Scoop! Inside Shohei Ohtani’s Chicago Party With Yamamoto, Sasaki, and Murakami—Exclusive Photos Obtained

Exclusive Scoop: Secret dinner gathering of four major Japanese MLB players

Beside Shohei Ohtani (32) of the Dodgers, smiling warmly, is Munetaka Murakami (26). On both sides are Yoshinobu Yamamoto (27) and Roki Sasaki (24), also wearing smiles. The four are looking toward the camera in a relaxed atmosphere.

FRIDAY has exclusively captured a surprising off-field interaction between Dodgers star Ohtani and Murakami, who joined the White Sox this year.

The Dodgers traveled to Chicago from June 13–15 (Japan time) for a three-game series against the White Sox. Ohtani’s gestures and exchanges with Murakami, who was on the injured list, from one dugout to the other were shown several times during television broadcasts and became a topic of conversation.

“In the first game on the 13th, Ohtani removed his cap and bowed toward Murakami, almost as if saying, ‘You didn’t come over to say hello.’ Murakami then pointed at his wristwatch, seemingly teasing Ohtani for arriving late to the stadium. Ohtani responded by gesturing that Murakami’s hairstyle was too long, getting his own playful comeback.”
(Sports newspaper reporter)

Ohtani, who rarely eats out

Another heartwarming moment occurred during the third game on the 15th. When one of Ohtani’s hits flew toward the White Sox dugout, Murakami smiled, took off his cap with both hands, and reacted as if saying, “That was surprising.” Ohtani smiled in response to the gesture.

“During the three-game series, it wasn’t only Ohtani who made an impact. In the first game, pitcher Roki Sasaki started and suffered his fourth loss of the season after allowing seven runs. In the second game, Yamamoto delivered an outstanding performance, coming within one step of a no-hitter and earning his seventh win.”
(Same source)

The Dodgers’ Japanese trio battled hard in enemy territory in Chicago. After the games, Ohtani held a secret dinner gathering with Yamamoto, Sasaki, and Murakami at a Japanese restaurant owned by Japanese-Americans in Chicago. While in the United States, the four appeared to enjoy a variety of familiar Japanese-style meat dishes.

“The restaurant where the four ate is quite famous among the local Japanese community. Its regular customers include not only MLB players but also local basketball players. I believe Ohtani himself has visited there before. That said, Ohtani is known for rarely going out to eat with other players. Even though it was a reunion, it was surprising to see him have dinner with Murakami during the season while bringing along Yamamoto and Sasaki.”
(Sports writer)

Regarding interactions among Japanese MLB players in the United States, former major leaguer and baseball commentator Keiichi Yabu said:

“There are many teams, and it is actually difficult for Japanese players to regularly go out for meals together. Even so, the fact that Ohtani shared a meal not only with Yamamoto and Sasaki but also with Murakami shows that he recognizes him, perhaps because they are both left-handed hitters.”

Ohtani and Murakami have been deepening their relationship both on and off the field. Perhaps because they are both genius hitters, there are things they can understand about each other.

From the July 31, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”