Celebrity File Japan by Lint


		重要語句
■ On December 4, 2002, Shigeo Nagashima was named manager of the Japan National Baseball Team. That news comes as little surprise for baseball fans in Japan because Nagashima is this country's most popular sports personality. So why is this 65-year-old from Chiba so popular?		name …を任命する
■■ Nagashima first entered Japan's consciousness on June 29, 1959. On that day, Emperor Hirohito made the first-ever royal visit to a ballpark and watched as Nagashima hit a 'sayonara' home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game. It was a memorable game elder baseball fans still talk about. He went on to enjoy a spectacular 17-year career that saw him win five MVP titles. The Giants teams he played for were champions eleven times, including an improbable nine in a row from 1965 to 1973.		consciousness 認識 first-ever 初の in the bottom of the ninth inning 9回の裏に improbable 起こりそうにもない
■■■ Yet people in Japan loved Nagashima more for his style of play. He was an individual in the world of a tightly controlled style of baseball. Nagashima often ignored orders from his manager Kawakami, sometimes stealing bases just because he felt like it. He played at a time when companies made rigid demands on workers' lives. He proved that one could be an individual and win games for his team.		ignore …を無視する feel like ... …したい気がする rigid 厳しい probe …を証明する
■■■■ Unfortunately, relying on one's baseball instinct is easier for a player than a manager. As Giants' manager from 1975-80, Nagashima wasn't nearly the success he was as a player. Although the team won two Central League titles, they won no championships. After finishing 60-61 in the 1980 season, Nagashima was forced to resign. This angered many fans who, despite his shortcomings as a manager, still loved him. Nagashima came back in 1993 and this time, with free agency and the Giants' money, he was able to win championships.		rely on ... …に頼る instinct 勘 manager 監督 force to do …するよう強いる resign 辞任する shortcoming 欠点
■■■■■ He retired after the 2001 season as the most popular sports figure in Japan. He is a popular guest on TV shows and has appeared in many advertisements.		figure 人物
■■■■■■ "Mr. Baseball" is coming out of retirement to manage Japan's national baseball team in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. It was announced on December 2, 2002 that representatives of Japan's leading baseball federations had selected Nagashima for the job. The team will be selected next summer. Each of Japan's twelve professional baseball teams can contribute up to two players. The Olympic qualifying tournament takes place in Sapporo in November of 2003.		come out of retirement 引退から復帰する contribute …を提供する up to ... 最大…まで
■■■■■■■ Sports fans in Japan can't wait to see what Nagashima will do next.

－written by Brock Spore

Go back to Celebrity File Japan frontpage