When Munetaka Murakami launched a home run off Brendon Little of the Blue Jays in a 6-3 White Sox win on Saturday, he didn’t just add another tally to his early-season ledger. He rewrote a record that had stood since 2018 — and the name he passed is a familiar one.
Murakami’s 4th home run in his first 8 MLB games set the record for the most HRs by a Japanese-born player in the first eight games of their major league career. The previous record: 3, set by Shohei Ohtani in 2018 during his legendary two-way debut season with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Journey to the Majors
Murakami’s arrival in Chicago was long anticipated. The three-time NPB batting champion spent years as one of the most feared hitters in Japanese professional baseball with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. His left-handed swing, elite plate discipline, and ability to drive the ball to all fields made him one of the most coveted international position players in years.
He signed with the White Sox in the offseason and is making his MLB debut at age 26. That’s older than the typical import timeline, but Murakami’s Opening Week has shown he’s ready for the challenge.
The White Sox Storyline
For a franchise that endured some of the worst seasons in recent memory, Murakami’s start represents a genuine reason for optimism. Chicago won 6-3 over Toronto on Saturday, and the DH’s early production has energized the fanbase and given the team’s lineup a credible middle-of-the-order threat.
The comparison to Ohtani — one of the most acclaimed players in modern history — is not lost on anyone in Chicago. Surpassing even a minor Ohtani record carries weight in the baseball world.
What’s Next
Murakami and the White Sox continue into Week 2 of the 2026 season. If he can maintain anything close to his opening pace, the NPB-to-MLB transition has rarely looked smoother. The full season will be a test — but after 8 games, the early evidence is encouraging. Watch for Murakami to continue climbing the MLB leaderboards as the season builds.
