Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter Quit During The Lockout Just So He Could Keep Being Friends With Ohtani

Talk about a ride or die friend, Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter is the definition of that. Ippei became a celebrity of his own last year as Ohtani had his MVP season. People in Anaheim couldn’t get enough of him. He and Ohtani were like the best of friends and they weren’t one to let a lockout get in between them. Since Ippei was a team employee he wasn’t able to communicate with Ohtani during the 99-day lockout. So instead of cutting off all communication with Shohei, Ippei just quit. Resigned from his position so he could keep communicating and talking with Ohtani. Now that’s a buddy. The Angels re-signed him after the lockout was ended and he’s back in his normal role now, but I love that he’d rather quit his job and not get paid for 3 months instead of not talking to Ohtani. That’s a ride or die bitch. Find someone who looks at Ohtani like Ippei does, you can’t. Ippei even was Ohtani’s catcher in the Home Run Derby, he isn’t your average interpreter. And good on the Angels for bringing him back, you can’t break up these 2 because of the lockout. Just guys being buds.