'67-Home Run Pace' Surpasses Ohtani, Japanese Home Run King Exclaims, "I Have Nothing More to Say" — Awe

*This content was translated by AI.

Mocking the label of "fake power," Munetaka Murakami (26, Chicago White Sox) continues to launch home runs daily. His performance not only holds up in Major League Baseball (MLB) but also shows the potential to surpass Shohei Ohtani (32, Los Angeles Dodgers).

On the 23rd (Korean time), Murakami hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning during an MLB visit game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Starting with his first game against the Athletics on the 18th, Murakami has already hit home runs in five consecutive games. This is a historic record achieved by only six players in the franchise's history. Following A.J. Pierzynski (2012), Paul Konerko (2011), Carlos Lee (2003), Frank Thomas (twice in 1994), Ron Kittle, and Greg Luzinski (both in 1983), Murakami joins the franchise

When narrowing the scope to rookies, this is the longest streak in all of MLB and a new record for a Japanese hitter. Previously, the record was four consecutive games held by sluggers already successful in the big leagues: Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs).

Murakami, who hit the most home runs in a single season by a pure Japanese player in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with 56 and hit 246 home runs over eight seasons, joined the White Sox ahead of this season on a somewhat disappointing two-year, $34 million (approximately 50.3 billion won) contract.

The contract size was not large relative to his potential because there were doubts about his contact ability, as he had led the strikeout category three times in NPB. While his power was undeniable, skeptical eyes followed regarding whether he could effectively handle the harder pitches thrown by MLB pitchers.

The power, however, was real. Murakami launched a home run from his debut game and hit home runs in three consecutive games. The issue was his contact ability. As of the 13th, Murakami's batting average had dropped to.157.

Perhaps he began to find his rhythm afterward. He hit six home runs in eight games, and especially after recording three hits on the 18th for his first multi-hit game of the season, Murakami hit three hits again the next day, raising his season batting average to.256 (82 at-bats, 21 hits).

Murakami, who struck out in the first inning and flew out to left field in the third, adjusted his hitting rhythm with a left-field single in the bottom of the fifth when his team was trailing 4-8. He stepped up to the plate with no outs and a runner on first base in the seventh and delivered. Ryan Thompson's first pitch, a 90.8 mph (146.1 km/h) fastball, was right down the middle with no chance. The powerful hit, traveling at 110.2 mph (177.3 km/h), flew 137.5 meters and landed in the stands beyond the center field wall. This was Murakami's 10th home run of the season.

With this, Murakami moved into second place in MLB home runs, trailing only Jordan Alvarez (Houston, 11 home runs). Having appeared in all 24 games played by his team, Murakami is on a 67-home run pace if he plays all 162 games. Even if he plays only 150 games, he is on a 62-home run pace.

Ohtani, who has only five home runs this season despite having surpassed 50 home runs twice before but never 60, appears poised to reach the 60th-home run plateau, a height no Asian hitter has ever reached, if his current momentum continues.

MLB's official website, MLB.com, noted, "Many superheroes carry a special weapon on their belt. Batman is a prime example. Murakami is no exception," highlighting the Chinese idiom 'Washin Sandan' (enduring hardship and self-discipline) engraved on his belt.

Murakami stated, "This is a very important phrase I learned from my teacher and coach in high school. It is truly significant to me, so I had it engraved on my belt and repeat the words daily to stay focused." MLB.com reported Murakami's explanation that one can achieve success even while enduring and overcoming hardships.

White Sox manager Will Venable also could not contain his admiration. "I have nothing more to say," he remarked. "He consistently creates good positions to make good contact with good pitches, demonstrates excellent swing judgment, and records many hits. He hits the ball very hard. Even singles are driven hard, and extra-base power is natural. Just watching him is impressive," he expressed satisfaction.

Of course, he also has 32 strikeouts, placing him among the league leaders, but this is a natural consequence of the production he generates. He also demonstrates excellent plate discipline. With 21 walks drawn, he ranks fourth in the entire MLB in walks. His on-base percentage exceeds.400. Especially, the fact that nearly half of his 21 hits—10 of them—are home runs is a clear indicator of Murakami's power.

Murakami said, "Overall, I am quite satisfied with my swing. It is still early in the season, so I need to continue adjusting to pitchers, but my swing is working very well right now." He added, "It would be great if the stats look good, but I am not fixated on specific stats. Our team certainly influences each other, and it is a good thing for the entire lineup to score many runs."

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*This content was translated by AI.