The Chicago White Sox made an unexpected clubhouse addition ahead of the 2026 season, one that says more about organizational intent than the object itself.
That addition is a bidet, installed inside the home clubhouse at Rate Field following a recommendation from newly signed first baseman Munetaka Murakami.
Murakami, who agreed to a two-year, $34 million deal, represents the most significant Pacific Rim signing in franchise history.
During his first walkthrough of White Sox facilities, Murakami noticed something familiar was missing from the locker room.
Rather than dismiss the observation, the organization acted immediately, treating the request as practical rather than peculiar.
General manager Chris Getz acknowledged the change casually, framing it as a simple accommodation for a player adjusting to a new environment.
That response matters.
It reflects an organizational willingness to adapt rather than expect assimilation without support.
Murakami’s arrival already comes with pressure, scrutiny, and expectation, both on and off the field.
His power credentials are unquestioned.
Across four seasons with Yakult from 2021 through 2024, Murakami launched 159 home runs and became a cultural icon in Japan.
The concerns revolve around translation.
Major League velocity. Swing-and-miss rates. Consistency against elite pitching.
Chicago is addressing those questions proactively.
Murakami was introduced to the Trajekt pitching machine during his visit, a tool unavailable to him in Japan.
The organization sees it as one way to ease his transition to MLB velocity profiles.
But adjustment isn’t only mechanical.
Nutrition, recovery, and daily comfort matter just as much.
Getz emphasized dietary preferences and lifestyle changes as areas where the team is making deliberate accommodations.
Murakami has embraced the challenge.
While he openly admitted Chicago’s winter cold wasn’t appealing, he still wanted to participate in SoxFest Live despite frigid temperatures.
Fan response has been overwhelming.
Any mention of Murakami at the Ramova Theatre drew massive reactions, even when he appeared only via video.
At his introductory press conference, Murakami surprised the room with humor.
After brief remarks in English, he held up a pair of white socks, drawing laughter and instant goodwill.
Getz admitted he hadn’t expected the moment, but it revealed Murakami’s comfort under pressure and his natural stage presence.
The White Sox have Japanese history.
Tadahito Iguchi and Shingo Takatsu both played key roles in the 2005 World Series championship.
But Murakami represents something different.
His notoriety, age, and international profile elevate the organization’s global relevance.
That impact extends beyond baseball.
White Sox executives are actively studying how teams like the Dodgers have leveraged Japanese stars to expand international branding.
Brooks Boyer highlighted Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki as examples of how global reach translates into sponsorship and media opportunities.
The Cubs have benefited similarly through Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki.
Chicago sees Murakami as an entry point into that same ecosystem.
Getz is unconcerned about Murakami missing portions of spring training due to World Baseball Classic participation.
Supporting national pride was part of the recruitment process from the beginning.
Internally, the excitement is palpable.
Getz admitted that nearly every conversation involving the White Sox now circles back to Murakami.
The appeal lies in both credibility and uncertainty.
Murakami arrives as a proven star, yet remains an unknown at the Major League level.
That combination generates optimism rather than fear.
The bidet itself isn’t the story.
It’s the response to it.
The White Sox aren’t just signing international talent.
They’re signaling a shift toward adaptation, inclusion, and long-term global ambition.
And sometimes, the smallest changes reveal the biggest intentions.
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