Chapter 78

So, who is the main character -1-

#

The 'method to achieve a winning streak against the Oceans' proposed by someone became a brief topic of discussion, but it didn't last long as the logic was quickly debunked.

[If I were Kang Geon-woo, I'd punch the guy who insults Yoo Ri and get a six-game suspension, but instead, I'd pitch to that guy and hit him with a head shot, making it a shorter suspension.]

└ㄹㅇㅋㅋㅋㅋIf I were Geon-woo, I'd just throw a 166 km/h fastball and calmly get ejected.

└These guys are crazy. Is this something you can even joke about with a head shot??

└Then, did you mean to joke about insulting a player's girlfriend?

In fact, it was quite unrealistic for someone to insult a player's surroundings just because he was doing too well. Of course, there are all kinds of crazy people in the world, and in a way, it could be a real possibility, but the way Kang Geon-woo and the Oceans dealt with the aggression was a warning.

The criticism and condemnation that follow after a suspension or assault are not scary.

Although the criticism of Go Eun-tae's misdeeds weakened as they became known to the world, there was still a clear negative view of Kang Geon-woo.

But Kang Geon-woo didn't care at all.

“A. Geon-woo.”

“Sorry, sis.”

“Huh? What? Why? Did you do something wrong? No, you haven't. Our Geon-woo is so pretty these days?”

“I came all this way, but we couldn't sweep.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I want to win every time I come to see you.”

“Our Geon-woo, is that so? You only wanted to show me your winning side?”

He didn't care about others' reactions at all; he was only interested in teasing Yoo Ri.

“Yeah. But I'm sorry, so I'll buy you beef today.”

“Beef? Where does a minimum wage earner get the money?”

“Where does a college student get the money? And I'm shooting a CF for Dae Yang Life. I have a lot of money.”

“CF? What kind of CF?”

“I didn't hear the details, but should I not do it?”

“What are you talking about? You should definitely do it.”

“Should I call Hyun-su too?”

“It would be a waste on that guy. Unless it's a large plate.”

“Then, should I call him when we finish eating and have cold noodles?”

“That would be fine.”

#

After resting on Monday, we played a six-game series against the Bulldogs and Vikings.

After exchanging one game each with the Bulldogs, the third game was canceled due to rain.

The first game against the Vikings was also canceled due to rain.

In the next day's game, senior player Lee Hoon took the mound and became the losing pitcher. It seemed he was able to hold his own when pitching away, but he appeared unstable when pitching at home.

And the next day.

Although the weather was still overcast, it seemed we could play baseball, and this day was Kim Jeong-yong's return game.

“Geon-woo.”

“Yes. Are you feeling better?”

“It feels good to be able to play baseball.”

It might remind you a bit of a middle schooler's angst...

“You'll understand when you get older. You want to play baseball longer, but it feels a bit bitter that it won't last much longer.”

It seemed he was more angry than bitter as he approached retirement.

I can do more.

When he heard that he couldn't play defense because of his age and was told to play first base or designated hitter, he felt a bit hurt.

“By the way, how was your blind date?”

“Next week?”

“Really?”

“If I get multiple hits and don't make an error today.”

“Wow, Kang Geon-woo. What do you take me for.”

“Did you study pitching?”

“I worked really hard. Just look. I'll show you.”

This rookie keystone combo might have played the biggest role. Watching them makes you smile.

“Hey, senior. Please do your best today.”

“Thanks. Please do your best at first base.”

“Yes...”

Yang Dae-geun has recently been playing first base instead of designated hitter. It seems the manager decided it would be better for Yang Dae-geun to stay on the field rather than Lee Si-wook, as the designated hitter position would disappear when Kang Geon-woo pitches as a closer.

A moment later, Yang Dae-geun gathered the players.

“Today is also Kim Jeong-yong senior's return game, and, well, a losing streak is not good, so let's show the fans a winning game.”

The team captain, who used to just shout 'Oceans, let's win!' seemed to have changed a lot.

‘He can even say things like that now.’

If the team had improved like this when he was younger, he could have enjoyed baseball even more.

‘If I had done more, it might have been better.’

The past is the past, and now he can only do his best.

#

Kim Jeong-yong faced the Vikings batters quite easily in the first inning of his return game.

Ground ball to second, fly ball to center, walk, strikeout.

“Kim Jeong-yong! Kim Jeong-yong!”

Although he couldn't match the excellent performance of other teams' aces, he was still a Korean ace pitcher who had firmly held the center of the Oceans.

After waving to the fans who were happy about his return, he came down from the mound.

Although there had been some bad blood with the Vikings, the peace agreement between the two teams was still in effect.

Hwang Seok-gyu's line drive was unfortunately caught by the third baseman, and Bae Young-han's fly ball was caught by Seo Chang-yeol's great play.

Yang Dae-geun glanced at Kang Geon-woo, who was entering the batter's box, and gave a sign to the starting pitcher, Jack Flack.

“Take it easy, take it easy. Don't you feel sorry for the foreign players?”

He even put on a bit of a show. Kang Geon-woo didn't say much in response. Well, he didn't expect a response.

The sign Yang Dae-geun gave was a low outside four-seam fastball, to keep it out of the strike zone.

Among the first, second, and third starters, Jack Flack was the easiest to work with.

Kim Gwon-jong would start complaining and rushing in at the slightest oddity, and Simon, like many from Central and South America, was quite emotional.

But Jack trusted him most of the time.

“Ball!”

It was a ball, but if it was an intentional ball, it was still okay. This was just to check Kang Geon-woo's condition. It was a course where the bat could come out, and considering Kang Geon-woo's aggressive swing, it didn't look too bad.

‘I’m not scared. I’m not afraid. I’m Yang Dae-geun.’

How embarrassing. No matter how well he does, or how much he is a baseball genius far beyond common sense, if he is afraid of getting hit, he can't compete.

When Yang Dae-geun saw that Kang Geon-woo didn't flinch, he thought maybe this 20-year-old kid was thinking of protecting the ball a bit.

During the two outs, he only threw five pitches.

‘Let’s get one strike.’

Yang Dae-geun, who has a keen eye, calls the pitches himself, receiving the manager's unlimited trust.

A catcher who is considered the best in history in every aspect. He has hit 30 home runs in a season and competed for the batting title. He also has excellent defense and a strong arm.

Yang Dae-geun, who is recognized as the best catcher now with his experience, gave a sign, and Jack Flack, who trusts Yang Dae-geun, boldly went for a strike in the strike zone.

Thwack-!

Yang Dae-geun quietly took off his catcher's mask and slumped to the ground.

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

“Gang! Geon! Woo!”

“Geon-woo-aaaaa!”

“Kang Geon-woo! Kang Geon-woo!”

The Oceans fans leaped up and shouted, and Kang Geon-woo, regardless of Yang Dae-geun's feelings, started running the bases.

‘He...knew...how to...protect the ball...’

Next to Yang Dae-geun, the bat Kang Geon-woo had thrown down was spinning perfectly.

Yang Dae-geun looked at the bat with a complicated expression.

‘Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Just tell me this is a dream.’

But the bat kept spinning, and after Kang Geon-woo touched home plate, he made a heart with his hands toward the first base stands.

Yang Dae-geun, who high-fived Kang Geon-woo, entered the batter's box.

“Senior. Are you uncomfortable?”

“...I’m really uncomfortable.”

“Why?”

“Because I got a home run...”

Yang Dae-geun, who is not usually like this, was inspired by the team's juniors.

Feeling like playing a prank, he grinned at Yang Dae-geun.

“Do you want to be more uncomfortable?”

“...”

“Back...to back...”

“...Just hit it.”

“...Yes. I’m sorry.”

#

In the top of the ninth inning.

Kim Jeong-yong pitched 6.1 innings with 2 runs in his return game, and the batters scored 5 runs.

The bullpen gave up 1 run, but the current score was 5-3.

So, it was the opportunity for the Oceans fans to see Kang Geon-woo's closing pitch, which they had been eagerly waiting for.

“Geon-woo-aaaaa!”

“Yoo Ri-aaaaa!”

“Do a save-aaaaa!”

It was almost like madness. Lee Si-wook, who had a hitless game, put a chocolate pie in his mouth and muttered as he saw the Oceans fans with red eyes shouting.

“Geon-woo has to do a save...so I can be buried...”

Even if he didn't get a hit today, he could still be buried and avoid criticism if they won.

Every time Kang Geon-woo threw a practice pitch, the cheers of the fans filled the Sajik Stadium.

“Wow-aaaaa!”

Lee Si-wook thought, ‘Not 166? Only 146?’

Park Eui-hyun, encouraged by the crowd's reaction, shouted loudly every time Kang Geon-woo threw a pitch. As the pitch speed increased, the crowd's voices grew louder.

“Good pitch-aaaaa! Really good-aaaaa!”

Lee Si-wook glanced at the Vikings' bench. The Vikings players had been quite gentle in this series. Now he understood why.

‘Well, if a 166 km/h pitch comes at your head...Wow. Just thinking about it makes me want to go to the bathroom...No, I should go after the game.’

Of course, it's not always like that.

Batters generally don't provoke pitchers.

Pitchers can always hit batters if they want. Suspensions or bench clearings are secondary issues. There have been consistent calls for stricter handling of intentional balls, but there's no way to tell if a batter was hit by an intentional ball or a wild pitch unless the pitcher speaks up.

“Wow-aaaaa!”

Kang Geon-woo showed a 161 km/h four-seam fastball and finished his practice pitches. He only threw four-seam fastballs during practice.

The Vikings' batting order started with the leadoff hitter.

This team's leadoff hitter, Jin, is a difficult batter. He is one of the best in the league at getting hits and shaking up the pitcher.

But Seo Chang-yeol hit the first pitch from Kang Geon-woo.

Thwack!

Kang Geon-woo handled the ball himself, heading to the mound. His center of gravity didn't collapse after the pitch, and with his league-best shortstop defense, he handled the ball very steadily.

“Out!”

“Kang Geon-woo! Kang Geon-woo! Kang Geon-woo!”

“Chang-yeol! Go home!”

The pitch speed was 153 km/h.

Even if it had been over 160 km/h, the Oceans fans, who had been drinking during the game, were happy just to see Kang Geon-woo on the mound.

The second batter, Jo Hoon-ki.

A 154 km/h fastball was fouled off, but he hit a 153 km/h two-se