Murakami Sōtaka hits clutch home run for Chicago White Sox as Kumamoto earthquake rattles his hometown

On July 29, Chicago White Sox outfielder Murakami Sōtaka hit a solo home run in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees. The ball traveled 403 feet at 104.6 mph, and the White Sox won the game in extra innings.

The day before, a magnitude‑7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan, killing 38 people, including disaster‑related deaths. Murakami, a native of Kumamoto, said he was “shocked and devastated” and vowed to bring energy to his hometown through his play, thanking supporters from Japan for their encouragement.

Murakami’s rookie season has been outstanding: he ranks second in American League rookie voting, posted a league‑leading hard‑hit rate of 59.5 % among qualified rookies, and recorded 24 home runs with a .921 OPS, contributing significantly to the White Sox’s rise as playoff contenders.