episode_0434

“…So, are you saying that my discomfort changed because of a different form?”

“Yeah. It’s usually hard to notice such things. And even if you do notice, you have to make quick judgments.”

“Then why didn’t you mention that during the power analysis time?”

“Some players get more confused if you tell them about it. I’ve mentioned it a few times before, but it didn’t lead to better results.”

Hmm… his words made sense. It was easy to say that you hit based on the pitcher’s cues, but it wasn’t a simple task. The probability of identifying the pitch type by form was lower than the chance of missing the timing by focusing solely on the pitcher’s form.

“And you also need good eyesight. Even though the difference is subtle since everyone is a pro. Especially for someone like Yoon Junghwan, his wrist angle changes as he throws. Would other players be able to distinguish that even if you told them?”

“That’s true.”

Kim Suho speaking at length felt like a rare sight. Perhaps it was the first time or something new. Still, it was pleasant to listen to, unlike nagging.

“…And there are players where you can see the rotation when they throw the ball, right?”

“Yes. Sometimes, when I’m in good condition, I can see it too.”

Like feeling a curveball pop or noticing the rotation direction of a fastball and changeup. There were instances when this happened occasionally. Not just me, but other players mentioned seeing it too.

“It’s generally easier to figure it out that way. But if you can read Kuse’s cues, you might be able to discern not only the pitch but other things as well.”

“Other things? Like what?”

“For example, you could determine whether it’s an outside or inside pitch by looking at how the uniform wrinkles. Charlotte’s Minhyuk has that style.”

“Wow….”

Is he a genius? How can he recognize that? I had never even imagined it. Although I hadn’t checked the records, from what I remembered, Kim Minhyuk seemed to have had good matchups against Suho senior.

“You should also observe pitchers closely. You’ll notice habits of pitchers you know. Of course, don’t go around telling others.”

“Why not? Because it might affect performance if I focus on that?”

I had said something similar earlier, but this time the tone seemed slightly different. It was as if he was trying to say it in a way that wouldn’t reach others’ ears, with a softer voice.

“Well, I did mention that earlier. But there’s another reason.”

“…?”

“The baseball field is surprisingly small. Everyone knows each other, seniors and juniors. If you say something, it might reach the opponent pitcher’s ears. And once it does, some might use it against you.”

“They use it against you? Baseball is complicated.”

Playing baseball while considering all these factors… I was following Rossby’s advice, but clearly, being a pro wasn’t easy.

“The easiest guy to mess with in the league is… Anyway, it seems like you’re starting to pay more attention to your hitting. It might sound funny coming from me to say this to you.”

Paying more attention to hitting… I honestly wasn’t sure about that. Compared to when I was with Rossby, I was striking out more and my batting average was dropping. Honestly, my current stats were mostly due to pitchers who were trying to avoid me, which was working in my favor.

However, I did feel like I could see things that weren’t visible before. If it were in the past, instead of focusing on the pitching form, I would have been thinking about whether it was inside or outside, high or low.

“Heh, am I a genius after all?”

With that confidence, I entered the bottom of the 9th inning.

“Strike! Out!”

“Oh, damn, this isn’t working.”

UG’s final pitcher, Kim Woo-jun, struck out looking after staring too intently at the mound, and the game came to an end.

“Was he just standing there in the last at-bat because of what I said?”

After losing the game, while sitting blankly in the dugout, Suho approached and started a conversation.

“…It’s not easy.”

“Well… You’re unpredictable. Sometimes like a genius, sometimes like a fool. Anyway, don’t take my words too seriously. You’re doing well enough in your own way.”

“…Yes.”

…It seemed like he had to continue as before.

*

“Mang-ho, do you want to play in the first game of the doubleheader or the second?”

“I’ll play both games.”

“Both games? Can you handle it?”

“Yes. I can.”

Upon hearing Mang-ho’s confident words, AT Thunder’s coach, Lee Soo-hyun, was in a dilemma. It was Mang-ho’s first doubleheader since turning pro. He wondered if Mang-ho was pushing himself too hard out of a desire to play in the games, but Mang-ho didn’t seem particularly tired.

“Well, he’s the type to go out and have fun until morning on away games. Well, he didn’t go out yesterday, though.”

Lee Soo-hyun, the team’s coach, was well aware of the scandal involving Mang-ho that caused a stir among the public. Mang-ho’s ability to meet women during away games was only possible with the coach’s implicit approval.

Deciding it was better to observe rather than interfere with a hitter like Mang-ho who consistently delivered results, Lee Soo-hyun’s judgment ultimately led to victory.

Although he wasn’t sure when Mang-ho slept, the player showed a diligent attitude in training despite his late-night activities. The Mang-ho that Lee Soo-hyun saw was a player with stronger stamina than any other player he had seen before.

…It was a bit concerning to see him meditating in the dugout from time to time.

“Well, Mang-ho, you have good stamina… Alright. Still, be careful not to get injured. Try not to steal bases unless necessary.”

“Yes!”

Despite the nail-biting 0.5-game difference, Lee Soo-hyun decided to give most players rest and manage the game conventionally.

With only 30 games left, the tight schedule led to the decision to give players rest to prevent fatigue-related injuries, which was deemed more likely to increase the team’s winning percentage.

While every player on the team was important, if he had to pick one crucial player, it would be only one person: Mang-ho. Mang-ho was the most essential player for the AT Thunder. After meeting with Mang-ho, Lee Soo-hyun called the coaching staff before the team meeting.

“Hmm, if I give the starters who played last night a break for the day game, that should work, right?”

The coach, who had planned to use all the starters in the game he played, eventually decided to field the starters in the night game after hearing that I would play both games.

“So, for this doubleheader, the starting pitchers will be Bellingham for the day game as announced earlier, and Chan-young for the night game.”

Bellingham for the day game and Kim Chan-young for the night game. While it made sense to field the starters in the game Bellingham pitched to secure a definite win, the decision for the night game was to rely on the strength of the starting lineup to secure victory based on trust in Bellingham’s pitching.

There was a risk of losing both games, but it was also a gamble where they could potentially win both games. A decision combining conventional management with a strategic gamble.

In that judgment lay a belief in Ji Maeng-ho. Ji Maeng-ho was a batter who could produce scores on his own. If Bellevue didn’t collapse early due to bad luck, it seemed like they could easily take the first game.

And if they also managed to win the night game with all their key players…

“…So, you plan to put the starters in the night game.”

“If that’s what the coach wants…”

“I think it’s a good idea too. UG starter Song Ho-jun is somewhat weak against Ji Maeng-ho. If he performs well, we might be able to win both games.”

“And considering Song Ho-jun started the first game, UG will probably fill the lineup with reserve players as well. UG’s reserves might not perform well against Bellevue. If Bellevue can hold out for about 7 innings, the pitching situation should be comfortable for the night game.”

Respecting Coach Lee Soo-hyun’s decision, the first game of the doubleheader began.

“Hello, baseball fans. The doubleheader between AT Thunderz and UG Over Roses, the first game between UG Over Roses and AT Thunderz, is unfolding now.”

“AT Thunderz seemed like they might change positions after losing yesterday’s game, but despite a close match that went into extra innings resulting in a loss, the rankings didn’t change, right? After this doubleheader between AT Thunderz and Volcano Falcons, I wonder if the rankings of these two teams battling for the top spot will switch, or if AT Thunderz will maintain their position at the top.”

“Now, let me explain AT’s lineup. Leadoff batter Jung Hwi-chul, second batter Kang Joo-hyun, third batter Ji Maeng-ho, cleanup hitter designated hitter Williams, fifth batter…”

“Except for designated hitter Williams and Ji Maeng-ho, the lineup consists mostly of players who come in as substitutes. The performance of Ji Maeng-ho and Williams will be crucial in today’s game.”

“Now, let me explain UG Over Roses’ defensive positions. Starting pitcher Song Ho-jun and catcher Park Seung-jun form the battery… Now stepping up to the plate is leadoff batter Jung Hwi-chul.”

“Let’s take it easy, let’s relax.”

Coach Lee Soo-hyun chose Jung Hwi-chul as the leadoff batter for this game. Jung Hwi-chul, known for his contact ability and defensive skills, and Baek Jeong-jin, who boasts solid stats without any flaws, were always players the team pondered over when setting the lineup.

Although Baek Jeong-jin, who often appears in the lineup lately, had the power to aim for double-digit home runs at Jamsil, Jung Hwi-chul surpassed him in terms of contact ability. If Ji Maeng-ho or Kim Soo-ho didn’t bat first, Jung Hwi-chul was a player who could slot into the leadoff spot at any time. That player was none other than Jung Hwi-chul.

Thud!

“This is it!”

With Jung Hwi-chul’s hit, although Coach Lee Soo-hyun clapped nonchalantly, he couldn’t hide his inner joy.

“The textbook move here would be a bunt or a steal…”

Second batter Kang Joo-hyun, who occasionally played as a defensive replacement mainly to manage the stamina of the infielders, wasn’t someone to expect a hit from. In a normal situation, a strategy would have been set immediately, but Ji Maeng-ho was up next. Leaving first base open in front of Ji Maeng-ho meant something else.

Lee Soo-hyun chose to stick with the current situation.

“Don’t hit into a double play.”

“Kang Joo-hyun! He lifts the fourth pitch! This hit goes…! Caught by the center fielder.”

“Phew, now Ji Maeng-ho is up with a runner on base. If Maeng-ho hits just once…”

The first turning point where today’s game could be easily won. As always, Coach Lee Soo-hyun trusted and watched Ji Maeng-ho’s at-bat. And…

Crack!

Ji Maeng-ho, as if replying to Coach Lee Soo-hyun’s trust, sent the ball to the right field with a resounding crack.

“All fielders freeze! Ji Maeng-ho’s incredible hit! All you can do is watch this hit! Ji Maeng-ho’s 47th season home run! Once again, Ji Maeng-ho takes the lead in today’s game!”

“Alright! Let’s take it easy! Relax!”

Episode by episode, Ji Maeng-ho’s refreshing home runs exploded onto the scene. Ji Maeng-ho’s home run, flawlessly executing his game plan, left Coach Lee Soo-hyun no choice but to applaud loudly, even forgetting during the game that he should maintain his poker face.