End of an era Nagashima leaves a Giant hole Daily Yomiuri.

End of an era Nagashima leaves a Giant hole Daily Yomiuri Shigeo Nagashima could not have got his pro career off to a w

Yomiuri

Shigeo Nagashima could not have got his pro career off to a worse start.

A former star at Rikkyo University, he struck out four times in his first game for the Yomiuri Giants in 1958.

But Nagashima found his footing, went on to become Rookie of the Year and establish himself as perhaps the biggest star in the history of Japanese baseball.

His enduring popularity was evident Friday, following his announcement that he was retiring as manager of the Giants, who have been all but eliminated from this year's Central League pennant race.

Fans and foes alike throughout the country paid tribute to the man known as Mr Giants, whose unbridled energy and enthusiasm won the hearts of several generations of baseball fans.

Former teammate and current Fukuoka Daiei Hawks manager Sadaharu Oh said he was surprised by Nagashima's …