Shigeo Nagashima, Japanese Baseball Legend, Passes Away
TOKYO – The baseball world mourns the loss of Shigeo Nagashima, known in Japan as “Mr. Pro Baseball.” His passing, at the age of 89, was confirmed by the Yomiuri Giants, the team he led to fame and also managed.The news of his death spread in special editions of newspapers, a gesture reminiscent of the coverage of news from yesteryear.
Nagashima was an iconic figure in an era before Japanese stars like Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani, who shone in MLB.
Nagashima “gave brilliant dreams and hopes to society,” stated Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary.
Yoshimasa Hayashi
Nagashima was key to the Giants winning nine consecutive Japan Series titles, the equivalent of the World Series, between 1965 and 1973. His equally famous teammate was Sadaharu Oh, who hit 868 home runs in his career.
As a third baseman, Nagashima batted .305, accumulated 2,471 hits, 1,522 RBIs, and 444 home runs. He retired in 1974 after 17 seasons.
He returned as the manager of the Giants from 1975 to 1980, being fired after not winning the Japan Series. He returned to the dugout in 1993 and led the Giants to the Japan Series title in 1994 with Hideki Matsui, who later played for the New York Yankees. He also won the championship in 2000.He was scheduled to lead Japan in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, but suffered a stroke a few months prior, which left him partially paralyzed and unable to participate.
