Shohei Ohtani’s Ippei Mizuhara nightmare has raised multiple speculations. While some have been quite grounded, a few have touched the limits of bizarre. But maybe the legendary podcaster Joe Rogan might have just won that battle with his take. The superstar podcaster is known for his timely takes on most events. However recently in his podcast “Joe Rogan Experience”, Rogan might have slightly misunderstood the case. 

When Mizuhara first opened up about his gambling issues the attention naturally shifted towards Ohtani. Was the superstar involved too? That was the question that nearly everyone asked. However, Ohtani cleared the air during his presser by stating that he did not know about Mizuhara’s issues. In fact, he found out the day the rest of the Los Angeles Dodgers did. 

However, it seems like Rogan may have slightly misunderstood the case. It became visible during the Shohei Ohtani segment of his podcast. While talking about the two-way phenom Rogan called him a guy with a gambling problem. “The Japanese dude, is that the dude who has the gambling problem? Is that that guy? (yes it’s Shohei Ohtani) So that dude gambles?” 

Immediately his guest Brian Simpson corrected Rogan by informing him that it was Ohtani’s interpreter who was said to have a gambling issue. In a way, this could’ve been a simple misunderstanding on the part of Rogan. However, his bizarre take continued later when he began wondering whether Ohtani had a relationship with the “Yakuza.”

Understandably Joe Rogan’s take has gone viral. Some fans are taking it lightly while others are questioning his approach. However, the real question is how is Ohtani dealing with so much negative press. A sports psychologist has answered that question

Amidst gambling allegations, Shohei Ohtani’s mental resilience has shone through

The Japan Times talked to Mark Aoyagi, a professor and co-director of sport and performance psychology at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. Aoyagi discussed Ohtani’s resiliency and praised the star’s ability to focus “his mind” and use “his attention.” However, the professor wondered whether Shotime’s personal life might be affected by it.

Giving the example of NBA legend Michael Jordan, Aoyagi hoped that Ohtani could find a way to get the legend’s mental resiliency. However, it seems Ohtani may have already found it. In his recent comments, the superstar shared how he can turn everything off and focus only on baseball. That regardless of what happens, his “abilities haven’t changed.”  

With Mizuhara’s investigation still going on more such takes could be on the cards for Ohtani. However, as of now, there haven’t been any effects on Shotime’s on-field performance. Hopefully, that remains the case in the future as well.

Read more: Ippei Mizuhara Scandal: Shohei Ohtani Credits His Wife Mamiko Tanaka For Standing By Him