Chapter 25

Professional Baseball's Three Great Lies -4-

#

Everyone has different opinions, but I believe that among technique, physical ability, and mental strength, the most important is mental strength.

Of course, this is under the assumption that one's technique and physical ability are at a certain level. If all three abilities were scored out of 100, and I had 10 bonus points to give, I would choose mental strength.

Mental strength can come in various forms.

What I'm talking about is the ability to remain steadfast in any situation and maintain one's own way.

For example, an aggressive batter who gets a walk in the first at-bat might easily think, "Well, I've reached base, so I've done my part for today."

From the next at-bat, they might start aiming for hits more aggressively.

The probability of getting a hit is higher when the ball is in the strike zone. However, a ball outside the zone can also become a hit.

Moreover, if a player hits 30 home runs in 144 games, their treatment will likely change. So, it seems that Seo-wook is trying to swing like a home run hitter.

"Walk!"

Shin Hae-min, a pitcher I don't know much about, is a 35-year-old veteran. He threw his first pitch close to my body.

Then, he tried to fool me with various breaking balls low in the strike zone.

His control seemed pretty good. However, the movement wasn't enough to fool me.

Shin Hae-min smiled after walking me. Usually, pitchers dislike giving walks.

But why is he smiling?

There's a good chance it's either a deliberate strategy or a psychological game.

"Hey! Is Shin Hae-min scared?"

"Did you already forget about Wolfpack's grand slam yesterday?"

"Let's start with a hit!"

Despite the fans' shouts, Wolfpack couldn't hit a home run in his first at-bat today, just like yesterday.

Crack!

He's already strong, and his extreme uppercut swing, which twists his whole body, adds even more power.

Even though he missed the timing on the changeup, the ball still flew high. It was caught by the center fielder.

"Out!"

The fans, who had been shouting in anticipation of another big home run like yesterday, suddenly fell silent.

Anyway, I'm not the type of batter who gets anxious and swings at any pitch.

That doesn't mean I only wait for good pitches. If I judge that I can hit a bad pitch well, I'll swing.

In the past, I was even called a "madball hitter" in the major leagues, not just a "badball hitter."

Now, that's a bit too much. I can't build my body to the point where I can hit with such force.

In a single at-bat, there are three strikes, and a game usually lasts at least nine innings. The KBO season consists of 144 games per team.

If you hit well, you'll likely face more intentional walks. You can't let these walks break you.

What I will do is maintain my composure no matter how many intentional walks I face.

"Gang. They're afraid of you."

"Geon-woo, your pitch selection was good. Keep it up."

When I returned to the bench, the manager and the head coach spoke to me.

I simply nodded.

I wish the head coach would just keep up his current approach without showing any ambition.

When the boat is being rowed, an unnecessary person's interference can cause it to capsize.

While preparing for defense and looking for my glove, I gave No Geon-woo a hint.

"Watch out for the changeup today."

"Changeup? From Irons' pitcher?"

"Both Irons' starter and Senior Yi Hoon."

"Huh? Why Senior Yi Hoon?"

"He'll probably throw a lot of changeups in important situations, so be prepared."

"Ground ball?"

"If the changeup works well, it might be a ground ball."

#

The changeup is generally a pitch that produces ground balls rather than strikeouts. Of course, there are pitchers who can get a lot of strikeouts with their changeups, but such pitchers are rare. Maybe only those with nicknames like "Alien" or "King" in the major leagues.

It's a pitch that can frustrate batters when used with fastballs. However, it's almost essential for pitchers with slower pitches.

Senior Yi Hoon is clearly the latter type. He has a strong mental game and sometimes throws changeups right down the middle. I remember a comment he made while watching me during a defensive training session.

"Can you run hard enough to stop it?"

It wasn't a particularly special comment. But seeing the regretful look on his face, I immediately understood. Ah, he must have been under a lot of stress due to defense.

I've had similar thoughts when I was a starter. I used to think, "It would be great if I had two more players," or something like that.

If not, at least one more?

During my time with the Athletics, the shortstop's defense was terrible. I hit about 20 home runs, but my defense was a bit like No Geon-woo's.

He occasionally made highlight-worthy plays but often missed easy ones, frustrating people.

No Geon-woo's infield defense will improve with more experience. He just doesn't know when to jump or when to step yet.

His catching isn't stable, but he can improve by catching fungos a few times. His throwing speed isn't great, but his accuracy is good, so he should be fine as a second baseman.

In the batter's box is Irons' fourth batter, Lee Jong-sub.

His stats from last season: .285 batting average, 28 home runs, and a .349 on-base percentage.

He's far from a contact hitter. He's an aggressive batter who likes to pull the ball. No Geon-woo grumbled but seemed to be listening to my advice, as he didn't wiggle his hips while fielding.

"Prepare for a hard hit."

"Okay!"

He listens pretty well. I don't know where "Okay" comes from, but he seems to be maintaining his focus.

Senior Yi Hoon's first pitch was a four-seam fastball.

"Foul!"

Honestly, I feel a bit of sympathy. He's the best at throwing forkballs, but he's holding back because the catcher might not catch them.

Second pitch: foul. Third pitch: ball.

1-2 count.

The fourth pitch was a changeup, as indicated by the catcher's sign.

Glancing to the side, I saw No Geon-woo staring at the batter.

I want to help No Geon-woo grow. Thinking back to his time on the national team, his hitting skills are solid. If I can just make him a human in the field, he'll be a great asset to achieving my goals.

Crack!

The changeup is a pitch designed to disrupt the batter's timing. It was a weak contact from a powerful swing, and the ball flew quickly toward No Geon-woo between first and second base.

It looked like a ball that would usually go through. Even with a quick side step, it would be hard to catch, given the direction it was heading.

"Wowwwwwww!"

"Geon-woo! No Geon-woo!"

But No Geon-woo, who loves diving catches, managed to catch the ball. After rolling twice, he regained his balance and threw the ball to first base.

"Out!"

No Geon-woo got up with a bright smile. Senior Yi Hoon looked genuinely surprised.

"No Geon-woo! Perfect!"

No Geon-woo made a V sign with his hand in response to the starting pitcher's praise. As he walked toward second base, he said with a serious face.

"I almost couldn't catch it without a diving catch."

Did I push him too hard?

"You did well. I was going to praise you."

No Geon-woo looked doubtful as he mumbled.

"You have to trust me."

#

No Geon-woo had a realization during spring training.

'I can't be a shortstop.'

He was drafted in the second round and was one of only two rookies on the spring training roster.

He had never been told he couldn't play baseball. His talent was evident from his first year as a starting second baseman.

Of course, if the manager hadn't been a foreigner or if the Ocean's infield situation had been different, he would have likely started in the minors.

However, the draft pick that brought him to the Ocean's after Kang Geon-woo's return to the KBO could be seen as a change in fate.

He gave up on shortstop for a different reason: Kang Geon-woo. While No Geon-woo was busy chasing the ball, Kang Geon-woo seemed to know where the ball would go. So, even though he said he didn't like being an outfielder, he felt more comfortable playing there.

'I don't want to be embarrassed.'

He didn't want to show a fleeing figure.

No Geon-woo, who was selected for the national team with a fierce determination, naturally answered "Yes" when the manager asked if he could play second base before the season started.

'But I wasn't really confident.'

To be honest, he wasn't confident. That's why he prepared even harder.

His grandmother became a star at the senior center.

The reason was that her grandson hit a home run.

"Kang-woo! Grandma is now content to die! Oh, our grandson is so great!"

He wanted to make his grandmother, who had raised him in place of his busy parents, even happier.

He might have followed some of the more playful seniors and led a wild life, but having Kang Geon-woo next to him was a blessing.

Crack!

As Kang Geon-woo said.

The opposing pitcher's key pitch was a changeup.

The changeup is a deceptive pitch. If you think it's coming, it's easier to hit.

No Geon-woo, who was as motivated as Kang Geon-woo, hoped the Ocean's fans would cheer for him. With one out and a runner on first, he hit a single, and the crowd shouted his name.

A steal sign came from the bench.

No Geon-woo, known for his speed, watched carefully.

The opposing pitcher's pitch wasn't fast, but the catcher had a strong arm.

Given the experienced battery, he needed to time it well. Kang Geon-woo's advice came to mind.

'If they tell you to run, just run.'

He was confident in his speed. When the pitcher started his motion, he just ran.

"Wowwwwwww!"

The second base, which he usually reached quickly, felt a bit far, but he gave it his all. His chin was up. This would look bad on camera!

The Irons' second baseman ran to catch the ball thrown by the catcher. No Geon-woo slid.

The throw was fast and accurate, but the Irons' second baseman stumbled and fell while trying to catch it. When he instinctively looked up, the third base coach was waving his arm.

The ball hit the second baseman's glove and rolled to an awkward spot.

No Geon-woo ran madly and slid into third base. The umpire called.

"Safe!"

As he got up, the crowd at Sajik Stadium was shouting.

"No Geon-woo! No Geon-woo! No Geon-woo!"

"Geon-woo! You were so fast!"

"No Geon-woo is the best!"

- Ah, No Geon-woo! He's incredibly fast! He reached third base in no time!

- But it seems Jo Kyung-tae is injured. Oh, he can't get up.

An unlucky person can break their nose even when falling backward.

That's what happened to the Irons' second baseman, Jo Kyung-tae. He fell again while trying to get up.

At that moment, the managers of the two teams had different expressions.

While watching the game with different thoughts, the Ocean's seventh batter, Kim Sung-hoon, hit an infield ground ball, and No Geon-woo, running madly, scored the first run for the Ocean's.

"No Geon-woo! No Geon-woo!"

No Geon-woo entered the bench with a happy face, receiving congratulations from his teammates.

#

I also got a walk in my next at-bat. I reached base without swinging the bat for the second consecutive at-bat. This time, the pitcher Shin Hae-min didn't smile slyly; he looked a bit puzzled.

His intentions were too transparent.

Smart pitching is only smart when it works. If it doesn't, it's just a failed trick.

Score: 1-0, one out, bases loaded.

The Irons' battery seemed to think they could induce a double play from me. They might have expected me to swing at a bad pitch after getting a walk in my first at-bat.

However, there's a flow in baseball.

With one out and bases loaded, the batter should aim for an outfield fly. The defense must do everything to induce a double play.

In this context, the Wolfpack, known for their extreme uppercut swing, was preparing to run to second base in case of a