Chapter 29

Baseball is fun and powerful -4-

#

"Oceans being the world's top prestigious team isn't a false statement."

After I returned, I wasn't the kind of interviewee that journalists preferred.

I wonder why. Maybe because I was afraid that if I got criticized, Yurie would be sad, or... just because?

I thought I wouldn't fail in Korea. If I hit below .300 here, I might be the only one to feel ashamed. If I finish my rookie season with around .280 and 20-30 home runs, I might not win the Rookie of the Year, but it definitely wouldn't suit me.

Anyway, I didn't think I needed to talk too much.

Just winning against the opposing team was enough.

But after seeing what Yurie liked, I changed my mind a bit.

"In professional sports, history is quite important, I think. Of course, there are bad histories, but it means that the numerous emotions built up by fans who love this team are more important. This is the most impressive part of Oceans for me."

Once I started, I didn't care what others said. As long as Yurie liked it, that was enough.

"Even if I knew I would achieve great success in the Major League because I can see the future, I would choose Oceans over the Major League."

All the other things I said in the interview were lies, but this wasn't a lie.

"Oceans is the second most important thing in my life."

When the journalist heard my answer, he asked:

"What is more important than the team?"

I told another truth.

"Yurie."

#

[Oceans Super Rookie Kang Geon-woo, 'My Choice is Only Oceans.']

[The Only Thing More Important to Kang Geon-woo Than Oceans.]

- Touch Oceans' goddess and you're done for.

- I'll track the IQ of those who leave nasty comments on the goddess.

- Why is Kang Geon-woo so cocky?

- If you insult King Geon-woo, I'll show you a full cold noodle dish.

- Kang Geon-woo is almost an idol to the haters these days.

- Is Kang Geon-woo still in KBO because of his girlfriend?

- He probably stayed because he was afraid to go to the majors.

- Isn't it obvious from how he's tearing up the KBO?

- Isn't it a bit much to say he'll tear up the KBO after just 6 games?

- Do you know what a promising player is?

- You're talking nonsense like a blown-up rumor. I've been watching KBO for 20 years and switched to the Pirates, but KBO won't work with anyone, not even Kang Geon-woo.

[Oceans Catcher Park Eui-hyun, 'I agree with (Kang) Geon-woo. (Kang) Geon-woo and (No) Kyeong-ho and I pledged to resign yesterday. Our goal is to win the championship.']

- Resignation pledge lol

- That's reassuring!

- Personally, I think Oceans has a new opportunity. If the shortstop, second baseman, and catcher settle in, a takeoff for Oceans is not a dream. Rise, Oceans, for the glory of the era.

- The old man's comment smells of alcohol.

- I feel embarrassed for being fooled again, but I'm glad to see a spirited attitude rather than a defeatist one.

- I don't expect a 1st place, just a 5th place.

- Let us taste autumn.

- Kids, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Stop typing on your keyboards and go out to see the cherry blossoms.

- Why are cherry blossoms suddenly mentioned in a baseball article?

- When the cherry blossoms fall, KBO starts to fall too.

- lol

#

-The second game of the Oceans vs. Thunderbirds season is unfolding in an unpredictable way! The current score is 9-9! The Thunderbirds scored 3 points to tie the game at 9-9 in the bottom of the 9th inning, after being down 6-9!

-Many Oceans fans came to Sajik Stadium for the Saturday game. The Oceans players will want to make the fans' trip worthwhile by taking advantage of this last chance.

-Kirk Simpson pitched 6.2 innings and gave up 4 runs. Park Eun-soo came in and allowed both inherited runners to score, resulting in 4 earned runs. Despite being ahead, the Thunderbirds' home run king, Yoon Tae-ho, hit back-to-back home runs to keep the game alive.

-The 3-run home run in the top of the 9th inning must be a bitter pill for Oceans. The only hope is that the bottom of the 9th starts with the cleanup hitters.

-That's right. But if they don't score in this inning, they'll have to start with the bottom of the lineup again. Given Oceans' weak lower lineup and bullpen, that could be a burden, right?

-That's true. Yang Dae-geun is returning tomorrow. Kim Sung-hun is hitting .140, and Kim Ji-ho is hitting .090. The absence of Yang Jae-hyun and Kim Sung-ho has left the outfield weak.

-Yes, a game that keeps you on the edge of your seat! We'll be back after the commercial!

#

Kim Yong-hwa, who was the Oceans manager until last year, provided a fairly neutral commentary and even expressed some regret at the end, hoping Oceans would do well.

To be honest, I didn't really hope Oceans would do well.

They brought in Bae Young-han and Kim Jung-hyuk as free agents, but Oceans is missing three starting batters.

Even if they picked good foreign players and the two rookies performed well, what would it mean for Oceans to do well in this situation?

Anyway, Oceans' game today was shocking.

Hwang Seok-gyu, who had been quiet for a while, reached base in every at-bat, and Lee Si-wook hit a long ball. On the mound, Kirk Simpson did well, but the bullpen eventually blew up.

"Ah, damn. The bullpen is really no good."

It's not surprising that fans in the stands were grumbling.

The bullpen blew up in yesterday's game as well, and today's situation was even worse.

It was clearly 9-2 until the top of the 7th inning with two outs.

After a few pitching changes, it quickly became 9-9.

A fan who was sitting calmly next to the grumbling fan said:

"Have you only been watching Oceans for a day or two? This is real Oceans baseball. Winning easily is no fun."

"Games that can be won easily should be won easily. Winning easily is better than losing hard."

"Watch carefully, friend."

"What are you telling me to watch? Can't you see the bullpen is blowing up?"

"The next batter is Kang Geon-woo."

"Who doesn't know it's Kang Geon-woo?"

"It means he's going to hit a walk-off home run."

"You're crazy. No matter how well Kang Geon-woo hits, it's not that easy."

"The Thunderbirds' manager will bring in the closer."

"Of course! Bong Jae-seok will come in!"

Bong Jae-sek. One of the three top closers in the KBO.

Lee Dae-hoon of the Vikings, despite his slow fastball, dominates with his pitch quality, and Lee Yoon-ho of the Pirates ends games with a slider that is like a signature move. Bong Jae-sek, on the other hand, is a closer with a blazing fastball that reaches 157 km/h, coming down from his tall frame.

One of the players Oceans fans cry out for, wondering when they'll get a pitcher like Bong Jae-sek.

Indeed, for fans of teams with a closer ERA in the 4s, a pitcher with an ERA in the low 2s like Bong Jae-sek is almost a legendary creature.

"Even Kang Geon-woo would find it hard to hit a home run against Bong Jae-sek, right?"

Last season, Bong Jae-sek appeared in 62 games and allowed only three home runs.

Those were also recorded when he was tired at the end of the season. Moreover, the Thunderbirds' manager often brought him in even in tie situations, so two of the three home runs he allowed came in the second inning.

Another unique record of this pitcher is that out of the 62 batters he faced in his first at-bat last season, he allowed only two to reach base. One was a hit by pitch, and the other was a bunt.

His pitch quality when he's at his best is unmatched.

"Watch carefully, friend."

"What are you telling me to keep watching?"

"Kang Geon-woo hits fastballs well."

"Didn't he hit a 130 km/h pitch yesterday?"

"Kang Geon-woo hits slow pitches well too."

"What are you talking about?"

"Just watch."

As many expected, Bong Jae-sek came to the mound for the Thunderbirds.

The pitch speed shown on the scoreboard during his warm-up was 155 km/h.

Oceans fans gasped.

"His pitches are deadly..."

"Jae-sek! Come to Oceans!"

"Did Jae-sek get shot in the head?"

"Even if he did, come to Oceans!"

Then Kang Geon-woo stepped up to the plate. A fan who had been sitting calmly, analyzing the situation, suddenly stood up, eyes bloodshot, and screamed. His eyes were almost wild with excitement.

"Yeeaaah! Go! Go! Go!"

And as if on cue, Oh So-hee, who was waving two flags nearby, joined in.

"Geon-woo! Your sister is here!"

"Mom!"

"He'll give you a kiss if you hit a home run!"

"Mom!"

"Geon-woo! Propose to her!"

"Mom! Come on!"

And Kang Geon-woo.

As if responding to the calls of the Sajik double flags.

Thwaaack!

He swung at a 156 km/h fastball, full of confidence, coming in a bit high, as if daring him to hit it.

"Geon-woo!"

"It's going over!"

"Yaaaah!"

"It's a walk-off!"

The hit was massive.

Massive enough to make all the fans who filled Sajik Stadium, even those who bought scalped tickets, stand up.

-It's going! It's going! It's over! Kang Geon-woo! Kang Geon-woo's second consecutive home run and his 6th of the season! Kang Geon-woo ends the game!