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Munetaka Murakami expressed gratitude for his first season with the Chicago White Sox after their postseason run ended with a 2-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday.
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Despite the disappointment of elimination, the Japanese slugger reflected positively on his experience playing in Chicago. The White Sox had won the first two games of the series before Cleveland rallied to win three straight and advance to the American League Championship Series.
Murakami’s comments offered a glimpse into how he viewed his first major league season, even as Chicago’s playoff hopes came to an end.
Munetaka Murakami said playing postseason baseball in Chicago made him “genuinely happy.”
“Coming to the White Sox and being able to play baseball like this has made me feel truly fortunate.”
(Via: @CHSN_WhiteSox) pic.twitter.com/jfmiTetYPJ
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) October 11, 2026
“Coming to the White Sox and being able to play baseball like this has made me feel truly fortunate,” Murakami said, according to the post shared by Foul Territory on X via CHSN White Sox. He also said playing postseason baseball in Chicago made him “genuinely happy.”
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The comments came after a difficult finish to the series for Murakami. He went hitless in four at-bats in Game 5, striking out four times as Cleveland’s pitching staff held Chicago scoreless. The White Sox managed just three hits in the deciding game.
Murakami finished the five-game Division Series with four hits in 19 at-bats, including a home run and four RBIs. He struck out 11 times, reflecting the challenge Chicago’s hitters faced against Cleveland’s pitching staff throughout the series.
The White Sox had entered the postseason after a significant turnaround, reaching the Division Series with a two-game sweep of the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round. Their run ended one victory short of the American League Championship Series.
For Murakami, the elimination closes the first chapter of his major league career in Chicago. His comments suggest that, despite the disappointing finish, he valued the opportunity to compete in the postseason and play for the White Sox.
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This story was originally published October 11, 2026 at 5:39 AM.