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Venable's Thesis Bridges Cultures for White Sox Star
9 Jan
Summary
- Manager Will Venable's thesis explored Japanese baseball culture.
- Munetaka Murakami, a top Japanese player, joined the White Sox.
- Venable's research aids Murakami's cultural and baseball transition.
Will Venable, manager of the Chicago White Sox, is leveraging his academic background to aid the transition of new Japanese player Munetaka Murakami. Venable's senior thesis at Princeton University, titled "The Game and Community: An Anthropological Look at Baseball in America and Japan," explored the cultural significance of baseball in both nations.
This research provides Venable with a deep understanding of the cultural nuances Murakami brings from Japan. Murakami, a 25-year-old first baseman, recently signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox, aiming to replicate his previous success, which included 56 home runs in 2022.
Venable has been communicating with Murakami, who expresses a strong emphasis on defense and competition. This aligns with Venable's thesis findings on the commitment and passion prevalent in Japanese baseball, fostering optimism for Murakami's integration into the team.
