CHICAGO — Will Venable’s time as a student-athlete at Princeton University is not very relevant to his current status as manager of the White Sox, other than having prepared him to be a knowledgeable baseball man and leader.
But Venable’s senior thesis (under advisor Lawrence Rosen), titled “The Game and the Community: An Anthropological Look at Baseball in the United States and Japan,” could have a direct impact on one facet of his position heading into the 2026 season. Munetaka Murakami, a 25-year-old first baseman, joined the White Sox from Japan this offseason, the same country where Venable’s father, Max, played for Chiba Lotte from 1992 to 1993.
Venable has a unique understanding of the culture and style of baseball that Murakami brings to the United States; Venable’s thesis focused on the shared values of baseball in both countries. That depth of knowledge could help ease the transition for Murakami, who agreed to a two-year, $34 million contract.
“My understanding of Japanese baseball… what stood out to us the most is the passion for the game on a cultural level with the fans, the players, everything in that culture,” Venable said. “Baseball has a huge place in that country. You can see it in the way these guys do their jobs, the way they play on the field, the way the fans come and support them, the energy in the stadiums. It’s similar to winter baseball to me, where every play is impactful, every play is important. You feel the energy in those venues. It’s amazing to be around that.
“As far as my thesis, or my experience delving into Japanese baseball, is simply the commitment to the game and your ability and willingness to give your all for the game,” Venable added. “As a player manager, we like to see that in all our guys, that they put baseball first and give everything they have.”
Murakami is the fourth Japanese player — and probably the most prominent — to be part of the White Sox’s Major League roster, as was frequently discussed following his press conference at Rate Field. Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome attracted a lot of attention when he joined the Cubs for a stellar season in 2008, but he had just 51 plate appearances in 24 games for the White Sox in 2012.
Tadahito Iguchi was one of the final pieces of the 2005 World Series championship puzzle, originally found by then-general manager Ken Williams by studying video of the second baseman. Iguchi, who has remained connected with the White Sox and was part of the team’s 2005 20-year reunion last July, was an integral piece of that historic success for the Palefoots.
Shingo Takatsu became an almost instant cultural hero with White Sox fans as a closer in 2004, throwing his Frisbee-style changeup/slider to a 2.31 ERA and 19 saves. He also managed Murakami with Yakult Swallows, giving the White Sox and the city of Chicago good references.
The addition of Murakami resonates with White Sox players, even beyond his power potential, which saw him hit 56 home runs as recently as the 2022 season.
“Great pickup. … I think it’s super cool,” White Sox starting pitcher Sean Burke told MLB.com of Murakami. “I think the style of baseball they play is cool. The last WBC, they won it all, so their style of play is successful.
“Obviously, it’s having a great player on our team. But getting to know Mune and getting to know their culture, getting to learn some stuff from him, about things he takes from the game over there and [then being] here, getting a new perspective on it. I think more for the experience of it too.”
Aside from being included on a Zoom video call before Murakami signed, Venable has been exchanging offseason texts with him through an interpreter. Murakami talks a great deal about defense, according to Venable, and he talks a lot about competing and being extremely excited to get going.
That attitude is not surprising to Venable, based on his time in Japan and what he learned from his work at Princeton. He received a B grade on the senior thesis, but years later, is happy with what he did.
“A lot of people would have been upset with a ‘B,’” said Venable with a laugh. “I was pumped … I’ll take it.
“I have no doubt in the little that I’ve heard from Mune and communicated with him, it seems very clear that he’s cut from that same cloth. He’s excited to go out and play hard and compete. I’m excited about what that looks like for him in the United States.”
