episode_0317

“I lost. Damn it.”

As the unknown catcher’s hit soared over the wall, the emotion felt was helplessness. The sense that alone, nothing could be done. The game had slipped from my grasp.

In the top of the 9th inning, our lineup started with the 8th batter, Han Young-jin. He was the backup catcher after Jung Yoon-chul was substituted. A backup catcher who couldn’t even be praised for his hitting skills. To get to my turn at bat, I would have to wait five turns.

“Will I even get a chance?”

Now, missing the hit in the 8th inning felt even more regrettable. If only I had trusted Choi Jin-cheol and focused on getting on base… It was even more disappointing because Choi Jin-cheol got a hit and reached base in that inning. Even though not every good hitter can get on base every time, I swung the bat with the mindset that it was up to me to finish it…

I should have trusted my teammates more. Baseball is a sport played by nine people. It’s not a sport where you can win the game by flying solo.

“If only I had trusted Senior Jin-cheol a bit more…”

I was arrogant. I deluded myself into thinking I could finish the game alone. What I really needed was to get on base once. Because I failed to score during the Korean Series while being intentionally walked, I lacked faith. Baseball is a game where even backups like the UG guys can hit home runs, so why didn’t I trust one of the league’s best hitters, Choi Jin-cheol?

“A backup…? Yeah, Han Young-jin can do it too. Let’s not think we’ve already lost.”

“Hey! Wake up, Ji Maeng-ho! Are you daydreaming? The game isn’t over yet, kid. Focus on defense.”

After giving up a home run, it seemed like my mind wandered off. Yoon Sung-tae noticed my state well enough to scold me. He reprimanded me for freezing up throughout the game.

“Don’t say things like that. If I had done a bit better, we would have been winning.”

“What are you talking about? I scored two runs, kid.”

Still, hearing Yoon Sung-tae, with whom I had synced all season, made me snap out of it a bit. As Yoon Sung-tae said, the game wasn’t over yet, and we still had one more chance.

“Hey! Gather around!”

Just then, Choi Jin-cheol called the infielders together.

“Yun-ho, don’t try too hard to pitch well, trust the fielders and pitch. You’re going too much down the middle.”

“I’m sorry, Senior.”

“No, now that we’ve been reversed and there’s no pressure, pitch as you please. We’ll reverse it again. Can you do it, Maeng-ho?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. We’ll somehow connect it to you. Can you do it, Young-jin?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“The outfielders must be thinking the same. Jeong-jin, Ju-yeop, Sang-joo. Soo-ho, you too, right?”

“Yes. I can either finish it or not.”

Even Kim Soo-ho, who rarely spoke such words, threw out confident words to lighten the mood.

“We have one out left, let’s finish it well and go in. Okay?”

“Yes. This time, I’ll block it.”

“Yes. We can do it. Let’s go! Invincible!”

“After a brief meeting, in the resumed bottom of the 8th inning, Kim Yun-ho successfully secured the remaining out count, ending the 8th inning. The score was 7:6. Even if there was only one more attacking opportunity left, the score gap was one that could be reversed.

And as we entered the dugout, Coach Lee Soo-hyun summoned the fielders who were out for defense.

“No need for long speeches, right? Jin-hyuk is waiting in the bullpen. Make sure Jin-hyuk gets to pitch.”

A single phrase that the closer was waiting in the bullpen. In truth, the mention of Park Jin-hyuk waiting caused some anxiety, but the meaning behind Coach Lee Soo-hyun’s words was clear.

“Joo Hyun will pinch-hit.”

The director who had been observing us designated Kang Ju-hyun as the leadoff batter in the 9th inning. He was chosen to replace Han Young-jin, the catcher. With no other catchers left in the lineup, it felt like Manager Lee Soo-hyun was taking a risk by putting in Baek Su-jin.

“Yeah, Kang Ju-hyun is definitely better than the catcher, Han Young-jin.”

A glimpse at Han Young-jin’s expression revealed a sense of relief. With that kind of mindset, the decision to substitute him seemed right. On the other hand, Kang Ju-hyun’s expression, to put it nicely, seemed lively.

“Alright, let’s go for a comeback.”

Just as we were gearing up with determination, an English voice was heard.

“[Manager!]”

It was Krongs, who had been the starting pitcher in the 5th game.

“[I’ll be warming up too, just in case.]”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m warming up.”

“Oh. Good. Thank you, bullpen.”

“[It’s a closer’s destiny in the postseason. I’ve been expecting this situation.]”

“What are you talking about?”

“No need to thank me.”

“Alright, good. We were short on pitchers anyway.”

Looking over the list of pitchers excluding Park Jin-hyuk, in reality, apart from Krongs, there was hardly anyone else who could come in if we needed a turnaround. If such a situation arose, it would be best for Park Jin-hyuk to close, but it was reassuring to have a contingency plan for unforeseen circumstances.

“Why is that guy volunteering?”

Although slightly puzzled by his willingness, I thought. The Krongs I saw was fundamentally similar to Rosby. Not only in terms of not being a proper human being but also in the way he seemed to disregard Korean baseball.

Just before heading to the bullpen, that strange Krongs fellow winked at me and headed towards the bullpen. Though I felt a burp rise after that wink, I managed to hold it back.

“He’s really a weird one.”

Trying to understand him might make me feel strange too. Quickly diverting my gaze to the ground, I saw Jang Dong-hyun on UG’s mound as the setup man. I had seen Austin Webb preparing in the bullpen, so by sending Jang Dong-hyun, it seemed like they shared similar thoughts with us.

“If Jang Dong-hyun is holding off, in case of a crisis, they’ll bring in Webb, right?”

In that case, the likelihood of my opponent being Webb was high. For an opportunity to come to me, three out of five batters needed to get on base, excluding two outs, a situation that spelled trouble for UG.

“Now all that’s left is to pray…?”

There was a slight sense of regret, but I had done everything I could today. Now all that remained was to trust my teammates and pray. I started loudly calling out Kang Ju-hyun’s name from the dugout.

“Kang Ju-hyun! Fighting!”

“Ju-hyun! Let’s turn this around!!!!”

Following my voice, my teammates echoed in response. They undoubtedly shared the same sentiment as me. And the game continued.

Thud!

Kang Ju-hyun’s hit soared high and got caught in the infield.

“Ah, damn!”

“Well, two outs left….”

“Jin-ah, please!”

An out count given away too easily. Nevertheless, the cheering didn’t stop. Hoping our hearts reached the next batter, Baek Jung-jin.

Thud!

“It’s done!”

“Baek Jung-jin! Nice!”

-Baek Jung-jin! Baek Jung-jin! Baek Jung-jin!

This time, a hit pierced through the infield. 1st and 1st.

“Hyung, please, Joo-yeop!”

“Kim Joo-yeop, let’s go! That jerk Jang Dong-hyun is useless!”

“Strikeout!”

As Kim Joo-yeop struck out, it was 2nd and 1st. But the real deal starts now.

“If Suho and Sang-joo seniors can do it, I can follow suit. It starts now. The game starts now.”

Swish – crack!

-Wow!!!

“Wow!!! It’s in play!”

“Please!”

“We believed in you!”

Kim Su-ho’s hit flew perfectly in front of the center fielder.

“Damn! This is it!”

“Mang-ho! Get your bat ready!”

“Yes!”

I grabbed my bat and walked towards the on-deck circle. In the batter’s box were Kisangju, with Baek Jeong-jin and Kim Su-ho in the dugout. On the mound, Austin Webb took his position.

“Yeah, in this situation, I should step up. I’ve been waiting for this.”

As I entered the on-deck circle, Kisangju glanced at me and smiled once. I could sense Kisangju’s feelings. Surely, we shared the same desire. The desire to win. The determination to support me in any way possible. It felt unmistakable.

“Please!”

“Strike!”

“Ball.”

Thunk!

“Foul!”

Thunk!

“Foul!”

“Ball.”

“Ball!”

Thunk!

“Foul!”

The ongoing full-count battle. Kisangju persistently fouled off pitches, creating fouls while aiming for a hit. Seeing Kisangju, who usually gripped the end of the bat and aimed for extra-base hits, now slightly adjusting his stance to make contact with the ball, I could feel the mindset with which he approached the batter’s box. And then, the eighth pitch was thrown.

“Ball four! Take your base!”

Finally, a walk was declared, extending the opportunity to me. It felt like a miracle. No, it wasn’t a miracle. It was an opportunity created by my teammates.

“Let’s go, Mr. Rosby.”

“Huh? Aren’t you going to say more?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I mean teasing. It was fun watching you squirm… It’s a shame it’s over. Hehe.”

“…I was just about to say nothing and do something, but were you just watching me?”

“It was amusing to see you curse alone, then be sad alone, then happy alone.”

“You little…”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.”

Although it annoyed me that Rosby was secretly observing me, conversing with him somehow eased my tension. Unbeknownst to me, it seemed like he was also feeling somewhat nervous.

– Jimaengho! Jimaengho! Jimaengho!

Cheers from fans calling out my name echoed. I extended my bat towards the fence where some fans still remained.

-Wow!!!

The voices of the fans grew louder at my predicted home run. The pitcher’s expression turned grim.

“Alright, get excited.”

It seemed like even the fielders were conscious of my home run declaration, as they positioned themselves further back than usual.

“Mr. Rosby, is it a first-pitch fastball?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Are you trying to test me with a fastball?”

“Ball.”

The first pitch was a ball outside. Judging by one or two balls missing the zone, it seemed like there was intent to compete. Likely, the aim was to challenge me outside and avoid giving up a power hit.

“You might come inside later, right?”

“Yeah. Make your own judgment and swing freely. It’s a sinker.”

Thud – Crack!

“Did it…?!”

Reacting swiftly to the sinker coming towards my body, I swung the bat, feeling a solid connection in my palms.

-Wow!!!

The cheers grew louder as the hit veered more to the left. Eventually, the ball didn’t clear the foul pole and curved further left, disappearing.

“Oops, a bit too early.”

That made it one strike and one ball.

“Phew… Let’s focus… No, I am focusing well. Let’s swing comfortably. Comfortably.”

“Hehe, you’re ranting to yourself again.”

“Geez! Mind control… huh? Oh? Mr. Rosby?”

“What?”

Before I could retort to Rosby, the defensive positions of the UG players came into view. The infielders had moved back slightly after the foul home run.

“Don’t you think the infielders are positioned too deep?”

“Huh? Seems like it.”

After the foul home run, it felt like the infielders had shifted back slightly. Predicted home runs and foul home runs seemed to dominate their mindset.

“It’s a fastball.”

Before I could gather my thoughts, the UG battery had already exchanged signs. And the pitch was thrown.

“Damn it! Let’s give it a shot!”

Instinctively, I crouched and pushed the ball between first and second base.

Tick!

He felt like he had pushed the ball properly, so he threw the bat and ran towards first base. The one-second dash to first base feels like an eternity. And the ball rolls quickly forward. UG’s second baseman running in. He crouches his waist and extends his glove to catch the ball.

– Whoa!!!

“Run! He missed it! Keep running!”

Then came the cheers of the fans and the coach’s shouts. If the ball slipped past the second baseman, there were only outfielders behind. And the outfielders are positioned near the fence. Stepping on first base, he sprints to second base.

“Stop! Stop! Stop!”

And a chorus of coaches shouting for him to stop at second base. There was a cautious figure at third base, and on the mound, a web-like figure throwing the glove. And the numbers on the scoreboard change from 6 to 8.

“Ahhhh!!!”

From the immense thrill rising from his toes, a loud shout burst forth. Bunt, hit, turnaround, and … victory.

“It’s a victory. Victory. If we can just hold out for one more inning, it’s a real victory!”

Overwhelmed with joy beyond words, he just claps his hands and cheers while looking at the fans at third base.

– Whoa!!!

– Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho!

The fans chanting my name. This is it. This. The reason I play baseball. The reason I stuck with the baseball team even after my parents passed away. The reason I never gave up.

“Mom, Dad. Are you watching? Sniff.”

Tears welled up at the sudden thought of my parents.

“I remember the old days.”

“What? All of a sudden?”

“The image of you standing up with tears in your eyes was just like that day.”

At Rossbi’s words, I glanced down and realized I was getting emotional without even realizing it.

“Darn, standing up again… But on that day?”

“We signed the contract that day. You were crying, standing up, and cheering just like that… Even now.”

Rossbi’s words dampened the rising emotions. Damn. Why bring up that story out of nowhere?

“…Don’t talk to me, I need to focus on the game.”

“Whatever.”

Just then, the crack of the bat rang out.

Crack – Thud!

“Ah! Jincheol hyung!!!”

Choi Jin-cheol’s hit disappeared over the fence. A three-run homer.

The memories after that are not clear. Everything seemed hazy, as if underwater. The fans’ cheers, winning the Series MVP, a few short interviews, the championship ceremony. And the overwhelming sensation that felt like my brain would explode.

“Are you up?”

The naked women lying next to me prove that yesterday wasn’t a dream.

“Get some more sleep. You overdid it yesterday.”

At Soyoung’s words, I close my eyes as they are. After running for a year, it’s okay to rest a little more. Because I’ll have to run again next year.