episode_0378

In baseball, there’s a saying that it takes a month to catch up in three games. However, even though it has been almost a month since my return, there were no signs of catching up to Volcano.

Certainly, considering how we’ve risen quite high from our previous standings in the lower ranks, the momentum of Volcano was formidable. As evidence, last year’s WBC team failed to produce any national representatives, while this year they produced the most national representatives.

Looking at the current standings, Volcano was in first place with 40 wins, 1 tie, and 25 losses, leading with a winning percentage of 0.615. Meanwhile, we were trailing in second place with 40 wins, 2 ties, and 26 losses, with a winning percentage of 0.606. Below us, Hanchul, Silla, Charlotte, and Future were forming the mid-tier with win rates exceeding 50%, while UG, JT, Hyunseong, and NV were struggling in the lower ranks with win rates between 30% and 40%.

“Hmm, looking at it this way, it’s disappointing that we only managed 1 win, 1 tie, and 1 loss against Volcano. We should have stepped up in those matchups.”

In that regard, today’s game against JT was crucial. Well, one might think any game is important, but for a lower-ranked team like JT, who couldn’t narrow the gap against Volcano in the matchups, securing a winning series was essential.

“What are you so seriously looking at on your phone? You’re not looking at pictures of girls again, are you?”

While staring at his phone, Baek Jeong-jin, who was sitting next to me, unexpectedly struck up a conversation. He seemed like he had just woken up, judging by his tired appearance.

“…I was looking at the standings. The standings!”

“Oh yeah? What’s gotten into you? Checking the standings on the bus.”

“Just took a look at the baseball news while the Olympic roster was out.”

“Is that so? Well, congratulations on the national team selection.”

“If you work hard, you could make it to the national team too.”

“Me? I’m barely holding onto my starting position. If Senior Gwanhyung returns tomorrow, we’ll be competing again. And if Williams joins us soon… sigh.”

“Darn, shouldn’t have said anything.”

I tried to offer some encouraging words but ended up hearing complaints. Well, I had a feeling why Baek Jeong-jin was worried.

Our outfield was arguably overstocked. Although Kim Juyeop, who held a spot last year, left through free agency, we still had plenty of outfielders. Gisangju, firmly established in left field, was a given. Additionally, players like Jung Huicheol, who played as the main center fielder, and Lee Inhyuk and Han Sanggyu, who came in as pinch hitters or runners from the bench, were always ready to compete for starting positions.

Moreover, Baek Jeong-jin was a player acquired through a trade, while other players were pure-blooded athletes who debuted in AT, which could subtly influence the team dynamics.

“Considering the coach’s personality, he might not do that, but players could have many concerns. Hmm…”

Furthermore, the starting outfielders from AT were not the end of it. Williams, whom I sent down to the minors, despite his questionable character, was a skilled player. Moreover, since I provided him with physical therapy, he probably wouldn’t cause trouble, so if he returns, he would undoubtedly secure a spot.

And then there was Wookwanhyung. After recovering from an injury and making adjustments in the minors, Wookwanhyung was set to return in the second game of this series on Saturday. Even Baek Jeong-jin, who currently plays as the starting right fielder, must have had many worries.

Well, regardless of that, listening to grown men whine wasn’t my cup of tea, so I quietly turned on YouTube.

“Oh, a new upload.”

“…So, I was thinking, maybe I should try bulking up… Hey. Hey. I’m talking here, and you’re on your phone again.”

“Jung Jin-ah. Let’s keep it down.”

“Yes. Sorry.”

In a quiet voice, even though the murmuring sound echoed inside the bus, a sharp disapproval from the seniors seated right behind came down like a sword. After a few minutes of silence, the bus arrived in Suwon.

“So, Maengho. What do you think? About bulking up?”

“Hah, this guy is still at it.”

However, Baek Jeong-jin’s persistence did not cease. Even while unloading luggage from the bus, he stuck to me and kept throwing questions.

“Why not ask the coach?”

“To be honest, saying this feels a bit off, but although the coach is good at what he does, he’s somewhat… um, not exactly great at teaching hitting techniques.”

“…That’s true. Honestly, that guy’s hitting skills…”

At Baek Jeong-jin’s subtle insult towards Lee Ki-cheol, I almost blurted out, “You don’t even know hitting techniques,” but managed to hold back just in time.

“Huh?”

“…He’s good, but there’s a bit of an old-school vibe, right?”

“Exactly. Honestly, you’re the best hitter in our country. Isn’t that right? If you’re going to seek advice, might as well get it from the best.”

Up until now, I hadn’t realized, but Baek Jeong-jin had a pretty good eye for things. Especially, bypassing Lee Ki-cheol and seeking advice from me. Moreover, asking such things from a younger junior like me couldn’t have been easy, so it seemed okay to listen to what he had to say.

“But why are you hesitating? Isn’t bulking up a good idea?”

“To be honest, Jamsil is so spacious, right? Even if I bulk up, I’d barely hit over 10 in Jamsil. It seemed better to gain recognition for my value in defense or base running plays.”

“How old are you?”

“Me? I’m twenty-seven now.”

“Twenty-seven? It’s not too late to bulk up. Actually, there’s no such thing as being too late. Just do it. Hyung. I gained about 10kg this season, but honestly, my reaction speed slowed down, which doesn’t make sense. Muscles grew, but why does my body feel sluggish? If you get faster, you’ve gotten faster.”

“Still, things like agility…”

“Ah, you’re not an infielder, hyung. Just track the ball and catch it. And I play second base too.”

“…Hmm, is that so?”

“And honestly, your base running skills are lacking, hyung.”

“Huh?”

“If you can’t even steal double-digit bases in a season, what’s the point? Base running is beneficial without unnecessary fuss. What’s all this talk about base running plays. Just do some exercise.”

“…Got it. But how do you work out?”

If I continued explaining here, it would somehow become bothersome. At that moment, Hwi-cheol appeared before me.

“You should do it with a trainer. It varies for each person. Oh, Hwi-cheol probably comes two hours early to work out? Hey! Hwi-cheol!”

“Yes! Hyung! You called?”

“Do you still come out early to work out?”

“Yes, since you mentioned it back then… Hyung, how do I look? Seems like I’m gaining muscle these days, right? I might even hit a home run soon.”

As Hwi-cheol approached in response to my call, he began posing like a bodybuilder in front of me. Of course, it wasn’t as embarrassing as when a guy does that, so I waved him off and intervened before speaking.

“Not interested. In the future, Jin-i hyung also wants to work out together.”

“Oh? Me?”

“Oh, would you like to work out with the seniors? That would be nice. I usually come out about two hours earlier than regular working hours.”

“…That early?”

Baek Jeong-jin pondered. I decided to alleviate his dilemma a bit.

“Hyung. Do you realize you might fall behind Hwi-cheol? He’s exceptional in center field, and even looking at him, his contact ability ranks top on the team.”

I intended to whisper this to Hwi-cheol, but I couldn’t bring myself to get close to the guy’s face, so I just spoke my mind right there. And upon hearing my words, both of them stiffened their expressions. Despite appearing friendly during conversations, fundamentally, they were competitors vying for the same spot.

“What, even if Williams and Manager Kwanhyung return, Junjin senior will still take priority. I’m a rookie, so…”

Hwichul scratched the back of his head awkwardly, but his consciousness was evident.

“Well, anyway, let’s both work hard together. Honestly, it doesn’t seem like Kwanhyung senior, who played for Jita last year, will play outfield. Williams would probably return by July. Do you know? By then, will Hyung surpass Williams?”

“Right. We should work hard. Hwichul, let’s train together from now on.”

“Yes. It’s nice to have someone to work out with. Honestly, I feel a bit bored just training alone.”

If Woogwanhyung and Williams were to return, there would be one spot left in the outfield. While Williams could play center field, it was only at an adequate level, leaving a possibility of an open position. And the remaining outfielders, Lee Inhyuk and Han Sangkyu, were not capable of playing center field. In other words, it meant that two people would compete for one position. Who would ultimately secure the center field position?

“Let’s unpack and see.”

“Yes.”

Although it wasn’t certain who would become the starting center fielder, seeing the two determined to work hard after hearing my advice made me feel good. If these two stepped up their game based on my guidance, I felt optimistic about AT’s future even after I left.

Perhaps because they were never starters to begin with, they seemed to perk up upon hearing that they needed to compete.

“Hmm, this is a positive influence.”

The title of Clubhouse Leader probably suited me well, right? Even outside the stadium, dedicating myself to the team like this fit perfectly with being called a Clubhouse Leader.

“When will Jinchul senior be captain until? I want to try being captain once before going to the majors…”

And was it all thanks to spreading such a positive influence?

– Wow!!

– Hwichul! Well done!

– Kyaaa! Jung Hwichul!!

– Baek Junjin! Baek Junjin! Baek Junjin!

– Junjin! Good job!

In today’s game against JT, Jung Hwichul recorded 2 hits and 1 walk in 4 at-bats, while Baek Junjin shined with 3 hits in 4 at-bats, comfortably leading the team to victory in their first game against JT.

And…

“We finally lost, these rascals.”

“Coach! Did you see? The Volcanoes lost.”

“Well then…”

“Hey, we’re finally in first place. Those guys were getting too cocky.”

“Alright, alright. Looks like we’re top for the day. Don’t forget we’re the defending champions, okay? Let’s sweep this series and head back to Jamsil as first place.”

“Yes!”

“Got it!”

As the Volcanoes suffered a defeat in the game, finally, cracks appeared in the seemingly impregnable fortress of their first-place standing.