episode_0279

“Alright, Taiwan and Japan have advanced from Group B. Be cautious as underestimating them could lead to a surprise blow. That concludes the player analysis. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

With the head coach’s words, silence lingered in the analysis room.

“…Alright, guys. Manage your condition, prepare for the game tomorrow. Dismissed.”

“Dismissed!”

And so, the meeting ended just before the start of the Super Round.

The Super Round pitted our team, which had advanced from Group A, against Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan, who had advanced from Group B. As the group stage records were replaced by the preliminary round records, both us and Taiwan entered the round with one win each. The top two teams would advance to the finals, while the bottom two would compete in the bronze medal match.

“So, achieving three wins means a gold medal.”

The national team’s gold medal. There were exemptions involved, but aside from that, winning the gold medal was a strong desire. Representing the country had been a childhood dream, and although it seemed like that dream had been realized when I joined the national team during the WBC, there was one regret.

That was the runner-up title. While second place was commendable, missing out on first place by a small margin left a significant sense of loss. Fortunately, this time around, there seemed to be no such possibility. Knowing this, not just me but all the other players seemed quite relaxed.

“Well, it’ll be nice to face some decent opponents after a long time.”

“True. I felt like my skills were declining as I kept playing against amateur-level guys until now.”

“Mengho kept saying it’s been boring, but this time should be good. Right, Mengho?”

“Me? Well, I guess so. It feels like it’s been a while since I tasted defeat. Until now, I haven’t even experienced the taste of losing, honestly.”

“Haha, that’s true.”

In Japan, they mentioned that corporate baseball players were coming, but the level of corporate baseball in Japan was equivalent to semi-professional baseball in Korea—where individuals failed to turn pro or aimed for professional careers through the draft system, making it comparable to the KBA’s second division.

While Taiwan’s level was lower, they had a professional league, and there were even former Major Leaguers or current Major Leaguers among their ranks. For this tournament, Taiwan was aiming for the gold medal, fielding two pitchers who had tasted the waters of the Major Leagues and constructing their team with domestic professionals. In preparation for the upcoming 2024 LA Olympics, which could potentially be the last baseball Olympics, they had assembled their national team with elite players. Especially in the group stage, Major Leaguer Chen Jianhao’s pitching had helped defeat Japan.

In essence, they were at a level where they could compete with us to some extent. Of course, we were expected to outperform them.

And the first game was against Taiwan. Having defeated Japan in the group stage, Taiwan announced that they would start Yu Weiming, a pitcher who had played in the Major Leagues and was the second starter for the Taiwanese national team. It seemed like they were saving their ace for the finals.

“Yu Weiming… I wonder what level he’s at.”

A decent pitcher we hadn’t faced in a while. My heart began to beat a little faster.

[Super Round 1st Match, Korea vs. Taiwan. It’s about to begin. Which aspects should we focus on, commentators?]

“I think we should definitely watch the starting pitchers’ duel between both teams. As it’s a matchup between Chae Jaehyun, the left-handed ace of the Volcanoes, and Yu Weiming, who rotated in the Major Leagues until two years ago, it’s likely to be an intense pitching battle.”

“If we anticipate an intense pitching battle, wouldn’t we have the upper hand with our stronger hitters?”

[Yes, that’s right. In fact, it won’t be easy for the Taiwanese batters to target Player Chae Jae-hyun. However, Korean batters are different. When Major League scouts evaluate the KBA League, they consider it a league where AA-grade players and AAAA-grade players are mixed. But among them, these two players can definitely be seen as Major League caliber players, namely center fielder Ju Seung-cheol and second baseman Ji Maeng-ho. Especially Ji Maeng-ho is considered a player who could immediately make an All-Star level impact even if he were to go to the Major Leagues.]

[Indeed, Ji Maeng-ho will once again be crucial in this game. With a record of .413 batting average, 60 home runs, and 58 stolen bases in the 2023 KBA League regular season, he has set remarkable records, so his performance in the Asian Games is expected to be outstanding as well.]

[That’s right. Having recorded 7 hits out of 8 at-bats with 6 home runs in three games, he is unmatched in the Asian Games. Even though Yu Weiming is from the Major Leagues, it won’t be easy for him against Ji Maeng-ho, right?]

[Exactly. Now, Taiwan’s first inning attack begins. Let me announce the lineup. Leadoff hitter… Now, let me introduce Korea’s defensive lineup. Pitcher Chae Jae-hyun and catcher Lee Yong-gi form the battery, first baseman Choi Si-woo, second baseman Ji Maeng-ho…]

“Still, the group stage ending should make the game more interesting.”

Baseball officials were eagerly watching the matchup between Major League veteran Yu Weiming and Chae Jae-hyun, also known as “Post Seong-hyun,” in the starting pitchers’ duel of the Super Round’s first game.

“[Will Yu Weiming be able to stop Ji Maeng-ho?]”

“[Hmm, I doubt it. While Yu Weiming has pitched about 30 innings in the Big Leagues this season, if Ji Maeng-ho’s skill level is as real as we perceive, it will be difficult for Yu Weiming to contain him.]”

Among them were Far East scouts from the Major Leagues. With the professional leagues in Japan and Korea over, the only place where baseball games were being played was the Asian Games, so it was natural for Major League scouts to be present.

“[I wanted to see Chen Jianhao and Ji Maeng-ho compete. But it seems like even active Major Leaguers are performing well in this tournament.]”

“[Well, the Rangers didn’t exercise the option anyway. Oh well.]”

“[Hmm, is that so?]”

“[How would I know about Texas’s situation.]”

“[True. So, what do you think of Korea’s starting pitcher? He’s called Post Seong-hyun in Korea. With his level, he might perform well for 5 to 6 years, don’t you think?]”

“[He’s good. But even Seong-hyun, who was considered a top talent in Korea, hasn’t completed a full-time season for more than 6 seasons. Asian pitchers have weak endurance. That’s probably why we didn’t renew the contract with Seong-hyun. He doesn’t have a robust physique either, so it might not be easy.]”

“[Seong-hyun is reportedly returning to Korea after this season… Asian pitchers are a bit like that, right? Haha.]”

“[Still, Seong-hyun should have lasted long.]”

The two scouts watching the Asian Games were part of the scouting teams from the LA Dodgers who initially signed Seong-hyun. After enjoying some success with the signing of Joo Hyung-jin in 2003, the Dodgers had since shown significant interest in the Asian region,

“[That makes sense, right?]”

“[Yeah, so we just need to focus on those two players. Ju Seung-cheol and Ji Maeng-ho.]”

Their targets this time were Ju Seung-cheol, the son of Joo Hyung-jin who had performed well for the Dodgers, and the currently hot player in the baseball scene, Ji Maeng-ho.

“[While the KBA may be a lower-level league, hitting .400 in the pro league speaks volumes and translates well even in the big leagues.]”

“[That’s right. Hey, boss, aren’t there scouts from other teams over there too?]”

“[Well, it’s only natural. People are so interested in Ji Maeng-ho for a reason.]”

As the head of the Dajers Far East Scout Team mentioned, Ji Maeng-ho was currently attracting quite a bit of attention in the baseball world. With a batting average of .400 recorded for the first time in the pro league since 2000 and a record of hitting 60 home runs at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, which is considered one of the largest stadiums in the world.

Moreover, with minor leaguers who had gone to the KBA returning to the major leagues and performing well, the status of the KBA had risen significantly compared to before.

In such a situation where a remarkable record of .400 emerged, it was only natural for Major League teams to show interest in Ji Maeng-ho.

“[Oh, finally, the first inning is over. Now we can see some Korean batters, right?]”

“[Yeah, let’s start preparing too.]”

As the two conversed, South Korea’s starting pitcher Chae Jae-hyun managed to strike out Taiwan’s batters in three consecutive attempts, ending Taiwan’s offensive in the first inning.

“[Personally, I hope we can acquire player Ju Seung-cheol.]”

“[Huh? Why?]”

“[He has decent physicality, plays as a five-tool outfielder, and he’s also Ju Hyeong-jin’s son. I was a fan of Ju Hyeong-jin when I was young.]”

“[Well, Ju Hyeong-jin was an attractive player indeed. He even led the team in RBIs from an Asian player and excelled in walks.]”

“[Besides, there’s a feeling that Ji Maeng-ho might be expensive.]”

“[Our team isn’t short on money, why are you worried about that?]”

“[This is a fan’s opinion. There are quite a few players earning high salaries and underperforming.]”

“[That’s true.]”

Even as they spoke, the two carefully observed Yu Weiming’s pitching. When Taiwan’s starting pitcher, Yu Weiming, struck out the first and second Korean batters, Ju Seung-cheol, one of their targets, stepped up to bat.

“[How has Yu Weiming been performing in the Major Leagues this season?]”

“[He has pitched 31 innings with a 3.81 ERA. 19 strikeouts and 15 walks. He probably recorded a 2-point-something ERA while moving around in the minors, right?]”

Yu Weiming was a typical AAAA-level player. He performed decently in the minors but couldn’t quite make it in the Major Leagues.

“[I wonder how Ju Seung-cheol will face Yu Weiming… I’m looking forward to it.]”

As Major League scouts watched attentively, Yu Weiming threw his first pitch in the early 150s.

“Strike!”

The first pitch was a strike. Ju Seung-cheol nodded as if he realized something. And the game continued.

Thunk!

On the fifth pitch, Ju Seung-cheol’s bat connected with Yu Weiming’s pitch, sending the ball between the second baseman and shortstop, allowing Ju Seung-cheol to reach first base.

“[Indeed, is he Ju Hyeong-jin’s son… You know the saying in the East, right? A tiger doesn’t give birth to a dog.]”

“[It’s common for a good baseball player to produce another good baseball player.]”

“[That’s right. Like Griffey Jr., for example. Well, there are many cases. Oh, Ji Maeng-ho, that guy’s expression looks promising, doesn’t it?]”

“[That’s what makes me rate Ji Maeng-ho highly. Unlike most Asian players who tend to be humble and not assertive, Ji Maeng-ho always exudes confidence. Even his interviews are aggressive. If he comes to the Major Leagues, I’m not sure about his performance, but it’ll definitely be interesting.]”

“[If a player without skills does that, it’s embarrassing, but…]”

Swish – Crack!

While discussing Ji Maeng-ho, Ji Maeng-ho hit Yu Weiming’s first pitch. The sound of the ball being hit seemed to echo through the stands. And as Yu Weiming chased after the ball, his head soon dropped to the ground.

“[A player with the skills of Ji Maeng-ho doing that, he’s definitely a star, right?]”

“[Yeah, his talent is truly genuine,]”

“[Six years until posting? That’s impressive….]”

“According to rumors, if I reduce my posting frequency, I might meet you in the big leagues even sooner.”

That’s how South Korea began leading the game with Ji Maeng-ho’s towering home run in the first inning.