Shohei Ohtani is one of the most popular and the best player in the MLB. With more than 2.6 Million followers on the social media platform, the Japanese superstar is the most followed MLB player on Instagram.
As per Joe Pompliano, “Shohei Ohtani is baseball’s biggest superstar. He has more Instagram followers than any other MLB player (2.6 million), despite launching the account in 2020. He only posted 34 times. And he now makes $20M in endorsement income”.
The two-way sensation has changed the game by excelling at both positions, not just playing baseball as a pitcher and hitter. In the past, there have been some amazing players who have played at both places but no one excels at the level of Ohtani has performed throughout his MLB career.
Ippei Mizuhara is one of the most visible people on the planet at the moment. In baseball circles, the English and Japanese-speaking interpreter has become a mainstay that helps to translate for Ohtani as he is improving his English.
Who Is Shohei Ohtani Interpretor Ippei Mizuhara?
Ippei Mizuhara previously worked as an interpreter for Hideki Okajima at Boston Red Sox due to his understanding of the MLB season. The 28-year-old translator, Mizuhara helps Ohtani in answering questions from baseball media and his Los Angeles Angels teammates.
In 2017, post Ohtani’s signing with the Los Angeles Angels the club hired Mizuhara to be his personal translator. With one another, the two have developed a powerful bond as they are “kind of friends” and their relationship is akin to a professional partnership.
Also Read: No-Hitter vs. Perfect Game Comparison in Baseball
According to Mizuhara, “My first priority is to help create an environment where he can concentrate on baseball”. Ohtani continues trying hard to learn and improve his speaking English, Mizuhara is an important partner to him while living in America.
Where Is Ippei Mizuhara From?
In 1984, Ippei Mizuhara was born in Tomakomai, Hokkaido in Japan. In 1991, he moved to Los Angeles and was raised in Diamond Bar, Calif. In 2007, he graduated college from California Riverside. Mizuhara didn’t closely follow Anaheim’s Angels team despite growing near the stadium.
In 1995, when Hideo Nomo joined the Dodger then his interest grew in baseball. Since Masanori Murakami in 1865, Nomo became the first Japanese player to appear in an MLB game. Mizuhara told SI, “I was right in the middle of Nomo Fever, and Ever since then, I just watched a lot of MLB”.
Also Read: Meet Jac Caglianone’s girlfriend, Elli McKissock
Because of Ichiro Suzuki, Mizuhara said he followed baseball in a 2018 interview with Bally Sports West. “I was more of a Mariners fan because of Ichiro and the Angels were still good at the time, but I always came to the field to watch the Mariners, and maybe the Yankees. And I lived 15 minutes from the field. It’s really cool, now that I’m here. It’s a lot of coincidence.”
In his role as Shohei Ohtani’s translator, Ippei Mizuhara has been successful despite several challenges. To communicate effectively with his teammates, coaches, and the media, he has helped Ohtani immensely. In Ohtani’s rise to stardom, Mizuhara has also played a key role.
