The Los Angeles Dodgers players seem to be enjoying basking in the winner’s glory. We saw Freddie Freeman have his spotlight at an event with his wife, decked in a suit. However, their other star, Shohei Ohtani, is petitioning a judge! Ohtani wants to get ownership of the $325,000 worth of baseball cars, which he claims were purchased by Ippei Mizuhara. Now Mizuhara is the Japanese icon’s previous interpreter, who made all the news earlier this year—for all the wrong reasons.

Mizuhara had pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing nearly $17 million from Shohei Ohtani. It was a scandal that had rocked the whole of MLB, and right when the reason was just about to happen. Shohei Ohtani is now asking a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to have the cards returned to him.

Shohei Ohtani’s fights for his possessions

The cars were seized during the infestation of the theft. And they were bought between January and March this year. Ohtani now wants those cards, the reason being—they were bought with his money. The hearing for the legal battle is to start on December 20. According to The Athletic, the seized items included plenty of collectible sports cards. One that came in silver and black panoply cases, some in gray ones, plus a box of cards and card protection material, too. But that’s not all that Ohtani wants back!

Athletic stated that Ohtani wrote to the court that “a quantity of personally signed collectible baseball cards” with his image was also in Mizuhara’s possession, and hence Sho wants them, too. Now Sportico reported in April that IRS agent Chris Seymor had filed an affidavit that revealed that among the Ohtani’s cards were also the ones of Juan Soto and Yogi Berra.

Also, the crazy part—these cards weren’t just found neatly kept on Mizuhara’s shelf. Instead, they were stacked in his car in boxes and briefcases. And to make matters worse, Mizuhara even pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud after stealing millions from Ohtani! But this isn’t the only talk going around in town for him.

Is Shohei Ohtani bound for Cooperstown?

The conversation about Shohei Ohtani’s future Hall of Fame is heating up already. After all, he has had an incredible year with the LA Dodgers. Analysts and forward players are debating if the two-way star is ready to head to Cooperstown or has anything left to prove. On the JM Baseball podcast, Chris Rose and Trevor Plouffe explored the impact that Ohtani had on the game and his shot at the Hall of Fame.

Rose pointed out that “this is now his third MVP award. He has to play another three full seasons to qualify for a spot in Cooperstown. Is there any question he’s getting into Cooperstown?” Clearly, for Rose, Ohtani is already a strong candidate, and we just have to wait a few more years. Plouffe made a compelling case by saying, “I think the three MVPs and.. you know… I think he’s going to be a unanimous Hall of Famer, I do.”

Shohei Ohtani‘s 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases are historic numbers. Rose mentioned, “How many guys have had a bigger influence on the sport than Shohei Ohtani? I think it’s a very, very small number.” Given the stats, the MVPs, and the influence he has, it’s clear Ohtani’s place in Cooperstown is guaranteed; it’s just a matter of time now.

What do you think—will Shohei Ohtani head to Cooperstown soon enough? Let us know in the comments.