Winning the league after coming in last place the previous year

4年、「わが巨人軍は永久に不滅です」の名セリフを残して現役生活に別れを告げ、翌年ジャイアンツの7代目の監督に就任した。

監督1年目の75年は屈辱の最下位だったが、2年目にして初めてリーグVを達成。

The joy was all the greater as the victory came in the 130th and final game of the entire schedule.

76年10月17日初V達成。前年の最下位から見事リーグを制覇。笑顔で初優勝を迎えた。

Achieved 2nd league title

This famous quote was born in the spring of 1977, when he was discussing his aspirations as a director. It has been passed down as a line that is very much like the director.

That year, they utilized a number of new tactics to keep other teams at bay, and achieved their second consecutive championship on September 24th.

77年9月24日に2年連続のリーグV達成。写真は10月8日、後楽園でのセ・リーグ最終戦にペナントを持って場内一周し、ファンに優勝報告をしているところ。

Returning to the role of manager after 12 years

In October 1992, he returned to the coaching profession, saying that he wanted to "give back once again." After 12 years of being a ronin, he began his second term in 1993.

A historic showdown for the top spot

On October 6, 1994, before a showdown with Chunichi Dragons for the top spot, Nagashima uttered the famous line, "It's a national event, after all." It's typical of Nagashima to make this an object of interest not just to Baseball fans, but to the entire nation.

そして10月8日、ナゴヤ球場で見事リーグ優勝。

In the second half of the season, the team was pushed back by Hiroshima and Chunichi due to a breakdown in their pitching, but they ended the difficult season with a smile of victory.

The offensive style that symbolizes Nagashima's Giants and the pitching relay of Makihara, Saito, and Kuwata attracted attention, making the game on October 8th a game that will go down in baseball history.

94年10月8日、史上初の同率首位決戦で中日を6－3で下し、リーグVを達成。「監督を男にしたかった」と残した落合はソロホームランで先制。監督とともに優勝の喜びを分かち合った。

The first number one in Japan!

In his third Japan Series challenge, the team defeated Seibu 3-1 to become Japan's first champion. "I'm really happy. I think this is what it means to be a manager," said Manager Nagashima with joy. The words he used in his 1980 press conference to dismiss him as "a man's decision to make amends" became true resolutions at this time. It was a series in which "computer-aided management" that was not bound by data or theory shone through.

94年10月8日、史上初の同率首位決戦で中日を6－3で下し、リーグVを達成。「監督を男にしたかった」と残した落合はソロホームランで先制。監督とともに優勝の喜びを分かち合った。

Make-up drama statement!

7月6日には首位との差が11.5ゲームとなり、逆転優勝は無理かと思われた。しかし、7月中旬から驚異的な快進撃を見せる長嶋巨人。7月16日、中日戦の試合前にホームラン20号を達成した松井に期待し、メークドラマ発言をした。

On July 16, 1996, Matsui hit his 20th home run. This was the beginning of the drama of the team trying to pull off a comeback victory.

Miraculous come-from-behind victory

On August 20th, the team finally took the lead and left these words. Then, on October 6th, just as Make-Drama had said, they miraculously made a comeback and won the championship. When it was decided that they had won, they left the words "I didn't give up because I didn't know what would happen," giving dreams, hope, and courage to many fans.

Buzzword Award

In Japan Series the team lost to the Orix "Ogi Magic," and he was heard to say, "A defeated general speaks no words of praise..." but the phrase "make drama," which became a hot topic that year, was selected as the buzzword of the year.

On October 6, 1996, the team came from behind to win the championship, completing the drama. They pulled off the biggest comeback in the history of the Central League.

The return of the number 3

2000年、長嶋監督の話題はオフから始まった。FA宣言をしていた江藤の加入で永久欠番「3」が復活。2月12日の宮崎キャンプにて、江藤への個人ノッ クの際にジャンパーを初めて脱ぎ、26年ぶりに背番号「3」を披露した。集まった報道陣、ファンの多さにこのセリフを発言。

On February 12, 2000, he showed off his number 3 jersey, delighting the 55,000 fans who had flocked to Miyazaki Sports Park.

Fifth league title

Nagashima's prediction that the team would be strong in this turning point year came true. This comment came at the end of June when the topic of Oh Daiei's run to the top of the Pacific League came up.

そして、自ら獲得した江藤を始め、松井、清原、高橋らの活躍で、20世紀最後の2000シーズン、見事リーグ優勝を果たした。

2000年9月24日、リーグV決定。背番号「3」が宙に舞う。

Win the ON showdown

The "ON showdown" took place in the final Japan Series of the 20th century, and became a hot topic among the Japanese people. On October 21, 2000, Manager Nagashima spoke these words before the showdown. On October 28, the Giants finally won the championship, and with a big smile on his face to close out the 20th century, he said, "I think that our victory as the Giants has helped us build a good bridge to the 21st century."

The two former teammates faced off in the Japan Series. The final star of the 20th century was Manager Nagashima.

A refreshing retirement conference

V2をめざしてスタートを切ったが、優勝には至らなかった2001年。「シーズン終了をもって、巨人の監督を退任いたします」と記者会見にのぞんだ長嶋監督。ドラマチックな人生そのまま、世間を驚かせる引き際だった。その時に残した名セリフは、ファンの心に深く残るものとなった。

September 28, 2001. At his retirement press conference, he said, "Baseball is life itself." He passed the baton to new manager Hara, who will lead the team in a new era.

Tokyo Dome final game

September 30th was Manager Nagashima's final game at Tokyo Dome. He thanked the players and said, "Thank you!" During the ninth inning, he handed the ball to Makihara and Saito, who announced their retirement along with the manager, and watched their final pitch.

On September 30th, 2001, the manager congratulated Makihara, Murata and Saito along with the other players on their retirement from active duty.

Smiling farewell ceremony

この日、最後の別れと感謝のために東京ドームに集まった5万5000人のファンに、退任の挨拶をする長嶋監督。日本国民に愛された「ミスタージャイアンツ」「ミスタープロ野球」は、最後まで爽やかな笑顔を絶やさず、ファンに感謝の気持ちを表わした。そして、21世紀の発展を託して新しい指揮官・原新監督 へバトンを手渡した――。

"Thank you very much to all the professional Baseball fans across the country," said Manager Nagashima as he smiled and waved to the fans gathered at Tokyo Dome on September 30th.