Munetaka Murakami pays respect to Blue Jays legend during White Sox playoff clinch celebrations

The Chicago White Sox are playoff bound. After a 9-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 24) the White Sox solidified a spot in the 2026 postseason. It will be their first playoff apperance since winning the AL Central in 2021 - but it feels much longer than a five year hiatus.

That's mostly because ever since 2021, the White Sox have lost 100 or more games in three of the last four seasons. Their best finish since 2021 was when they went 81-81 in 2022. While they haven't set the world on fire, their win on Thursday gives them an 82-77 record with three games left to play.

It certainly is cause for celebration in the Windy City and the good times started flowing shortly after the final out was made. It carried into the locker room where one of Chicago's premier players repeated one of the most infamous lines in baseball history.

Munetaka Murakami, while being interviewed, belted out the line, "I AM JAPANEEEEESE!" Long-time Blue Jays fans will know exactly where that came from. One of the biggest underdog stories in Blue Jays history, Munenori Kawaski yelled out the same line on May 26, 2013.

That was the day Kawasaki, went from fan favourite, to Blue Jays legend. After delivering a game-winning walk-off two-run double against the Baltimore Orioles to cap off a four-run ninth inning comeback. After the game he was interviewed on Sportsnet and what followed is still talked about today.

Kawasaki grabbed the microphone and yelled, "Thank you very much! My name is Munenori Kawasaki! I am from Japan. I am JAPANEEESE!" He then read from a cue card that said he wanted to make the most of the opportunity his teammates gave him, before his teammates covered his face with shaving cream and then dumped a bucket of Gatorade on him.

It was just one of many memorable lines from Kawasaki which included, "monkeys never cramp" and, during a Blue Jays playoff celebration, "Bush party! Let's go!"

Munetaka Murkami signing by White Sox pays off for playoff bound White Sox

The White Sox raised some eyebrows when they signed Murakami to a two-year, $34-million deal this past off season but it certainly paid off in the long run.

The Japanese star has clobbered 33 home runs in his first year in MLB, with a .204/.348/.469 slash line and .817 OPS.

There is still some work to do for the White Sox though as they are still chasing the Cleveland Guardians for the top spot in the AL Central. As of this writing the Guardians have a 0.5 game lead over Chicago. The Guardians will finish out the year by playing their final three games in Kansas City against the Royals. The White Sox will host the Colorado Rockies.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow