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 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 JGA 137 set has been assigned a scarcity factor of R5 in Japanese Baseball Cards Checklist & Price Guide, Vintage Edition 3.0 by Gary Engel, signifying that five or fewer examples of each card in the set are known. PSA has graded three copies of the Shigeo Nagashima card (King of Hearts). One card received a grade of PSA 4, another received a PSA 6. However, the card offered here was awarded a grade of PSA 7 (Nm), making it 1 of 1 highest graded. Neither SGC nor CGC has ever graded a JGA 137 Nagashima King of Hearts, nor has either company ever graded any card from the JGA 137 set. Thus, you have an idea of how scarce this set is.

Size: 1 5/8" x 2 3/8"

Condition: PSA 7 (Nm) 1 of 1 with none graded higher by PSA or any other third party grading company