One year after interpreter's scandal, Shohei Ohtani enters the Tokyo Series with newfound maturity

TOKYO (AP) — The Tokyo Series — a.k.a. the celebration of Shohei Ohtani — begins this week in a festive atmosphere. The Japanese two-way star is among the most beloved athletes in the world and coming off one of the best seasons in the history of Major League Baseball while earning his third MVP for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

It's easy to forget that almost exactly one year ago, his career was briefly on the rocks.

The Dodgers were playing the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea, last March when a bombshell was revealed: Ohtani's interpreter and close friend Ippei Mizuhara was being criminally investigated for ties to an illegal gambling ring and had stolen a huge amount of money from the baseball star.

Eventually, Mizuhara would plead guilty to bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account. He was sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison in February. Ohtani was never implicated in the scandal, but it was the first whiff of controversial news for a player with a squeaky-clean reputation.

Looking back, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was a valuable lesson.

“He's really become his own man,” Roberts said. “I think his English has gotten considerably better. He's handling a lot of matters by himself and not having any type of conduit. I think he's opened himself up more to staff, the players, his teammates.

"It's just good to see him become his own man, and I say that in an honest and positive way.”

Ohtani is no longer a young man by baseball standards — he turned 30 last July — and is in the prime of a one-of-a-kind career. He revealed last spring he was married to Mamiko Tanaka and the couple is expecting a baby later this year. Combined with the Mizuhara situation, the developments have forced Ohtani to mature, becoming a more well-rounded individual.

That could serve him well as he deals with the reality of his surgically-repaired body.

Ohtani had surgery during the offseason to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder that he suffered during the World Series. He's also trying to return to the pitcher's mound after needing major elbow surgery in 2023 for the second time in his career.

Roberts said Ohtani's improved maturity was noticable earlier this month after the manager suggested that the player slow down his throwing program, instead concentrating on hitting for a few weeks to get the shoulder ready for his designated hitter role in 2025.

Last year, Ohtani might have tried to push through without resting. This year, he took Roberts' advice.

“He's smart, he wants to pitch, he wants to hit, but he really understands that he had a major surgery (on his shoulder) and he's coming off another major surgery in his elbow," Roberts said. "So to be as good as he expects to be, I think there's got to be some sacrifices.

"I think as you get older, you have more experiences, you're more likely to listen to stuff like that.”

It's fair to wonder if we've already seen the best of Ohtani, considering it's going to be nearly impossible to recreate last season, when he became the first player in MLB history to have at least 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same season.

His stolen base attempts in 2025 figure to be down drastically — particularly early in the season — as he tries to protect his left shoulder. His projected return to the mound is in May, which could eat into his plate appearances later in the season. It'll be a delicate balance, but Ohtani and the Dodgers seem to be on the same page.

“I'm going to let the team dictate that," Ohtani said. “I do want to play as much as possible, as many games as possible, but if the team feels like I should get a break, I'll follow that.”

If there's anything we've learned about Ohtani over the past seven years, it's that it would be foolish to put limits on what he can accomplish. The three-time MVP and the Dodgers open the season as favorites to capture a second straight World Series title.

Ohtani hasn't lost his flair for the dramatic, either. In his first spring at-bat after shoulder surgery, he hit an opposite-field homer against Yusei Kikuchi.

“He does not cease to amaze,” Roberts said. “Every time Shohei gets up to bat, you've got to watch because something special might happen.”

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, smiles as he celebrates in the dugout after hitting a single against the Texas Rangers and being replaced by a pinch runner in the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) makes his way into the dugout before their spring training baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani runs to third on a base hit by Tommy Edman during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, March 10, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani calls time after hitting a double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Monday, March 10, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a spring training baseball game, Monday, March 10, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani warms up prior to a spring training baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, March 10, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

PARIS (AP) — France saw off a resilient Scotland 35-16 and clinched the Six Nations title with a tournament-try record on Saturday.

Coach Fabien Galthié's side needed only a victory at chilly Stade de France to ensure a first title since 2022. The bonus-point win helped Les Tricolores finish one point above England, which hammered Wales 68-14 with 10 tries.

France scored four tries to set a tournament record with 30, one more than England in 2001.

The final score was far more comfortable than the first half.

French indiscipline led to two sin-bins — one of which could have been a red for a lunging headbutt — and almost cost a try on the buzzer.

Scotland started the second half only 16-13 down and with an extra player for a few minutes, but managed just one penalty from flyhalf Finn Russell in the entire period.

The match turned following careless play from Russell, who tried a no-look pass from the back of his hand, resulting in a counterattack try in the 43rd minute.

Galloping flyhalf Romain Ntamack sent Louis Bielle-Biarrey into the left corner for his eighth try of the tournament. He equalled the record of England’s Cyril Lowe in 1914 and Scotland’s Ian Smith in 1925 when the tournament was the Five Nations.

France took control and fullback Thomas Ramos converted his own try near the hour mark. Ramos scored 20 points to move onto 450 overall and overtake Frédéric Michalak (436) as his country's all-time leading scorer.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

France's Thomas Ramos touches down to score a try during the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

France's Romain Ntamack races ahead of Scotland's Darcy Graham during the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Scotland players react after a try by Scotland's Tom Jordan was disallowed during the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe is tackled during the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

France's Yoram Moefana scores the opening try during the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey races in to score a try during the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)