Chapter 517 – Episode 509. One Shot When It Matters. (2)

I want to skip it.

That’s what Moon Ki-taek thought when he saw Ji Maeng-ho walking to the plate swinging the bat while waiting as a pinch hitter.

If Ji Maeng-ho had been the starter and had come to bat with one out and bases loaded, it was clear that Moon Ki-taek would have passed on Ji Maeng-ho without even looking back. … If possible, it is a dead ball that Ji Maeng-ho can get excited about. For Ji Maeng-ho with the bases loaded, 1 point was the minimum score that Ji Maeng-ho could score.

Also, even if this stage was the Korean Series, Moon Ki-taek was planning to skip Ji Maeng-ho. Even if the batter behind Ji Maeng-ho was the best batting line in Korea, consisting of Kim Su-ho, Ki Ki-joo, Choi Jin-cheol, and Williams, Moon Ki-taek thought that playing against that batting line would be a way to score fewer points.

Ji Maeng-ho, as seen by Moon Ki-taek, was a hitter who was more focused when runners were kicked, when the game was important, and when the game itself was important. Nowadays, when sabermetrics are widespread, the term “Clutch hitter” (A hitter who solves the problem in a chance) is gradually disappearing, but Ji Maeng-ho is a clutch hitter himself that has nothing to do with that trend.

What if this situation was a Korean series? Even without looking at the next situation, Moon Ki-taek could clearly see Ji Maeng-ho’s batted ball going over the fence. That was the conclusion that Moon Ki-taek came to after watching Ji Maeng-ho as a barbarian for the past year.

However, it was not the Korean Series and Ji Maeng-ho was not in normal condition. If he induces a general hit, wouldn’t now be the most likely time? In fact, Moon Ki-taek also knew that there was no answer. Creating this situation in the first place was a failure in itself.

The reason for that failure was Hwasan’s poor bullpen.

‘If it were UG, each pitcher would have blocked at least one batter. This team doesn’t have much of a bullpen.’

It was clear that if this had been his previous workplace, UG Overrose, he would not have had to worry about this. Kim Geun-woong, who scored with a left-handed one-pointer, would have caught right-hander Kwan-hyung, and Jang Dong-hyun, who is the most reliable in high-leverage situations, would have caught at least one batter.

However, in Hwasan’s bullpen, all pitchers except closer Shin Su-ho were unreliable. Cha Young-jun, a left-handed one-pointer, was scared by the name value of the old Woo Gwan-hyung and gave up a walk, and veteran Baek Doo-hyung, who was judged to be the best pitcher mentally, was overwhelmed with balls from the first pitch and ended up giving a hit on the first pitch to the opponent’s rookie batter.

Of course, it was inevitable that the bullpen was bad. This is because the good pitchers they had collected while finishing in last place were in the starting rotation. It could be said that the starting lineup was luxurious compared to UG.

‘Anyway, the pitcher has to be replaced. It would be suicidal to continue playing Baekdu-type, a right-hander and a finesse pitcher, against Ji Maeng-ho. Ha, as expected, this team has no answer in the bullpen. Next year’s spring camp, we will have to work harder to increase the stamina of our starters.’

Complaints end here. Even if I complained, nothing would change. The director’s role is to create the most delicious dish with the given ingredients. And the Hwasan bullpen had the most appetizing ingredients except closer Shin Su-ho.

“… “Hyojun is ready, right?”

This is Oh Hyo-jun, who was selected by the Hwasan Falcons as the first pick of the second round in the 2023 draft. Oh, Hyo-jun performed so well that the 2021 season was called the Oh Hyo-jun League. Oh Hyo-jun, who has already had complete control over a fastball in the low to mid-150 km/h range since his high school days, was a pitcher who would not have been surprised to have been selected in the first round by three Seoul teams if it were not for the transfer regulations.

And Oh Hyo-jun, who completed his training in the second team in line with such expectations, was a quite useful bullpen in the eyes of Moon Ki-taek, who led the best bullpen, the UG Overlords, in its heyday.

‘I should have appointed Hyojun from the beginning instead of that old guy.’

If it had been UG, they would have had Oh Hyo-jun on the mound from the previous at-bat because they had a lot of bullpens, but they didn’t have a reliable bullpen and the season was long. Since he was a rookie pitcher, he judged that he cared about Oh Hyo-jun because it could spread if he started the first half of the season, but in the end, that judgment turned out to be poisonous. However, it is not too late. Because the game did not turn over.

“Yes, director. From the moment Jaehyun came down, I instructed him to warm up as directed by the director.”

“I’m going to Hyojun.”

“I understand.”

And this game was also a game in preparation for the Korean Series. 7.5 games left. In fact, Moon Ki-taek knew that the chances of going straight to the Korean Series as first place were slim, regardless of how he encouraged his players to aim for first place.

But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to go to the Korean Series. Moon Ki-taek thought that with his ability and the skills of the players, he could make it to the Korean Series. Therefore, this match was a test to see whether Oh Hyo-jun could be used in that situation if there came a situation where Ji Maeng-ho could not be selected.

“Then I…” .”

“No, I’m going directly.”

The most important situation in today’s game. In this situation, Moon Ki-taek was not the type to hand over the last opportunity to check the condition of the pitcher to the pitching coach, so he came out of the dugout, received the ball from the umpire, and headed to the mound.

[Ah, here Coach Moon Ki-taek visits the mound in person. I think this is the end for Baek Du-hyung, right? The third pitcher will be replaced this inning.]

“… Sorry. “Director.”

When Moon Ki-taek went up to the mound with the ball, the voice he heard was that of Baek Du-hyung, who was very downcast.

“Tsk. I can’t believe a veteran brought this up to this point without even being able to deal with a rookie hitter. As soon as he goes to the locker room, pack his bags and go to Seosan.”

“…”

“What is the answer?”

“… I understand.”

It was Moon Ki-taek who humiliated Baek Du-hyung, who ruined his plan, but if he endures this humiliation and works hard, he will become a more useful pitcher than he is now, and if not, it was good because it was a matter of getting rid of a useless pitcher.

As soon as Baek Du-hyung was sent away, Oh Hyo-jun came out of the bullpen and arrived at the mound.

“Hyojun.”

“Yes. “Director.”

“Majors. “You said you wanted to go, right?”

“Yes.”

“Now is your chance. Major League scouts are following Ji Maeng-ho’s every at-bat. I’m sure you’ll be watching this game too. Junghwan knows, right?”

“Yes. “I know.”

“Are you aware that the major leagues came in to check Junghwan’s status after he struck out Ji Maeng-ho on three pitches?”

Of course, it was a lie. But that didn’t matter now. The important thing is to raise the pitcher’s morale in this situation.

“Ah… “I didn’t know.”

“If I catch Ji Maeng-ho, the Major League won’t be a dream either.”

“I will try.”

Oh Hyo-jun responded to Moon Ki-taek’s words with a determined voice.

‘If I do this, I won’t be scared.’

Moon Ki-taek, who managed the pitcher’s mentality, then called the infielders.

“In this situation, Ji Maeng-ho is a guy who doesn’t mind bunting. Defend with the bunt in mind. The infield is slightly pulled. If a hard hit comes, block it with your body. The guy who avoids the ball should not even think about making it to the first team during my tenure. “There are no exceptions.”

“”I understand.””

Coach Moon Ki-taek quietly nodded his head in response to the infielders’ responses, which showed determination in his words.

‘Okay, I’m done with what I can do. Now all that’s left is to trust the players.’

Coach Moon Ki-taek made eye contact with his players once in a while and returned to the dugout. And there was a man who was watching.

‘They’re doing shit.’

Of course, that man was Ji Maeng-ho, who was preparing to bat.

*

‘They are doing this shit. No, they caught me and checked my identity, damn it. Mr. Rossby, did you really say that?’

‘That’s right.’

‘They’re funny kids. ‘Do I look like a dick?’

The words delivered by Mr. Rossby, who was listening to the opposing team’s strategy on the mound, were shocking. I wanted to give a home run to the guys who were dreaming crazy dreams and turn their dreams into nightmares, but unfortunately, things weren’t that good.

This was because my left shoulder was sore from being hit by a sand dune yesterday, and I was not swinging properly. What I felt during practice batting was that if I tried to hit a home run, I would have to put in more effort and end up with a lot of fouls.

‘Let’s play it as lightly as possible. Lightly. Velocity is around 148-153? It’s just right.’

I decided to hit lightly and timed his practice pitches, and before I knew it, the practice pitches were over.

“How are you?”

“Are you feeling okay?”

“No.”

“Okay? Then I’ll have to put it inside.”

“If you’re confident, try plugging it in.”

The infield position I confirmed while talking with Lee Yong-gi was a defensive position in preparation for my bunt.

‘As expected, you’re not going to give up points easily?’

Even though it was a 3-point difference, it was Moon Ki-taek’s fault that he meticulously set up defensive positions to prepare for possible mistakes. If this is the case, it is impossible to bunt. But there were also some good points. Because the corner infielder was slightly forward, there was a high probability that the batted ball would leave the infield.

‘It’s a fastball.’

‘Okay.’

The first pitch chosen by the opposing battery is a fastball. However, in a situation where the pitcher’s first pitch, which had been changed in the previous at-bat, was hit through, and the bases were in danger, it seemed unlikely that he would hit the ball in the zone again. … That too against me.

“Ball.”

‘As expected.’

The first pitch is a high ball. It seemed like the ball mix was designed to utilize the splitter, which was the deciding ball, 100%. A ball combination that is obvious but as powerful as it is obvious. For ordinary hitters, if the afterimage of a high fastball remains in their eyes, it would be nearly impossible to hit the splitter that follows.

If the afterimage of the high fastball remains, even if you are expecting a splitter, there is bound to be some doubt in your mind whether it is the right choice, and that feeling leads to hesitation, and hesitation is fatal in a 0.1 second game.〈 Br〉

‘Well, that’s probably true for regular hitters.’

But it had nothing to do with me.

‘It’s a splitter, right?’

‘Yes.’

I didn’t know if Lee Yong-gi was aiming for the right spot or the wrong turn, but either way, the at-bat went as I expected. If so, there was a high probability that the splitter would be dropped outside the zone here. A high fastball near the eye and a splitter falling below the zone were the foundation for the subsequent battle.

And normally I wouldn’t have even touched that ball. But, it was different now. Normally, there would be no reason to touch a ball like that because it wouldn’t result in a home run, but right now, I wasn’t aiming for a home run. Because of the shoulder bruise, the probability of hitting a home run was slightly low.

What I’m aiming for now is one hit that goes slightly over the infield.

‘Fall, fall.’

I wait for the guy’s ball, praying that there won’t be a disaster where the splitter doesn’t fall. And as if the heavens had heard my prayers, the ball fell sharply outward. … Perfect for aiming for a hit.

Perfect!

When he straightened his hips and lightly turned the bat to hit the ball at the end, the ball lifted slightly with a dull hitting sound, and the second baseman started running backwards to catch the ball. I also threw the bat far away and ran toward first base.

“Second base! “Second base!”

And with the first base coach’s shout, the batted ball was falling vaguely between the first baseman, right field, and the foul line. The right fielder of Hwasan, who came running from far away, even attempted to dive to catch the ball!

-Waaaaa!!!!!!!

-Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maengho! Ji Maengho!

But the right fielder’s dive was one point short, and I was already running to second base. When I briefly checked the home side, the runner on second base had already entered the groove and was waiting for the runner on first base.

‘Mr. Rossby? ‘Up to third base?’

‘Run!’

‘Yes!’

Now all that’s left is to run to third base. When I throw my body in front of the third base, I feel a slight pain and the sensation of the base in my fingertips. And the feeling of the glove brushing against my thigh.

“Safe!”

“Fuck! This is it!”

-Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maengho! Ji Maengho!

Three RBIs and a triple with one out and bases loaded. And behind me are the most reliable batting lineup, starting with senior Suho.

‘Is this enough to catch today’s game?’

*

[Ji Maeng-ho’s 3 RBI hit at the right time! Bring the game back to square one! Today’s game starts again from here!]

[Wow, that was a really technical strike from Ji Maeng-ho, right? I tapped the ball as it went out and dropped it in front of right field. However, McD’s defense is a bit disappointing. If it was a 3-run game with one out, he would have been able to block it with 2 points and hit a double if he had not overexerted himself and played defense, but it’s a little disappointing, right?]

[Okay. McD’s play is very powerful and full of motivation, so he is a player loved by fans, but I think he was a little too motivated today.]

[Hwasan is a little disappointed with these plays today, right? Failed bunt, missed defense. If you don’t fix these small plays, there’s a high chance that you’ll have trouble in fall baseball.]

[In the top of the 7th inning, a defensive miss turned out to be fatal. And the top of the 7th inning isn’t over yet. … Kim Su-ho’s consecutive hits! Ji Maeng-ho checks the batted ball and slowly comes home, reversing the score! 5:4! AT is ahead. … Consecutive hits on the weather warning! One out, second and third bases! … Choi Jin-cheol’s batting ball is flying high! Third base runner Kim Su-ho tags up! Score 6:4! … Williams hits! The score increases to 7:4!]

[Ji Maeng-ho’s triple hit completely froze Oh Hyo-jun, right? Once something breaks down, rookie pitchers tend to break down all at once like this. Personally, I think it would be good to change the pitcher, but manager Ki-taek Moon doesn’t seem to have any intention of making a move, right? It looks like he will probably take responsibility for today’s game until the end.]

[… Yunho Kim raises his hand high! Three out! 7:4, game over! AT makes a big inning in the top of the 7th inning and takes the winning series as a comeback!]

[I can see Oh Hyo-jun shedding tears. Still, he finished the game today, so he probably feels it himself. AT Thunders also did not give up until the end and showed a really great comeback. A truly great match took place today.]

[Then, a match between AT Thunders and Hwasan Falcons, and Hwasan Falcons and AT Thunders for first and second place. We will end the broadcast here by informing you that the match ended with a win for the AT Thunders. Thanks for the help so far…]