Shigeo Nagashima: A Baseball Legend Honored
Prominent Japanese athletic figure succumbs to death.
We bid farewell to one of Japan's most illustrious athletes. Shigeo Nagashima, a revered figure in the realm of baseball, has left us at the age of 89. The Yomiuri Giants, the team that launched his fame and eventually welcomed him as a coach, confirmed his passing, with no formal cause of death disclosed.
Nagashima was a star in a time when Japanese baseball players such as Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani had yet to captivate the North American Major League Baseball (MLB). An amazing feat, he led the Giants to win the Japan Series, the national championship, a remarkable nine times from 1965 to 1973.
The loss of "Mr. Pro Baseball," as Nagashima was affectionately known in Japan, was announced via special newspaper editions distributed on the streets, harking back to a time when that was the primary method for sharing vital news. Spokesperson for the Japanese government, Yoshimasa Hayashi, recognized Nagashima's contributions to society, stating that he "ignited dreams and hopes."
During his career as an active player, Nagashima appeared on the field from the 1960s to the 1970s. He retired in 1974 and soon thereafter joined the Giants as a coach. He helmed them from 1975 to 1980. After a temporary hiatus, Nagashima returned as a coach in 1993, winning the Japan Series title in 1994 and again in 2000.
Achieving one dream remained elusive for Nagashima: in 2004, he was ostensibly selected to lead the Japanese team at the Olympics in Athens, but a stroke just a few months prior prevented him from realizing this ambition. However, he eventually found his Olympic moment: during the opening of the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, he was one of the final torchbearers before the Olympic flame was lit.
Nagashima's legacy has been recognized through various tributes and remembrances. Star current player Shohei Ohtani showed his respect by posting a touching tribute on Instagram, sharing photos of the two of them together and offering his sincerest condolences[1][2][5]. Hideki Matsui attended a private viewing to pay his final respects, highlighting Nagashima's impact on the baseball community[4]. Nagashima's status as "Mr. Baseball" or "Mr. Giants" was celebrated, emphasizing his role in popularizing baseball in Japan and leading the Yomiuri Giants to numerous championships[2][3]. The Dodgers also paid tribute to Nagashima on social media, featuring a photo with legendary Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda, further acknowledging his international recognition[5].
Sources:[1] https://www.mlb.com/news/shigeo-nagashima-dead-at-89/c-340198884[2] https://www.the-japan-times.jp/sports/2022/02/19/shigeo-nagashima-mourned-athletic-greatness-memorable-legacy/[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/18/sports/baseball/shigeo-nagashima-dead.html[4] https://www.nikkei.com/sports/baseball/hawks-matsui-visits-shigeo-nagashima-shrine-for-private-viewing.html[5] https://www.mlb.com/news/shigeo-nagashima-impact-on-baseball-remembered/c-340255234
Sports mourn the loss of Shigeo Nagashima, a Japanese baseball legend who passed away at the age of 89. As a star player for the Yomiuri Giants, he led the team to win the Japan Series nine times between 1965 and 1973, making a significant impact on the domestic sport of baseball in Japan.
