Chapter 497 – Episode 489. Rival?

All season Grizzlies. The Hancheol Grizzlies were a team that had never missed a fall baseball game since 2015 and a team that could easily be called a contender for the championship every year since the early 2000s. The strongest team representing Korean professional baseball was the Hancheol Grizzlies.

Moreover, it was a team that gave me unforgettable memories. When I debuted in 2023, my first opponent was Hancheol and I hit a home run in my first at-bat. And by losing the game, they were the team that marked their first professional baseball game with a loss.

From my vague recollection, was it this difficult to win one game against Hancheol at that time? It seemed like he was thinking about it. And before the game started, I remember Soyoung telling me to win unconditionally.

Anyway, Hancheol was a pretty strong team, with Lee Yong-gi and Joo Seung-cheol in the first year, and in the next year, Seung-cheol, who showed off his crazy performance as if he was on drugs, centered around his older brother. Especially on days when Seungcheol hyung is having a hard time, it’s a team that is hard to beat unless I work hard…

Of course, I threw a tantrum every time we met in the postseason, but it was clear that no baseball fan would call Hancheol a weak team. … Until last year.

‘Wow, how did Hancheol collapse like this in just one year?’

If I remember correctly, I remember Hancheol struggling quite a bit last year when the league started. But it wasn’t like this back then. Last year, my return match was the Children’s Day Series against Hancheol, and Hancheol wasn’t very gentle at that time. Maybe I won by stealing home at that time? That would have been it.

I don’t remember the details of the game, but the fact that I stole home means that the game wasn’t easy. Hancheol, whose power was felt when they faced each other like that, ended up defeating Silla and Hwasan against us in the Korean Series.

However, it is now the first match of the season. I didn’t feel any such power. So much so that I was embarrassed to be dealing with him.

‘Sseu-eup, we weren’t originally on this team, so is it that big of a deal that Seungcheol is missing?’

Of course, since the batter who hit 50 home runs last year is missing, there may be a hit… Well, there were many bad things about Hancheol other than Seungcheol. First, two mercenary pitchers failed, and mercenary hitter Thompson, who led the batting lineup last year along with Joo Seung-cheol, was sidelined for two weeks due to a hamstring strain.

In addition, I heard during the meeting that the starting third baseman, Park Joong-ki, who broke his finger after stepping on me, started the season in the second team and has not yet progressed due to a damaged swing, possibly as an aftereffect of the injury, and Annecy, who gave me the humiliation of being suspended from the Korean Series, Perhaps due to aging, Hwon was doing poorly, hitting the low .200 mark.

‘With a mercenary hitter, a 50 home run hitter. Is it natural for the starting second and third basemen to stumble since they are all out?’

Among them, I was the starting third baseman… If you think about it, is it because of me? Well, I’m not sorry or anything like that.

‘So why are you fooling around?’

“Strike! Out!”

In the bottom of the 9th inning, Hancheol’s final attack ends with the umpire’s cool strikeout call and the first batter, Dongjin, striking out. The finale was as helpless as the score was 13:2. Since the score had already been set at the beginning of the game, I was watching it comfortably from the dugout, then went out and started applauding.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Wow, today’s game is too easy? Is it just because it’s the first game?”

“It could be something like that.”

The other teammates also seemed dumbfounded by the extremely easy game. Of course, there were many lethargic losses during the season, but this can clearly be seen by the players who are playing. Hancheol’s team condition is not normal right now.

Of course, I didn’t feel sorry for Hancheol. We are professionals. Because it was our job to bite more when the opponent showed weakness.

“They still haven’t come to their senses, so let’s take the series with a sweep.”

The coach must have had the same thoughts as me, so he told me to follow the guys clearly during this series, and the other players must have felt the same way, so they all nodded and responded to the coach’s words.

“Thank you all for your hard work. “Isn’t there anyone who plans to play starting Tuesday just because they won today?”

“Yes! “No!”

“Ji Maeng-ho’s voice is good. “You’re really not playing, right?”

“Of course.”

Since I was not playing but practicing the routine to improve my performance, I was confident and didn’t feel stung at all by the coach’s words.

“Okay, let’s keep the momentum going and hit from the beginning of the season again.”

“”Thank you for your hard work!””

The first game against Hancheol ended in a big win, and after taking a shower, I was on my way home from work. As I head to the parking lot to go home, fans who are excited about winning the first rivalry game of the season are cheering and gathering around me to get autographs.

‘A lot of people came today too. Ha, it will take about an hour?’

I was annoyed because I wanted to quickly go home and have sex, but I couldn’t show my fans that look, so I greeted them with a smile as much as I could.

“Ji Maeng-ho! Please give me an autograph!”

“Yes. “Here.”

Even the lady.

“Meng Hao, congratulations on your home run today. Could you please take a picture…”

“Photos, trouble? “I’ll sign it for you.”

Uncle too.

“Brother Meng Hao! I also need an autograph…”

Oh, she’s kind of pretty. But you look a little young?

“… Student?”

“Yes! I’m a college student.”

I thought he was underage because he looked young, but he wasn’t. Then…

“Now.”

“Uh, what is this under the sign?”

When a female fan asks what it is, he whispers the answer in her ear.

“My Byeolgram account.”

“Uh, Brother Meng Hao. Don’t you have a Byeolgram account?”

“I only give it to pretty people like you. Don’t tell anyone else. If you’re bored, please contact me.”

“Brother… Thank you.”

I’ll have to meet him later when I’m bored. I should have gotten a massage today and comforted Hyuna, who was still depressed about her grades. Still, I was pretty lucky today if I got one person while signing autographs. There were days when it was difficult to rescue even one person.

“Brother Meng Hao! Please sign my autograph too!”

“Yes.”

‘Wow, there are so many today. I want to go home quickly.’

After signing the autograph for the female college student, the autograph session continued on her way home from work, and after about an hour, the end was in sight.

“Thank you for the autograph. Sorry. “Isn’t it too late for us?”

“Are you okay. “This is the last time.”

“Thank you!”

After finishing signing autographs for the fans, she felt something was missing when she arrived at the parking lot.

‘… ‘What is it?’

And after a moment of thinking, I was able to immediately see what was missing. He always runs into me in the parking lot at the same time as if it were a routine when he comes back after signing autographs after a game with Hancheol…

‘What the fuck. Why am I suddenly thinking of Joo Seung-cheol?’

Joo Seung-cheol, the superstar of Hancheol, was also a player loved by fans, so he was always surrounded by fans. So, except on special days, the two of us would often meet in the parking lot. Every time we ran into each other in the parking lot, we would taunt each other by saying that we would win tomorrow, and I felt a little empty because Seungcheol, who was coming home from work, wasn’t there. On a day like today, I could have teased you in a big way…

‘Ah, fuck. That sucks.’

I was a little annoyed because I suddenly thought of a man, but it was true that I missed Seungcheol a little because he wasn’t around. The life before Hancheol was too easy without Seungcheol.

‘Under… Seungcheol hyung. Are you watching from the sky?’

For the sake of Seungcheol, who will be watching our game from the sky, I thought I would have to beat up more guys tomorrow.

‘The sky is not backwards.’

‘Mr. Rossby, where have you been and are you back now? Every time I’m signing autographs, he disappears.’

‘Fuck you.’

Anyway, this person doesn’t know what atmosphere is. He must have been looking at women near Bona Mana. If you find a pretty girl, let me know… I felt like the bat I would swing tomorrow would have some emotions attached to it.

*

[Ji Maeng-ho! You hit it! This batted ball is a wall! Beyond! It disappears! Ji Maeng-ho’s 15th home run of the season! Continuing from yesterday, we hit home runs in two consecutive games!]

[Ji Maeng-ho’s home run record is amazing, isn’t it? It’s a truly incredible pace. Wow, the exit speed was 183 km/h? It seems like you aimed correctly, right?]

[Ji Maeng-ho’s 15th home run of the season. And with this home run, AT Thunders scores double digits in two consecutive games.]

[Ji Maeng-ho’s batting condition looks perfect today. Including this home run, he went 3 hits and 2 walks in 3 at-bats. He got on base in every at-bat and even had a home run. This is Ji Maeng-ho, who is scoring 100 points out of 100 today.]

[… Out. Now for the innings shifts. … We will tell you about AT Thunders’ new defensive position. Major defender Kang Joo-hyeon replaced second baseman Ji Maeng-ho.]

[Actually, leaving out Ji Maeng-ho means that there is no chance of the game being turned over, right?]

[Yes. Score 10:3. It doesn’t look like it will be easy for Gyeonggi-do Hancheol to turn around today. But as the saying goes, baseball begins in the bottom of the 9th inning, so you can’t let down your guard until the end, right? And Hancheol’s attack in the bottom of the 9th inning. Kim Jeong-hyun, a hitter who can’t let down his guard, comes to the plate. … Out, game over. AT Thunders secure winning series! I’ll greet you again tomorrow…]

‘Ugh, since I’m not there, I’m no match for Meng Hao.’

On a plane going on an expedition. Joo Seung-cheol, who was watching the highlights, turned off the screen of his cell phone due to his team’s crushing defeat. Although he spent several years in the United States with his father when he was young, he couldn’t help but miss his hometown, Korea, and what Joo Seung-cheol chose to do to soothe his longing was to watch videos of his former teammates. 〉

However, he couldn’t help but feel sad and a little angry when he saw the team collapse after he left. Still, did he feel a little happy when he saw his close younger brother flying around? Watching him play these days, it seems like he will definitely be on this stage in two years.

‘Still, it might be a bit fun if Meng Hao comes here. The kids here are good too, but it’s a bit boring because there’s no tiger.’

“[Hey, Joo. Forget about baseball and rest on the plane. The plane will fall because of my sighs.]”

“[Ah, Coach.]”

He was on his way back from the bathroom when the coach stopped to talk to him, asking if he had seen him watching Korean baseball. The coach’s efforts to take care of himself as he newly debuted in the majors this season. To match his efforts, Joo Seung-cheol also offered to take the empty seat next to him.

“[So whose video are you having so much fun watching?]”

“[Ah, Maeng Ho is the best hitter in Korea…]”

“[Hoe? Whore?]”

“[No, that’s not it. His name is Maeng-ho.]”

“[Haha, just kidding. Ji. He is a player we are also keeping an eye on. It would be nice if he joined our team too. You think so too, right?]”

“[Well… I want to compete again? I’ve never won in Korea.]”

Although the team had won before, Joo Seung-cheol, who never thought that he had won by batsman vs. Batter, honestly confessed his feelings.

“[Would you like to fight here again and win?]”

” Haha. That won’t happen. When he hits the market, we’re ready to bet top dollar.]”

“[Is it so? Then, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to play on the same team.]”

“[Just because we play on the same team doesn’t mean we can’t compete. Wouldn’t it be a more certain match if we played in the same environment? And Joo. You are a good enough hitter too. If you keep your grades like this, ROTY is enough.]”

“[Thank you at least for words.]”

The words “Rookie king” Uttered by the coach. It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t greedy. The title that even my father could not win was the title of Major League Rookie of the Year… Rookie of the Year was an award that had a symbolic meaning of surpassing one’s father.

‘And if Meng Ho doesn’t want to be embarrassed when he comes to the major leagues, shouldn’t he win the Rookie of the Year award?’

The day Meng Ho came to the Major League, Joo Seung-cheol wanted to welcome Meng Ho more confidently. And he had to work harder to avoid being embarrassed by the media calling him Meng Hao’s rival.

‘I guess I’ll have to swing the bat as soon as I get off.’

Although it was early in the season and his performance was unexpectedly good to the point that the coach expected him to win Rookie of the Year, he did not know what would happen after the analysis of himself was completed, so he did not want to look like he was going to be kicked out of the major leagues when he returned to Korea. To do that, all he can do is try.

So, as soon as Joo Seung-cheol arrived at the expedition hotel and unpacked his luggage, he started swinging the bat inside the room.

… Two years later, on the day when Meng Hao comes to the major league, he will proudly welcome Meng Hao.