Jack White Attends Cubs vs. Dodgers Game with Bill Murray in Tokyo, Gifted Cubs Jersey by Eddie Vedder

 

In a delightful display of serendipity, Jack White found himself in an unexpected yet iconic scenario on March 18, 2025. The former White Stripes frontman was in Tokyo, Japan, attending a Major League Baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Tokyo Dome. But this wasn’t just any game – White was sporting a vintage Cubs jersey, a gift from his longtime friend and Pearl Jam frontman, Eddie Vedder.

White had recently played two shows in Japan as part of his ongoing world tour, and during his penultimate concert, Vedder made a surprise appearance, joining White on stage for an electrifying cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.” The two musicians, known for their deep roots in rock and their mutual love of baseball, shared a special moment during the show, and it seems Vedder was in a generous mood. As a gesture of camaraderie and friendship, Vedder gifted White a Cubs jersey from the year 1975, the year White was born, complete with a personalized number on it.

The very next day, White donned the jersey to attend the game in Tokyo, unaware of the amusing fate that awaited him. As he arrived at the Tokyo Dome, he was thrilled to see the legendary Bill Murray, another well-known Cubs fan, sitting right next to him in the stands. The two rock icons, who have a long history of mutual respect and admiration, shared a memorable moment watching the game together.

White took to Instagram to share his astonishment with fans, reflecting on the bizarrely perfect nature of the encounter: “You know what it’s like when you go to see an MLB game between the Cubs and the Dodgers in Tokyo

, Japan wearing a game-worn Cubs jersey from the year you were born (’75) with your favourite number on it that Eddie Vedder gifted you before the game and you walk to your seat and realise that Bill Murray is by the randomness of the universe sitting next to you to watch that game. You know that feeling right?”

Indeed, it’s a rare kind of magic that brings together two cultural icons – one a rock legend, the other a beloved actor – for a shared love of the Chicago Cubs, baseball, and unexpected moments. White’s serendipitous encounter with Murray serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most special moments in life happen without warning, thanks to the whims of fate.

For fans of both White and Vedder, this charming moment in Tokyo is a sweet reminder of the deep connections that music and sport can create, and just how small the world can feel when you’re surrounded by people who share your passions.