Angels News: LA Outfielder Draws Comparisons Between Shohei Ohtani And Justin Bieber
Over the past couple of seasons, there have been few MLB stars that have drawn more attention than Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels. His production and sheer dominance on the field hasn't really been matched in recent history and he is looking to command possibly the biggest contract ever once he hits free agency.
Being an international athlete from Japan, some would argue that his stature grows twice as fast as the normal professional athlete. Most notably, he is currently representing his home country in the World Baseball Classic right now and they have yet to lose an official game with him leading the charge. If he can even grow any bigger than he is right now, imagine the weight his name will carry if Japan wins the entire tournament.
Ohtani has clearly outgrown the title of just being a professional baseball player and terms such as 'global icon' are probably more fitting for the 28-year-old. Despite never being in the playoffs at all in his career so far, opposing franchises know what to expect whenever they face him.
Teammate Aaron Whitefield came forward and gave his best comparison for who matches Ohtani's stardom and he chose one of the biggest music stars of this generation.
"Angels OF Aaron Whitefield played in the WBC for Australia, and competed against Shohei Ohtani and team Japan."
"He compared Ohtani’s fame in Japan to Justin Bieber in NYC."
(Per Sam Blum)
Bieber has sold about 150 million records in his music career and has received 26 Billboard Music Awards. He has gone on numerous world tours through various parts of Europe and his fame stretches far beyond the United States.
Whitefield comparing Ohtani to Bieber is quite the compliment considering that Ohtani has only been a member of the Angels since 2018 while Bieber hit the pop scene in 2010.
