The Chicago White Sox just straight up swept the Astros right there in Houston’s Daikin Park, notching their first postseason series victory since they won the World Series way back in 2005. Seriously, folks, this wasn’t just another win; they celebrated like they’d just snagged the Commissioner’s Trophy all over again. And who can blame them after what this team has been through? Winning a series like that, 7-3 to clinch, in the very stadium where they clinched it all in ’05 against the same team? That’s just poetic, isn’t it?
From Franchise-Worst to ALDS-Bound: The Unbelievable Comeback
Let’s put this into perspective: this is the White Sox’s first postseason series win since that 2005 World Series. Sarah Langs from MLB.com even pointed out they snapped the second-longest active drought in that department. Think about it, this is only the second time since 1917, when they won their *other* World Series title, that this club has won a playoff series. And get this: just two seasons ago, these guys lost a franchise-worst 121 games. From 2023-25, they had three straight 100-loss seasons. They just became the first major league team *ever* to make the postseason after even two straight 100-loss campaigns. That’s a wild, wild ride right there, and now they’re playing October baseball in the ALDS. This team, led by second-year manager Will Venable and a trio of All-Stars,first baseman Munetaka Murakami, third baseman Miguel Vargas, and center fielder Tristan Peters,is the lovable underdog everyone needs to watch.
Murakami’s Postseason Antics Go Next-Level Viral
You know Munetaka Murakami, right? This breakout rookie from Japan burst onto the scene in 2026. He’s not just hitting dingers,35 of them, by the way, and he even broke a Shohei Ohtani record early in his first MLB season. He’s also a walking soundbite, a charisma machine. We already saw it when the Sox clinched their first playoff berth in five years with that September 24 win over the Royals. He went viral then, too. Asked to rate the champagne popping from 1-10, he screamed, “100! No 10, 100!” Then, asked how many bottles he opened, same answer: “100!” He even punctuated that CHSN interview by yelling, “I AM JAPANESE!”
But his second act after the Wild Card sweep? Even better, somehow. In another CHSN interview, asked what he learned from his first celebration of this kind, Murakami just shook his head and said, “No. I’m drunk. Oh my God.” Later, in that same interview, and again with NBC Sports, he kept bringing up his “100” remark, totally blissed out. He told NBC Sports, “I’m drunk. Yesterday, maybe hungover.” When someone asked if he meant “tomorrow hungover,” he shot back, “Yes!” Then, realizing his mistake, he added, “No, not yesterday. Tomorrow. Sorry! I don’t speak English!” The guy’s hilarious, and he’s having the time of his life.
One Last Wild Card Thought Before October Ball
Beyond Murakami’s incredible post-game interviews, there were other memorable moments. White Sox right-handed pitcher Sean Burke had a quote that was making the rounds on social media leading up to his Game 2 wild-card start against the Astros. And White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf even joked that he might convert to Catholicism after the team’s playoff series win, especially since it happened the same week they got a supportive letter from their most famous fan, Pope Leo XIV. This whole team is just on another level of wild right now. They’re barking, they’re drunk, and they’re headed to the ALDS. It’s going to be an absolutely wild October, and you just know this scrappy squad isn’t done making headlines.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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