episode_0407

“Swoosh, it was comfortable when Cole was on the mound…”

Marcus Stroman. At first glance, he seemed like a dwarf climbing onto the mound, but his pitching was quite threatening. It made Garrett Cole miss it.

While Cole’s pitches were fast, after hitting a home run off me and getting excited, they started coming towards the center. We couldn’t score, but other batters also produced sharp hits. However, Stroman’s pitches were completely different.

There was no reason to get excited as he induced ground balls from hitters with his unique sinker and low sidearm delivery.

…Just like now.

“Uwaaa!”

Stroman roared after striking out Kim Suho. This marks the end of the 7th inning. After showcasing near-perfect pitching for 4.1 innings, he stepped down from the mound. Now, just like in the U.S., two more innings remain.

“Let’s focus, stop them in the 1st inning and turn the game around!”

“Let’s do it!”

Did the atmosphere shift due to Stroman’s roar? Senior players raised their voices, rallying the mood.

“Let’s go!”

I, too, unable to lose, raised my voice, injecting fighting spirit.

“Yes. Let’s hold them off for 2 innings!”

Our next pitcher is Shin Suho, the volcano’s closer. Known as the “Postseason Go Young-hwan,” Shin Suho throws an average fastball of about 153 km/h, reaching up to 156 km/h at its peak, and a changeup that induces swings with a count set by a knuckle curve clocking around 130 km/h.

Especially this season, perhaps learning from Seonghyeon, his quite effective changeup has made him the leader in saves this season. He played a significant role in the volcano’s fight for the top spot, earning him the title “Postseason Go Young-hwan.”

“I need to pitch well.”

However, I couldn’t help but worry. The American lineup coming up now consists of MVP-level hitters like Trout-Goldschmidt-Ozuna. No, not just MVP level, these are guys who have actually won MVPs in the Major Leagues.

Seonghyeon managed to hold them off with his seasoned pitching, but the worry was inevitable.

“Ball.”

And right from the start, an uneasy feeling crept in. A ball against Trout. While Shin Suho’s movement was quite good, his control wasn’t top-notch. Back in Korea, there weren’t many batters who could hit a ball placed in the middle, so it didn’t stand out much, but facing Trout, the pressure to throw towards the borderline was evident.

And attempts like that often failed for pitchers with poor control.

“Ball.”

“Ball.”

Three consecutive walks against Trout. Yong-gi calls for a timeout, removes his mask, and approaches the mound. Choi Jutae, Kim Suho, and Gu Jinmo also gather around the mound.

“Swoosh, everyone’s gathering.”

Honestly, I wasn’t particularly close even after joining the national team, so I felt a bit awkward, but I couldn’t resist the atmosphere and walked towards Shin Suho.

“Suho.”

“…Sorry.”

“Don’t be nervous. Even Trout is getting old. That guy can’t even hit an OPS of 1 anymore.”

“……”

“You’re aiming for the Majors. Then you have to compete. Isn’t that right?”

Hmm…, was this the kind of conversation we usually had within the team? Anyway, aiming for the Majors left me slightly amused.

“That’s right, don’t be scared. We’ve got your back.”

“Suho, there aren’t many pitchers like you in the Majors. Have confidence.”

Except for the usually silent Kim Suho, the rest of the infielders each offered a word of encouragement to Shin Suho. Feeling the vibe, I spoke up too.

“Yes, Suho, pull yourself together.”

“…Am I your senior?”

As a junior, Shin Suho looked puzzled when he heard me speak informally and Kim Suho flinched momentarily when his name slipped from my lips. Finding their reactions amusing, I spoke again. When else would I ever call Kim Suho by his name?

“So, pull yourself together, Suho.”

“Well, this is…”

“…Why are you talking to me?”

“It’s a misunderstanding, senior.”

Quickly trying to dispel Kim Suho’s confusion(?), I opened my mouth but it seemed like everyone had caught on. The other seniors were also trying hard to suppress their laughter. Among the gathered individuals, Kim Suho was the most senior.

“Alright, Suho. Do well.”

“Suho, Suho. You’ll do well, right?”

Perhaps in a playful mood, even the seniors called out Kim Suho’s name while looking at him. Shin Suho also seemed to have realized the current situation, as a bit of life returned to his expressionless face.

“You seem a bit more relaxed seeing you smile. Let’s do well.”

“…Yes.”

Seeing Shin Suho in that state, Lee Yong-gi patted Kim Suho’s shoulder. However, the tension might not have completely dissipated yet. It was a situation where relaxation was crucial. Fortunately, I knew of a special remedy for tense pitchers.

“Senior Suho.”

“Yes?”

“…What?”

“No, Mr. Shin Suho.”

“Yes?”

“I have something I do for tense pitchers on the team. Shall I try it once? It works wonders.”

“That’s true.”

As Kim Suho nodded along with my words, Shin Suho showed interest.

“What is it? Give it a try.”

“Do I have your permission?”

I approached Shin Suho. As I did, he flinched. Then, at lightning speed, I lightly slapped his cheek with my palm.

Smack! – Ouch! A cheerful sound of palm meeting cheek echoed from the mound.

“Hey, that hurts! What are you doing?”

“Feeling more relaxed now?”

“You crazy bastard!”

Shin Suho kicked my butt. Judging by his actions, the tension had definitely eased.

“Hah, seems like it worked. Senior. Now, I’ll focus properly.”

“Good, since you haven’t given a walk yet, let’s do our best.”

As the timeout ended, Lee Yong-gi returned to the home plate, and we all went back to our positions.

“Strike!”

The pitched ball landed squarely in the strike zone. Trout, who wouldn’t miss such a ball, simply let it pass, waiting for a walk for the team’s victory.

‘Is this the pressure of the Olympics?’

Ross B. couldn’t understand Trout’s behavior, but I did. Just like how I bunted in the final at-bat of the Korean Series.

Thunk!

“Short!”

However, unlike me, Trout successfully reached base while avoiding Shin Suho’s changeup.

‘He talked about curveballs and whatnot, but he doesn’t seem like his old self.’

Trout, whom I saw in the WBC, was truly intimidating… It felt like time had passed. Now, the next batter was Goldschmidt. He hit into a double play today, but he was a batter who relentlessly troubled Seonghyun.

Fortunately, Shin Suho, gaining confidence by catching Trout, began to throw strikes into John’s zone.

“Strike!”

“Ball.”

“Strike!”

“Ball.”

Thunk!

“Second!”

This time, a ground ball came near me. It was a fairly fast hit towards second base. While preparing to dive to catch the ball, it hit the base and bounced high.

“Damn!”

The body kept moving towards the shortstop direction, but I forcefully drove the spike into the ground to stop myself. In that moment, a sharp pain shot through my knee. Managing to halt my movement, I gazed at the ball, which seemed to bounce up in slow motion. Fortunately, due to its initial speed, it bounced quite high.

“Gotcha!”

Gold Schmidt, a veteran in his mid-thirties. If he catches it, he can make an out. Praying earnestly, he reaches out with his glove.

Thud! A solid sensation as the ball lands in the glove. Quickly pulling it out as practiced many times before, he throws towards first base.

“Crack.”

However, perhaps due to the pain in his knee, the throw soared high. Now, all I could do was trust and pray for Gu Jinmo, boasting the best first-base defense in the KBA League.

“Senior! Please catch it!”

Gu Jinmo leaps high. Bang! The sound of the glove meeting the ball. Gu Jinmo descends slowly. As he steps on the base, Gold Schmidt also steps on it. The result is…

“…Out!”

“Nice!”

“Jimaengho! What’s with the defense?!”

Shin Suho takes off his cap and greets, while Choi Jutae approaches me excitedly, exclaiming, “You crazy bastard! How did you catch that?”

“I’m Jimaengho.”

“What? Why are you holding your knee?”

“Did you overdo it a bit?”

“…Is it an injury?”

“It’s not serious.”

“Not a ligament injury, right?”

“If it were, I couldn’t have thrown.”

“Well….”

Upon my words, Choi Jutae immediately calls the conditioning coach. It wasn’t a serious issue, as I knew my body well. A minor injury that could heal with a day’s rest. The problem was today…

“How can you play the game?”

“It seems possible.”

“Are you okay for defense?”

“…For now.”

Though I felt a slight pain when walking, I couldn’t afford to miss the game. I am needed in this team, in South Korea.

“…Let me know if it gets tough.”

Perhaps the coach was aware of this fact, as he doesn’t suggest me leaving the game.

“Are you really okay?”

After finishing the spray and taping, the coach heads back to the dugout, and Choi Jutae looks at me with a worried expression.

“…I’m fine.”

I’m fine. I can endure this much. It’s nothing compared to when I was in a car accident.

‘But I hope they don’t hit it towards me.’

Indeed, it’s better not to move if possible. Whether Shin Suho or Lee Yongki had the same thought, they demand a body-side match against the next batter, Jeoji. Trying to avoid hitting the ball towards me, they mix up their pitches.

Thwack!

And Jeoji hits that body-side pitch. The ball flies far towards left field.

“Darn it, no way!”

Hitting a home run in a body-side match because of me…? The thought of causing a home run fills my mind with guilt. No, it wasn’t a home run yet. Gisangju is chasing after Jeoji’s hit. The wall is getting closer. Three steps, two steps, one step. Gisangju leaves one step in front of the fence and jumps high towards the ball.

“Aaaahhh!!!”

And the cheering of the spectators is heard,

“Gisangju! Gisangju! Gisangju!”

Korean fans cheering for us, calling out Gisangju’s name.

“Senior!! Darn it! Gisangju, you’re the best!”

Even though we’re on the same team, he did this for me! That’s a triple play! If we score, Go Yeong-ho will come up in the 9th inning. Go Yeong-ho can easily hold for an inning. All that’s left is to score. And in the bottom of the 8th, it’ll be my turn at bat.

“Darn it, let’s do this.”

“Maengho, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Returning to the dugout, the coach and manager approach me to inquire about my condition, but since I had no intention of leaving the game, I assure them I’m fine and prepare for my turn at bat. Stromon is still on the mound. Judging by the batters’ conditions, it had to be me.

Kang Han-beom has 18 at-bats and only one hit? How much is that worth? Ugh, Kang Han-beom is in trouble… If only Jincheol senior were here instead… Getting old and retiring would be better than causing trouble like this. Ugh. Anyway, all I can do now is hope that Jutae senior will come through. If Choi Jutae gets on base, I’ll take care of it.

With that determination in mind, he went into the game, hoping that Kang Han-beom could prolong the match as much as possible. No, he tried to go in.

Thwack!

If it wasn’t the sound of a hit coming from the first pitch, they must have surely trained mentally with Rosby.

Almost like an explosion, I involuntarily turned my gaze toward the field at the sound of the hit.

“Oh? Is it going?”

“It’s going! It’s going!”

“Please! Go over, go over!”

…Inside the field, Kang Han-beom’s hit was tracing a beautiful arc towards the wall. And the Dodger Stadium enveloped in silence. Even the seniors who were noisy just a moment ago are now silent, focusing on the destination of that hit.

The stadium erupted in noise again when Kang Han-beom’s hit went over the wall.

-Wow!

-Kang Han-beom! Kang Han-beom! Kang Han-beom!

-Ohh~~!! Charlotte Kang Han-beom~! Ohh~~!! Charlotte Kang Han-beom!

Excited fans couldn’t contain themselves, chanting Kang Han-beom’s cheers echoing throughout the stadium, making the dugout noisy.

“Damn it! Han-beom hyung! Did you resurrect or what!”

“Damn it! Comeback! It’s a comeback!”

“Kang Han-beom! Kang Han-beom!”

Seniors going crazy, jumping around in madness.

“Seniors!!! I believed in you!!! Damn!! That’s it!!!!”

And there I was, shouting Kang Han-beom’s name at the top of my lungs, shoulder to shoulder with the seniors, caught up in the frenzy.