Iguchi visits Camelback Ranch with praise for Murakami

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Tadahito Iguchi won a World Series championship as the starting second baseman and adept No. 2 hitter with the 2005 White Sox, after being a standout player over eight seasons for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in Japan.

Iguchi also managed in Japan and was at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday as a media member for NHK. So, which profession does he prefer?

“There’s so many players from Japan playing for Major League Baseball, so I’m very excited to be able to [talk] about those players to our viewers in Japan,” said Iguchi through an interpreter. “So I’m very happy with what I’m doing right now.”

During his morning White Sox visit, Iguchi shared a conversation with manager Will Venable, who he played with on the 2008 Padres before his Major League career came to a close. He also shook hands with Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who is a special assistant to general manager Chris Getz, among other activities.

His visit followed Shingo Takatsu, Kazuo Matsui and Daisuke Matsuzaka to Glendale to get a look at first baseman Munetaka Murakami during this current Spring Training. Iguchi also noted the White Sox tie-ins with Takatsu, himself and now Murakami, who came to the White Sox via a two-year, $34 million deal.

“Shingo Takatsu was the manager for Murakami in Japan with the Yakult Swallows,” Iguchi said. “Murakami picked the White Sox, where Takatsu used to play. There are a lot of relationships going on, and I’m very happy to see all those happening with Murakami picking the White Sox.”

There also was some advice presented by Iguchi in regards to Murakami adjusting from Japan to Major League Baseball.

“As far as play-wise, he was already a big star. He already has successful records in Japan,” Iguchi said. “So he doesn’t really have to change anything. Just be yourself.

“In terms of living in America, it’s just step by step, but I’m sure he will be able to adjust to life here.”

Birthday greetings
Jerry Reinsdorf celebrated his 90th birthday on Wednesday. Reinsdorf is in his 46th season as chairman of the White Sox.

“We are very good friends,” said Iguchi of Reinsdorf. “He took care of me.”

“Jerry is special,” said White Sox head groundskeeper Roger Bossard, who is entering his 60th season with the White Sox and points to Reinsdorf, good health and a love for his job as his reasons to keep going in his current spot.

The ‘old guy’ starts strong
With the trade of Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets, right-hander Davis Martin has the most White Sox service time by debut date of anyone on the roster. But at 29, he isn’t exactly ready for AARP as he showed by allowing one Sal Stewart home run over two innings during Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Reds.

Martin also topped out at 95.9 mph, per Statcast, among his 29 pitches.

“Just be hyper aggressive in the zone,” Martin said. “A guy who bullies the zone first pitch always gets ahead of guys. Sets the tone. Doesn’t fall behind guys.

“That’s a very controllable thing for me and a controllable goal I’ve had. Just hyperfixating on that, getting ahead of guys. Constantly putting pressure on them and letting the AB follow.”

Third to first
Colson Montgomery hit his first 2026 Cactus League homer with a solo blast in the fourth.

Luisangel Acuña need to get four stitches suffering a cut above his left eyebrow while stealing second in the fourth inning.

Jonathan Cannon threw three perfect innings in relief.