Latest news with #LosAngelesAngelsofAnaheim
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Could Angels Waive Legendary Four-Time All-Star Closer? MLB Writer Speculates
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Angels tend to operate like there's no tomorrow, but that has its faults. Less than two weeks ago, the Angels made the perplexing decision not to sell high on any of their veterans at the trade deadline. They were on the periphery of the playoff race at best, but now, their hopes are all but dashed. With a six-game deficit in the American League wild card hunt entering play on Monday, the Angels may be only a few series away from repeating their dismaying playbook from 2023. A detailed view of an Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hat and a catching glove is seen during the sixth inning of the MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los... A detailed view of an Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hat and a catching glove is seen during the sixth inning of the MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Los Angeles. MoreBack then, mere weeks after buying at the deadline, the Angels placed a slew of veterans on waivers, hoping contenders would pick up their expiring contracts. This year, they may do the same, but they have a far more decorated player on the roster this time around. On Monday, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller postulated that closer Kenley Jansen, a four-time All-Star, could be waived in order to allow him to chase a playoff spot. In fact, Miller even named a possible fit: the division-rival Texas Rangers. "There's no question Kenley Jansen would be the most coveted player they could release. He is well on his way to a 13th consecutive 162-game season with at least 25 saves," wrote Miller. "And unlike the past three years, he's doing so with a sub-3.00 ERA, last allowing an earned run in mid-June. Could be quite the gift that falls into the Texas Rangers' closer-less lap." Jansen, 37, has a 2.72 ERA in 46 outings this year, striking out 42 batters in 43 innings. He's a near-perfect 21 of 22 in save opportunities, and perhaps best of all, he hasn't made a trip to the injured list all year. All the Angels would get from waiving Jansen is a couple million dollars of salary relief, but it would at least allow the man with the fourth-most saves in Major League Baseball history to make an impact on the playoff push. More MLB: Mets' Edwin Díaz Makes Startling Admission After Allowing Walk-Off Home Run
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Former Angels Third Baseman Passes Away
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Felix Torres, a pioneering Puerto Rican baseball player who spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, died Friday. He was 93. The mayor's office of his hometown of Santa Isabel confirmed the news of Torres' death to Newsweek Sports. More news: Legendary MLB Coach, Scout Who Starred in Japan Passes Away Torres was 30 years old when he debuted as the Angels' Opening Day third baseman in 1962. Over the next three seasons, he would hit .254 with 27 home runs and 153 RBIs in 365 games. A detailed view of an Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hat and a catching glove is seen during the sixth inning of the MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los... A detailed view of an Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hat and a catching glove is seen during the sixth inning of the MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Los Angeles. MoreThe Angels selected Torres in the December 1961 Rule 5 draft after he slashed .278/.321/.474 for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, a Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate. More news: Yankees World Series Champion, St. Louis' Last AL All-Star, Dies at 97 By then, Torres was already a hometown hero in Santa Isabel, and a veteran of more than 10 seasons of baseball in Puerto Rico and the affiliated minor leagues. In 1953 he participated in the World Amateur Baseball Championship in Venezuela, helping Puerto Rico to a sixth-place finish. In 1960 he hit three home runs in the annual Caribbean Series. Torres became the first native of Santa Isabel and the 21st Puerto Rican to appear in a major league game when he was chosen the Angels' Opening Day third baseman by manager Bill Rigney in 1962. More news: Former American League All-Star Pitcher Passes Away The language barrier was a significant one for Torres as a rookie. Not until Puerto Rican-born pitcher Julio Navarro made his debut in September did the Angels have a fluent bilingual speaker in the clubhouse. "Felix was lost here," Angels infielder Leon Wagner told Jackie Robinson in the 1964 book Baseball Has Done It. "He had a wife and couldn't get an apartment and only had two words of English: 'money' and 'beefsteak' . . . I went out and got the apartment for him." More news: MLB News: Former Mets GM Slams Angels For Deadline Trade Angels trainer Freddie Federico told author Samuel Octavio Regalado in the book Viva Baseball! that, when Torres complained of a sore arm, "I worked on his left arm for a couple of days before I discovered he was right-handed." Torres played no fewer than 100 games in his three seasons with the Angels. But by Year 3, he was beginning to cede more playing time, and he believed his salary reflected a similar sentiment from the Angels' front office. Torres told the Associated Press in March 1965 that he made $12,500 in each of his first three seasons and was willing to hold out for $15,000. More news: MLB Trade Deadline: Angels Make Surprising Deal for High Leverage Relievers The holdout did not work. Torres didn't log an at-bat until the Puerto Rican Winter League season began. His career in MLB was over. Torres would play two more seasons in the affiliated minor leagues, with the Seattle Angels in 1966-67, but was not promoted. After retiring as a player, Torres returned home to the southern coast of Puerto Rico. He was inducted into the Ponce Sports Immortals Gallery in 1985. In 2012, he was honored with the Francisco "Pancho" Coimbre Atiles Award, which recognizes outstanding professional baseball players in Puerto Rico. For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
Boston Globe
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Baseball star Ohtani's ex-interpreter is sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in sports betting case
'The magnitude of the theft — $17 million — in my view, is shockingly high,' U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb said upon issuing the sentence. Advertisement Holcomb said most people don't make that much money in their lifetime. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I hope that Mr. Mizuhara will be able to repay that sum,' Holcomb said. 'That remains to be seen.' Mizuhara has acknowledged using the money to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, in addition to $325,000 worth of baseball cards and his own dental bills. His attorney declined to comment after the hearing. The case affected arguably the world's most famous baseball player — who previously pitched for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — and stoked an international media frenzy. It stemmed from a broader probe into illegal sports bookmaking organizations in Southern California and the laundering of proceeds through casinos in Las Vegas that has netted a dozen defendants. 'His years-long theft of funds from Mr. Ohtani and the myriad lies he told to Mr. Ohtani's agents and financial advisors to cover up his theft represent a calculated betrayal of the very person he was hired to help,' prosecutors wrote in court papers. In a letter to the court, Mizuhara described his financial strain and addiction to gambling, which he had hoped would alleviate his money problems. He also professed his admiration of Ohtani, and his remorse. 'I am asking for a little mercy from the court concerning my sentence you will hand down,' Mizuhara wrote. 'I truly admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being and I was committed to devote my life so Shohei can be the best version of himself on the field. I want to say I am truly sorry for violating his trust in me.' Advertisement Mizuhara accessed Ohtani's account beginning in 2021 and changed its security protocols so he could impersonate him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had used the money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards at online resellers and had bet tens of millions of dollars that weren't his to wager on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football. Prosecutors said Mizuhara never bet on baseball, and Ohtani was an unknowing victim of the scheme. 'Let there be no doubt, Mr. Ohtani is truly a victim and has suffered, and will continue to suffer, harm from defendant's conduct,' prosecutors wrote. Michael G. Freedman, Mizuhara's attorney, wrote in court filings that his client is a gambling addict who made a 'terrible mistake' and has suffered from a loss of a job and reputation. Mizuhara takes responsibility for his actions and expects to be deported to his native Japan after serving time, Freedman wrote while asking for a sentence of one and a half years. Mizuhara was born in Japan and moved to California with his parents when he was 6. He struggled to learn English but eventually did, and he returned to Japan in 2013 to become an interpreter for a Japanese baseball team and later for Ohtani, according to court filings. The two formed a tight-knit bond, and Mizuhara moved with Ohtani in 2018 to the U.S., where he took on numerous errands for the player such as grocery shopping, Freedman wrote. Advertisement Inside baseball, Mizuhara stood by Ohtani's side for many of the athlete's career highlights, from serving as his catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game, to being there for his two American League MVP wins and his record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Off the field, Mizuhara was Ohtani's friend and confidant. He famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could keep speaking to Ohtani, and he was rehired after a deal was struck. Last year, Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, and the baseball star won his third Most Valuable Player award.
CBS News
06-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Baseball star Ohtani's ex-interpreter to appear in court for sentencing in betting case
The former interpreter for Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani is expected to be sentenced Thursday for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player's bank account. Federal prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for Ippei Mizuhara, who was supposed to bridge the gap between Ohtani and his English-speaking teammates and fans as the duo traveled from Southern California to ballparks across the U.S. Instead, Mizuhara exploited the Japanese-English language barrier to isolate Ohtani and profit from his proximity to the two-way player 's power. Mizuhara is scheduled to appear in federal court in the Orange County city of Santa Ana. He pleaded guilty last year to bank and tax fraud after he was accused of stealing money to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, in addition to $325,000 worth of baseball cards and his own dental bills. The case affected arguably the world's most famous baseball player — who previously pitched for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — and stoked an international media frenzy. It stemmed from a broader probe into illegal sports bookmaking organizations in Southern California and the laundering of proceeds through casinos in Las Vegas that has netted a dozen defendants. "His years-long theft of funds from Mr. Ohtani and the myriad lies he told to Mr. Ohtani's agents and financial advisors to cover up his theft represent a calculated betrayal of the very person he was hired to help," prosecutors wrote in court papers. They want Mizuhara to pay $17 million in restitution to Ohtani and $1 million to the Internal Revenue Service. In a letter to the court, Mizuhara described his financial strain and addiction to gambling, which he had hoped would alleviate his money problems. He also professed his admiration of Ohtani, and his remorse. "I am asking for a little mercy from the court concerning my sentence you will hand down," Mizuhara wrote. "I truly admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being and I was committed to devote my life so Shohei can be the best version of himself on the field. I want to say I am truly sorry for violating his trust in me." Mizuhara accessed Ohtani's account beginning in 2021 and changed its security protocols so he could impersonate him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had used the money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards at online resellers and had bet tens of millions of dollars that weren't his to wager on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football. Prosecutors said Mizuhara never bet on baseball, and Ohtani was an unknowing victim of the scheme. "Let there be no doubt, Mr. Ohtani is truly a victim and has suffered, and will continue to suffer, harm from defendant's conduct," prosecutors wrote. Michael G. Freedman, Mizuhara's attorney, wrote in court filings that his client is a gambling addict who made a "terrible mistake" and has suffered from a loss of a job and reputation. Mizuhara takes responsibility for his actions and expects to be deported to his native Japan after serving time, Freedman wrote while asking for a sentence of one and a half years. Mizuhara was born in Japan and moved to California with his parents when he was 6. He struggled to learn English but eventually did, and he returned to Japan in 2013 to become an interpreter for a Japanese baseball team and later for Ohtani, according to court filings. The two formed a tight-knit bond, and Mizuhara moved with Ohtani in 2018 to the U.S., where he took on numerous errands for the player such as grocery shopping, Freedman wrote. Inside baseball, Mizuhara stood by Ohtani's side for many of the athlete's career highlights, from serving as his catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game, to being there for his two American League MVP wins and his record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Off the field, Mizuhara was Ohtani's friend and confidant. He famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could keep speaking to Ohtani, and he was rehired after a deal was struck.
Boston Globe
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Baseball star Ohtani's ex-interpreter to appear in court for sentencing in betting case
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The case affected arguably the world's most famous baseball player — who previously pitched for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — and stoked an international media frenzy. It stemmed from a broader probe into illegal sports bookmaking organizations in Southern California and the laundering of proceeds through casinos in Las Vegas that has netted a dozen defendants. Advertisement 'His years-long theft of funds from Mr. Ohtani and the myriad lies he told to Mr. Ohtani's agents and financial advisors to cover up his theft represent a calculated betrayal of the very person he was hired to help,' prosecutors wrote in court papers. They want Mizuhara to pay $17 million in restitution to Ohtani and $1 million to the Internal Revenue Service. In a letter to the court, Mizuhara described his financial strain and addiction to gambling, which he had hoped would alleviate his money problems. He also professed his admiration of Ohtani, and his remorse. 'I am asking for a little mercy from the court concerning my sentence you will hand down,' Mizuhara wrote. 'I truly admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being and I was committed to devote my life so Shohei can be the best version of himself on the field. I want to say I am truly sorry for violating his trust in me.' Advertisement Mizuhara accessed Ohtani's account beginning in 2021 and changed its security protocols so he could impersonate him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had used the money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards at online resellers and had bet tens of millions of dollars that weren't his to wager on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football. Prosecutors said Mizuhara never bet on baseball, and Ohtani was an unknowing victim of the scheme. 'Let there be no doubt, Mr. Ohtani is truly a victim and has suffered, and will continue to suffer, harm from defendant's conduct,' prosecutors wrote. Michael G. Freedman, Mizuhara's attorney, wrote in court filings that his client is a gambling addict who made a 'terrible mistake' and has suffered from a loss of a job and reputation. Mizuhara takes responsibility for his actions and expects to be deported to his native Japan after serving time, Freedman wrote while asking for a sentence of one and a half years. Mizuhara was born in Japan and moved to California with his parents when he was 6. He struggled to learn English but eventually did, and he returned to Japan in 2013 to become an interpreter for a Japanese baseball team and later for Ohtani, according to court filings. The two formed a tight-knit bond, and Mizuhara moved with Ohtani in 2018 to the U.S., where he took on numerous errands for the player such as grocery shopping, Freedman wrote. Inside baseball, Mizuhara stood by Ohtani's side for many of the athlete's career highlights, from serving as his catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game, to being there for his two American League MVP wins and his record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Advertisement Off the field, Mizuhara was Ohtani's friend and confidant. He famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could keep speaking to Ohtani, and he was rehired after a deal was struck. Last year, Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, and the baseball star won his third Most Valuable Player award.
