Chapter 834 – Episode 820. Toward a New Record! (5)

“Fuck! Fuck!”

‘Ji came on in the 8th episode and did nothing but poop and swear…’

“Hey, Gary, calm down, calm down.”

“Ugh… Under… Yes, there are times when we win thanks to the hitters, so there should be days like this… “I’m going to pitch at least once more anyway.”

‘… We would have won if we hadn’t conceded 4 goals in the first place…’

*

-Gerrit Cole, complete game loss in 8 innings!

… Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole came on the mound in the 8th inning when the season was tied 2-2, but he gave up 2 runs in the 8th inning, bringing the score to 4-2, and was unable to score in the 9th inning, recording his 3rd loss of the season…

*

Ta – Aak!

[This batted ball! Let’s go! Judge’s 58th home run of the season! And the New York Yankees score their 20th run with Judge’s multiple home runs!]

“Ji! “Now there are three left.”

“Yes? “Isn’t there 19?”

“No, I mean RBI. “I ask you to continue to be on base.”

‘Three? What, when did you follow me like this? Before the game started, the difference was almost 10… Wow, if I hadn’t hit 3 RBIs today, I would have gotten the win?’

*

-Ji Maeng-ho, season 77 explosion! The team wins 21:2!

… In addition to Ji Maeng-ho’s 77th home run, Judge’s multiple home runs (57th and 58th of the season), and Hall’s home run (24th of the season), he hit 4 home runs and scored 21 points…

Meanwhile, Judge went 3-for-5 with 1 walk, 2 home runs, and 8 RBIs, recording his 179th RBI of the season…

*

“Hey, Ji. “You hit a home run, but why are you looking like that?”

On a plane flying to New York, Judge, who was sitting next to me, spoke to me comfortably. Without even knowing that I was the cause of my facial expression.

“Judge, don’t you honestly think it’s unfair?”

“Huh? “What?”

“… “I hit better than Judge, but I only have 3 more RBIs.”

Honestly, this was so unfair. After the game, I checked that my RBI was 182, which ranked first in the entire major league, and it was an RBI that matched my batting performance. But the problem is Judge’s RBI. Judge currently has 179 RBIs, which is too many for his performance.

In fact, the cause was me, who was scoring 245 runs with an on-base percentage of .500 in front of Judge, but I couldn’t help but feel that it was unfair.

“Haha, I meant it as a joke, but were you still paying attention?”

“No, how can you not care?”

Besides, I originally wasn’t paying attention, but after checking my records, I couldn’t help but care.

Why?

Because I was ranked first in all records in all batting categories.

Not just the records for which awards are given, but also batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, runs scored, RBI, walks, and stolen bases. My name was in the first place of all records that appeared on the site.

But is Mr. Rossby losing the RBI that belongs to the Triple Crown, one of the records he is most proud of, to Judge?

This made no sense.

So, even if I didn’t want to pay attention, I couldn’t pay attention.

“But that doesn’t mean I can hit it properly.”

“… “I’m saying don’t suddenly hit 8 RBIs like today.”

“Hey, the runner in front of me was also in front of you. “You just didn’t hit it.”

“… Well, that’s right.”

Judge wasn’t wrong. Judge’s 8 RBI means I could have scored at least 4 as well.

‘Ah, if I had known it would be like this, I would have paid attention to the RBI.’

80 home runs and all-time batting champion… Considering Judge’s explosive power, I couldn’t help but worry because the RBI record could have been lost.

‘Mr. Rossby, what do you think is good?’

‘Wouldn’t this be solved if you hit a home run in every at-bat?’

‘… Easier said than done. How can you do that?’

‘Well, if you’re aiming for it, winning all crowns would be better. Cobb, that guy is also an unlucky bastard.’

‘Corp?’

‘Ty Cobb. I really hated seeing that guy making fun of himself because he won all the awards.’

Suddenly, it was immediately clear why Mr. Rossby had mentioned Cobb.

“Oh, is this what you were paying attention to?”

It was because Judge showed me an article.

-Ji Maeng-ho aims for 12th batting crown, unprecedented!

… Ji Maeng-ho has batting average (0.405/2nd Ohtani 0.324), on-base percentage (0.538/2nd Ohtani 0.413), slugging percentage (0.975/2nd Ohtani 0.700), OPS (1.513/2nd Ohtani 1.106), and hits (226/2nd Ohtani). 204), doubles (53/2nd Acuña Jr. 46), triples (17/2nd Florial 11), home runs (77/2nd Ohtani 60), runs (245/2nd Sean 140), RBIs (182) / 2nd place Judge 179), walks (164 / 2nd place Soto 122), stolen bases (105 / 2nd place Acuña Jr. 87), etc. He ranks 1st in 12 batting categories, of which he is 2nd in 11 categories excluding RBIs. Because the difference is quite large, 11 wins are almost guaranteed.

Meanwhile, this record surpasses the all-time record (batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, hits, home runs, runs, RBI, and stolen bases) achieved by Ty Cobb in 1909. Ty Cobb had a double, a triple, and a double that season. He does not rank first in walks…

… In addition, Ty Cobb’s record is limited to the American League, so if you look at the entire major league, his scoring record falls behind Ritchie, who scored 126 points in the National League…

Will Ji Maeng-ho be able to set the first record in 118 years? …

‘This is a record that is over 100 years old…’

When he was embarrassed by his records that were over 100 years old, Judge opened his mouth.

“Haha, Ji. But records are something to be achieved. “I have no intention of looking at it.”

It was true, but does it seem a bit off-putting to see him be happy at the thought that even one of them can defeat me?

“Hey, Judge, can’t you see I’m swearing here? “You’re swearing at Ji to hand over the RBI record.”

“Haha, a baseball player shouldn’t be afraid of swearing. Let’s stick together until the end of the season.”

“… Tsk. “Honestly, without me, I wouldn’t even have half the number of RBIs.”

“Wow, you’re complaining like that when you’ve played in 10 more games than me.”

“That’s because Judge’s body is weak. If you were as strong as me, there would be no reason to rest. How do outfielders get more rest than infielders?”

“…”

Fortunately, he was able to win the argument, but judging by the look in his eyes, it didn’t seem like he was giving up on the competition. Rather, it seems like the eyes are burning with a competitive spirit? I couldn’t figure out why I felt such competition from a rookie who had just debuted.

‘I shouldn’t grow old like that.’

Anyway, there are 6 games remaining. At the moment when the victory was already confirmed, my heart pounded as I had something to fuel my competitive spirit.

‘Then, when there are no runners on base, you can aim for a home run, and when there are runners on base, you can aim for an RBI. Oh, I have to tell Volpi and Verdugo too.’

The day after I accepted the implicit competition with Judge, as soon as I got to work, I called Verdugo and Volpi, who were batting 8 and 9, separately.

“… So, please get on base. “I will ask you this.”

“I was on base 3 times in the entire game?”

“Verdugo! Why does a guy who can speak so well say such weak things? “You can get on base 4 times!”

“…”

“I, too, had 3 hits?”

“Volpi! “You should always treat it like that, okay?”

“…”

When I saw the guys nodding their heads silently at what I said, I felt like my will was clearly conveyed.

‘If I do this, there won’t be any problems, right? Let’s see, the new record for RBIs is 191, so if I hit 10 more, I’ll have a new record. 10 shots in 6 games is a bit tough, but it’s not impossible. As long as you do a good job in front of me.’

The game started with a firm warning to the lower-ranking lineup. In my first and second at-bats, I couldn’t score an RBI because there were no runners in front of me, but when I gave the guys another earnest ‘favor’ from the dugout, I got a hit and a walk in my third at-bat, with one out and 1st and 2nd bases. A situation came to me.

As Rodon collapsed again, the score was 4:0.

‘Okay, let’s try to be a hero.’

However, my simple dream of becoming a hero could not come true.

“Intentional Work!”

In a situation where 1 out and 1st and 2nd bases were on, they were picking on me!

“Yes?! No, this isn’t it!”

“Walk.”

“No, it’s full in Jersey, but you’re skipping this? “This doesn’t make sense!”

“Don’t waste time and just walk.”

I tried to protest the situation that made no sense, but the umpire’s intense gaze forced me to walk to first base.

And Judge at bat. One home run is all it takes to tie the game, so why are we hoping Judge doesn’t hit a home run?

In order for the team to win, Judge needs to hit a home run, but I felt like such a piece of trash that I didn’t want him to hit a home run.

‘No, but how can you not think like that when you’re smiling like that!’

But when I saw Judge smiling softly as he watched me walk to first base, I couldn’t help but think that way.

‘No! This is a situation where you should be angry! Jersey! Why are you smiling!’

I tried to talk to Judge internally, but of course there was no return. No, there was one.

Ta – Aak!

Because Judge gifted me a batted ball that splits left-center!

‘Don’t go over, no, don’t go over, no, don’t go over. Oh, I fucking don’t know!’

I had to go over it for the team to win, but that wasn’t my mindset. If I was in a situation where I was competing for the championship, I would have hoped to skip it, but I was confused because the championship had already been confirmed, and it was no different from a garbage match.

In times like this, all you can do is just run.

Then, with a clicking sound, I turn my head slightly and see the center fielder catching the ball.

‘Nice! Ah, not this. ‘Kabi!’

I’m already near third base.

“Run!”

You can hear the third base coach’s sign telling you to run.

‘Stop!’

But Mr. Rossby was telling him to stop at third base.

‘Should we stop?’

I wondered if I should listen to Mr. Rossby, but if I stopped here, there was a possibility that Judge would make fun of me for stopping on purpose because he didn’t want to give me an RBI, so I ignored Mr. Rossby’s words and ran toward home.

And,

“Out!”

The opposing center fielder’s laser-like throw is sniping at me.

‘Ah… You should listen to Mr. Rossby…’

When I glance back at second base, I see a judge looking at me with suspicious eyes.

I return to the dugout, ignoring Judge’s gaze. Fortunately, back-to-back hits by Soto, Stanton, and Vientos tied the score, but Judge’s eyes were on me when he returned to the dugout.

“… “I’m sure he didn’t die on purpose, right?”

“You saw the jersey too. That thing that runs.”

“Well, I was running like usual, but… I can’t believe you’re suffering from a stroke…”

“It’s because the coach turned it around. Also, what should I do about the fact that the center fielder’s throw was good?”

“… Well, it’s good that Rafaella apologizes.”

And then came the fourth at-bat.

‘Mr. Rossby, let’s go.’

As the inning changed to the top of the 7th inning, Gahard, a rookie pitcher for the Red Sox, was on the mound. Since the Red Sox have confirmed their rankings, is it possible to hire a pitcher who doesn’t seem to care about wins or losses?

‘It’s a slider.’

‘Okay.’

Ta – Aak!

-Wow!!!!

And I was able to widen the RBI gap with Judge to two again by hitting a home run against rookie Gahard.

“Hmm…”

In return, I had no choice but to receive Judge’s suspicious gaze.

“… “It’s not really true.”

“Well, if you are, that’s probably it. “I’m not the type of guy who would fix a match.”

“Ah! My nickname was Clean Baseball! “I heard that you caught a match-fixing game in Korea and even won an award?”

“I get it. Anyway, congratulations on your 78th home run.”

“… Yes.”

After that, the bullpens collapsed, and the game ended up being a 10-5 loss regardless of the fact that I had a base hit at home. In the next game, I was tied up by Trilling, who pitched 8 scoreless innings and pitched perfectly, so neither I nor Judge ended up scoring an RBI. This happened.

‘… ‘It can’t go on like this, right?’

However, I thought it couldn’t go on like this because I had three intentional throws in this series alone, even though the judge was behind me.

At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before Judge catches the RBI record.

Knock, knock.

In the end, I had no choice but to think of ways to beat Judge outside the game. Honestly, if there was a hitter with a .500 on-base percentage in front of me, I wouldn’t have resorted to this method…,

“Anyone? Huh? Ji? What’s going on? “You go to the director’s office first.”

“Director… Can you please adjust the batting order for the remaining games? … Behind the jersey.”

If the problem is that there is a batter in front of the judge with a .500 on-base percentage and easily scoring RBIs, the problem is solved by eliminating that .500 batter.

“Haha, if Ji wants to hit you from behind, you should. Well, I also wanted to try out this batting order at least once in preparation for the playoffs.”

… The director smiled brightly.