Chapter 39

Poker Face -1-

#

Busan Oceans and Daejeon Meteors.

Both teams have polarizing fan bases and have stubbornly refused to drop in the standings over the past few seasons, as if they were soulmates. Fans often argue over which team is better, and fans of other teams simply enjoy watching the drama unfold.

Top-tier teams strive to defeat these two teams. Losing to the so-called "Dolsalt Alliance" not only deals a psychological blow of having lost to the weakest team but also results in a significant loss in win percentage, assuming that other competing teams have easily secured victories.

Fans who see their team lose to the "2-weak" teams also unleash a torrent of complaints.

Even if the Oceans are showing unexpectedly strong performances and the Meteors are performing well in the mid-tier, few outside of their fan bases believe they will maintain their positions at the end of the season. There is a firm belief that they will eventually find their rightful places.

Perhaps that's why the first match between the two teams in the 2028 regular season has garnered significant attention.

[How about the team that loses this time gets disbanded?]

- No way, we need them to boost our win rate.

- Oceans are currently in first place, what a joke.

- This year seems to have a longer spring.

- Is it due to abnormal weather?

- You guys should know that the Oceans are made of carbon, right? Haha.

- The season is only 10% over. I predict Oceans will finish around 8th, and the Rocks will return to a cozy 10th.

- Don't underestimate King Theos, you fools.

[Wouldn't the Oceans and Meteors be strong if combined?]

- The Meteors' starting lineup and the Oceans' batting order are pretty good, right?

- What about the bullpen?

- Ah, damn, the bullpen. Haha.

[Can't they just bring in foreign bullpen players?]

- If you remove the two foreign players from the Oceans' starting lineup, only Kim Jeaqual is left.

- Just let them use one foreign player as a closer in an emergency.

- Instead of sweeping the top ranks every year, why don't you help us out? It would be mutually beneficial.

- Why do these guys have no conscience?

- Try 99101010 and see if you have any conscience left.

- While doing 99101010, is it a lack of intelligence rather than conscience to cheer?

- Honestly, I can somewhat understand the Rocks. If it's not eating bread in Daejeon, what else is there besides baseball? But why do the Busan guys act like that?

- I'd go to Changwon. Haha.

- The era of the Oceans is coming.

- What a joke. Haha.

In any case, the first match between the Meteors and the Oceans was about to begin, drawing considerable attention.

[Anyone betting? How do you bet on the Dolsalt Derby?]

- It's a 5th starter match, so it's impossible to predict.

- The Oceans have a pitcher with no 1st team record, probably brought up from the 2nd team.

- The Meteors are sending Song Tae-woong.

- Who's that?

- A rookie this year.

- Is he good?

- His 2nd team performance is good.

- Give me the sign.

- ;;

- Oceans, give me the sign.

- What are you giving me, you crazy guy?

#

"See you later!"

Yuri, visible from the balcony below, waved with a cheerful smile. I waved back.

I feel this way every time I see her. Not every day, but whenever I see her.

It's just that, you know. How precious it is to have her by my side right now.

Father said he would come to the game with his colleagues today. He seems more energetic and passionate about baseball when cheering for the Pirates, but even more so for the Oceans.

Well, he's been a huge Oceans fan all along. Mother mentioned that he once got caught by security for climbing the fence at Sajik Stadium.

"I thought about breaking up then."

Mother said it casually, and Father seemed to be taken aback, so he changed the subject. Anyway, Mother, who recently became an Oceans fan, is now learning about baseball.

"Yuri taught me that our son's launch angle and ball speed are ideal for hitting home runs."

It seems a bit complex for a beginner, but anyway.

"Yes, I'm trying to hit barrel shots."

"Right. Barrel shots. If you hit them, your batting average will be over 0.5, right?"

"Yes."

"Then you'll be a 0.5 hitter?"

"I can't hit them every time."

"True. You need a launch speed of over 158 km/h and a launch angle between 26 and 30 degrees. It's not easy."

Anyway, it's surprising that Mother has taken such an interest in baseball. Maybe it's because we're close. When I played in the Major League, she was always worried about me getting hurt.

"...What is that?"

Father.

He just likes baseball, and his goal is to sneak in a bottle of soju at the stadium.

It's different, but what's the harm?

"Father, why did you buy a drone?"

"Drone?"

"Did you buy it to transport soju?"

"What are you talking about? No."

"If an article comes out saying that Kang Mo's father was caught bringing soju into the stadium with a drone, it would be a huge embarrassment, wouldn't it, son?"

Father adamantly denied it. And when Mother left the room for a moment, he said to me:

"Kang-woo."

"Yes."

"I was a bit short-sighted."

"Did you really buy it to bring in soju?"

"Let's get a refund today."

I laughed, and Father cleared his throat.

"I was going to get a refund anyway because I didn't want to cause you any trouble. Actually, it was because Jong-seok suggested that a drone could bring in soju..."

When he said that, Mother, who had been hiding behind the wall, came out.

"I knew it."

"No, dear, when did you come in?"

"Men are so annoying."

"I'm going to drink beer, not soju. Soju tastes bad anyway."

When I was in the minor leagues, I hardly ever talked to my parents.

Back then, I couldn't understand why I had to start in the minor leagues. I was only interested in proving myself through baseball.

It's good to be in Korea. Not only with my family and Yuri, but also because I feel at ease wherever I go.

There, it was a constant state of tension. I was sharp and sensitive to external interference to maintain my routine.

"But, Kang-woo."

"Yes."

"What do you think of the pitcher Kukmin Sung? Does he throw well?"

Kukmin Sung.

Actually, I don't know him very well...

"Right. He's starting today, right?"

"He's two years older than me, but this is his 1st team debut, so I don't know much about him."

All I know is that he was brought up from the 2nd team by the manager and that he only showed his potential in his 30s.

"I hope he throws well."

I hope he throws well.

#

Kukmin Sung was performing as a long reliever for the Oceans' 2nd team.

In reality, it was more of a mop-up role.

He had good control and stamina, making him versatile, but his slow pitches didn't earn him much attention.

However, Hugh Breadman noticed his record.

He didn't allow many consecutive hits, had a low slugging percentage, and almost no walks. Moreover, his performance didn't change much even when he pitched multiple games in a row.

"I hope you don't miss this opportunity."

In fact, the pitching coach's negative opinion about this pitcher piqued his curiosity. It might just be a whim.

"Thank you."

The pitcher, who was stepping onto the 1st team stage for the first time, seemed to have a quiet personality.

Of course, it was natural to check him out in a few bullpen games before using him.

But after Hyun-ho complained of shoulder pain following his last away game, and the pitching coach's recommended replacements didn't satisfy him, he decided to check Sung again yesterday. He felt quite good.

'Just because a pitcher throws fast doesn't make him a good pitcher.'

He couldn't help but be skeptical. When he asked about Kukmin Sung, the pitching coach's response was limited to "His pitches are too slow" and "He has