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Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox was in Toronto playing the Jays at the Rogers Centre July 17 to 19. Photo credit: Dr. Jonathan Eto.

First baseman Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox has been one of Major League Baseball (MLB)’s most exciting players to watch this year. While playing parts of eight seasons with Tokyo’s Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Murakami earned four All-Star selections, the Central League Rookie of the Year, two MVPs, and three Best Nine Awards. The international star also earned gold at both the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2023 World Baseball Classic before signing with the South Siders for two years worth $34 million.

Murakami had a meteoric rise in the MLB, hitting home runs for three consecutive days since his first game in Milwaukee. In his first five games, he had a hit in each, an RBI in four, and walks in three.

In his first homestand, “Mune” hit his fourth home run off the Blue Jays’ relief pitcher Brendon Little. He became the first Japanese player and first White Sox rookie in MLB history to hit four home runs in his first eight games. He also became the fourth player in history to hit three home runs in his first three MLB games.   

By April 17, he hit his first MLB career grand slam, and after previously hitting 14 home runs, finally hit his first double on May 4. This set a unique MLB record for most home runs before hitting his first double or triple.  

Unfortunately, his torrid pace was slowed by a grade 2 hamstring strain on May 29 that sidelined Murakami while he was atop the American League (AL) leaderboard with 20 home runs. He returned six weeks later just before the Midsummer Classic, where he was selected to compete in the Home Run Derby and subsequent All-Star Game.   

Instead of returning to Chicago after the All-Star Game, he flew directly to Toronto, where he enjoyed the city’s sights with the Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto ahead of their three-game series (including a visit to Cabbagetown’s yakitori restaurant Zakkushi). Murakami-sama finished his Canadian trip with a single, double, and earned a walk in each game. Chicago outscored Toronto 15-5, taking two of three contests.  

\Nikkei Voice caught up with Will Venable, White Sox manager, after Friday’s game and asked about having a healthy Murakami back in the lineup and his selection to the All-Star Game in his rookie season.   

“It feels great to have him back and healthy,” said Venable. “It means so much to our clubhouse, and obviously the performance on the field. So great to have a healthy Mune, and obviously, the All-Star recognition is huge!” 

Murakami has been a big part of the astronomical turnaround for the ChiSox, taking them from last place in the entire AL for the past two seasons to first place in their division (AL Central) this year.  

The South Side Samurai finished July with 24 home runs, tied with Okamoto and Ohtani, despite missing six weeks. Let’s hope he stays healthy and continues to make the highlight reel. Ganbare!

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