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Murakami's Family Safe After Japan Quake; He Plays Yankees
30 Jul
Summary
- A 7.1 magnitude earthquake devastated Murakami's hometown in Japan.
- Murakami's parents returned home after learning of the earthquake.
- He vowed to help relief efforts and play hard for his fans.
Chicago White Sox player Munetaka Murakami learned early on July 30, 2026, that his Japanese hometown of Kumamoto had been devastated by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. At least 13 people were reported dead and many injured from the seismic event.
Murakami confirmed that his family and parents' home were safe, though his parents canceled their stay in Chicago and flew home on the morning of July 30, 2026, to assess the damage. He expressed being deeply shocked and devastated, especially as the region was still recovering from a similar earthquake 10 years prior.
Despite the tragic news, Murakami played in the White Sox's game against the New York Yankees on July 30, 2026, going 1-for-4 in a 3-2 loss. He pledged to assist in relief efforts and play with determination to provide a source of cheer for his fans in Japan.
The game itself saw the White Sox rally fall short against the Yankees, with Gerrit Cole pitching six shutout innings for New York. The White Sox offense struggled, and the team has now lost five of its last seven games, seeing its division lead shrink.
