Munetaka Murakami turned heads during and after the Chicago White Sox’s 3-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
Murakami played a key role in the White Sox’s win in Game 1 of this American League Division Series, as he hit a huge two-run home run off Cleveland starter Parker Messick to put Chicago on the board first in the fourth inning.
Murakami pounced on the very first pitch he saw from Messick, a 93 mph sinker he took deep for 440 feet.
MUNETAKA MURAKAMI!@WHITESOX LEAD! pic.twitter.com/0FgVkJKpgo
— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2026
At the postgame press conference, reporters asked Murakami how he felt after hitting the home run. The Japanese slugger gave a short response that made his interpreter chuckle before translating it.
Munetaka Murakami was asked what he felt when he turned toward the dugout after homering…
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) October 3, 2026
"I can't really explain it in words right now, but it was something a little bit dirty." pic.twitter.com/5gQodbr9IN
The 26-year-old Murakami is proving to be one of the best characters in the MLB postseason with his bat and personality.
It was also Murakami’s first career home run in the playoffs, a pivotal one at that, as the White Sox held on and kept the Guardians scoreless the rest of the way for a 1-0 series lead.
Still undefeated through three playoff games, the White Sox, who swept the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card Round, will look to keep it that way in Game 2 of the Guardians series on Sunday.
