GLENDALE, Ariz. -- What a difference one letter can make.
When Munetaka Murakami first arrived at Camelback Ranch on Sunday morning, the nameplate above his home White Sox clubhouse locker read “Munetaki Murakami.”
It unofficially goes down as the first error of Spring Training.
Murakami posted the mistake on his Instagram stories at ys_munetaka55, with a “thinking” emoji followed by a “laughing” emoji.
Clearly no harm, no foul in the mind of the power-packed, Japanese free-agent first baseman who agreed to a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox. That mistake was corrected Monday with an A added over the original I in his first name, posted again on Instagram by Murakami with a “thumbs up” emoji below the picture.
“I know that he made a post about it in jest. ... We certainly are getting that fixed if we haven't already,” said White Sox general manager Chris Getz with a smile concerning the nameplate miscue. “But yeah, he's a fun-loving guy, and [he] just wants to get out here and play baseball.”
White Sox position players don’t have to be in camp until Sunday, but Murakami arrived one week early. He will once again be playing for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and is trying to get acclimated as quickly as possible during his first Major League Spring Training.
As the media was gathering outside the White Sox facility to talk with Getz on Monday, Murakami walked out with his interpreter and the rest of his crew. He smiled, exchanged pleasantries and shook hands with a couple of press members before going on his way for the day.
“There was a pretty good following in his first cage session,” Getz said. “I just got out here today, so I look forward to watching him more. We are all excited. I think he’s one of those hitters when he steps in the box, you are going to want to watch.
“He seems very excited to be here. The point of coming out here right now too is to prepare for the WBC, get to know his teammates and get ready for the season. He looks very good. He’s going to mix in really well with the team and the organization. It’s fun having him in the building, that’s for sure.”