【ノーカット】松井秀喜さん弔辞 長嶋茂雄さん告別式 「私は長嶋茂雄から逃げられません。それが私の幸せです。」

The funeral and memorial service for "Mr. Professional Baseball" Shigeo Nagashima, who died of pneumonia on June 3, 2025, at the age of 89, was held in Tokyo on the 8th. Hideki Matsui delivered the eulogy. -------------- Manager, you won't be practicing today, will you? When I look into your eyes, I get a chill, as if you're saying, "Bring me your bat. We're going now." But right now, I want to hear that voice. When you drafted me, you gave me a thumbs-up with a big smile. As a Tigers fan, I was a little taken aback. However, soon after, you called me and said, "Matsui, we're waiting for you," and my heart instantly lifted. Once you put on your uniform and stepped onto the field, you emitted an intense light, and when we were practicing together, you became Batman Shigeo Nagashima. That was my daily life. I was born the year Manager retired, so even if I wanted to, I could never empathize with those who spent time with him during his playing days. I wasn't alive during that era. But conversely, it's precisely because I didn't experience the baseball god Shigeo Nagashima firsthand that I was able to interact with him as my normal, everyday self. I consider that to be extremely fortunate. On the day he retired as Manager, I thought it would be my last practice swing, and tears wouldn't stop flowing while I was swinging. That's because I knew it would be my last. "Why are you crying? Wipe your tears with a towel and let's swing," he said to me. I thought that would be the last time, but I did it again the next day. And the year after that, and the year after that too. I can't escape Shigeo Nagashima. That will never be the case. That's what makes me happy. Manager, do you remember the one request I made to you during my playing days? I was playing center field, but I asked, "Manager, if you're going to play third base, please let me play." He said to me, "You're not a third baseman. You're a center fielder. I want to make you Joe DiMaggio." I didn't get it at all. One day, when I went to the manager's house to practice, I noticed Joe DiMaggio's bat and a large photo of him there. I didn't miss it. I realized that the manager really liked Joe DiMaggio, and I was really happy that he told me to become like him. From then on, I was delighted and loved center field. I don't think the manager ever dreamed that I would wear the same uniform and play on the same field as Joe DiMaggio. Of course, I didn't either. When I retired and went to say goodbye to the manager, I told him, "I went to the Yankees because the manager recommended Joe DiMaggio," and he gave me this smile. It was then that I finally realized that leaving my beloved Giants was a good thing. And now, they are far away from me. Every time I return to Japan to say goodbye to the manager, I always try to say what I think he wants to say, but he doesn't. But I always sense his feelings. From now on, I will continue to ask him in my heart, "Why did you choose me? Why have you bestowed so much upon me?" I will continue to ask him the meaning, the answer. This time, I will not let you slip away. So today, I will not say "thank you" or "goodbye." I look forward to your continued support. And with that intense light, please continue to illuminate the future of the Giants and the future of Japanese baseball. #ShigeoNagashima #HidekiMatsui #Eulogy