Chapter 20

Sajik Bread House -3-

#

When Kang Geon-woo hit his third home run of the season, a branch manager of a bank in Busan, who was watching the baseball game on TV, recalled an event from a few days ago.

"Hey, you remember that? That! I came to open that account!"

"Sir, are you talking about the Ocean's Win Rate Savings Account?"

"Yeah, that one! The one with Kang Geon-woo's picture on it!"

"I'm sorry, but the current model isn't Kang Geon-woo..."

For a long time, the Ocean's Win Rate Savings Account had barely sold, but during the exhibition games, the number of people looking for it surged.

Not only that, but inquiries about non-face-to-face online account openings also increased.

It was quite amusing. They had just played the opening game, yet it seemed like the Ocean fans really believed the team could win the championship.

The branch manager was also a long-time fan of the Ocean, but he had stayed away from baseball for the past few years.

Not watching Ocean's games had even improved his hair loss treatment.

"Hey, I thought you quit watching baseball?"

"Yeah. They're doing pretty well this time."

"Do you think they'll win the championship this time?"

"Win the championship? What are you talking about? The Ocean winning the championship?"

"But why are you watching?"

"Um..."

On the TV screen, passionate Ocean fans were shown. Next, Kang Geon-woo was seen making a heart sign to the crowd, and a young female fan in the stands was ecstatic, with an older woman waving two large flags beside her.

"I don't know."

"But you said you wouldn't watch until they won the championship?"

"Hmm. I don't know. Winning isn't everything, right?"

"What are you talking about?"

The branch manager chuckled. Indeed. Why am I watching this.

"Just, well. It's fun. I don't hope for a championship, but I want to see fun baseball."

He had thought he couldn't understand the impulsive and quick-tempered Ocean fans.

But in fact, he was one of them.

An idea flashed through the branch manager's mind.

What if they used Kang Geon-woo as the model for the account? They could shoot a commercial or use his voice as the call connection tone.

Of course, if Kang Geon-woo only shone for a few games and then disappeared, it would be a poor choice. If his performance plummeted, he would surely be criticized by customers.

"Damn, that guy. He's really something."

Usually, high school graduates who debut are shy or awkward, but Kang Geon-woo, after hitting a three-run home run and touching home, raised his arms in front of the fans chanting his name.

Yes. That's what he wanted.

Being at the bottom of the standings had long become familiar.

What fans wanted was enjoyable baseball.

#

Hugh Breadman, the manager, understood baseball well.

Consistency is crucial in baseball. With over a hundred games in a season, there's no guarantee that a player who performs well in a couple of games will continue to do so throughout the season.

Knowing this, he had accepted Kang Geon-woo's desire to focus only on hitting. While it was a pity to waste his pitching talent, he also found it admirable.

Being a two-way player is not impossible, but it's extremely difficult. Baseball fans, regardless of time and place, are fickle. If a player hits two home runs one day and gives up seven runs the next, they'll demand that he quit pitching and focus on hitting.

The same applies in reverse. And baseball is a game where mental strength is crucial. He had seen countless times how players' performance declined when exposed to criticism.

"Gang."

"Yes, boss."

"Good."

"Thank you."

But this guy was different. He had debuted several players in the major leagues, but Kang Geon-woo's approach to baseball was similar to what he considered the ideal.

Maintaining his method without wavering until he reaches his physical limits.

Changing his approach based on the opponent is a sign of weakness.

Of course, being able to adapt flexibly is also a great talent, and he didn't oppose such changes. It was his philosophy.

There was no need to overthink it. So far, he had done an excellent job. The manager patted the pitcher's back with a satisfied smile.

"Kirk. You've got three points now."

"That guy said he's going to hit three home runs today. So at least five points, so you can expect it."

During this conversation,

Once again, a clear hitting sound echoed through Sajik Stadium.

"No! No, yes, no!"

Noh Kyung-woo, who had been silent in his debut, hit a back-to-back home run after Kang Geon-woo.

"Kyung-woo! Geon-woo! I love you!"

"Noh Kyung-woo! Noh Kyung-woo! Noh Kyung-woo!"

A smile appeared on Hugh Breadman's face. When rookies perform well, it makes the manager's job much easier.

Another surprising thing was that in Korea, rookies seemed to throw their bats more enthusiastically.

More precisely, all four home runs in the two games were hit by rookies, and the cheers from the fans were deafening.

#

"Hey."

"Why?"

"Senior Seo Chang-yul glared at me after I hit the home run and ran the bases. Are we in trouble?"

"I stepped on his ankle when I came to second base."

"Can I accurately target him?"

This is the first time I've laughed while talking to Noh Kyung-woo.

"Are you scared?"

"Me? No way. Well, a little."

"Why are you scared?"

"Senior Seo Chang-yul was my high school senior."

"So what?"

"Well, he... How should I put it? He's a legendary a**hole."

Well, we're not kids.

But since this isn't the major leagues, it might be a bit different.

In a place where you can know everyone by crossing just a few bridges.

The culture of the major leagues, where things can get physical, might be more comfortable.

It seems that wherever you go, there's a tendency to intimidate rookies. Whether it's what Yang Daegun heard from the Vikings' catcher or the outfielder glaring at Noh Kyung-woo, it's the same.

Actually, I also felt a bit slow when running the bases after hitting a home run.

Well, KBO is generally lenient about bat flips, but starting a conflict like this is too obvious.

While we were having this conversation on the bench, Senior Yang Daegun approached.

"Guys."

"Yes."

"Yah!"

I'm not very familiar with KBO, but sports have commonalities.

Veterans should protect their juniors. If they don't, the opposing team will see them as easy targets and attack the whole team, which ultimately affects the team's performance. The best way for a rookie or a young player to feel accepted as part of the team is to feel protected by the veterans.

But no matter how I look at it, Senior Yang Daegun doesn't seem like that kind of person.

"Hey, what's up?"

If he tells us not to throw our bats or to tone down our celebrations, I might be a bit disappointed. Senior Yang Daegun hesitated and sighed.

"You did well. And don't worry. If they try anything funny, I'll take care of it."

That's not what I expected. But for Noh Kyung-woo, it must be a reassuring statement.

"Thank you, Senior! Then I'll show you a back-to-back home run and a slide!"

"Ah, yeah."

Can that guy really do that?

"Senior."

"What?"

"What if a pitch is thrown at me?"

"Pitch? A pitch?"

Senior Yang Daegun rolled his eyes.

"No way. If they do, well..."

In the major league style?

While Senior Yang Daegun was hesitating, Senior Lee Si-wook butted in.

"Well, then..."

"Bro! If you're going to take responsibility, you have to go all the way! Go and punch Seo Chang-yul! Punch Cho Hoon-gi!"

"What are you teaching the kids?"

"I'll take responsibility for Man-jae Kim."

"What did Man-jae do wrong...?"

So, Senior Noh-ru is saying that he'll take responsibility for the 170cm shortstop, and he's leaving the two most temperamental players from the Vikings to Senior Yang Daegun.

"No, they won't throw a pitch. There's no such thing, so just play baseball."

#

Jeong Yoo-ri was exchanging messages with a friend on her smartphone during the inning break.

- Hot Springs Moth: Hey, your boyfriend is amazing.

- Me: Our Geon-woo is pretty amazing.

- Hot Springs Moth: I'm so jealous.

- Hot Springs Moth: Take me with you, please! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

She didn't reply. The Ocean's offense was about to start soon.

"Che! Kang! Oh! Shin!"

"Ocean will win!"

It was the bottom of the 8th inning.

The atmosphere at Sajik Stadium was heating up.

The score was 9-2, and the Ocean was on the verge of sweeping the opening series. Even if the Ocean's bullpen was terrible, a 7-point lead was significant.

The new foreign pitcher, Kirk Simpson, had shown excellent form with 2 runs in 7 innings, and the momentum was completely with the Ocean after the rookies' back-to-back home runs.

The 3rd batter, Lee Si-wook, stepped up to the plate. On the mound for the Vikings was relief pitcher Kim Il-jeon.

"Si-wook!"

"Swing hard!"

To Ocean fans, he was a love-hate figure. Last season, his batting average was only 0.246, but he hit over 20 home runs.

The reason he wasn't dropped by previous managers was his natural wrist strength. He could hit the ball far, but his problem was swinging at any pitch and not making solid contact.

Lee Si-wook glared sharply at the pitcher and swung.

"Str-ike!"

Lee Si-wook smacked his lips. A forkball on the first pitch.

But it was foolish not to throw a breaking ball to Lee Si-wook.

Especially with Cho Yong behind the plate.

With the best defensive catcher, there was no reason to fear a bunt and not throw a forkball.

Second pitch. Full swing!

"Str-ike!"

Lee Si-wook felt his head clear. He fell for it again.

And.

"Str-ike! Out!"

A pointless strikeout.

"Hey! You swing when you should stand still and stand still when