# Japanese Baseball Legend Shigeo Nagashima Dies at 89

Former baseball star Shigeo Nagashima, one of Japan’s most illustrious sports figures, has passed away at the age of 89. According to a statement from his longstanding team, the Yomiuri Giants, Nagashima succumbed to pneumonia at a hospital in Tokyo.

Nicknamed "Mr Giants," Nagashima achieved immense success with the Yomiuri Giants, securing nine consecutive titles in the 1960s and 70s. During his career, he played in 2,186 games and hit an impressive 444 home runs. In a tribute to his legacy, a government spokesperson remarked that Nagashima had gifted society with "bright dreams and hopes."

Sadaharu Oh, Nagashima’s former teammate and the world record holder for most home runs, expressed his gratitude for having played alongside him. Together, the duo, known as "O-N," was a formidable force on the field. Oh, now 85, said, "He taught me lots of things. I'm grateful to have been able to play with him."

Shohei Ohtani, a current Japanese baseball star who plays for the LA Dodgers, paid homage to Nagashima by sharing photos of them together on Instagram.

Nagashima, also remembered as "Mr Pro Baseball," etched his name in history by hitting a winning home run during the first professional baseball game attended by the Japanese emperor in 1959. He hung up his gloves in 1974 after a 17-year career and clinched the Central League batting title six times. Additionally, Nagashima led the Giants to two Japan Series titles over his 15 seasons as a manager.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, the country's chief cabinet secretary, described Nagashima as "a sunny person" who left a lasting impact on professional baseball. "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," Hayashi stated.