Mookie Betts Shares Insights on Shohei Ohtani's Love for Country Music
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts recently opened up about his teammate Shohei Ohtani, revealing a surprising passion for country music among other genres. While Ohtani's performance on the field has left fans and analysts in awe, to his teammates, he remains just another guy in the clubhouse.
“He’s just a regular dude,” Betts remarked in an exclusive interview, highlighting Ohtani's eclectic taste in music. “He likes all different types of music—from country music to Latin music to K-pop. He’s humming all these songs. He knows all the words to a lot of these songs he’s listening to all the time.”
At 33, Betts has seen his fair share of talent throughout his career, yet he emphasizes that Ohtani stands out. “He’s really just a dude. A dude that is better than everybody. That’s pretty much what it is. He’s got the hunger, he’s got the fire,” Betts explained, noting Ohtani's leadership qualities and accountability.
The Dodgers are currently leading the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 in the 2025 World Series, with Ohtani contributing significantly by hitting two home runs during an 18-inning Game 3 victory on October 27. As the starting pitcher for Game 4, scheduled for Tuesday night, Ohtani's role is pivotal.
Having spent 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, including six with the Boston Red Sox, Betts recognizes that Ohtani is unique. “Usually a lot of people like him—I mean, I guess I can’t say there are a lot of people because there’s really only one of him,” he said. “He knows his standard is higher than everybody’s and so he knows he has to do things better than everyone. I think he embraces it.”
Betts also pointed out that Ohtani's humility extends beyond the diamond. “He doesn’t have to be the first one to walk in everywhere,” Betts noted. “You would think he gets all of this special treatment, which he does. But not amongst us. When he’s amongst us, he just wants to fit in.”
“He actually doesn’t like when we put him first. It’s really a breath of fresh air,” Betts added, emphasizing the camaraderie within the team.
As the Dodgers aim for back-to-back championships, Betts shared how he manages the pressures of postseason play. “I enjoy bowling and playing golf, so I really do those things to get my mind away from baseball,” he explained. “If you think about baseball all the time you’ll drive yourself crazy.”
Betts balances his professional life with family time, being a father to two young children—daughter Kynlee, 6, and son Kaj, 2—with his wife Brianna. “The mental health thing is tough,” he admitted. “It is really tough because it’s our job. If you’re not doing your job well—it’s gonna weigh on you. It’s really important to find that outlet.”
