Chapter 54

Saltwater flows through my body -2-

#

The Oceans played 25 games out of the 144 scheduled for the season.

Two games against the Vikings, their opening match opponents.

And two games against the Meteors, one of which was canceled due to rain.

Three games against all other teams.

This accounted for 17.36% of the total schedule.

It was still too early to gauge the direction of the entire season, and few believed that the current standings would remain the same by the end of the season.

Nonetheless, the hottest topic in the KBO League, which was racing toward one-fifth of the season, was the Busan Oceans.

[How far can the Oceans' magic go?]

Of course, it was difficult to say that the Oceans were a complete team.

Still, it was better than being the overwhelming 10th-place candidate that the experts had predicted before the season.

No matter how much of a genius Gang Geon-woo was, there was a clear difference between high school and professional baseball. How many baseball geniuses had disappeared, unable to overcome the professional barrier?

There were players who had made their professional debuts right after high school and had excelled, but Gang Geon-woo's rookie season was unfolding in a unique way.

As the Oceans achieved good results early in the season, other teams began to study them.

Two foreign pitchers.

And the starting rotation of Kim Jeong-yong, Lee Hoon, and Kuk Min-seong.

It was natural for teams to try to understand the pitchers' habits and pitches, given the unexpected strength of the starting rotation.

The same applied to the strengths and weaknesses of the batters.

However, there was little such analysis of the bullpen.

"Kim Jeong-hyeok is throwing well."

"But his OPS against right-handed batters is 20% higher than against left-handed batters."

"If he comes in, just send in a right-handed pinch hitter."

An easy solution for a left-handed reliever who excels against left-handed batters.

You could also bring in Park Eun-soo, a sidearm pitcher, against right-handed pinch hitters, but Park Eun-soo was stronger against left-handed batters despite being a sidearm pitcher.

The Oceans' bullpen didn't require such deep analysis. Jo Hyung-oh returned from injury, but he recorded a blown save as soon as he returned as the closer.

Anyway, at this point, where every team had faced each other at least once, all teams except the Oceans had their own analysis of Gang Geon-woo. The same went for sports broadcasters.

-Throwing high balls to Gang Geon-woo is like saying, 'Just let this one go.' You have to keep it low.

-Shouldn't we focus on changeups?

-Hit fastballs harder and farther. Just throw breaking balls that go out of the zone.

-It's also necessary to throw low inside pitches to disrupt his timing.

-Just give him a walk. There's no solving this.

-Haha. If we don't let Yoo-ri come to the stadium...

-Hey! Damn it, are you embarrassing a high school rookie right now!

There were really various reactions.

#

In my opinion, Yoo-ri is an amazing person.

"Hey, this."

Yoo-ri handed me a USB drive.

"Data on Kuk Min-seong's two-seam fastball. It's not complete, but it might be useful as a reference."

I wonder when she made this. She still has so much energy.

We met early on a Monday morning and went to eat Yoo-ri's favorite shabu-shabu. We sang her favorite songs together at a karaoke booth.

The coach said it was a voluntary training day on Monday. Those who wanted to rest could rest, and those who wanted to train could come. So I decided not to go to the training ground and do some personal training. I wanted to spend some time with Yoo-ri.

"But is it really okay not to go today?"

"It's voluntary training."

"Is it okay for the rookie to skip?"

"I'm the oldest in terms of performance."

"Hmm."

Yoo-ri squinted and looked at me, then smiled.

"Our Geon-woo is so nice."

"Huh?"

"Are you trying too hard to go on a date with your sister?"

I do want to go on a date, but it's not like I'm trying too hard, right?

"I've had enough fun, so let's go quickly."

"I don't want to go."

"Hey, you. What are you throwing a tantrum for?"

Throwing a tantrum?

My smartphone vibrated, and it was from No Gyeong-woo.

-No Gyeong-woo: Hey

-No Gyeong-woo: Why aren't you here?

-No Gyeong-woo: Everyone else is here except you.

I just closed my smartphone.

"Voluntary training means you don't have to come."

"Isn't that so?"

"The Oceans don't really have a strict hierarchy. It's true."

"Hmm. I don't believe it."

"Why?"

"Our Geon-woo. Are you lying to spend more time with your sister?"

"I'm not lying, but I do want to be with you even if I have to lie."

Yoo-ri grinned. I grinned along with her.

We had a date, something we hadn't done in a while. I don't particularly like taking photos, but we even took sticker photos.

Actually, I don't like taking photos with fans, but Yoo-ri told me to be nice to their requests, so I do my best.

We went to eat tteokbokki and even got it for free. The owner insisted that if we were going to pay, we'd have to pay 5 million won per person, so we'd have to pay 15 million won for tteokbokki, fish cakes, and sausages combined.

We watched a movie and, when we came back, we did some pitching form correction and Pilates.

Seeing Yoo-ri happy, I felt today was a fulfilling day.

"Sis, good night."

As I dropped her off at her door and waved, Yoo-ri giggled and waved back.

I wish I could live like this every day, forgetting about baseball.

But first, I need to win the championship, right?

I need to fill up the ring gauge.

#

"Hey, Gang-woo. Is your friend not coming today?"

"Yes..."

"Without the rookie."

"I'm sorry..."

"It's not your fault."

"Is that so? I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"

"Without the rookie."

"I'm sorry..."

"It's voluntary training. The coach said it's okay not to come."

"Ah, Hyung Da-geun. Still, even if that's the case, all the seniors are here."

"Say that to someone who hits better than Gang Geon-woo."

"Wow, hyung. If you say that, I have nothing to say."

"I came out because I'm not as good as Gang Geon-woo."

"Then, if I hit better than Gang Geon-woo, I don't have to train?"

"Hit better than Gang Geon-woo and then talk."

"..."

"Why?"

"Even if I hit worse than Gang Geon-woo, can I still talk?"

"Don't."

"Wow, hyung. Really. Traitor. You've known me for years, but you only like Gang Geon-woo."

"Seniors! Hello! Hyung Yang Da-geun! Nice to see you! Hyung Lee Si-wook! The weather is nice today! Passionate No Gyeong-woo! Nice to see you!"

"Hey, Hyung Da-geun, where are you going!"

"Ah, ah, I have something to do."

"Hyung Yang Da-geun! I have a question!"

"Hey, hey, I'm busy. What? Later, okay?"

"Oceans' 4th batter, Hyung Yang Da-geun! Just a moment! I swear on my name, Park Eui-hyun, it will just take a moment!"

#

No matter what happened on Monday, the Oceans players didn't punish or scold Gang Geon-woo.

The team captain, Yang Da-geun, didn't care, and neither did the coach.

Bae Yeong-han grumbled when he saw Gang Geon-woo.

"Hey, baseball genius. You didn't miss me? I came to the training ground to see you yesterday, but you weren't there?"

"I did voluntary training."

"Good for you."

"Thank you."

Bae Yeong-han smiled and walked past after hearing Gang Geon-woo's answer.

Anyway, today's game is against the Diamonds at home.

The Diamonds' coach, in his final contract season, was becoming increasingly anxious.

Currently at the bottom of the league.

Batters were simultaneously in slumps, there were injuries in the starting rotation, and fans were demanding the dismissal of Coach Jeong Yong-ho online.

"Hey! Damn it! Are you embarrassing a high school rookie right now!"

This was the coach's reaction when the pitching coach suggested avoiding Gang Geon-woo.

In fact, it wasn't entirely wrong.

It could be a factor that further deteriorates the already poor team atmosphere.

You could tell the starting pitcher to avoid Gang Geon-woo, but that would be like admitting defeat from the start.

Coach Jeong Yong-ho knew this might be better, but it went against his philosophy.

If you think you're going to lose, you will lose.

You have to go to the field every day thinking you will win.

The Oceans' foreign starting pitchers, who have been performing exceptionally well recently, are scheduled to pitch in the first two games.

Coach Jeong Yong-ho declared that he would break through this crisis head-on.

He slightly adjusted the pitching rotation to ensure the Diamonds' three strongest starters would pitch consecutively.

The first game starter is Min Seung-gi.

If he can't turn the tide, a losing atmosphere will spread throughout the team, making it impossible to control.

"Hey, you. Are you going to tell Seung-gi to walk Gang Geon-woo? What?"

An ace is an ace. You have to trust the ace.

Min Seung-gi, despite being eccentric, was favored by the coach. Even if he had given up a home run to Gang Geon-woo before, it was absurd to tell a national team ace to avoid a rookie.

"No, Coach. Not Seung-gi, but other pitchers..."

"Then, are you going to tell Jackson and Aaron to walk Gang Geon-woo or something?"

"At least, just the bullpen..."

"Tell the pitchers to do that if I get fired."

"Coach, why would you say that..."

"Enough! Go check Seung-gi's condition!"

"Yes..."

Unaware of the conversation between the coach and the coaches, Min Seung-gi was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed in the visiting locker room at Sajik Baseball Stadium.

'This atmosphere...'

The place where he should be.

'It feels like I'm back home...'

Of course, not the home locker room.

'The comfort of my mother's amniotic fluid...!'

Min Seung-gi suddenly opened his eyes.

Today.

He was ready to show his presence to the Oceans fans who would visit Sajik Baseball Stadium.

'I am the strongest in Sajik. I am the bespectacled right-handed ace of Sajik. I'm just wearing the wrong uniform!'

#

Just before the game, while doing the final practice, I felt someone was watching me.

I'm used to being watched.

In the 9th inning of the 7th game of the World Series, down 5-4, with two outs and the bases loaded, how many people were watching me?

When I hit a three-run walk-off home run in the 9th inning and then struck out the side in the 9th inning to end the game during a road trip with the New York Yankees, when the Boston Red Sox wanted to kill me more than anyone.

I turned my head slightly and saw Seung-gi hyung sitting in the visiting dugout.

He was covering his mouth with both hands and glaring at me as if he wanted to kill me.

Was he still so angry about the home run I hit off him before?

Well, he was kind of narrow-minded.

Actually, he was incredibly narrow-minded.

I wonder if he'll really come to kill me if I hit another home run.

Anyway, why is he sitting there and doing that.

While playing catch to warm up, I went near the visiting dugout. Then a voice came from behind.

"Hey, Gang Geon-woo."

I was surprised.

Was he still there?

"Ah, yes. Hello."

He was still in the same pose and expression. Why.

"Hehe."

He seems so different from the person I know. What's he trying to do.

No Gyeong-woo, who was doing long toss with me, signaled to throw, but Seung-gi hyung kept talking.

"You have a great talent for baseball."

"...Thank you."

"Good. Don't forget to work hard to maintain that talent."

"Yes..."

"Hehehe. You're really...an interesting guy."

"..."

I have no idea how to respond.

As I stood there, Seung-gi hyung laughed strangely and disappeared down the corridor behind the dugout.

"Hey! What are you doing! Aren't you focusing on training?"

I can't believe I'm hearing this from No Gyeong-woo.

I guess I need to hit another home run against Seung-gi hyung to feel better.

#

Min Seung-gi really liked Sajik Baseball Stadium.

He loved it.

Sincerely.

"Oceans will win-!"

He loved that cheer.

"Che! Gang! Oh! Shon!"

And that one!

The only cheer he disliked among the Oceans' cheers was the 'Ma!' shouted at the pitcher when a runner was picked off.

Why do I have to hear 'Ma!' from Oceans fans?

I should be the one receiving their cheers and praise!

Min Seung-gi, born in 2002, is a 27-year-old pitcher.

He debuted as a high school rookie and has been active in the professional league since he was 20.

In his first season, he was a reliever, and in his second season, he was a closer.

From the third season, he became a starting pitcher.

He would have to wait until the next season to qualify for free agency, but due to his early performance in the national team, he will qualify for free agency at the end of this season.

Min Seung-gi's goal is not to win the championship this season, not to win the pitcher's Golden Glove, but to join the Oceans.

Min Seung-gi threw a blazing fastball with his right arm.

"Strike-out!"

The first batter, Hwang Seok-gyu, couldn't handle him.

He swung aggressively and had fast swing speed, but he couldn't follow the trajectory of the high fastball and struck out.

Bae Yeong-han was a tough opponent. But Min Seung-gi was even more determined to face Bae Yeong-han.

The reason was that Bae Yeong-han was a free agent signed by the Oceans.

'If, by any chance, the Oceans lack the money to sign a free agent because of you...'

Min Seung-gi, who had briefly closed his eyes, opened them. The catcher thought, 'Here he goes again,' and gave the sign again. Min Seung-gi nodded.

'I will erase your existence from professional baseball!'

Pang!

A 154 km/h fastball.

Bae Yeong-han's bat missed.

The second pitch was a foul.

He adjusted the rosin bag for the camera, bent down to touch his shoelaces, and shook out his socks. Then he adjusted his glasses and touched his cap.

"Strike! Out!"

A 150 km/h two-seam fastball. Bae Yeong-han's bat couldn't catch up and he struck out.

Actually, Min Seung-gi couldn't understand why Oceans fans weren't interested in his routine.

He was following the routine of an Oceans legend.

"Kang Geon-woo!"

Min Seung-gi looked at the next batter, and his inner thoughts slipped out without him realizing it.

Kang Geon-woo stared blankly at him and then looked at the catcher.

And Min Seung-gi's choice was.

A two-seam fastball down the middle.

Thwack!

Kang Geon-woo didn't miss the two-seam fastball down the middle. He just slightly missed it.

The ball flew into the air. Oceans fans were convinced that Kang Geon-woo had hit his 16th home run of the season, but the ball was caught by the outfielder Hong Seok-hyun, who jumped high and barely caught it on the warning track.

The crowd at Sajik Baseball Stadium let out