Shigeo Nagashima (L) managed former New York Yankees star Hideki Matsui during his time with Tokyo's Yomiuri Giants. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI | License Photo
June 3 (UPI) -- Japanese sports icon Shigeo Nagashima, known as the country's "Mr. Pro Baseball," died from pneumonia Tuesday, Tokyo's Yomiuri Giants announced. He was 89.
The Giants said Nagashima died at 6:39 a.m. local time Tuesday at a hospital in Tokyo. The team plans to establish a memorial Wednesday and Thursday in the main square of Giants Town Stadium.
"We offer our heartfelt condolences," the Giants said in a statement.
Nagashima, who played third base, signed his first professional contract in 1957. He helped the Giants win nine-consecutive Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973, while scooping up batting titles and MVP awards.
