Chapter 45

A Tour of the Neighborhood -3-

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Changwon Pirates and Busan Oceans.

These two teams, geographically close, have often been entangled in various issues.

However, recently, the Oceans only surpassed the Pirates in the number of fans.

The Oceans, with a long history, have fewer championships.

Despite having many fans, the Oceans have the worst record.

It was not unusual for baseball fans in the Gyeongnam region to switch from the Oceans to the Pirates.

Who would want to be mocked while cheering for their team? Of course, there were many people who showed their love for the team despite the mockery.

Sports fans are quick to react to every little thing. The Oceans fans, who have recently been quick to react, seemed to have forgotten the humiliation of the past few seasons.

[Jeong Joon, the rookie shortstop, said, "I will show my skills in tomorrow's game to prove that the season is long."]

- A kid who can't even ride a bike is just good at talking.

- Let's see what Joon-geon, the MVP, has to say.

- Can't you see? Our Joon-geon is already reserved for the MVP this season.

- We've only played 10% of the season, and it's a complete joke.

- Don't even try to have a rational conversation with these clowns; it'll just make you angry.

- You'll be angry, but we'll blow up your team.

- Don't call Jeong Joon "Joon-jun" anymore. Haha, you have to be really good to earn that nickname. Since he's not as good as a rookie, he doesn't deserve it.

- Joon-geon

- What can he do with just a dick? We call him "Dick Dick Dick" with respect.

- The Oceans fans are getting so arrogant just because they've had a good start this season.

- What will you do if they keep doing well until the end?

- This season is the best chance for the Oceans to win the regular season.

- After 47 years since the team's founding, they're finally seeing a chance to win. (Note: They claimed every year that they would win.)

- Isn't seeing a chance to win itself a joke?

- Don't give them any attention.

- 2028 Season Prediction: Champions (Busan Oceans), MVP (Kang Geon-woo), Rookie of the Year (Kang Geon-woo), Shortstop Gold Glove (Kang Geon-woo), Batting Triple Crown (Kang Geon-woo), Pitching Triple Crown and Gold Glove (Andy Garfield)

- Damn, just looking at them, I can already see the All-Star lineup for this season.

- It might be the Oceans vs. the Pirates.

- If you're upset, just vote for the All-Star game more.

- You don't have enough fans to make a difference even if you all vote.

- Hahaha, that's true.

- Honestly, who would watch the All-Star game if the Jams come out? Hahaha.

- It's great to have a lot of fans, isn't it?

- Yeah, it's great.

- Really great.

Jeong Joon was a player who had been drawing quite a bit of attention even before his debut.

He once said that if a veteran starting pitcher didn't want to give up a home run, he should just intentionally walk him. After predicting a home run, he hit one and then got hit by a pitch in the next at-bat, saying in an interview, "The pitcher was probably scared of giving up another home run."

In fact, while he was overwhelmingly supported by Pirates fans, he was also one of the least liked players by fans of other teams, alongside Seo Chang-yeol of the Vikings.

"Geon-woo."

"Yes."

"Can you do better than Jeong Joon tomorrow?"

"Of course. But, sister."

"Yes?"

"Would you like to throw the first pitch at the next home game?"

"First pitch? Me?"

"Yes. The club's PR team asked me. If you don't want to, you don't have to. Actually, I'm a bit worried because you've been getting some media exposure lately..."

"Hey, Kang Geon-woo."

"Yes?"

"Sister, you know."

"Yes. What about you?"

"I'm so happy because of you, Geon-woo. What the adults say is not wrong at all."

"What do the adults say?"

"One good Geon-woo is better than ten Joon-juns."

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Yuri is really happy about getting to throw the first pitch. She doesn't seem to mind the media exposure much. Well, she's not the type to be bothered by it.

Not only is she happy, but she's also using SMC to practice pitching.

I suggested she try learning a two-seam fastball, and she screamed with excitement.

"Sure! Teach me!"

Yuri loves sports and is quite good at them. She even considered becoming a baseball player seriously at one point.

Anyway, I'm happy when Yuri is happy. I taught her quite seriously, and with her good athletic ability, a bit more practice should make her look quite good.

While preparing for the game, senior Kim Jeong-yong called me. The starting pitchers on this team don't usually get too sharp on the day of their start.

Well, I was quite sharp. I didn't even want anyone to come near me.

"Geon-woo."

"Yes."

Kim Jeong-yong has a rather gentle personality. There's a rumor that he grabbed Jung Gyu-hyun by the collar when I wasn't around, but he's so round and gentle that it's hard to imagine.

"Hehe."

"Yes?"

"Hey, you always make me feel good just by looking at you."

Come to think of it, this guy is a lifelong fan.

"There's a reason why all the fans like you."

"Thank you."

"There's Jeong Joon, isn't there?"

I didn't mean to provoke him, but I also didn't want to be quiet and peaceful.

Well, in Korea, the baseball world is so small that you know everyone after crossing just a few bridges. So, when there's friction between the younger players of different teams, the veterans step in to mediate.

I thought he might try to mediate to avoid conflict, but...

"Tease him a bit more."

An unexpected response.

"I found it amusing. Jeong Joon talks a lot and does crazy things during the game, but he's actually quite soft-hearted. I'm curious to see what happens if you tease him more."

"How should I tease him?"

"Tag Jeong Joon out and do a heart ceremony? Hey, do you know how much I've suffered at the hands of Jeong Joon?"

Kim Jeong-yong was the opposing pitcher when Jeong Joon hit his first home run in his debut. After the home run, in an interview, Jeong Joon said, "The pro ball felt lighter than I expected."

At first, I thought, "What kind of guy is this?" But the next day, Son Yong-gi of the Pirates forced him to apologize.

"Yong-gi throws the ball with a slight bend in his waist because he had to apologize so many times back then. Let's have a revenge game."

This guy pretends to be tough, but he doesn't actually threaten or intimidate during the game. I said I would study how to get revenge, and just before the game, a reporter asked:

"There is a lot of interest in the two talented hitters of the Nakdong River rival teams. What do you think about the rivalry?"

I answered:

"If you're talking about a talented hitter, it's Senior Kang Tae-oh, right?"

It's a bit childish, but for Jeong Joon, this kind of childishness hits home.

Before the final practice before the game, a quick article came out.

[The bold rookie Kang Geon-woo. When asked about the rival hitter, he said, "Senior Kang Tae-oh?"]

In the comments, Oceans fans and Pirates fans were fiercely arguing.

Well.

Oceans fans, no matter what, will never lose in terms of numbers.

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Jeong Joon prepared for the game with more intensity than usual. The Pirates players knew why Jeong Joon was acting this way, but they didn't say anything.

Some players were a bit upset by Kang Geon-woo's comments, but after hearing Son Yong-gi's words, those thoughts disappeared.

"Hey, have you forgotten what Jeong Joon did to Jeong-yong? What did Jeong-yong say back then?"

Son Yong-gi and Kim Jeong-yong, the Korean ace pitchers of the two teams, who aren't that close, are quite friendly, which is one reason why conflicts between the players of the two teams don't escalate.

In fact, Oceans fans have mixed feelings about Son Yong-gi.

Son Yong-gi, who was an ordinary relief pitcher in the Oceans, burst his potential in the Pirates. When Son Yong-gi was in the Oceans, Kim Jeong-yong took very good care of him.

"Well, if it were me, I would have exploded."

"Right, right. For Jeong-yong's sake, we shouldn't do anything."

"Jeong Joon is burning alone."

"Leave him alone. He does this once a month."

Jeong Joon often burns his pride over trivial things.

Sometimes he goes overboard, but everyone knows he's a good guy despite his words.

"Alright, let's prepare for the game. Don't worry about Jeong Joon. He'll probably brag after getting a hit."

Today's Oceans starter is Kim Jeong-yong