Japanese Baseball Legend Shigeo Nagashima Dies at 89

Tokyo (EFE) – Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima, who rose to fame during the 1960s and 1970s, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89 due to pneumonia, according to his former team, the Yomiuri Giants.

Nagashima was honored with the People’s Honor Award, a prestigious accolade given since 1977 to Japanese or foreign individuals for outstanding achievements in sports, entertainment, or culture. He played a key role in the Giants’ golden era, helping the team win nine consecutive championships between 1965 and 1973.

Following his success on the field, he went on to manage the team and became one of its most charismatic figures, remembered fondly by many Japanese fans.

His retirement from professional play in 1974 was one of the major news events of that year. Over the course of his career, he played in 2,186 games, earned six Central League batting titles, and was named Most Valuable Player five times.

Known as “Mr. Giants,” often simply “Mister,” Nagashima is credited as one of the key figures in making baseball one of the most beloved sports in Japan.