Shigeo Nagashima “Otani loves baseball” In February, he is eager to visit the giant camp for the first time in four years.
Update: 2021-12-27 10:20
Takahashi:
Who are the players who are attracting attention in sports now?
Nagashima:
Otani-kun, who is doing his best in baseball, is the strongest.
Shohei Ohtani (27), the Angels who swept the sports world this year. It is said that Mr. Nagashima was excited by the dual wield style that breaks through common sense.
Nagashima:
Hit a home run in American baseball that much, and get a lot of prizes. Well, you did something that couldn’t be helped. You can hit a home run, center, left, right, anywhere.
Takahashi:
After all, did you look forward to seeing Major League Baseball?
Nagashima:
Major league baseball is also amazing. I watch it all the time, on TV.
The admiration for Reiwa’s superstar continued.
Takahashi:
As you said, how about playing an active part in the two-sword style?
Nagashima: Not really.
Takahashi:
Is it amazing from the perspective of Mr. Nagashima?
Nagashima:
It’s amazing. Hit (with hitting and throwing movements) and throw a fast ball. I think there aren’t many players like that in Japan.
Takahashi:
But who is really Matsui (Hideki) and Otani, who is loved by fans?
Nagashima: (Matsui and Otani put their hands together) together, together.
Takahashi:
It’s amazing how Nagashima’s beloved figure has been handed down.
Nagashima:
No, I’m …, after all, Otani is nothing but baseball. Otani-kun has a strong feeling that “only baseball is life”. You love baseball, don’t you? I love you.
■ Mr.’s long-cherished wish The first Olympic gold medal in history
Speaking of big news in the Japanese baseball world this year, SAMURAI JAPAN won the first gold medal in the history of the Olympics. And that was also Mr. Nagashima’s long-cherished wish.
In 2004, Mr. Nagashima was aiming for the Athens Olympics as the Japan national team coach with the slogan “FOR THE FRAG”. Meanwhile, five months before the actual performance, that shocking news that “emergency hospitalization due to cerebral infarction”. It was not possible to stand on the stage of dreams, and the Athens Olympics ended in a bronze medal under the acting director Kiyoshi Nakahata.
17 years after that, director Atsunori Inaba (at that time) and his juniors achieved the gold medal at the Olympics.
Takahashi:
After all, SAMURAI JAPAN won the gold medal at this year’s Tokyo Olympics!
Nagashima:
(With a big smile) That’s right. It’s really strong. I think it was good, really. After all, Director Inaba has good things for baseball. At the same time, I gave the players good things and took them in the right direction to win the championship.
■ “I’m going to camp in February”
In February, he will turn 86, but he never knows that his passion for baseball will diminish. There is still more I want to go out to the ground and tell my juniors. This season as well, when Yoshihiro Maru (32) and Sho Nakata (32) fell into a slump, he directly called out and gave batting guidance.
Nagashima:
I’m thinking of going to the camp in February next year (2022) and the camp (for the first time in 4 years).
Takahashi: Wow, that’s amazing!
Nagashima:
If you decide to go, let’s go together.
Takahashi:
Oh, by all means. By all means, I will accompany you with my bag.
Nagashima: I hope I can go.
Takahashi:
Yes!However, for that purpose, Mr. Nagashima also worked hard to rehabilitate …
Nagashima:
I have to do rehabilitation, that’s why.
Mr. Nagashima said.
“The sport of baseball is life itself.”
Glory awaits you beyond the pinch. Mr. Nagashima’s “match” will continue in the future.
The last question from Mr. Takahashi is …
Takahashi:
If you have any goals or dreams for Mr. Nagashima, please let us know.
Nagashima:
Whether it’s baseball or other sports, I would like to be involved in the good direction if there is any such opportunity so that I can take it in the good direction.
■ Visit to Nagashima-san giant Miyazaki camp in 2018
Visited on February 11th, the first day of the 3rd course. Before the practice, he gave instructions to the players and encouraged them by saying, “Let’s win! Win! Win! Win! Win!” He also visited the 2nd army and inspired with a powerful voice saying “Win!” And also visited the bullpen. He also energetically instructed the fielders by gesturing. The Miyazaki camp on that day attracted 38,500 spectators, the largest number since 2010.
■ Mr. Nagashima and Yoshihiro Maru
On June 6th in the rainy season, Mr. Nagashima visited the Giants Stadium before the Eastern League Seibu match, and directly coached Yoshihiro Maru, an outfielder who lost two troops on the 5th of the previous day due to poor performance. Through the team, Mr. Nagashima said, “I came to the Giants Stadium today because I wanted to talk to Maru. I talked about posture and weight transfer from holding the bat to hitting.”
■ Mr. Nagashima and Sho Nakata
On September 11th, Mr. Nagashima gave direct hitting guidance to Sho Nakata, who was practicing on holiday after losing two troops due to poor performance, at the Giants Stadium. Through the team, he commented, “I rushed to worry about the lack of results, but don’t worry. I told him to hold a good posture and to turn his hips strongly.” (09:16 on 27th)
Recent Kansai News
.
