Chapter 317 – Episode 315. One Step to Victory. (5) – Part 1 Completed
‘I lost. Fuck.’
The feeling I felt as the catcher whose name I didn’t know went over the fence was a feeling of helplessness. A feeling of helplessness that I cannot do anything on my own. Now the game is out of my hands.
In the top of the 9th inning, our batting lineup started with 8th batter Han Young-jin. He was a replacement catcher who came in after Yun-cheol Jeong was replaced as a pinch hitter. He is a candidate catcher whose batting skills cannot be said to be good, even if it is empty words. I have to wait five times for my chance to bat.
‘Could the opportunity come to me?’
After this happened, I became more regretful about missing the hit in the 8th inning. If only I had trusted Choi Jin-cheol and focused on getting on base… It was even more disappointing because Choi Jin-cheol hit a hit and got on base that inning. No matter how good a hitter he was, he couldn’t get on base in every at-bat, so he swung the bat with the mindset that I would finish it…
I should have trusted my colleagues more. Baseball is a sport played by 9 people. It was a sport where I couldn’t win the game by running wild alone.
‘If only I had trusted Jincheol a little bit…’
It was arrogant. I had the illusion that I could finish the game alone. All I really needed was to get on base once. During the Korean Series, I had no faith because I was unable to score due to an intentional throw. In baseball, a candidate could hit a home run like the UG guys, so why couldn’t they trust Choi Jin-cheol, one of the best hitters in the league?
‘Candidate… ? Yes, Youngjin Han can hit too. Let’s not think that we have already lost.’
“Mind! Ji Maengho! Come to your senses! Wow, are you dumbfounded? I haven’t lost the game yet, kid. “Focus on defense.”
After hitting the home run, he seemed to have been thinking about other things for a long time. So much so that even Seongtae Yoon noticed my condition. Seongtae Yoon, who was so scared, reprimands me. The subject was frozen throughout the game.
“Say those words carefully. “If he had played a little better, he would have won.”
“What can I say? “I made 2 points, kid.”
Still, I felt like I came to my senses after hearing the words of Yoon Seong-tae, who I worked with throughout the season. As Yoon Seong-tae said, the game was not over yet, and we had one more chance left.
“Hey! Gather together!”
Just in time, Choi Jin-cheol summons the infielders.
“Yunho. Don’t try to throw too well, trust the fielders and throw. “It went too far in the middle.”
“Sorry. “Senior.”
“No, now that the game has been reversed and there is no pressure, you can throw whatever you want. We’ll turn it around again. You can do it, right? “Is it Meng Hao?”
“Me?”
“Okay. I’ll connect you to you somehow. Youngjin, you can do it, right?”
“… I will try my best.”
“The kids in the outfield probably feel the same way. Jeongjindo, Jooyeopdo, Sangjudo. It’s Suho. “You too?”
“Yes. I could just finish it myself.”
Kim Su-ho, who rarely says such things, spoke confidently as if to lighten the mood.
“There is one out count left, so let’s finish well and go in. Okay?”
“Yes. “I will stop it this time.”
“Okay. You can do it. Let’s go! Invincible!”
“AT!”
In the bottom of the 8th inning, which resumed after a brief meeting, Yunho Kim finished the bottom of the 8th inning by safely catching her remaining out counts. The score was 7:6. Even if there was only one attack opportunity left, it was a score difference that could have been reversed.
And when he came into the dugout, coach Lee Soo-hyun summoned the fielders who were out for defense.
“There’s no need to talk too much, right? Jinhyuk is waiting in the bullpen. Make Jinhyuk throw.”
A word that the finisher is waiting in the bullpen. In fact, saying that Park Jin-hyuk was waiting aroused anxiety, but the meaning of Director Lee Soo-hyun’s words was conveyed.
“The pinch hitter is Joohyun.”
And after looking around us, the manager pointed out Kang Joo-hyun as the leadoff hitter in the top of the 9th inning. A pinch hitter used in place of catcher Han Young-jin. Since there were no catchers left in the lineup, it felt like Manager Lee Soo-hyun was hitting Bae Su-jin.
‘Yes, Kang Joo-hyun is better than catcher Han Young-jin.’
When I took a quick look at Youngjin Han’s expression, I saw an expression of relief. With that mindset, pinch hitting was the right choice. On the other hand, Kang Joo-hyun’s expression looked lively in her eyes, to put it in a good way.
‘Okay, let’s go to the station.’
As I was gathering my thoughts, I heard English.
“[Director!]”
It was Crongs who was the starter in Game 5.
“[I’ll also be warming up. Just in case.]”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m going to relax.”
“Oh. Exorcism. Thank you, go bullpen.”
“[It is the fate of an ace to finish in the postseason. I was also looking forward to this situation.]”
“What are you saying?”
“They say there’s no need to be thankful.”
“Okay, that went well. “Because we already didn’t have enough pitchers.”
When looking at the list of remaining pitchers excluding Park Jin-hyuk, there was virtually no pitcher who could come up if there was a reversal, except for Crongs. If such a situation arises, it would be best for Park Jin-hyuk to finish, but it was reassuring to have a preparedness plan for unexpected situations.
‘What? Why is that bastard doing that?’
Although I was a little puzzled as to why I was volunteering. The Crongs I saw was basically a similar person to Rossby. He was similar in that he was not a proper human being, but he was very similar to Rossby in his disregard for Korean baseball.
And right before I go to the bullpen, Cronks gives me a wink and heads to the bullpen. The wink made him vomit for the first time in a long time, but he held it back.
‘Anyway, he’s a strange bastard.’
I felt like I was going to get weird if I tried to understand that guy, so I quickly turned my attention to the ground and UG’s setup man Jang Dong-hyun came up to the mound. I definitely saw Austin Webb preparing in the bullpen, and seeing that Jang Dong-hyun was up there, it seemed like they were thinking the same thing as us.
‘If you block it with Jang Dong-hyeon and a crisis arises, you’re going to raise Web, that bastard, right?’
In that case, there was a high possibility that my opponent would be Web. An opportunity for me meant that three out of five batters had to be on base, excluding two outs, and that meant a crisis for UG.
‘Now all that’s left is prayer…? ?’
Although there were some regrets, I did everything I could today. Now all that’s left is to believe in your colleagues and pray. I clung to the dugout railing and started calling out Kang Joo-hyun’s name loudly.
“Kang Joo-hyun! Fighting!”
“Joohyun! Let’s turn the tables!!!!”
Next, my colleagues responded to my voice. I was sure everyone felt the same way as me. And the match that followed.
Perfect!
Kang Joo-hyun’s batted ball floats high and gets trapped in the infield.
“Oh, fuck!”
“Ha, two outs left…”
“Jeongjin! Please!”
Out count given too easily. But even so, the cheering does not stop. Praying that our hearts will be conveyed to the next hitter, Baek Jeong-jin.
Perfect!
“It’s done!”
“Baek Jeong-jin! Nice!”
-Baek Jeong-jin! Baek Jeong-jin! Baekjeongjin!
This time, the ball passes through the infield. 1 out, 1st base.
“Joo-yeop hyung, please!”
“Kim Joo-yeop, let’s go! Jang Dong-hyun, that bastard has no fucking idea!”
“Strike out!”
Kim Joo-yeop strikes out, 2 outs, 1st base. But the real thing starts now.
‘If you are senior Suho and senior Sangju, they can lead you to me as well. From now on. The game starts now.’
Ta – Aak!
-Wow!!!!
“And!!! It’s up!”
“Please!”
“I believed it!”
Kim Su-ho’s batted ball soared and exquisitely fell in front of the center fielder.
“Fuck! This is it!”
“Meng Hao! Bring your bat!”
“Yes!”
I grabbed my bat and walked to the waiting box. At bat, Gigi Joo. Baek Jeong-jin and Kim Su-ho are on the floor. And Austin Webb takes the mound.
‘Yes, in a situation like this, you should come up. I was waiting.’
As I entered the waiting box, the weatherman glanced at me and smiled once. I can feel the weather warning. Furthermore, I’m sure you feel the same way as me. The desire to win. That feeling of wanting to give me at-bats no matter what. It feels certain.
‘Please!’
“Strike!”
“Ball.”
Perfect!
“Foul!”
Perfect!
“Foul!”
“Ball.”
“Ball!”
Perfect!
“Foul!”
A full count match continues. Ki Ki-joo persistently kicks the ball out of the zone and creates a foul. Seeing Ki Ki-joo, who usually aims for a long hit by holding the end of the handle, hold the ball about a hand above it and kick the ball away, you can see what kind of mindset he has when going to bat. And the 8th ball thrown.
“Base on balls!”
In the end, a walk was declared. The opportunity was connected to me as well. Like a miracle. No, it wasn’t a miracle. It was an opportunity given by my colleagues.
‘Let’s go. Mr. Rossby.’
‘Huh? ‘Why not do more?’
‘… ‘What?’
‘It’s like being in trouble. It was fun to watch… It’s a shame. ‘Hehe.’
‘… You didn’t say anything and I wanted to do something, but you were watching me?’
‘It was a lot of fun to see people cursing alone, feeling sad alone, and then being happy alone.’
‘… ‘Fuck you.’
‘Huh?’
‘No.’
I was annoyed that Rossby was watching me in a dark way, but talking to him still made me feel a little more relaxed. I didn’t know it, but I guess I was nervous.
-Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maengho! Ji Maengho!
I can hear the fans chanting my name. I stretched out my bat and aimed it toward the fence for the fans still remaining.
-Waaaaa!!!
The fans’ voices become louder at my anticipated home run. And the pitcher’s brow furrows.
‘Okay, get excited.’
The fielders seemed to be aware of my declaration of a home run, so it felt like they were moving further back than usual.
‘Mr. Rossby, what about the first pitch?’
‘It’s a fastball.’
‘Are you going to test the liver with a fastball?’
“Ball.”
The first pitch is a ball that hits the outside. Judging by the fact that they were 1–2 points out of the zone, it seemed like they had the intention to compete. However, it probably means that we will play to the outside as much as possible to avoid long hits.
‘Then it could get stuck in the body. Right?’
‘Okay. Use your own judgment and wield it wisely. It’s a sinker.’
Ta – Aak!
‘Did you come…? ?!’
I immediately swung the bat in response to the sinker coming toward my body, and felt a heavy sensation in my palm.
-Wow!!!
The shouts get louder and the batted ball deflects further and further to the side. In the end, the batted ball failed to pass the pole and disappeared as it bent further to the left.
‘Seup, you were a little fast.’
With this, one strike, one ball.
‘Whoa… Let’s focus… No, I’m concentrating well. Let’s take it easy. Comfortably.’
‘Hehe, you’re being damned by yourself again.’
‘Hey! Mind control… Place? Uh? Mr. Rossby?’
‘What is it?’
While trying to rebut Rossby, the UG guys’ defensive position comes into view at a glance. Infielders retreat further after hitting a foul home run.
‘Don’t you think the infield is too far behind?’
‘Huh? I see.’
After hitting a foul home run, it felt like the infielders’ defensive positions were about a step further back. Notice home run and foul home run. The feeling that the only thing in their minds is long shots.
‘It’s a fastball.’
Before I could gather my thoughts, UG’s battery had already signed. And the thrown ball.
‘Fuck! Let’s give it a try!’
I instinctively crouched down and laid down the bat. And he pushed the ball between the first and second basemen.
Tick!
As soon as I felt I had pushed the ball properly, I threw down the bat and ran toward first base. Each second of running to first base feels like an eternity. And the ball rolls forward quickly. UG’s second baseman is running. The guy bends his back and extends his glove to catch the ball.
-Wow!!!
“Run! I fell in! Keep running!”
And then I heard the cheers of the fans and the shouts of the coach. If the batted ball leaves the second baseman’s hand, the only players left behind are the outfielders. And the outfielder’s location is near the fence. Step on the first base and run to second base.
“Stop! Stop! Stop!”
And a chorus of coaches yelling at second base to stop. A weather warning was seen at third base, and Webb was seen throwing his glove on the mound. And the number engraved on the electronic sign changes from 6 to 8.
“Aaaaah!!!”
A loud sound erupted from the danjeon as the immense pleasure welled up from the toes. Bunts, singles, turnovers and… Winning.
‘It’s a win. Win. If you can block just one inning, you will truly win!’
With joy that couldn’t be expressed in words, I just raised my hands and screamed while looking at the fans on third base.
-Wow!!!!
-Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maengho! Ji Maengho!
The cheers of fans shouting my name. This is it. This. Why I play baseball The reason why I stubbornly stuck to the baseball team even after my parents passed away. The reason I didn’t give up.
‘Mom, Dad. Are you watching? ‘Ugh.’
Tears flow slightly as I suddenly think of my parents.
‘It reminds me of the old days.’
‘Yes? ‘Suddenly?’
‘It’s just like that day when you stood up with your dick in tears.’
As Rossby said, I looked at my pants and noticed that they were bulging without me realizing it.
‘Fuck, it’s here again. … But what about that day?’
‘Why is there a day when we signed a contract? Even back then, it was nice to see him crying, erecting his dick, and jerking off… It’s still like that.’
The excitement that had been building up from Rossby’s words subsided. Fuck. Suddenly, we’re talking about that time here.
‘… I’m going to focus on the game, so don’t talk to me.’
‘So.’
And just in time, the hitting sound erupted.
Ta – Aak!
“Ugh! Jincheol hyung!!!!”
Choi Jin-cheol’s batted ball disappears over the fence. A three-run that drives a wedge.
I don’t remember much after that. Everything looked blurry, like it was underwater, and I felt dazed. Fan cheers, the series MVP award, a few short interviews, and a victory ceremony. And the pleasure that makes your brain burn.
“Are you awake?”
The women lying naked next to me only prove that yesterday was not a dream.
“Sleep a little more. “I overdid it yesterday.”
I close my eyes as Soyoung says. She’s been running for a year, so she can rest more. Because I have to run next year as well.
