Dodgers News: Japanese Icon Shigeo Nagashima Dies at 89
Icon Forged a Long Relationship with the Dodgers
LOS ANGELES, CA — Shigeo Nagashima, one of the most iconic figures in Japanese baseball and a revered presence in the global baseball community—including among the Dodgers’ faithful—passed away on June 3, 2025, in Tokyo from pneumonia. He was 89.
A third baseman of unmatched flair and a manager of vision, Nagashima spent his entire playing career with the Yomiuri Giants, where he became a symbol of Japan’s postwar baseball renaissance. But for Dodgers fans—and the franchise itself—Nagashima’s name has long resonated beyond box scores and NPB headlines. His career intersected multiple times with the Dodgers’ own international evolution, particularly through Tommy Lasorda, who helped forge early bonds between the two storied franchises.
Lasorda, the future Hall of Famer and beloved Dodgers skipper, first traveled to Japan in 1965 as a guest instructor for the Giants during Spring Training. There, he met a young Shigeo Nagashima, along with teammates Sadaharu Oh and Masaichi Kaneda. According to Dodgers historian Mark Langill, Lasorda remembered the warm welcome extended by manager Tetsuharu Kawakami and the star-studded roster, led by Nagashima’s signature charisma and leadership.
While Lasorda worked with the pitchers and Kenny Myers focused on the hitters, it was clear even then that Nagashima embodied more than just talent—he represented the soul of Japanese baseball. He would go on to win five MVPs, 17 consecutive Best Nine Awards, and six batting titles while helping the Giants dominate Japanese baseball for nearly a decade.
As the Dodgers continued to return to Japan in exhibition series and cultural exchanges, Nagashima’s influence loomed large. The teams weren’t just crossing the Pacific to play games—they were building a bridge between leagues. Between 1961 and 1981, the Yomiuri Giants held multiple spring trainings at the Dodgers’ famed Vero Beach facility, allowing players and staff to interact and learn from each other in a unique bilateral baseball diplomacy. Nagashima’s reputation and gravitas made him a natural conduit for these growing ties.
Even after his playing days, Nagashima stayed at the center of that relationship. As manager of the Giants during two stints (1975–1980, 1993–2001), he led the team to five Central League titles and two Japan Series championships. In 1993, he won the rights to draft Hideki Matsui—who would later become a global superstar and suit up for the Yankees, but not before being admired by scouts from clubs like the Dodgers who saw in him the kind of poise that Nagashima himself exemplified.
Dodgers fans watching Hideo Nomo, Kenta Maeda, Yu Darvish, and now Shohei Ohtani take the field at Dodger Stadium are indebted to the generation Nagashima led. In many ways, he helped open the door to an international talent pipeline that now flows both ways. During Nomo’s rise in 1995—when he became the first Japanese-born pitcher to start an MLB All-Star Game—Lasorda and Nomo often shared quiet lunches in the manager’s office. Lasorda, who never forgot the kindness of Kaneda and Nagashima in 1965, made sure Nomo felt at home.
Nagashima’s enduring appeal also transcended the field. He was awarded the People’s Honour Award in 2013 and the prestigious Order of Culture in 2021—the first professional baseball player ever to receive it. He carried the torch at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and remained a beloved public figure even after suffering a stroke in 2004.
Nagashima is survived by his four children, including Kazushige, a former Yomiuri Giant and TV personality. His wife, Akiko, preceded him in death in 2007.
As the Dodgers opened their 2025 season in Tokyo just hours after his passing, the symbolism couldn’t have been more poignant. The franchise that helped him share the field 60 years ago now carries forward his spirit in a new generation of cross-Pacific competition. In that way, Shigeo Nagashima will forever be part of Dodgers history—not by the uniform he wore, but by the bridges he helped build.
May his legacy live on in every swing, every pitch, and every moment of mutual respect between two baseball-loving nations.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
