The "Ohtani Dual Personality Theory" Could Potentially Explain Various Contradictions.
I want to propose the theory that Shohei Ohtani has a dual personality, regarding the incident where 650 million yen was transferred from Ohtani's account to an illegal bookmaker. (This article is a copy of the article posted on my another blog, http://rate.livedoor.biz/).
I'm merely proposing a hypothesis. There are various "complications" with detailing the story using real names, so I'm stating this theory as one possibility, keeping it semi-anonymous by only using the initials, such as player S. O. and interpreter I. M.
I wrote "dual personality," but cases of multiple personalities are more common, and in recent years, it's referred to as "Dissociative Identity Disorder."
"Dissociation" refers to a psychological condition where there's a loss of continuity in one's sense of self, the environment, or one's memories. This state is characterized by a feeling of disconnection from one's own sensations and the external world, often featuring a temporary "detachment" or "distance" from reality.
"Dissociative Identity Disorder" is a psychological disorder in which two or more distinct personalities alternately emerge within the same individual.
Different personalities within the same individual may or may not be aware of each other's existence. Similarly, those around the individual may or may not be aware that the person has multiple personalities.
In the case of player S. O. , only the closely-knit interpreter I. M., akin to a brother, was aware of, and even communicated with, the gambling-addicted personality (hereafter referred to as "G"). It's possible that this was recently discovered by S. O.'s wife, with whom he has a relationship closer than that of siblings, having married her not long ago.
When interpreter I. M. became aware of the existence of "G," he was deeply shocked. However, knowing well that MLB severely punishes baseball gambling and that sports betting is illegal in California, I. M. advised "G" to absolutely refrain from engaging in baseball betting.
S. O.: To hedge risks, I bet that my baseball-loving other personality (referred to as "B") wouldn't manage to transfer to the team of choice or secure the contract amount as desired.
I. M.: What? Absolutely back off! And erase all evidence!
S. O.: The thing is, 'B' kept succeeding in baseball, even securing a contract worth 100 billion yen. I ended up losing a lot of money betting on 'B's transfers and contract amounts in the market*. Well, 650 million is only a fraction of 100 billion, so I won't go bankrupt or anything.
*Note: In sports betting, bets can be placed not only on wins and losses but also on who will score the highest, who will be the winning pitcher, and if the rulebook allows, even on awards received or contract amounts. The subjects of these bets are referred to as "markets."
I. M.: "How are you going to pay off the losses? If you transfer money from your account to the organizer of the baseball betting, you'll be permanently banned from MLB!"
S. O.: Eh? Is that so? I'm 'G', a different personality from 'B', but 'B' is just a baseball genius with excellent motor skills and knows nothing about the strict rules of MLB*.
*Note: In Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), different personalities (referred to as "alters") may conflict with or be critical of each other. The author has an acquaintance undergoing treatment for DID who, to my knowledge, also criticized his other personalities.
I. M.: I guess I have no choice but to say that I was the one betting and had you help me out. But if it gets out that it was baseball betting, you might not get off scot-free either.
In such exchanges, interpreter I. M. discreetly consulted with the upper echelons of MLB. The story about S. O. having multiple personalities was hard for them to grasp, leading to a confusing and unsatisfactory discussion without a clear, rational scenario. Consequently, inconsistencies and retractions emerged in Mr. Hara's story. However, he did not disclose the fact that there had been baseball betting involved.
The conclusion reached by the commissioner, after finally understanding the situation, was that it's not possible to hold Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) accountable as a crime, and it's imperative to avoid tarnishing the reputation of S. O., MLB's top talent. Therefore, the scenario would be that I. M. went bankrupt due to sports betting. In exchange, a promise was made to ensure he would be provided for comfortably for life.
However, Mr. I. M. is hiding the fact that he bet on baseball. If this comes to light, player S. O.may also face serious consequences.
Even without a diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder, it can be surprising to discover that someone has an entirely different side to them. There was a case where a drinking buddy, who had become close enough to be invited home, turned out to be a habitual burglar featured by name in the morning paper and was also a member of a yakuza gang based in a distant city. He had claimed to be a real estate appraiser.
I wasn't victimized, but many of my friends who lent him money ended up unable to recover their loans. However, close acquaintances tend to find out eventually. It's said that interpreter I. M. and player S. O.had a relationship as close as brothers.
The talent for two-way play might have been driven by alternate personalities. Could two different personalities have controlled that perfect physique when pitching and when batting, respectively? That might explain how he achieved the feat of being a real two-way player in the same game, both a pitcher and a hitter, a divine skill not even Babe Ruth could accomplish.
Even Babe Ruth, the original two-way player, never pitched and batted in the same game. Tsuyoshi Shinjo, who joined the New York Mets in 2001 and became the first Japanese position player in Major League Baseball, and then in 2002 became the first Japanese player to participate in the World Series, also attempted two-way play during his time with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan. However, unlike what is commonly seen in high school baseball, he did not simultaneously pitch and bat..
大谷翔平は、2021年4月4日、ホワイトソックス戦に「打順2番の投手」で出場し、メジャーでも初のリアル二刀流の第一歩を記した。大谷翔平でさえ、それまでは投手として出場する試合で打者を兼ねることはなかった。
Shohei Ohtani marked the first step towards becoming the majors' first true two-way player by appearing as the "number 2 hitter and pitcher" in a game against the White Sox on April 4, 2021. Even Ohtani had not previously taken on the roles of both pitcher and hitter in the same game until then.
On April 4, 2021, Shohei Ohtani took a significant step in Major League Baseball by participating as the Ohtani "number 2 pitcher" in a game against the White Sox, marking the beginning of the first real two-way play in the majors. Even Shohei Ohtani had not previously taken on both pitching and batting roles in the same game before this milestone.
Shohei Ohtani's success in becoming a real two-way player might not just be due to his superhuman physical abilities but also because of a rare and unique aspect of his spirit, uncommon among athletes. What if this uniqueness is attributed to Dissociative Identity Disorder?
