episode_0340

– ‘Return of the King’ Ji Maeng-ho, a home run with 4 hits in 4 at-bats in the Futures League!

…Ji Maeng-ho, who had received a 30-game suspension penalty, fine-tuned his hitting skills in the second team. In the game against Sangmu on this day, Ji Maeng-ho recorded 4 hits in 4 at-bats, including 2 home runs and 6 RBIs, proving that there were no issues with his condition.

Thunder’s manager Lee Soo-hyun commented on Ji Maeng-ho’s performance, saying, “Even during his break, we trained together and continuously monitored Ji Maeng-ho’s condition. I will call up Ji Maeng-ho for tomorrow’s game.” Thus, Ji Maeng-ho’s return to the first team was confirmed.

……

– Maeng-ho! It was boring without you, damn it.

– Finally back!!!!!

– Damn, I was losing my voice waiting for you.

– Maengho-shin… I was only waiting for you…

– Ah, damn it, should’ve stomped those bastards before Ji Maeng-ho came.

– Today’s lineup is out!

Baek Jeong-jin – Kim Su-ho – Ki Sang-ju – Ji Maeng-ho – Choi Jin-cheol – Yoon Sung-tae – Han Sang-gyu – Kim Hyun-sung – Jung Hwi-cheol

– Damn, it’s dismal compared to this time last year.

– Hey, where did our hyung go? Damn it, when is he coming back?

– The foreign player is out again due to injury, damn it.

– Our foreign player hitters are either terrible going to the second team or going to the rehab group due to injury.

– Still, Jung Hwi-cheol seems to be doing well these days.

– It’s better than nothing, damn it. Williams was hitting .400, it’s really disappointing.

– Let’s just celebrate like last Children’s Day, damn it.

*

Children’s Day, a day that gives dreams and hopes to children. And on that Children’s Day, the importance of the Children’s Day series held annually at Jamsil Rivalry Stadium was beyond words. Being able to give children who came to watch the game hand in hand with their parents a moment of their lives as a gift.

Moreover, I also have good memories of Children’s Day.

“Last year, I played ddak with Hyejin noona in the locker room, remember?”

Unfortunately, this year there was no such thing. Perhaps because of the return, I was constantly called out to various events and didn’t have time to rest at all. Come to think of it, I felt like Soyoung, who was the operations team leader last year, took good care of me.

“Hey, did you enjoy your break? Huh? You look relaxed.”

“Oh, it’s not like that.”

Thinking about playing ddak with Hyejin noona, I seemed to have failed to control my expression. Well, it wasn’t entirely untrue. During the break, I mostly just had a lot of sex and rested a lot, and Hyuna was back to her usual self.

“So, you’re not nervous or anything?”

“Of course not. I’m Ji Maeng-ho.”

“Yeah, Ji Maeng-ho. Let’s win today and end with a winning streak.”

In the games held on Friday and Saturday, our record was 1 win and 1 loss. Winning today’s game was crucial as it could secure the Winning Series. Moreover, apart from the Winning Series, the team’s current record was 14 wins, 16 losses, and 1 tie, making it a tough situation that required a turnaround in morale.

The reason our team is in 5th place is undoubtedly due to the weak bullpen. To solve this problem, there was no one else but me. If the bullpen ignites, the offense just needs to score more runs.

Unlike the pitchers who kept the fire burning, the current lineup was relatively decent. Kim Su-ho, Ki Sang-ju, and Choi Jin-cheol were performing well as veterans, and Yoon Sung-tae and Baek Jeong-jin were showing performances similar to last year. Although it was a bit disappointing that Han Sang-gyu, who came out as a designated hitter instead of Gwak Hyeong, was not in top form, all nine players couldn’t perform well anyway.

Furthermore, filling the void left by Don Williams, who was hitting .400 right before getting injured, Jung Hwi-cheol was hitting .300 and covering well. So, if I joined this lineup, I could cover something like that arson.

“Hyung, congratulations on your return

Actually, Jeong Hwichul wasn’t someone I paid much attention to. Just a draft pick who came in as a relief pitcher, right? But when we talked during spring camp, I found out he had been benched throughout high school and only started playing in his third year, so I felt a bit sorry for him.

I heard that Soyeong, who came to watch me in the finals, picked this guy, and since Soyeong has a good eye for talent, watching him train showed that he had some potential. He seems better at defense than Juyeop, who left the team.

If I hadn’t met Mr. Rosby, would I have turned out like this guy? No, even though he played a few games in his third year, I bet if I had Ki Cheol not given him a chance until the end, he might have ended up like Kang Hocheol, unable to even make it as a relief pitcher.

“Damn, thinking about it pisses me off.”

“Hyung? You don’t look happy. Should I bring you a drink or something?”

This kid catches on quickly. Is it because he’s a relief pitcher? Or did he become more observant from sitting on the bench in high school? Either way, he was diligent and polite, making me somewhat concerned.

“Compared to Junhu, he’s quite respectful… Indeed, he’s a junior after all.”

“Never mind. Get lost.”

Well, despite my concerns, our styles didn’t really match, so I sent him away. He was diligent, but not the type I wanted to get close to. If he had been like Junhu, I would have pampered him. By the way, Junhu’s mental state shattered, and he was still recuperating in the second team.

A man breaking down over such things. I couldn’t understand it. After all, men are supposed to rule over women with their… well, you know. When he returns, I might have to educate him more about women from scratch.

“Alright, gather around, everyone.”

While pondering various thoughts, Coach Lee Soohyun entered the locker room and called the players together.

“No need for long speeches for today’s game, right? Go out there and win.”

“Yes!”

“Invincible!”

“AT!”

The coach’s locker room meeting ended quickly and decisively. Everyone gathered here knew what they needed to do. Today’s game required no lengthy discussions; it was simply about winning.

“Alright, we’ve crushed Hancheol’s kids.”

*

[Hello! The excitement of the Winning Series between Hancheol Grizzlies and AT Thunders at Jamsil Stadium, how will it be delivered to the children of both teams? The final game of the Children’s Day series will unfold on Children’s Day. The away team, Hancheol Grizzlies, will start the 1st inning.]

[Both teams nicely split 1 win and 1 loss between Friday and Saturday, right? But today, neither team will want to lose. Of course, every game out of the 144 is important, but today’s game is particularly crucial, isn’t it?]

[That’s right. There’s a special feeling to Children’s Day. I still vividly remember coming to the baseball stadium holding my father’s hand on Children’s Day. Now, let me introduce the lineup for Hancheol Grizzlies. Leadoff batter Kim Dongjin, 2nd batter Kim Junghyun, 3rd batter Ju Seungcheol, 4th batter Thompson, 5th batter…]

[Hancheol Grizzlies. They experienced a rough start to the season due to the departure of starting catcher Lee Yongki through free agency, but they seem to be bouncing back now, right?]

[And at the core of this resurgence is this batter. From ‘Son of a Hero’ to a new hero. That’s Ju Seungcheol.]

[In 31 games, Ju Seungcheol boasts a batting average of .444, 7 home runs, and 28 RBIs, leading in several categories and spearheading Hancheol’s revival.]

[So, today’s game is even more anticipated, right? It’s the return match for that player.]

[Yes. After serving a 30-game suspension due to a controversy surrounding physical assault at the beginning of the season, athlete Ji Maeng-ho made his comeback today on Children’s Day.]

[Last season, like a comet debuting, Ji Maeng-ho achieved an impressive batting average of .413 with 60 home runs and 58 stolen bases, excluding hits, securing seven batting titles. And today, he returns!]

[Having dominated the KBA league last year, the king of KBA, Ji Maeng-ho, is expected to showcase an intriguing performance this season.]

[The battle between KBA’s king, Ji Maeng-ho, and the son of a hero turning into a hero himself, Ju Seung-cheol! Even young fans are anticipated. Now, let me explain the defensive positions of AT. Pitcher Bellingham and catcher Kim Hyun-sung form the battery. Infielders include Choi Jin-cheol, Ji Maeng-ho, Yoon Sung-tae, Kim Soo-ho. The infield that dominated the KBA league last year has come together as a complete unit just a month into the season. And the outfield, led by Gisang-ju, Jung Hwi-cheol, and Baek Jeong-jin, is guarding the outfield of Jamsil Field.]

A Children’s Day game with ten thousand spectators. Besides the uniqueness of Children’s Day, this game was drawing considerable attention from many baseball fans, mainly due to the showdown between Ju Seung-cheol and Ji Maeng-ho.

In last year’s playoffs, the fiery clash of bat skills between the two players ignited the hearts of baseball fans. Since Ju Seung-cheol hit a home run and taunted during the playoffs against AT Thunder, a rivalry-like relationship has formed.

While Ji Maeng-ho’s fans, who had witnessed his overwhelming performance over the year, were puzzled about comparing him to Ju Seung-cheol, for other fans, the relationship between the two players seemed quite appealing.

Similar in age, key players of rival teams using the same home stadium, renowned for their good looks within the league, effortlessly achieving 30-30 with their natural physical abilities—their styles were elements ripe for comparison. Furthermore, their contrasting life stories also captured the attention of baseball fans.

Born as the son of national hero Ju Hyeong-jin, Ju Seung-cheol skyrocketed to fame as a top promising player since middle school, while Ji Maeng-ho faced hardships after losing his parents in high school, eventually proving himself through skill.

Although incomparable based solely on their yearly performances, in April, Ju Seung-cheol’s performance reminiscent of Ji Maeng-ho’s exploits from the previous year sparked a rivalry dubbed ‘Juji Showdown’ among fans, igniting excitement within the baseball community.

And now, the first encounter of the season between these two players has come to fruition.

[One out, situation! Kim Jung-hyun hits a single and heads out. Now, stepping up to the plate is the hot-hitting third batter, Ju Seung-cheol. …Ju Seung-cheol swings! This hit is far! High! Over the fence! It’s gone! Bellingham drops his head! 2-0! Ju Seung-cheol scores in the bottom of the first inning! From the son of a hero to a hero in his own right! Ju Seung-cheol delivers a big gift to his young fans!]

In this manner, Ju Seung-cheol, as if telling the fans that he is Ji Maeng-ho’s rival, confidently hit a home run to take the lead, leaving the AT fielders frozen in place the moment the ball met the bat.

“Darn, why is he performing like that? Is he on some kind of performance-enhancing drugs right now? His stats are unbelievable. Ugh… Do I have to step up again?”

And Ju Seung-cheol’s home run began to stir up Maeng-ho’s competitive spirit, which had been dormant during a month-long break from games.