Chapter 97 – Episode 96. Son of a Hero. (2)

‘That bastard’s eyes are strange?’

‘Ah, what does that mean to a good older brother who buys me coffee?’

‘No, the look in his eyes was weird when he brought up that bastard’s medicine.’

Is it? I didn’t feel anything….

‘Then why don’t you look into it?’

‘What is an investigation?’

Hearing Rossby’s words made me feel uncomfortable. However, Joo Seung-cheol took drugs, but nothing changed.

In the first place, I’ve been playing baseball in a way that I’m not proud of, but that’s about it.

‘On the contrary, that would be more fun.’

‘What’s fun?’

‘Honestly, the KBA level is low. Mr. Rossby. Do you know what a pacemaker is? Leading in marathon. Well, it wouldn’t be bad to have such an existence.’

To be honest, Joo Seung-chul’s performance over the past two years has been staggering for him to be a pacemaker, so it didn’t suit him well.

But, that was when Ji Maeng-ho didn’t debut in the KBA. If it was medicine or whatever and hanging out with me, I was satisfied with that. After playing against Ohtani, the Korean pitchers I have dealt with so far have seemed insignificant.

‘Well, if that’s you, then it must be like that.’

‘Shit. Even if I take medicine, I hope I don’t get sick.’

‘What’s the matter? You’re worried about other people.’

‘Still, while representing the national team, we became close to each other, but it’s pitiful. Hyungjin Joo seems like a good person too.’

Besides, if you get caught in the WBC period, there is no such loss. If things go on like this, the opponent before the quarterfinals would be Japan, and it would be impossible to face Japan without a hard hitter like Joo Seung-cheol. It is certain that the U.S., Which has a space defense squad on the other side, will come up, but I wanted to beat Japan and get a taste of the major leagues.

And to beat Japan….

‘Let’s stop talking about this and go to training. If I can hit Ohtani’s ball, it will be easy for the other players.’

It is important to train now. As much as I found a new training method, I have to grow more. Although it was a situation where I might not be able to travel yet.

Well, the last match is in China, so it’ll be easy without me.

*

“What are you doing! Now!”

“…………….”

Chinese language echoing loudly, and Park Chul-young lying on first base. What is this situation? I couldn’t believe it even after seeing it with my own eyes, so I couldn’t speak because I was dumbfounded rather than angry.

Even if a hamstring-like injury is fate for a player like Park Chul-young who sprints to first base, it was not such an injury.

“What kind of kid blocks first base and defends! Is this baseball? Fuck you, you bastards!”

The manager’s fiery voice echoes across the ground. The Japanese referees tried to dissuade coach Lee Geum-hyeon, but it did not seem easy to stop Lee Geum-hyeon, who was already angry.

“Chulyoung hyung…. Would it be okay?”

Although I was a competitor, I felt like I would get angry at the injury of a colleague who treated me well.

“Fortunately, I avoided major contact….”

The accident occurred at the beginning of the 6th inning when the lead was 12:0. The first baseman was blocking the first base with his leg, and Park Cheol-young, who was running to first base after hitting a grounder in the infield, twisted his steps to avoid the leg.

Fortunately, there was no major contact, so it didn’t look like a bone was broken, but when I landed, I could see my ankle turning even in the dugout. I knew it because I was also a sports person. That’s enough….

‘… At least two weeks.’

Two weeks is the end of the WBC. Even if the injury is not as severe as expected, so even if you return, your return will be in the semifinals…. Park Chul-young’s WBC practically ended here. I had said something similar when I was talking to Soyoung before, but of course it was a joke.

Because neither I nor So-yeong sincerely wanted Park Chul-young to be injured. However, I felt guilty that Park Chul-young was injured because I had talked about it with So-young.

“Maengho. Get ready.”

“Welcome senior?”

“We should leave at least one major defender. Ju-tae or Su-ho could get hurt, seeing how the Chinese bastards do it.”

“… Yes.”

Head coach Lee Jang-hoon approached and said in a low voice. When I was about to get my running gloves, the head coach came up to me and put them on my shoulder.

“Maengho. I know your feelings are complicated right now. Because Cheolyoung was injured. … But this is your chance.”

“What is that… ?”

“When I was a player, I switched candidates in the beginning. However, when I was in my 5th year, I was able to seize the opportunity due to an injury to the starting pitcher. Fierce tiger Opportunity comes to everyone. But those who can seize that opportunity are those who have prepared. Are you ready?”

“… The preparations were always there.”

I couldn’t go into the field with my emotions. I spoke confidently to the head coach and put on my running gloves. And when I left the dugout, I saw Park Chul-young coming out of the dugout.

“Senior, are you okay?”

“Ugh, it was a little twisted, but it was cheap enough for this. … Request. Maengho.”

“All right.”

When I entered first base, the first base coach grabbed me by the shoulder and said,

“Be careful. These pups are not serious. Don’t move as much as you can, watch out for spikes. Let’s quickly finish with a cold game and go back.”

“All right.”

The commotion subsides and the game resumes. The next hitter was Choi Joo-tae, the first hitter. An out count is a situation where two are available. And the Chinese player threw the ball again.

Puck!

An unpleasant sound completely different from the sound of hitting a mitt.

– Woo woo woo!

– What are you doing!

Choi Joo-tae twisted his body, but he couldn’t avoid the ball flying into his back.

“Ha, I’m not even kidding.”

Choi Ju-tae seemed to be full of anger, butheheld it in and started walking to first base.

“Be patient, maengho. If he is ejected here, only one infielder remains. That’s why Joo-tae is patient.”

The clenched fists seemed to show the first base coach. Coach is right. Choi Joo-tae, who was hit by the ball, is also holding back for the sake of the team, but I shouldn’t step in.

‘It’s like shit, these 10 year olds.’

At least, since there are two runners now, a big one is a 15-point difference. And blocking China’s attack at the end of the 6th is a cold game requirement. I guess I have no choice but to believe in the next hitter, Joo Seung-cheol….

Joo Seung-cheol steps in at bat. China, too, did not want to suffer the humiliation of a cold game, and started throwing the ball properly to Joo Seung-cheol.

‘Seungcheol hyung, can you?’

Joo Seung-cheol’s eyes from second base seemed quite cold. I feel like I’m going to freeze even myself in those cold eyes. And the pitcher’s fourth ball flew toward Joo Seung-cheol’s body.

Ta-evil!

‘Also! Seungcheol Joo!’

And, as I expected, Joo Seung-chul was not a player who would miss the Chinese pitcher’s 140 fastball.

While watching the referee’s home run call sign, I step on the home run and wait, and Joo Seung-cheol slowly walks in, completing a 15-point gap. Two home runs today.

‘Yeah, what does it have to do with taking medicine? I just need the team to win.’

I wasn’t sure about the medication either.

“Seungcheol hyung. Multi-home run good.”

“Isn’t it okay if you can’t even rob a pitcher like that?”

Joo Seung-cheol’s bright smile. That laugh made me laugh out loud.

“Just do as you say and go crazy! What do you think?”

“My brother is also a little hit. Well, not to the extent of me.”

*

-[WBC] Joo Seung-chul’s multi-homer performance! Korea national team defeated China 15:0!

-[WBC] Quarterfinals now. Who will face Korea?

-[WBC] 1st place in Group A, Taiwan faces Korea!

-[WBC] New victory in Korea and Taiwan! 3:0! Now it’s 4 rivers!
-[WBC] The youngest member of the national team, Ji Maeng-ho! Saving the national team with 2 hits, 1 home run and 3 RBIs in 4 at-bats!

-[WBC] The Korean national team departs for Miami and faces Japan in the quarterfinals!

-[WBC] Darvish is selected for the quarterfinals in Japan. What is the result of caring for Ohtani?

“Well…. The response is also good.”

“As expected, the governor. The topicality is overwhelming.”

“I just need to defeat Japan now….”

The president of KBA laughed inwardly at the news of the successive victories of the national team. Although we lost to Japan, the national team advanced to the semifinals and public opinion improved.

In the meantime, the popularity of the KBA league was gradually declining due to incidents and accidents in the KBA league. Then the open national competition WBC. Thanks to the all-out appearance of major league stars, the public’s expectations grew, and the national team showed good results by living up to those expectations.

‘As expected, there must be superstars.’

Kang Han-beom, who is receiving absolute support in Busan, and Seong-hyeon, a hero of the people. In addition to the twins of the two superstars, incumbent major leaguers Choi Joo-tae and Jung Woo-sung were also very popular. And Joo Seung-cheol, the son of Joo Hyeong-jin, a national hero, also added to the topic with his warm appearance and overwhelming skills.

Even once there, Jang Woo-joo, who performed well by throwing 161 km/h in an international competition, and Ji Maeng-ho, who has been playing a big role since Park Chul-young’s injury.

In particular, Ji Maeng-ho’s handsome appearance and fighting spirit that he showed in the match against Australia became a hot topic.

‘It’s a pity that Jang Woo-joo didn’t have a big focus, but this should be enough.’

In the WBC, although he was far out of the strike zone, Jang Woo-joo also drew attention as he threw the ball at 161 km/h, but Ji Maeng-ho’s picture in the article was taken so well that it felt slightly buried.

“It would be nice if we could do well against Japan now.”

“As expected, Japan must be difficult, right? If only we could win….”

The renaissance period of Korean baseball. It was not unreasonable to come back to the glory of 2008.

“I am fortunate. Because Ohtani is taking a break from the semifinals for the final.”

The semi-final against Japan is on March 20th. And the day the final was scheduled was March 22nd. Since Ohtani could not return to the mound in two days, Japan made a choice to cherish Ohtani, the ace. Darvish is also a good pitcher who won 14 major league games last year, but not quite as well as Ohtani.

Careless in a way. The Korean national team should aim for that vigilance.

*

“Sweep, is it because you came to America after a long time? I am tired.”

I was even more tired because there was no place to meet women there. I wanted to feel the rice cakes of the American girls whom Rossby praised so thinly and worn out, but there was no free time at all. Fuck!

“Oh, have you been to America?”

“Yes. During the youth national team.”

It was then that I met Rossby, and my dark life changed. Well, it was Miami now, not St. Louis. Anyway, I was in the US for about 3 days, but I was a little tired because of the jet lag.

“Brother, how is your brother? Is your ankle okay?”

“It’s too much for a runner, and I think you can stand at bat, right?”

Fortunately, Park Chul-young’s injury was not that severe. He would have been dizzy if he had injured a ligament, but it was just a sprain.

“Hey, do well in the match against Japan and win. Because I think I can go to the finals.”

“Ah, if I do well and win, I will go to the finals. I have no conscience.”

“Conscience is without you. Ugh. Anyway, have a good day today. Send me to the finals.”

“I will try, but….”

Even if Ohtani did not appear, Japan’s starting pitcher was burdensome.

“Even if Darvish is old, he’ll still be pissed.”

“Joo Tae hyung says there’s nothing wrong?”

That’s what I said, but there was no way there was nothing wrong. He was a four-seam pitcher averaging 95.2 mph (153 km/h) and throwing a variety of breaking balls including two-seam, cutter, slider, splitter, changeup, and curveball.

‘As expected, Choi Ju-tae’s expression looks dark.’

Choi Joo-tae’s expression, which Darvish said was nothing special, was slightly firm, but it was.

‘Okay, let’s do my country well for now.’