episode_0307

“3, 5, 7, 14, 13, 10, 3, 4, 4. Do you know what these numbers mean?”

In response to reporters questioning why they called Ji Maeng-ho, Director Moon Ki-taek opened his mouth with an irritated expression. However, his statement was a random list of numbers, leaving the gathered reporters puzzled as they were there to conduct a post-game interview with the losing team.

“What is this?”

“What are you talking about?”

At this unexpected remark, the reporters began to murmur. Breaking through the chaos, one reporter directed a question at the irate Moon Ki-taek.

“Yes? Why suddenly mention something so irrelevant? Our question is essentially why Ji Maeng-ho was intentionally walked.”

“AT Thunders’ scoring record in this postseason. AT is averaging 7 points over 9 games in the postseason.”

“Yes?”

“Shall we exclude the Korean Series? 7 games, averaging close to 8 points. We have managed to limit AT’s offense to 4 points in two games. Additionally, do you know that Ji Maeng-ho alone has recorded 12 RBIs in the playoffs and 8 RBIs in the postseason?”

“Uh…”

Moon Ki-taek’s words left the reporters collectively speechless. While they knew Ji Maeng-ho was a formidable hitter, hearing about his exceptional performance firsthand made them realize his impact was even greater than they had thought. Riding on this momentum, Moon Ki-taek spoke again.

“In the playoffs, hitting .615, in the postseason, hitting .667. OPS averages around 2.7. Are you suggesting we shouldn’t walk this player? Have you all lost your minds? Yes?”

“Although Ji Maeng-ho received the playoff MVP based on his impactful performance in the final game against Go Yeong-hwan, the most shining hitter in the playoffs was Choi Jin-cheol. What are your thoughts on this aspect?”

“So, did we concede a large number of runs? We limited them to 4 points. In literature. Look at Hyeon-seong facing AT at Mad Cats Park. 13 runs, 10 runs. We are containing AT to 4 points in literature, yet do you still think my decision was wrong? Yes?”

“However, today’s game…”

“If we had been held to 1 run by Bellingham, we would have lost no matter what. You all know that, right? Today, we lost regardless of Ji Maeng-ho’s performance.”

“But isn’t this strategy too far from baseball common sense? This is unprecedented in baseball history.”

“Is it common sense for a player batting .400 to hit 60 home runs? Is it common sense to hit 6 home runs in 4 games during the playoffs? Then how should we stop Ji Maeng-ho? Kim Reporter, tell me. How should we contain Ji Maeng-ho?”

“…”

Moon Ki-taek’s strategies overturning conventional baseball wisdom left the reporters unable to respond to his assertion that Ji Maeng-ho couldn’t be stopped with just ordinary methods. Even the reporters found Ji Maeng-ho’s performance unbelievable, given his stats and outstanding play throughout the postseason.

“Will you continue to use this strategy throughout the Korean Series, Coach?”

“I will not comment on the remaining games. The series is not over yet.”

“Coach Moon Ki-taek! Wasn’t there any backlash from the players? Some players must have disagreed with it, right?”

“I instructed them. The players were reluctant, but this strategy came from my own mind. I know the fans are worried. However, we will repay with victory. Please believe in us.”

After delivering a final word to the fans, Moon Ki-taek left the scene. The reporters, gathered to conduct the post-game interview, still had many unanswered questions. However, as Moon Ki-taek confidently departed, the reporters could only watch him leave without being able to ask anything further.

“…Coach! Coach Moon Ki-taek!”

The journalists who belatedly regained their senses called out for Moon Ki-taek, but Moon Ki-taek had already left.

“What? It’s not even over yet…”

“Well, it’s not unusual for Moon Ki-taek to do that. But what do you think? Is it right to intentionally walk Ji Maeng-ho?”

“I don’t know. Well, Director Moon Ki-taek’s words seem reasonable. The performance he’s showing now looks much better than the regular season. As Director Moon Ki-taek said, there’s only one thing left.”

“Indeed, that seems to be the case.”

“Yes. As absurd as the tactics may be, the only way to prove it is by winning the championship.”

“I wonder if they’ll continue intentionally walking Ji Maeng-ho until the end.”

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

After Moon Ki-taek left, the remaining journalists’ opinions were generally not negative because of the confidence and determination felt in Moon Ki-taek’s interview.

…However, the fans’ opinions were different.

-[KS] 2nd game, Bellingham pitches 7 innings with 1 run allowed! Selected as MVP of the 2nd game!

ㄴWow, Bellingham is back!

ㄴThe ceremony with Gisangju was crazy lol Did he get a proper education right away?

ㄴDamn, Bellingham couldn’t even hit?

ㄴBut did he really walk Ji Maeng-ho all the time? Something was off today.

ㄴYeah, the loser’s interview came out. Here’s the link

ㄴThanks for the link

-[KS] Moon Ki-taek, ‘Walking Ji Maeng-ho is not rational!’

…Meanwhile, UG Overlords’ coach Moon Ki-taek admitted that he instructed intentional walks to Ji Maeng-ho…

ㄴDamn, is this a coach? We lost today because of you.

ㄴResign, Moon Ki-taek. Do you not think about the fans who came to watch the game?

ㄴHaha, Chutaek lives up to his nickname, so disgraceful lol Walking everyone and ended up losing, right? lol

ㄴFans want to see a fair game, not like this. What’s the point of winning like this?

ㄴOnly the players are pitiful, damn it.

ㄴHaha, this is epic. Is this how you play after all this lol

– Damn Chutaek, are you in your right mind? Does this make any sense?

-Haha, walked everyone and ended up losing, do the other batters look like idiots lol

ㄴSeriously, I felt so relieved when he did the ceremony with Gisangju.

-If we don’t win, I’m going to set literature on fire.

-Is this baseball? Playing so disgracefully.

-But I understand walking Ji Maeng-ho. To win, you have to walk him.

-From the perspective of a neutral fan, this Korean Series is a bit boring. Who was the strategy for facing UG pitchers against Ji Maeng-ho? They lost the game, who was the strategy for?

-I’m a Hyunseong fan, and I understand. If Goyounghoi had walked Ji Maeng-ho there… could we have won? In the postseason, it’s important how many crazy people there are, and Ji Maeng-ho was truly crazy this postseason.

-Was there ever such a thing in the majors? It seems like it has never happened before.

-Jeez, stop embarrassing the nation and just lose. Isn’t it shameful to do this in the Koshien?

While some understood the decision, the majority of fans found it unreasonable. Large baseball-related communities in Korea were ablaze with criticism towards UG, flooding the team’s social media platforms and fan pages with negative sentiments.

-Should we really renew the contract with a coach like this? I acknowledge the dedication to the team for several years. But how long should our club endure this kind of criticism? Winning isn’t everything.

ㄴWinning isn’t everything…

ㄴWho would recognize such a victory? We’ll just be ridiculed.

ㄴWinning isn’t everything, but I also oppose renewing the contract.

If UG had won, the fans wouldn’t have been so outraged. However, with the unprecedented irrational tactics and defeat overlapping in baseball history, criticisms of Moon Ki-taek and opposition to his contract renewal began flooding UG Overlords’ fan pages.

As a result…

“Coach, you should consider renewing your contract.”

The public opinion reached the owner of UG Overlords, and eventually, the day before the third round, the CEO of UG Overlords called Director Moon Gi-taek.

“Are you behaving like this because you’re thinking about a re-contract? Don’t we need to win the championship for a re-contract?”

“Director. As you know, being a professional baseball team is not all about winning championships.”

The owner’s statement that winning was not everything. In the world of professionals, it was an absurd statement, but Moon Gi-taek knew that despite being angry, it was true.

“Why does UG operate a team? To make money with this team?”

As the CEO stated, the KBA League was not operated for teams to make money. It was a league run not on the capital logic like Major League Baseball but to enhance the social contributions of large corporations and improve their image.

“Winning? Great. What’s wrong with the team owner liking baseball and what’s wrong with winning? But basics are necessary. Basics. Do you know that this time the chairman watched the game with Chairman Cheon of AT?”

“Do I need to know even that?”

Moon Gi-taek knew what the CEO was going to talk about, but he did not hide his true feelings. He was not the kind of person who lived hiding his true self.

“Listen. Chairman Cheon of AT, who was lying in bed, came forcibly to watch the Korean Series. This time two literary figures watched together, but next time, they will watch together at Jamsil.”

“What’s so special about that? It’s not unusual for team owners to watch the Korean Series.”

“How can our chairman see Chairman Cheon in a bad light? Huh? Think about it. The chairman said he felt embarrassed in front of me. Embarrassed.”

And the most important reason why baseball teams were operated was the ‘pet sports’ of pro baseball conglomerate owners. Such behavior in the baseball scene. Winning was important, but for team owners, honor was just as crucial.

The connection between corporate image and public opinion of baseball fans was not good, and even winning did not bring much honor. Moon Gi-taek’s strategy was enough to unsettle the mind of the UG team owner.

“So you want to win like that, Director? Then should I bring some drugged players from the US? What’s the difference between winning like this or with drugs? Huh?”

“Are you joking? Drugs are beyond the rules, and my tactics are within the rules. Is there a reason I have to listen to this?”

However, even with such words from the CEO, Moon Gi-taek did not bend his principles.

“Can we interpret your story of not needing a re-contract?”

In the end, the last card the CEO brought up was the re-contract card. And those words from the CEO touched Moon Gi-taek’s emotions that he had been holding back.

“Are you threatening me now?”

Moon Gi-taek’s expression in response to the CEO’s words was impassive, but it was a face that anyone could see was filled with anger. A face that seemed ready to explode at any moment. Moreover, Moon Gi-taek, a former professional baseball pitcher with a robust physique, had earned recognition for his charisma while leading UG for years.

“…”

It was difficult for the CEO of UG, who came from a non-athlete background, to withstand such an atmosphere,

“Please focus on your role as the CEO. I will handle my part. My job is to lead UG to victory.”

With determination in his words, Moon Gi-taek left the CEO’s office without giving him a chance to respond.

“Director! Director! Hey, Moon Gi-taek!”

After Moon Gi-taek completely left the CEO’s office, the empty cry of the CEO, who had regained his senses, was the only thing that filled the office.