episode_0329

“The exhibition game is making me a bit nervous since it’s my first time. Well, anything else going on?”

“Is this your first exhibition game?”

“Oh, come on. You were struggling with the senior back in the U.S. at that time.”

“Oh, right. You didn’t participate last year because of the WBC, did you?”

Glancing at the spectators who had come to watch the exhibition game from the dugout, my heart started to flutter slightly. It was both my first experience with an exhibition game and a long-awaited baseball match.

“Are you nervous?”

Seeing me like that, looking somewhat tense, he asked if I was nervous, but I wasn’t particularly so. Just a little excited, that’s all.

“I’m not the type to get nervous.”

“Still, since it’s an exhibition game, you’ll probably have one or two at-bats and then go in. Just focus on adjusting your condition appropriately.”

“What do you mean by ‘appropriately’? It’s been a while since I played in front of the fans.”

It was just a bit disappointing that they weren’t Seoul’s home fans. The game today was being held at the Silla Triggers’ home stadium, Gocheok Sky Dome. Nevertheless, perhaps because it was still Seoul or maybe because they had won the championship last season, there were quite a few people wearing striped uniforms.

“Make sure not to get injured. You know, you’re the most important player on the team.”

“Injured? I’m not that fragile.”

“Got it. Geez.”

“Alright, everyone, gather around!”

While we were chatting like that, someone caught the attention of the players with a loud voice. It was Choi Jin-cheol, who was taking over as captain in place of Woo Gwan-hyeong, who was undergoing rehabilitation for an injury this season.

“Oh, Jin-cheol hyung. Have you already started?”

“Oh, my goodness! No, no, it’s not like that, geez!”

Choi Jin-cheol’s flustered voice made the players burst into laughter. Indeed, although Choi Jin-cheol had only been here for a year since joining last year, apart from Woo Gwan-hyeong, there was no one more suited to be captain than Choi Jin-cheol.

Having spent about seven years, including military service, with the AT Thunders before being traded, Choi Jin-cheol was well-liked by the fans even after leaving the team, as he refrained from targeting the team in interviews. Of course, he might have received some criticism when playing against the AT Thunders. Nonetheless, coming from the AT Thunders, he had the fundamentals and undeniable skills.

Not only that, Choi Jin-cheol had an amicable relationship with the players. When he was recruited from the tough Buffaloos, younger players who didn’t know him well initially found him intimidating, but he turned out to be a decent person.

Of course, due to his age, he wasn’t as open-minded as I was, but he knew how to take a joke and often bought meals and coffee like a high-profile free agent should.

From his skills to his personality, without Woo Gwan-hyeong, Choi Jin-cheol was the perfect fit as our team’s captain.

“Did you enjoy winning the championship last year?”

“Yes!”

“Yeah, it felt good for me too since it was my first win. Kids, this game isn’t the first game of the season, nor is it a crucial one for the championship or fall baseball, right? It’s just one of the exhibition games before the season starts. Right?”

Pausing for a moment and scanning the players, Choi Jin-cheol cleared his throat and continued speaking.

“Nevertheless, let’s not disappoint the fans who came to watch. Okay? We’re professionals, right? We need to work hard for the money we earn. There’s the champion team, so let’s not show them falling behind.”

“Yes!”

“Got it!”

“And honestly, baseball is fun, isn’t it? Especially when you win. You guys must be feeling it too. We are a championship-caliber team this season.”

And then Choi Jin-cheol’s gaze turned towards me. Other players followed Choi Jin-cheol’s gaze and looked in my direction. Their expressions carried a sense of trust.

“…Of course. As long as I’m here.”

I also agreed with Choi Jin-cheol’s words. We are a championship-caliber team. Although Kim Ju-yeop, who played as the starting center fielder last year, is no longer with us, it wasn’t a significant loss. So Young was disappointed that we couldn’t acquire Lee Yong-gi, but even without him, we were strong.

With Crongs and Bellingham’s foreign one-two punch on a one-year contract, along with reliable domestic starter Jang Yoon. Additionally, fourth starter Park Jun-hyung was a decent 10-game winner, and Jun-hu, although a bit foolish, had skills. While I was concerned about the bullpen, there was no team without weaknesses, so I could accept that.

Moreover, our team’s strength wasn’t just pitching; it was the batting lineup that boasted the league’s best offense last year.

Looking at the hitters, Woo Kwan-hyung, who hit .300 last year, was sidelined due to injury, but he was expected to return by May or June. The golden glove trio leading our team’s hitting, Kim Soo-ho, Gi Sang-joo, and Choi Jin-cheol, were in good health. Especially Gi Sang-joo, who set a career-high with 30 home runs last season, and Choi Jin-cheol, who, with my help, hit 44 home runs, showing signs of a second prime.

Furthermore, my partner Yoon Sung-tae, while not at a golden glove level, showed decent performance. Baek Jung-jin also displayed good play in last year’s postseason, earning the starting right fielder spot in spring camp. While the catcher position was uncertain, apart from Lee Yong-gi, there weren’t many catchers who could hit well, so it didn’t matter much.

Adding to these hitters was our ambitious import hitter, Don Williams. Don Williams, capable of playing all outfield positions, was a suitable batter for our home stadium, Jamsil, with decent contact and gap power. His lack of patience was a flaw, but from what I observed during spring camp, he was a hitter who could hold his own in the KBA.

Alongside these hitters, we also had me, Ji Maeng-ho. With Rossby by my side, we could easily replicate last year’s performance. Of course, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Unlike last year, many teams would thoroughly analyze the data accumulated over a year to target me. Moreover, considering the strategies shown by Moon Ki-taek in the Korean Series, it was clear that there wouldn’t be many pitchers capable of challenging me properly.

Nevertheless, I was confident. That’s why I had worked hard before the season started.

“Yeah, with Maeng-ho here.”

“Ha, that guy should keep his mouth shut if he doesn’t have anything nice to say.”

“Maeng-ho, I’m counting on you this year too.”

“Leave it to me.”

“Yes, with Maeng-ho and all, our team is strong. Of course, let’s not get injured or anything during the exhibition games. Let’s safely show our strong side to the fans. Can we do it?”

“Yes!”

“Let’s go!”

Thus, the gathering led by the new captain, Choi Jin-cheol, ended, and the first inning began. On the mound for Shilla Triggers was Kim Won-ho.

“He said he was transitioning to a starter this year, and he’s starting from the first game. Well, they must want to confirm something. I wonder what potential Won-ho has.”

Won-ho had been a top promising player since entering school, drawing interest from pro teams. In middle school, he clocked pitches around 140s, steadily improving. By graduation, he could reach speeds of 155-156, showcasing his pitching talent.

With such skills, it was no wonder that even the other baseball team members besides me were puzzled as to why Wonho, with his pitching prowess, turned down offers from prestigious baseball high schools and chose to attend Hanche High School, known for its weaker baseball program. Anyway, given Wonho’s talent since his amateur days, it was somewhat expected that Shilla Triggers would also groom him as a starting pitcher.

Facing my friend’s first starting debut game brought back memories of when I signed with Rosby and stepped up to the plate for the first time. The pitcher on the mound back then was Wonho. I remembered playing practice games back then and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Huh, looks like I need to give him a welcome. It felt like a home run back then.”

I wanted to convey to him that being a starter in the KBA league was no easy feat. With that thought in mind, as I walked towards the batter’s box, Wonho, perhaps finding the situation amusing, smirked at me and gestured towards his opposite shoulder with the hand not wearing a glove.

“Oh? Is that sign…?”

The sign he used wasn’t one our team typically used, but it was a sign that stuck in my memory.

“Mr. Rosby, is it a breaking ball by any chance…?”

“It’s a fastball.”

“Damn!”

It was indeed that sign. Sending off a pitch I didn’t like from high school to be dealt with. Whether he sensed my gaze or not, Wonho nodded and chuckled at me.

“This guy, I did so well, and yet…!”

I prepared to dodge away from the home plate and waited for his pitch. As the ball flew towards me, I flinched at its trajectory.

“Strike!”

“…Huh? Did it come in?”

“…Clearly a strike to anyone.”

Upon hearing the umpire’s words and seeing Wonho on the mound, he shook his hand once.

“Damn! Fooled me!”

That made it one strike. My temper rose slightly, but looking at it differently, if I had faced this in a crucial moment during the regular season, I would have surely fallen for it. Considering it a lesson learned cheaply in a preseason game, it was to my advantage.

“Yeah, I gained from this. That’s it.”

“…Bastard.”

“…Let me know the next pitch.”

“It’s a splitter.”

“Okay.”

Kim Wonho’s high-speed splitter. The pitch that turned him into Shilla Triggers’ setup man. It wasn’t as sharp as the ones seen in the pros during high school, but diligently honed, making it a bit tricky to face due to his hardworking nature.

However…

“It’s been a while since you won, Wonho. Want to put it inside? I won’t dodge, you know? It’s not the regular season; it’s just a preseason game.”

I was certain that the Wonho I knew wouldn’t shy away from competition. Even in high school, if we played practice games, he was either accurate or didn’t throw the ball. So, most likely, this pitch was going to come inside.

“Bring it on.”

And his splitter displayed the typical backspin, dropping, and I raised my knee slightly, meeting his splitter head-on.

Thwack!

Then, the cheerful sound of a hit heard after a long time at the baseball field. The destination of the hit was perfect without needing a ball.

“Damn, that’s the stuff.”

Laughing almost incredulously at Wonho’s dismayed expression, I mocked him briefly, pointing the bat at him like a gun and headed towards first base.

“Hey!”

“Congratulations on the starting switch!”

With those congratulatory words to Wonho, I tossed the bat and walked towards first base.

“Great job, guys.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

Leading with Ji Maengho’s two home runs, the AT Thunders players exchanged greetings with bright faces after the first game of the preseason, heading towards the parking lot. However, among those bright-faced players, there was one who couldn’t muster a smile.

“Sigh…”

It was tough for Im Jun-hu these days. As soon as he returned to Korea, his girlfriend was in tears, and Jun-hu’s money was dwindling. Now, there was only about 1 million won left in his bank account. However, his girlfriend still needed around 500,000 won. Unable to come up with the money, Jun-hu felt bleak about the future.

“Hey, I hit two home runs, and you’re just sitting there sighing? Are you a eunuch?”

“Oh, Mang-ho.”

And Mang-ho appeared before Jun-hu.

“Going to the club?”

“What club? I have a girlfriend.”

“Okay, take care.”

“Oh, bro, just give me a ride home.”

“Huh? What happened to your car?”

“…I sold it.”

‘…Is he an idiot?’

Upon hearing that Jun-hu had sold his car, Mang-ho immediately understood the situation and looked at Jun-hu with cold eyes. However, since giving a ride wasn’t difficult, Mang-ho took Jun-hu to the parking lot.

“Bro, this is a Benz X, right?”

“Yeah.”

“How much does something like this cost? Must be damn expensive.”

“I don’t know either.”

Since the car was a gift from So-young, Mang-ho didn’t know the actual price, but Jun-hu sensed that Mang-ho didn’t care much about the car’s value. Looking closely, Jun-hu noticed Mang-ho’s luxury clothing, a watch that seemed to be over 200, and even designer sneakers. Observing these items worth tens of millions of won, Jun-hu was astonished. He could smell wealth emanating from Mang-ho. Although they were all gifts, the scent was real. Taking in this realization, Jun-hu unintentionally blurted out:

“Bro, I need 500,000 won.”

“Why? To buy a lighter?”

“No, just 500,000 won.”

“Are you crazy? Take a taxi. Goodbye.”

“Oh, why! Bro, you have a lot of money!”

“Where do you think my money is, you punk!”

“Bro, you receive a big salary and the highest bonus. I’ll pay you back right away.”

“Damn it, I’m broke too!”

“Oh, bro!”

Thinking he couldn’t miss this opportunity, Jun-hu lost his composure, hugged Mang-ho, and tried to cling to him.

“Ugh!”

In a situation where a man was trying to hug him, Mang-ho instinctively turned Jun-hu’s head away.

“Hey, Im Jun-hu! Im Jun-hu! Oh, damn, this guy fainted. Anyway, he’s so annoying. Where was this guy’s house again?”

However, Mang-ho had to take responsibility for making him faint, so he searched Jun-hu’s body for identification. At that moment, Jun-hu’s phone vibrated and rang.

“What’s this? A message? I heard it’s urgent, Jun-hu. About 500,000… This guy borrows money from anyone. Who’s the sender, Kang Ho-cheol? Who was Kang Ho-cheol again? …Oh, that thug?”

‘Heh heh. When the mafia and a sports player get involved, interesting things tend to happen.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘Figure it out for yourself.’

At Rossby’s intriguing words, Mang-ho pondered, unable to grasp the situation accurately.

“Rossby, you’re so damn curious. Can this guy recognize faces? Is it facial recognition?”

Stimulated by Rossby’s curiosity, Mang-ho unlocked Jun-hu’s phone.