In a tribute to one of Japan's most influential baseball figures, the Japanese Pro Baseball Organization (NPB) has introduced a new award – the 'Shigeo Nagashima Prize.' The announcement was recently made, confirming that the award will be handed out to outstanding players, in honor of the legendary Shigeo Nagashima, a cherished figure in the country's baseball history.

Shigeo Nagashima, the renowned former manager and player, enjoys iconic status in Japan due to his exceptional contribution to baseball. The introduction of an award in his name exemplifies the country's respect and appreciation of his contributions to the sport. Japanese society places significance on honorific recognitions, and the sport of baseball, being the country's most popular sport, often serves as a platform to showcase societal values and reverence towards prominent sporting figures.

In the US, similar practices exist where legendary sports figures are honored with awards named after them. For instance, in Major League Baseball (MLB), the prestigious 'Cy Young Award' is given annually to the best pitchers, in honor of Cy Young, one of the most accomplished pitchers in baseball history.