CHICAGO – The last question of Munetaka Murakami’s session with the English-speaking media following a 12-8 loss to the Mariners Friday centered on what the White Sox first baseman thought of the questions being asked of him.
Murakami answered that question with a question of his own, through interpreter Kenzo Yagi.
“In the first meeting, there were a lot of critical questions about me hitting the fastball and getting the velocity up,” said Murakami, referring to questions about the left-handed power force handling higher velocity from his opening press conference at Rate Field. “Now the results are coming to be, and I think the questions are coming differently at the moment.
“I want to ask you guys how I’m doing."
Based on his individual success and his immense contributions to the team’s overall success, the free agent from Japan is doing just fine. He’s actually 10 or 11 levels above just fine.
With one first-inning swing of the bat at Rate Field, Murakami set a Major League record, tied Aaron Judge for the Major League home run lead and ended a stretch of five straight strikeouts. Murakami connected on a 1-0 sinker from Emerson Hancock for a solo home run to left, giving him homers in eight straight series openers, a big league first. Murakami was tied with Eddie Murray at seven straight before the said connection.
“During the season, there’s always good and bad, ups and downs,” Murakami said. “It doesn’t matter what the results are, but to prepare each day in the same routine and prepare myself for the game is most important.”
“It was impressive,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Murakami. “Really good swing. He continues to give himself a chance making good swing decisions. Really good stuff from Mune."
Murakami’s blast, carrying 380 feet at 106.2 mph, according to Statcast, marked his first home run to left field of his MLB career. Murakami now has 15 homers off 15 pitchers, but has yet to produce a multihomer game.
General manager Chris Getz spoke pregame of other Major League general managers congratulating him on making the right call on Murakami, who has changed the face of this organization. He also expects Murakami to continue to get better, as the league continues getting better against him.
That promise for daily improvement came from Murakami at his opening press conference, and he’s equally determined to fulfill that goal.
“I hope he just continues to do what he's been doing because he's been a real force for us,” said Getz. “What he brings to the table, the influence and the impact that he has on the lineup is significant. We just want to continue to watch him have quality at-bats, get on base and do damage, and play his style of baseball.
“We want to do what we can to position him to do what he's been doing. He doesn't need to do anything more. We know that the league is trying to figure him out, but he continues to show up and impress. … You look at his determination and his work ethic and his intelligence, I have a tough time thinking he's not going to get better."