Tokyo, June 4 -- Former Japanese baseball player Shigeo Nagashima, who was once one of most famous sports stars, has died aged 89.
He died of pneumonia at a hospital in Tokyo, according to a statement released by his former team the Yomiuri Giants, BBC reported.
Nicknamed Mr Giants, Nagashima won nine straight titles with the team in the 1960s and 70s, playing in 2,186 games and hitting 444 home runs.
Commenting on his death, a government spokesman said Nagashima had given society "bright dreams and hopes".
His ability - and charm - made him popular, at a time of increasing economic prosperity and growing confidence in Japan.
"He taught me lots of things. I'm grateful to have been able to play with him," his former teammate, Sadaharu O...