How Kenzo Yagi got his big break as Munetaka Murakami’s Interpreter

The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Chicago Sports Network

Sports, Sports:baseball, Baseball

4.7 • 620 Ratings

🗓️ 5 May 2026

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Chuck Garfien sits down with Munetaka Murakami’s interpreter, Kenzo Yagi, for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique roles in baseball. Kenzo shares how he landed the job, initially thinking the call was a prank, and how he’s built a strong connection with Murakami both on and off the field. He also walks through Murakami’s detailed game-day routine, his own background, and the confidence it took to step into such a high-profile position. The conversation offers a deeper look at Murakami’s personality, from the types of questions he enjoys to his thoughts on teammates and the organization, along with his awareness of the growing “Murakami Mania.” Kenzo also reflects on Murakami’s experience adjusting to Chicago, learning English, and memorable moments like spring training interactions and Ozzie Guillen’s introduction to the duo. They close by sharing one story that’s stood out the most so far and what it’s been like for Kenzo to be part of Murakami’s journey.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The White Sox podcast with Chuck Garfine is brought to you by Wind Creek, Chicago, Southland.
0:05.0	Are you ready for your winning moment?
0:06.9	Find it at Wind Creek, Chicago, Southland, where the action never stops.
0:18.1	Hey, everybody, it's Chuck Garfine.
0:19.9	This is the White Sox podcast. It's brought to you by Wind Creek, Chicago, Southland. And one of the best stories in all of baseball this season has been the emergence of Munitaka Murakami, who thanks to his his home run power, has become an immediate hit and sensation
0:40.5	not only on the south side of Chicago,
0:42.9	but throughout Major League Baseball.
0:45.9	And in the middle of it all is someone who is right near him.
0:50.3	Morning, noon, night, his translator, Kenzo Yagi.
0:55.0	The two of them are essentially inseparable on game days.
1:01.0	And here on the podcast, Ken comes on to talk about his job, how he got the job, which really, in a way, came out of nowhere because his situation is basically just
1:15.5	as fascinating as Murakami's.
1:18.8	And we're going to go inside what it's been like to be, Munitaka, Murakami, and Kenzo as their
1:26.4	major league careers together
1:28.3	are starting at the same time.
1:30.3	And this Munataka Murakami hurricane that is going on around him,
1:35.3	what is it like to be on the very inside of that circle?
1:38.3	Well, Ken is going to talk all about it.
1:42.3	Here we go.
1:43.3	A ball hit deep way back. is going to talk all about it. Here we go.
1:48.5	A ball hit deep way back.
1:49.9	There's a blast.
	...

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