The Dodgers were playing the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea, last March when a bombshell was revealed: Ohtani's interpreter and close friend Ippei Mizuhara was being criminally investigated for ties to an illegal gambling ring and had stolen a huge amount of money from the baseball star.

TOKYO – Shohei Ohtani met the moment in his return to the Tokyo Dome, because of course he did. In Saturday’s exhibition against the Yomiuri Giants, Ohtani – ever the showman – was quick to slug a home run while wearing a major league uniform in his home country for the first time for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ohtani impressed in last year’s Tokyo Series, going 3-for-10 with two RBI and a stolen base against the rival Padres. Ohtani recently posted an Instagram picture featuring a group photo of him and every Asian person affiliated with the Dodgers organization. The picture included players, coaches, and even team photographer Jon Soohoo.