Tokyo Yakult’s Munetaka Murakami, the youngest Triple Crown winner, drives his car for a change

Nishiazabu, 23:35.

Late one night in mid-October, a flashy green luxury car pulled into a gas station in Nishiazabu (Minato Ward), Tokyo. Out of the driver’s seat emerged a stocky young man in a sweatshirt.

It was Munetaka Murakami, 22, of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, who this year became the youngest player in history to win the Triple Crown.

On the day the Yakult team won the second game of the Climax Series against the Hanshin Tigers to advance to the Japan Series. After the game, Murakami left Jingu Stadium, finished refueling without hesitation, got into his car, and quickly drove away.

Murakami was presented with a 300 million yen house by a housing manufacturer, a sponsor of Yakult, to commemorate his triple crown. His annual salary, estimated at 220 million yen this year, is said by reporters to be sure to exceed 500 million yen next year. In addition, “Murakami” is attracting so much attention outside the baseball world that it is rumored that it will win the “buzzword of the year” award.

We look forward to seeing him hit a series of great sounds at next March’s WBC.

From the November 11, 2022 issue of FRIDAY