In MLB, Ippei Mizuhara’s personality is not complete without the two-way phenom, Shohei Ohtani. Since his debut season in 2017, he has played a role more important than that of an interpreter. As a confidant and friend, he once risked his career during the “biggest obstacle of Ohtani’s offseason”. 

Out of multiple instances where the 38-year-old has gone above and beyond in displaying his admiration for the Japanese Babe Ruth, his resignation from the Los Angeles Angels surpassed all. What caused him to make such a dramatic move, after all?

The Intricate Bond Between Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara Amidst the Angels’ Restrictions

Well, let’s flashback to a time when the baseball owners imposed the rule of lockout for their respective teams. As a guideline for the same, the employees of the Angels were not allowed to maintain any close contact with Ohtani. In which case, Mizuhara would not be able to meet his friend. Hence, “Mizuhara had to resign from his position as an Angels staff member or he wouldn’t have been able to stay in daily contact with Ohtani as a team employee.”

This was a crucial period for Shohei; a big obstacle, rather. At the time, he needed particular attention to the “health of Ohtani’s legs because any weakness could lead to overcompensation in other areas.” Ippei, by making a dramatic exit from the LA Angels, was there for him when Ohtani could use his help. 

The world famous MLB interpreter was born and raised in Japan prior to attending high school and college in Los Angeles. He has known Ohtani since the latter’s days with the Nippon Ham Fighters. He has since played the role of his right-hand man. That said, soon after the lockout ended, the Angels re-hired Mizuhara. With that, it’s worth looking at some Ohtani-Mizuhara history. 

Watch This Story: Breaking Down The Details Of Ippei Mizuhara: The Bridge Between The Japanese Phenom Shohei Ohtani And America

A Deeper Dive Into Mizuhara’s Role In the Los Angeles Angels

Back in 2021, he told Nippon.com that he and Ohtani were kind of like friends and that their relationship has been quite like a professional partnership. His involvement with Ohtani is so much that he shared that his first priority has been to help build an environment where the pitcher-hitter can focus completely on baseball. 

Read More: A Look At Ippei Mizuhara’s Crucial Role in Elevating Shohei Ohtani’s Greatness, a Bond Stronger Than His Wife

Apart from being an interpreter and a close buddy of the 29-year-old, he had adopted the role of a middleman between him and his Angels manager, Phil Nevin. Ippei had done the same with the Angels’ former manager, Joe Maddon, too. His words to describe Mizuhara’s job description were, “crucial role“. With that, he is set to carry on alongside Ohtani in his new destination, the Los Angeles Dodgers.