episode_0195

“cheek.”

Fuck, this shit again.

“Senior, let’s keep it clean. Clean.”

“What are you talking about? I’m doing it cleanly. “If anyone sees it, they’ll think you’re throwing a threatening ball.”

I was anticipating this kind of future after suffering a three-way strike in the bottom of the first inning. A situation where a good ball doesn’t come to me when first base is empty.

“Base on balls!”

“yes yes.”

But even so, it still hurt to walk like this without even being able to swing the bat. While I was heartbroken, the first base coach put his hand on my shoulder.

“Meng Hao.”

“yes?”

“Do you know?”

“What?”

“One more stolen base and it’s 20-20.”

“20-20?”

“okay. You now have 19 stolen bases. If you do it now, there is also a minimum game record. Well, at least there are still a lot of game records left.”

Minimum game 20-20 club… ! The youngest record was a record that could not be achieved due to repeated grades, but the minimum game of 20-20 is a different story. The irritated mind disappears at once.

‘I can’t stand records.’

If I had hit it, I might not have been able to get on base, but it would be rude to refuse if I were given the opportunity to set a record like this.

‘hey.’

‘yes. ‘Why are you calling me suddenly?’

‘Would you like me to tell you how to prevent pitchers from skipping it?’

‘Suddenly? But if there is such a thing, I will tell you in advance.’

‘It’s a method I couldn’t do.’

‘Is there a way that Mr. Rossby couldn’t do it?’

‘okay.’

‘What is it?’

‘I’m going to run all the way to home. Even if you can’t, at least get to third base. ‘To the point where I thought it would be better to just give him a double.’

… ! Listening to Rossby’s words, I felt like my head was clearing. If you skip me, you can create a situation that is at least like hitting a triple.

‘Yes, ten birds. Keep filtering. ‘I’ll get you to third base!’

And with Rossby, it was possible to steal a base in any situation.

‘Of course, stealing bases isn’t necessarily a good thing. There is a risk of injury and it takes a lot of stamina. However, if such an image is planted, it will not be easy to filter it out.’

Rossby was right. What matters is the image. In fact, my batting average, which was well over .400 in April, was falling in May. The same goes for OPS. However, image is very important, as I did not receive a good ball in this situation because I already had the image that filtering was beneficial.

My current number of stolen bases is 19, and I have missed 1. I was also first in stolen bases, but my image is that of a home run hitter. Therefore, even though I take the risk of stealing bases, the opposing teams let me get on base. However, it was clear that if I created the perception that my feet were sufficiently threatening, situations like this would decrease.

Moreover, the opposing catchers are Baek Kyung-ho and Benjamin, veteran catchers of the UG Overlords. Baek Kyung-ho was a player who was exceptional at stopping stolen bases. Even during meetings, people were telling us to be careful. Moreover, as a left-handed pitcher, Benjamin was good at keeping in check. If I turn off this battery here… !

‘It’s a fastball grip. ‘Be careful of checks.’

“Safe!”

Benjamin looks satisfied as he watches me scan the floor. The reason for that facial expression was obvious.

‘It probably means that you don’t like the fact that they let me get on base for free. Anyway, the pitchers… .’

But it was better that way. The look on the face of those arrogant pitchers looking despairing or lowering their heads after getting hit was an incredible pleasure. Just like when you fuck a arrogant bitch. I was looking for an opportunity like that, and the opportunity came in a one-strike, one-ball situation.

‘It’s a curve.’

As soon as Benjamin got the grip, he ran to second base.

“First base! “First base!”

UG’s first baseman, Koo Jin-mo, can be heard shouting urgently. The lead width has been widened, so we are already halfway there.

‘Benjamin threw to first base!’

I want to see what’s going on, but if I turn my head away, I’ll get caught… ! UG’s second baseman was seen taking a stance in front of the second base and spreading his gloves. And then I slid between those spread legs.

The feel of the hard dirt floor and the bounce of dirt on my face. And after I feel the base touching my hand, I feel the glove touching my back.

“Safe!”

“yes!”

After getting up from the base, I shook the dirt off my uniform. It was quite thrilling to see Benjamin, the opposing pitcher, staring at me.

‘But what happened?’

I should have looked at my feet and ran, but I got a little excited and ended up running prematurely. It was a mistake made out of my desire to distort Benjamin’s expression, so I wanted to understand the situation properly and see how I was able to live on second base.

‘I think he was saved because it took him a while to change his grip? He threw it urgently. So the checks went astray.’

‘It’s a shame that no mistakes were made. Tsk, I hope this breaks the balance.’

Most pitchers were not so quick to check. The most important thing when pitching is balance. However, the fact that I threw the ball so urgently meant that UG’s battery was also aware of my stolen base.

‘Be conscious of the 100 days. ‘Can you stop my feet?’

In any case, the battle against the battery was a battle that was unconditionally won. All you have to do is grip the breaking ball.

Now second base. Normally, he would have stopped at second base and told Choi Jin-cheol the pitch type. Stealing bases was more important now. Well, UG’s sign security was so tight that there was no excuse.

‘Are you going to play third base too?’

‘yes.’

No mistakes this time. My mistake upset Benjamin even more, but getting kicked out would have been a disaster.

‘I won’t let you miss it again.’

*

[Ji Maeng-ho! I got caught! ah! Benjamin’s throw goes high! Koo Jin-mo catches a high throw! Throw to second base! At second base! Three leaves!!!!]

[Wow, Ji Maeng-ho. It’s really fast.]

[Ji Maeng-ho, who ranks first in stolen bases, succeeds in stealing once again! And with this stolen base, he successfully joined the 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases club. And this record was achieved in 44 games, 24 games ahead of the previous 68 games!]

[In addition, the debut season is 20-20. Joo Seung-cheol also achieved 30-30 in his first season of debut, but looking at Ji Maeng-ho’s current momentum, he is not only at 30-30 but also 40-40. Furthermore, we are poised to achieve 50-50, an unprecedented situation in world history. He is a truly great player.]

[In addition, the success rate of stealing bases is also off the charts. 20 stolen bases, 1 miss. Stealing success rate 95%! He is truly an incredible player.]

[In modern baseball, the importance of stolen bases is decreasing. Isn’t it true that if you don’t have a 75% success rate, stealing bases is a loss? In addition, there is a tendency for players to rarely steal bases due to low stamina and the risk of injury, but personally, I hope Ji Maeng-ho continues to steal bases. As a baseball player, I want to see great records.]

The moment the caster and commentator were praising Ji Maeng-ho, the caster was surprised and spoke again.

[Uh, Ji Maeng-ho’s lead is quite long again this time, right?]

A long lead width that cannot be considered a normal lead width. Although Ji Maeng-ho was a player who often stole third base, his opponent was UG veteran Baek Kyung-ho. A catcher who boasts two Golden Glove awards and defensive prowess. Moreover, even though he was in his mid-30s, he boasted a fast pop time (time for the catcher’s throw to reach second base), so everyone watching the game thought that stealing third base was impossible.

[Surely, I’ll run again this time?]

At a time when people’s suspicious eyes were on Ji Maeng-ho, Benjamin’s third ball was thrown to Choi Jin-cheol. And Ji Maeng-ho started running once again.

[I jump! I jump! Ji Maeng-ho had perfect timing! Baek Kyung-ho throws the ball! At third base… !]

As Ji Maeng-ho slid, dust rose up on the floor. And after the dust cleared, what was visible was Ji Maeng-ho with his hand on the third base and the third baseman putting his glove on Ji Maeng-ho.

[What is the result?]

And the referee opened his hands wide.

[Three leaves! It’s three leaves! Ji Maeng-ho succeeds in stealing base once again! This is the 21st stolen base of the season!]

[and. It’s a speed that will leave you amazed. Has there ever been a player in Korea with this kind of athletic ability? and… . What is this player?]

[Benjamin covers his mouth with his glove and screams.]

[I’m angry. Of course, I can’t help but be angry. After putting a batter on base with a walk, he allowed consecutive stolen bases. Any pitcher is bound to be annoyed.]

[Has there ever been a 4th hitter who runs like this?]

[well? I don’t remember it? Of course, in the case of Shilla Triggers, there were times when fast and accurate hitters appeared as the number 4 hitter, but like Ji Maeng-ho, he had strength and speed. There was no player who could perform both perfectly.]

[Perhaps we are now witnessing the birth of a new type of fourth hitter.]

[Furthermore, what is scary about this player is that his intelligence is extremely high.]

[What is it like?]

[I just stole base on the curve timing? If you think about it in relation to Ji Maeng-ho’s batting style, it seems like the pitcher knew what pitch to throw and played at the right time to throw a breaking ball. Strength, speed, and even intelligence. great.]

-It’s so fucking scary that the number 4 hitter runs like that haha.

ㄴWhen that bastard runs around, I wonder what kind of dump truck it is lol.

ㄴㄹㅇ The athletic ability is true of post-Asian.

-Ji Maeng-ho… I was once called the evil eye in high school… It felt like I was holding a real pitcher in the palm of my hand.

I think I’ve seen that article too. I think it was a special article on high school baseball last year…

No, that’s right. Even back then, I said that pitchers seemed to know what kind of pitches they were throwing, but that still remains the case now that I’m a pro.

ㄴIt certainly seems like he has a good mind. Seeing that he is so good at fighting with numbers.

Even if I had studied harder, I would have succeeded. Players like Ji Maeng-ho…

ㄴㄴㄴIt’s true that people who look down on people who exercise are stupid, but when you look at kids these days, it’s not like that anymore haha Now, I think smart people are good at sports too.

-Wow, but what should I do if the number 4 hitter runs like that? If it’s number 4, shouldn’t you be prepared to walk and make the game as difficult as possible?

What should I do? I’m screwed.

ㄴㄴㄹㅇㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I’m glad they’re on our team. Give the scouter who hired that bastard a raise in salary.

No kid? Is Ji Maeng-ho your friend?

[Benjamin continues to keep third base in check.]

Benjamin’s ball continued to head toward third base, perhaps because he was angry at having allowed consecutive stolen bases.

[Are you venting your anger? In fact, there are not many situations where a solo home steal comes up. Benjamin needs to stop showing off his anger unnecessarily and start competing with the batter. Choi Jin-cheol, who is standing at bat, is definitely not an easy hitter who can catch and pay attention to runners.]

As the commentator said, Choi Jin-cheol was not a batter who could be dealt with with such a soft attitude… ,

[Benjamin’s fourth ball is… !]

Ta – evil!

Choi Jin-cheol, who had been smiling confidently even before the game started, exploded in the bottom of the second inning.

[Now 3:2! AT Thunders trail by one point in the bottom of the second inning! Jinhong Jeong smiles brightly! Choi Jin-cheol’s 16th home run of the season! AT Thunders have completely transformed into a heavy artillery corps!!]

[Benjamin, too much attention was focused on Ji Maeng-ho. To face a hitter as good as Choi Jin-cheol, you had to be completely focused on the hitter. From UG’s perspective, it was unfortunate.]

The match between substitute starter Jeong Jin-hong and foreign pitcher Benjamin was becoming very intense.