Freddie Freeman reveals how Shohei Ohtani’s scandal united the Dodgers in their World Series run

Long before Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani were World Series champions, things got off to a slightly rocky start. While they were in Korea to open the MLB season, the clubhouse was rocked by the gambling scandal involving Ohtani's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.

Mizuhara was accused of stealing millions from Ohtani and gambling on sports with it. Major controversy ensued, with some fans even pointing fingers at Ohtani and claiming that Mizuhara was taking the fall for him.

Through it all, the LA Dodgers persevered. Looking back as champions, Freeman believes that the scandal helped push them to greatness. Via Dodger Blue, he said:

“It was a special group of us. To go out and do that, overcome so much, starting in Korea. Rallying around a teammate we just got, who was supposed to be our guy, having to rally around our guy immediately, I think set us on the right course to achieve this goal.”

Several within the organization, namely Max Muncy and manager Dave Roberts, immediately stood up for Ohtani amid the investigation and controversy. Eventually, he was cleared and all legal issues came full force to Mizuhara.

It may have spurred a championship and MVP awards. Ohtani was the regular season MVP, and ironically, Freeman got votes for eighth, ninth and 10th place. He also won World Series MVP.

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Shohei Ohtani unlikely to pitch in 2025 opener

When the Dodgers take on the Chicago Cubs in 2025 to open the season in Japan, Shohei Ohtani will have tons of fans looking forward to see him play in Tokyo.

Shohei Ohtani's pitching return may be delayed (Getty)

They will probably not see him pitch, though. Manager Dave Roberts doesn't foresee the player, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery about a year ago, would be in a good spot to pitch then.

Via ESPN, he said:

"I just don't see us starting the clock in March to then think that we would keep that continuously going through October. Then that would call for a break or reprieve in the middle of the season."

GM Brandon Gomes said it's most important that Ohtani is ready to pitch when games matter more, i.e. October, so they're not necessarily pushing him back to the mound early.