White Sox Make a Splash with Murakami Signing - and a Clubhouse Upgrade
Landing Munetaka Murakami wasn’t just a big move for the White Sox - it was a statement. And not just the kind made with a contract.
The 25-year-old slugger arrived from Japan with a résumé that already reads like a future Hall of Famer’s: 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and two MVP awards across eight seasons with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He’s one of the most accomplished hitters to ever make the leap from Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB, and he did it as the youngest free agent on the market.
So when the White Sox locked him in with a two-year, $34 million deal, they weren’t just adding a bat - they were bringing in a franchise cornerstone. And they knew it.
But here’s where things get interesting: part of the team’s pitch to Murakami involved more than dollars and on-field opportunity. It included… a bathroom upgrade.
During his tour of the White Sox facilities, Murakami noticed something missing - something he’d grown used to in Japan: a bidet in the clubhouse bathrooms. According to general manager Chris Getz, that detail didn’t go unnoticed.
“One thing he did notice is we didn’t have a bidet in our locker room,” Getz told MLB.com. “That’s something that was new to him, and we are putting one in.”
It’s a small touch, sure. But it speaks volumes.
This is a team that’s been stuck in the mud for three straight 100-loss seasons. They’ve been criticized for underinvesting in player comfort and development.
So when your new star mentions something as simple - and culturally familiar - as a bidet, and you respond by installing one? That’s not just hospitality.
That’s progress.
And it didn’t stop in Chicago.
Once the story hit social media, the White Sox’s High-A affiliate, the Winston-Salem Dash, decided to follow suit. Team president and GM Brian DeAngelis confirmed that bidets had been installed in their home clubhouse as well.
“The White Sox will be clean from top to bottom,” DeAngelis said. “As the Winston-Salem Dash, we strive to do what is best for our players on and off the field.”
It’s a lighthearted moment, sure - but there’s a real message here. If the White Sox are serious about turning the page, it starts with creating an environment where players feel valued, comfortable, and heard.
Murakami’s arrival is a massive win for the organization. And if installing a bidet helps make him feel more at home, why not?
After all, comfort off the field doesn’t guarantee wins - but for a team that’s been stuck in reverse, it’s a step in the right direction. And if Murakami starts launching baseballs onto the Dan Ryan Expressway this summer, don’t be surprised if “clubhouse amenities” become the newest trend in free-agent recruiting.