Shigeo Nagashima in action as the Yomiuri Giants' manager. (Jiji) MR. BASEBALL SHEDS HIS UNIFORM: Shigeo Nagashima Retires November 28, 2001 Japan's most popular pro baseball team, the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants (site in Japanese only), lost its long-time player and manager, Shigeo Nagashima, when he retired at the end of the 2001 season. Dubbed "Mr. Giants," or simply "Mister," Nagashima's popularity extends well beyond the sporting field. He is held in general affection in Japan, on a par with the American Major Leagues' Babe Ruth, or Pelé, star of Brazilian soccer. For many Japanese, the absence of Nagashima from the baseball stadium will mark the end of an era. Mister's Brilliant Career Nagashima is 65 years old. In 1958 he captured the Tokyo Big Six University Baseball League's home run title, which then stood at eight, and amid much fanfare, left the Rikkyo University team to join the mighty Giants. Nagashima had an excruciating pro debut, being fanned four times in his first four at-bats. He was quick to hit his stride, however, and went on to win the Rookie of the Year award. Over his 17-year career as a player, Nagashima won six batting average titles, two home run titles, five runs-batted-in titles, and five most valuable player awards. In June 1959, in a setting in which any player would hope to shine, the first professional baseball game ever attended by Emperor Hirohito, clutch hitter Nagashima astounded fan and non-fan alike by hitting an extraordinary sayonara (game-ending) home run. It is a tale that followers of the game still recount with relish. Thereafter, in conjunction with all-time home run king Sadaharu Oh (now manager of the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks), he formed the formidable combination known as the O.N. Cannon. In third and fourth batting spots, the pair delivered the Giants its V-9 (Victory Nine) stretch, in which the team achieved nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series victories. Nagashima was renowned for his flamboyance, having a penchant for throwing his helmet in the air when struck out. His strong determination to get a hit every time he stepped up to the plate--and especially in clutch situations--won him the appellation "man of fire," and he never failed to fascinate the fans. A Man of Changing Times The path Nagashima traversed to become the greatest hero Japan saw in the twentieth century was synonymous with the change occurring in Japanese society. For the Japanese people, who had at last dragged themselves out of post-World War II devastation, Nagashima's sparkling play offered a window on dreams and a bright light at the end of a dark tunnel. During the period of high economic growth when business was booming, he symbolized the might of the invincible V-9 Giants. His popularity was astounding. Junior baseballers of the day worshipped him, and would affix the number 3--Nagashima's number--to the backs of their uniforms and vie to be third baseman, just like their idol.   Your Name What did you think of this article? It was interesting. It was boring. Send this article to a friend Nagashima retired from play in 1974 with the parting words, "The Giants will never die," but his popularity did not wane and he was promptly appointed Giants manager. After six years of lackluster performance Nagashima was forced to resign, but talk of him did not go away. Even people who rooted against the Giants would say things like "Nagashima was different," and there was a prevailing "waiting for Mister" school of thought. In 1993, after 12 years recharging his batteries, Nagashima was reappointed Giants manager. The sum total of his 15 years in the job saw the Giants win the Central League pennant five times and twice become number one in Japan. Under his management the team recorded 1034 wins and 889 losses. The delight Nagashima afforded his fans was not restricted to the baseball field. He was responsible for the expression "make drama," a typically Japanese-English description of a dramatic recovery and outstanding outcome, which was declared the top "in" expression of 1996. Nagashima also had his own unique way of talking, epitomized by the vague expression "iwayuru hitotsu no"--a befuddled phrase that might be used to preface a simple statement, resulting in sentences like "It was one of those things known as a bunt." This phrase and others like it seldom meant anything, but seemed to preface any uniquely Nagashima-type point of view. His inherent and artless charm was the primary source of the idolization he was afforded by all who met him. With the advent of the twenty-first century, Japan's twentieth-century hero has stepped down from the main stage. A new Giants manager replaces him: Tatsunori Hara, only 43 years old, who in the mold of his predecessor was for many years the Giants' number-four batter. Copyright (c) 2001 Japan Information Network. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.