Japanese Slugger Overcomes Highway Mishap for Stellar White Sox Spring Debut

Munetaka Murakami nearly missed his first spring training game with the Chicago White Sox due to a highway accident that delayed his arrival. Despite the stress of arriving just 20 minutes before first pitch, the Japanese star delivered two hits and two RBIs in his Cactus League debut.

MESA, Ariz. — Japanese baseball star Munetaka Murakami almost didn’t make it to his inaugural spring training appearance with the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

But after overcoming a highway traffic jam, the 26-year-old slugger delivered an impressive performance at the plate.

Despite arriving just 20 minutes before game time, Murakami collected two hits and drove in two runs during his first Cactus League appearance. The Japanese power hitter is adjusting to Major League Baseball following his $34 million, two-year deal with Chicago signed last December.

Team officials briefly pulled Murakami from the starting roster when he encountered heavy traffic en route to Sloan Park. He managed to arrive in time and grounded out to second base during his initial plate appearance in the opening frame of Chicago’s 8-1 triumph over the Cubs.

“There was a big, big accident in the highway,” Murakami said through a translator. “I was just concerned the whole time. … To be really, really honest, I wasn’t able to prepare fully, but I made it in time I think.”

Friday marked the opening day of spring exhibitions, featuring several notable debuts. Baltimore’s new first baseman Pete Alonso and Arizona’s fresh third baseman Nolan Arenado both homered for their respective clubs, while Alex Bregman managed no hits in two at-bats during three innings of action in his Cubs debut.

“It was a great to be out here and play in a spring training game with the Cubs,” said Bregman, who inked a $175 million, five-year deal with Chicago during free agency. “It was fun. Obviously super cool to have all that energy in the ballpark.”

Baltimore fans gave Alonso an enthusiastic reception before his first trip to the batter’s box against the Yankees. Although Kenedy Corona’s spectacular diving grab robbed him of a hit in the third inning, Alonso launched Bradley Hanner’s opening curveball over the left field wall for a two-run blast in the sixth frame of the Orioles’ 2-0 Florida victory.

During his final campaign with the New York Mets last season, Alonso connected for 38 home runs. He committed to a $155 million, five-year agreement with Baltimore in December.

Arenado opened the second inning with a solo homer during Arizona’s 3-2 victory over Colorado in Scottsdale. The eight-time All-Star joined the Diamondbacks through a January trade with St. Louis.

Chicago is counting on Murakami to help reverse their fortunes after losing an astounding 324 games across the past three seasons. During eight seasons with Japan’s Central League Yakult Swallows, he compiled a .270 batting average with 246 home runs and 647 RBIs across 892 contests.

Playing first base, Murakami recorded his inaugural hit by driving Connor Schultz’s 91.9 mph sinker up the middle during the third inning. The single with one out registered a 108.3 mph exit velocity.

In the fourth inning with one out and runners on all bases, Murakami sent a Porter Hodge pitch toward center field. Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki lost sight of the ball in the bright sun, allowing it to drop on the warning track’s back edge for a two-run double.

“I’m really happy how it went, without any injuries,” Murakami said. “I had butterflies inside me the first few minutes of it. But after I started fielding and I got an at-bat, I felt a bit more comfortable and felt myself.”

Both Murakami and Suzuki will represent Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, and the pair discussed Chicago baseball during the offseason.

“I loved him, but after the popup, I hate him. So I’m not going to support him,” Suzuki joked through a translator.

Murakami watched a called third strike during his final plate appearance in the sixth inning before being substituted defensively prior to the bottom half.

White Sox manager Will Venable commended Murakami’s composure following his pre-game transportation troubles.

“This guy is so committed and such a professional,” Venable said. “We’ve asked him to do some things that he hasn’t necessarily been accustomed to and how he prepares and his adaptability and flexibility to do those things has been awesome. That adjustability gives you confidence that he’s going to be able to go out there and make adjustments throughout the year.”