episode_0097

‘Does that kid have a strange look in his eyes?’

‘Hey, what does that mean to a good brother who buys you coffee?’

‘No, that kid had a strange look in his eyes when he brought up the topic of medicine.’

is it? I didn’t feel it at all… .

‘Then why don’t you look into it?’

‘What is the investigation?’

Listening to Rossby’s words, something felt uncomfortable. However, nothing really changed just because Joo Seung-cheol took drugs.

To begin with, I am playing baseball in a dishonest way, and that’s just the extent of it.

‘It would actually be more fun that way.’

‘What’s so funny?’

‘Honestly, the level of KBA is low. Mr. Rossby. Do you know what it is called a pacemaker? Leading the way in a marathon. Well, it’s not a bad thing to have such a being.’

In fact, Joo Seung-cheol did not fit well as a pacemaker because his achievements over the past two years were enormous.

However, that was when Ji Maeng-ho did not debut in the KBA. If he could get along with me by taking medicine or anything else, I would be satisfied with that. After facing Ohtani, the Korean pitchers I had faced so far seemed boring.

‘Well, if you are, that’s probably it.’

‘Tsk. Even if I take medicine, I hope I don’t get sick.’

‘What’s going on? ‘You worry about other people.’

‘Still, we became close friends while representing the national team, but it’s pitiful. Joo Hyung-jin, he seems like a good person too.’

Moreover, if you get caught during the WBC period, there is no significant loss. If things continue like this, the opponent in the semifinals will be Japan, and it would be impossible to face Japan without a heavy hitter like Joo Seung-cheol. It was certain that the United States, with its Space Defense squad, would come up on the other side, and I wanted to get a taste of the major league by beating Japan.

And in order to defeat Japan… .

‘Let’s stop talking about this and go to training. ‘If I can hit Ohtani’s ball, it will be easy for other players as well.’

It is important to train now. As I find new training methods, I need to grow further. Although I still didn’t know if I would be able to go on a business trip.

Well, the last game is in China, so it will be easy even without me.

*

“What are you doing! now!”

“… … … … … .”

Chinese language echoing loudly, and Park Cheol-young lying on first base. What is this situation now? I couldn’t believe what I saw with my own eyes, and I couldn’t speak because I was dumbfounded rather than angry.

Although injuries such as hamstrings are fate for a player like Park Cheol-young who sprints to first base, this was not the case.

“What kind of bastard blocks first base and plays defense! Is this baseball? “Fuck you, you bastards!”

The director’s fiery voice echoes throughout the ground. The Japanese referees tried to stop coach Lee Geum-hyun, but it didn’t seem easy to stop Lee Geum-hyun, who was already so angry.

“Cheolyoung hyung… . Would it be okay?”

Even though I was a competitor, I felt like I would be angry at the injury of my colleague who treated me well.

“Fortunately, I avoided major contact… .”

The accident occurred in the top of the 6th inning when the lead was 12:0. The first baseman was blocking the first base with his legs, and Park Cheol-young, who was running to first base after hitting an infield ground ball, twisted his steps to avoid the legs.

Fortunately, there was no major contact, so it didn’t seem like any bones were broken, but when I landed, I could see my ankle turning even from the dugout. I knew this because I also exercised. That’s enough… .

‘… At least two weeks.’

In two weeks, the WBC will end. Even if the injury is not as severe as expected and he returns, the expected return is around the semifinals… . Park Cheol-young’s WBC practically ended here. I said something similar when I was talking to Soyoung before, but of course it was a joke.

Neither Soyoung nor I sincerely wanted Park Cheolyoung to get injured. However, I felt guilty that Park Cheol-young was injured because I had such a conversation with So-young.

“Meng Hao. “Get ready.”

“What about welcome senior?”

“We should leave at least one major defender. Ju-tae and Su-ho could get hurt, looking at the Chinese bastards’ behavior.”

“… yes.”

Head coach Lee Jang-hoon approached and spoke in a low voice. As I was about to pack my base-running gloves, the head coach came up to me and put his arm around me.

“Meng Hao. I know you are feeling complicated right now. Because Cheolyoung was injured. … But this is your chance.”

“What is that… ?”

“When I was a player, I was also a candidate in the early days. However, in my fifth year, I was able to seize the opportunity due to an injury to the starting player. It’s Meng Hao. Opportunity comes to everyone. But the person who can seize that opportunity is the one who has prepared. “Are you ready?”

“… “We were always ready.”

I couldn’t bring my emotions into the stadium. I spoke confidently to the head coach and put on a base-running glove. And when he left the dugout, he saw Park Cheol-young coming out with support.

“Senior, are you okay?”

“Ugh, I was a little broken, but it was worth it. … request. “It’s Meng Hao.”

“All right.”

As I entered first base, the first base coach grabbed my shoulder and said,

“be careful. These bastards are unusual. Stay as still as possible and be careful of the spikes. “Let’s quickly finish the cold game and go back.”

“All right.”

The commotion calms down and the game begins again. The next batter is No. 1 batter Choi Joo-tae. There are two out counts available. And the Chinese player threw the ball again.

puck!

An unpleasant sound, completely different from the sound of hitting a mitt.

-Oooooh!

-What are you doing!

Choi Joo-tae twisted his body, but was unable to avoid the ball flying at his back.

“Ha, I’m not fucking kidding.”

Choi Joo-tae seemed to be filled with anger, but he held back and started walking to first base.

“Be patient, Meng Hao. If you are ejected here, there is only one infielder left. “That’s why Joo-tae is holding back.”

It seemed to the first base coach that his fists were clenched. The coach is right. Choi Joo-tae, the person who was hit by the ball, is holding back for the sake of the team, so I shouldn’t step forward.

‘You suck, you ten birds.’

Fortunately, there are now two runners, so one big hit is 15 points. And if China’s attack is prevented in the bottom of the 6th inning, it is a cold game requirement. Here, we have no choice but to trust the next batter, Joo Seung-cheol… .

Joo Seung-cheol comes to the plate. China also didn’t want to suffer the humiliation of a cold game, so they started throwing the ball to Joo Seung-cheol properly.

‘Seungcheol, you can do it, right?’

Joo Seung-cheol’s eyes from second base looked quite cold. I feel like even I will be frozen by those cold eyes. And the pitcher’s fourth ball flew toward Joo Seung-cheol’s body.

Ta – evil!

‘also! Joo Seung-cheol!’

And as I expected, Joo Seung-cheol was not a player who would miss a Chinese pitcher’s fastball around 140.

As I was waiting for the home run call sign from the umpire, Joo Seung-cheol, who had completed the lead by 15 points, slowly walked in. Two home runs today alone.

‘Okay, what does it matter if you take medicine? The team just needs to win.’

The medicine wasn’t certain either.

“Seungcheol hyung. “Good multi-home run.”

“Wouldn’t it be okay if a pitcher like that couldn’t shake it off?”

Joo Seung-cheol’s bright smile. That laughter made me laugh too.

“Just do as you say! how is it?”

“You hit me a bit too. Well, not as much as me.”

*

-[WBC] Joo Seung-cheol’s multi-home run performance! The Korean national team defeated China 15:0!

-[WBC] Now in the quarterfinals. Who will face Korea?

-[WBC] Taiwan, ranked first in Group A, faces Korea!

-[WBC] New victory for Korea and Taiwan! 3:0! Now it’s the semifinals!

-[WBC] Ji Maeng-ho, the youngest member of the national team! Saved the national team with 2 hits in 4 at-bats, 1 home run, and 3 RBIs!

-[WBC] The Korean national team leaves for Miami and faces Japan in the semifinals!

-[WBC] Japan’s selection for the semifinals is Darvish. What was the result of saving Otani?

“hmm… . As expected, the response has been good.”

“As expected, Mr. Governor. “The topicality is overwhelming.”

“Now all we have to do is defeat Japan… .”

The president of the KBA smiled heartily at the national team’s successive victories. Although they lost to Japan, the national team advanced to the semifinals and public opinion improved.

Due to incidents that occurred in the KBA League, the popularity of the KBA League was gradually decreasing. Then, the national competition WBC was held. Thanks to the appearance of all the major league stars, the public’s expectations grew, and the national team lived up to those expectations and showed good results.

‘After all, there must be superstars.’

Kang Han-beom, who receives overwhelming support in Busan, and Seong-hyun, the people’s hero. In addition to the pairing of the two superstars, current major leaguers Choi Joo-tae and Jung Woo-sung were also very popular. And Joo Seung-cheol, the son of national hero Joo Hyung-jin, also added to the topic with his handsome appearance and overwhelming skills.

In addition, Jang Woo-joo, who performed well by throwing 161 km/h in an international competition once, and Ji Maeng-ho, who has been playing well since taking over the starting position after Park Cheol-young’s injury.

In particular, Ji Maeng-ho’s handsome appearance and the fighting spirit he showed in the sliding game against Australia also became a hot topic.

‘Tsk, it’s a shame there wasn’t a lot of focus on Jang Woo-joo, but I guess I’ll be satisfied with this.’

Even in the WBC, Jang Woo-joo received some attention by throwing a ball at 161 km/h, although he was far outside the strike zone, but it felt a bit overshadowed by the fact that the photo of Ji Maeng-ho in the article was so good.

“Now it would be nice if we just do well in the game against Japan.”

“It must be difficult in Japan, right? As long as you win… .”

The renaissance period of Korean baseball. It was not unreasonable to return to the glory of 2008.

“That’s a good thing. “Ohtani is taking a break from the semifinals to prepare for the finals.”

The semifinal against Japan is on March 20th. And the day the finals were scheduled was March 22nd. Since Ohtani could not pitch again in two days, Japan chose to save the ace Ohtani. Darvish is also a good pitcher who won 14 games in the major leagues last year, but he was not as good as Ohtani.

In a way, I let my guard down. The Korean national team must catch that guard down.

*

“Sseuup, is it because it’s been a while since you came to America? “I’m tired.”

I was even more tired because there was no place to meet women there. I wanted to feel the charm of the American girls whom Rossby praised so thinly and worn out, but I had no free time at all. Fuck!

“Oh, have you been to America?”

“yes. “When I was with the youth national team.”

At that time, I met Rossby, and my dark life changed. Well, it was now Miami, not St. Louis. Anyway, although I was in the US for about 3 days, I was a little tired due to the time difference.

“Hyung, how are you? “Is your ankle okay?”

“It’s impossible to be a runner, but I think you can stand at bat.”

Fortunately, Park Cheol-young’s injury was not that serious. I would have felt dizzy if my ligaments had been injured, but it was just a sprain.

“Hey, do well and win the game against Japan. “I think I can make it to the finals.”

“Hey, if I do well and win, I’ll have to go to the finals. “I have no conscience.”

“You don’t have a conscience. Ugh. Anyway, do well today. Send me to the finals.”

“I’ll try my best… .”

Even if Ohtani did not appear, Japan’s starting pitcher would have been burdensome.

“Even if Darvish is old, it will still be tough.”

“Brother Joo-tae said there was nothing special?”

That’s what I said, but there was no way there was nothing special. He was a pitcher who threw a variety of breaking balls, including a four-seamer with an average speed of 95.2 miles per hour (153 km/h), a two-seamer, a cutter, a slider, a splitter, a changeup, and a curveball.

‘As expected, Choi Joo-tae’s expression looks dark.’

Choi Joo-tae’s expression, when Darvish said there was nothing special, was slightly stiff.

‘Okay, let’s do our best first.’