Munetaka Murakami, who joined the Chicago White Sox this season, overcame a traffic delay to record two hits and two RBIs in his Cactus League debut. The White Sox defeated the Cubs 8-1. The 26-year-old Japanese slugger is beginning to adapt to Major League Baseball.
At Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, on February 21, Munetaka Murakami arrived late for his Cactus League debut due to traffic congestion caused by a major highway accident. He was temporarily removed from the starting lineup but reached the ballpark 20 minutes before the first pitch and started at first base.
In his first at-bat in the first inning, he grounded out to second base. In the third, he singled to center off Connor Schultz's 91.9 mph sinker with an exit velocity of 108.3 mph. In the fourth, with the bases loaded and one out, he hit a drive to center off Porter Hodge that Seiya Suzuki lost in the sun, resulting in a two-run double. He struck out looking in the sixth and was replaced before the bottom of the inning.
Through a translator, Murakami said, “There was a big, big accident in the highway. I was just concerned the whole time. … To be really, really honest, I wasn’t able to prepare fully, but I made it in time I think.” He added, “I’m really happy how it went, without any injuries. I had butterflies inside me the first few minutes of it. But after I started fielding and I got an at-bat, I felt a bit more comfortable and felt myself.”
Murakami, who signed a $34 million, two-year contract with the White Sox in December, hit .270 with 246 homers and 647 RBIs in 892 games over eight years with Japan's Yakult Swallows. He is expected to provide a boost to the rebuilding White Sox, who lost 324 games over the previous three seasons.
Manager Will Venable praised him, saying, “This guy is so committed and such a professional. … That adjustability gives you confidence that he’s going to be able to go out there and make adjustments throughout the year.” Murakami and Suzuki, who will play together for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, discussed playing in Chicago during the offseason. Suzuki joked through a translator, “I loved him, but after the popup, I hate him. So I’m not going to support him.”
While other newcomers like Pete Alonso, Nolan Arenado, and Alex Bregman also debuted that day, Murakami's performance highlighted the White Sox's spring training opener.
