episode_0382

-[KBA] AT Thunders! Sweeping through Suwon! Maintaining 1st place!

…AT Thunders secured their top spot by sweeping JT Gold Eyes. Meanwhile, the volcanic Falcons, who were competing for the top spot, recorded a 2-1 win-loss record in this series…

Let’s try to maintain our first place in the regular season like this!!!

Ah, we should take advantage of the good atmosphere now, but the rainy season starts next week, damn it.

-Isn’t it advantageous for the Volcanoes if it’s the rainy season?

Stop bullshitting, damn it.

Still, with the Olympics pushed back, we don’t know what will happen. Since all the key pitchers from the Volcanoes are being called up.

Phew, we’re lucky our pitchers aren’t being called up.

Is that really lucky? Damn it, not having national-level pitchers on a team competing for the championship is a big deal.

-[Photo News] Continuous rain, “Hey, want to grab a drink after this?”

…Observing the rain falling at the stadium, AT Thunders’ Lim Jun-ho is gesturing to Maeng-ho to go for a drink.

That bastard Lim Jun-ho is hitting on a girl like that and suggesting going for drinks, damn it.

Is that guy in his right mind?

They’re just fooling around among themselves, but someone took a picture so maliciously because they’re popular targets.

There was an incident like that from the beginning; the problem is playing such pranks.

?? Don’t players drink on their days off? Ridiculous, haha.

-AT Thunders triumph over NV with a score of 13-2!

…The game between AT Thunders and NV Lex at Jamsil Stadium proceeded as an underwater battle. AT Thunders, boasting a powerful batting lineup, took the lead first…

The Volcanoes won again. Just follow them already, damn it.

-[Professional Baseball] Gocheok JT-Shilla match, along with 4 other games, canceled due to rain.

…Due to the monsoon affecting the entire country, it was announced that all games, including the Shilla Triggers vs. JT Gold Eyes match at Gocheok Dome, were canceled due to rain.

Damn it, why are these two teams left for the remaining games?

Seriously, lol.

-[Professional Baseball] Sunday game results.

…

AT Thunders 7 – 3 UG Over Roses

…

…

-The intense competition in the KBA League. Who shines the brightest in June?

…Many candidates have been nominated for the June MVP, but the most promising contenders are Seong Hyeon and Ji Maeng-ho.

Looking at the batters’ side first, Ju Seung-cheol hit 10 home runs in June, earning a spot as an MVP candidate. Alongside strong contenders like Kang Han-beom and Lee Yong-gi, Ji Maeng-ho also made a name for himself among the batters.

In June, Ji Maeng-ho played 22 games, achieving a batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage/OPS of 0.392/0.536/1.152/1.688, recording 31 hits, 16 home runs, 28 runs, 30 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases out of 79 at-bats. He ranked first in all offensive categories except hits. Ji Maeng-ho has set a new record by winning the monthly MVP award for four consecutive months from April to July 2023.

Challenging Ji Maeng-ho for the MVP title is the formidable pitcher Seong Hyeon from the Volcanoes. Seong Hyeon showcased nearly perfect pitching throughout June, proving why he is a top contender.

Seong Hyeon played five games in June, pitching 33 innings with only one earned run, recording an ERA of 0.27, 40 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.67. With five wins during this period, Seong Hyeon led the Volcanoes’ upward trajectory.

The competition intensifies between Seong Hyeon and Ji Maeng-ho as everyone awaits to see who will be crowned the monthly MVP.

What’s up with those two? Are they people or what?

Gosh, it’s complicated.

Honestly, isn’t Ji Maeng-ho likely to win? 16 home runs are truly outstanding.

But it’s not that surprising since it’s Ji Maeng-ho, right? Haha.

If you think about it, Seong Hyeon’s performance is also impressive, haha.

Honestly, Ji Maeng-ho’s records seem like something only Ji Maeng-ho could achieve, while Seong Hyeon’s stats are what MVP-caliber pitchers occasionally

– No way, if it weren’t for the rainout, we would have dominated the match against Maengho Shin.

– Seriously, even without the rainout, we could have stacked more stats.

– We might have been screwed too, lol.

– Do you really think so?

– It wouldn’t have been strange no matter who won, lol.

AT Thunderz vs. Charlotte Thunderz: 1 win, 1 loss! What’s the ranking…?

…Excluding a game canceled due to rain, AT Thunderz secured one win and one loss in the series. Meanwhile, the Falcon Volcanoes suffered a defeat in the game, allowing AT to maintain a one-game lead and secure the top spot.

– Ji Maengho achieves 30-30!

…In a game against the Buffalo Bulls five days from now, Ji Maengho hit his 30th home run of the season, achieving the milestone of 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases for the second consecutive year. With AT Thunderz benefiting from Ji Maengho’s performance, they clinched a victory…

Nice play, Ji Maengho!

– What, that’s a given.

– You scumbag, don’t publish anything about Maengho Shin’s 30-30. You’ll end up reporting on his every breath, damn it.

– July 6th Pro Baseball Rankings:

1st AT Thunderz 49 wins 28 losses 2 ties 0.640 0

2nd Falcon Volcanoes 47 wins 27 losses 2 ties 0.635 0.5

3rd Hancheol Grizzlies 42 wins 32 losses 2 ties 0.568 5.5

4th Silla Triggers 44 wins 35 losses 1 tie 0.557 6

5th Charlotte Blue Marines 38 wins 37 losses 1 tie 0.507 10

6th Future Buffalos 37 wins 37 losses 1 tie 0.500 10.5

7th Hyunseong Madcats 32 wins 46 losses 1 tie 0.410 17.5

8th UG Over Roses 30 wins 44 losses 1 tie 0.405 17.5

9th JT Gold Eyes 29 wins 44 losses 1 tie 0.397 18

10th NV Rex 29 wins 47 losses 0 ties 0.382 19.5

– [KBA] Who is the MVP for June? Pitcher Seonghyun with 33 innings and 1 earned run!

…Seonghyun was selected as the monthly MVP for June, surpassing the strong contender Ji Maengho.

Additionally, Seonghyun, the June MVP, will receive a prize of 2 million won and a XX Bank gold bar worth 750,000 won.

Wow, the king’s return is epic, lol.

It’s been a while since we smelled the autumn air; seems like the Volcano fans voted a lot, lol.

– Justifiable performance, right?

– Does that look better than Ji Maengho’s stats to you?

– Yeah, comparing hitters and pitchers, of course, pitchers stand out.

– Haha, their own genius hitter cut!!!

– Inferiority complex.

– What inferiority complex? It’s not like your guys can beat Seonghyun either. Even if he struggles against Seonghyun, in the majors, someone like Ji Maengho would be nothing but a swing machine. This guy is so arrogant that he probably won’t make it anyway, lol.

– Three letters, great value, lol.

– Did this guy get slapped by Maengho Shin?

– [KBA] First half’s last game, which team is smiling?

…Currently leading the pack, AT Thunderz face off against Hyunseong Madcats in the last game of the first half at Jamsil Stadium.

Meanwhile, this season’s All-Star Game is scheduled earlier than usual, as announced by the league office before the start of the season. The reason being the upcoming Olympics, aligning with the national team’s departure schedule set for the 18th for friendly matches and adjusting to the time difference in the United States…

Let’s hold onto the top spot until the end!!

But with this much rain, is the All-Star Game even possible?

Wow, those bastards just won’t drop, huh?

“Did anyone see who won the Monthly MVP today? Have you seen Seonghyun’s stats? Do seniors think these stats make sense at this age?”

“Anyway. Hey, did you see Seonghyun in his rookie days? He was even better back then.”

“No, these stats just don’t make sense.”

“Then do your stats make sense?”

“…Mine are different.”

However, despite

“Sure, is life about living alone?”

I’ve been doing so well all this time! Sacrificing for the team! And this is what I get in return.

“What does Senior Jincheol think?”

“Huh? Wasn’t Hyun impressive? 33 innings with only 1 run. So what? And you couldn’t even hit .400 last month, right?”

“That’s because pitchers avoid giving you good pitches! They keep throwing balls, balls, balls.”

“Oh, so it’s because Sangju doesn’t trust him that he doesn’t like walks, right?”

“Sorry, Maengho. It’s because you’re not a trustworthy senior.”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant… Senior! If you keep doing this, won’t I be benched as a batting ball pitcher during the Home Run Derby?”

“…Anyway, Seonghyun is getting old and stealing records from his juniors.”

As expected. Just before the upcoming All-Star Game, Choi Jincheol, who had asked me to be a batting ball pitcher, sided with me, slightly lifting my spirits.

“I don’t really understand why he asked me, but people should live kindly after all.”

By the way, Choi Jincheol was a strong candidate for the home run king in this year’s Home Run Derby. Since players selected for the national team might lose their batting touch, they decided not to participate in the derby. Therefore, without me who hit 17 home runs in last year’s derby.

“Wow, it seems like Jincheol has no pride.”

Some seniors were jealous of me, but I didn’t pay much attention. I was used to jealousy.

“Oh? The manager is here.”

While chatting with seniors, the person we were waiting for arrived. The reason we were gossiping in the dugout was simple. The never-ending rain. And the fact that the manager came at this hour meant…

“Coach, today’s game is canceled due to rain.”

The manager’s words confirmed what we were waiting for.

“Did you all hear? Don’t get into accidents and rest quietly at home.”

“Yes!”

“It’s time to go home!”

“The guy who just shouted ‘It’s time to go home’ will stay back and do some extra work before leaving.”

“…Yes.”

Except for Yoon Sungtae, who shouted without realizing, everyone else started preparing to leave.

“Sigh, I wanted to play more games, but this monsoon is driving me crazy.”

If I had played a few more games in June, I could have won the Monthly MVP, but the rain was quite disappointing. It was also frustrating how the rain disrupted the flow of hitting. Well, having a day off was nice, though.

“Oh, it ended early. It’s awkward to go to the club now.”

Leaving work early was nice, but it was an awkward time to do anything. With rain pouring outside, going out didn’t seem appealing.

“Maengho!”

As I was about to change and leave the locker room, Park Junhyung called out to me.

“Hyung? Why?”

“The cheerleading team is having a gathering tonight. Want to come along?”

He’s surprisingly quick on these things.

“How are you so close with cheerleaders?”

“So, you don’t want to go?”

“…Of course, count me in.”

*

“He’s really playing around with her.”

In a dark car, a man with tired eyes pressed the camera button. With a click, the camera captured Ji Maengho and a woman in one frame.

“Finally got it. Why is it so hard to take pictures when this guy dates women so easily?”

The man who captured Ji Maengho on camera was Choi, a reporter from the well-known media outlet X-Catch, famous for various gossip and scandal articles in the entertainment industry.

The reason why an entertainment journalist followed Ji Maengho for about a month was simple. During the comeback of the popular idol group iBlack, while following them around, he happened to capture iBlack’s youngest member Juhee and Ji Maengho talking.

Although the two later parted ways in their respective cars and nothing seemed to happen, the journalist felt that the photo could be valuable. Sensing an opportunity for profit, Choi contacted a senior sports journalist about Ji Maengho.

Upon learning that Ji Maeng-ho had a strong inclination towards women, journalist Choi hit his forehead. Despite the senior’s warning about Ji Maeng-ho’s agency being well-respected in the sports industry, it was a matter unrelated to Choi as an entertainment reporter.

‘If I could somehow link Ju-hee and Se-hee, this could bring in some money. Was it Se-hee? There seemed to be a scandal involving that actor too. Wait, Ju-hee and Se-hee were from the same agency, right? If I handle this well, there could be some profit.’

Following this realization, Choi began investigating Ji Maeng-ho, using X-Catch’s distinctive trailing method. For a month, Choi’s routine was simple: during the day, he followed celebrities as usual, seeking out stories, and at night after baseball games, he pursued Ji Maeng-ho. If Ji Maeng-ho headed home, Choi would stop reporting and head back.

The discovered fact was that, as the senior working in sports had mentioned, Ji Maeng-ho was quite the womanizer. Unfortunately, most of them were ordinary people. Finally, today, Choi succeeded in capturing a shot of the popular cheerleader and Ji Maeng-ho together on screen.

While having a girlfriend would have made for a better story than just meeting many women, after waiting all day in front of Ji Maeng-ho’s house every non-game day for a month with no sign of him leaving, Choi realized his ideal scenario might not come to fruition.

“Well, if it’s not there, we can create it. Ju-hee, Se-hee, a club. If we spin it like this, it should sell well.”

With the ingredients in hand, all that remained was the cooking and selling it at the best time possible. And that prime time had already been decided. It was during the Olympics, a time when the entire nation’s attention was focused.

Depending on how well the baseball team performed, the business would either thrive or falter. A risk-free venture. Choi eagerly awaited the Olympics to showcase his creation.