episode_0086

“Oh, Cheolyeong has grown a lot. Are you already a regular on the national team?”

“Ah, just me, Jutae hyung?”

“Well, I still have a long way to go if I want to follow in your footsteps.”

“How can I follow you? Hey, Hwanyeong. Do you know Jutae hyung?”

“Oh, hello! Senior Choi Jutae! I’m Kim Hwanyeong!”

“Yeah, I’ve seen some games of Shilla too. You got a Gold Glove, right? I was worried when I left, but thankfully, things turned out well. Let’s grab a drink after the schedule is over. Deal?”

Choi Jutae is also from Shilla? He seems friendly with Shilla players… In fact, among Koreans who have entered the Major Leagues, only three can be considered successful hitters: Ju Hyung-jin, Kang Han-beom, and the one right in front of me now, Choi Jutae.

‘Kim Sang-ju and Choi Jin-cheol were just mediocre.’

In a way, he was a failure who couldn’t make it in the Majors. Many Korean hitters knocked on the doors of the Majors, but only three succeeded. And among them, Choi Jutae was the only one to succeed as an infielder.

‘Kang Han-beom is a first baseman too, a powerhouse.’

“Hey, isn’t first base an easy position in the infield? Just catching balls.”

“Tsk tsk. You still have a long way to go. You’re like a baby monkey. Don’t you even know that being a first baseman requires more than just throwing the ball?”

“Hey, didn’t Rosby play second base? If it’s so great, why didn’t he play first base?”

“….”

No way… Is he just saying that to tease me? Surely not, right?

“…Ahem. The baby monkey catches on quickly.”

“…Let’s refrain from cursing.”

I almost cursed. Damn.

“Oh, hyung. Do you know him? The youngest member of the national team, Ji Maeng-ho.”

At that moment, Park Cheolyeong called out to me.

“Oh, you’re Ji Maeng-ho? I read about you in the news. Handsome guy. Are you also with SY? I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Oh, yes. Nice to meet you, senior.”

“Yeah, nice to meet you.”

Is this the aura emanating from an active big leaguer…? Just words spoken, yet exuding the presence of a master.

“What are you saying? Not at all.”

Ignoring Rosby’s words, I asked Choi Jutae the question that intrigued me the most.

“Um, senior. You’re playing for the Angels, right?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Then you must know Ohtani well, right?”

“Ohtani? I do. We’re both Asian, so we get along. I’ve received a lot of help from him.”

Ohtani Sohei. A monster who won the MLB MVP while playing both as a hitter and a pitcher. If a character like him appeared in a baseball novel or manga, it would be criticized as unrealistic.

He used to play for the LA Angels alongside Choi Jutae. Judging by what Choi Jutae was saying, it seemed like he was close with Ohtani.

“Incredible, damn it. Those who can’t do anything properly manage to do two things at once. Damn it. If that bastard Ruth hadn’t caused trouble…!”

Seeing Rosby explode with inferiority complex like this, it seemed clear how difficult it is to play both pitching and hitting.

“What about Ohtani? I’m curious.”

“Wow, aren’t you curious about me? I am a regular in the Majors, after all.”

“Hyung, this kid is a bit eccentric. Please understand.”

“Eccentric?”

“Then is that interview eccentric too? Actually, I recognized you from the first time I saw you.”

“Yes, of course. But more importantly, what about Ohtani…?”

“Ohtani? He’s certainly impressive. But he’s just like us… not quite. Physically, he’s definitely not at the level of other Asians. Um… you might be more similar to him.”

“Me?”

To think that I look similar to Ohtani, heh heh. Choi Jutae, you’ve got an eye for these things.

“But he’s still human. Eats, trains. He’s impressive, but he’s not some kind of monster.”

“Well, Ohtani can’t hit .300, but Jutae senior can, right?”

Kim Hwanyeong, I thought he was quiet, but he’s quite straightforward. U

“Haha, really? But like Mickey and Otani, they’re crazy players. You can feel the wall just by watching them.”

Mickey, is he a Trout? Being able to see such players in this WBC… I quickly started thinking about wanting to go to the Major Leagues.

“But before that, I have to make my pro debut first.”

“Why? Are you excited just by seeing those players?”

“Yes. Honestly, they are amazing.”

“And me?”

“Mr. Rosby? Mr. Rosby is well… Even though he’s an impressive gentleman when you look at his records, being from a hundred years ago, it doesn’t feel real. Unless it’s someone like Ruth or Ted Williams, I don’t think they’re that great. How about Ty Cobb? The only Major Leaguers I know from a hundred years ago were them.”

Now, I’ve met quite a few pitchers through training with Rosby.

Anyway, unlike those players who don’t feel real, Otani and Trout were monsters currently writing their own legends.

“So, are you envious?”

“Yes.”

“Heh, don’t envy them. Let them make you feel like those bastards are nothing. You just need to focus on your training.”

“Oh…!”

As expected of Rosby. He’s reliable. Listening to Rosby’s words, I can naturally envision a future where I stand shoulder to shoulder with those players.

“And work hard at sex for my sake.”

…If only it weren’t for this aspect, it would be really great.

“Heh, the guy obsessed with sex sure talks well.”

…Not even leaving room for a response with comments like this.

Anyway, it’s just about a week until departure now. Seeing active Major Leaguers like Seonghyun, who defeated KBA and left, and Jungwoosung, who debuted in the Majors and secured a spot in the starting rotation, made it start to feel real that the WBC was approaching.

-WBC National Team Departure Today! Gold Medal Preparation Complete!

(OSEX Park OO Reporter)

The South Korean baseball national team participating in the 2023 World Baseball Classic departed for Japan on March 3rd. The team will conduct final training in Okinawa and play unofficial practice games against Japanese professional teams before moving to Tokyo two days before the game on March 7th. The South Korean national team is scheduled to play their first game against Australia on March 9th (Thursday) at 12:00.

The roster of 28 players includes three active Major Leaguers:

Catchers: Lee Yong-gi (Han Cheol Grizzlies), Park Jung-hyun (Hyunseong Madcats)

Infielders: Gu Jin-mo (UG Overlozes), Kang Han-beom (Charlotte Blue Mariners), Park Cheol-young, Kim Hwan-young (both Shilla Triggers), Kim Soo-ho, Ji Maeng-ho (both AT Thunders), Choi Joo-tae (LAA)

Outfielders: Lee Jin-hong (Future Buffaloes), Kim Jung-hyun, Ju Seung-chul (both Han Cheol Grizzlies), Ki Sang-joo (AT Thunders), Yang Ji-hyuk (Hyunseong Madcats), Lee Eun-chong (Shilla Triggers)

Pitchers: Seong Hyun (NYY), Jung Woo-sung (PIT), Kim Sung-gyeol, Kim Woo-joon (both UG Overlozes), Choi Jung-hoon, Kwon Yul, Go Young-hwan (all Hyunseong Madcats), Park Jung-seop (JT Gold Eyes), Ryu Tae-hyun (Shilla Triggers), Lee Jin-sik, Jang Woo-joo (both Future Buffaloes), Kim Si-hyun (NV Lex).

The national team roster consists of two catchers, seven infielders, six outfielders, seven right-handed pitchers, and five left-handed pitchers. The team with the most representatives is the 2021 champion Hyunseong Madcats (5 players), followed by Shilla Triggers (4 players). The reigning champions, UG Overlozes, have Gu Jin-mo, Kim Sung-gyeol, and Kim Woo-joon representing the national team.

Unfortunately, the Volcano Falcons, who achieved the dishonorable record of consecutive 10th place finishes in 2021 and 2022, did not have any players named to the national team roster.

The 2023 WBC national team is considered one of the strongest in history. In particular, attention is focused on Kang Han-beom, who has returned to the KBA league, and Choi Joo-tae, who is making a big impact in the Major Leagues, leading the batting lineup.

Seonghyun, pitching for the Yankees, and Jeong Woosung, pitching for Pittsburgh, are expected to solidly hold the mound.

While some questioned the reasons behind Ji Maeng-ho and Jang Woo-joo being selected for the national team, doubts lessened as the two players demonstrated impressive performances during spring camps with their respective teams. Particularly, there are high expectations for Jang Woo-joo, who can throw a fastball close to 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).

However, some experts anticipate a challenging path ahead for the national team. The reigning champions, the United States and Japan, have assembled their national teams with top-tier members, posing significant obstacles to victory.

In particular, the inclusion of last year’s American League MVP, Jersey (NYY), and National League MVP, Goldschmidt (STL), in the U.S. national team has garnered considerable attention. Additionally, superstars like Trout, Betts, and Harper further intensify the competition, leading experts to believe that securing victory will be tough.

Similarly, the Japanese national team has attracted attention with Major Leaguers such as Ohtani (LAA), the 2021 American League MVP, along with Darvish (SDP), Seiya (CHC), Tsutsugo (PIT), and Kikuchi (TOR), who ranked second in the 2020 National League Cy Young Award.

National team coach Lee Geum-hyun stated, “I want to recreate the glory of 2008 and usher in a new era of Korean baseball.” With his declaration, he boarded a flight to Japan, aiming to replicate Korea’s success at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, sparking widespread anticipation.

-What about the U.S. national team? Aren’t they just minor leaguers or retirees?

-Seems like they’re pulling out all the stops with the superstars.

-Why all of a sudden this year?

-Major League popularity is declining, so they’re trying to attract attention.

-If the U.S. national team looks impressive, I’ll be amazed!

-Sure thing.

-Sure thing.

-There are no exemptions for this tournament, right? It’s ridiculous how they get military exemption for playing sports, damn it.

-Exactly, it’s not the 80s anymore.

-It’s those healthy guys who avoid military service, while the useless ones end up serving. What a messed up country.

-Probably not, the public opinion is really negative.

-The roster is fierce, haha.

-Japan is also fierce, haha.

-You’re a traitor to your country.

-He said he was confident, but he might get beaten by Japan and come back crawling, haha.

-Wow! Ohtani! Wow! Jersey! Wow! Trout!

-The roster is insane, haha.

-This is crazy, haha.

-We also have Choi Jutae, Seonghyun.

-We should compare before complaining, damn it.

-Do you think there’s hope for the Korean national team?

-Realistically, even reaching the quarterfinals will be tough.

-Well, still good for you guys. You can support the U.S. team, I guess.

-Are you a traitor by any chance?

-Haha, even in lower leagues, you can’t beat the top league. ETR is exceptional.

-That’s a valid point.

-Agreed.

-I’m already excited thinking about Jersey’s swing ball…

-Will the dark aura of Gae Ra-woot affect the U.S. national team too… Looking forward to it. Haha.

-Did you see the national team roster? The maknaes look cute, cheering for Ju Seung-chul, Jang Woo-joo, Ji Maeng-ho >