Chapter 90 – Episode 89. National Team VS Australia (4)

“Ji Maeng-ho, are you really okay? How can I change it to a welcome?”

“It’s really okay. You know? That body is strong.”

“Yeah, I got it. If you feel anything wrong, tell me right away.”

“All right.”

Replacement? Can’t miss this opportunity Besides, the attack at the end of the 6th starts with me. I never wanted to be replaced.

‘Does this bastard really look like an orangutan? How can I be fine after bumping into it like that?’

Hehe, it’s thanks to the steady training.’

‘The catcher in protective gear was carried out, but the runner was fine. Now I have no choice but to acknowledge you.’

‘You still haven’t admitted it? Aren’t they too slow?’

‘The fact that your genes are mixed with orangutan genes! The crossbreeding of a human and an orangutan is so terrible! For a moment! I’m dying to make these discoveries! If I had known this while alive, the Nobel Prize would have been mine. It’s a pityhehe.’

Tsk tsk, why did I admit it? Did Rosby get hit instead of me? After all, what Rosby said was bullshit. Ignoring Rossby’s bullshit, I grabbed my gloves and went to the ground.

*

Oh no fun

In the 5th inning, with a 7-run lead, Australia replaced the pitcher with a pitcher playing in the Australian League. I wanted to play against a major leaguer, but I felt like I was on the verge of defeat, perhaps because the loss was dark.

I could understand the feelings of the Australian national team. Since they lost to us, they probably want to save their pitcher to beat Japan. There is also a mercenary pitcher playing in the KBA league, but that player seemed to be saving to use as a starter in the game against Japan.

‘But who was he?’

I heard the power analysis, but it had already disappeared from my memory because he was not a very important player.

‘Something will work. Right? Mr. Rossby?’

As long as Rossby was there, it didn’t matter too much if he was a pitcher he didn’t know. Looking at the changed pitcher throwing practice pitches, his velocity is in the low 140s. Well, no big deal.

“Maengho. Just get on base My brother will call you again.”

The next hitter, Lee Eun-chong, spoke to me.

“I will come in alone.”

“Are you going to hit a home run?”

“Maybe?”

Isn’t it funny that you can’t hit a home run against an Australian pitcher? After practice pitching, I walked into the batter’s box.

‘If it’s a fastball on my first pitch, I’ll swing it right away.’

I was confident in my fastball timing because I had already carved the timing of the fastball while watching practice pitches.

‘You’re lucky. It’s a fastball. The mitt position is low on the outside. He’s probably going to throw a ball.’

Shall I wield it? Should I? Even if I hit the low outside ball, I can’t get a good hit….

Unfortunately, I decided to watch and waited for the pitcher’s first ball.

“Cheek.”

Well. Fastballs don’t matter. This is almost the level of a batting ball? Can a mourner like this represent the national team?

‘Don’t be careless. Since this guy is also a national representative, he must have a secret weapon.’

‘All right.’

Ugh, more power analysis. What kind of guy threw a breaking ball? He seemed to have heard too roughly that he would not play as a starter. You should listen carefully next time.

‘Slider. Flowing outward.’

Then pass this lightly.

“Cheek.”

Under. Only throws outside. Are you not winning? Cowardly bastard.

“Time!”

I shouted time once to change the flow. Then, he approached the waiting at-bat and pretended to be sprayed while quietly asking a question to Lee Eun-chong, the next hitter.

“Seniors. Can you explain to me just once what that bastard’s main weapon is?”

“What? Didn’t you hear the power analysis?”

“That’s not it…. I’m a little nervous. I want to hear it in words.”

“Ah…. So you didn’t even bat? Well, I was very nervous when I was first selected for the national team. Redemption is in the early to mid 140s. He usually throws curveballs or sliders, but his angles are flat, but his control is quite good.”

“All right. Thank you.”

Do you have good restraint? Honey.

The pitcher who sent the ball as the catcher wanted was my rice. ‘Cause you just have to wield it It was rather annoying to throw with the opposite pitch because I couldn’t control my pitch.

“[Why are you coming so late? Were you scared?]”

“[Don’t giggle. Because I understand everything.]”

After briefly chewing the catcher’s trash talk, I stepped into the batter’s box. Throw anything

‘Curve. Low.’

Throw the curve low. Thinking of inducing a swing? Since it’s two balls, you might want to bet on it. Then I’ll throw it out of the zone a little bit. It’s two-ball, so it won’t hit the ground.

‘… Right? Mr. Rossby.’

‘That’s correct. Swing it coolly.’

Well, even if I couldn’t hit it, the count was advantageous.

‘Come!’

“Hiyah!”

The pitcher throws the ball while shouting a strange spirit,

Ta-evil!

I felt the bat hit the center of the ball exactly. The feeling of not feeling anything in your hand.

‘There’s nothing to see.’

I coolly threw the bat and ran slowly to first base.

“Congratulations. First home run.”

“This is the beginning.”

After greeting the first base coach, I went around the diamond and arrived at the home plate, where Lee Eun-chong, the next hitter, greeted me.

“Oh, youngest. Congratulations on the home run Did you really hit me?”

“How can I bother you, senior? Take it easy.”

“I mean….”

After giving Lee Eun-chong a smileheheaded to the dugout. And cheers coming towards me…. Huh?

‘Why is it so quiet?’

I didn’t feel the cheer that I always get when I hit a home run. I looked around the dugout with a puzzled expression. But no one tried to make eye contact with me.

‘What the fuck?’

“Cheolyoung hyung? Seungcheol’s older brother? Senior weatherman!”

I called the names of people I thought I was close to, but they all turned away from me. No way…. Me…. Was it bullying?

When I thought about my high school days, I felt like I was going to cry.

“Ha.”

I trudged to my seat. Shit, even if everyone else is like this, Jang Woo-joo shouldn’t be like this! How dare a young guy ignore me? However, Jang Woo-joo went to the bullpen and couldn’t see his face.

“Congratulations…. It’s the first home run….”

I muttered in a low voice in the corner. At that time.

“Wow, is this bastard crying?”

“What? Did you really not know this?”

“Puhahaha. Senior, did you shed tears?”

“Wow Uno. Home run Serigo.”

What? Fuck… !

In an instant, the gathered players surrounded me and started beating me violently.

“Ah! It hurts! It hurts!”

It hurts, but something felt good. In fact, I thought I was being bullied because there were so many things that caught me.

“Mind! Happy Home Run Day!”

“Wow, this bastard hit his first home run in the national team, not as a pro.”

“Ugh! It hurts!”

When the group beating was over and we took off our equipment, the director approached me.

“Congratulations. Ji Maeng-ho.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“You have the potential to be a big player. I’ve seen many players so far, but there aren’t many players that shine like you.”

“… Is that so?”

“Okay. Try harder in the future Because if it’s you, you can cross Hyungjin Joo.”

“Of course. I will surpass Joo Hyung-jin, I will surpass Judge, and I will surpass Babe Ruth.”

Haha. I wish I could be a little more humble. Anyway, I told the manager, so let me know when you find the home run ball.”

“Thank you.”

I felt like I was a little bit moved by the director’s comment. No matter what, the national team represents a country. It must have been quite an adventure to hire a freshman like me who knows nothing. I felt like I had proven myself.

But it is still only one step. She has to win the KBA and release So-Young’s limit, and she must enter the major leagues and follow in the footsteps of Rosby, or even surpass her, and engrave her name in three letters.

It’s just one step.

… But somehow, tears came out.

Before going to the entrance ceremony, I remember telling my parents that I would definitely become a professional athlete. I thought my life was ruined by a car accident. Surgery and rehabilitation, my self-esteem that had been pushed to the ground, and my place that had already disappeared when I returned to the baseball team. Ignoring peers. And the self-esteem that fell to the ground again. A childhood friend who has changed.

… Repetition of the vicious cycle.

Then I met Rossby. I was able to come this far because I met Rossby and signed a contract. A benefactor who breathed hope into my dying life. And the women I met.

At first, I wanted to kill her, but now Hyejin noona gave birth to my child. Hyuna, who ignored me but eventually became my woman. Like me, who almost gave up baseball after the accident, Jo Eun gave up her dream because of an injury. And So-young, who recognized my potential and selected me for the first nomination.

And the first home run with the national team selected by chance.

None of this would have happened if I hadn’t met Rossby there that day. Because my life, which I thought was ruined, has changed since that day.

But still. Even if all of this is gone….

… I missed my parents.

‘I’m sorry. A bastard procrastinates.’

‘Thank you. Mr. Rossby….’

‘Shut up. Because there’s nothing more disgusting than a boy doing this. So which of your parents is an orangutan? How did you succeed in interbreeding?’

‘Even Mr. Rossby says things he doesn’t mean. He’s really disingenuous.’

Hearing Rossby’s friendly pad-lips somehow made me laugh. After all, to lighten the mood….

‘What is he saying now? Are you good at it? Why does this bastard like it even after being criticized?’

‘Mr. Rossby’s heart was well conveyed. Thank you.’

‘… Naughty kid. It looks like he gave up his brain in exchange for muscle.’

You mean strong? I laughed out loud at the Rossby-style praise. Rosby’s real heart is conveyed mixed in the insults that can be known because they have been attached to each other for so long.

“Uh? Seniors! Is he crying or laughing?”

“The youngest must have been very happy.”

“Aren’t you rooting for me? Hit a home run for the first time?”

Yes, because it is still only one step. Should I cheer hard?

“Lee Eunchong fighting! Blow it up!”

*

-[WBC] South Korea, cold win to Australia, major leaguer Hendricks 4.2 innings 2 runs lost! South Korea 10-point hit!

(Reporter Park OO, OSEX)

Korea defeated Australia and won the opening game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), signaling a green light.

Korea won a 10-0, 8th cold game win against Australia in the first round of the 2023 WBC held at Tokyo Dome, Japan on the 9th.

The Korean starter on this day was Choi Joong-hoon from Hyunseong Mad Cats. Choi Joong-Hoon became the winning pitcher as he pitched 5 scoreless innings. The starting pitcher for Australia against Choi Joong-hoon is Chicago White Sox closer Lime Hendricks. Hendricks showed perfect pitching with only two runners on base until two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

It was then that the tide of the game changed. Second baseman Park Chul-young, who played as the 8th hitter, made an exquisite infield hit and reached base. However, Park Cheol-young was replaced by a runner due to ankle pain, and the runner who entered first base was Ji Maeng-ho, a rookie who had not yet made his professional debut.

There was a lot of criticism against Maeng-Ho Ji and Woo-Joo Jang, two players who had not made their professional debut yet, but Maeng-Ho Ji proved his worth regardless of such criticism.

Ji Maeng-ho, who played as a runner-up at first base, succeeded in stealing second base. After that, ninth hitter Lee Eun-chong ran from second base to home on a hit in front of the right fielder. The throw from the right fielder was expected to be close at home, but due to the collision, the Australian catcher, Edwards, missed the ball and the goal was recognized as it was.

(Picture of Ji Meng-ho lying down and smiling as he raises his arm.)

Hendricks, who had been standing on the mound with Lee Eun-chong’s hit and Ji Maeng-ho’s goal, was replaced, and the Korean national team solidified their winning streak by scoring 7 points, including Choi Joo-tae’s home run. After that, in the 6th inning, Maeng-Ho Ji scored 2 runs. He added 1 point in the 8th inning and achieved the requirement of a cold game.

It was thanks to the fighting spirit of Ji Maeng-ho, the youngest member of the national team, that turned the tide of the tense game in the beginning. Responding to the youngest’s will, the seniors swung hard blows to lighten the pitchers’ shoulders, and the pitchers of the Korean national team followed, ending the game by blocking Australia’s batting line without a run.

Public expectations are growing as to whether the smooth start of the Korean national team, which was regarded as the best ever, will be able to erase the nightmare of the WBC in 2013 and 2017.

Meanwhile, the Korean national team is scheduled to play against the Japanese national team at noon tomorrow (10th). The recent match between the national team and Japan has been 5 consecutive losses. The people’s interest is paying attention to whether the Taegeuk Warriors will be able to break the losing streak.

In tomorrow’s game against Japan, South Korea selected New York Yankees starting pitcher Seong-hyeon as their starting pitcher, and Japan designated Los Angeles Angels ace Sohei Ohtani as their starting pitcher.

-Wow, the picture of our ferocious tiger came out well! Guys, that player is our 1st nomination!!!
Oh daddy, go away
B What kind of pictorial is it?

-It’s heartbreaking to see Maeng Tiger crying after hitting a home run and coming back.
After swearing at the bastards, Ji Maeng-ho proved it with a home run, right?
Yes next ^1994^

-You’re embarrassed that you barely won against Australia

-I was watching it at work, but the moment Ji Maeng-ho entered the home, I also had tears in my eyes. The fighting spirit of the young players was really cool.

-Ah, that bastard we should have eaten it, but Seoul Farm sucks

– A confrontation between Gyehyun and Tanikun. Whoops. Tomorrow will be the day of the extinction of Gukppong.
ㄴGwaehyun and Tanikun, conscience ㅇㅇ?
Will the dark energy of Tanikun be applied to the national team? I’m really looking forward to it.
ㄴStill, isn’t Seong-Hyun better in terms of career?
Ngeun? Player? Career? Oh I can’t stand it
Let’s swing it, fuck it!