Funeral held for Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima
A private funeral was held Sunday in Tokyo for Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima, with former Yomiuri Giants teammates and players he managed at the club in attendance.
The People's Honor Award recipient, who rose to stardom for his on-field exploits during the country's era of rapid economic growth in the 1960s and 1970s, died Tuesday of pneumonia at age 89. His popularity transcended sports.
"You brought pride to the people of Japan," Nippon Professional Baseball all-time home run leader Sadaharu Oh said in a message to Nagashima during the funeral.
Oh and Nagashima, together nicknamed "O-N," led the Giants to nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.
After his storied 17-year playing career, Nagashima managed the Tokyo-based club.
"Shigeo Nagashima will always be with me," former New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui said. "And that makes me happy."
During his second stint as manager, Nagashima helped Matsui become Yomiuri's cleanup hitter. Matsui went on to play in the major leagues from 2003.
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Tributes to Nagashima pour in from Japanese sports world
Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima dead at 89
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