Chapter 407 – Episode 399. Senior!!!

‘Sweet, it was comfortable when Cole was on the mound…’

Marcus Stroman. When I first saw him, I wondered if some dwarf-like kid was on the mound, but his pitch was quite threatening. So much so that I miss the grated Gerrit Cole.

The ball Gerrit Cole was throwing was fast, but after hitting me as a home run and getting excited, it was centered. Although he didn’t score any points, other hitters also hit some pretty sharp balls. But Stroman’s ball was completely different.

The guy, who had no reason to be excited, was inducing batters to hit ground balls with his unique sinker and low pitch control.

… Like now.

“Aaaaah!”

Stroman, who struck out Su-ho Kim, roars. With this, the 7th inning is also a three-way disaster. The guy came off the mound after showing near-perfect pitching for 4.1 innings. Now, just like in the U.S., There are two innings left.

“Concentrate, block one inning, and let’s come back!”

“Let’s do it!”

Did he think that Stroman’s roar had taken away the mood? Senior players mainly raise their voices and raise the mood.

“Ruler! Let’s go!”

I couldn’t lose, so I raised my voice and cheered.

“Okay. Let’s just cover 2 innings!”

Our next pitcher is Hwasan’s closing pitcher, Shin Su-ho. Shin Su-ho, known as ‘Post Ko Young-hwan’, was a pitcher with a fastball averaging about 153 km/h, a maximum speed of up to 156, and a knuckle curve of about 130 km/h that kept the count in check and induced swings and misses with a change-up.

In particular, his changeup, which has a pretty good angle, seems to have been something he learned from Seonghyun this season. It was his best pitch that made him No. 1 in saves this season. He was a pitcher worthy of being called ‘post-Go Young-hwan’ to the extent that no one could deny that his performance was the reason why Hwasan was fighting with us for first place.

‘I guess I’ll have to throw it a little harder.’

But still, I couldn’t help but feel worried. America’s batting lineup from now on is an MVP-level lineup consisting of Trout, Goldschmitz, and Judge. No, they weren’t MVP-level players, but they were crazy guys who had experience winning MVP awards in the major leagues.

Even though Seonghyun was blocking with his skillful pitching, he couldn’t help but feel worried.

“Ball.”

And from the beginning, a feeling of uneasiness came over me. The first pitch against Trout is a ball. Shin Su-ho’s pitch was quite good, but he was not a pitcher with very good ball control. However, in Korea, it was not noticeable because there were no batters who could hit the ball properly even if it was put in the middle, but since the opponent was Trout, he seemed to feel pressured to throw the ball toward the borderline.

And the worse the pitcher’s pitch control, the more likely such an attempt would fail.

“Ball.”

“Ball.”

Three consecutive walks from Trout. Lee Yong-gi calls time, takes off his catcher’s mask, and approaches the mound. Seeing this, Choi Joo-tae, Kim Su-ho, and Koo Jin-mo also gather at the mound.

‘Sseu-eup, it’s an atmosphere where everyone gathers.’

To be honest, I was a little embarrassed because we weren’t very close even when I came to the national team, but I couldn’t resist the atmosphere and walked towards Shin Su-ho.

“Suho.”

“… “I’m sorry.”

“Hey, don’t be scared. Trout is old too. “That guy is an old man who can’t even get an OPS of 1.”

“…”

“I heard you’re going to the majors. Then we have to compete. Isn’t that right?”

Hmm…, Did you usually talk about things like that within the team? By the way, major. It was a bit funny because it seemed like they were aiming for a dog or a cow or a major.

“That’s right, don’t be scared. Because we are behind you.”

“Suho, there aren’t many people in the major leagues like you. Be confident.”

Except for Kim Su-ho, who remains silent as usual, the remaining infielders say a word to Shin Su-ho one by one. Taking advantage of that atmosphere, I also opened my mouth.

“Okay, Suho, come to your senses.”

“… “I’m your best friend?”

Shin Su-ho, who looks dumbfounded after being spoken to informally by me, his junior, and Kim Su-ho, who flinches for a moment when his name is called out of his mouth. It was so funny that I opened my mouth again. If not at times like this, when would I call Kim Su-ho’s name?

“So, come to your senses. “Suho.”

“Well, this…” .”

“… Why are you talking to me?”

“It’s a misunderstanding. “Senior.”

He quickly opened his mouth to clear up Kim Su-ho’s misunderstanding(?), But he seemed to have noticed. The other seniors seemed to have noticed and were trying to suppress their laughter. Because the most senior among the people gathered was Kim Su-ho.

“Yes, Suho. Let’s do it well.”

“Suho, Suho. “I should do it well, right?”

The seniors also look at Kim Su-ho and call him by his name, as if they are feeling playful. Seeing that, Shin Su-ho seemed to have noticed the current situation and his bloodless face seemed to have regained some vitality.

“Baby, I guess you’ve relaxed a bit since you’re smiling. Let’s do it well.”

“… Yes.”

Lee Yong-gi, who saw Shin Su-ho’s appearance, pats Kim Su-ho on the shoulder. Still, you may not be relaxed yet. A situation where you definitely need to relax. Fortunately, I knew a special medicine that could be prescribed to nervous pitchers.

“Senior Suho.”

“Huh?”

“… Why?”

“No, Mr. Shin Soo-ho.”

“Huh?”

“I have something to do for the nervous pitchers on the team. Would you like me to do it for you? “This is effective.”

“Of course.”

Even Kim Su-ho nods his head at what I say, and Shin Su-ho shows interest.

“What is it? Why not give it a try?”

“You gave permission?”

I approached Shin Su-ho. When I approach, he flinches. And then he struck the guy in the face with lightning speed that the guy couldn’t stop.

Ta-da! The cheerful sound of palms and cheeks hitting each other resonates on the mound.

“Ah, sir! It hurts! What are you doing!”

“You’re relaxed, right?”

“You idiot!”

Shin Soo-ho kicks my ass with his foot. Seeing this, it seemed like the tension had definitely eased.

“Ha, it’s effective. Senior. Now let’s plug it in correctly.”

“Okay, we haven’t given a walk yet, so let’s try our best.”

Time expires and Lee Yong-gi returns to home plate. And we also went back to protect our respective positions.

“Strike!”

And the thrown ball is a strike that lands in the center. Trout was not a player who would miss a ball like this, but Trout just let the ball pass in the middle.

‘Is this the pressure of the Olympics?’

Trout is also waiting for a walk for the team to win.

‘Tsk, when a ball like that comes, you have to swing it, whether it’s oatmeal or rice.’

Rossby didn’t seem to understand Trout’s attitude like that, but I did. Because I also bunted in my last at-bat in the Korean Series.

Perfect!

“Short!”

However, unlike me, who ultimately succeeded in getting on base, Trout touched Shin Su-ho’s changeup and retired with a grounder to shortstop.

‘They talked about the aging curve and all that, but it sure looks like it’s not what it used to be.’

The Trout I saw at WBC was terrifying… It felt like time had passed. Now the next batter is Goldschmidt. Although he hit a double play today, he was a hitter who harassed Seonghyeon terribly.

However, fortunately, Shin Su-ho gained confidence by catching Trout and started putting the ball into the zone.

“Strike!”

“Ball.”

“Strike!”

“Ball.”

Perfect!

“Second!”

This time it was a ground ball coming near me. I guess I hit it right, and the ball was hit pretty fast and headed toward second base. I ran to second base and prepared to dive to catch the batted ball, but the ball hit the base and bounced loudly.

‘Fuck!’

His body continues to lean toward the shortstop, but he forces his spikes into the ground to stop his body. At that moment, you feel a strong pain in your knee. When I manage to stop and look at the ball, the bouncing ball looks slow, as if in slow motion. Fortunately, as the speed was fast, the bounce height was also high.

‘Get caught!’

Goldschmidt is a veteran in his mid-thirties. As long as he catches, he can put an out. He stretches out his gloves in earnest prayer.

Pop! A heavy feeling caught in the glove. I quickly took it out of the glove and threw it toward first base like I usually practiced.

“Ugh.”

However, perhaps because of the pain he felt in his knee, his throw ended up being high. All we can do now is trust and pray for Koo Jin-mo, who boasts the best first base defense in the KBA League.

‘Senior! Please catch me!’

Gu Jin-mo jumps high. Phut! The sound of a glove and a ball colliding. Gu Jin-mo slowly comes down. And at the same time as Koo Jin-mo’s foot stepped on the base, Goldschmidt stepped on the base. The result…

“… Out!”

“Nice!”

“Ji Maeng-ho! What is defense?!”

Shin Soo-ho taking off his hat and saying hello,

“You crazy bastard! How did you catch it?”

Choi Joo-tae comes to my side and shouts in an excited voice.

“… “I’m Ji Maeng-ho.”

“What? “Why are you holding your knees?”

“Did I overdo it a bit?”

“… Is it an injury?”

“It’s not serious.”

“Ligaments, aren’t ligaments injured?”

“If I had done that, I wouldn’t have been able to throw it.”

“But…”

Choi Joo-tae immediately reacts to my words and calls the conditioning coach. As I told Choi Joo-tae, it wasn’t anything serious. Because I know my body well. An injury that can be healed with a day of rest. The problem is today…

“How can I play?”

“It seems possible.”

“Defense. Are you okay?”

“… For now.”

I felt a little pain when I walked, but I couldn’t miss the game. This team and Korea need me.

“… If you’re having a hard time, tell me.”

The coach must have been well aware of that fact, so he didn’t tell anyone to leave the game.

“It’s really okay, right?”

After finishing spraying and taping, the coach enters the dugout and Choi Joo-tae speaks with worried eyes.

“… “It’s okay.”

It’s okay. This is enough to endure. It’s nothing compared to when there was a car accident.

‘Still, I hope you don’t come my way?’

After all, it’s better not to move if possible. Shin Su-ho and Lee Yong-gi must have thought the same thing, and they demand a game on the inside against the next batter, Judge. The ball combination seems to try to avoid sending the ball in my direction as much as possible.

Ta – yep!

And, Judge hit the ball towards his body. The batted ball flies far toward left field.

‘Fuck, no!’

They hit a home run in a game because of me… ? My head is filled with guilt at the thought of hitting a home run because of me. No, it wasn’t a home run yet. The weatherman was chasing Judge’s batted ball. The fence gets closer. Three steps, two steps, one step. With one step left in front of the fence, Ki-Gyeong-ju jumps high towards the batted ball.

-Wow!!!!

And the cheering sound of the audience,

– Weather warning! Weather warning! Weather warning!

Korean people who came to support us, chanting the name of the Meteorological Lord.

“Senior!! Fuck! As expected, Sangju senior!”

Still, he did something for me because he thought I was a junior on the same team! Three outs with this! As long as they score, Ko Young-Hwan comes up in the 9th inning. Ko Young-hwan can easily block one inning. All that’s left is to score points. And in the bottom of the 8th inning, my at bat comes back.

‘Fuck it, let’s do it.’

“Meng Hao, are you okay?”

“Yes, it’s okay.”

When I returned to the dugout, the coach and manager approached me and asked about my condition, but I had no intention of missing the game, so I said I was fine and prepared for my at-bat. Stroman is still on the mound. When I saw the condition of the batters, I had to do it.

‘Is Kang Han-beom currently hitting 1 hit in 18 at-bats? How much does this cost? Tsk, Kang Han-beom was bad… Ha, it would be better if senior Jincheol came… When I get old, I just retire. What kind of nuisance is this? Tsk. Anyway, for now, I can only hope that senior Joo Tae will hit me. If Choi Joo-tae gets on base, I will solve it.’

With that, I steeled myself and went into a mental state, hoping that Kang Han-beom would hold out the game for as long as possible. No, I was trying to go in.

Ta – Aak!

If it weren’t for the hitting sound that came from the first pitch, I would have definitely trained with Rossby in my head.

The sound of the impact, which was close to a roar, made me turn my gaze into the ground without realizing it.

“Uh? Are you going?”

“Go! Let’s go!”

“Please! “Go over, go over!”

… Inside the field, Kang Han-beom’s batted ball was heading towards the fence, drawing a beautiful parabola. And Dodger Stadium is engulfed in silence. Even the seniors who were noisy just now fall silent to focus on the destination of the hit.

The stadium was engulfed in noise again after Kang Han-beom’s batted ball went over the fence.

-Wow!

-Kang Hanbeom! Strong Beom! Strong Beom!

-Oh~~!! Charlotte Kang Hanbeom~! Oh,~~!! Charlotte Kang Hanbeom!

Kang Han-beom’s cheering song, sung by fans who can’t control their excitement, echoes throughout the stadium and the dugout becomes noisy.

“Fuck! Hanbeom hyung! Have you been rejuvenated?”

“Fuck! Reversal! It’s a reversal!”

“Kang Hanbeom! Strong Beom!”

Seniors running wild in madness.

“Senior!!! I believed it!!! Fuck!! This is it!!!!”

And I, too, just stood shoulder to shoulder with my seniors and screamed at the top of my lungs, calling Kang Han-beom’s name.