Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima died on Tuesday at the age of 89 due to pneumonia, according to the Yomiuri Giants. The iconic athlete and former manager passed away after battling health issues for several years, marking the end of an era in Japanese baseball. Shigeo Nagashima, who rose to stardom during Japan’s rapid economic expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, earned nationwide fame for his on-field excellence and charismatic persona. He played a central role in the Yomiuri Giants’ unprecedented run of nine consecutive Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973. Later, he managed the team and continued to captivate fans across generations.
Nicknamed “Mr. Giants” or simply “Mister,” Nagashima became a household name alongside fellow slugger Sadaharu Oh. The duo, known as “O-N,” epitomized Japanese baseball’s golden age. Nagashima’s retirement speech in 1974, declaring that “My Giants are forever immortal,” remains etched in national memory.
Over a 17-year career, he racked up six Central League batting titles, two home run crowns, and five RBI championships. With a career batting average of 305, Nagashima amassed 2,471 hits, 1,522 RBIs, and 444 home runs in 2,186 games. He also won the Central League MVP award five times. Sadaharu Oh expressed deep sorrow over Nagashima’s death, saying, “I’m really disappointed. He taught me a lot. I’m grateful for our time together.” One of his most memorable moments came in 1959 when he hit a walk-off homer in front of Emperor Hirohito, making history. As a player and a manager, Nagashima transformed professional baseball into Japan’s most popular sport.
As manager, he led the Giants to five Central League pennants and two Japan Series titles. Despite a rocky start in 1975 that saw the team finish last, he rebounded to claim league titles in 1976 and 1977. Nagashima returned to manage the Giants in the 1990s and secured another Japan Series title in 1994. In 2000, he outmanaged his former teammate Oh in the Japan Series, guiding Yomiuri to a 4-2 series win. His inspirational phrase “make drama,” coined during a dramatic 1996 season, became a national buzzword. Known for his cheerfulness and unique expressions, Nagashima brought a vibrant spirit to the sport.
Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1936, Nagashima played for Rikkyo University before joining the Giants in 1958. He won the Best Nine Award every year of his playing career. In 1988, he was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2013, he received the People’s Honor Award alongside Hideki Matsui. Though health issues confined him to a wheelchair later in life, he made a triumphant appearance at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics torch relay, walking with support from Matsui and Oh. Shigeo Nagashima dies at 89, but his name will forever symbolize the heart and soul of Japanese baseball.
