episode_0092

widely!

‘Fuck, is this guy a monster?’

Joo Seung-cheol could tell as soon as he hit Ohtani’s ball. This ball is not something you can hit.

‘Miss it, please!’

A ball that flies high behind the catcher. But unfortunately, the sky did not grant Joo Seung-cheol’s wish.

Wow. A foul ball went into the catcher’s mitt while making a cheerful sound. Choi Joo-tae, who died after hitting the first pitch, and Joo Seung-cheol, who died after hitting the third pitch. Ohtani used only four balls against Korea’s table setter.

[…] Ohtani’s ball looks really good. Joo Seung-cheol lost power.]

[Ah, that’s a shame.]

“Seungcheol, how are you?”

“My hands still feel numb.”

“It looks like it’s still the same.”

Joo Seung-cheol explained what he felt to the next batter, Gi Ki-joo. And when I came to bat, I once again realized what Joo Seung-cheol said.

“Strike~!”

‘Is this really Otani?’

Ohtani’s fastball seems to be rising. Of course, it wasn’t a baseball cartoon and there was no way a real ball would rise. However, because it did not fall below the average pitcher’s pitch, Ohtani’s pitch appeared to be rising to the eyes of meteorologists who were accustomed to other pitchers.

I knew it. What kind of ball does Otani throw? Although he returned to Korea, he had a history of dealing with Ohtani based on the analysis provided by the major league’s analysis team, which is more specialized and systematic than the major league player and Korean national team until last year.

Not only that, but I also played against him a few times with the national team.

But it was an unhittable ball. Ohtani’s credit.

Perfect!

“Foul!”

‘Did you get pushed out? It definitely seems like I hit it at the right time… .’

I adjusted the angle of the bat, deceiving my usual sense of hitting the ball, but the result was a foul. And the ball count is two strikes.

‘Now the splitter will fly.’

Otani’s splitter approaches 90 mph (144.7 km/h). A ball that you can never hit if you time it right with the rising fastball. However, if you aim for a splitter, your ability to respond to other breaking balls is too low. If he missed even one ball, it was certain that he would swing and strike out.

‘So wait? ‘That doesn’t make sense.’

While he was thinking about it, Otani was preparing to throw the ball as if he had already exchanged signs.

“Get in, time!”

But unfortunately, the referee did not grant time.

‘Let’s just aim for the fastball.’

Actually, I didn’t have the confidence to hit that splitter. In the end, the ball I’m aiming for is a fastball, as I discussed with the coaches.

Whoa!

Ki Ki-ju swung the bat at the timing of the fastball. And the feeling of emptiness. Since the bat cut the wind, it was natural that I couldn’t feel anything.

“Swing strike! out!”

The ball passed through the zone faster than the bat. The result of a moment of hesitation. Gyeonggi-ju had no choice but to lower his head.

[Otani! Do they throw balls like this even in March? 161 km/h was recorded on the electronic display. Ohtani strikes out Gigiju with 3 pitches! It’s an enemy, but it’s great pitching!]

[ah… . It’s not good. It was a high fastball that fell high, but Ki-joo Ki couldn’t resist the ball and swung at it. It would have been nice if I had held back. It’s so unfortunate.]

[Shortstop ground ball, catcher foul fly, and missed swing strikeout. This is a pitching worthy of Otani’s name. The game now continues with Japan’s attack in the bottom of the first inning.]

[Ohtani is amazing. However, Korea’s starting pitcher is a pitcher with 95 wins in the major leagues. This is Seonghyeon. Actually, Ohtani once won the MVP, but in terms of pure pitcher ability, Seonghyeon is not far behind, right? Rather, it can be seen as being ahead of the curve. However, one thing that is disappointing is that it took Seonghyeon a little longer to get into form. When you look at your career records, the on-base percentage per inning is quite high, right?]

[Is there any reason?]

[Because he is a pitcher who mainly pitches with control and good command, it can be said that setting the zone in the first inning is a bit difficult, right? If you look at Seonghyeon’s games so far, there were many games where he couldn’t take responsibility for even 5 innings when he collapsed in the first inning. Instead, if you get through just one inning, shutouts are not uncommon.]

[The New York Yankees’ Seonghyun can be seen practicing pitching. I hope to show a good performance from the first episode today. Now, let me quickly explain the defensive position. The battery of Seonghyeon and Lee Yong-gi, and the infield is Koo Jin-mo, Ji Maeng-ho, Choi Joo-tae, and Kim Su-ho from first base. The outfield consists of left fielders, Gi Ki-joo, Joo Seung-cheol, and Lee Jin-hong.]

[hmm. As they are all members of the national team, they are players with good defensive skills. However, rookie Ji Maeng-ho and right fielder Lee Jin-hong look a little uneasy.]

[Is that so?]

[yes. I heard that Ji Maeng-ho is not a very good defensive player. And as many professional baseball fans know, Lee Jin-hong is a large outfielder whose defensive range is not that wide. Instead, my shoulders are quite good.]

[okay. Then isn’t it dangerous? Both Ji Maeng-ho and Lee Jin-hong are located on the right side, but there are also many left-handed hitters in Japan, right?]

[you’re right. I think Seonghyun needs to play as far outward as possible and send the ball to the left.]

“Well, Maengho’s defense isn’t that good.”

“I guess so. however? “Did you say Meng Hao?”

“Oh, since I’m young, it didn’t mean much. grandfather.”

When the Korean national team was competing against Japan, Soyoung was watching a baseball game with her grandfather, Chairman Cheon.

The reason Chairman Cheon took over the AT Thunders was the exciting victory between Korea and Japan at Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium. Therefore, it was natural to watch the Korea-Japan game with Soyoung, who loved baseball the most out of the family.

“saint… . What a waste of a pitcher. A pitcher like that should have come to us… .”

“Iknow, right.”

Chairman Cheon was talking about Seonghyun reflected on the screen, but Soyoung’s eyes were focused on Meng Hao, who could be seen slightly behind the mound.

‘hmm… . The hair style looks a bit like a high school student’s. When I come back to Korea, we should go to the store together.’

Yesterday and tomorrow, I remembered Meng Hao’s face smiling and telling me to see it because he was on a starting pitch. If you just give that face a little bit of hair style… .

Perfect!

Soyoung, who was comfortably watching Seonghyun’s helmet, got up in surprise. This is because Japan’s number one batter, Sosuke Genda, struck like a thunderbolt from the first pitch.

“Meng Haoya!”

And the batted ball flew toward second baseman Ji Maeng-ho. Even Soyoung, who has been playing baseball for nearly 20 years, can’t help but cringe!

And Ji Maeng-ho, who was guarding second base, flew up.

[Genda’s first pitch attack! The hit ball is to the right! Ji Maengho! Catch this batted ball! A defense that is unbelievable for a rookie!]

[and… . Ji Maeng-ho, who was biased toward second base through a shift because he was a right-handed hitter, caught this batted ball. I thought it was a hit that was impossible to miss, but it shows great athleticism. and… .]

[Seonghyeon takes off his hat and says thank you! Korea is off to a good start! Ji Maeng-ho responds with a smile. In fact, after Ji Maeng-ho came home in the game against Australia, his smiling face became a hot topic among fans, right?]

[That’s right. I’m not saying this because he showed good defense, but he looks really good. Look at that smile. Even though he is a rookie, doesn’t he have a smile that comforts his seniors?]

*

‘Fuck, I’m so bad at throwing a ball.’

Is that a major leaguer? If you right-shift to the left, you should throw it toward your body, why are you throwing it outward?

But I couldn’t express these feelings, so I forced a smile and looked at the pitcher.

“One out, one out!”

“It was nice defense. “You’re the youngest!”

“Well, with this much. “Senior, just relax, relax.”

“Yes, yes. “It was the first batter, so my control was a little off.”

‘Try to concentrate from the next batter. Because it’s Otani.’

Pitcher Ohtani was an outstanding player, but I rate hitter Ohtani more highly. Although his batting average was low, he was a player who achieved 40 home runs for two consecutive years in the major leagues. It was clear that the same luck would not be expected against the next batter with such soft control.

‘You speak in a boastful manner, but your hands are shaking?’

‘I’m shaking. ‘I suddenly grabbed it and was shaking in pain.’

In fact, as Rossby said, it was true that my hands were shaking without realizing it because I did something unexpected. This is the weight of the national team… . Senior, fuck you. Have a good throw! Don’t let the ball come to me!

As if he heard my earnest prayer, Seong-hyun’s ball, which is considered to have the best control in the majors against Ohtani, went into the catcher’s mitt.

Paang!

“strike!”

Yes, this is the Seonghyun I know. The ball hits the outside low ball accurately! I feel a little relieved.

‘You tried your best to pretend you weren’t this bastard, but I guess you were nervous?’

‘Mr. Rossby.’

‘… ?’

‘Concentrate, Maw.’

‘… … .’

I couldn’t listen to Rossby’s chatter in this nerve-wracking situation. Rossby must have understood my feelings and didn’t talk to me anymore.

-I’m going to throw a change-up, so defend ground balls a little more.

Following the defensive coach’s instructions, I moved my position from closer to right field to the infield. Seonghyun’s circle changeup ranks first in pitch value in the major leagues. I wish I could finish off Otani with this ball… .

Ta – evil!

Despite that thought, Ohtani’s thunderous swing came out. Fuck, are you going to pass? A ball that looks like it will go over the fence just by hearing the sound! I ran straight to right field.

‘Please don’t fall!’

And my prayers seemed to have worked as I fell after hitting the edge of the 4.24m wall of Tokyo Dome. done!

“Throw the ball!”

However, right fielder Lee Jin-hong fumbled the ball, and Ohtani was already on the verge of reaching second base. Fuck, you’re going to play all the way to third base?

“Stop procrastinating!”

At my urging, Jinhong Lee quickly threw the ball, but Ohtani had already stepped on second base and was running to third base.

‘Fuck! Search… !’

“… “Aaaah!”

After taking two steps, he throws towards third base with all his torque, as if exploding all his strength.

“Ugh.”

It just rolled on the grass. What happened?

-Wow!

I could hear cheers from the audience, but I couldn’t tell who was shouting right now. When I stand up from the ground, I see Ohtani standing at third base.

‘Oh, shit. ‘I missed it.’

‘It was a good attempt. For a guy like you.’

‘Is it three leaves?’

‘okay.’

“ha… .”

Even if Jinhong Lee hadn’t fumbled the ball… . Lee Jin-hong’s expression looked quite dark.

“Nice try! Nice try!”

Joo Seung-cheol, who covered the cover, shouted loudly to cheer up the audience, but there was no way he could cheer up that much. That sucks. Fuck.

“uh? “It’s a criticism (video review)?”

“yes?”

“Oh, I guess you fell and didn’t see it. It was almost the same time. “It was a waste.”

“then… ?”

“It means it could be overturned.”

And the electronic display board began to replay the close game that took place on third base. There is even a scene where third baseman Su-ho Kim catches the ball, slides, and touches Ohtani, who enters third base.

“and… . “It was a really close race.”

A close fight that is difficult to see with the naked eye. And Otani’s sliding is more noticeable than that. Even though he is a pitcher, the sight of Ohtani sliding without hesitation caught my eye.

‘It’s a foolish thing to do. A pitcher must act like a pitcher.’

‘That’s the weight of representing the national team. What do you think, Mr. Rossby?’

‘It’s three leaves. The spikes hit first. Tsk, the throw was too high. If it were me, I would have called him out.’

‘… What should I do about the distance?’

‘Well, it’s something that can’t be helped.’

Rossby spoke firmly, and eventually time passed and the centrifuge was maintained.

-Ooooh!

Korean fans booing the decision.

-Wow!!!!

And Japan’s home fans booed them. This is because it is the home stadium. Hearing the cheers echoing from the dome stadium, I felt overwhelmed.

‘Come to your senses. ‘It’s still episode 1.’

Still 1 time. Rossby is right. It’s still episode 1. But the blow was too big for a first inning. Because one out and a video review were used up on third base.

“now! “I’ll strike out, so don’t be nervous.”

“Let’s just grab two!”

Veteran Seonghyun encouraged the fielders, but his expression also looked dark.

‘It’s difficult to give 1 point from the first episode… .’

A desperate crisis came from the first episode.