During his career, which spanned the one-league and two-league era, he played for the Tokyo Kyojin/Yomiuri Giants and the Chunichi Dragons.

[citation needed] In 1944, in addition to pitching and managing, Nakagami occasionally played outfield.

Nakagami was a good hitter for someone who primarily played pitcher, hitting .245 with 15 career home runs (including 7 round-trippers in 1950).

He picked up a win the 1952 Japan Series (as well as hitting a home run) as the Giants were again champions, defeating the Hawks 4-games-to-2.

Nakagami won another game in the 1953 Japan Series, as the Giants defeated the Hawks for the championship for the third year in a row.