episode_0284

Thwack—!

This time, it’s for real. The hit was fast, and the ball disappeared into the distance in an instant. A perfect home run that no one could deny.

“What the hell is this bastard trying to pull off?”

Moreover, as I stepped up to the plate, seeing the frozen expression on the pitcher who was trying to pull something off doubled my satisfaction.

“Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho!”

And the cheers of the spectators resounded.

“Darn, is this it? How dare you throw a changeup so arrogantly? And inside too?”

Surely he must have analyzed it, but to throw such a pitch, even if he hit me, he missed. I slowly rounded the bases, observing the frozen expression of the pitcher.

“Well done, Maeng-ho.”

“Coach, I’m Ji Maeng-ho.”

After exchanging high-fives with the third base coach, I stepped on home plate and looked around the stands. Most Korean fans were standing, chanting my name.

“Yeah, this is it.”

“What’s with the home run?”

“Hyung, it’s me, Ji Maeng-ho.”

“I know, kid. Let’s get in.”

“Okay.”

As I entered the dugout with Ju Seung-cheol, the most intense celebration of this Asian Games engulfed me.

“Ouch! Damn! My back! My back!”

“Kid, endure this much at least!”

After the intense congratulations from my teammates ended, Jang Woo-joo, who was icing his shoulder, approached me.

“Wow, hyung, did you hit a home run to secure the victory in the final match? You’re truly the best.”

“Kid, am I the only one? Do I have to spoon-feed everything to this guy?”

“…Are we talking about baseball here?”

Is this a two-run lead?

“Hey, don’t ignore me.”

With this margin, considering the remaining pitchers, we could easily win. In my opinion, apart from Jang Woo-joo’s speed, the other pitchers on the national team were much better.

“Hey!”

“Kid! Calling me ‘hey,’ seriously. These days, these young punks have no respect.”

Thud!

Just as I was about to teach Jang Woo-joo some respect for his seniors, Yi Yong-gi’s hit broke out. And Chen Jianhao arguing with the coach on the mound.

“Come to think of it, didn’t they mention during the power analysis session that he had a weakness in stamina?”

The reason for the coach’s appearance was too obvious. Starting from Ju Seung-cheol, the march of hit-home run-hit ultimately led to the decision made in Taiwan’s dugout. And eventually, Chen Jianhao, shedding tears, came down from the mound.

“The kid, earlier he was smirking confidently, now he looks pleased.”

And instead of Chen Jianhao, it was Yu Weiming who came up to the mound, the starter from three days ago when we faced off. He had thrown many pitches as a starter in that game, and now he was on the mound.

“Why is that guy coming in?”

“Wow, they’re completely changing the player.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be a two-day break before coming out? He threw over a hundred last time, right?”

“Anyway, this isn’t 80s baseball. These Taiwanese guys are pushing it too far.”

With Yu Weiming’s appearance, the players started to murmur. Operating the pitcher in a way that went against the common sense of modern baseball.

“Well, in this situation, I might have gone in too.”

At that moment, Cha Jae-hyun, who had started in the Taiwan game, muttered. Other pitchers nodded in agreement with his muttering.

“Well, he’s representing the country.”

“And it’s the finals. Even I would have gone in.”

Dedication to the nation. Yu Weiming sacrificing himself for the country. Somehow, I empathized with that sentiment and felt a bit emotional. I’ve experienced such emotions in the WBC as well.

Although I’ve achieved many records in the KBA, if I were to pick the greatest moments of my baseball career, hitting my first home run in the WBC and defeating Japan would be among them. The fact that I represent the country has a touching aspect to it.

“Well, it’s a bit pitiful.”

Knowing it’s unreasonable, but if it weren’t for me…

When the sympathetic public opinion began to form for Yu Weiming, who had stepped up to the mound to dedicate himself to the country, the pitching coach spoke up.

“Well, you guys have to step up. Military exemption is on the line.”

With those words, the players who had pitied Yu Weiming started to burn with passion once again.

“Xiuyah! If you hesitate, I’ll kill you!”

“Let’s finish it completely here!”

“Hey! Isn’t that kid who pitched two days ago unable to hit?”

Voices louder than when I hit a home run.

“Choi Siu! If you can’t even hit this, swim back to Korea!”

I added my voice to the mix.

“…Even speaking informally to Siu-hyung…”

“Stop messing around and start cheering too.”

Of course, there might be ways to target other Taiwanese pitchers after Yu Weiming stepped down, but it was natural that in this heated situation where Yu Weiming had staked his career, there were no players entertaining such casual thoughts.

“Choi Siu, fighting!”

Did they hear our voices?

Crack!

A cheerful hitting sound pierced through the cheers in the stadium. The Taiwanese center fielder dove after that hit, but his glove sliced through the air.

“Run!”

“Yong-gi! Yong-gi!”

Yong-gi sprinted towards home plate. The right fielder from Taiwan made the play and threw the ball to the second baseman. Yong-gi was positioned between third base and home plate. His speed had noticeably decreased compared to when he started from first base, and his labored breathing was visible even from the dugout.

“Please, please!”

“You piglet! Run faster!”

As the second baseman’s throw landed in the catcher’s mitt, Yong-gi slid into home plate.

“Safe!”

-Wow!!!

-Yong-gi! Yong-gi! Yong-gi!

“Yong-gi, you’re awesome!”

“Nice, one more point added!”

“That’s it!”

With Yong-gi’s additional point, the dugout erupted once again, showering Yong-gi, who had scored the additional point, with intense praise.

“Ah!”

“Yong-gi, your speed is almost like a cheetah’s!”

“Wow, this is the dignity of a captain!”

“Alright, stop hitting them now that we know. And the guy who called someone a piglet earlier, apologize quickly.”

“Seungcheol.”

While Ju Seungcheol was being tormented by Yong-gi, Kim Jin-beom, the 7th batter, walked with a base on balls, continuing the chance. However, as Yu Weiming struck out the 8th batter, our 6th inning attack ended with 3 points scored.

“Alright! With 3 points, we can definitely win, right? Let’s stay calm and make no mistakes!”

“Let’s go!”

“South Korea, fighting!”

In the 7th inning, Kim Won-ho took the mound for South Korea. Won-ho effectively shut down Taiwan’s batters with good pitches. Then, in the bottom of the 7th inning, it seemed like Yu Weiming was aiming to tidy up with one out count as a new pitcher took the mound for Taiwan. The 9th batter, Choi Jae-hyun, hit a double with a swing.

Subsequently, Kim Dong-jin hit a sacrifice fly, sending Choi Jae-hyun to third base, and Kim Hwan-young hit a single, bringing in the runner from third. This was followed by Ju Seungcheol’s home run. In an instant, the score became 6-0, and a new pitcher replaced me at the plate.

“Judging by the state, quite amateurish, right?”

Perhaps due to having just seen Chen Jianhao’s pitches, the new Taiwanese pitcher’s pitches were quite amateurish.

Crack!

I lightly passed that pitch, extending the lead to 7 points. After breaking the spirits of Taiwan thereafter, we could proudly wear the gold medal with the final score of 9-1.

“Shall we bite the gold medal and take a picture? Come on, Kimchi!”

And tasting the gold medal for the first time was quite exhilarating.

-[AG] Baseball National Team Victory! Dominant Win 9-1!

The game proceeded fiercely. South Korea’s starting pitcher, Jang Woo-joo, displayed brave pitching against the Major Leaguer Chen Jianhao, while Taiwan’s starting pitcher, Chen Jianhao, countered South Korea’s batters with seasoned pitching. However, the balance of the tight match was broken in the bottom of the 6th inning. With two outs, Ju Seung-chul reached base, and Ji Maeng-ho, who had hit a double in his previous at-bat, stepped up to the plate. Ji Maeng-ho lifted Chen Jianhao’s changeup over the fence, turning it into a game-winning home run.

Champions!!!!!!!!

Man, I was so nervous until the 5th inning, damn it.

Major leaguers are definitely major leaguers.

Wow, Ji Maeng-ho is insane, hitting two home runs today again.

-[AG] What does a gold medal taste like?

South Korea’s national baseball team is savoring the gold medal.

Haha, they look so happy.

Ji Maeng-ho looks good…

Is only Maeng-ho visible in the picture? Is that normal?

-[AG] Military exemption broker Ji Maeng-ho? Batting average of 0.833, 11 home runs. Conquered Asia!

Meanwhile, in this Asian Games, Ji Maeng-ho proved why he is currently the hottest hitter in Asia by recording 15 hits, including 11 home runs, and 19 RBIs in 18 at-bats.

Damn, those stats are crazy. Is he even human?

Even if he goes to the majors, he might not achieve these stats. This guy is just a hitting machine haha

He’s not just a hitting machine; the Taiwanese pitcher is a major leaguer too.

If he goes to the major leagues, Chen Jianhao will be outmatched.

Damn, he’s dominating even after playing social baseball.

Oh, the Japanese fans are here. Congrats on the bronze haha

-Maeng-ho’s records are insane hahaha

The commentary mentioned that a Major League scout came. Isn’t Maeng-ho going to the majors then? That’s awesome.

Does he look like he’s going to the majors?

Yeah, did he destroy the Major Leaguer today?

– Seriously, with Maeng-ho’s performance, will he make it in the majors? Considering he’s hitting off Chen Jianhao today, it seems possible, right?

Honestly, he might make it.

Chen Jianhao is a washout.

But this guy struggles against slow pitches, which is surprising, I don’t get it.

Despite that, he has a good record against Jang Woo-joo, even against foreign players.

Maeng-ho excels at hitting slow pitches; that’s why he looks good, even against fastballs haha

I watched baseball today, and Maeng-ho player looked really cool!

I’ve also fallen for him recently~

Me too! I saw him at Jamsil last time; he signs autographs well, and his smile is charming!

He earns money well; if only he wasn’t married, I’d go for him haha

Our daughter is also head over heels for Maeng-ho player these days haha

– But it seems messed up now

Why?

Isn’t Maeng-ho struggling to adapt to fall baseball while flirting?

Even KBA considers Maeng-ho flirting

Haha, that’s hilarious.

[This hit! Center fielder catches it! Game over! Han Cheol Grizzlies defeat Shilla Triggers as Han Cheol advances to the playoffs!]

[Han Cheol Grizzlies secure their first win, once again climbing as the 4th place team.]

[Han Cheol vs. AT rivalry at Jamsil! Unfolds in the playoffs! Caster…]

“In the end, Han Cheol won.”

I turned off the TV and grabbed my bat. Watching fall baseball always warmed my heart, making me want to cool down with some batting practice.

“Maeng-ho, swing by later?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, let’s work hard and win for sure.”

“Sis, just trust me.”

Only two days remained until the playoffs, my first postseason in life was just around the corner.