Ohtani leads tributes as Japan's 'Mr. Pro Baseball' dies at 89 / Photo: © JIJI Press/AFP
-
Readers Question Naughty Dog’s ‘Intergalactic’ Hype and GTA 6 Marketing Strategy
-
Westminster Council Unanimously Rejects Green Party Motion in 'Zionism is not racism' Vote
-
Below Deck alumnus João Franco and brother arrested after fatal Turkey fight
-
Kingfishr Announces UK and European Spring Tour Following April Album Release
-
Ole Miss inquiry expands after video and monkey-noise allegations
-
General Hospital actor Randall England dies at 75
-
Senators Push for Sports Betting Ad Ban as Bill S-211 Advances
-
Bunnie XO artwork taken down from Jelly Roll’s Nashville bar
-
London museum removes Russell Brand hair exhibit after rape conviction
-
Arlington sentinel rebukes Pete Hegseth entourage for laughter near memorial
-
RBI Gold Loan Rules 2026: Key Changes for Auctions, Renewals, and Valuation
-
Yella Beezy sentenced to life for arranging rapper Mo3’s murder
-
Kylie Jenner employee describes closet ordeal and pepper-spray incident
-
Authorities to identify Montauk Mary and five other Long Island cold-case victims
-
Davante Adams injury deepens Los Angeles Rams receiver shortage
-
Over-75s Face 25% Surge in Emergency Department Delays
-
Barbie sequel negotiations stall over reported $25 million pay packages
-
João Franco’s earlier post draws attention after arrest over fatal Turkey brawl
-
Bath & Body Works launches buy-one-get-one-free candle offer
-
Itlu Arjuna receives U/A certificate ahead of theatrical release
-
Dhananjaya de Silva guides Sri Lanka to 221-4 against Pakistan
-
Niraj Kumar earns Los Angeles Olympic quota with 50m rifle bronze
-
Delhi gold loses Rs 800 while silver falls Rs 5,000
-
Soweto Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 Showcases Emerging Talent and New Partnerships
-
India extends micro-credit guarantee plan for five years
-
Pradeep Antony, Smeha Manimegalai portray secret spouses in Mr & Mrs Office
-
Zelenskyy arrives in Dublin for meetings on Ukraine and peace efforts
-
Woman barred from every Greggs outlet after series of offences
-
Jury hears social-media image helped identify teen in Scarlett Faulkner case
Ohtani leads tributes as Japan's 'Mr. Pro Baseball' dies at 89
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani led the tributes to Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima following his death on Tuesday aged 89.
Known as "Mr. Pro Baseball", Nagashima starred for Japan's most popular team, the Yomiuri Giants, winning nine straight Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.
He formed a lethal partnership with Sadaharu Oh, who holds the world record for hitting the most home runs, and the pair are credited with cementing baseball's status as Japan's favourite sport.
Their batting exploits captivated a Japanese public enjoying new economic prosperity out of the ruins of World War II, with families tuning in to watch games on black and white TV sets.
Nagashima's outsized personality and easy charisma made him a popular public figure and symbol of a confident new Japan.
He hit a dramatic walk-off home run to seal a win for the Giants in the first professional game ever attended by Japan's emperor in 1959.
"May your soul rest in peace," Ohtani wrote on Instagram to his 9.5 million followers.
Nagashima retired in 1974 after a 17-year playing career during which he won the Central League batting title six times and was home run king twice.
He played in 2,186 games and hit 444 home runs.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary said Nagashima was "a sunny person".
"He left so many brilliant records in the world of professional baseball for many years, and gave bright dreams and hopes to society as a national star," he said.
O.Bulka--BTB