episode_0339

“Hello! This is Jia from Jia Tube! It’s time for this week’s baseball updates on April 28th! Today, I’m joined by Commentator Kim Seung-hyun.”

If you were to pick the most popular content on Jia Tube run by Joo Jia, the younger sister of Chu Seung-chul, a Korean baseball hero currently active in the professional league, it would be none other than ‘This Week in Pro Baseball.’ This segment covered the weekly game results and issues from the KBA League, thanks to her father and brother’s connections that allowed her to invite experts or well-known figures who are widely recognized as baseball fans. The content provided insights into the weekly league trends, and Jia’s pleasant and soothing voice even served an ASMR role for baseball fans listening before bed, guaranteeing viewership numbers ranging from 300,000 to 400,000. Hence, Jia’s demeanor during the show appeared quite cheerful.

“Hello. I’m sports TV analyst Kim Seung-hyun!”

“It’s already been a month since the start of the baseball season, hasn’t it?”

“That’s correct. The KBA League this season has been fiercely competitive from the start, making it one of the most intense seasons we’ve seen.”

As Kim Seung-hyun mentioned, the 2024 KBA League was indeed unfolding in a highly competitive manner. Even after a month had passed, the gap between the top-ranked team and the 10th-ranked team was only 4.5 games, showing how tightly contested the top and bottom positions were.

“Has time flown by so quickly? I’ve been enjoying it so much that I haven’t noticed.”

“Then shall we take a quick look at the standings first before moving on? Due to the fierce competition in the rankings, there have been some changes. At the end of this week’s matches, the team leading the pack with a record of 5 wins and 1 loss, claiming the top spot, is the Volcano Falcons!”

“In truth, no one expected the Volcano Falcons to be in first place just a month after the league started, did they?”

“That’s right. The Volcano Falcons. While it was anticipated that they would show strength with the additions of Seong-hyeon, Yong-gi, and Kim Ju-yeop, there were doubts after starting with 1 win and 5 losses in the opening week. People wondered if the Volcanoes were not up to par. However, steadily closing the gap and achieving a record of 5 wins and 1 loss this week, they ultimately succeeded in reclaiming the top spot with a record of 16 wins and 10 losses.”

After a month since the start of the KBA League, the Volcano Falcons, who had achieved the ‘A9AA9’ record since 2019, secured the top position in the fierce ranking competition. Over the past five years, they had ranked last three times and ninth twice. Extending the scope to the last ten years, except for the year 2018 when they went out in the wildcard round with a record of ‘9AA95A9AA9,’ excluding the experience of being eliminated in the first game, the overwhelming underdog Volcano Falcons had claimed the top spot just a month after the league began, causing a frenzy among their fans.

At the center of it all were Seong-hyeon, who returned to his home team, Yong-gi, acquired through free agency, and promising young players known as the ‘Asian Games Quartet,’ who had been moving between the lower ranks over the past few years.

“Shall we discuss the performance of the team’s captain, Seong-hyeon?”

“Of course. Seong-hyeon. His performance wasn’t great last year, was it? He played 23 games for the New York Yankees, pitching 108.1 innings with an average ERA of 5.41 and a record of 3 wins and 7 losses, prompting many to question whether he couldn’t handle it in the majors anymore and fled back to Korea.”

“Actually, he had injuries last year, didn’t he?”

“That’s right. Due to the aftermath of injuries, he struggled with reduced velocity and a tough time last year, but this season, although not at his peak, he’s throwing powerful pitches, isn’t he?”

“Yes. Seonghyun, at the age of thirty-eight in Korean age this year, is indeed performing at a level deserving of the statement ‘Seonghyun is Seonghyun.’ I understand that he has achieved impressive results. Could you please elaborate on Seonghyun’s performance, sir?”

“He has started in 5 games, pitched 33.1 innings with an average earned run rate of 1.90, securing 4 wins and 1 loss, leading the Volcano Falcons’ momentum.”

“Moreover, Yiyongki has hit 6 home runs, currently leading in home runs, right?”

“That’s correct. Yiyongki, who has consistently delivered over 20 home runs at Jamsil every full season, has broken free from that constraint and now leads in home runs with 6, adding weight to the Volcano’s batting lineup.”

“Additionally, talented young players like Choisihoo, dubbed the next national team first baseman, along with newcomers aiming for the top closer position domestically, are leading the team, replacing the void left by Cha Jaehyun, Kim Minjun, and Go Yeongho who departed for the United States.”

“I attended a Volcano game last weekend, and the cleanup lineup of Mack-D-Yiyongki-Choisiwoo was truly intimidating. From a pitcher’s perspective, one must have felt immense pressure facing them.”

“While it may seem slightly inferior compared to AT’s powerhouse cleanup trio known as the best last year, if we were to name the strongest cleanup lineup this season so far, it would undoubtedly be the Volcano Falcons.”

“What if Jimaengho were still playing?”

“Haha, that would change the game, wouldn’t it? Just recalling Jimaengho’s performance in the exhibition games still gives me chills. Moreover, the synergy that Jimaengho alone brings to the batting lineup is at an extraordinary level.”

“Indeed, that’s true.”

At the commentator’s praise for Maengho, Jia expressed joy and heightened excitement.

“Yes. So, this weekend, Maengho will be returning for the Children’s Day series against Hanchul, and we look forward to seeing what kind of performance he will deliver.”

“I’m also planning to watch the Children’s Day series, and I’m really looking forward to Maengho’s return.”

—

“Now, moving on to the 5th place team, the AT Thunders, with a record of 12 wins and 13 losses. Why do you think the defending champions ended up in 5th place this season? What are your thoughts, sir?”

“In my opinion, the absence of key players has been significant. Additionally, there have been too many injuries and departures. For instance, U Gwanhyung, who was brought in to address the shortcomings left by the cleanup trio in the 6th lineup last season, is still unable to return due to a hamstring injury. Also, Lim Junhu, who filled in the starting spot while rotating through the 5 starters in the latter half of last season, is struggling mentally since that incident and is currently taking a break in the minor leagues. Furthermore, Don Williams, who recorded a 40% ERA at the beginning of the season, has been sidelined due to injury since last week and has yet to return to the major league. And it doesn’t end there. Veteran catcher Jung Yooncheol has also moved down to the minor leagues due to a hamstring injury.”

“I see.”

“Furthermore, the bullpen, which was highlighted as AT’s weakness last season, apart from Kang Seho and Kim Yunho, has been experiencing a series of blown saves this season. As a result, Park Jinhyuk, who was the closer last year, has moved down to the minor leagues to adjust his condition, among other things…”

The reason why the defending champions, AT, found themselves in 5th place was simple: there were just too many departures. While players like veterans Kim Suho, Kisangju, Choi Jincheol, alongside Yun Sungtae and Baek Jeongjin who showed promise last season, were fighting hard in the batting lineup, the weakness in the bullpen remained.

“Additionally?”

“Of course, Jimaengho’s absence is the most significant. With Jimaengho, who achieved 60 home runs with a .400 batting average last year, out of AT’s batting lineup, it’s evident how crucial Jimaengho is to AT, isn’t it?”

“I was really sad to hear that Ji Maeng-ho, who was also the MVP of last season, would be absent for a month.”

Even though I stayed in Seoul and saw her almost every day when she was there. Well, Ji also likes baseball a lot, so she probably wants to see me at bat.

Hearing Ji’s voice saying she was sad because I was missing too, I felt restless and wanted to be at bat as well. I had been unable to play for almost a month due to a suspension, but now with only four games left, I was even more nervous as I could soon step up to the plate.

During the month-long suspension, my routine was simple. On days with home games, I trained with the first team players and then spent my days happily and simply, engaging in activities with my women, especially Hyuna, who almost lived at my place, feeling down for not making it to the postseason in the women’s volleyball league. Apart from training, I rarely left the house.

“Is that Ji’s voice?”

It had been a few days since the league ended, but Hyuna still seemed filled with regret.

“If I had been eliminated, would I have felt like this?”

Understanding the sense of loss Hyuna, as a fellow professional athlete, must have felt, I hugged her tightly after she emerged from the shower.

“You’re done showering?”

“Yeah, what are you looking at?”

“Ji’s YouTube video came up while I was waiting. But it says my story boosts the mood if it shows up in the comments. Should I reply saying that’s not true?”

“…It might not help Ji, though?”

“Is that so…?”

If Hyuna thought so, then it must be true. I stopped typing the comment and turned down the volume on my phone.

“But you have four games left, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll play with the second team on Saturday for adjustment, and if I look good, I’ll be called up on Sunday. Well, there’s no way I won’t be called up, so you can count on me being up on Sunday.”

My return schedule was already set. Even during the disciplinary period, the coaches kept monitoring my condition as I trained with the team. It was decided that I would play one game with the second team to regain my game sense before being promoted.

Well, it would be great to go straight back to the first team, but I understood the coaches’ perspective, so I accepted it.

“Sunday? May 5th? Returning on Children’s Day?”

“Yeah. Well, it wasn’t intentional, but it turned out that way.”

The day I returned to the first team was Children’s Day, a significant event during the regular season held at Jamsil on Children’s Day. It seemed quite fitting, although neither the coaches nor I had planned it that way.

“Han Cheol is currently in 7th place, right? Seungcheol hyung has been doing well, but it seems losing the starting catcher has had a big impact on the batting lineup.”

“Really? Then this lifestyle is coming to an end…”

Hearing my words, Hyuna murmured sadly.

“Well, I’m not leaving, you know.”

“What will I do if you go on an away game? Hmph.”

Hyuna even pouted cutely. Clearly, the shock of not making it to the postseason had hit her hard. It had been like this for several days now.

“Well, looks like I have to comfort her after all.”

With four days left until my return, I made a vow to restore Hyuna to her usual self as I began to explore her body, covered only by a towel.