The Risk of Concentrated Power: Lessons Learned from Shohei Ohtani’s Support System and Ippei Mizuhara’s Influence

Shohei Ohtani, the star Dodgers player and dual-threat in Major League Baseball, had a strong support system put in place for him by his agency, CAA. The goal of this support network was to provide Ohtani with various professionals such as a bookkeeper, financial manager, accountant, sports marketing expert, and a lead agent to handle other responsibilities while he focused solely on his hitting and pitching abilities. However, despite the infrastructure put in place by CAA, former longtime translator Ippei Mizuhara’s behavior was not accounted for.

Lindsey Adler of the WALL STREET JOURNAL noted that Ohtani’s relationship with Mizuhara held significant power as Mizuhara served as a liaison for Ohtani with his teammates, coaches, and the media. In addition to these roles, Mizuhara also acted as a spokesperson for Ohtani on matters related to CAA. However, it is worth noting that Nez Balelo, Ohtani’s lead agent, often communicated with him through Mizuhara rather than directly. This reliance on Mizuhara by various parties ultimately compromised the protective fortress that CAA had built around Ohtani and showcased the vulnerability that existed when one person held so much influence in the player’s inner circle.

The criminal complaint filed against Mizuhara highlighted how he played a crucial role in managing communications between Balelo and Ohtani. While this may have been beneficial at times, it also showed how easily things can go awry when too much power is concentrated in one person’s hands.

In conclusion, while CAA put in place a strong support system for Shohei Ohtani to focus solely on his hitting and pitching abilities while leaving other responsibilities to professionals at CAA. The involvement of Ippei Mizuhara as an intermediary between Balelo and Ohtani made it difficult for CAA to maintain its protective fortress around him. The criminal complaint filed against Mizuhara serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of having clear lines of communication within any organization or team setting.