CHICAGO – New Chicago White Sox signing Munetaka Murakami spoke Monday about his excitement at joining a youthful baseball team aiming to rebuild after finishing at the bottom of the American League the past two seasons.
Sporting his new No. 5 jersey at his introductory press conference in Chicago, the 25-year-old slugger said the White Sox were a “great fit” for him.
“They’re becoming a team that can win,” he said. “I really want to be a part of a team of the future.”
Murakami became Japan’s youngest-ever Triple Crown winner with the Yakult Swallows in a 2022 campaign that included 56 home runs, the second-most in a single Nippon Professional Baseball season.
The White Sox signed the infielder to a two-year, $34 million contract in the hope of adding much-needed power to their lineup.
“Regardless of the length of the contract, I wanted to come here with the goal of meeting the challenge head-on and growing as a baseball player,” Murakami said.
The native of southwestern Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture has mainly played third base for the Swallows, but the White Sox envision him primarily as a first baseman.
Around 50 media members, many of them from Japan, packed the press conference.
“White Sox Nation, you guys are in my heart,” Murakami said in English during his opening statement, before drawing a laugh from the audience as he held up a pair of white socks and proclaimed, “White Sox!”
Murakami, who starred for Japan’s championship-winning team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, said he planned to help defend the title at the next edition of tournament in March, with White Sox general manager Chris Getz confirming that the club supported him taking part.