If Shohei Ohtani‘s upcoming return to Japan ignited a storm of anticipation, the announcement of the Dodgers’ season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo has blown it even further. This upcoming clash transcends beyond just being a game. It is a spectacle. It is the homecoming of a cultural and global icon to his native Japan. Such is the fanfare surrounding baseball’s biggest star that his teammate Tyler Glasnow declared without hesitation that Ohtani’s popularity in Japan is ten times more than Justin Bieber!
During a conversation with SportsNet LA, Glasnow revealed that he was expecting the trip to Japan to be crazy. Sharing his honest thoughts on what to expect ahead of the trip, the southpaw said, “Ohtani is like Justin Bieber times 10 over there, so it’s probably gonna be insane,” he boldly declared. He added that there were going to be numerous people walking around in the hotel, making the atmosphere all the more crazy.
“Ohtani is like Justin Bieber times ten over there, so it’s probably gonna be insane.”
Tyler Glasnow speaks with @kirsten_watson and the media after his final outing of the Spring before his next start in Japan.#DodgersST pic.twitter.com/DtIkHao14N
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 8, 2025
An international tour has more challenges than just the fans. Glasnow acknowledged this during the same conversation. The time-zone difference itself is a mountain to climb. It is important for athletes to maintain a routine. If their sleep schedule is disturbed, even the most experienced athletes find themselves overcome with stress. However, the Dodgers are not leaving anything to chance. They’ve given their players a “sleep packet thing,” which is a set of instructions to help them overcome the effects of jet lag.
Having traveled internationally with the team before, Glasnow already knows what to expect from the trip. However, even with the best preparation, the sheer spectacle of Shohei Ohtani‘s return is sure to increase the pressure and expectations. The upcoming series will test their resilience as they navigate media scrutiny and overwhelming crowds, apart from international travel. But judging by Glasnow’s Bieber-statement about Ohtani, it is clear that the team already knows the ‘crazy’ that is in store for them and will prepare accordingly.
The post “Shohei Ohtani Is Like Justin Bieber!” – Dodgers’ $136.5M Star Braces for ‘Crazy’ Japan Atmosphere Ahead of MLB Opener appeared first on EssentiallySports.
