Why Would a Former Saves Leader Risk It All? Gambling Scandal Rocks MLB After NBA

New York Prosecutors Indict MLB Pitchers in Federal Court
Each Faces Up to 65 Years in Prison if Convicted on All Charges

Last month, the revelation that a large number of current and former players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) were involved in a gambling scandal sent shockwaves throughout American society. Now, a gambling-related incident has emerged in Major League Baseball (MLB), which represents professional baseball worldwide. On November 10, Yonhap News, citing AP and other sources, reported that a U.S. federal court had unsealed indictments against Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and starting pitcher Luis Ortiz of the MLB.

Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase. Photo by AP

According to the indictment released by U.S. prosecutors that day, two top pitchers, including an MLB All-Star, allegedly provided information related to their pitching to sports gamblers and received thousands of dollars in return. This case is expected to fuel calls for stricter regulation of sports gambling, which has gained significant popularity in the United States.

The Eastern District of New York, which has been investigating this federal gambling case, indicted Cleveland Guardians pitchers Clase and Ortiz on four counts, including conspiracy to fix sports games by accepting bribes. Ortiz was arrested that day. According to the indictment, the two players allegedly discussed in advance with sports gamblers which pitches they would throw in upcoming games and accepted bribes worth thousands of dollars. It is believed that the gamblers earned at least $450,000 (about 600 million won) through bets using this information. They reportedly placed bets on specific pitch types, velocities, and whether a pitch would be a ball or a strike to make money.

Clase, who was indicted that day, is from the Dominican Republic and is regarded as a top-tier closer, having recorded over 40 saves for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024 and winning the American League saves title three years in a row. Ortiz is known for his fastball, which reaches 100 miles per hour. With a sports gambling scandal now surfacing in MLB following the NBA, fans have been left in shock.

The reputation and credibility of sports leagues are also expected to suffer

Previously, on October 23, the Eastern District of New York, which indicted the two players, charged more than 30 individuals in two separate cases involving poker game rigging and sports gambling. Among those indicted was Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, a former star player who was selected as an All-Star five times between 1997 and 2014 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, stunning fans. The New York Times reported, "A series of indictments related to gambling is delivering another shock to the world of professional sports."

People Associated with NBA Sports Gambling. From left to right in the photo: Thon Maker, Terry Rozier, Damon Jones. Photo by AP Yonhap News.

According to prosecutors, if all charges are upheld, each of the two players could face up to 65 years in prison. Regarding the incident, the club stated, "We are aware of the recent actions taken by law enforcement authorities," and added, "We will fully cooperate with law enforcement and MLB as their investigations continue." The MLB office also said, "We have been cooperating fully with federal authorities since the early stages of our own investigation."

Meanwhile, although concerns about fraudulent gambling in professional sports have always existed in the United States, AP reported that after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in May 2018 that the federal law banning sports gambling was unconstitutional, online betting on games and player performance has surged explosively. In particular, as fraud cases taint games in the NBA and MLB, both considered among the world's top leagues, their reputation and credibility are expected to take a hit.