The 5’8″ 180-lb Nakanishi could reportedly hit a ball 500 feet, but burned out early due to injuries and scandal. He won four consecutive Japanese home run titles from 1953 through 1956, hitting as many as 36 HR in 1953. Through 1958, his average never dipped below .296. He played his last full season at age 27, but after missing most of two years, rebounded in 1961 with 21 HR in 99 games. Appointed the Nishitetsu Lions’ manager for 1963, he remained a part-time player and led his club to the Japan Series. He continued to pinch hit effectively for another four seasons. Upon retiring, he became a commentator, but his broadcast career ended abruptly when three Lions were among six players barred for life for fixing games. Although not directly implicated, Nakanishi proclaimed himself responsible, and vowed to break all contact with baseball.
