episode_0169

“now. Concentration! Concentration!”

While the players were gathered in small groups and chatting, coach Lee Soo-hyun, who came with materials, focused the players’ attention.

“I’m very excited today.”

The team’s atmosphere was certainly excited, as coach Lee Soo-hyun said. They couldn’t help but be excited because they had a winning series against the No. 1 team, UG Overlords, and even though they gave up their record in the last game, they almost destroyed them.

“Have you received all the materials?”

“yes!”

“Okay, Charlotte squad… . Well, it’s not much different from last year, right? “Except for Kang Han-beom coming in.”

“But that’s big.”

Someone muttered in response to the director’s words. And most of the players seemed to agree with that muttering.

“That’s big.”

Last year, the Charlotte Blue Mariners ranked 9th. It was a team that was in the bottom half of the league, going up and down with the Volcanic Falcons. However, this season when Kang Han-beom joined, the team ranked 4th. Hancheol was cruising along with the Grizzlies, achieving a record of 11 wins and 9 losses.

For reference, our team’s score was 8th… . Still, they won a series against UG Overlords and rose to a tie with NV Rex. 10th place was of course the Hwasan Falcons. I heard that the team was reeling with Lee Won-hyung missing.

How do you know? I had no choice but to find out because every time the volcano sets, whether it’s a local talker or a volcano fan, they say hello to the DM. After the interview that day, the insults were piling up in my DMs to the point where I couldn’t even enter Stargram.

… Well, there was a lot of support from fans.

“But, Ji Maeng-ho. Your betting condition is bad today? Isn’t there some problem?”

“no! “Please leave it to me.”

Even though Lee Soo-hyun is the manager, he seemed to know that batting practice today was not the same as usual. Following Rossby’s advice, I was trying to change my batting form little by little to a form that suited me, so naturally my training results were slightly poor.

“no way… . “You’re not nervous because you came to resign, right?”

“Oh, no. “Am I that kind of person?”

Probably because Busan is the old capital, there were many people who recognized us from the moment we got off the bus. The eyes were slightly hostile. Moreover, even though many people recognized him, there were not many fans asking for his autograph unless he was a national star.

Well, it was nice that I didn’t have to bother signing autographs. As Soyoung said, she was the type to constantly sign autographs for fans, but she couldn’t help but find it annoying.

“Then I’m glad. “There are some rookies who get nervous whenever they have to resign.”

“Well, it would be nice if a lot of people came. Plus, it’s great when a lot of people come to away games.”

“why?”

In response to my answer, someone on the team asked that question.

“It feels good to hear boos, right?”

“really? “What a strange bastard.”

“That means the opposing fans are wary of me, so how could I feel bad? The fact that fans are so wary means that I am a threat. The pleasure that makes those fans quiet. ah. It’s thrilling just to imagine it. “Hehe.”

“Anyway, that bastard is an idiot.”

“Still, Meng Hao’s mindset is good. “I’m similar.”

The players reacted in various ways to my words. From reactions of not understanding to reactions of empathizing. However, it seemed like more people responded that they didn’t understand.

“okay. It’s good to have that mindset like Meng Hao. Don’t be scared for no reason. Everyone knows, right? I played professionally for several years. There is no need to be scared to go in. “Then let’s do well in this game.”

“yes!”

“All right!”

And so the power analysis time came to an end. And I was a little excited to hear the boos from passionate Sajik fans.

‘And I’m a little excited about the fact that I’m playing without knowing the location. Surely, if you don’t know it, you won’t hit 5 hits in 5 at-bats, right? ‘My talent, which I didn’t know about, was hidden under Mr. Rossby’s dirty tricks.’

‘Is that possible?’

‘why! ‘That could be so.’

‘Still, it’s a nice look. Before the game, I was nervous and worried that if I asked them to tell me again, I would have to lose. ‘Good.’

‘Hey, I’m not the type of person to do that!’

The first professional game played in a sealed location. My heart was racing because it felt like I was making a new debut.

*

“Senior, just get on base. really.”

“Then can I call you in?”

“yes.”

Why is this guy talking to me? Kim Su-ho was embarrassed by Ji Maeng-ho, who spoke to him before going to bat.

From what I’ve seen since he was on the national team, before the game started, Ji Maeng-ho was always masturbating under the guise of meditation, so I didn’t even think he would talk to me.

And, there was something different in Ji Maeng-ho’s eyes as he spoke like that. Should I say it’s burning? When did you last see eyes like this? Kim Soo-ho recalled an old memory when he saw Ji Maeng-ho’s eyes as if he had seen them somewhere.

This look in his eyes was similar to the look in his eyes when he made a cocky comment to senior Seonghyun who was standing on the mound during a game against Japan.

And Ji Maeng-ho, who had this look in his eyes, was quite trustworthy. No, was batter Ji Maeng-ho always reliable? Aside from the occasional distraction or incomprehensible behavior, he was always reliable.

“I plan to leave even if you don’t tell me.”

Today’s starting pitcher is Kim Min-hyuk, who is known around the league as being weak in the first inning. Kim Su-ho had no intention of missing this opportunity.

[According to popular wisdom in the baseball world, isn’t there a saying to be careful between the 1st and 5th innings?]

[you’re right. In the first inning, the pitcher’s control may be shaky because he has just been on the mound, and in the fifth inning, the batter usually gets his third at-bat, so the ball gets used to the batter. So it’s dangerous. Therefore, if the starting pitcher lasts until the 5th inning, he meets the requirements for a winning pitcher.]

[That’s right. And for this pitcher who is currently on the mound, the first inning is more important. Minhyuk Kim, the man for whom the first inning is more important than anyone else, is the starting pitcher for the Charlotte Blue Mariners today.]

[Kim Min-hyeok is actually a player with a lot of expectations. However, he is a player who is always hampered by chronic ball control problems. However, if you successfully pass the first inning, the percentage of quality starts is 100% for both last season and this season combined. However, in all games where the team collapsed in the first inning, they were defeated without completing 5 innings. Let’s see what kind of game we will play today.]

[And the AT leadoff hitter who will face Kim Min-hyuk is third baseman Kim Su-ho. Since coach Lee Soo-hyun took office, he has transformed into the number one hitter and is showing quite good performance?]

[you’re right. Suho Kim. Sun Sun is a player with slugging power and a good pitching ability, but since coming to Jamsil, his slugging power has decreased a bit. However, due to team circumstances, it was not possible to select and hit good balls, but this season, Ji Maeng-ho, Gi Ki-ju, and Choi Jin-cheol. With the addition of these good hitters, he is fully demonstrating his strengths, such as his pioneering ability.]

[Oh, so this match will be important? A match between Kim Min-hyuk, who was shaky in the first inning, and Kim Su-ho, who picked a walk and shook the pitchers. That first pitch!]

Minhyuk Kim’s first pitch lands in the high strike zone.

“strike!”

‘Huh, that’s a relief. As expected, the first pitch is not touched like in the analysis.’

Minhyuk Kim wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead with his forearm. Of course, those sweat beads were not those that came from losing stamina after throwing a single ball.

The meaning of those drops of sweat is a feeling of burden.

A pure white mound that no one has ever stepped on. When stepping on that mound, even a strong-hearted pitcher was bound to tremble. The pressure that the team’s victory or defeat rests on one’s shoulders. And only a pitcher who can overcome that pressure can occupy the glorious position of a starting pitcher.

And Kim Min-hyuk was the type that couldn’t handle the pressure. Based on the analysis that he rarely swung the first pitch, he managed to land a strike on the first pitch, but his hands were still sweating. I wiped the sweat from my thighs and dusted the rosin powder on my right hand again.

[Kim Min-hyuk is ready.]

[It certainly looks like Minhyuk Kim is aware of his record. Quite cautious, right?]

[The second pitch that follows is… ! strike! Kim Su-ho misses the bat!]

“nice! nice! good night!”

As I watch the batter swing and miss, my confidence begins to grow.

‘Yes, you can.’

Minhyuk Kim’s windup begins, and the pitch that left his hand is thrust towards his body this time.

‘Okay… !’

Perfect!

But Kim Su-ho is Kim Su-ho. Kim Su-ho catches the exquisitely pierced body course. Although the timing was late, it was quite an exquisite course. Minhyuk Kim’s eyes automatically follow the batted ball. Between third baseman and shortstop. The two fielders threw their bodies, but perhaps because the course was exquisite, the ball ended up rolling into the outfield.

[Leading hitter Kim Su-ho’s hit! AT’s batting line is off to a good start today as well.]

[AT’s batting lineup has really changed significantly, right? Veterans, new players, and new players create exquisite synergy, and the batting line can be called the best in the league.]

[And the strongest batting lineup, the man in the center. Ji Maeng-ho comes to bat.]

[You are ranked first in all batting scores except for hits and runs, right? There are three hitters in the league right now, including Ji Maeng-ho, and Ji Maeng-ho’s batting average is .405.99. His batting average is 3 to 4 points higher than that of other players. Additionally, he ranks first in home runs and RBIs. In particular, the difference between home runs and second place is three. If such a rookie player is positioned at the top of the batting order, AT’s batting line is bound to be strong.]

Minhyuk Kim’s face was already wet with sweat.

-Kim Min-hyuk, that bastard is spilling the juice again.

Ah, how many years has that kid been around, but does he still do that every episode?

-Okay, let’s go, let’s go!

-Kim Su-ho seems to have awakened these days haha.

Is it because Ji Maeng-ho is behind him? ㄹㅇ I feel like I’m watching this from my NV days haha.

-Kim Min-hyuk, shake it off, because today we are also anxious because of Jeong Jin-hong.

ㄴStill, I feel relieved because I don’t see that bastard Janson haha.

ㄴYou need to make people in the 2nd team and move up to the 1st group.