not a DIY deal

 Haven't heard much about the Ohtani betting scandal. The story, as google tells it, is that Ohtani is the victim in all of this. His best friend and interpreter stole the money from him to pay off gambling debts. Four and a half million dollars and Ohtani didn't even notice. Is that plausible? I don't know, never having had such a great deal of money that I didn't, or couldn't, count it all myself. I'm thinking I would have noticed, but maybe not. He did sign a ten year 700 million dollar deal with the Dodgers. So, 70 million a year. If I had seventy dollars and four went missing, I would know it. If I had 70 million and four and hall million went missing I may not. 

 I don't expect much will come of this simply because of the money involved. The money I'm talking about isn't Ohtani's money though, I'm talking about the revenue MLB gains from having Ohtani around. Can't make much money off of disgraced players. Well at least players that are superstars! If he were just another ballplayer, it would be a different scenario entirely. I can't pretend to really understand all of this but realize that one player, one star can make a huge difference and that is the reason for the large contract. The Dodgers believe it is worth the investment. Way back in 1989 Pete Rose famously agreed to a lifetime ban from baseball for betting on games. Its' important to remember he was the manager of the Reds at that time. Had he still been an active player the outcome may have been different. But he wasn't and could be used to make an example. He agreed to the ban in a settlement. Years later he admitted that he had indeed bet on baseball but always for the Reds to win, as though that somehow made it right. It's like the Robin Hood thing. It's okay to be a thief, as long as you give the money away. 

 A lot has changed over the years in regard to gambling. In 1989 there were lotteries, casino gambling, horse racing, and four states had sports betting on a limited basis. Still gambling was frowned upon generally in our society as something seedy or immoral when actual money was involved. Well, unless it was Bingo down at the church, that was fine. Today gambling is becoming the major revenue source for government programs. You can gamble on anything, anytime without even having to leave your home! It is still "against the rules" for any player to bet on any sport. That's part of the agreement. No betting on games. You can't give the money to someone else and have them bet for you either. Now just how that is supposed to be enforced I can't say. 

 The thing with this Ohtani situation is this. If his friend admits that he stole that money to pay off his gambling debts, and that Ohtani didn't know anything about that, Ohtani shouldn't face any consequences for that, he's the victim! Now Ohtani could just simply say, I don't want to press charges against my friend and no crime was committed in the eyes of the law. Well, maybe he could be charged with placing illegal bets but not for the theft of the money. So, then what do you do to him? I don't know what the punishment for that is. Ohtani comes out as the good guy and continues his baseball career and his march to the hall of Fame. Everyone makes money and everyone is happy. Did Ohtani know? I'm thinking we will have to wait for the book. Rose took 14 years to admit to his lie. He did so, I feel, in an attempt to get into the Hall of Fame. Ohtani will have no such motivation. Pete should have just had someone else do that for him, but he didn't. Take that anyway you like.