Chapter 285 – Episode 283. 2023 Semi-Playoffs. (1)

Ta – Aak!

“Is Maengho’s condition good? “I was worried after returning from the Asian Games, but it was worth it just to train for the remaining period.”

“Well, this should be enough.”

“Okay, next. Those who have finished should wash and wait. “I’m going to have a meeting after training.”

“I understand.”

One day before the semi-playoffs began, all preliminary training for the upcoming fall baseball season was completed. All that’s left is a strategy meeting. Of course, there will be training before the game tomorrow, but since it is probably just a warm-up before the game, this was actually the last time.

And as I confirmed in the last training session, my hitting wasn’t that bad. Except for Chen Jianhao, throughout the Asian Games, it took some time for his batting skills to improve as he was beating low-level pitchers, but with the performance he showed in today’s training, there was no need to worry about tomorrow’s game.

“Meng Hao, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

At that moment, Woo Kwan-hyung, who had finished training next to me, called me. It was still annoying to go to the shower with a man, but it was inevitable since we lived in a group.

‘When I become king later, I will have to shower alone.’

“Looking at your expression, you seem satisfied?”

“Well, that’s okay.”

“Good. “Let’s just play it like the Asian Games, Maengho.”

“I will try my best.”

Woo Kwan-hyung must have been thinking about tomorrow’s game as well, and the silence continued until we reached the locker room after my answer.

‘Although he is a veteran, Kwan-hyung seems to be very nervous. Well, it’s my first time in the semi-playoffs since I was a rookie, so I’m definitely nervous.’

I felt it during training, but Woo Kwan-hyung’s current condition was different from usual. It was worth it since this was the postseason for the first time in 20 years. It was unsettling to see Woo Gwan-hyung being more nervous than usual, but there was nothing bad about Woo Gwan-hyung as he was a player who showed his abilities in every tense situation.

When I arrived at the locker room, Woo Kwan-hyung broke the silence and spoke.

“… But haven’t you received any invitations for advertisements or entertainment?”

“I did come in.”

Advertising or entertainment casting. I did come in. Because there were a few days left after the Asian Games. But all the agencies rejected it. The reason was that there was no need to raise awareness through entertainment or advertisements.

My agency is actually Soyoung’s company, so that was also Soyoung’s will. One day, I asked him why, and he said,

-“Entertainment? No. But if you go out, you’ll definitely make a mistake, so that’s absolutely not possible. Advertisement? How much money do you say you get for that? I’ll just give it to you. It’s a waste of time. … Well, I’ll think about it during the off-season.”

What Soyoung said was correct. I also agreed with the statement that, with the postseason just around the corner, it is better to train than to go on a variety show and make a mistake while damaging the team’s atmosphere or to waste time filming a commercial.

If I had been more pushy, he would have reluctantly agreed, but my first postseason was more important than that.

“But you rejected them all?”

“That’s the way it is.”

“That’s amazing. It’s not easy for a young player to do that.”

“You can do that at any time. “Right now I have to focus on baseball.”

“Yes. Baseball players are cool when they focus on baseball.”

That’s true, but hearing that from Woo Gwan-hyung, the most senior member of the team, made me sound a bit like an old man.

“… “Frame.”

“Huh?”

“… “I have nothing to say.”

“Yeah, you think so too, right? “Let’s try to win this time.”

With those words, Woo Kwan-hyung went into the shower room first.

‘But when we were training together in Australia, I think they said let’s go to the fall baseball game, but now they say let’s win the game. Well, we’re not ready to just be satisfied with fall baseball.’

Of course, so did I. I had no desire to rest at home just smelling autumn. The goal was always to win. And to win, the first step was important. The first step is the semi-playoffs.

‘I’m a little nervous.’

Is it because the tension was contagious to Woo Gwan-hyeong? As the day approached, I too was a little nervous. But he didn’t feel bad. A pleasant feeling of tension that makes your heart pound. In fact, it seemed like it was better now than the Asian Games, where there was no tension.

“Meng Hao, aren’t you coming in?”

“Yes, I’m going.”

Enjoying the pleasant tension, I began to wash my body as far away from Woo Gwan-hyeong as possible.

*

[2023 KBA semi-playoffs. It will be a rivalry between the AT Thunders, who entered fall baseball for the first time since 2002, and the Hancheol Grizzlies, who defeated the Shilla Triggers in the wild card game.]

[This is the first time the two teams have faced each other in the postseason since 2000, so it can also be seen as the first face-to-face of the 21st century.]

[Yes. In fact, the Grizzlies can be considered regular guests of fall baseball, but the AT Thunders have been going through a long dark period and have not been invited to fall baseball, but this year is different. He entered Hancheol in a higher ranking than the Hancheol Grizzlies, with 77 wins, 61 losses, and 6 draws, a winning percentage of 0.558.]

[You’re right. AT, who performed sensationally while transforming into a corps of sluggers this season with powerhouse Han-cheol. A face-off between two Jamsil rivals. I really can’t help but look forward to it.]

[Then, who do you think is the key player on both teams who made this match hot?]

[There are so many key players for the Hancheol Grizzlies, so we can’t help but pick this player. This is Joo Seung-cheol. He made his debut in 2021 and won the Rookie of the Year award, winning the Golden Glove for two consecutive years. Although he did not appear in many games this season due to an injury sustained at the WBC early in the season, he recorded a batting average of .303.1 and 27 home runs and 91 RBIs. He is an active player, right?]

[Yes. Joo Seung-cheol. He’s a great player. Then who do you think is the key player for AT Thunders?]

[AT Thunders also has many outstanding players. Starting with AT’s right tubular heart type. But anyone who watches baseball would think this player is the centerpiece of AT. The number 4 hitter of AT Thunders. Ji Maeng-ho.]

[Is Ji Maeng-ho Seon-soon as expected?]

[You’re right. Playing in 115 games this season, he recorded a batting average of 0.413, an on-base percentage of 0.528, and a slugging percentage of 0.991, taking first place in all percentage statistics. He also ranked first in four categories with 60 home runs, 157 RBI, 122 runs, and 58 stolen bases. . However, although he unfortunately failed to win the title of hit king with 182 hits, he is the most destructive player in KBA history, winning 7 crowns.]

[40%. Actually, this is my first time seeing a batting average of .400 with my own eyes. Because I was young in the first year.]

[You’re right. 40%. It’s a dream batting average for hitters. But on top of that, he hit 60 home runs. Ji Maeng-ho is a player who can rightly be called a treasure of Korean baseball. Innate physical and hitting ability. He is a player who is not nervous at all in big games, as he showed at the WBC and Asian Games. If Hancheol Grizzlies cannot stop Ji Maeng-ho, the game will likely be difficult.]

[Then, do you expect AT Thunders to win?]

[… Well, you can’t say that with certainty, right? The Hancheol Grizzlies are a strong team that has advanced to fall baseball for 9 consecutive years, and their advantage is that they have a lot of experience on the big stage.]

[And that’s also AT’s weakness.]

[You’re right. There are only four players on the AT Thunders who have experienced fall baseball. Gwanhyeong Woo, Jincheol Choi, Gigiju Ki, and Yoon Jang. There are only 4 people like this. Here, the only player who has experienced fall baseball with the AT Thunders is Woo Kwan-hyung. Most of AT Thunders’ players are likely to be frozen on the big stage.]

[I’m already curious to see how the game will go. The match is about to start. Stay tuned, baseball…]

Jamsil Stadium was filled with spectators, and the national anthem rang out in Jamsil Stadium, signaling the beginning of the semi-playoffs. A celebrity wearing the uniform of the home team, the AT Thunders, prayed for AT’s victory, and the first pitch was thrown, and AT’s starting pitcher came on the mound.

The pitcher who came to the mound with the important task of taking the lead was AT’s ace, Crongs. The number of wins Crongs posted as a substitute was 10. And Crongs was a pitcher with the skills to match the symbolic number of wins of 10.

“[Cronx! As usual, as usual, okay?]”

Catcher Jeong Yun-cheol shouted loudly when he saw Crongs like that. However, perhaps because it was his first time playing fall baseball, Jeong Yun-cheol’s voice was tense.

‘Tsk, looking at the catcher’s condition, it looks like he’s frozen. Should I do it too?’

And while looking at Jeong Yun-cheol’s condition, Crongs clicked his tongue. While Krongs was thinking that, the referee loudly announced the start of the game, and Jeong Yun-cheol sent a sign.

The first pitch that Jeong Yun-cheol requested was a fastball toward the inside.

‘From the first pitch, it was a fastball towards the body. It’s in bad shape as expected.’

The catcher’s condition today is not reliable. So the only thing you can trust is yourself. Crongs shook his head until he found a ball he liked. The first pitch Crongs chose was an outside sinker. After much deliberation, Krongs threw out the first pitch,

“Strike!”

A strike was declared as Crongs’ first pitch hit the outside borderline. And Crongs’ pitching continued as he gained confidence,

Perfect!

“My ball!”

Hancheol’s first batter Kim Dong-jin’s batted ball was stuck in the infield. Crongs raised his hand high without even seeing the hit, and shortstop Seongtae Yoon caught it, resulting in the first out count of the playoffs.

[Kronx, is the ball good today? In short-term games like this, mercenary pitchers need to provide strength. This is the role of an ace in a short-term war.]

Crongs, who successfully made the first move, made a powerful pitch and blocked Hancheol’s attack in the top of the first inning.

[Now in the bottom of the first inning, AT’s attack will begin. AT’s starting lineup is No. 1 hitter Kim Joo-yeop, No. 2 hitter Kim Su-ho, No. 3 hitter Ki Ki-joo, No. 4 hitter Ji Maeng-ho, No. 5 hitter Choi Jin-cheol, No. 6 hitter Woo Kwan-hyeong, No. 7 hitter Seong-tae Yoon, No. 8 hitter Jeong Yun-cheol, No. 9. This is Lee In-hyuk, the batter. And the Hancheol Grizzlies, who are opposing them, have Patrick on the mound and Lee Yong-gi at home plate as their battery…]

“Joo-yeop, let’s go in peace! “Don’t be scared, just like usual, okay?”

“Yes!”

Kim Joo-yeop gave an enthusiastic answer to the head coach and stepped into the batter’s box.

Dang!

“Out!”

After three pitches, he hit an infield grounder and threw away the bat.

[Patrick’s ball is quite good, isn’t it? The Hancheol Grizzlies are also off to a good start by catching the lead hitter!]

The scent of a fierce pitching battle was in the air at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, where two foreign pitchers from both teams faced each other.