Chapter 86

All kinds of people exist -2-

#

Andy Garfield thought Korea was quite an interesting place.

There were many interesting players, and the fans were also quite unique.

It was a strange thing that players of Major League level and those who couldn't even make it to the rookie league played on the same team.

When he first came, he was full of doubts, believing he could still play in the Major Leagues.

However, his cynical attitude changed because he had become quite happy, regardless of the level of play.

Although he himself had been bounced out of the Major Leagues, it had been a long time since he felt baseball was enjoyable.

Most of all, the feeling he got from the fans was good.

Of course, Andy Garfield had no idea what the original Oceans were like without Kang Gun-woo.

Even without Kang Gun-woo, Andy Garfield was the ace of the Oceans. However, he wasn't an ace with an ERA in the 2s as he is now. While he didn't have good fortune in winning games, regardless of his pitching performance, the Andy Garfield of that time was always angry and never enjoyed baseball.

He was always angry at the fielders and often had conflicts with the coach.

In the end, Andy left the Oceans after the first season and joined another team. Generally, it's almost impossible for a foreign player to sign with another KBO team within five years unless the club waives the retention rights. Thanks to Andy Garfield's agent declaring that the contract was impossible without a waiver clause, the Oceans had no choice but to insert it.

The Oceans were convinced that Andy Garfield would dominate in Korea and had to insert that clause to escape the bottom of the league.

After performing well for another team, Andy returned to the Major Leagues.

Now, the Oceans are a completely different team, and it's uncertain what choice he will make after this season.

Anyway, since it was an away game, the Oceans took the field first.

The leadoff hitter was Hwang Seok-gyu.

The opposing starting pitcher was Min Seung-gi.

To Andy, the opposing starting pitcher was at a Major League level.

Actually, Min Seung-gi's performance against the Oceans could be seen as an optical illusion to some extent. He was originally one of the best aces in the KBO, but against the Oceans, he was practically a cheat.

In their first meeting, he won a complete game with only two runs allowed. Kang Gun-woo hit a home run and scored from a walk.

Not stopping there, in their second meeting, he threw a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts in 9 innings, setting a record for the most strikeouts in a 9-inning game in Korean baseball history.

In contrast, Hwang Seok-gyu, the batter, definitely had talent but lacked flexibility at the plate.

He hit fastballs well but was easily fooled by breaking balls.

He recorded many doubles and was fast. He might achieve 20 home runs and 20 steals. If he could reduce his inconsistency.

"Strike! Out!"

Min Seung-gi's 143 km/h slider made the bat swing helplessly. The angle wasn't great, but the ball was so fast that it was enough to fool the batter.

The second batter, Bae Young-han, stepped up to the plate.

He had good bat control. He could hit most pitches and was an all-around excellent player.

By Andy's judgment, he was at a Triple-A or Major League left-handed pinch-hitter or pinch-runner level.

Snap!

Bae Young-han pulled Andy's curveball. The ball came toward me, and I lowered my stance, caught it steadily, and threw it strongly to first base.

"Out!"

Andy clenched his fist in joy.

It was the bottom of the 7th inning.

Andy remembered his 9-inning, 1-run loss from last time and said he didn't want to lose to that strange pitcher today.

Until the second out of the 7th inning, the score remained 0-0, a tight pitcher's duel.

Seung-gi didn't show any reaction when he got other batters out, but he always celebrated when he got me out.

He looked like he had lost his country after giving up a hit to me, but that didn't last long. After hitting two foul balls to Daegun, he induced a ground ball with a two-seam fastball to end the inning.

I'm not sure if he will really come to the Oceans after this season, but if we fail to win the championship this year, he will definitely be a big help to the Oceans.

"Strike! Out!"

"Yeah!"

After striking out to end the inning, Andy punched the air in joy. Although it's been a long time since the idea that a pitcher's win-loss record doesn't matter much was introduced, no pitcher likes to lose.

No matter how well you pitch, if you're not as good as the opposing pitcher, your pride will be hurt. Since it's a one-on-one competition, you can't help but be compared to the opposing pitcher.

After finishing the 7th inning without incident, Andy said to me,

"Throwing 7 innings without giving up a run might be considered a good record, but not today."

Andy often took the loss in close games. That was the case when Min Seung-gi was on a rampage and when another pitcher had the game of his life.

There are many stories in baseball that can't be quantified. Small things like key moments in a game, and big things like being strong or weak in important games.

It's quite frustrating to hear that you're weak in such situations. After losing a few times to opposing aces, such comments were often made about Andy, which made him even more determined not to lose.

"Speaking on behalf of the batters, I'm sorry."

Andy had thrown only 89 pitches in 7 innings. He was pitching aggressively and efficiently, and as a batter, I really wanted to help him win, but Seung-gi was going crazy, making it difficult.

"It's okay. I'm just aiming for a 9-inning shutout, and it's fine even if you don't score. I just don't want to be the losing pitcher."

When I wasn't there, he showed a mental breakdown.

Maybe he's getting better in this area.

"If you say so. Okay. I'll definitely get one more hit."

Andy just smiled and patted my shoulder.

Hmm.

Min Seung-gi, that guy.

At this point, his stuff should have dropped off, but it hasn't.

#

Min Seung-gi got through the top of the 8th inning without giving up a run. He had thrown exactly 100 pitches. But he told the manager,

"I'll pitch until the 9th inning."

Min Seung-gi always seemed angry at other players and coaches, but Manager Jeong Yong-ho, who was always gentle with Min Seung-gi, replied,

"Are you going to play baseball only this season?"

Although he said it that way, he was actually moved to tears.

What a responsible ace. With the team at the bottom of the league and rumors of the manager's dismissal circulating, this was a statement that he would lead the team to victory for his mentor.

Min Seung-gi shook his head firmly.

"No, I really want to pitch. Manager, please let me."

The manager, feeling tears welling up, took a deep breath and raised his head slightly. The job of a baseball manager is so harsh and merciless.

Even if he was fired, having a disciple like this made his heart warm.

"...Okay. Thank you, Seung-gi."

After saying thank you, Min Seung-gi went back to his seat and thought.

'The Oceans' batting order in the top of the 9th starts with the second batter...'

Bae Young-han is tough, and the next batter is Kang Gun-woo.

He wanted the batters to score at least one run so he could be the winning pitcher. If the opponent wasn't the Oceans, he wouldn't have insisted on pitching more.

'Oceans...'

Once a love-hate relationship, now a twisted affection.

He would go to the Oceans and play with Kang Gun-woo.

Of course, he could play with Kang Gun-woo in the All-Star game or the Olympics.

But the thought of playing with Kang Gun-woo in the Oceans was unbearable.

'Kang Gun-woo, give me a beautiful strikeout in your last at-bat.'

He strategized in his mind.

He still had a lot of energy left. But since the batter was Kang Gun-woo, he planned to focus on this at-bat.

'Induce a ground ball from Bae Young-han...'

Just as he thought that, the Diamond's leadoff hitter was out on a fly ball to center field.

'I want to strike him out, but... Well, you're lucky, Bae Young-han.'

The second batter was out on a ground ball to shortstop.

Oceans' foreign pitcher Andy Garfield had been getting a lot of strikeouts early in the game but was now getting more outs on contact.

'An ace needs strikeouts. Andy Garfield, you're a good pitcher, but if you stay with the Oceans next year and I join, I'll be the number one starter.'

For Min Seung-gi, the matchup against Andy Garfield was a crucial battle to determine the number one starter for the Oceans next year.

The manager thought he was doing it for him, but that didn't matter.

Number one starter.

The Oceans' number one starter.

The Oceans' opening day pitcher.

The winning pitcher in the game that clinches the Korean Series championship for the Oceans!

If necessary, even a bullpen appearance in the 7th game! That's the destiny of an ace!

'That must be mine!'

Without realizing it, he clenched his fist and jumped up from his seat when Hong Seok-heon, who was suffering from the sophomore jinx, was struck out helplessly.

"I can't give in!"

Shouting that, Min Seung-gi felt the thrill running through his body, grabbed his glove, and strode to the mound.

"Brother."

Min Seung-gi gathered his strength.

"Brother Seung-gi."

Whether he could be the winning pitcher or not, he had to be better than Andy Garfield.

"Brother! Brother Seung-gi! You took the wrong glove!"

#

When Bae Young-han got a hit in the top of the 9th inning, Min Seung-gi felt a chill run down his spine.

'Is my stuff dropping off?'

Bae Young-han is also a national team outfielder. He had the ability to push a low pitch and send it between the shortstop and third baseman.

Although this was the first hit of the game, it meant he was not an easy opponent.

'No, it doesn't matter.'

Min Seung-gi closed his eyes and calmed himself.

The evaluation that he gets weaker with runners on base.

That's nothing.

'Others' evaluations are not worth worrying about.'

He adjusted his stance. In this important battle, Min Seung-gi erased the existence of the runner, Bae Young-han, from his mind.

He didn't care if the runner stole a base. Even if the runner was on second or third, he could strike out the next batters. Then there would be no problem.

After successfully controlling his mind, he made eye contact with Kang Gun-woo at the plate.

'What a fierce gaze...'

Actually, Kang Gun-woo was thinking the same thing.

'Since he's alive, should I call it a cod's eye instead of a flounder's eye?'

Min Seung-gi shook his head at the catcher's sign.

'Idiot. It's a two-seam fastball. Trust me.'

After a few signs, Min Seung-gi finally got what he wanted.

Two-seam fastball.

Although he had thrown over 100 pitches, his grip strength had slightly decreased, but he planned to use the slight change in movement of the two-seam fastball when his strength was a bit lower.

'This won't be the familiar movement, Kang Gun-woo.'

Regardless of whether the runner took a large lead, Min Seung-gi took a full windup.

'If you hit this...'

Stealing in this situation is not easy for the offensive team. If the steal attempt fails, the runner is out.

'A little more, acknowledge it!'

When Min Seung-gi threw the ball, an unconscious shout escaped his lips.

As if giving himself a pep talk.

With all his might.

"Kang Gun-woo!"

It was a moment.

The two-seam fastball he threw with all his heart, when it hit Kang Gun-woo's bat.

Crack!

Min Seung-gi thought.

'What a beautiful... swing...'

He knew without looking.

This.

Cleared the fence.

'Ha, ha... Kang Gun-woo...'

Min Seung-gi knelt and collapsed.

'Are you... the main character? Am I, the leading supporting actor?'

The Oceans' away fans were screaming like mad, and Kang Gun-woo threw his bat and started running the bases.

Without checking the result of the hit, Min Seung-gi collapsed, looking up at the sky and shedding tears. Hot tears streamed down under his glasses.

'No, no. It's just that my training is not enough. I'm not a supporting actor. Kang Gun-woo is a rival sent by heaven. I need to get stronger.'

Over 100 pitches.

With two runs allowed on a two-run homer in the top of the 9th inning, a pitching change was inevitable.

'I will definitely... surpass you... Kang Gun-woo.'

Min Seung-gi didn't wipe away the tear. He walked off the mound calmly after receiving the pitching change signal, and baseball fans began to call him the 'Prince of Tears.'

[(Live) Busan Oceans 2 : 0 Suwon Diamonds]

-Top of the 9th.

-Kang Gun-woo 2-run homer (distance 121m)

└Wow, Min Seung-gi is really cool, seriously.

└Even though he's on the opposing team, this is really impressive.

└F*cking bastards with no competitive spirit. Sorry, Seung-gi. ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

└If he leaves as a free agent, there's nothing to say about this.

└The only one who really wants to win in this team is Seung-gi.

└He tried to end the losing streak, but the batters didn't follow.

└Prince of Tears, Min Seung-gi ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

└If the batters had hit badly today, Seung-gi would be innocent.

└Wow, really gives me goosebumps. Kang Gun-woo is amazing, but Min Seung-gi is really impressive.

└Don't cry, Seung-gi ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

└Min Seung-gi's tears, the Oceans want to wipe them away.

└F*ck, how can people still say that in this situation?

└It's because of this situation that it comes out more.

└Anyway, Kang Gun-woo is the god of baseball. ㅋㅋㅋ