Chapter 41

Poker Face -3-

#

“Hmmm.”

Yuri frowned as she stared at the laptop screen. I watched her silently for a while before reaching out and smoothing her furrowed brow.

"...What are you doing?"

I couldn’t help it, remembering how she used to complain about the wrinkles on her forehead when she was concentrating. She often frowned when looking at monitors or documents, which she called a "professional disease." Thinking back, I found it charming, even though she didn’t like it.

I just smiled slightly without saying anything. When I didn’t respond, Yuri looked at me strangely before shifting her gaze back to the monitor.

“Hey. You know Kookmin-seong, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you close with him?”

I wondered who I was close with in the team.

I wasn’t sure if there was anyone I could definitively say I was close with.

Probably No Gyeong-woo? We were the same age, and he was always nagging me.

“No. Probably not. Why?”

“He keeps looking at you.”

After the game, I requested all my hitting and fielding videos. According to Yuri, he was watching me no matter what I was doing.

“He’s probably checking the infield positions and defensive shifts.”

“But when you’re in the on-deck circle, he only looks at you, not Bae Young-han.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, well, that’s what it seems. This pitcher is really persistent. He only throws low and outside.”

What kind of pitch is that?

It’s a common strategy, especially for pitchers with slower pitches.

“What do you think about throwing a two-seam fastball?”

The thought of Kookmin-seong’s nickname, "Koducks," came to mind. Kookmin-seong was called "Koducks" when he played in Japan.

We never played together on the national team because our timing didn’t align, but I remember him challenging the majors in his mid-30s. Unfortunately, he bloomed too late and only pitched a few games in the big leagues before ending his career. He was known as the Korean Maddux, though his playing style was different. He had good control and a two-seam fastball as his main weapon, which is why Korean fans gave him that nickname. Some people called him "Koducks" because his nose looked sharp, like he had plastic surgery.

“Two-seam? There’s a slight reverse spin on the four-seam, so it should fit well. Why isn’t he throwing it?”

I wondered how I could get the coaches to change their ways.

“The pitching coach said he needs to throw a forkball to stay in the first team.”

“Typical Oceans.”

“Huh?”

“I was wondering why they can’t develop players. It’s the coaches’ fault.”

I reached out again and smoothed Yuri’s brow.

“...What are you doing?”

“You’re beautiful, but especially your forehead.”

“...”

“Really.”

#

Wednesday’s game was canceled due to rain. It was said that it would rain until Thursday, but we didn’t know what would happen.

“I heard that games are often canceled in Korea.”

Andy Garfield seemed a bit disappointed. Well, the atmosphere was good.

Still, I heard he was scheduled to start tomorrow’s game without skipping the rotation.

“Yeah. In the U.S., they usually play unless it’s really bad.”

“You sound like you’ve played in the U.S.”

“I played for about 15 years.”

Garfield laughed dryly, probably thinking I was joking.

“Where did you learn English?”

“Why?”

“It sounds like you have a mix of Western and Eastern accents.”

He’s quite observant.

I started my major league career with the Oakland Athletics and had my best years as a pitcher there. My best years as a hitter were with the New York Yankees, and I spent my final years with the Baltimore Orioles.

“Did you major in linguistics?”

“No. My major was statistics. I’m from the University of Minnesota.”

“Are you a Twins fan?”

“No. I’m a Phillies fan.”

I paused for a moment.

What a scary guy.

“Good team.”

“Yeah, it’s a really good team. You seem to know a lot about the majors. If you ever go to the majors, I’d recommend the Phillies.”

No way.

“Do you plan to play a few seasons here and then go to the Phillies?”

“That’s my life plan.”

The Phillies... Well, they might be similar to Oceans. Poor performance and extreme fans.

Anyway, after talking to him, I found that Garfield was softer than his first impression.

Of course, I shouldn’t be fooled. Just being a Phillies fan suggests that this pitcher might have some demons inside.

The next day, I deliberately threw a two-seam fastball in front of Kookmin-seong.

I often practice pitching.

I had the coach’s permission, and the pitching coach always says the same thing when I practice.

“Oh, Geon-woo. Do you remember the forkball grip I taught you?”

Forkball?

Of course, I can throw it. But I don’t want to.

“I tried it a few times, but it just didn’t feel right.”

“Really? Ha. If you just add the forkball, this would be perfect...”

Who’s he trying to hurt?

I don’t know if he’s good at teaching the forkball, but it’s a problem that he recommends it to everyone.

He even tells players like Kookmin-seong to throw it, which confirms that he’s crazy.

He should have suggested a splitter instead.

I threw a two-seam fastball with a strong movement in front of Kookmin-seong.

I often bring in a new pitch when I’m stuck to change the situation. I can throw most pitches at the highest level, but I can’t do that now.

The young body I have now doesn’t have the sharpness I had in the MLB.

But even with that pitch, KBO should be...

“Wow. Gang! That was a two-seam, right? Damn!”

Kirk Simpson, who was watching, jumped up and down.

“It was a two-seam.”

“Can you teach me that? If I learn it... Oh, damn. Sorry. I got too excited. I’m really sorry.”

He really seemed excited.

“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you how to throw it.”

“Damn. Talent and character. This blessed rookie. I want to apologize for my rudeness.”

The grip isn’t hard. Anyone can throw it. I just adjusted it to fit Simpson’s hand shape.

The question is whether he can handle the mechanics of throwing it.

Simpson thought he could do better with a two-seam or a sinker.

He said he’s really good against left-handed batters with a combination of four-seam, slider, and curveball, but he feels a bit limited against right-handed batters.

If he can add one more pitch to his four-seam and changeup combination against right-handed batters, Simpson can take his game to the next level.

“You’ll have better control and movement if you learn to use your pectoral and latissimus dorsi muscles more than your shoulder and elbow.”

“Sounds great.”

“It would be nice if the two-seam works well.”

Well, he probably hasn’t thrown a two-seam before. I taught him a way to throw it with strong movement without putting too much strain on his body.

Simpson went in, excited to try throwing the ball.

Looking back, I saw Kookmin-seong’s back.

Ah, that guy.

Not interested in the two-seam? Where is he going?

“I can’t believe it! Gang! Look at this! When I throw it the way you taught me...”

What?

Simpson’s two-seam is really good?

#

The second game between Meteors and Oceans was canceled due to rain and rescheduled for the next day.

It rained in the morning, but the weather cleared up in the afternoon, and we prepared for the game.

The facility staff will try to drain the water, but they won’t be able to dry it completely. When the ground and grass are a bit wet, you need to change your defensive strategy.

The bounce can be lower, and the ball can travel faster. The field conditions were already not great, and the rain could add more variables.

Yuri told me about Park Yong-jae.

“Park Yong-jae has a slower fastball than Min Seung-gi and less control than Kim Kwon-jong.”

“Really?”

“But his two-seam is the best in the KBO, and his curveball and splitter are also excellent.”

I know. We played together on the national team, and we were close when he came to the majors.

“His biggest strength is his mental toughness.”

“Is his mental game that good?”

“He doesn’t get shaken by a few hits, and even if the defense makes three consecutive errors and gives him a bases loaded situation, he doesn’t get too worked up.”

He’s not unaffected. He once confessed to me that he’d be happy if the fielders lined up and each hit him once. He just doesn’t show it.

“The key to beating him is... When runners are on base, he tends to strike out batters. He usually throws in the mid-140s, but when he feels threatened, he increases his speed to over 150, and his curveball has more drop.”

“I need to aim for high four-seam fastballs.”

“Yeah. He suddenly speeds up, which can be confusing, but if you get hit by it...”

It seems like it will be a pitcher’s duel today.

I can’t guarantee a win against high-level pitchers. In a pitcher-batter matchup, the batter only needs to win three times to win the game. Four wins make you a nemesis, and five wins can make you avoid eye contact.

But Garfield has had a good rest, so he should be fine.

#

[Shitheads, our starter today is Park Yong-jae. Just lose and rest.]

└Park Yong-jae was already dominated by Geon-woo in a practice game.

└That was just practice, you idiot.

└With Kim Kwon-jong and Min Seung-gi on fire, it’s Park Yong-jae’s turn.

└Honestly, the best in Korea is Park Yong-je. He should have won the Gold Glove last year.

└Really, why do you care about team performance when giving individual awards, you bastards?

└Where did you get a single-digit win and aim for the Gold Glove?

└Shitheads, you didn’t have a double-digit win pitcher last year either.

└Kim Jeong-yong 9 wins > Park Yong-jae 8 wins

└Lol

└There’s a 1.5 difference in ERA, what the hell.

└What’s the point of leading in ERA if you’re 8-12?

└It’s sad to call someone an ace with a 3.8 ERA.

└Kim Kwon-jong is a great third starter, isn’t he?

└Our ace is Garfield, not Kim Kwon-jong.

└Is it a badge of honor that you can’t develop pitchers?

└You can’t develop hitters either.

└Lol, your team hit only 13 home runs last year. Our rookie already has 10.

└Shitheads, Kang Geon-woo is a cheat.

└Let’s play fair, without Kang Geon-woo and Bok Hyeon-seong.

└What, are you trying to compare a rookie to King Geon-woo?

└Pirates) Are you guys fighting again?

└Rice bowl fights are the most fun.

└Pirates, wait for God Geon-woo to destroy you.

└Pirates) Geon-woo is from our region. Use him nicely until free agency.

└Shit, if you want Geon-woo, you need to convert the Oceans goddess to the Pirates.

└Geon-woo’s dad is a Pirates fan.

└Haha, did you know the king has switched to Oceans?

└Don’t drool over what you can’t have.

#

In the first inning, Andy Garfield managed to strike out the side with just ten pitches.

Garfield’s strongest weapon is the sinker, but his combination of a four-seam fastball averaging over 150 km/h and a curveball is also formidable. His fourth pitch, the slider, is also above average in the KBO.

The Meteors’ bats were helpless against his curveball with a big drop, and he started the game with two strikeouts.

“Oceans will win! Victory for Oceans!”

“Cheer! Strong! Oceans! Victory!”

Oceans fans, who had been deprived of baseball due to the rain, shouted at the top of their lungs.

But on the Meteors’ mound was Park Yong-jae.

“Strike! Out!”

As if seeking revenge, Park Yong-jae struck out the leadoff hitter, Hwang Seok-gyu, with a curveball. He then threw three consecutive curveballs to the second batter, Bae Young-han.

Snap!

“Foul!”

Bae Young-han stuck out his tongue. He was thinking to himself,

‘Take it easy, will you?’

Even with a slight friendship, Park Yong-jae wasn’t the type to take it easy. Bae Young-han gripped his bat a bit shorter.

Park Yong-jae wasn’t a pitcher who enjoyed psychological warfare, but batters often felt psychological pressure when facing him.

A pitcher who trusts his pitches.

And a batter who has to face those pitches.

Park Yong-jae threw a splitter, and Bae Young-han’s bat swung through the air as he pulled his torso back.

“Strike! Out!”

Bae Young-han retreated with a bitter smile. It was a pitch he couldn’t help but miss. He tried to extend the pitch count to tire out Park Yong-jae, who looked in good form, but he couldn’t even make contact.

Bae Young-han smiled as he saw Kang Geon-woo coming up to bat next.

“Hey. Baseball genius. Park Yong-jae is in great form today.”

“Must have been the hangover from yesterday.”

“Did you see me drinking?”

“Even if I didn’t, it’s obvious.”

“Damn, you’re sharp. I’ll buy you a drink later, so hang in there until then?”

As Kang Geon-woo stepped into the batter’s box, the fans’ voices grew louder even with two outs and no runners on.

“Kang-geon-woo! Kang! Geon! Woo! Oceans’ Kang Geon-woo!”

“Gang! Geon! Woo!”

Kang Geon-woo’s current batting average is .438 with an on-base percentage of .542.

10 home runs, 21 RBIs, and 17 runs scored.

A performance that fans can’t help but expect.

Park Yong-jae remembered this rookie who hit a home run and did a heart celebration against him in a practice game.

He heard from Kim Kwon-jong that he tried his best to overpower him but still got hit.

His weirdest brother, Min Seung-gi, said, “If you mess with him, I’ll kill you.”

An interesting opponent. But there’s no need for fun in a game.

Victory is the only fun. After striking him out with his best effort, he planned to do a heart celebration on the mound.

If he got hit, he’d return the favor.

Park Yong-jae wound up seriously.

He took a stronger stride when he increased his pitch speed. It was rare to see him throw like this with two outs and no runners on, but this was the hottest hitter of the season.

‘High four-seam. Start by getting a strike and then...’

Crack!

‘...then a two-seam...’

“Kang-geon-woo! Kang! Geon! Woo! Oceans’ Kang Geon-woo!”

“Gang! Geon! Woo!”

“Geon-woo!”

“Wow!”

“Park Yong-jae, you’re nothing special!”

#

-Oceans Gallery

[LOL]

[He’s