watch out for “newbie” Ludvig Åberg. He’s 2 under through 11 holes right now. As Brody Miller pointed out, he is playing in his first major tournament, although this is certainly not the case. Åberg has already helped win the Ryder Cup, won a PGA Tour event and swept away all college achievements. He was also nailed on the PGA Tour this year. He is only 24 years old. I could root for this guy now.
Oh and Tiger Woods is at 1 under through 13 holes. I don’t recognize any possibility yet. The first round continues in less than an hour (7:50 a.m. ET). Follow the results on our live blog here.
News to know
Kentucky chooses the Pope
BYU Mark Pope finalizes deal to become Kentucky’s next basketball coacha source confirmed to Athleticism. This would be a slightly surprising hire, as Pope hasn’t had the flashiest background at BYU. And yet, he’s a former Wildcats player who played for Rick Pitino and won a national title in 1996. The move comes hours after Baylor coach Scott Drew. refused the job.
Simpson died at 76
Former NFL running back OJ Simpson – famous for his football career and later for his alleged role in the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman – died yesterday of cancer . his family announced. He was 76 years old. That’s saying something Simpson’s legacy is vast and tragic.
No more news
Watch this match
MLB: Brewers at Orioles (get tickets)
7:05 p.m. ET on Apple TV+
Milwaukee has been a nice surprise so far this season, and Baltimore is one of the most talented teams in the league. Also, start your first research on Jackson Holliday, prospect number 1 who made his debut Wednesday night for the O’s.
NBA: Bucks at Thunder (get tickets)
8 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Oklahoma City is still in play for the No. 1 seed in the West, although it’s looking more and more like Denver’s spot after the Nuggets’ big win over Minnesota on Wednesday. The Bucks, despite the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, had two impressive victories against the Celtics and the Magic. It’s big for both seeding and vibrations.
Pulse selection
There are so many podcasts about athletes today. But what Charles Tillman And Romain Harper do on the Podcast “Second Acts” was really, really cool. Zak Keefer tried to understand how these two former Panthers teammates are so good to help other former players open up. Nice read.
NFL executives chose their top QB in the project. Hmm. Geaux Tigers.
The race for NHL Hart Trophy is tight this year. The field is deeper than we’ve seen in years. Shayna Goldman a very useful breakdown of who is in charge and who has the advantage.
I loved Mo Dakhil’s breakdown on how NBA teams are actually preparing for the playoffs, in terms of X’s and O’s. Want to learn something? Always read Mo.
Most clicked in the newsletter yesterday: The Coyotes might move to Salt Lake City — from next season. Savage.
Most read on the site yesterday: Our NBA Playoffs Live Blog, which contains up-to-the-minute information on developments in the playoff picture. Extremely valuable.
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