“Whoosh, Swish, Okay!” — Shigeo Nagashima’s Energetic Onomatopoeia-Filled Coaching Stuns Young Players

Mr. Nagashima’s coaching grew more and more passionate.

“Stretch your arm out! Whoosh! Nice pitch!”

“Swing with your right elbow tucked in more! Whizz, bang, swoosh! Okay! Good! Good!”

However, the advice was full of sound effects, leaving not only the boys being coached but also the reporters covering the event looking puzzled… This was a scene from a baseball clinic held on November 9, 2014, in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, for children. It was a heartwarming and passionate moment, truly characteristic of Yomiuri Giants’ lifetime honorary manager Shigeo Nagashima.

The pro baseball world—and Japan—lost a true star. “Mr. Giants,” Nagashima-san, passed away on June 3 from pneumonia at the age of 89. He joined the pros in 1958 and spent 17 years with the Giants, winning the batting title six times, home run title twice, and runs batted in title five times. At his retirement ceremony held at Korakuen Stadium in October 1974, Nagashima’s famous words are still etched in fans’ hearts:

“Today I retire, but our Giants will live forever!”

“Nice, nice, nice!”

Shigeo Nagashima, always giving his all, traveled across the country actively coaching children to broaden the base of baseball.

Let’s return to the opening scene.

At the Nagashima Shigeo Memorial Iwana Stadium in his hometown of Sakura City, about 240 fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students had gathered. Initially, former Giants players Kazunori Shinozuka and Tadashi Matsumoto were supposed to lead the clinic, but as they watched the boys play, they probably couldn’t stay silent. Mr. Nagashima himself took the children’s hands and began coaching loudly.

“Hold the ball gently, shoo! shoo!”

“Swing hard at the fast pitch! That’s right. Nice, nice, nice!”

At first, the children didn’t know what to do, but inspired by Nagashima’s passion, they began to listen intently to his advice, throwing the ball and swinging the bat with earnest expressions. Former player Shinozuka, standing nearby, chuckled and said, “He’s a bit too energetic, isn’t he?” The passion of the baseball clinic can be felt in the related photos.

Through both his playing and coaching, Mr. Giants continued to captivate his fans. His great legacy and brilliant life will live on forever!