Murakami Soutaku hits home run on Bubblehead Day and secures All-Star spot

Chicago White Sox shortstop Murakami Soutaku opened the team's Bubblehead Day celebration by throwing a ceremonial first pitch with his parents and then hitting a left‑centre home run in the first inning, his first after returning from injury. The 21st homer of his season sparked a jubilant crowd in Chicago.

A week later Murakami was added to the MLB All-Star roster as an emergency selection after Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton went on the injured list. The call made him the fourth Japanese player ever named an All‑Star and the first infielder from Japan to receive the honor. In the first half of the season he posted a .232 batting average with 20 home runs and 42 RBIs. He also competed in the Home Run Derby, tallying nine homers in the opening round but falling short of advancing to the semifinals.