Mookie Betts sheds light on personal cost of Shohei Ohtani’s massive fame

Year one of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman brought home the Dodgers their ninth title, and by the looks of it, there are more coming their way if they do what they do in the offseason. Ohtani being the biggest star in the league comes with a downside, though.

During Thursday's appearance on the All the Smoke podcast hosted by Matt Barnes, Betts offered an insight into the challenges faced by Ohtani, whose global stardom has affected his personal and off-field life.

"You can't really see him because this dude — he’s that person who literally cannot go anywhere," Betts said (10:50 onwards). "He can't live a normal life, and so it kind of su**s. After we leave the stadium, you don’t see him. I get it—he can't go anywhere.

"He’s just more gifted and better than everybody, and there’s nothing you can do about it. What he does is so abnormal, but he’s really normal," Betts added.

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Mookie Betts reveals Shohei Ohtani's personality inside the locker room

Shohei Ohtani carries himself well, as he comes from Japan, where discipline and respect are deeply rooted. Betts seconded that thought:

"He’s cool. He just be chilling. He’s really quiet," Betts said. "He only hit this year, so he was kind of hanging out, chilling. Then he started throwing a little bit, and when he did, he would go outside, throw, and then come back. He never worked way too much and never worked too little. He just did what he needed to do.

"You know, everybody sees him as a normal guy, but then he goes out, puts up 50/50 [stats], wins every award in the world, and you’re like, 'Damn, yeah, that’s Sho."'

Betts also reflected on Ohtani’s iconic moment during the World Baseball Classic, where he closed out a game against Team USA with a dominant performance.

"He did the whole country of the USA. He did the best of the best, and that just lets you know how cold he is," Betts said.

Shohei Ohtani and Betts, who led the Dodgers to the World Series, will hope to continue doing so for the remainder of their contracts, as the team look set to build a dynasty in Chavez Ravine.