Japanese baseball player Munetaka Murakami has risen to 12th place on the U.S. Free Agent (FA) ranking. This achievement underlines Murakami's strong form and international prowess. The ranking consists of top-notch players from all over the world and Murakami's rise represents an exciting milestone in his career.

Baseball in Japan is considered more than just a game; it's a cultural phenomenon, and the success of Japanese athletes abroad is a subject of national pride. Murakami's achievement is received with excitement in his homeland, not only by his fans but by sports enthusiasts generally, as he raises the Japanese flag high on the international stage.

In the U.S., the success of local athletes in international rankings is also a source of national pride. However, baseball's popularity contrasts from Japan, where it's culturally ingrained, to the U.S., where it competes against numerous other popular sports like American football, basketball, and soccer. In the EU, baseball is less prominent, usually overshadowed by sports like football and cycling.