"Best known for getting Shohei Ohtani into gambling" - Fans react to Angels vet David Fletcher's retirement 

Former Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher has officially left professional baseball, marking the end of an era after seven MLB seasons.

In his 31 years, Fletcher was trying to transition into a pitching role with the Braves but walked away from the game a season into a new organizational setup.

Fletcher made his debut with the Angels in 2018, and quickly became known as a gap hitter with an incredibly high contact approach, and as a defender whose versatility was unique for a player his size, at 5-foot-9. Over six seasons with the Angels, Fletcher hit .277 with 16 home runs and 168 RBIs in 534 games.

In late 2023, Fletcher was traded to the Braves, and throughout the 2025 organization, Fletcher traveled between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett attempting to reinvent himself into a pitcher, playing a total of 20 games as a pitcher. Despite his desire and renewed passion for the game, Fletcher was not often successful enough to breakthrough to the Major Leagues.

His decision to walk away from the game quickly set off a wave of reactions online, with fans mixing humor and irony as they looked back on his unusual career path.

“Best known for getting Ohtani into gambling,” a fan wrote. “gonna use the $200 cap to his advantage,” another fan said. “Right after MLB limited individual pitch bets…,” one fan commented. “He definitely took a gamble with that one,” another fan wrote. “Ironic that he’s retiring from pitching after they limit pitching props,” a fan tweeted. “Buddy collected his checks then dipped,” another fan said.

Fletcher’s name previously surfaced in MLB betting probe tied to Ohtani’s former interpreter

Fletcher’s retirement also brings renewed attention to a story from earlier this year, when ESPN reported that the former Angels infielder had been linked to an illegal sports betting ring connected to Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

According to the report, Fletcher and close friend Colby Schultz, a onetime Royals minor leaguer, placed bets through Mathew Bowyer, the same Southern California bookmaker at the center of the federal investigation.

Federal prosecutors alleged Mizuhara stole more than $16 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. ESPN’s reporting noted that Fletcher’s wagers did not involve baseball, though Schultz had reportedly bet on games featuring the Angels while Fletcher was on the roster.

MLB's rules prohibit players from betting on baseball games and from aiding others from betting on baseball games. The league acknowledged at that time they were aware but did not take action against Fletcher.

While the investigation has quieted, the return of these details with Fletcher's announcement to retire has rekindled discussions regarding one of the strangest off-field stories in 2024 regarding Edmonds.

Edited by Shubham Soni