episode_0292

Second base, first and third bases occupied. A single hit would tie the game. Just like yesterday’s match where they scored with a home run from the first inning, only to be overtaken in the next inning, I felt strongly that today’s game wouldn’t be easy. However, even so, knowing that such chances didn’t come easily, I cleared my mind of any stray thoughts and focused on the batter’s box.

The pitcher was Park Hee-min, the fifth starter for Hancheol. He had come up as a new pitcher from the second inning onwards. And this guy was also one of the pitchers who had played together in the Asian Games.

“A left-handed pitcher with a mid-140s fastball. His curveball isn’t much, but his early-130s slider is effective, and he has used a forkball and a curve before, right? Well, since he won’t throw a curve, let’s ignore that…”

“The first pitch is a slider.”

“Indeed, a slider? Okay.”

Due to the nature of the slider thrown by the left-handed pitcher, even if it was a backdoor slider, it generally broke towards my body side, making it almost impossible to hit the strike zone inside. Therefore, I decided to take the first pitch and waited for his ball.

“Ball.”

As expected, the first pitch was a ball. As the slider turned into a wild pitch, Yoo Yong-gi struggled to catch the ball. I signaled the runner on third base to hold and assessed Yoo Yong-gi’s condition. Though his expression didn’t show it, judging by his momentum, it felt like Yoo Yong-gi was approaching the game as cautiously as possible. There was some room on the bases, probably considering a walk, right?

“Fastball.”

“You think he’ll give us a good pitch?”

“I’m not sure.”

While waiting for his fastball, the ball headed towards first base, not where I was positioned.

“Safe!”

A pickoff towards a stationary runner. Following that, two more pickoff attempts came, and the second pitch thrown to me was called a ball.

“He’s almost decided to avoid swinging at this point, right? The next batter is Choi Jin-cheol, with one out remaining. Still nervous. It’s not an intentional walk, so if the situation arises, I’ll have to play… ”

Quickly assessing the situation, I resolved to create a situation where I had to play.

“Let’s go until two strikes.”

Although I had done it a few times during the season, Yoo Yong-gi was a quick-witted catcher, so I needed to avoid letting him catch on as much as possible. If he knew I wanted to play, he would filter me out immediately.

“Forkball.”

“Okay.”

Even in the selection of the forkball, there was a determination not to give an easy pitch. And as the forkball flew towards me, dropping towards the ankle area, I swung big and missed.

“Strike!”

“Ah! Damn it!”

“I hope the swearing wasn’t too obvious.”

Glancing around for a reaction, it seemed like he hadn’t caught on. Breathing a sigh of relief, this time I swung big and missed at an outside pitch.

“Strike!”

“Darn, can’t make contact!”

“Phew, refreshing. Trying to knock someone out like that?”

“Ugh, seriously!”

Now the count was two strikes and two balls. What choice would the battery make here? Would they go straight for the win or try once more? Holding my breath, I waited for his pitch.

“Forkball.”

“Another forkball?”

Although it had been two consecutive forkballs, trying to force a hit here could result in a strikeout unless something unexpected happened, so I decided to wait.

“Ball.”

And Park Hee-min’s pitch was a ground ball.

“To throw such a forkball from third base. He must trust Yoo Yong-gi. Come to think of it, didn’t Yong-gi say he’d be a free agent next season? Sorry for Jung Yoon-chul, but shouldn’t he retire next year? He’s getting older…”

Two national team appearances, and several matchups. Yoo Yong-gi was indeed an enticing catcher. Lost in these thoughts, without realizing, the sign exchange had taken place, and Rosby indicated it was going to be a fastball in a full count.

As I thought about how to hit, waiting for his pitch,

“…Huh?”

The trajectory of the pitch flew quite high. A high fastball inducing a swing-and-miss! I tightened my grip on the bat and swung.

“Darn it, did he read me?”

“Ball four!”

“Nice.”

The voice of Yong-gi, looking completely unfazed. It seemed like he completely read my intention to induce a strike through a swing-and-miss. Although I got a walk, there was this uncomfortable feeling of having lost.

“Should I ask Soyeong to buy it for me?”

“What are you doing, don’t walk.”

“You knew, hyung?”

“What?”

“…He knew after all.”

He probably won’t say it now, thinking about the next batter. With a slight sense of resignation, I walked to first base.

“Anyway, it’s bases loaded, so I have to trust Jincheol sunbae now.”

During the postseason, Choi Jincheol didn’t seem to be in great form, but now I had no choice but to trust him. In a somewhat resigned state, I watched Choi Jincheol’s at-bat.

Thunk!

A ominous sound as the ball headed towards me.

“Oh! Jincheol hyung!”

As I cursed while running to second base on the ground ball that bounced, something unexpected happened.

“…Huh?!”

In front of the first baseman, Choi Jincheol’s hit bounced up high.

“Run! Run!”

Since Choi Jincheol’s hit had already cleared the first baseman’s height, there was no need to watch further, and Gisangju, who had touched third base, was heading home. Seeing this, I ran to third base as well.

“Mangho! Slide! It’s third base!”

The third base coach waved his arms, signaling to slide.

“Whereabouts?”

“Go headfirst.”

Given Kim Junghyun’s good shoulder, it seemed like he would throw directly to third base. As third base came into play, I followed the coach’s direction and threw myself.

“Safe!”

And the glove that passed over my body. If I had been a bit late, it could have been dangerous.

“Wow, that was close.”

“Mangho, you ran well.”

“Well, that’s basic.”

“Geez, this is baseball.”

I said calmly to the coach, but couldn’t contain my joy, giving a slight uppercut, and as I looked towards first base, Choi Jincheol was also acknowledging the fans with a ceremony. He seemed quite happy with the lucky hit that came when he was feeling down.

“I hope Jincheol sunbae can pick himself up a bit with this… But leaving that aside, here comes Gwanhyung sunbae…”

Gwanhyung’s current condition seemed normal. He appeared quite tense around the first game, but now his condition looked good as seen during practice, and he was hitting an average of one hit per game. And with Gwanhyung, I felt like he might deliver something at times like this.

– Gwanhyung! Gwanhyung! Gwanhyung!

– Invincible A! T! Gwanhyung! Woahhh!

And the fans welcomed Gwanhyung, the team’s best franchise star, with louder voices than ever before. My cheering songs had also grown louder recently, but today, the cheers for Gwanhyung seemed twice as loud as mine.

“I think he’ll do it, I think he’ll do it.”

Hearing those loud cheers, my heart seemed to beat faster in response.

Thud!

Gwanhyung’s first pitch was a foul. We were ahead by one run, but considering the state of starting pitcher Park Junhyung, a mediocre lead was risky.

“Please, Gwanhyung sunbae…!”

“Ball.”

Despite my earnest wish, Gwanhyung calmly selected a ball. Seeing that, I also felt a bit calmer. And then the third pitch was thrown.

Crack!

Gwanhyung’s hit flew rapidly towards the right-center field at an ideal angle. It might not be a home run, but at Jamsil, it was definitely a double!

“Nice!”

Watching the hit, I leisurely stepped on home plate. The next batter, Yoon Sungtae, approached me and shouted loudly.

“Nice!”

Smack! A strong high-five expressing our shared joy from scoring.

“Sungtae hyung! You should hit one too!”

When trying to encourage Yoon Seong-tae, who was about to return to the dugout:

“Ah!”

A scream echoed from the ground.

“Huh?”

“What?”

Yoon Seong-tae and I simultaneously turned our heads towards the ground, where Woo Gwan-hyung was seen falling while holding his thigh. Seeing Woo Gwan-hyung collapse near second base looked serious at first glance.

“Senior Gwan-hyung!”

“Are you okay?”

Although I wanted to rush to Woo Gwan-hyung, we had to stay put since the game was still ongoing. Han Cheol, the second baseman, tagged Woo Gwan-hyung with a worried expression.

“Out.”

It was a disappointing out that didn’t match the double hit, but at that moment, we were more concerned about Woo Gwan-hyung’s condition.

“If it’s the hamstring, it could be serious…”

“Don’t say ominous things.”

Yoon Seong-tae responded to my muttering, but his voice lacked conviction, suggesting he shared the same concerns. To avoid unnecessary commotion on the field, we headed back to the dugout. A trainer supported Woo Gwan-hyung and brought him over for examination.

“Senior, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine after a rest. Don’t fuss around, kids.”

Woo Gwan-hyung sat on the bench and cursed, which was unusual for him. His swearing hinted at the severity of his condition.

“…This looks tough.”

Since Woo Gwan-hyung didn’t collapse dramatically on the field, his condition was likely serious. If it was a hamstring injury, it meant at least four weeks of recovery, considering Woo Gwan-hyung’s age…

“Oh, why did the old man have to run all the way to first base?”

Choi Jin-cheol spoke in a disapproving tone to Woo Gwan-hyung, but his words carried underlying concern. Not only Choi Jin-cheol but also Jung Yoon-cheol, who spent his youth with Woo Gwan-hyung, approached with a worried expression.

“Is it 22 years? You’ve endured a lot.”

Woo Gwan-hyung’s calm tone made the situation even sadder. But perhaps his composure indicated a graver state?

“Gwan-hyung, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Let’s go to the hospital first.”

Manager Lee Soo-hyun’s words sounded like a death sentence. The end of the autumn baseball season Woo Gwan-hyung longed for now seemed overshadowed by this injury. It almost brought tears to my eyes.

“I’ll leave early as a senior. Let’s finish the game with today’s match. Come on! Let’s finish strong until the end today!”

“….”

“Listen to that voice. Invincible!”

“…AT!”

Encouraging the players, Woo Gwan-hyung, supported by the manager, walked towards the back of the dugout. His departing figure looked lonely.

“Stay focused. Gwan-hyung said it’s just a minor discomfort. Let’s convey positive news after winning. Understood?”

“Yes!”

“Got it!”

“Your voice is good. Since it’s only the second inning, let’s focus and finish the game. Okay? Let’s get into defense.”

‘Well, worrying won’t change anything, and I should focus on the game now. It might not be as serious as I think. As you get older, even a slight pain can feel much worse.’

As I prepared to head back to the field with a positive mindset following the coach’s words, starting pitcher Park Jun-hyung seemed lost in thought, muttering to himself.

“…Because of me… If I hadn’t given up those points…”

“Jun-hyung, hyung.”

“Uh, yeah?”

Seems like he’s losing it. Looking at Park Jun-hyung’s expression, I felt something needed to be done.

Slap! With a cheerful sound, I felt the sensation of a cheek being touched. Although it was uncomfortable to have a man’s skin touch mine, I couldn’t bear not giving him a slap.

“Ouch! Hey! What are you doing?”

“Get yourself together and win today’s game. If we lose even this match, I won’t treat you as a senior anymore.”

“…What are you saying? You collapsed after the game ended. How dare you hit a senior?”

Fortunately, Park Junhyeong, who had been slapped on the cheek, seemed to have returned to his usual self. Seeing him joke around with a smile, it seemed like the tension had eased.

“Looks like you’ve come to your senses.”

“Coming to your senses, you shameless punk… Ha… Alright! Let’s go!”

With a loud shout, Park Junhyeong climbed onto the mound. And as the second inning began, he threw the ball like in a regular game. Although he allowed two batters to reach base, he managed to keep the inning scoreless, securing our additional points.

“The brat throws like a human after getting slapped. If he had thrown like this from the start… Tsk, if that guy’s not feeling well in the future, I might have to give him a smack occasionally.”

Perhaps sensing something, other players began to ignite their focus after Woogwanhyeong’s injury. Adding one run in the third inning, we also held off the opponents without allowing any runs in the bottom of the third. And as the fourth inning began,

Thwack!

“Nice hit! Senior Sangju is great!”

Gisangju made a hit, sending Park Heemin home and bringing me to bat for the third time in this game.