Shigeo Nagashima, the first person in the world of baseball to be selected to receive the Order of Culture, told reporters Tuesday he never thought he would earn the accolade.
"I can't ask for a bigger honor than this," said the 85-year-old lifetime honorary manager of the Yomiuri Giants, with a beaming smile reminiscent of his days on the field.
After joining the Giants in 1958, his spectacular performances earned him nicknames including Mr. Giants and Moeru Otoko (fiery man) and he became a star player who was a symbol of Japan's period of growth in the second half of the Showa era (1926-89).
In the Heisei era (1989-2019), he achieved glory as manager of the Giants, leading the team to multiple championships in the Central League, including a memorable victory in the neck-and-neck 1994 race and a dramatic come-from-behind victory in 1996.
Nagashima was named as the manager for Japan's national baseball team for the 2004 Athens Olympics but a stroke forced him to miss the Games.
"A lot has happened over the years. Various memories come back to me, such as the [Giant's] nine consecutive season victories [from 1965-73] and the game watched by the Emperor [in 1959]," he said. "I think this [honor] is recognition for my hard work and dedication to baseball."
He was an Olympic torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games in July, together with his close colleague Sadaharu Oh, 81, and favorite disciple Hideki Matsui, 47.
"The Olympic Games really felt special. I was filled with emotion. It was indescribably moving," Nagashima said. "If I was able to be of any help to the Games, I'm happy."
He is the second sportsperson to be selected as a recipient of the Order of Culture since swimmer Hironoshin Furuhashi 13 years ago.
"I hope it will boost not only the baseball world but sports as a whole," Nagashima said.
His passion for the sport remains unchanged. This year he visited Yomiuri Giants Stadium in Kawasaki and gave batting advice to Giants players for an hour.
"I wouldn't last physically but I want to be back on the field emotionally," he said.
"I want Japanese baseball to compete with American baseball and continue moving in the right direction."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
