Chapter 483 – Episode 475. Opening Series. (1)

-2025 Media Day What are the resolutions of each team’s commander?

…. Meanwhile, the AT Thunders announced Chronx as the starting pitcher for the opening game, and the Hwasan Falcons announced Seonghyun as the starter for the opening game, setting up an ace matchup from the opening game. …

-Players’ pledge to win! There were no unique events.

-Ji Maeng-ho, “If you don’t want to get hit, run away!”

… Meanwhile, when asked at the media day held that day if there were any pitchers to watch out for, Ji Maeng-ho said, “There are no pitchers to watch out for. He threw his body clumsily for no reason. “If you don’t want to hit a home run, avoid it,” He said, becoming a hot topic. ….

┗? What is the article title? Why do you say this if you don’t want to be beaten? Do you see the title of Giregi?

Don’t you watch ┗┗’s live broadcast? He really said that.

┗┗ㄹㅇ? Wow, the fierce god of defense is so fucked up haha

┗Kkkk This guy’s confidence is real.

┗Actual answer: A pitcher to watch out for? There is nothing in particular. I would like to say something to the pitchers. Don’t get hit by clumsily throwing your body. If you see me, avoid me.

┗┗But does anyone know whether getting hit really means hitting or a home run?

┗┗I think it’s both haha

*

“After all, you are a saint starting today.”

“I see. “I was wondering if Hwasan’s home opening game was on Tuesday.”

“That’s right.”

“I’m anxious about not having Meng Hao, but I still have to trust the players. What should I do?”

“You will do well. “Without Mengho, our players are the ones who stick together tightly.”

The AT Thunders coaches’ concern ahead of the opening game was, of course, the opponent’s starting pitcher, Seong-Hyun. Crongs, who was announced as a starter by AT, was the undisputed ace of the team with 27 wins over two years, including last year’s multiple wins king, and an ERA of 2.61, and he was a card that could expect one win no matter who he faced.

… If it weren’t for Seonghyun.

Seonghyun’s record last season was 17 wins, 4 losses, 177 strikeouts in 193.2 innings, and an incredible ERA of 1.91. If he hadn’t had a brief slump after the Olympics, he would have been able to match the record of Ji Maeng-ho, who won MVP by unanimous decision.

No matter how long the life of baseball players has become, it was inevitable that at an age when it would not be strange to retire, it would be regrettable to face Seong-Hyun, the undisputed leader in the league in name and reality, without Ji Maeng-ho, the team’s main gun.

Besides, this game is the opening game. In the long run, it may have been just one game, but the meaning of the opening game was special. It was not uncommon for a team that slipped in the opening series to not be able to regain its momentum for several weeks after the opening, and the opening game was an important first game to start such an opening series.

“That’s right, we’ve become stronger now.”

But even in that situation, AT’s coaches were not in a very serious mood.

Clearly, the AT Thunders before Ji Maeng-ho joined was that kind of team. A team that is stuck in the bottom tier if they slip in the opening game, unable to overcome the aftermath.

However, since Ji Maeng-ho joined, the team has become stronger by winning two championships. A strong team that will not collapse even if they slip in the opening game. At the beginning of last year, when the team was having a difficult time, Ji Maeng-ho came back and took first place, and in the second half of last year, in the Korean Series, they won 2 wins even without Ji Maeng-ho, and won the championship.

In a way, it was natural that AT Thunders players who had experienced such a path to success had a winning mentality instilled in them that they could win at any time.

“Well, what if we lose tomorrow? Anyway, when Meng Hao returns, I’m planning on easily winning two games.”

Haha, that’s true too.”

And the coaches also believed in the players. In particular, Ji Maeng-ho, who showed great performance over the past two years.

In the minds of the coaches, there was a belief that the team would not collapse even if they lost the opening game, and of course, Ji Maeng-ho was at the center of that belief.

“Well then, let’s first decide on tomorrow’s lineup. “This coach?”

“Yes. First, we will have to see the conditions on the day to see, but I think the best lineup without Tiger will be good. Number 1 is Hwicheol, who has excellent contact skills…”

*

[Volcano Falcons vs. AT Thunders, AT Thunders vs. Volcano Falcons. A match between last year’s winning team and the third place team. Jamsil is where the opening match is held. Hello.]

[Hello. Wow, so many people were waiting for the opening? However, from the opening game onwards, it was a big match for last year’s multiple winners. I think baseball fans will really like this.]

[Commissioner, what do you think of today’s game?]

[You should enjoy it. Haha, Crongs and Seonghyun. It is not common to see such a luxury pitching match every year.]

[No, not like that.]

[This is it. Haha, I think the Volcano Falcons still have a slight edge in the starting cards. Seonghyun has traditionally been a strong pitcher for the AT Thunders, right? In fact, he has 20 wins against AT. I see a lot of AT Thunders players, who have a lot of left-handed hits, not putting much effort into Seonghyun.]

[I see?]

[Yes. Moreover, there was always Ji Maeng-ho in the game where he beat Seonghyun last year, but I think it is also important that Ji Maeng-ho is unable to play today due to suspension.]

[That’s right. Ji Maeng-ho cannot play today. He made another confident statement at the media day, but I remember Seonghyeon’s expression wasn’t very good at that time.]

[That’s right. Isn’t Seonghyeon also the best player in Korea? He was probably planning on it, so it must be quite a shame.]

[Then, the national anthem will be played. … On the first pitch…, I will now call the Hwasan Falcons’ offensive lineup. 1st hitter Kim Joo-yeop, 2nd hitter Lee Won-hyung, 3rd hitter Choi Si-woo, 4th hitter Lee Yong-gi, 5th hitter McD, 6th hitter…]

[Last season, Choi Si-woo hit a career-high 32 home runs while playing in front of Lee Yong-gi. I’m looking forward to today’s game as well.]

[Now I will call AT Thunders’ defensive lineup. The battery of Krongs and Yun-cheol Jeong, and the infield of Jin-cheol Choi, Jong-hoon Kim, Seong-tae Yoon, and Su-ho Kim from first base. From left fielder, Gi Ki-ju, Jeong Hwi-cheol, and Baek Jeong-jin are guarding the outfield. Crongs’ first pitch, strike.]

[Kim Joo-yeop tilts his head, right? Since the strike zone has expanded this year, hitters must be careful.]

*

“Strike! Out!”

“Good, good. Crongs. Good ball.”

“[This guy has been my catcher for two years now, but he still doesn’t understand English?]”

“Huh? What? What should I say? What say?”

“[It’s done. Just take the ball.]”

After ending the first inning with a three-and-out strike, Crongs sighed when he saw Jeong Yun-cheol coming up to him and speaking broken English, but since it wasn’t just a day or two, he shook his head and sat in the dugout.

‘Ji won’t be playing today, so I’ll have to do my best.’

Now, Crongs’ worries were more focused on the batting lineup. In modern baseball, a pitcher’s victory is not a very important indicator, but for a pitcher who throws a ball, there is no record as sweet as a victory. Being a winning pitcher meant that his pitch was enough to lead his team to victory.

And, winning with this team meant something special to Krongs.

Crongs’ favorite things were alcohol, women, and baseball.

When Crongs was moving from the minors to the majors, he was judged not to be good enough to be useful in the majors due to risks such as constant drunk driving and assaulting his girlfriend, and he was gradually being judged as a player who was not at his best. In that situation, the club that reached out was AT Thunders, who were looking for a replacement mercenary.

In this way, the player who would not have come to Korea in the first place if it were not for personal issues came to Korea and met Ji Maeng-ho.

Ji Maeng-ho seems to have greater talent than any player he has seen in the majors.

And while spending time with Ji Meng-ho, Krongs gained confidence in one thing. This is a guy who will leave a new mark in baseball history. He may not know how far he will rise, but he was certain that at least from the moment this guy went to the majors, that period would be called ‘Ji Meng-ho’s era.’

Just watching Ji Maeng-ho’s baseball made Krong’s heart beat, and he became greedy to see Ji Maeng-ho up close. It’s like the feeling you get when you see the major league superstars that made your heart beat as a child.

Of course, he was thinking of going to the United States if he got a better offer than the contract he got last year, but until then, he wanted to watch Ji Meng-hao. Is it Ji Maeng-ho’s desire to have his name engraved on a page of history, who will become the best player in the Major League in the future?

In order to do that, we had to lead the team to victory in a game without Ji Maeng-ho and make a big impact on Ji Maeng-ho.

“[Cronx, now we have two outs, so get ready quickly.]”

“[… Already?]”

However, it did not seem easy for Crongs’ small wish to come true. Because today’s opponent was Seonghyun. Not even 3 minutes have passed since Crongs was distracted, but already 2 outs.

‘You bastards don’t even give us time to rest. Well, okay. The more I do that, the more I will shine in today’s game. Ji will be watching this game too, right?’

Perfect!

“Ah…”

“Isn’t Seonghyun’s ball a joke today?”

Seeing that the weatherman’s hit became a grounder to second base, Crongs grabbed his glove.

“[Let’s go, you bastards! I’ll help you win today’s game!]”

And Crongs loudly announced his resolve to the players preparing for his defense.

“Cronx fighting is good. Yes, just trust me and throw!”

“What is he saying?”

“They said they would let me win today?”

“Oh, senior Jincheol. Do you speak English?”

“Hey, I’m someone who went to the major league.”

“But wasn’t the one in the front longer?”

“If I had known that, I would still be in America.”

… The only people who understood were the interpreter and another mercenary.

[Cronx! Lee Yong-gi catches a fly ball to center field! … Crongs strikes out McD! Two out! … Yoon Joong-il’s batted ball! Shortstop! Throw to first base! Out! Perfect pitching until the second inning, Crongs! He is showing pitching right from the opening game that proves why he and Seonghyun won the most wins last year!]

‘Watch me! Ji! Because I am leading these bastards to victory!’

*

“Ha, ha! Meng Hao, haven’t you started playing baseball now?”

“Hey, Jo Eun, it’s okay. Anyway, since it’s Seonghyun today, you can watch it starting from episode 8.”

Anyway, today is a match between Seonghyun and Crongs. If you watch from the beginning of the game, nothing will happen. It is clear that the key today will be how to open the bullpen where the starters are down. There was something more important than that now.

Well, I had originally planned to watch the opening game, but this was something I had no choice about. Because it was my routine to get a massage from Jo Eun and have sex afterward. Today we only had training, not a game, but it was also important to relieve the fatigue accumulated during training.

“Well, is that so?”

“I’ve already started, so it’s a bit of a shame to stop here, right?”

“Ugh, Mr. Meng Hao, be gentle.”

‘Well, I guess you’ll take care of it. Let’s have sex first.’