Latest news with #CL
Kyodo News
6 hours ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima dead at 89
KYODO NEWS - 14 hours ago - 13:36 | Sports, All Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima, a 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 due to pneumonia, the Yomiuri Giants said. He was 89. Nagashima, who was a key player on the Giants team that won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973 and later managed the club, was a charismatic figure whose popularity transcended sports. Together with teammate Sadaharu Oh, or "O-N" as the pair were nicknamed, Nagashima became a household name at a time when the country's economy was booming and is fondly remembered by many middle-aged and older Japanese with nostalgia for those times. His retirement from playing in 1974 made the year's top 10 news stories, while the speech he gave at his retirement ceremony, in which he said "My Giants are forever immortal," has become part of Japan's popular lexicon. Over his 17-year playing career, Nagashima won the Central League batting title six times, was home run king twice and RBI leader five times. He was also a five-time CL MVP. He played in 2,186 games during his storied career, with a .305 batting average, 2,471 hits, 1,522 RBIs and 444 home runs. "I'm really shocked to hear the sudden obituary," said the 85-year-old Oh, whose 868 home runs is the Nippon Professional Baseball record. "I'm really disappointed that Mr. Nagashima, who shines brightly in the history of Japanese baseball, has departed after a long bout with illness. He taught me lots of things. I'm grateful to have been able to play with him." Known as "Mr. Giants" -- often shortened to "Mister" -- Nagashima was a flashy fielder with a flair for game-breaking batting heroics. His signature moment was his game-winning, sayonara home run in the first pro game attended by a Japanese emperor on June 25, 1959. Nagashima is credited with helping pro ball surpass Japan's traditional university game as the nation's most popular brand of baseball. When Yomiuri engineered his hiring as Japan's manager for the 2004 Olympics, players flocked to his banner. Japan swept through Asian qualifying but he was scratched from Olympic duty when he was felled by a stroke in March 2004. As Giants manager, he won five pennants, including two Japan Series titles, over 15 seasons. Although he was eventually named the Giants "Manager Emeritus," Nagashima's first tenure as manager was a rocky one. When his offense hit the skids in 1974 and the Giants just missed out on a 10th straight CL pennant, Yomiuri management jettisoned the team's most successful skipper ever, Tetsuharu Kawakami, to make room for Nagashima. In 1975, the rookie skipper led the Giants to their only last-place finish. Nagashima won CL pennants in 1976 and 1977, but not the Japan Series and was fired after the 1980 season. Nagashima returned as manager of the Giants in 1993, while a free agent system introduced at the time allowed the team to secure a steady flow of veteran front-line talent. In 1994, he won his first Japan Series pennant with a team powered by his young batting disciple and now fellow Hall of Famer, Hideki Matsui, who later joined the New York Yankees. Nagashima got the better of his old teammate Oh when the pair faced each other as managers in the 2000 Japan Series with Yomiuri prevailing 4-2 against the Pacific League-winning Daiei (now SoftBank) Hawks in the best-of-seven series. Despite being better known for wacky phrases that caught the public's attention than his communication skills, Nagashima still had a way of getting the best out of his players. Known for his cheerful character, Nagashima often created his own Japanese-English expressions, including "make drama," a phrase he used while he was Giants manager to encourage players not to give up winning even when it seemed impossible. The phrase was selected as a buzzword of 1996 after the Giants achieved a dramatic upset victory in the Central League. Born in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, in 1936, Nagashima played for the Rikkyo University baseball team before joining the Giants in 1958. The CL's 1958 rookie of the year, Nagashima was the winner of the league's best nine award 17 times, the only player to win every season from his first to his last. Nagashima was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 and had his No. 3 retired by the Giants. In 2013, he received the People's Honor Award, along with Matsui. The award is bestowed by Japan's prime minister for outstanding achievements in sports, entertainment and other fields. Nagashima was hospitalized in 2018 for half a year to treat a gallstone and then frequently used a wheelchair. But after receiving an offer to take part in the Tokyo Olympics' torch relay in 2021, he was determined to walk on his own feet and managed to do so with help from Oh and Matsui.
Japan Today
a day ago
- Sport
- Japan Today
Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima dies at 89
Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima, a 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 due to pneumonia, the Yomiuri Giants said. He was 89. Nagashima, who was a key player on the Giants that won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973 and later managed the club, was a charismatic figure whose popularity transcended sports. Together with teammate Sadaharu Oh, or "O-N" as the pair were nicknamed, Nagashima became a household name at a time when the country's economy was booming and is fondly remembered by many middle-aged and older Japanese with nostalgia for those times. His retirement from playing in 1974 made the year's top 10 news stories, while the speech he gave at his retirement ceremony, in which he said "My Giants are forever immortal," has become part of Japan's popular lexicon. Over his 17-year playing career, Nagashima won the Central League batting title six times, was home run king twice and RBI leader five times. He was also a five-time CL MVP. He played in 2,186 games during his storied career, with a .305 batting average, 2,471 hits, 1,522 RBIs and 444 home runs. Known as "Mr. Giants" -- often shortened to "Mister" -- Nagashima was a flashy fielder with a flair for game-breaking batting heroics. His signature moment was his game-winning, sayonara home run in the first pro game attended by a Japanese emperor on June 25, 1959. Nagashima is credited with helping pro ball surpass Japan's traditional university game as the nation's most popular brand of baseball. When Yomiuri engineered his hiring as Japan's manager for the 2004 Olympics, players flocked to his banner. Japan swept through Asian qualifying but he was scratched from Olympic duty when he was felled by a stroke in March 2004. As Giants manager, he won five pennants, including two Japan Series titles, over 15 seasons. Although he was eventually named the Giants "Manager Emeritus," Nagashima's first tenure as manager was a rocky one. When his offense hit the skids in 1974 and the Giants just missed out on a 10th straight CL pennant, Yomiuri management jettisoned the team's most successful skipper ever, Tetsuharu Kawakami, to make room for Nagashima. In 1975, the rookie skipper led the Giants to their only last-place finish. Nagashima won CL pennants in 1976 and 1977, but not the Japan Series and was fired after the 1980 season. Nagashima returned as manager of the Giants in 1993, while a free agent system introduced at the time allowed the team to secure a steady flow of veteran front-line talent. In 1994, he won his first Japan Series pennant with a team powered by his young batting disciple and now fellow Hall of Famer, Hideki Matsui, who later joined the New York Yankees. Despite being better known for wacky phrases that caught the public's attention than his communication skills, Nagashima still had a way of getting the best out of his players. Known for his cheerful character, Nagashima often created his own Japanese-English expressions, including "make drama," a phrase he used while he was Giants manager to encourage players not to give up winning even when it seemed impossible. The phrase was selected as a buzzword of 1996 after the Giants achieved a dramatic upset victory in the Central League. Born in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, in 1936, Nagashima played for the Rikkyo University baseball team before joining the Giants in 1958. The CL's 1958 rookie of the year, Nagashima was the winner of the league's best nine award 17 times, the only player to win every season from his first to his last. Nagashima was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 and had his No. 3 retired by the Giants. In 2013, he received the People's Honor Award, along with Matsui. The award is bestowed by Japan's prime minister for outstanding achievements in sports, entertainment and other fields. © KYODO
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bryan Mbeumo not demanding Champions League football, Manchester United to go all out to land him
Bryan Mbeumo not demanding Champions League football, Manchester United to go all out to land him Manchester United are looking at adding two attacking midfielders to the squad in the summer after seeing Rasmus Hojlund complain about the service he received. Matheus Cunha has been confirmed as the club's first summer arrival, but Bruno Fernandes' uncertain future has complicated their chase for another creative addition. Advertisement Additionally, the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League has further hampered their chase, as seen from their recent unsuccessful pursuit of Liam Delap. But Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook have good news on this front claiming Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo continues to be a top target. United targeting Bryan Mbeumo irrespective of Fernandes' future In fact, the 20-time English league champions will press ahead with a move even if the club skipper ends up staying. United do not want to sell Fernandes, who has been discussing his future with his family. A decision is expected soon. 'MUFC captain has been deliberating over the weekend. Decision expected soon. Manchester United still insist they don't want to sell,' Jacobs wrote on X (formerly Twitter). And the best news is that Mbeumo has said yes to United, as per tier one reporter David Ornstein. United will now negotiate with Brentford over the transfer fee. Advertisement Jacobs notes that Arsenal and Newcastle United have also been chasing the Cameroonian, with the Bees demanding more than £50 million for his sale. Mbeumo open to move even without CL football It seems that even in a season without any European football at all, the name and history of Manchester United still has enough pulling power to attract stars wanted by Champions League clubs. Mbeumo was on fire for Brentford the season gone by, netting 20 goals while registering nine assists, and he can occupy multiple positions which will suit Amorim perfectly. Feature image Alex Davidson via Getty Images Follow us on Bluesky: @
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd pair ‘refused to go on post-season tour of Asia' as reasons for absence is revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO Manchester United stars reportedly refused to go on the club's disastrous post-season tour of Asia. The Red Devils jetted off for Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong hours after their final Premier League match on May 25. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 United's flops endured a tough time during their tour in Asia Credit: Getty 3 Neither Christian Eriksen (left) or Victor Lindelöf were on the trip Credit: EPA Ruben Amorim's side endured one of the worst United seasons in living memory. The club ended the campaign with no silverware and languishing 15th in the Prem. With a summer overhaul of the squad expected, certain members of the touring party didn't appear delighted to be 6,000-miles from home. According to The Athletic, both Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen refused to go on the tour. READ MORE ON MAN UTD CHAMPING AT THE BIT Fergie arrives at CL final as his £2m-a-year Man Utd role ends The report claims United "originally tried to make [the pair] join the travelling party". But due to family commitments, they were eventually allowed to stay at home. Lindelof's wife Maja is currently heavily pregnant with the pair's third child. She remained in Sweden for the recent Europa League final, with Lindelof joining her once the season ended. Eriksen stayed to tie the knot with long-time partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The Danish midfielder wed his girlfriend of almost 15 years at Odense City Hall last Wednesday. Both players are contracted with United until June 30. 'Players are not acting in the right manner' - David Beckham slams Man Utd stars' behaviour after fans clashes on tour They will become free agents next month with no new deal on the table. United's tour has proved to be a shambles both on and off the field. Amorim's men fell to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to an ASEAN All Star XI in Kuala Lumpur. While Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo were slammed for giving the middle finger to fans in viral videos. Club icon David Beckham was among those to call out the behaviour of the players. 3 He blasted: 'I've seen a lot of things where players are not acting in the right manner. 'A lot of things that are not OK in my eyes as a fan and lover of Manchester United. 'We were part of a team that was so well-mannered. "We understood what it meant to play for Manchester United. We understood what the badge meant. "Wherever we travelled, whether in Europe or Asia, we respected the fans."
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea Champions League winner Salomon Kalou reveals surprising new business after retirement from football
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EX-CHELSEA forward Salomon Kalou, 39, has stunned fans by revealing his new venture - running a chocolate business. The former Ivory Coast international, best known for helping the Blues lift the Champions League in 2012, has traded boots for sweet treats. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Salomon Kalou (right) spent seven seasons at Chelsea Credit: Getty 3 He was part of a Chelsea side that conquered Europe for the first time Credit: AP:Associated Press 3 The Ivorian has always had a thing for unusual hairstyles Credit: INSTAGRAM His brand is called Oume, named after his birthplace in the Ivory Coast with Kalou keen to emphasise the importance of his homeland in the chocolate world. He told The Telegraph in an interview: "My uncle had a cocoa farm, and I grew up around the farm. "We went to school and at the weekend we would be helping him. "Growing up, I don't remember eating chocolate and didn't know what it was. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS CHAMPING AT THE BIT Fergie arrives at CL final as his £2m-a-year Man Utd role ends "It was expensive more of a privilege for people who can afford to buy it. "People don't know that what they produce on their farms is used for chocolate. "But we (Ivory Coast) contribute a big percentage of the world's production. We also have great footballers." The surprise career move has raised a few eyebrows among fans who remember the pacy winger's dazzling runs down the Stamford Bridge flanks - not cocoa beans and hand-tempered truffles. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Kalou, who also enjoyed spells at Lille, Hertha Berlin and Botafogo, says he hopes to one day see his chocolate in some of the UK's most prestigious shops. From embarrassing Chelsea pal to interview with dad - Five times Cole Palmer stole show AFTER Conference League finals He added: 'One day I'd like to see Oume in Waitrose, Selfridges, or Harrods. That would be a proud moment. "It is a tough market with the price of cocoa increasing due to extreme weather and under-investment.' The Ivorian started and won the Champions League final with Chelsea in 2012, making a total of 254 appearances for the Blues.
