This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CHICAGO – Munetaka Murakami plays in his 27th Major League game Saturday afternoon against the Nationals at Rate Field after joining the White Sox from Japan via a two-year, $34 million free agent deal.
Yet, general manager Chris Getz was asked during his homestand-opening media session Friday if contract extensions had begun between the organization and the first baseman’s representation.
Such is the immediate an immense impact made by Murakami.
“Obviously, he’s gone out there and performed really well, quickly in his White Sox career,” said Getz, who explained no talks had started. “Our goal from the beginning is making sure that he can just go out there and be comfortable and be himself, knowing that if he can get comfortable, he can be a productive Major League player.
“[We] certainly don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but what he has done so far has been really impressive. I’m just happy for Mune, and certainly we feel fortunate that he’s in the lineup with us.”
Fans and media alike who have witnessed Murakami’s smashing opening impression have discussed how he fits with this rebuild core beyond his two years.
That discussion grew a bit stronger when Murakami tied the franchise record for most consecutive games with a home run at five, with his run ending Thursday afternoon at Chase Field. He returned to form Friday, hitting his 11th home run of the season in Chicago against the Nationals to tie Yordan Alvarez for the MLB lead.
There’s another type of question arising with this sort of attention-drawing performance. What former standout is comparable to Murakami’s 11 home runs launched over his first 26 games? Maybe even members of the front office, in a quiet but satisfied moment or two, think the same.
White Sox hitting coach Derek Shomon, in a Thursday interview with MLB.com, produced the perfect answer to this question.
“The best thing we can all do is compare Mune to Mune,” Shomon said. “He is his own man, and a special man for sure. He has a few different tools in his tool bag. But yeah, I would say Mune is Mune.”
Who is Murakami? Well, to paraphrase a famous moment from Chicago sports lore, the 26-year-old is who the White Sox thought he was … and so much more.
His power is prodigious, as he showed of over eight seasons with Yakult in Japan. His approach at the plate is as polished as a 10-year Major League veteran. Not only does Murakami destroy mistakes, but he doesn’t chase pitcher’s pitches.
His work ethic is top-notch, along the lines of José Abreu’s presence when he came to the White Sox from Cuba. And Murakami has been a great clubhouse fit.
“There seems to be a genuine enjoyment of being with this team, with this group of guys,” Getz said. “And being in the city of Chicago and playing for the White Sox fans.”
“Oh, yeah, the guys love him,” Shomon said. “He’s literally right in the mix every single day. We get him talking in our meetings and he usually cracks the room up with whatever he says. He’s done a great job. He’s fun to be around and I’m very happy he wanted to be with the Chicago White Sox.”
Media attention outside of Chicago has quickly picked up around Murakami, who homered in each of his first three career games at Milwaukee. But he is built to handle increased pressure with increased on-field results.
“What we’ve learned is he’s a superstar over there [in Japan] and is a superstar over here,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “It’s the attention he’s probably had for a while now. You have to be a special person to be able to deal with that, and obviously he handles it really well.”
“More than anything, we are happy where he’s at right now,” Getz said. “He seems to be very comfortable."
Does Murakami make sense long term with the White Sox? Could he be one of the faces of the next great team, along with players including Colson Montgomery and Kyle Teel? Overall outlooks should be tempered until he plays a full season -- or a full two months, for that matter.
Contractual ideas from his side also clearly will have to be recognized, with Murakami not getting what was projected in this first Major League foray. But through one month of action, the White Sox love Murakami, and Murakami loves the White Sox.
“I love the team very much. All my teammates are very open to communication,” said Murakami through interpreter Kenzo Yagi. “They are really just good teammates overall. Staff, coaches, I love them very much.”
“Anyone who is wearing a White Sox uniform, you look at ‘Is this someone we want here? Is this someone who is going to be productive for a long time?’” Getz said. “Age is certainly a factor. That’s part of the equation when you are putting together in the short term and long term.”