On top of his maiden World Series crown, Shohei Ohtani recorded several milestones during the 2024 season. Ohtani became the only other player since Hall of Famer Frank Robinson to win the AL and NL MVP awards. In addition, he became the pioneer member of the 50/50 club.
In an update on Instagram on Tuesday, the baseball superstar showed the perks of being the sole player to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. Ohtani was gifted a set of wine bottles inscribed with “Shohei Ohtani 50-50.” The bottles were produced in France, the United States, and Italy.
Shohei Ohtani shows off his 50-50 bottles (credit: shoheiohtani/Instagram)
The three wine bottles coincidentally share the same name. The first one was a 2020 Domaine Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot ‘La 50/50’ which came from Cazelles, Aigues-Vives, France.
The other bottle was produced in Napa Valley in California by Peju which was a 2021 Fifty/Fifty Red Wine. Finally, inside the set was a 50&50 Toscana IGT by Avignonesi Capannelle that was produced in Tuscany, Italy.
Shohei Ohtani set to gain back $325K worth of baseball cards from Ippei Mizuhara
Per Evan Drellich and Sam Blum of the Athletic, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is set to recover baseball cards worth at least $325,000 from former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
The move came as last week, the NL MVP petitioned for a hearing from the United States District Court for the Central District of California to retrieve the stolen baseball cards.
Mizuhara was reported to have purchased the baseball cards between January and March of this year with the intention of re-selling and profiting from them. The cards reportedly included pieces such as Yogi Berra, Juan Soto, and Ohtani himself.
The seizure of the cards is just the latest saga in the drama involving the baseball star and his former interpreter. In June, Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud. The interpreter reportedly stole as much as $16 million from the baseball star to pay off gambling debts.
On January 24, 2025, Mizuhara is expected to be sentenced for his fraudulent activities.
