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Japan Times
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Mourners pay tribute to Japanese baseball legend Nagashima at funeral
A funeral for Japanese baseball superstar Shigeo Nagashima, who died on Tuesday, aged 89, was held in Tokyo on Sunday. A total of 96 people, including his relatives and former Yomiuri Giants players and managers, attended the funeral and bid farewell to the legendary former hitter for the popular Tokyo-based Central League team. Nagashima, nicknamed "Mr. Professional Baseball" for his commanding performances and presence, served as Giants manager after retiring as a player. An altar decorated with orange-colored flowers, representing one of the Giants' team colors, was set up at the funeral venue, together with a bat and Nagashima's jersey. 'Every move Nagashima made on the field captivated fans across Japan,' said Sadaharu Oh, a fellow baseball superstar who played alongside him as a hitter for the Giants and later managed the team, in a memorial address at the funeral. "He shined like the sun and was truly special," said Oh, now chairman of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, a professional baseball team in the Pacific League. Hideki Matsui, who was also a former Giants slugger, was coached by Nagashima after joining the team. "I want to hear his voice now," said Matsui, who also played for the New York Yankees and other U.S. major league teams. Nagashima's second daughter, Mina, who served as chief mourner at the funeral, addressed the attendees, saying, "I think my father is continuing his daily walk and training in heaven." "On a sunny day, I hope you will look up at the sky and remember my father," she added. Nagashima's coffin was transported from his home in Tokyo to the funeral venue. The wake held Saturday night was attended by Shinnosuke Abe, the Giants' current manager, and Giants hitter Kazuma Okamoto, among others.
CNA
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Ohtani leads tributes as Japan's 'Mr Pro Baseball' dies at 89
TOKYO: Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani led the tributes to Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima following his death on Tuesday (Jun 3) aged 89. Known as "Mr Pro Baseball", Nagashima starred for Japan's most popular team, the Yomiuri Giants, winning nine straight Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973. He formed a lethal partnership with Sadaharu Oh, who holds the world record for hitting the most home runs, and the pair are credited with cementing baseball's status as Japan's favourite sport. Their batting exploits captivated a Japanese public enjoying new economic prosperity out of the ruins of World War II, with families tuning in to watch games on black and white televisions. Nagashima's outsized personality and easy charisma made him a popular public figure and symbol of a confident new Japan. He hit a dramatic walk-off home run to seal a win for the Giants in the first professional game ever attended by Japan's emperor in 1959. "May your soul rest in peace," Ohtani wrote on Instagram to his 9.5 million followers, along with a picture of himself with Nagashima. Oh also paid tribute, telling reporters that he was "really shocked" to learn of his former teammate's death. "I'm really disappointed that Mr Nagashima, who shines brightly in the history of Japanese baseball, has departed after a long bout with illness," the 85-year-old Oh was quoted as saying by the Kyodo news agency. "He taught me a lot of things. I'm grateful to have been able to play with him." Nagashima retired in 1974 after a 17-year playing career during which he won the Central League batting title six times and was home run king twice. He played in 2,186 games and hit 444 home runs. He also had two stints as the Giants' manager, winning two Japan Series titles over 15 seasons.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Shigeo Nagashima: Japanese baseball legend dies aged 89
Former baseball player Shigeo Nagashima, who was once one of Japan's most famous sports stars, has died aged died of pneumonia at a hospital in Tokyo, according to a statement released by his former team the Yomiuri Mr Giants, Nagashima won nine straight titles with the team in the 1960s and 70s, playing in 2,186 games and hitting 444 home on his death, a government spokesman said Nagashima had given society "bright dreams and hopes". His ability - and charm - made him popular, at a time of increasing economic prosperity and growing confidence in Japan."He taught me lots of things. I'm grateful to have been able to play with him," his former teammate, Sadaharu Oh, was quoted as saying. Oh, 85, still holds the world record for hitting the most home runs, and together, known as "O-N", they were a lethal team on the Ohtani, who is currently one of Japan's most famous baseballers, and plays for the LA Dodgers, posted photos of himself with Nagashima on his Instagram page."May your soul rest in peace," the 30-year-old wrote. Nagashima, who also had the nickname Mr Pro Baseball, famously hit a winning home run at the first ever professional baseball game attended by the Japanese emperor, in retired in 1974 after a 17-year playing career - winning the Central League batting title six also helped the Giants win two Japan Series titles over 15 seasons as their country's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said Nagashima was "a sunny person"."He left so many brilliant records in the world of professional baseball for many years and gave bright dreams and hopes to society as a national star," he said.
Free Malaysia Today
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Ohtani leads tributes as Japan's ‘Mr Pro Baseball' dies at 89
Shigeo Nagashima's outsized personality and easy charisma made him a popular public figure. (Jiji Press/AFP pic) TOKYO : Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani led the tributes to Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima following his death today aged 89. Known as 'Mr Pro Baseball', Nagashima starred for Japan's most popular team, the Yomiuri Giants, winning nine straight Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973. He formed a lethal partnership with Sadaharu Oh, who holds the world record for hitting the most home runs, and the pair are credited with cementing baseball's status as Japan's favourite sport. Their batting exploits captivated a Japanese public enjoying new economic prosperity out of the ruins of World War II, with families tuning in to watch games on black and white televisions. Nagashima's outsized personality and easy charisma made him a popular public figure and symbol of a confident new Japan. He hit a dramatic walk-off home run to seal a win for the Giants in the first professional game ever attended by Japan's emperor in 1959. 'May your soul rest in peace,' Ohtani wrote on Instagram to his 9.5 million followers, along with a picture of himself with Nagashima. Oh also paid tribute, telling reporters that he was 'really shocked' to learn of his former teammate's death. 'I'm really disappointed that Mr Nagashima, who shines brightly in the history of Japanese baseball, has departed after a long bout with illness,' the 85-year-old Oh was quoted as saying by the Kyodo news agency. 'He taught me a lot of things. I'm grateful to have been able to play with him.' Nagashima retired in 1974 after a 17-year playing career during which he won the Central League batting title six times and was home run king twice. He played in 2,186 games and hit 444 home runs. He also had two stints as the Giants' manager, winning two Japan Series titles over 15 seasons. Japan's chief cabinet secretary said Nagashima was 'a sunny person'. 'He left so many brilliant records in the world of professional baseball for many years and gave bright dreams and hopes to society as a national star,' he said.
Malay Mail
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Japan's ‘Mr Pro Baseball' Shigeo Nagashima dies at 89, Ohtani leads tribute
TOKYO, June 3 — Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani led the tributes to Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima following his death on Tuesday aged 89. Known as 'Mr. Pro Baseball', Nagashima starred for Japan's most popular team, the Yomiuri Giants, winning nine straight Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973. He formed a lethal partnership with Sadaharu Oh, who holds the world record for hitting the most home runs, and the pair are credited with cementing baseball's status as Japan's favourite sport. Their batting exploits captivated a Japanese public enjoying new economic prosperity out of the ruins of World War II, with families tuning in to watch games on black and white televisions. Nagashima's outsized personality and easy charisma made him a popular public figure and symbol of a confident new Japan. He hit a dramatic walk-off home run to seal a win for the Giants in the first professional game ever attended by Japan's emperor in 1959. 'May your soul rest in peace,' Ohtani wrote on Instagram to his 9.5 million followers, along with a picture of himself with Nagashima. Oh also paid tribute, telling reporters that he was 'really shocked' to learn of his former team-mate's death. 'I'm really disappointed that Mr. Nagashima, who shines brightly in the history of Japanese baseball, has departed after a long bout with illness,' the 85-year-old Oh was quoted as saying by the Kyodo news agency. 'He taught me a lot of things. I'm grateful to have been able to play with him.' Nagashima retired in 1974 after a 17-year playing career during which he won the Central League batting title six times and was home run king twice. He played in 2,186 games and hit 444 home runs. He also had two stints as the Giants' manager, winning two Japan Series titles over 15 seasons. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary said Nagashima was 'a sunny person'. 'He left so many brilliant records in the world of professional baseball for many years and gave bright dreams and hopes to society as a national star,' he said. — AFP
