TOKYO, Jun 09 (News On Japan) –
Shigeo Nagashima, recognized affectionately as “Mr. Professional Baseball,” was remembered at his funeral in Tokyo on June eighth, following his loss of life from pneumonia on June third at age 89.
The ceremony was attended by a bunch of baseball legends and protégés, together with longtime teammate Sadaharu Oh, 85, and former participant Hideki Matsui, 50, who paid their last respects to the enduring determine who helped form postwar Japanese baseball.
Nagashima’s portrait was accompanied by the acquainted Yomiuri Giants emblem and his completely retired quantity 3 jersey, capturing his ever-cheerful smile. Among the attendees have been members of the Giants’ historic “V9” period—a run of 9 consecutive league championships—and gamers he mentored throughout his time as supervisor.
The first to ship a eulogy was Oh, Nagashima’s lifelong good friend and fellow slugger from the “ON Cannon” period, who recalled their early days with humor and affection.
“Shigeo Nagashima, I never imagined the day would come so soon when I would read a eulogy for you. You were the pride of Japan itself. And yet, I caused you so much trouble,” stated Oh. “During our rookie training camp in Miyazaki, we were assigned to the same room. I was clueless—couldn’t clean, couldn’t fold the futon, and on top of that, I snored terribly. You didn’t complain once, even when they moved me out after just a week. To me, you were an extraordinarily ordinary man. These 60-plus years we spent together were irreplaceable.”
Matsui, one among Nagashima’s most devoted disciples, mirrored on their numerous late-night swing practices, recalling how only a look from his former supervisor nonetheless made him instinctively brace for a command.
“Coach, there’s no swing practice today, right?” Matsui started, drawing mild laughter. “When I look into your eyes, I still feel like you’re about to say, ‘Grab the bat! We’re starting now!’ But more than anything, I wish I could hear your voice again. Every time you stepped onto the field, you radiated light. When we practiced together, you turned into ‘Batman Shigeo Nagashima.’ I couldn’t stop crying on the day you stepped down as manager. You said, ‘Why are you crying? Wipe your tears and keep swinging.’ I can never escape Shigeo Nagashima—and that is my happiness.”
Matsui concluded his tribute by vowing to hold ahead the legacy his coach left behind.
“Whenever I returned to Japan, I would always visit you. Even when you had so much to say but said nothing, I could still feel it. I’ll keep asking myself why you gave me so much. I won’t let you slip away. So today, I won’t say ‘Thank you’ or ‘Goodbye.’ Please keep lighting the future of the Giants, and of Japanese baseball, with that brilliant light of yours.”
Source: FNN