Munetaka Murakami steps up on day White Sox honor him

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Munetaka Murakami steps up on day White Sox honor him

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 26, 2026 10:34 PM ET

Continuously showing a flair for the dramatic during his debut MLB season, Munetaka Murakami delivered on a day intended to honor the Japanese rookie.

Murakami crushed two home runs, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 12-3 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday. But while hitting multiple home runs is a big deal no matter what else is going on, Murakami did it on his own bobblehead day.

After his parents opened up the game by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and with bobblehead dolls in his likeness in the hands of fans in the stands, Murakami made sure White Sox fans went home happy.

Munetaka Murakami delivered a memorable performance on his own bobblehead day

Spreading out his power, Murakami homered on his first at-bat and then again on his last. His first inning two-run bomb put Chicago in the lead after entering the frame trailing 1-0.

He then added an unnecessary insurance run with an eighth-inning solo shot, his sixth RBI of the game.

Munetaka Murakami has a TWO-HOMER game on his bobblehead day! https://t.co/FZhbC2H58Y pic.twitter.com/zhyoWohg67
— MLB (@MLB) July 26, 2026

Murakami joined the White Sox after a legendary-type career in Japan

Murakami, 26, who was a four-time All-Star, two-time league MVP, and even completed a triple-crown season (2022) in Japan before signing with the White Sox in December 2025, finished Sunday's contest going 3-for-5. He smacked a pair of home runs, recorded six total RBI and scored three runs. He now has 22 homers through 69 games played on the season.

Murakami keeps building his AL ROY case

And as his latest memorable performance furthers his case for being named the American League Rookie of the Year, Murakami, only hitting .239, also has 48 RBIs, 58 hits, 54 walks, and 53 runs in 243 at-bats despite missing all of June with an injury. The rest of his slash line rounds out more impressively than his low batting average — he has a .378 OBP and a .543 slug, within the top 10 in all of baseball.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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