episode_0056

“Wow, definitely a young one, is that why? Quite different.”

“A monster?”

“You seemed confident.”

‘Kids, you and I are on different levels. Different levels.’

Unpacking and conducting physical tests, I overwhelmingly passed all the tests. Especially in the strength test, I showed an overwhelming record with a difference that made other players drop their jaws.

“From what I see, you’re definitely not just an ordinary person.”

“Thank you for the recognition.”

Usually, I didn’t push my limits in weightlifting due to the risk of injury, but today, I exerted some strength. As a result, Rosby was looking at me with a face that showed he was impressed.

“Hey, what kind of pills are you taking?”

“Call me ‘hyung,’ you shameless punk.”

“Oh, you act all tough, hyung, fierce hyung. Got it?”

“Yeah, buddy.”

Why is Im Jun-hu acting so friendly?

“Hyung, why didn’t you join us when we gathered with our classmates?”

“Hey, use that time to train more. Got it?”

“Oh, so you keep training without resting, hyung?”

“Yeah, you brat. That’s how you can debut like me for 5.5 billion.”

Well, there might be a bit of time for sex, but most of the time is spent training, so it wasn’t a lie.

“A bit? Stop lying through your teeth, you heartless bastard.”

“Oh, what now? Honestly, this much effort is hard work, right? Sex is also exercise, you know?”

“Haha, yeah, that must be the case for a monkey like you.”

“Rosby seems fine with it, whatever.”

Anyway, Jun-hu seemed deeply impressed by my response.

“As expected, that’s why your performance is outstanding. Hyung, honestly, you were a pain to deal with, right? You’d throw, and I’d catch, it was damn annoying.”

Was the last time I met this guy during the presidential cup? I vaguely remember getting three hits then.

“But in the end, you didn’t hit a home run, so I won, right? Hyung, you need to put in some effort too.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

“Coach! Maeng-ho hyung is swearing!”

Crazy guy… It’s tiring to deal with these kinds of people. He was unnecessarily bright, annoying those around him. I left the playful guy behind and walked towards where the infielders were gathered.

“These guys here have rude looks.”

“Well, they’re all potential competitors.”

As Rosby said, the infielders were wary of me. The rookie who just joined, the senior who returned from the military, the veteran who moved between the first team and second team—all of them were conscious of me.

“Well, I didn’t feel bad. I know those looks. Except for this year, I couldn’t even play in games, always watching the starters from the bench. Now, the roles have reversed.”

“What can you do? Baseball is ruthless. No matter how much talent you lack, you won’t make it in baseball.”

“You know well. When you can sweetly feel those looks, that’s when you become a true superstar. You have the potential. Ji Maeng-ho.”

“Oh, calling me by name for once? Not calling me a monkey?”

“…Yeah, it’s a good attitude. You monkey.”

The scrubs in the second team were all competitors. Team spirit? That’s a story that only applies to the first team. Unless you play on the first team stage, these guys didn’t consider themselves on the same team as me.

“Well, becoming part of the first team won’t change much.”

“Yeah, this place is just a stepping stone. The real goal for you is the Major Leagues. And surpassing this humble Rossby!”

“Understood. Mr. Rosby! Please take care of me in the future!”

“Yeah, did everyone do well in the fitness tests?”

While enjoying the gaze of the losers, holding a paper with the results of the fitness test, the second team coach, Lee Soo-hyun, appeared.

“Yes!”

There were voices full of confidence and voices that had lost confidence. Naturally, I was the voice full of confidence.

“Well then, we’ll divide into training groups from now on. Training starts tomorrow, so take it easy today. I’ll post the groups in front of the dormitory tomorrow morning. Infielders in Group 2, outfielders in Group 2. Catchers in Group 1. Pitchers divided into 3 groups. It’s not related to the physical tests, so don’t be disappointed. That’s all.”

“What? Not betting right away? …Did Soyoung deceive me?”

“Coach! Aren’t we doing free betting?”

“Oh, Jimangho. Do you want to practice betting?”

Coach Lee Soo-hyun’s eyes seemed to be looking at me as if impressed. What’s with that expression? Anyway, I wanted to bet, so I answered right away.

“Yes!”

Since that day, I trained hard. In reality, I couldn’t always hit at 100% like Soyoung said, so even in physically demanding conditions, I had to be able to hit well. I wanted to show the results of that training today.

“You seem to have some energy left. Good. Rookies should have this kind of spirit. Finish the check-in and then rest. Anyone else besides Jimangho wants to train more?”

“…”

“No spirit compared to a rookie.”

“I also want to stay and train!”

Junhu raised his hand timidly and spoke.

“Pitchers, take a break. It will be tough starting tomorrow. Any other batters?”

“I’m still okay.”

Oh, Gwankyeong! Soyoung wouldn’t deceive me, just like Gwankyeong. People like Gwankyeong, who are thorough in self-management, seemed to be practicing betting even after the test was over. In other words, Soyoung seemed to consider me someone on Gwankyeong’s level.

Thinking of being considered on par with Gwankyeong, one of the top outfielders in Korean history, made me feel good.

“Oh! Gwankyeong. Yeah, I thought you’d do more. Anyone else?”

When Gwankyeong raised his hand, some younger players followed suit.

“Is everyone okay with this? Don’t push yourself unnecessarily, and I won’t take responsibility.”

“We’re fine!”

“Okay, it’s the first day. Take it easy. Check-in is done. Really disperse. And the batters who want to practice hitting, stay. Oh, Gwankyeong, since you haven’t chosen a group yet, follow me.”

“Understood.”

“Yeah. Really disperse.”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

After Coach Lee Soo-hyun finished speaking, everyone except the batters who applied for free betting scattered. The remaining players were mostly in their early to late twenties. It seemed like all the veterans had joined in.

“Well, I guess it’s tough for old folks to keep up.”

“Haha, still having the stamina to bat, truly an orangutan.”

“Come on, if you’re a pro, you should do this much. And there are others left, too.”

Looking at the number of remaining batters, could we say there’s a wall in the pros? At that time, I struggled too, but seeing many people with stamina left surprised me. I didn’t expect so many to have stamina. Maybe only one or two guys with good stamina? Is this what being a pro is about?

But now I’m an established pro who signed a contract. No matter how senior they are, I wouldn’t be swayed. I wanted to press down on these guys’ noses with my skills like a pro.

“Hey, rookie. Come here.”

While thinking such thoughts and waiting seated, I heard someone calling me. Since I’m the only remaining batter who volunteered for free betting during this year’s draft, they must be calling me, right?

“Why?”

I replied from my seat. There was no need to go over there if I could hear them clearly.

“If a senior calls, you should come.”

“I can hear you. Speak from there.”

“Geez, this guy is a total brat, isn’t he?”

A brat? What does that mean?

“Are you stupid? It’s a curse.”

“How does Rosbi know something I don’t?”

“Bastard, just by the way he talks, he seems like a noble.”

“Younger one?”

When I ignored his words, the guy came up to me. But who is he?

“But who are you? Do you know me?”

His hair was slightly shorter than ordinary people’s, and there was a subtle Gyeongsang Province accent mixed in his speech. Seoul dialect but with a slight regional tone?

“Do you know me? I was the home run king last year.”

“Oh, I don’t watch professional baseball. You were the home run king? But why didn’t I know that? No, was there a home run king in the AT League? Anyway, congratulations.”

“What nonsense. Don’t act stupid. Obviously, it’s the Southern League.”

With a confident reply, I thought maybe I was becoming the KBA League home run king. So if it’s the Southern League, is it the Futures League (second-tier league)?

“Oh, okay. Congratulations on being the home run king.”

“Hey, did I mention it to receive congratulations? Do you really not know me?”

“Yes. You don’t even know who the starting lineup is in the AT League? Oh, I know Woo Kwan-hyung. I know him since he played when I was young.”

“It’s not Woo Kwan-hyung; it’s Senior Woo Kwan-hyung. Seriously, you’re clueless.”

He shook his head.

“Hey, I get that you want to look good, but you should assess the situation first. The seniors are all struggling, can you handle that?”

“If it’s tough, then go in.”

“Look at your language. Ham treats everyone like a younger brother, that’s why he’s telling you. If you go, you won’t get any special treatment in the military. Ham was with Sangmu until this season. There…”

“You’re not going to the military?”

“Hey, if you’re born a man in South Korea, you should go.”

“I’m going to win a gold medal at the Asian Games next year.”

The Asian Games, which were supposed to be held this year but were canceled due to the host country’s circumstances. I was eyeing that event. With age restrictions and typically, the first-round picks from each team were usually included in the candidate list.

Just being on the candidate list made it easy to get on the national team.

“Well… you’re not ordinary.”

“I’ve heard that a lot. My physical condition isn’t ordinary either.”

I could understand his reaction. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be around thirty, going to the military and moving between second-tier teams, it would be hard to understand his grand dream. Generally, commoners mock those who dare to challenge.

“…Alright. Good luck with your batting.”

“Yes, thank you for the advice. Fighting, senior.”

He said that and returned to his place. What a useless guy… But he didn’t seem like a bad person. If I were a senior, I would have scolded him for not standing up when called.

In my experience, someone like him in the sports world is of good character. In fact, I thought I would say more, but by giving advice and returning to his seat, he proved his character.

“Ordinary people tend to be frightened and run away when they see things they can’t understand.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hehe, that guy was also surprised by your monkey-like intelligence and ran away. Well, even among monkeys, there may be differences in intelligence.”

“Again, again, you’re discriminating against races. And am I not stupid? This time, I scored over 30 points on the test, what about that?”

Playing every game as a starter in the baseball team seemed to relieve stress, so I achieved a career high in this test. Well, I guessed on some questions, but still, it was the first time I scored over 30 points on average, so I felt quite good.

I scored higher than Wonho, who said he answered everything and went to sleep.

“…Alright. Let’s prepare for betting.”

“Well, someone might think you’re good at studying.”

“Hey, during my time, there was no chance to study because of the war.”

“What war? I looked it up, and Mr. Rosby didn’t even participate in any wars.”

“….”

I won! Rosby suddenly disappeared. It had never happened before. Finally, did I win against Rosby with words?

“Mr. Rosby! I won’t tease you, so come back!”

However, Rossby did not appear in front of me until Director Lee Soo-hyun came with the coaches and a baseball. He seemed quite embarrassed.

“The batting pitcher has to start working tomorrow, so we can’t do live betting. Let’s just do some light tea betting today before we go in. Got it?”

“No pitching machine?”

“Yeah, starting from tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

It’s a bit disappointing to only do tea betting. I tend to lose focus without free betting, but since conditions aren’t right today, there’s no choice.

“Well then, follow me. One, two, three, four… Eight including Guanhyung? Let’s just do it lightly for about two hours before we go in.”

“Got it!”

“Yep!”

“Great. Good momentum. Let’s see if you can bet like that too.”

——————————————————————————————————————–

Woo Gwanhyung. Right-handed thrower, left-handed batter. Outfielder. (Highlights are from the Google season, bold text indicates just before the FA contract, it looks better on a computer!)

It’s hard to see on the phone, so I’ll upload one more. It should be easier to see if you lie down and look at it!