Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Yomiuri Giants third baseman Shigeo Nagashima hits a walk-off home run during a baseball game against the Hanshin Tigers in the presence of Emperor Showa at Tokyo's Korakuen Stadium on June 25, 1959. Nagashima, who was a key player on the Giants team that won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973 and later managed the club, died on June 3, 2025, aged 89.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Undated file photo shows Yomiuri Giants third baseman Shigeo Nagashima during a baseball game. Nagashima, who was a key player on the Giants team that won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973 and later managed the club, died on June 3, 2025, aged 89.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

File photo shows Yomiuri Giants third baseman Shigeo Nagashima swinging during a baseball game in Tokyo in 1974. Nagashima, who was a key player on the Giants team that won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973 and later managed the club, died on June 3, 2025, aged 89.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

File photo shows Yomiuri Giants third baseman Shigeo Nagashima swinging during a baseball game in Tokyo in 1974. Nagashima, who was a key player on the Giants team that won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973 and later managed the club, died on June 3, 2025, aged 89.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Yomiuri Giants third baseman Shigeo Nagashima (R) and Nishitetsu Lions pitcher Kazuhisa Inao pose ahead of Game 1 of the 1958 Japan Series at Tokyo's Korakuen Stadium on Oct. 11, 1958. Nagashima, who was a key player on the Giants team that won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973 and later managed the club, died on June 3, 2025, aged 89.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Yomiuri Giants third baseman Shigeo Nagashima takes off his jersey after his last career game in the locker room at Tokyo's Korakuen Stadium on Oct. 14, 1974. Nagashima, who was a key player on the Giants team that won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973 and later managed the club, died on June 3, 2025, aged 89.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, blasting a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, blasting a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, blasting a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, blasting a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, blasting a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (R) is congratulated by teammate Teoscar Hernandez after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Ohtani blasted a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (R) is congratulated by teammate Teoscar Hernandez (L) after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Ohtani blasted a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (R) is congratulated by teammate Teoscar Hernandez (L) after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Ohtani blasted a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. He blasted a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. He blasted a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. He blasted a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. He blasted a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. He blasted a homer for a third consecutive game.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 27, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. He blasted a homer for a third consecutive game.

Football: Scottish Premiership

Football: Scottish Premiership

Celtic's Daizen Maeda reacts after scoring for the third consecutive game in the second half of a Scottish Premiership football match against St. Mirren in Paisley, Scotland, on March 1, 2025.

Football: Scottish Premiership

Football: Scottish Premiership

Celtic's Daizen Maeda reacts after scoring for the third consecutive game in the second half of a Scottish Premiership football match against St. Mirren in Paisley, Scotland, on March 1, 2025.

Football: Scottish Premiership

Football: Scottish Premiership

Celtic's Daizen Maeda (R) scores for the third consecutive game in the second half of a Scottish Premiership football match against St. Mirren in Paisley, Scotland, on March 1, 2025.

Football: Scottish Premiership

Football: Scottish Premiership

Celtic's Daizen Maeda (R) scores for the third consecutive game in the second half of a Scottish Premiership football match against St. Mirren in Paisley, Scotland, on March 1, 2025.

Football: Scottish Premiership

Football: Scottish Premiership

Celtic's Daizen Maeda (38) scores a goal in the first half of a Scottish Premiership football game against Kilmarnock on May 15, 2024, at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Celtic won 5-0, clinching the league title for the third consecutive season.

TOP 10 WORLD ATHLETES OF 2023

TOP 10 WORLD ATHLETES OF 2023

(231227) -- BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- As the sporting year draws to a close, here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the world's top 10 athletes in 2023: 7. Nikola Jokic (Serbia, basketball) Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever NBA title during the 2022-2023 season while earning himself the NBA Finals MVP award. Despite failing to win the regular season MVP for the third consecutive season, Jokic's averages of 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game still showcased his skills. This file photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows Nikola Jokic (front L) of Denver Nuggets celebrating receiving the NBA Finals MVP Award after Denver Nuggets winning the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver, the United States. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Mariners Ichiro marks 200 hits for 7th consecutive season in MLB

Mariners Ichiro marks 200 hits for 7th consecutive season in MLB

NEW YORK, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki homers off New York Yankees starter Roger Clemens over the right-center wall in the third inning of their game at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 3. Ichiro reached 200 hits for the seventh consecutive season in the major leagues. Ichiro went 3-for-5 with one RBI as the Mariners won 7-1.

Mariners Ichiro marks 200 hits for 7th consecutive season in MLB

Mariners Ichiro marks 200 hits for 7th consecutive season in MLB

NEW YORK, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki homers off New York Yankees starter Roger Clemens over the right-center wall in the third inning of their game at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 3. Ichiro reached 200 hits for the seventh consecutive season in the major leagues. Ichiro went 3-for-5 with one RBI as the Mariners won 7-1.

Mariners Ichiro marks 200 hits for 7th consecutive season in MLB

Mariners Ichiro marks 200 hits for 7th consecutive season in MLB

NEW YORK, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki homers off New York Yankees starter Roger Clemens over the right-center wall in the third inning of their game at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 3. Ichiro reached 200 hits for the seventh consecutive season in the major leagues. Ichiro went 3-for-5 with one RBI as the Mariners won 7-1.

Ichiro reaches 200 hits for 7th year in row, tying AL mark

Ichiro reaches 200 hits for 7th year in row, tying AL mark

NEW YORK, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (C) rounds the bases after hitting a homer off New York Yankees starter Roger Clemens (R) in the third inning of their game at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sept. 3. Ichiro reached the 200-hit plateau for the seventh consecutive season, tying the American League mark.

Phillies beat Giants

Phillies beat Giants

SAN FRANCISCO, United States - Jayson Werth and other players of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after beating the San Francisco Giants in Game 5 of the National League Championship at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Oct. 22, 2010. The Phillies won 4-2, a step forward to winning their third consecutive championship in the league.

Uehara closes out for 3rd save

Uehara closes out for 3rd save

ANAHEIM, California - Baltimore Orioles right-hander Koji Uehara pitches during a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Aug. 27, 2010. Uehara stepped into the closer role once again and came away unscathed in a 3-1 win, picking up his third consecutive save.

Nippon Ham's Nakata shows promise

Nippon Ham's Nakata shows promise

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters' Sho Nakata hits a home run in his fourth consecutive game during the eighth inning against the Rakuten Eagles at Sapporo Dome on Aug. 8, 2010. Nakata, an up-and-coming third-year player, has hit eight homers in 11 games.

Nippon Ham's Nakata poses with dinosaur

Nippon Ham's Nakata poses with dinosaur

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters' Sho Nakata poses in front of a huge dinosaur figure at a dinosaur exhibition in Sapporo Dome on Aug. 7, 2010. Nakata, an up-and-coming third-year player, visited the exhibition after hitting a homer in his third consecutive game at the ballpark.

Ichiro extends multi-hit streak to 7 games

Ichiro extends multi-hit streak to 7 games

ST. PETERSBURG, United States - Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki hits a single to center in the third inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 15, 2010, Ichiro went 2-for-4 to match his personal best of seven consecutive multi-hit games in the Mariners' 3-2 walk-off loss to the Rays.

Ichiro closes in on 200-hit plateau

Ichiro closes in on 200-hit plateau

ARLINGTON, United States - The Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki homers in the third inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on Sept. 12, 2009, moving within two of reaching 200 hits for a record ninth consecutive season as the Mariners beat the Rangers 8-3.

Seattle Mariners' Ichiro 1-for-5 against L.A. Angels

Seattle Mariners' Ichiro 1-for-5 against L.A. Angels

ANAHEIM, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki hits a single to right in the third inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on Sept. 9, 2009. Ichiro went 1-for-5, moving within four hits of his ninth consecutive 200-hit season. The Angels won 6-3.

Fukudome gets 3rd consecutive hit against Padres

Fukudome gets 3rd consecutive hit against Padres

CHICAGO, United States - Chicago Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome gets his third consecutive hit at bat in the seventh inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on May 12.

Ichiro ties MLB record with 8th consecutive 200-hit season

Ichiro ties MLB record with 8th consecutive 200-hit season

KANSAS CITY, United States - Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners hits a double in the third inning in a game with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sept. 17. Ichiro tied the major league record of eight consecutive 200-hit seasons as he collected the third hit of the game in the eight inning, matching Willie Keeler, who had 200-hit seasons with the Baltimore Orioles in 1894-1898 and the Brooklyn Superbas in 1899-1901.

(1)Yankees edge Twins to reach AL Championship Series

(1)Yankees edge Twins to reach AL Championship Series

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota - New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui hits an RBI single to right in the third inning of the third game of the Division Series against the Minnesota Twins at Metrodome on Oct. 9. The Yankees edged out the Twins 6-5 to clinch their second consecutive American League Championship Series. (MLB)

Kaz Matsui 2-for-5 but Mets fall to Phillies

Kaz Matsui 2-for-5 but Mets fall to Phillies

NEW YORK, United States - Kazuo Matsui went 2-for-5 but failed to drive in any runs for the home team as the Philadelphia Phillies crushed the New York Mets 8-2 at Shea Stadium on July 17. Matsui singled in the fifth and ninth innings for his third consecutive multihit game. (MLB)

Baseball: Murakami hits homer in 5 consecutive at-bats

Baseball: Murakami hits homer in 5 consecutive at-bats

Munetaka Murakami of the Yakult Swallows celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a Central League baseball game against the Chunichi Dragons on Aug. 2, 2022, at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo, becoming the first pro baseball player in Japan to hit a homer in five consecutive at-bats.

Baseball: Murakami hits homer in 5 consecutive at-bats

Baseball: Murakami hits homer in 5 consecutive at-bats

Munetaka Murakami of the Yakult Swallows receive flowers after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a Central League baseball game against the Chunichi Dragons on Aug. 2, 2022, at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo, becoming the first pro baseball player in Japan to hit a homer in five consecutive at-bats.

Baseball: Murakami hits homer in 5 consecutive at-bats

Baseball: Murakami hits homer in 5 consecutive at-bats

Munetaka Murakami of the Yakult Swallows hits a two-run home run in the third inning of a Central League baseball game against the Chunichi Dragons on Aug. 2, 2022, at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo, becoming the first pro baseball player in Japan to hit a homer in five consecutive at-bats.

Baseball: Murakami hits homer in 5 consecutive at-bats

Baseball: Murakami hits homer in 5 consecutive at-bats

Munetaka Murakami of the Yakult Swallows hits a two-run home run in the third inning of a Central League baseball game against the Chunichi Dragons on Aug. 2, 2022, at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo, becoming the first pro baseball player in Japan to hit a homer in five consecutive at-bats.

Ichiro reaches 200 hits for 7th year in row, tying AL mark

Ichiro reaches 200 hits for 7th year in row, tying AL mark

NEW YORK, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (C) rounds the bases after hitting a homer off New York Yankees starter Roger Clemens (R) in the third inning of their game at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sept. 3. Ichiro reached the 200-hit plateau for the seventh consecutive season, tying the American League mark. (Kyodo)

Baseball: Ichiro has 3rd consecutive multi-hit game

Baseball: Ichiro has 3rd consecutive multi-hit game

Ichiro Suzuki hits a leadoff single in the first inning of the Miami Marlins' 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 9, 2016. Suzuki went 2-for-5 in his third consecutive multi-hit game. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Baseball: Ichiro has 3rd consecutive multi-hit game

Baseball: Ichiro has 3rd consecutive multi-hit game

Ichiro Suzuki hits a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning of the Miami Marlins' 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 9, 2016. Suzuki went 2-for-5 in his third consecutive multi-hit game. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Baseball: Ichiro has 3rd consecutive multi-hit game

Baseball: Ichiro has 3rd consecutive multi-hit game

Ichiro Suzuki hits a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning of the Miami Marlins' 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 9, 2016. Suzuki went 2-for-5 in his third consecutive multi-hit game. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Mariners Ichiro marks 200 hits for 7th consecutive season in MLB

Mariners Ichiro marks 200 hits for 7th consecutive season in MLB

NEW YORK, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki homers off New York Yankees starter Roger Clemens over the right-center wall in the third inning of their game at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 3. Ichiro reached 200 hits for the seventh consecutive season in the major leagues. Ichiro went 3-for-5 with one RBI as the Mariners won 7-1.