Shohei Ohtani hit a major league-record 175th home run on Friday night, just hours after his former performer Ippei Mizuhara appeared in court over allegations he stole $16 million from the Dodgers star. .
Ohtani tied Hideki Matsui for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player with a solo home run during the first inning of Los Angeles’ game against the San Diego Padres.
The $700 million superstar drove Michael King’s elevated outside fastball 403 feet into the center field stands with one out, closing the Dodgers to 2-1. It was his fourth home run for the Dodgers in eight games.
On Friday afternoon, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered Mizuhara to undergo treatment for gambling addiction amid allegations that he used $16 million from Ohtani’s bank account to pay off debts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Friday night’s game that Ohtani has handled the situation “with great success.”
Shohei Ohtani hit a major league-record 175th home run on Friday night.
Against the Padres, Ohtani tied Hideki Matsui for the most home runs by a player born in Japan
The $700 million superstar drove a high outside fastball 403 feet into the center field stands.
“He’s done a great job of just focusing on playing baseball and not letting that be a distraction for him,” Roberts said.
Ohtani also extended his hitting streak to eight games.
Ohtani, a two-time American League MVP, signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers during the offseason after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
Matsui played 10 seasons in the majors between 2003 and 2012. His first seven years were with the New York Yankees, followed by one season each with the Angels, Oakland and Tampa Bay.
Ichiro Suzuki is the only other Japanese-born player to reach the hundred home run mark with 117.
Ippei Mizuhara appeared in court over allegations he stole $16 million from the Dodgers star.
“He’s done a great job just concentrating on baseball,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million contract, extended his hitting streak to eight games.