Munetaka Murakami makes rare history to the beginning of an MLB career originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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While the Chicago White Sox continue to try to find their footing, one highlight thus far through the season is rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami.
Murakami is off to an historic start to his Major League career, already with 12 home runs on the season in 29 games, which is the most among any player.
The first baseman homered in the team’s win on Monday over the Los Angeles Angels, and with that home run, Murakami extended his streak of extra base hits resulting in home runs to 12.
This streak is the longest of any MLB player dating back to at least 1900 and is two better than the previous 10 by Dae-ho Lee in 2016, who did it in his MLB season with the Seattle Mariners.
More: Munetaka Murakami is not the only White Sox player trying to shine this season
Earlier in April, Murakami had a five-game home run streak after beginning the season by hitting a homer in all three games in the team’s opening series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
It has been a while since White Sox fans have had something to cheer about, finishing last in the AL Central for the last two seasons and missing the postseason for the last four.
Nonetheless, Murakami’s early success not only gives the organization something to root for but may also signal better things to come for the franchise.
Through 29 games, the White Sox are 12-17, and while that is not the best record by any means, with such a long season, if Murakami can keep up the elite production, who knows what the ceiling could be for Chicago?
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