Munetaka Murakami | JAPAN Forward

Kensuke Kondoh and Domingo Santana Vying for Prestigious Triple Crown

The dual pursuit of the Triple Crown brings back memories of Randy Bass and Hiromitsu Ochiai, who dominated NPB batting in the mid-1980s.

Sports5 months ago

[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Munetaka Murakami Achieves a Big Career Milestone

Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami belted his 200th career home run on May 15, becoming the youngest player in NPB history (24 years and 3 months) to...

Sports8 months ago

[NPB NOTEBOOK] Can Munetaka Murakami Bounce Back? Will the Giants Rebound Under Shinnosuke Abe?

As the new NPB season approaches, there are plenty of interesting storylines to follow, including how the reigning champion Hanshin Tigers play from the get-go.

Sports1 year ago

[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Munetaka Murakami Bounces Back After a Woeful Start to the Season

After hitting .152 in April, Munetaka Murakami had his best month of the NPB season in July. Another Triple Crown is beyond the realm of possibility...

Culture2 years ago

EDITORIAL| World Baseball Classic Reminds Japan of the Pure Joy Baseball Can Deliver

The games at the 2023 World Baseball Classic were of such high caliber that they conveyed the inherent joy of baseball at its finest.

Sports2 years ago

Samurai Japan Advances to WBC Final in Dramatic Fashion

NPB star Munetaka Murakami delivers a walk-off double in the ninth inning against Mexico, sending Japan to the WBC title game for the third time.

Sports2 years ago

Murakami, Okamoto Spark Japan Over Italy and Into WBC Semifinals

The two NPB stars broke out of slumps to give Japan plenty of offense as the team heads to Miami with a shot at winning the...

Sports2 years ago

[ODDS and EVENS] 2022's Defining Sports Highlights for Japan

A trio of Beijing Olympic gold medals, Roki Sasaki's perfect game and boxer Naoya Inoue's success were among 2022's defining sports highlights for Japan.