Chapter 55

Saltwater flows through my body -3-

#

Ocean fans often imagine Kim Gwon-jong and Park Yong-jae wearing the Oceans uniform and standing on the mound. They call them "Ocean-jong," "Ocean-jae," "Oh-jong," and "Oh-jae." However, Kim Gwon-jong and Park Yong-jae don't usually react much to such talk. It wasn't that they were expressing a firm intention never to join the Oceans. After all, you never know what might happen in life. Of course, they didn't want to join, but if the Oceans offered them a few billion more, they might consider it. Besides, no one really cared if the Oceans fans said such things, because they thought it was just the fans' futile fantasy.

But Min Seung-gi was a bit different.

When Min Seung-gi was drafted by the Diamonds, it was a big deal for the Diamonds fans.

"Why does Min Seung-gi look so pissed off after being drafted?"

[Min Seung-gi's SNS.jpg]

-Should I quit baseball...?

[Min Seung-gi is a lifelong bachelor]

-So, you're unhappy about joining our team?

-It seems so.

-Why did they draft such a guy???

Min Seung-gi was deeply shocked.

He had expected to be drafted by the Oceans.

He seriously considered quitting baseball but soon changed his mind.

"I won't give up a single point to the Oceans!"

And he wanted the Oceans to regret it, amazed by his strength.

Rumors spread that Min Seung-gi disliked being drafted by the Diamonds, based on his SNS posts and his expression at the draft. However, Min Seung-gi didn't respond.

His SNS, filled with posts related to the Oceans, was left untouched, and he remained silent to the media.

From his debut season, he proved his worth: 53 innings, a 3.68 ERA, 2 wins, 5 losses, and 15 holds.

In the next season, he recorded 36 saves with only two blown saves, and from the following year, he became a starting pitcher.

The Oceans fans didn't call him "Oh Seung-gi" or "Oh-geun" or "Oh-jae," insisting that he should be brought to the Oceans. They thought it was a given.

Of course, the Diamonds fans dismissed it as the Oceans fans' fantasy.

Min Seung-gi was a bit disappointed that the Oceans fans didn't show the same interest in him as they did in Kim Gwon-jong and Park Yong-jae.

Andy Garfield allowed a single in the top of the second inning but induced a double play to cleanly end the inning. Just before Min Seung-gi was about to return to the mound, he said to the catcher with a determined look:

"Listen carefully. Joo Sang-wook."

"Yes, sir."

"Our goal today is a perfect game."

"Yes."

"I want you to focus on our goal with your life."

"Yes."

"My condition today is perfect."

Joo Sang-wook thought, if the wind had blown a bit more to the outside, that hit by Kang Geon-woo would have gone over. What are you talking about?

But his mouth wasn't honest.

"Yes, you're perfect today."

"Exactly."

"If we fail the perfect game, it's the hitters' fault."

"Huh?"

"I won't tolerate even a single error in catching."

Without giving a chance to respond, Min Seung-gi strode confidently to the mound.

Joo Sang-wook put on his catcher's mask to hide his expression.

#

Yang Dae-geun has recently been aiming for extra-base hits more frequently.

Of course, he hasn't become averse to taking walks. He just aims for second base instead of first when possible.

When Wolfpack and Lee Si-wook hit the ball well, it flies far, but often ends up as an infield groundout. This change in approach has had some success.

The original Yang Dae-geun adjusted his strike zone slightly based on the ball count.

His strike zone for the first pitch was very narrow. He wouldn't swing unless he was absolutely sure.

But now, it's different.

Crack!

A slightly high pitch. Yang Dae-geun swung at Min Seung-gi's first pitch.

But it was different from what he expected.

Just before impact, Yang Dae-geun thought the ball would fly to the outfield, between the right and center fielders.

However, it barely cleared the infield. The shortstop chased it down and caught it easily for an out.

The next batter, Wolfpack, stepped into the box, flexing his massive muscles. He hit the second pitch, which seemed to be a line drive but was caught in the warning track.

Min Seung-gi, adjusting his cap, smiled with one corner of his mouth.

Yes.

This is it.

If you won't cheer for me.

Then be silent.

'Oh, fans of Sajik.'

Suppressing a maniacal laugh, he faced Lee Si-wook stepping into the box.

Min Seung-gi showed no mercy to the Oceans' first-round draft picks, especially if they were called "saints" or "true bones" of the Oceans, high school graduates.

"Strike! Out!"

A 154 km/h four-seam fastball struck out Lee Si-wook, an Oceans' first-round pick and "saint." Min Seung-gi covered half his face with his right hand and smiled.

"Hehehe..."

The second inning at Sajik Stadium was over.

#

'If the Oceans bring Min Seung-gi...'

Yuri watched Min Seung-gi's powerful performance and thought.

Two foreign pitchers and Min Seung-gi.

One of Kim Jeong-yong, Lee Hoon, and Guksung would have to move to the bullpen.

'A bit of a dilemma?'

It could be called a strategic consideration for the next season, but in reality, it was just a happy circuit.

If a pitcher of Min Seung-gi's caliber joins, a spot has to be created.

More importantly, Min Seung-gi's condition was off the charts.

"Ah! Damn! Is Min Seung-gi out of his mind!"

A middle-aged man in the front row pulled his hair and shouted.

No Kyung-woo struck out swinging. He couldn't even adjust his timing, as the pitch came so fast he couldn't even wiggle his hips.

Then, Park Eui-hyun struck out.

"What the hell!"

Kim Sung-hoon also struck out.

"Damn, hit the ball at least!"

With four consecutive strikeouts in one inning, the man's screams echoed.

Min Seung-gi's condition today looked impeccable, even from the distant stands.

Still, some Oceans fans were in a happy circuit.

"Well, at least the batting order has gone around once. The batters will adapt, right?"

"If he keeps throwing like that, even Min Seung-gi will tire out. It'll be fine after a few innings."

"True? How many pitches over 150 km/h has he thrown?"

It could be true, but Yuri didn't think so.

'Min Seung-gi maintains his pitch quality up to 100 pitches...'

It didn't end there. Min Seung-gi was one of the pitchers Yuri closely watched, and she knew he had a shoulder that could handle up to 120 pitches.

'Garfield needs to do well.'

The good news was that the Diamonds' batters were in poor form recently.

And the next inning, Kang Geon-woo would come up to bat.

Once a runner is on base, there's a hole to exploit. Even if it's not a home run, a double to put a runner in scoring position would make Min Seung-gi a different pitcher in a negative way.

When Im Mirae expressed concern, Yuri said:

"Don't worry. Geon-woo will do it."

Wiping the sweat from her brow after waving a flag, Oh So-hee replied:

"Sure, she only knows her boyfriend, so let's go."

"Ah, I haven't told my mom yet?"

#

"The ball is better than last time?"

It was a common opinion among the other players.

I think so too. This is the best I've seen Min Seung-gi.

Even when he played for the national team, he wasn't this good. Last time we faced him, he was young and strong, but today is different.

I can't pinpoint it, but it doesn't seem to be a technical or physical issue.

We talked about his nemesis before, and today's Seung-gi seems a bit like that.

The Diamonds' catcher said, "When he comes to Sajik, he's a bit different, so please understand."

I've had some success as a pitcher, but pitchers are definitely unique creatures. When they feel comfortable at a specific stadium, their condition can significantly improve.

There seems to be something more, but I can't be sure.

"Brother Seok-gyu, can you hit the ball?"

"Watch closely, No Kyung-woo. I'll show you how to hit the ball."

"Are you planning a surprise bunt?"

"..."

Hwang Seok-gyu, as if hit a nerve, glanced at No Kyung-woo and walked out with a full swing.

If you hit it, there's a chance. I have good wrist strength and swing speed.

Even if the ball comes fast, if you hit it well, it can go far. In my first at-bat, I was thinking about the four-seam and missed the hitting point slightly on the two-seam.

What should I aim for in the next at-bat?

Crack!

A full swing met a fastball.

And the result was:

"Out!"

Center field fly.

Actually, it's not that the ball is heavy and lacks power. It's that I didn't hit it at the right hitting point and it went off course.

So, it means the fastball's movement is better than usual today.

I can't fundamentally change my batting stance. I need to be more flexible when swinging.

"Hehe. Did you see, No Kyung-woo? I hit it."

"Brother, it was an out."

"You struck out swinging."

"An out is an out."

"You're making excuses."

Leaving the comedic duo behind, he stepped into the on-deck circle. In a corner of the dugout, Park Eui-hyun was teasing Yang Dae-geun.

Bae Young-han missed the first pitch, looking a bit bewildered. He might not understand why he missed it, given how well he usually makes contact. The second pitch was a foul.

Third pitch, foul.

Fourth pitch, foul.

Fifth, sixth, seventh pitches, all fouls.

He seemed to be getting a feel for it.

But, eighth pitch, strikeout.

Sweat was streaming down Bae Young-han's face, usually so calm.

"Hey, baseball genius."

"Yes."

"Trying to find a hint?"

"A hint?"

"Yeah, but."

"Yes."

"There's none. Damn, the ball is really moving today."

Bae Young-han said this, smiled, and walked in, wiping his sweat with his sleeve.

And when I stepped up, Seung-gi looked at me with determination and called my name again.

"Kang Geon-woo!"

The catcher said to me, almost crying:

"Please... don't react... please... I beg you..."

#

[Live) Suwon Diamonds 0 : 0 Busan Oceans.]

-2 outs, no runners.

-3rd batter, Kang Geon-woo.

-Only Geon-woo gives us hope.

-Really, no one can keep up with the swing.

-That one in the first inning should have gone over.

-1st pitch (153 km/h)

-Foul

-Whoa, that's a cut.

-If it had just curved a bit more, it would have been a home run.

-So close.

-But it's still Geon-woo, so he can hit it like that.

-Other guys can't even get out of the infield.

-2nd pitch (149 km/h)

-Foul

-Damn, is that a two-seam?

-National Sung throws 130 km/h two-seams, this is so unfair.

-Playing solo baseball!!!!!!!

-No, seriously, lol.

-3rd pitch (144 km/h)

-Ball

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