TOKYO: Shohei Ohtani, the superstar of the Los Angeles Dodgers, paid tribute to Japanese baseball icon Shigeo Nagashima, who passed away on Tuesday (June 3) at the age of 89.
Revered as “Mr. Pro Baseball,” Nagashima was a star player for Japan’s most beloved team, the Yomiuri Giants, where he won nine consecutive Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.
He formed a formidable duo with Sadaharu Oh, the world record holder for the most home runs, and together they played a pivotal role in establishing baseball as Japan’s favorite sport.
Their remarkable batting skills captivated a public experiencing newfound economic growth after World War II, with families gathering around black-and-white TVs to watch the games.
