The Yomiuri Giants, the oldest professional baseball team in Japan, are currently being rocked by a gambling scandal that involves at least four players, reports the Associated Press. Several executives have resigned as well.
On Tuesday, the team confirmed owner Kojiro Shiraishi, chairman Tsunekazu Momoi, and advisor Tsuneo Watanabe will resign and accept responsibility for the scandal. Watanabe owned the Giants until 2004 and is one of the most powerful men in Japanese baseball.
Back in November three Giants players -- pitchers Satoshi Fukuda, Shoki Kasahara, and Ryuya Matsumoto -- were suspended indefinitely for betting on games. On Tuesday another pitcher, Kyosuke Takagi, admitting to betting on games as well.
"I've betrayed all the people who supported me since I started playing baseball in elementary school," said Takagi at a press conference Tuesday. "I'm very sorry for my actions."
An investigation by Nippon Pro Baseball found no evidence of game-fixing, but did find the players bet on NPB games with known gamblers. At least one bet on a Giants game. Gambling is generally illegal in Japan and it's possible the players will face criminal charges.
The Giants were fined $800,000 for failing to supervise their players. An investigation is still ongoing to determine he extent of the gambling. Fukuda, Kasahara, Matsumoto, and Takagi were the first players suspending for gambling in Japan in over 50 years.
The Yomiuri Giants are widely considered the New York Yankees of Japan thanks to their popularity and historical dominance. They've won 22 championships and NPB home run king Sadaharu Oh starred for the Giants from 1959-80. He hit 868 career home runs.