Craig Carton Questions Shohei Ohtani'S Interpreter Role Amid Language Revelation

Ohtani's English Surprise Sparks Debate

Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' star, raised eyebrows when he addressed a packed Dodger Stadium in English during the team's World Series celebration. The moment was enough for Craig Carton, a notable radio personality, to question the necessity of an interpreter for Ohtani, who has largely conducted interviews with one throughout his MLB career.

This moment of bilingual brilliance ignited conversations, especially from Carton, who openly questioned on his podcast whether Ohtani's interpreter might have had roles beyond language translation. "I applaud him for doing that," Carton said, reflecting on Ohtani's English address. "It might have been hard for him to speak English in front of so many people, but he clearly does not need an interpreter."

“I think a lot of guys speak perfect English, they just don’t want to cause screw the English media,” Carton speculated, hinting at the potential ease or strategic advantage of using an interpreter.

The Interpreter's Controversial Past

Ohtani's current interpreter, Will Ireton, took over after Ippei Mizuhara's departure in 2024. Mizuhara was involved in a scandal, charged with bank fraud for allegedly embezzling nearly $17 million from Ohtani to settle gambling debts. Although Ohtani was cleared of any wrongdoing, Carton's comments have added fuel to the fire of speculation about past events.

Carton, who has his own history of federal charges, pondered, "Maybe he wasn’t an interpreter for him. Is there any possibility that the real reason he was keeping Ippei around...is there the possibility that Ippei’s only real role was to be a gambling buddy?”

Riding the Waves of Speculation

Despite Ohtani's flawless English performance, questions remain as to why interpreters have been a mainstay in his career. As Carton muses, it could be more about comfort or avoiding potential media misinterpretations. Nonetheless, the topic has gained traction, as other sports like the NBA grapple with gambling scandals.

Though conspiracy theories swirl, it's important to note that Ohtani was swiftly cleared of any ties to Mizuhara's fraudulent activities. The idea that the FBI would overlook any suspicions is far-fetched, but the intrigue surrounding Ohtani and his interpreters keeps the conversation alive in the City of Angels – a place where drama never sleeps.