'23 Classic hero Murakami intends to return to Team Japan
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Munetaka Murakami's arrival in the Major Leagues doesn't look like it will stop him from playing in the World Baseball Classic.
Murakami told reporters on Monday that he intends to return to Team Japan and play in the upcoming WBC, which begins in March.
The Japanese superstar slugger just signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox after eight seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Murakami said Monday that the decision to play in the World Baseball Classic is one he made before picking his MLB team.
Murakami would be a key returning player for the reigning WBC champions. He had some huge hits for Japan in the last World Baseball Classic, including a walk-off double to complete a comeback win over Mexico in the WBC semifinals and a home run against the United States in the championship game.
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Murakami's prodigious power bat would slot right into the heart of the Samurai Japan batting order again in 2026. He slugged 246 home runs in his NPB career, including 56 homers in a historic 2022 season.
Murakami will be in the middle of his first MLB Spring Training when the 2026 World Baseball Classic starts, but White Sox general manager Chris Getz confirmed Monday that the plan is still for Murakami to play in the WBC.
"Players who come over from Japan and representing their country on a stage like that -- it’s so important, obviously," Getz said. "We need to get him as comfortable as possible. But we’ll work around the WBC."
Murakami said he's been planning out how his rookie season in MLB will go around the possibility of having to miss a chunk of Spring Training for the WBC.
Getz said the White Sox viewed Murakami's strong desire to represent his country again in the 2026 World Baseball Classic as a positive when they signed him.
"It's a big part of who he is," Getz said. "One of the most attractive things about Mune is the support and the love they have for Mune in Japan. To bring that to the States, to Chicago, to wear a White Sox uniform -- it’s part of who he is."