Ohtani said Tuesday that Ippei Mizuhara’s theft and the ensuing investigation kept him up at night

On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers won for the 17th time in 21 games, and hammered the rival San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park (LA 10, SF 2). The Dodgers are 29-15 overall and have a 7.5-game lead in the NL West. No other first-place team has more than a two-game division lead.

Shohei Ohtani did his part in Tuesday’s win, going 3 for 5 with a double and a long 446-foot home run that very nearly left the stadium despite being hit into the gap rather than down the line. Ohtani owns a .362/.427/.680 slash line in 2024.

Ohtani has been hitting .426 with five home runs in his recent 12 games, and after Tuesday’s victory, he admitted to experiencing improved sleep. He revealed struggling to rest after learning about his longtime friend and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara’s involvement in a significant gambling scandal, where Mizuhara had allegedly stolen over $16 million from Ohtani.

Ohtani shared with the Associated Press the following sentiments:

“Initially I really didn’t have much sleep obviously with the things that were happening but now I’ve been able to really have a pretty consistent routine, been able to sleep well, so I think those are leading to good results,” Ohtani said through Will Ireton, his new interpreter.

When asked how he has been able to get better sleep, Ohtani added: “I think really as the incidents progressed and I was basically doing what I can to show that I’m fine, and as the incidents were progressing and the investigation was going on and I was starting to not be involved any more, that’s when I was able to really focus on my sleep and being able to sleep better.”

Ohtani’s dedication to sleep is remarkable. Incorporating naps into his daily routine, he even carries a personalized mattress and pillow when traveling. In his earlier career, Ohtani collaborated with the Japanese bedding manufacturer Nishikawa, who tailored sleep equipment based on his body measurements.

While Ohtani isn’t alone in valuing rest for performance, his commitment stands out. Last year, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi disclosed his preference for 13-14 hours of sleep before games, though few go to the extent of traveling with a custom mattress like Ohtani does. The Mizuhara scandal jeopardized Ohtani’s sleep regimen, highlighting its importance to him.

On Tuesday, Mizuhara pleaded not guilty to bank and tax fraud, though it’s seen as procedural as he works towards a plea deal. He’s expected to plead guilty later. Mizuhara faces a potential sentence of 33 years in prison, along with five years of supervised release and a $1.25 million fine.