Baseball: Hideki Matsui pays final respects to Shigeo Nagashima at private viewing
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Former Yomiuri Giant and New York Yankee Hideki Matsui visited the home of Shigeo Nagashima on Wednesday to offer condolences following his former manager's death a day earlier.
The 50-year-old Matsui had joined Yomiuri after Nagashima -- affectionately called "Mr. Giants," "Mr. Pro Baseball," or oftentimes just "Mister" -- secured negotiating rights to the slugger in the 1992 draft, soon after returning to management.
"The biggest thing is gratitude. Without getting to meet him, baseball player Hideki Matsui would have spent a totally different baseball career," Matsui, who had last met Nagashima in early January, said being given the opportunity to see him in repose at his home.
"He drew me at the draft. He taught me precious things through his practice swings."
Matsui, who currently resides in the United States, flew back to Japan and made the visit early Wednesday morning, staying at the home for over two hours.
"I spent the time recalling many memories. I felt as if his mind was still there and he would open his eyes at any moment," said Matsui, who developed into one of the most feared sluggers in Japan under Nagashima's enthusiastic guidance.
A charismatic figure, Nagashima rose to stardom during Japan's era of rapid economic growth, helping Yomiuri win nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965. He was the CL batting champion six times, the home run king twice and the RBI leader and the CL MVP five times each.
As Giants manager, he won five pennants, including two Japan Series titles, over 15 seasons spanning two stints before leaving the role in 2001.
Matsui, nicknamed "Godzilla," won the CL MVP three times and hit 332 home runs for Yomiuri, claiming the CL pennant three times under Nagashima in 1994, 1996 and 2000 and the Japan Series twice in 1994 and 2000.
"We've shared many moments, and I feel I'm a really fortunate person," Matsui said.
He joined the Yankees in 2003 and had 175 homers over 10 seasons in the majors, becoming the first Japanese player to win the World Series MVP in 2009 when he hit three homers.
Nagashima and Matsui both received the People's Honor Award in 2013, bestowed by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for outstanding achievements in sports, entertainment and other fields.
"We made a promise when he was alive," Matsui said without giving away any details. "I want to fulfill that promise."
On Tuesday, MLB offered its condolences on X, saying, "We are saddened by the passing of Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima," alongside a photo and a summary of his career achievements.
Former Seattle Mariner and U.S. Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki told Kyodo News that Nagashima's impact is unrivaled.
"The reason why people above a certain age wanted to become a baseball player was because of Mr. Nagashima's performance, which was always cool," he said. "His service in letting people know about baseball is immeasurable."
"More than anything, he had a dignity nobody could imitate."
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