Shigeo Nagashima may be the most popular player in the history of Japanese baseball. He is a cultural icon along the lines of Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle. Nagashima was the ultimate clutch player, and he seemed to always be at the forefront of great moments in Japanese baseball history. For example, he hit the game winning homer in the first game ever attended by the Japanese emperor. In Japan Series games, Nagashima batted .343 with 25 homers and 66 RBI in 265 at bats. In addition, Nagashima won five MVP awards and was named to the Central League Best Nine team for 17 consecutive years.

A third baseman throughout his career, he set the standard in Japan for fielding around the hot corner as well, and was often compared to Brooks Robinson. The LiLi Gum cards are quite scarce compared to most tobacco style menko and bromides of the era. There are no more than 25 copies of this card known.

Size: 1 1/8" x 1 3/8"

Condition:  The card front is Ex to Ex/Mt.  However the card has a diagonal cut and there is staining on the back.