[In Memoriam] Shigeo Nagashima’s 3,330-Day Fight After Stroke — The Day Mr. Giants Took the Mound Again

Wearing sneakers marked with a red number “3”

Mr. Nagashima’s gaze, smiling warmly, was fixed on a small ball. That ball was indeed thrown by Shigeo Nagashima himself.

Known as the “Mr. Pro Baseball,” who built the glorious golden era befitting the name of the “Glorious Giants,” Nagashima passed away on June 3 at 6:39 a.m., aged 89. The cause of death was pneumonia.

Nagashima had suffered a stroke and was rushed to the hospital in March 2004 at his home in Denenchofu. At that time, he was leading Japan’s “Dream Team” baseball squad for the Athens Olympics.

Afterwards, it was reported that he made a miraculous recovery, but his whereabouts and condition remained unknown. Meanwhile, our magazine continued to report on his rehabilitation. We look back on his unyielding spirit from past articles.

[The day of his first rehabilitation at the origin, Tamagawa (April 19, 2013 issue)]

In June 2005, the year after his stroke, our magazine witnessed Nagashima walking with a cane along the embankment of the Tamagawa River.

That day, Nagashima completed his daily rehab in a Tokyo park despite the light rain, then was driven to the Tamagawa embankment. With the former Giants’ Tamagawa Ground to his left, he started walking with a cane. Wearing black sneakers marked with a red number “3,” his steps were strong and determined.

Nagashima felt a renewed confidence in returning to his uniform and visited the Tamagawa Ground for the first time since his illness to report this progress. This was how it appeared to our magazine, which had been closely watching his rehab every day.

[3,330 days since the stroke! Nagashima threw a ball (May 3, 2013 issue)]

The day Nagashima threw a ball again—the moment all baseball fans had been waiting for—was finally witnessed by our magazine.

The person Mr. Nagashima smiled at

On April 15, 2013, exactly 3,330 days after suffering a stroke in 2004, Mr. Nagashima was diligently doing rehabilitation at a park near the former Giants’ Tamagawa Ground. According to a nearby resident:

“Lately, every Monday, I see Mr. Nagashima at this park. Apart from a slight limp in his right leg, he walks steadily, with steps that hardly suggest he’s ill.”

That day, Mr. Nagashima greeted a woman walking her dog with a loud “Good morning!” After receiving an oval ball for the dog with his left hand, he raised it high and threw it about three meters. Although it wasn’t a white baseball, it was the moment Mr. Nagashima finally threw the ball again.

The dog caught the ball when it landed and brought it back to Mr. Nagashima. Laughing heartily, bending down, he threw the ball up into the air once more. He only threw these two pitches, but it was a moment that clearly showed his recovery was underway.

Many fans surely hoped for the day when he could again throw full force with his right hand. Though that wish was never fulfilled, this smile undoubtedly became a great source of hope for his supporters.

For us fans, Mr. Nagashima’s smile is eternally immortal. We pray for his peaceful rest.