Bwah, bwah!　Okey~!” …Shigeo Nagashima: “The boys were shocked at the onomatopoeic instruction” at the hot-blooded classroom site.

Mister’s instruction began to grow more and more enthusiastic.

“Stretch out your arms!　Boom!　Nice ball!

More right elbow tucking!　Boom, boom, shoo!　Okey~!　G~d!　G~d!”

But the advice, full of onomatopoeic sounds, made not only the boys receiving instruction but also this magazine’s reporters and other reporters pause. …… A scene from a baseball school for children in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, on November 9, 2002. It was a scene full of smiles and passion, typical of Shigeo Nagashima, honorary manager emeritus for life of the Yomiuri Giants.

A great star representing the world of professional baseball, or even Japan, has passed away. Mr. Nagashima, “Mr. Giant,” passed away on June 3 due to pneumonia. He was 89 years old and had been with the Giants for 17 years, winning the top batting title six times, the home run crown twice, and the batting average crown five times.

I am retiring today, but my Giants will be immortal forever!

Nice, nice, nice!”

Mr. Nagashima, who always gave his all, traveled around the country actively coaching children in order to broaden the scope of baseball.

Let me return to the scene at the beginning of this article.

About 240 fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students gathered at “Shigeo Nagashima Memorial Iwana Baseball Stadium” in Sakura City, Nagashima’s hometown. Initially, Mr. Kazunori Shinozuka, Mr. Tadafumi Matsumoto, and other Giants alumni were supposed to be in charge of the event, but after watching the boys play, they could no longer remain silent. Mr. Shinozuka took the children by the hand and began to instruct them in a loud voice.

Hold the ball softly!　Shoo!

Hit the ball with a bang!　That’s right. Nice, nice, nice!

The children, who at first had no idea what to do with the ball, must have been inspired by Mr. Nagashima’s enthusiasm. They listened to Mr. Nagashima’s advice with serious expressions on their faces and began to throw the ball and swing the bat enthusiastically. Mr. Shinozuka, an alumnus who was nearby, laughed at their instruction, saying, “He is too energetic. The passion and enthusiasm of the baseball class can be seen in the related images.

Mr. Shinozuka continued to captivate his fans both by his own play and by teaching children. His great footsteps and magnificent way of life will be immortalized forever!