Nagashima, who usually batted fourth behind home run champ Sadaharu Oh, was Japan’s most popular and highest-paid player in his time. After a spectacular career at Rikkyo University, he signed with the Giants for a then-record $48,000 bonus. His 9th-inning homer to win the 1959 Emperor’s Game is generally regarded as the greatest moment in Japanese baseball history. Upon retirement, he became the Giants’ manager, winning the Japan Series in 1976. He was promoted to GM when Oh retired and was named manager in 1981.