White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami says Chicago doesn’t know him yet — and he plans to change that with as many home runs as possible in 2026.
Munetaka Murakami is already a superstar in Japan, and after signing a two-year contract with the Chicago White Sox this offseason, he's a star in the eyes of White Sox fans, too.
There’s something about Murakami that feels different from what White Sox fans are used to. He brings a level of excitement and mystery that makes every trip to the batter’s box — even during spring training games at Camelback Ranch — feel like must-see TV. And that mystique will only continue to grow as he produces and the regular season arrives.
Murakami isn’t just an exciting baseball player for White Sox fans. He represents everything that is slowly beginning to change within this organization. For years, the Japanese market was something the White Sox largely neglected. But under GM Chris Getz and this front office, that won’t be the case any longer. And hopefully, Murakami’s success and popularity serve as an example to owner Jerry Reinsdorf about the star power Japan has to offer.
Or even just the financial impact an exciting free-agent deal can have.
But beyond the big-time power White Sox fans are eager to see on game days, Murakami carries a presence that feels inherently marketable. He has a ton of personality. He doesn’t take himself too seriously. And there’s something about his skill set that will be easy for White Sox fans to rally behind.
I’d be willing to bet that No. 5 Murakami jerseys are among the most popular we see at Rate Field this season.
Can we say that Murakami is already a fan favorite? Is he already the face of the franchise?
When asked that very question in a press conference earlier this week, the 26-year-old first baseman was quick to downplay his status as a White Sox franchise icon.
Murakami is more focused on earning that title. He’s focused on introducing himself to the city of Chicago with his play on the field. And he wants to do it in the loudest, most explosive way possible.
“I haven't really gotten to a point where I've made any results in the major leagues yet. So I don't think of myself as a face of the franchise yet. I'll try to build upon that during the season,” Murakami said through a translator at Camelback Ranch.
“Chicago doesn’t know me yet, so I’ll try to hit as many bombs as possible so that a lot of people in Chicago will start to know me.”
That’s one way to go about it. And he’s not wrong.
If Murakami comes out and hits 40 home runs as a rookie, he’ll instantly become the face of the White Sox organization. Not necessarily because he’s the best overall player on the team, but because he’ll be the most marketable. He has international appeal. And home runs sell.
That would put the White Sox in a fascinating position. On one hand, Murakami would have increased his trade value, would have only one year left on his contract, and would be a player every team in baseball would try to acquire — especially given his discounted salary.
But if he takes over Chicago, and Munetaka Murakami becomes synonymous with this era of White Sox baseball, it would become very difficult for the organization to do anything other than pay him.