What Gambling Scandal? Ohtani Hits First Home Run To Massive Applause

If Shohei Ohtani continues to demolish the baseball like he did last night, the star two-way player won't have to worry about any sports gambling allegations.

On Monday, Ohtani - who is only able to hit this season as he recovers from offseason elbow surgery, smashed an absolute missile over 430 feet to help the Dodgers pull off a 5-4 victory over the Giants. Los Angeles now sits at a MLB-best 7-2.

OHTANI HIT HIS FIRST HOME RUN OF THE SEASON

Last night's home run was the first for Ohtani after a relatively slow start through the first nine games of the season where he entered the game hitting just .242. 

More importantly, it's the ultimate example of "What have you done for me lately?" Dodgers fans' insane reaction shows they care more about what their $700 million phenom can do to a baseball than any connection with his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara and his alleged involvement in a multi-million dollar illegal sports gambling ring. Ippei was fired by both Ohtani and the Dodgers two weeks ago as both MLB and law enforcement continue their investigation into the manner.

When the initial information came out, many in the baseball world were skeptic and wondered how Ohtani - who claimed he didn't know anything about Ippei's gambling debt despite allegedly wiring him millions of dollars, didn't know anything about it. Ohtani has since claimed that he is the victim of "theft" and that Ippei stole the money without alerting him.

Just days after claiming his innocence, Ohtani's former team, the Los Angeles Angels, welcomed him back with a tribute video where that fanbase also gave him a round of applause despite the betting allegations.

If the reactions of the Angels and Dodgers fans are indicative, it seems that as long as Ohtani continues producing and hitting bombs into the outfield seats, the gambling scandal will become an afterthought. 

Of course, those are home, and former home, fans. Let's see what kind of reaction he gets in a more hostile environment like New York or Philadelphia.