episode_0388

“…Meanwhile, the baseball star J, known for his charismatic presence and pink aura, was also infamous in the baseball world as a playboy. After witnessing a meeting between Juhee and J, a rookie journalist decided to follow J to uncover more about him. What she discovered was astonishing. J was involved with numerous women, particularly enjoying clubbing and even being able to capture photos of him entering hotels with fans during away games. …I could write this down and post the pictures here, right? I included some Asian Games stories and photos of women he met at the Olympics; it seems quite complete, doesn’t it?”

At Dajeon Stadium where Korea and the Netherlands were facing off in a baseball game, the lead reporter from X-Catch observed the players warming up, making final checks on the article he would be sending.

“Well, I couldn’t have imagined this extent when I first started covering.”

In particular, uncovering content targeting a player speculated to be Mingho, who participated in last year’s Asian Games as part of the soccer national team, was a breakthrough.

– “Some national team players come here and just fool around with foreign women while we train like we’re going to die! LOL But that guy still manages to excel in his sport and grab a gold medal; that’s legendary. Well, he did get kicked out of the Olympics despite winning medals.”

To those in the know, the content clearly aimed at Mingho.

Although the post was made on a private account and hadn’t spread widely, stumbling upon it piqued the interest of the lead reporter. This led him to seek out the team manager.

-“Manager, if this happened during the Asian Games, wouldn’t it happen during the Olympics too?”

-“But are you sure about this?”

-“It’s true. There are a few seniors in the sports field who know all about it.”

-“Why didn’t these guys get exposed? Are they performing so well that they’re untouchable?”

-“Anyway, if we manage to capture evidence at the Olympics this time, it will be a real breakthrough. Mingho has been hot since last year.”

-“…So?”

-“Send him to LA.”

-“Is this guy just trying to use this as an excuse to go to the US with company money?”

-“Haha… Well, a bit of both.”

-“Alright then. We’ll allocate travel expenses, so handle it well.”

-“Yes, sir! Loyalty!”

Thus, Mingho, who had been monitored since departing on the same day as the baseball national team, didn’t disappoint. Photos of Mingho looking intimate with foreign female athletes near the athlete village, restaurants, or hotels were captured, and the article was almost complete. Initially intending to highlight the love triangle between idol Juhee, actress Sehee, and Mingho, the focus shifted towards Mingho’s exposé due to the abundance of material, resembling a scandalous article. The views were expected to be high, leaving the lead reporter satisfied.

From scandals with Sehee, photos with Juhee, to images of Mingho entering restaurants or hotels with other women, and even discovering Mingho’s secret Instagram account through a fan interview – the process revealed unsettling facts about Mingho’s prowess in bed, which the lead reporter preferred not to delve into. Nevertheless, the preparation was flawless.

“I’ve made the necessary adjustments… Thanks to this, I can even attend the Olympics with company funds. Thank you, Mingho.”

Closing his laptop, he gazed at the sky in LA. California’s summer was bright and warm, providing a sense of mental satisfaction. He was grateful to Mingho, not only for the headlines but also for the opportunity to tour the US; such benefactors were rare.

“Poor guy, working hard as he is.”

In truth, there was a tinge of pity. One fact uncovered while investigating Mingho was that he had risen from an orphan background to become a successful athlete.

Privacy was a bit compromised, but in the entertainment industry, such individuals were not uncommon. Although I wasn’t well-versed in baseball, I couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry, thinking that Ji Maeng-ho could end up like Han Hyung-jin or Seong Hyeon. It felt a bit pitiful considering that if this article led to public criticism, one person could be ruined.

Thus, the conflict within Reporter Choi between pity and gratitude towards Ji Maeng-ho persisted.

“Sigh, if I publish an article upon their elimination, it will surely ruin them.”

If an article were to be released upon the national team’s elimination, it would undoubtedly ruin a player’s life. Of course, that didn’t mean the article wouldn’t be published.

Reporter Choi’s dilemma lay in the timing of it all.

“Should I release it upon elimination? Or should I wait until they lose?”

Just because they played a game in the group stage didn’t mean the national team would be eliminated. The thought of publishing an article on the day of their elimination seemed too cruel, and there was also the possibility that if the national team won, the article would become worthless.

In truth, to Reporter Choi, who knew little about baseball, the probability of South Korea winning seemed quite high. Having observed Ji Maeng-ho’s performance during practice matches to capture his photo, even Reporter Choi, who was unfamiliar with baseball, could see Ji Maeng-ho’s remarkable play.

Roughly speaking, perhaps 10% pity, 20% gratitude, and 70% anxiety about the likelihood of winning? If baseball fans heard this, they would probably mock, asking how they could win against the likes of the U.S. and Japan. However, due to Reporter Choi’s lack of baseball knowledge, he didn’t sense anything amiss.

Reporter Choi’s knowledge of baseball extended only to home runs and strikeouts. To him, Ji Maeng-ho, who seemed to hit home runs every time he appeared during practice matches, looked like the world’s best player. From Ji Maeng-ho’s position in South Korea, the impressive records found through articles, and witnessing Ji Maeng-ho firsthand, coupled with the hype around the current national team being the strongest ever.

“They won in 2008, so the chances of winning this time with the strongest lineup ever are high, right?”

It was a situation where worrying about winning seemed unnecessary.

“I’d rather they lose in the group stage….”

After pondering this, it seemed better to release the article immediately upon losing in the group stage rather than saving it. That way, with each ongoing baseball match, his article would resurface.

“Yes, lose. Anyway, the article is almost ready.”

With fervent hopes for the national team’s defeat, Reporter Choi finally completed the article. How much time had passed? By the time Reporter Choi finished editing, the match between South Korea and the Netherlands was about to begin.

—

[Citizens, hello. The Olympic Group C match between South Korea and the Netherlands is about to start. Kim Jun-il, our commentator, will join us.]

[Hello! This is Kim Jun-il.]

[Mr. Kim, how do you see the upcoming match against the Netherlands?]

“The Netherlands match. In fact, the Netherlands is not a team to be taken lightly. Major League past and present players are on their roster. Especially, shortstop Bogaerts is known as the best offensive shortstop in the Major Leagues, with five Silver Slugger awards. Their pitcher Kenley Jansen holds the record for the most saves in active Major League players and might even enter the Hall of Fame. With players like Jonathan Schoop, Didi Gregorius returning to the Big Leagues, Andrelton Simmons, Pedro Strop, Josh Phegley, many names familiar to Major League viewers.”

“Moreover, today’s starter Van den Berg is quite a familiar name to Korean baseball fans, isn’t he?”

[Yes. He is a player who showed great performance in the KBA League as a member of Silla Triggers from 2020 to 2021. He is currently active in St. Louis.]

[Then, how strong is South Korea’s lineup?]

[Of course, the Netherlands is a tough opponent, but we don’t need to be intimidated at all. We also have many players with experience in the Major Leagues. From Jung Woo-sung, who plays as a starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates, to Go Young-hwan, who plays in the bullpen for the Minnesota Twins, and even Choi Ju-tae, the starting shortstop for the LA Angels. Additionally, there are many players like Seong Hyeon, Ki Sang-joo, and Kang Han-beom who have Major League backgrounds.]

[Truly a powerhouse lineup, isn’t it?]

[That’s right. And we have players like Jang Woo-joo, who can throw 100 miles per hour, Ji Maeng-ho, who set a record with 6 consecutive home runs, and Ju Seung-cheol, who is scouted every year by Major League teams. It’s a lineup that can definitely hold its own.]

[Indeed. Now, the national anthems of both teams will play, and the game will begin shortly. In the top of the 1st inning, the Netherlands will be batting first. Let me introduce the Netherlands’ lineup. Leading off, Jurickson Profar, batting second, Roger Bernadina, batting third, Xander Bogaerts, batting cleanup, Didi Gregorius, batting fifth…]

[With a lineup as strong as a European powerhouse, isn’t it?]

[Now, let me introduce South Korea’s defensive lineup to face them. Starting pitcher is the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 3rd starter, submarine ace Jung Woo-sung. And catching for Jung Woo-sung is South Korea’s top catcher, Lee Yong-gi. Defensively, from 1st base, Gu Jin-mo, Ji Maeng-ho, Choi Ju-tae, Kim Soo-ho will cover the infield, while the outfield consists of Kang Han-joo, Ju Seung-cheol, Kim Jung-hyun.]

[On the international stage, especially at the Olympics, players may feel nervous. The key is to overcome that nervousness. I hope the South Korean players can show a good performance.]

South Korea, in Group C, opened the door with a match against the Netherlands. Those unfamiliar with baseball often underestimated the Netherlands, but as a European powerhouse, they were a formidable team. In particular, they had brought shame to South Korea in the 2013 and 2017 WBCs, and the salary of their key hitter Bogaerts was comparable to the combined salaries of 2-3 teams in the KBA League.

And Choi Ju-tae knew about the strength of the Netherlands team from facing them in the 2013 and 2017 WBCs.

“Maeng-ho, are you nervous?”

Before facing such a formidable opponent as the Netherlands, Choi Ju-tae spoke to Maeng-ho, his partner and a young player, concerned that he might be nervous.

“What’s there to be nervous about?”

“But this is a Major League stadium. Aren’t you feeling the pressure?”

“Oh, senior. Where’s the pressure on the field? It’s just the same. Well, there are more people here.”

“True, you didn’t crack under pressure in the WBC either. Show them what you’ve got today.”

“I’ll show them what I’ve got.”

And as the umpire’s sign signaled the start of the game, the two stopped their conversation and watched with serious expressions as the pitcher faced the batter.

[Jung Woo-sung, delivers the first pitch!]

Thud!

And the Netherlands’ leadoff hitter Profar connected with Jung Woo-sung’s fastball. Jung Woo-sung’s fastball was a sinker that induced ground balls. As calculated by the battery, the ball hit by Profar bounced towards right field quickly.

“Second baseman diving! Ji Maeng-ho!”

No, it was headed there. Until Ji Maeng-ho sprinted several meters and dove. After catching the ball, Ji Maeng-ho swiftly rose like lightning and threw the ball to the first baseman.

“Ji Maeng-ho! He catches the ball! A beast-like defense! Out at first base! Ji Maeng-ho steals a hit from Profar. Profar looks disappointed, doesn’t he?]

“Wow, a fantastic defense came out right from the beginning of the game. It was truly instinctive defense, wasn’t it? If it weren’t for Player Ji Maeng-ho’s quick reflexes and athleticism, it would have been a hit. When I saw the hit, I thought it would be a single between first and second base, but Player Ji Maeng-ho’s defense was really impressive. When an outfielder makes such a play, it boosts the pitcher’s morale.”

“Nice catch!”

“Are you crazy good at defense?”

“Thanks, Maeng-ho.”

Upon hearing the seniors’ praises, Ji Maeng-ho nods his head proudly, raising his glove in response to their compliments.

It was clearly a great defensive move to anyone watching, but the player who displayed such defense gestures as if it was just a routine play. Watching this from the side, Choi Ju-tae then spoke to Ji Maeng-ho again.

“Weren’t you really nervous?”

“Ju-tae senior. I’m Ji Maeng-ho.”