The Chicago White Sox did not have an ideal start to their 2026 MLB season, but it’s still one to remember for first baseman Munetaka Murakami.
The Japanese star made his presence felt in his big league debut on Thursday, as he hit a home run in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis.
Although that barely moved the needle for the White Sox, who ended up losing the game, 14-2, Murakami’s home run surely meant a lot to him. It is also why he felt he had to retrieve his home run ball from a Brewers fan, who gave it back to him in exchange for a signed bat, according to White Sox reporter Brooke Fletcher.
Munetaka Murakami got his HR ball back from Brewers fan Steve Pollack and in return, gave him a signed bat.
— Brooke Fletcher (@BrookeFletcher) March 26, 2026
As for what he’s doing with the ball? He told me he’s sending it back to Japan. #whitesox pic.twitter.com/BsxH7q2mQD
That does seem to be a fair deal between Murakami and the Brewers fan, who was left with an awesome souvenir from the Opening Day game to go with the memory of seeing Milwaukee clobber Chicago.
Murakami, who went 1-for-2 with two walks and no strikeouts against the Brewers, offered a glimpse of what he’s capable of at the plate with his performance Thursday. He will look to keep it going on Saturday in the second game of the Brewers series.
