Shigeo Nagashima

Baseball is as much a Japanese sporting tradition as Sumo wrestling, despite the discrepancy in years of existence. Generally considered an American pastime worldwide, baseball is an incredibly popular sport in Japan, and national baseball legends are revered in the same manner as greats such as Babe Ruth are revered in America. It is then no surprise that Japan produces some of the best baseball players in the world, several of which work abroad, and others which excel at home.

One such legend in Japanese baseball history is Shigeo Nagashima, otherwise known as Japan's "Mr. Baseball.”

This honorable title seemed to be destined to be his even in his rookie year as a Giant’s third baseman in 1959. In front of a massive crowd which included the Emperor on the first ballpark visit by royals in history, Nagashima hit a “sayonara” homer in the ninth inning to win the game. Consequently, he also won national prestige and admiration. He received the honor of Rookie of the Year, beginning his history-making career.

The years to follow would prove to be unparalleled in Japanese baseball history, as Nagashima and Giant’s teammate Sadaharu Oh led the Giants on a seemingly endless string of victories. They achieved the famous V-9 stretch, otherwise known as Victory-9, by winning nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965-1973. Nagashima received five MVPs during that stretch as well. Ultimately, he ended his 17-year career as a player with 444 home runs and a hitting average of .305.

In 1974, Nagashima became the manager of the Giants, but the team ended up in last place for the first time ever. They did come back to win the Central League title the following year, though, but consequent mediocre seasons led to his forced resignation. He returned as coach to the Giants in 1993, and still holds the position. Following two below-average seasons, the team once again received the Central League pennant. Almost as much as his skilled sportsmanship as an athlete, Nagashima’s failures and successes as a coach prove him to be a true hero –one who can rise above the trial and tribulation, and eventually succeed.

Even when the Giant’s have been down statistically, national polls show Nagashima as the most popular and beloved sports personality in Japan. Although much of the sentiment comes from older fans who knew Nagashima in his heyday, and not as much from younger fans who are more concerned with results than loyalty, Nagashima’s place in Japanese baseball folklore can never be denied. Known both for his amazing previous athletic success and for his dynamic, charismatic personality, he will forever remain in the hearts of baseball fans and in the history pages of Japanese athletics.