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Japanese baseball is in mourning. Shigeo Nagashima, one of the sport's greatest legends in Japan, has died at the age of 89 in a Tokyo hospital after battling pneumonia. The news was confirmed by the Yomiuri Giants, the team he starred for as both a player and manager over the course of a storied career.
Nagashima was a dominant force during the 1960s and 70s, appearing in 2,186 games and blasting 444 home runs. Widely known as "Mr. Giants," he led the team to nine consecutive championships and earned Central League MVP honors five times. He also recorded 190 stolen bases and became one of the most beloved figures in Japanese sports history.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was among the first to honor Nagashima, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram that read: "May your soul rest in peace," along with a black-and-white image of the legendary player.
Nagashima retired in 1974 after 17 seasons as a professional player. As a manager, he guided the Giants to two Japan Series titles, further cementing his place as a baseball icon.
Tributes quickly flooded social media:
"A legend who helped build Japanese baseball. Rest in peace ," wrote one fan.
"Mr. Nagashima , I hope you're playing lots of baseball in heaven," another fan shared.
"That's how I met Ohtani and got a picture with him. It's a miracle to see both of them in the same era. I'm proud to be Japanese," said another follower.
"Ohtani's 23rd home run-when he hit it, I saw him rounding the bases and thought he was dedicating it to Mr. Shigeo Nagashima. Thank you for everything," a fan posted.
"The legend will always be immortal. Rest in peace," another wrote.
Nagashima's impact transcends generations, and today, the baseball world bows its head in respect to a man who brought the sport to new heights.