episode_0285

Tsk – Ugh!

“Are you feeling good, Maengho? I was worried after the Asian Games, but it seems like all the training during this period has paid off.”

“Well, it’s something that has to be done.”

“Alright, next. Those who are done, go shower and wait. We’ll have a meeting after practice.”

“Got it.”

A day before the June Playoffs began, all the pre-training for the upcoming autumn baseball season had come to an end. All that remained was a strategy meeting. Of course, there would probably be some warm-up training before the game tomorrow, but it was essentially the last session since it was more about preparing physically for the upcoming match.

And my batting form, as confirmed in the final practice, wasn’t too bad. Apart from struggling a bit to adjust to lower-level pitchers after facing Chen Jianhao throughout the Asian Games, today’s performance during practice gave me confidence that I wouldn’t have to worry too much about the game tomorrow.

“Maengho, let’s go.”

“Sure.”

Just then, Woogwanhyeong, who had finished training beside me, called out. It still annoyed me to shower with the guys, but it was just part of communal living.

“I guess you look satisfied, huh?”

“Well, more or less.”

“Good. Let’s aim for the Asian Games level, Maengho.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Perhaps Woogwanhyeong had a lot on his mind about the game tomorrow, as silence lingered until we reached the locker room.

“Even though, did you not receive any offers for advertisements or entertainment gigs?”

“I did get some.”

Advertisements and entertainment offers did come in. There was some free time after the Asian Games ended. However, I turned them all down through my agency. There was no need to boost my popularity through entertainment or ads.

My agency was essentially So Yeong’s company, reflecting her wishes. When I once asked her why,

-“Entertainment? No way. You always end up saying something wrong if you go out. Ads? How much are they offering anyway? I’ll just give it to you. It’s a waste of time. …Well, I might consider it during the off-season.”

So Yeong’s words made sense. It was better to focus on training rather than risking making mistakes on TV shows or spending time shooting commercials, especially so close to the postseason.

I might have reluctantly agreed if I had been more eager, but the first postseason of my career was more important than anything else.

“But did you turn them all down?”

“That’s the gist of it.”

“Impressive. It’s not easy for a young player to do that.”

“You can always do those things later. Right now, we need to focus on baseball.”

“Exactly. Baseball players are at their coolest when they’re focused on baseball.”

It was a valid point, but coming from Woogwanhyeong, the team’s senior veteran, it sounded a bit old-fashioned.

“…Right.”

“Huh?”

“…Nothing to add.”

“Okay, you think the same way? Let’s aim for a win this time.”

With that, Woogwanhyeong headed into the shower room.

“Although back when we trained together in Australia, he mentioned trying out autumn baseball. Now he’s talking about winning. Well, we’re not a team that settles for just autumn baseball.”

Of course, I felt the same way. There was no room for thoughts of resting at home after just catching a whiff of autumn. The goal was unequivocally victory. And to achieve victory, the first button was crucial. That first button was none other than the Jun Playoffs.

“I’m feeling a bit nervous.”

Was it because tension had spread to Woogwan-hyung? As the day approached, I too felt a slight tremble. But it wasn’t a bad feeling. It was a pleasant tension with a racing heart. In fact, it seemed better than the Asian Games where there was no tension at all.

“Mangho, aren’t you coming in?”

“Yes, coming.”

Enjoying that pleasant tension, I began washing myself as far away from Woogwan-hyung as possible.

—

[2023 KBA Jun Playoffs. After stepping into autumn baseball for the first time since 2002, AT Thunderz, who defeated Shilla Triggers in the Wild Card game, will face Hancheol Grizzlies in the Jamsil Rivalry.]

[It’s the first postseason matchup between the two teams since 2000, making it the first matchup of the 21st century.]

[That’s right. In the case of Hancheol Grizzlies, they can be considered regulars in autumn baseball. While AT Thunderz have been through a long period of darkness and were not invited to autumn baseball, this year is different. With a record of 77 wins, 61 losses, and 6 ties, achieving a winning percentage of 0.558, they are welcoming Hancheol at a higher rank than the Grizzlies.]

[Indeed. With the formidable Hancheol and the sensational performance of AT transforming into the Geopo Legion this season, it’s a highly anticipated showdown between the two Jamsil rivals.]

[So, who do you think are the key players that have heated up this match from both teams?]

“There are many key players in Hancheol Grizzlies, but we cannot overlook this player. It’s none other than Ju Seung-chul. Debuting in 2021, he won the Rookie of the Year and consecutive Golden Gloves, and this season, despite missing many games due to an injury from the WBC early in the season, he recorded a batting average of .331 with 27 home runs and 91 RBIs, showcasing remarkable performance.”

[That’s right. Ju Seung-chul, an outstanding player. Then, who do you see as the key player for AT Thunderz?]

“There are many competitive players in AT Thunderz, starting with our core, Woogwan-hyung. However, any baseball fan would consider this player as the heart of AT. It’s none other than AT Thunderz’s cleanup hitter, Ji Maeng-ho.”

“Ji Maeng-ho indeed?”

“Yes. Playing in 115 games this season, he recorded a .413 batting average, .528 on-base percentage, and .991 slugging percentage, leading in all rate stats and also ranking first in four categories with 60 home runs, 157 RBIs, 122 runs scored, and 58 stolen bases. Although he fell short of the batting title with 182 hits, he is the most destructive player in KBA history with 7 MVP titles.”

“Over .400. Actually, it’s the first time I’ve personally seen a .400 batting average with my own eyes. It takes me back to my childhood.”

“That’s right. Over .400. It’s a dream average for hitters. And with 60 home runs on top of that. Ji Maeng-ho is a player hailed as a treasure of Korean baseball. With innate physicality and hitting ability, not to mention his performance in the WBC and Asian Games, he’s a player who doesn’t falter in big games. If Hancheol Grizzlies can’t contain Ji Maeng-ho, the game might prove to be challenging for them.”

“So, do you predict a victory for AT Thunderz?”

“Well, it’s hard to say definitively, isn’t it? Hancheol Grizzlies are a strong team that has made it to the autumn baseball for nine consecutive years, and their experience on such a big stage is an advantage.”

“And that’s precisely where AT’s weakness lies.”

[Yes. Only four players have experienced fall baseball at AT Thunders: Woo Gwan-hyung, Choi Jin-cheol, Ki Sang-joo, and Jang Yoon. Just these four. Among them, only Woo Gwan-hyung has experienced fall baseball at AT Thunders. Most of the AT Thunders players are likely to freeze on the big stage.]

[I’m already curious about how the game will unfold. The game is about to begin now. Channel fixed, baseball is…]

The packed Jamsil Baseball Stadium, filled with spectators, resonated with the national anthem, signaling the start of the pre-playoff. A celebrity clad in the home team AT Thunders’ uniform wished for AT’s victory as the ceremonial first pitch took place, and AT’s starting pitcher took the mound.

Taking on the heavy responsibility of dominating the opponent, the pitcher who stepped onto the mound was AT’s ace, Crongs. Coming in as a substitute, Crongs had achieved 10 wins. He was a pitcher with the skill befitting the symbolic 10-win mark.

“[Crongs! As usual, as usual, okay?]”

Catcher Jung Yoon-chul shouted loudly at Crongs. However, perhaps due to the unfamiliarity of experiencing fall baseball for the first time, tension was evident in Jung Yoon-chul’s voice.

‘Tsk, seems like the catcher guy is nervous. Do I have to take charge after all?’

Observing Jung Yoon-chul’s state, Crongs clicked his tongue inwardly. As the umpire announced the start of the game in a booming voice, Jung Yoon-chul signaled for the pitch.

The first pitch demanded by Jung Yoon-chul was an inside fastball.

‘An inside fastball from the first pitch. Looks like he’s not in good shape.’

Today, the catcher’s condition is not reliable. So, the only one he could trust was himself. Crongs nodded until the right pitch came. The selected first pitch from Crongs was an outside sinker. After much deliberation, Crongs threw the first pitch.

“Strike!”

As Crongs’ pitch hit the outside border line precisely, a strike was called. Encouraged by this, Crongs continued his confident pitching.

Thud!

“My ball!”

The hit by Han Cheol’s leadoff batter Kim Dong-jin was caught in the infield. Crongs raised his hand without even looking at the hit, and shortstop Yoon Sung-tae caught it, marking the first out of the pre-playoff.

[Player Crongs, is the ball feeling good today? In these short-term games, foreign pitchers like you need to step up. That’s the role of an ace in short-term games.]

Having successfully started off, Crongs thwarted Han Cheol’s 1st inning offensive with powerful pitching.

[Now, in the 1st inning bottom, AT’s offense will begin. AT’s starting lineup includes Kim Ju-yeop batting 1st, Kim Su-ho batting 2nd, Ki Sang-joo batting 3rd, Ji Maeng-ho batting 4th, Choi Jin-cheol batting 5th, Woo Gwan-hyung batting 6th, Yoon Sung-tae batting 7th, Jung Yoon-chul batting 8th, and Lee In-hyuk batting 9th. Facing them, Han Cheol Grizzlies have Patrick on the mound and Lee Yong-gi behind the plate…]

“Ju-yeop, let’s go easy! Don’t be nervous, as usual, okay?”

“Yes!”

Responding confidently to the head coach, Kim Ju-yeop stepped into the batter’s box.

Thunk!

“Out!”

Hitting a ground ball to the infield on the third pitch, he swung his bat.

[Patrick’s pitches are quite good, right? Han Cheol Grizzlies also secure the leadoff batter, signaling a strong start!]

Thus, in the intense pitcher’s duel between the two foreign pitchers at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, the scent of a fierce pitching battle permeated the air.