episode_0178

-‘Senior, when I go out, I’ll run to second base right away. ‘I’ll give you a sign at second base, so I’m waiting.’

-‘what? ‘You seem sure you’ll get out?’

-‘Jang Woo-jun, of course I’ll leave.’

-‘I was so close to Woo Joo at national university.’

-‘Do you feed your friends? AT is the one giving the money.’

-‘okay.’

-‘You know that if you only target that bastard’s fastball, you’re screwed, right? Self swing without shaking. okay? I believe the senior can hit it. He was a major leaguer.’

-‘Don’t worry.’

Ki Ki-joo once again thought about the conversation he had with Ji Maeng-ho before going to bat. Ji Maeng-ho’s words that if you only aim for fastballs, you’re screwed… . In fact, it was not easy to aim for and hit the ball from Jang Woo-joo. Just as there is a difference between 140 km/h and 150 km/h, there is a huge difference between 150 km/h and 160 km/h.

An area of talent that cannot be mastered even if one is conscious of it. The magic limit of 160km/h. Meng Hao said it easily, but players who can hit such a ball must have something innate. And unfortunately, Ki Ki-ju did not think that he was born with talent.

Of course, he is also the best player in Korea. There was a time when I thought I was born with that talent.

… Until I experienced the Major League.

Although it was a shortened season for the first time in the major league, Ki Ki-joo, who was conceited while recording a batting average of .300, had no choice but to realize that his talent was limited in his second year. Because the real major league started in the second year.

Compared to his decent batting average of .208.6, he recorded a miserable on-base and slugging percentage, and in his third year, he recorded a miserable batting average of .204.1 and ended up choosing to return to Korea.

If we were to sum up the reason for the failure of meteorologists in the major leagues in one word, it would be the difference in level.

There was a big difference in level between KBA League and Major League pitchers, including pitch control, breaking ball angle, and command. Among the many differences, the one that stands out the most is restraint. The speed of mercenaries who came to the KBA League and played ace games was similar to the speed of players who were on a losing streak in the major league, and Ki Ki-joo abandoned slugging power to hit the ball and focused only on contact.

And the disastrous results that followed. It was an unavoidable choice since he was prone to swinging and missing when he tried to apply force to the batted ball, but there was no major league club that would use the slow-footed left-handed hitter. Feeling a sense of crisis, he tried to regain his swing in his third year, but his balance was already lost and he lost his contact ability, which was his greatest strength.

It was an inevitable choice because if I didn’t give up my power, I wouldn’t be able to match the fast speed of major leaguers with the bat, but I regretted that choice for a long time. There was only one thing I felt after returning to Korea with such regret.

easy!

While dealing with major league pitchers, I felt like I could see the ball clearly and it felt like it was stopping in front of me when I was facing Korean pitchers. In this way, Ki Ki-joo was able to hit 6 home runs in one month and record an incredible performance of 0.347/0.441/0.684/1.126.

Of course, there was one junior on the team who made his own grades fade by producing even worse results, but Ki Ki-ju was not jealous of that junior.

After a major failure, the WBC returned to Korea and was drafted. And Ki Ki-joo ended up seeing a guy with real talent that he didn’t have. A true talent who swings without being intimidated by pitchers who are considered to be the worst in the WBC, and uses that swing to go over the fence.

Ki Ki-joo saw hope for Korean baseball in his appearance, which was clearly different from his own self, who gave up his power because he was afraid of not hitting the ball. The problem is a slightly strange personality? It seems like there is nothing in it, but it is there, and it seems like there is a concept, but it is not there. Perhaps because he was a rookie, he had such an unpredictable personality that he didn’t know where he would go, so Ki Ki-ju wanted to help him further with his brilliant talent.

Even though they have brilliant talent, there are one or two promising players who have collapsed due to mental problems. Even Choi Jin-cheol, who is on the same team, suffered from mental problems during his childhood. And it was safe to say that Choi Jin-cheol was the only prospect who suffered such a mental breakdown and succeeded.

That’s why I wanted to take him around, talk to him more, and pass on all of his know-how. Because I want my talented younger brother to realize his dream of playing in the major leagues, which he was unable to achieve.

And a few days ago, it seemed like the talented guy had hit his first wall. A situation where a fearless rookie feels the barrier of professionalism and wanders. Well, the results were too good to be considered as such, but as baseball is a mental sport, he knew that even the slightest gap could break a player, so he did his best to give advice to Ji Maeng-ho.

However, now the rookie is telling him not to be afraid and to take his own swing. How unreliable must you have seemed to give such advice to your senior?

‘They even tell you the cause of death?’

My pride is hurt. I thought I had left all my pride behind in America, but the words of my cheeky junior reminded me. Of course, I recognize Ji Maeng-ho’s talent. But even so, Wonseok is still 21 years old. A veteran craftsman is needed to craft that stone.

Not a craftsman who cannot be trusted by his juniors, but a craftsman who can be trusted and followed.

Ki Ki-joo wanted to prove to his young colleague that he was worthy of becoming such a craftsman.

‘For some reason, instead of asking me, he asked Jincheol hyung. Is this why I am untrustworthy? Haha, a lot of meteorologists have died.’

“strike!”

Jang Woo-joo’s first pitch comes in. The speed posted on the electronic display board was 157km/h. Meteorologists’ eyes are burning at the restraint they saw in the United States. As Ji Maeng-ho said, it is definitely different from the speed seen in the major leagues. Should I say it is clean? After listening to Ji Maeng-ho, I felt like I could see the difference. And after seeing the difference, the vague fears I had in my head seemed to disappear.

Jang Woo-joo takes the set position again. The form is simpler and more visible than when doing a windup. And the ball is thrown. A ball coming out of the right hand. Ki Ki-ju swung the bat without any fear at that clean trajectory.

Sigh!

‘Was it right?’

I didn’t feel any of the heavy feeling that always follows when I hit a ball like this. Even though I heard a sound, it didn’t feel like I hit the ball. But the batted ball was flying quickly toward the fence.

And resounding cheers. In a dazed mood, Ki Ki-ju continued to look at the batted ball that had disappeared into the stands.

“Senior, let’s go quickly.”

The gunner standing behind said in an annoyed voice. It seemed like he felt like he was being provoked.

‘Is this why you said Jin-mo hit you without realizing it?’

I understood both Gu Jin-mo’s interview and Ji Maeng-ho’s words. So slowly, the meteorite began to circle the diamond on the ground.

“Wow, senior, I just passed it over right away.”

Ji Maeng-ho greets him at home plate.

“It’s really light.”

“Did I tell you? It’s a space bubble. Ah, but I should have stolen base. “Kabi.”

“bastard. “I don’t need your help.”

Of course, it had to be me, the senior, who helped.

“What help?”

“Something like a signature.”

“Hey, how helpful is that? “It’s just natural.”

… matter of course. Are you saying this is a natural thing for the team to win?

Hearing Meng Hao’s words, Ji Sang-ju felt shocked once again. He was just thinking about his pride, but this guy was thinking about the team’s victory. I was embarrassed that I swung before stealing to avoid getting help. The result was good, but what if the ball Jang Woo-joo threw wasn’t a fastball? Of course, it was obvious that the results would be bad.

Here, it was right to wait for Ji Maeng-ho to steal base. Another realization came to my young junior.

‘Are you saying I’m younger than this guy?’

“… “Senior, your eyes look strange?”

“What’s wrong with my eyes?”

“… is not it?”

I feel greedy. If I go to the major league through posting, what about the next 6 years? In the meantime, I want to tell you everything I know.

“… Seniors. “For your information, I like that girl.”

“What is he saying now. “You idiot.”

“Ahh! “It hurts even on the top of my helmet!”

*

[Choi Jin-cheol’s back-to-back home runs after a two-run warning! Jang Woo-joo, the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, falls down here!]

[In the end, he comes down from the mound. However, Jang Woo-joo still has a bright future and talent, so he will not fall down here.]

-Hey! They also robbed Jang Woo-joo hahaha They made fun of him saying he was a Rookie of the Year candidate, but it doesn’t work for us haha.

ㄴHonestly, Ji Maeng-ho is better haha.

-Ha, fuck. It’s scary to play with these idiots.

If only Jinhong Lee was there.

[4:0. Today’s game is over! AT Thunders continue their 2-game winning streak! That momentum is scary!]

-Hey! Let’s go up!!!!

-The car is starting to fall off again, hehe.

If you’re going to fall, shouldn’t you go up first?

-[KBA] AT Thunders first sweep of the season! Defeat the Future Buffaloes and jump to 6th place!

… … In the three-game series between the AT Thunders and Mirae Buffaloes held in Jamsil over the weekend, the AT Thunders achieved a sweep by taking all three games. … … AT Thunders tied for 6th place with JT Gold Eyes with 12 wins and 14 losses… … Future Buffaloes ranked 8th with this loss… …

-Aren’t we really going to go to fall baseball at this rate?

ㄴIt’s still been a month, eh?

-[KBA] NV Rex, pouring cold water on the rising AT!

… AT Thunders, who are in their first losing series since taking over as coach Lee Soo-hyun, are scheduled to face Hancheol in Jamsil this weekend.

ㄴㅅㅂ Am I the only one who is strong? This shit is happening before Children’s Day again.

We were good…. Why are we suddenly losing?

Shit, I was fine until last week, but then I came back after a break and it’s like this.

-Janson returns, pitching 5 scoreless innings! But the team lost!

… … Jansen, who returned from the second team, got off to a good start with 5 scoreless innings… … .

It’s fortunate that Jansen allowed no runs in 5 innings.

Janson, let’s come back to life ㅅㅂ

-Ha, on Children’s Day, they messed up the starting rotation again and lost it. It’s the same game, but why is it so crazy when it comes to Children’s Day?

ㄴStill, our starting rotation is Jang Yoon-Bellingham-Park Jun-hyung. This is the minimum winnings.

ㄴㄴFuck you!

I think Park Jun-hyung is a little anxious.

-Beongaeno is preparing to fall again… I think it will be okay this time because the ranking is low.

ㄴYou idiot, why are you coming to the team and making a fuss?

-Are we okay? I’m in 6th place, but I’m anxious because I’m tied with Hancheol on Children’s Day.

ㄴHa, we have to win because we screwed up the starters… Who is in the rotation for the season?

ㄴㄴRadet-Patrick-Kim Hyun-sik

ㄴㄴㄴ Ha, those bastards are going all out too.

– Did that pattern appear again? The pattern is to do well and then get hit by Hancheol and lose.

ㄴIt’s not surprising anymore.

-Fuck NV, those bastards are only fucking with us. Why do these 9th place bastards get all excited whenever they see us?

-Ha, I’m so fucking anxious.

ㄴWhat is encouraging, though, is that there are many home run hitters, so it doesn’t look like the atmosphere will be lost. We used to win all the time but lost after hitting a home run, but now we have a home run hitter.

-Why AT doesn’t work.fact

Every Children’s Day, aspiring baseball players come to watch the game lose, so who would want to come at? These days, most of the kids playing baseball in Seoul are Silla or Hancheol fans.

ㄴㅇㄱㄹㅇ

ㄴI’m in my 20s, but I can’t find any friends my age who like at.

Same age…?

Oh my…

-Let’s win on Children’s Day, you wild soldiers…

ㄴㄹㅇ Let’s think about it, Erin..

-But this time, there is Ji Maeng-ho. damn

ㄴMeng Hao, I only trust you.