Munetaka Murakami is tied with Aaron Judge for the league lead in home runs at 12, with Yordan Alvarez close behind at 11. Murakami aims to become the first White Sox player to lead the league in homers since 1972.
Mentioned in this story
Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez stand in Munetaka Murakami's way to make White Sox history not done since 1972 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Munetaka Murakami keeps mashing home runs for the Chicago White Sox.
The Japanese slugger is tied with Aaron Judge with 12 homers, and Yordan Alvarez is lurking close behind with 11.
Admittedly, it will be hard for Murakami to keep this pace. Teams and pitchers will watch tape and adjust. And although the Major League season is just about a month old, Murakami has a chance to accomplish something no White Sox hitter has done since 1972.
"The last White Sox player to lead the league in homers? Dick Allen, back in 1972," USA Today's Bob Nightengale noted this past weekend.
MORE:This might be the weirdest way to get an inside-the-park HR
Allen led the AL with 37 homers in 1972. The Hall of Fame first baseman connected for 85 dingers in his three seasons on the Southside.
Murakami may not be on his way to the Hall of Fame, but he's proving offseason doubters wrong. Reports indicated he may sign a contract worth over $100 million from Nippon Professional Baseball.
Instead, he signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox.
The last White Sox player to lead the league in home runs was Dick Allen in 1972.
Munetaka Murakami currently has 12 home runs this season.
Murakami may struggle to maintain his home run pace as teams and pitchers will adjust their strategies against him.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
That's looking like a steal right now.