episode_0440

-AT Thunderz with a 3-game winning streak! Jimaengho hits a grand slam!

…AT Thunderz continued their winning streak with Jimaengho’s grand slam. As they secured the victory, the focus shifted to whether AT Thunderz would secure the Winning Series or if the Vulcan Falcons would strike back to balance the series. This game began with a showdown between the two teams’ foreign mercenaries, Krongs and Markel.

The game, initially predicted to favor one side in the starting pitcher matchup, did not unfold as expected by the experts. Krongs, who was considered a candidate for the Golden Glove award this season, faltered early in the game and couldn’t make it past the 5th inning, much to the delight of the Vulcan dugout.

However, the turning point came in the bottom of the 4th inning with bases loaded and one out. Faced with a bases-loaded crisis, they executed an infield shift defense strategy, and Jimaengho turned a 4-2-5 (2nd base-catcher-3rd base) double play to thwart the threat.

Following the crisis, as the saying goes, AT Thunderz created a bases-loaded opportunity, with Jimaengho stepping up to the plate. Jimaengho delivered a grand slam at that crucial moment, proving why he is Jimaengho…

…With this victory, AT Thunderz successfully widened the gap with the Vulcan Falcons by 2.5 games…

┗Let’s go for the championship!!!!

┗Wow! Jimaengho is insane lol

┗Disgusting how AT pushed through intentionally walking him and still turned it into a double play, damn

┗I can’t take it anymore. I declare it now. AT’s reign of wind V4!!!

-AT Thunderz Sweeps the Series! 3-2 Victory!

…AT Thunderz clinched victory in the series with Jimaengho’s 54th home run leading them to win all games… Meanwhile, with this win, AT Thunderz extended their winning streak to 4 games, widening the gap with the 2nd place team, Vulcan Falcons, to 3.5 games…

As AT Thunderz succeeds in winning the 2023 Korean Series, basking in the glory of victory, the regular season championship has eluded them since 1994. The question arises whether AT Thunderz, now leading by 3.5 games, can achieve a regular season championship after 30 years, drawing attention from baseball fans.

┗GG AT for the win

┗Ugh, they keep teasing us again

┗16 games, 3.5 game lead. Still two matchups left, anything can happen

┗┗Haha, still clueless about reality lol

┗Unified championship, let’s go!

-Jimaengho’s 54th Home Run, Potential Record Breaker?

…Last week, Jimaengho added two more home runs to his tally, reaching his 54th home run of the season against Vulcan. With this home run, Jimaengho widened the gap with the 2nd place in home runs, Ju Seungchul (Han Chul Grizzlies, 46 home runs), to 8, solidifying his position as a contender for this season’s home run king.

Now, Jimaengho’s focus is not just on being this season’s home run king. His personal record stands at 60, set last year. The KBA’s record is 61 home runs set by Ju Hyeongjin in 2002.

With only 16 games remaining, Jimaengho needs 8 more home runs to break the record. He must hit one home run every two games. While this might seem impossible for most players, Jimaengho has recorded 54 home runs in 95 games this season, averaging 0.56 home runs per game.

The nation is eagerly watching to see if Jimaengho can maintain his pace throughout the season and set a new home run record in the KBA league.

┗If it’s Maengho, it might be possible lol

┗┗Hmm, but won’t they avoid giving him good pitches to hit to prevent it?

┗┗You might get cursed at the moment, but records are forever. It will be immortalized in history, so how do you compete lol

┗Let’s witness a new record lol

┗But looking at how they’re pitching to Jimaengho lately, seems impossible. They keep walking him, how will he hit home runs lol

*

“Wonho, let’s settle this today.”

“…What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on, let’s settle this! What’s the point of being friends?”

“Seems like you’re asking me to throw the game, huh? Are you crazy? Hey, we’ve got places to be. Charlotte and I are only two games away. If we lose because of your little match, you’ll take responsibility, right?”

“You heartless guy. When a friend asks for a favor like this…”

“Yeah, buzz off.”

Cold-hearted guy. How many times have I done things for his sake? I’m not even asking for a home run, just a simple match, and he rejects me like this.

‘Ugh… Maybe I should stop testing Jisoo.’

For a moment, I entertained the thought of stopping my assessment of whether Jisoo is a suitable woman for Wonho, but I quickly corrected myself. Wonho is also a professional who receives money from the team to play for victory. It must have been an unavoidable choice for the team’s success.

“Appreciate it, really.”

“…What’s with the sudden change?”

“Never mind. You don’t need to know, oh, by the way, do you have any girls you’re seeing these days?”

“No, why?”

“If you happen to meet someone, introduce her to me right away. You seem clueless about the world, and that worries me.”

“I’m not that… Alright, I’ll introduce you if I meet someone. Oh, wait. You’re not having weird thoughts, are you?”

“What weird thoughts?”

“You’re not trying to steal my girlfriend because I won’t play, are you?”

“Steal her? I don’t have that many girls I like. And if she’s the kind of girl who would leave you for me, then you shouldn’t be dating her, right?”

“True. I guess so. I don’t need a girl who flirts with her boyfriend’s friend.”

Indeed, Wonho was thinking along the same lines.

“But it’s damn fascinating. How can you have such rumors circulating and still get along well with Hyuna?”

“Maybe it’s my charm?”

“Ha… Envious guy. Hyuna is truly a nice girl. She keeps putting up with someone like you.”

“Hehe. Curious about that secret?”

As I glanced downward slightly while speaking, Wonho made a disgusted expression.

“…Get lost.”

Well, Wonho probably has a vague idea about that secret. After all, we’ve been to clubs together several times, and it’s not just once or twice that we’ve found women with dilated pupils in the club restroom.

“Anyway, can you do me a favor today?”

“Yeah, buzz off.”

“…You’re so mean.”

And so, after finishing the conversation with Wonho, the starting pitcher for the opposing team today, I waited for the game to begin. There are 16 games left in the season. Will I be able to set a new home run record this season? As I pondered this, I felt a bit regretful about missing the early part of the season.

‘Ugh, such bad luck. Last year it was the Asian Games, this season it’s the suspension. I have to play fully next year.’

With 60 home runs in 115 games last year and 54 home runs in 95 games this year, if I play full-time, I might surpass the world record of 73 home runs.

‘No, should I save 73 home runs for the majors? What do you think, Mr. Rosby?’

‘Quit babbling and focus on the game.’

‘…Yes.’

But the thought of “I haven’t even started yet…” didn’t linger for long. After spending some time in the dugout, before I knew it, the national anthem was playing, signaling the start of the game.

-First batter! Ji Maeng-ho!

-Wow!!!!

The stadium announcer called out my name, and the cheers of the fans filled the air. Today, I’m batting first again. The coach’s instruction was clear: swing for the fences. All that’s left is to face off against the pitcher.

‘Wonho, please help me just this once.’

Standing at the plate, I awaited Wonho’s pitch. What kind of pitch will Wonho throw? Will it be a ball far outside? Or maybe a challenge? He’ll probably avoid it, like other pitchers. Wonho lifted his leg, and the first pitch was thrown.

And just as I expected, the ball followed an outward trajectory.

‘As expected… Wait…?’

…I thought as the ball astonishingly curved and landed in the outside corner.

“Strike!”

“What… just happened?”

Trajectory of Determination? …Did Wonho throw a trajectory? The speed displayed on the scoreboard was 146 km/h. Considering that Wonho’s fastball usually ranges from the high 140s to low 150s, it was clear that he had thrown a trajectory. Thinking back to the Olympics or the power analysis sessions, there was no mention of him throwing a trajectory.

“Was that a trajectory just now?”

“Yeah.”

I asked the catcher to confirm my thoughts, and the answer came back quickly.

“…When did you learn that? I didn’t see you practicing it.”

“I heard he learned it from Senior Seonghyun at the Olympics. Killing the ball, right?”

“He sure does.”

The trajectory was definitely not ordinary. The ball, which I thought would cleanly go outside, suddenly curved near the plate and entered the strike zone.

‘But why hasn’t he used it until now?’

As I pondered this question while looking at him, the answer became clear when I saw Wonho smiling. Typically, pitchers maintain a poker face on the mound. But smiling like that meant…

‘Ah, he learned it to face me, didn’t he?’

Seeing him demonstrate this trajectory to me now meant one thing for sure. In this game, he had no intention of running away.

“That’s how it is, Wonho. You’re truly my friend, Wonho.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

“Time!”

‘Loss… um….’

And right after calling time, I was about to call for Ross B, but I stopped myself. I could sense Wonho’s genuine desire to compete with me.

If I teamed up with Ross B, it would be easy to hit Wonho’s pitches over the fence. Filtering out unfamiliar trajectories and aiming for his decision-making splitter or poorly executed slider was the usual strategy.

But this time, I didn’t want that.

– ‘What do you think? Surprised?’

Because I felt in Wonho’s eyes, as he smiled at me, a sincere desire to have a fun competition with a friend.

Kim Wonho… I first saw him in middle school league. Wonho was already famous in the middle school league. He was throwing pitches in the mid-140s since middle school. So when I saw him among the freshmen gathered at Hanche High School before entering high school, I couldn’t help but be amazed.

Wonho wasn’t the type to come to Hanche High School.

Until then, I didn’t know what kind of person Ikcheol was, so I ignored scouts from other high schools and enrolled in Hanche High School just by hearing the name Ikcheol, but there was no reason for Wonho to enroll in Hanche High School.

Later, I heard that his parents wanted him to attend Hanche High School, which was famous even among civilians as a specialized sports high school, but regardless, Wonho was not originally the type to come to Hanche High School.

In fact, to confess now, I had never hit against a pitcher like him until I met Ross B.

I had my own reputation in the middle school league as a utility player, but Wonho was a pitcher fitting for the junior high level.

But things are different now. Wonho has grown into a national team-level pitcher in just his second year in the starting rotation, while I have grown to become the league MVP and arguably the best player in Korean history, albeit with Ross B’s help.

So, what level am I without Ross B’s help? This was a chance to find out. Facing Wonho, who I considered a wall during my amateur days.

The me from back then and the me now. The Wonho from back then and the Wonho now. Who has grown more?

“What? Did you call me?”

“Forget it.”

“You useless punk….”

Having heard my brief call, I dismiss Ross B, who had approached closely.

“Yeah, I was surprised. You rascal.”

Looking at Wonho, I communicate with my eyes. Having spent four years under the same roof, it seemed like Wonho could understand my gaze immediately. Facing me, who was standing off the plate, he cracked his knuckles.

“Wonho, let’s have a proper showdown this time.”