CLEVELAND -- Take a look at any media coverage in Japan this weekend, and Munetaka Murakami’s performance with the White Sox is sure to be featured.
“Yeah, of course. It’s big news,” former big leaguer Kazuo Matsui told MLB.com Saturday evening at Progressive Field. “Huge in Japan.”
Matsui knows about the immense power Major League Baseball has in translating back to his home country. From 2004-10, Matsui played in the Majors. In ‘07, he went to the World Series with the Rockies.
Now, the one-time talented infielder is covering Murakami as part of the hard-working Japanese media. And speaking of power …
Murakami put on another impressive display in the fourth inning of the White Sox 3-0 victory over the Guardians during Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field. Miguel Vargas singled to open the fourth against rookie southpaw Parker Messick, followed by a mammoth first-pitch home run from Murakami on a Messick sinker inside and a little bit up in the zone. It was Murakami’s first career postseason homer.
“He's just a stud,” said Guardians catcher Austin Hedges of Murakami. “He can hit a home run in every pitch in every spot, so you’ve got to keep him off-balance as best as you can. Man, he's fun to watch hit. Just not when he's playing against us."
“Well, I really wanted the first home run at a very important game,” said Murakami through interpreter Kenzo Yagi. “So, I'm just really happy that I got one off.”
Murakami stopped briefly to watch the long drive, as did many others at Progressive Field, while it traveled a Statcast-projected 440 feet at an exit velocity of 112.2 mph. Murakami became the fourth White Sox rookie with a postseason homer, joining Gavin Sheets (2021 ALDS), Luis Robert Jr. (2020 ALWC) and Tadahito Iguchi (2005 ALDS).
After connecting, Murakami dropped his bat and yelled something in excitement toward the White Sox dugout. His response when asked postgame about what he said drew a laugh from Yagi and the Japanese media.
“Well, I can't really explain it in words right now,” Murakami said. “But it was something a little bit dirty.”
“That dude can swing it, and that’s No. 1,” catcher Kyle Teel said. “No. 2, I say as a guy in the clubhouse, a guy in the locker room, he’s a guy you want around for the culture as well. It’s rare you find superstars that also bring that to the table. It’s an honor to play with him.”
Manager Will Venable’s team cruised through two victories over the Astros during the American League Wild Card Series with middle-of-the-order forces Vargas and Murakami finishing a combined 1-for-17 with no extra-base hits. On Saturday, they went 3-for-6 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Shingo Takatsu, Iguchi and Kosuke Fukudome were the first three players from Japan to suit up for the White Sox. Takatsu and Iguchi won World Series rings in 2005 -- with Iguchi, at second base and hitting second in the lineup, playing a featured role throughout the historic run.
There’s hope on the South Side that Murakami can do the same in ‘26.
“Adjusting to the new environment is very hard,” Matsui said. “Seeing all the pitchers, the first time they play, and it takes time to know them well. So, thinking about Murakami doing the 35 [regular season] home runs, it’s a great number.”
“He’s one of those guys that can change it in one swing,” said Colson Montgomery of his teammate and fellow member of the 30-plus home run club. “Vargy doing what he does, getting on base. Mune, just felt like all year he’s been coming through big with us.”
And if all goes according to plan, the White Sox and Murakami highlights will continue for the rest of the month.
“Each individual on the team has much respect for each other, and they're very much motivated by each other and the respect is fully there,” Murakami said. “That's why the feelings and how we look into the future as a team is what is showing, and that's why we are able to reach that success.”