Shigeo Nagashima, one of the greatest and most beloved players in Japanese baseball history, has died at the age of 89. Nagashima's death was confirmed by the Yomiuri Giants, the Nippon Professional Baseball league squad that he both played for and managed during his storied career.

Nicknamed Mr Giants, Nagashima won nine straight titles with the team in the 1960s and 70s, playing in 2,186 games and hitting 444 home runs. Commenting on his death, a government