On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 29

“Haha, well, yes. That’s right.”

Kim In-hwan sat down and picked up his spoon.

Kim Jung-ryul raised his hand and rubbed his head.

“Ugh, my head. Sent down to the minors after just one exhibition game?”

“That’s how it is.”

“Still, how can they be so heartless?”

“Three strikeouts are enough to set them off.”

“What’s so bad about striking out a few times in a practice game?”

Kim In-hwan took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Well… they don’t expect much from me.”

Kim In-hwan picked up his spoon and started eating his rice.

Song Seok-hyun blinked, looking back and forth between Kim Jung-ryul and Kim In-hwan.

Kim Jung-ryul frowned and put his spoon down.

“So, I went to Japan and busted my butt, and now I’m back to square one. Zero. Ugh, my money. All that hard-earned cash.”

Kim In-hwan mumbled, barely audible.

“I’m sorry, Senior.”

Song Seok-hyun added his own apology.

“I’m sorry too.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“Because I haven’t even made it to the majors yet…”

“Tch.”

The three finished their meal and walked around the minor league stadium.

They walked in silence for a long time.

How long had they been walking?

Just as they were starting to feel warmed up, Kim Jung-ryul spoke.

“In-hwan.”

“Yes.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Regret what?”

“Not standing your ground.”

Kim In-hwan sighed.

“You couldn’t stick to your guns, and you couldn’t follow the coach’s instructions. Am I wrong?”

“…You’re right.”

“Either way, we’re stuck in the minors for a while. You know that, right?”

“I guess so. Once you’re sent down, it’s at least a month before they consider bringing you back.”

“In-hwan, I’ve made up my mind.”

“About what?”

“I’m going to commit to a clear path now. I’m thinking of becoming a submarine pitcher [a pitcher who throws with a very low arm angle, almost sidearm].”

Kim In-hwan stopped walking.

Song Seok-hyun stopped too.

“Excuse me?”

“What’s so surprising? You’ve said my pitches are good, that my sinker [a type of pitch that drops sharply] is killer.”

“That’s true, but… are you serious?”

“Of course, I’m serious. Do you think I’m in a position to joke around?”

“But still… you’re going to completely change what you’ve been doing your whole life.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Kim Jung-ryul put his hands behind his back and looked out at the stadium.

Spring had arrived, but traces of winter still lingered around the edges of the field.

“Look at us now. We’re both in the minors. If we don’t change something, we’ll be buried here. Seok-hyun hasn’t even had a chance yet, but we’ve had chances and keep blowing them.”

“I might be in that boat, but you’re fixing your yips [a psychological condition that inhibits athletic performance], and your injury wasn’t serious. If you wait a little longer, you’ll be able to pitch again. Why are you doing this? Isn’t this too sudden?”

“No. It’s not like that. This is a decision about my life, so how could I take it lightly?”

Kim Jung-ryul raised his right arm.

“Honestly, it hurts a bit. When my elbow goes above my shoulder, it hurts a little. I don’t know if it’s just an adjustment period or because of the injury, but it’s driving me crazy. I’m so worried that I can’t even throw properly.”

Kim Jung-ryul turned around.

“Seok-hyun.”

“Yes.”

“You were a national-level player in middle and high school, right?”

“I was pretty good, to be honest.”

“You changed positions because of an injury, right?”

“The slight pain in my elbow got worse and worse, and I couldn’t throw properly.”

“See? Look at the three of us here. We were all successful at one point. But now we’re here. Seok-hyun hasn’t even had a chance yet, and even when we get chances, we keep messing them up. Just like Seok-hyun changed, we need to change too. The seasons change, but we’re just stuck in the past, unable to do anything. Is me going from overhand to underhand harder than you going from pitcher to catcher? Is you changing your batting form harder than you going from pitcher to catcher?”

Kim In-hwan shook his head instead of answering.

“Now that we’re back here, let’s do it right. In-hwan, you need to perfect your batting form. Ignore what the coach says. Either way, you’re in the minors whether you listen to the coach or not. I’m going to try being a submarine pitcher. It’ll take two or three months at most, or one month at the least. We’ll get called up at some point during that time. Then we can show them what we can do with our performance. What can the coach say during the season? Right?”

“I don’t think the manager will just stand by and watch…”

“Tell him not to watch. Tell him to cut me if he wants. We’re desperate anyway. And hey, In-hwan.”

“Yes.”

“We need to get promoted so we can pull Seok-hyun up with us. He’s helped us a lot, and it would be embarrassing if we’re all stuck here.”

Song Seok-hyun waved his hands dismissively.

“I’m okay.”

“It’s not about you being okay. We’re embarrassed. You’re working so hard but you don’t have any chances, and we’re wasting the chances we have and doing things the same old way. We need to change too. Let’s start with the Futures League [Korea’s minor league]. When the two of us start playing in the minor league games, I’ll smoothly recommend you. The rehab group is basically gone anyway, so why wouldn’t they use you? Let’s start over here, the three of us. Let’s start over properly and play together in the majors. What do you say?”

Kim In-hwan kept wetting his dry lips and couldn’t answer right away.

The respected senior’s proposal versus the manager and coach’s strict orders.

Kim In-hwan groaned and raised his voice.

“Okay. Let’s do it. Well, the Futures League season is coming up soon, so let’s dominate the Futures League and go to the majors. If we do well in the minors, they’ll promote us, right?”

Kim Jung-ryul grinned.

“Yeah, that’s right. A man needs to have some guts! Don’t worry about Seok-hyun either. If the manager doesn’t use you, I’ll force him to use you as my personal catcher. If I pitch well, the manager will listen to me, right?”

“If you go that far, Senior, your reputation will be…”

“What reputation? We need to show off your skills no matter what. It makes no sense to waste you. Let’s all go up together. Let’s tear it up.”

That afternoon, Kim Jung-ryul began practicing his underhand throws in earnest.

His natural flexibility, long arms, thick lower body, and sturdy waist seemed perfectly suited for an underhand pitcher.

Kim Jung-ryul gradually increased his stride and began to increase his velocity.

Only about three weeks until the Futures League season opener.

Goat [likely referring to the team or a player] had a poor performance in the exhibition games, causing concern among fans.

Time flew by, and it was now five days before the league opener.

Kim Jung-ryul straightened his posture in front of the door with the nameplate that read Yeon Woo-shik.

Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

“Hyung [older brother or respected senior], it’s Jung-ryul. Do you have some time right now?”

A moment later, the door opened.

The man with messy hair peeked out and looked up at Kim Jung-ryul.

“What brings you here?”

“I wanted to see you, Hyung, and I have something to talk about.”

“How corny. Come on in. It’s my day off today, so it works out well. I was bored anyway.”

To Success as a Catcher

The Taste of Connections

“Sit down.”

Yeon Woo-shik pointed to a chair.

Before sitting down, Kim Jung-ryul looked around the room.

“Wow, Hyung, don’t you ever clean?”

“Clean? Do I look like I clean?”

“But it’s like this?”

The rickety chair was piled high with clothes, and the room reeked of stale odors. The trash can was overflowing like a volcano, teetering precariously. The dust on the floor and the water stains on the windows were beyond mention.

“Ah, seriously. What is this, nagging like a wife? If you’re going to nag, just leave.”

“No, it’s okay. Well, free life, it’s good. It’s good, I guess.”

As Kim Jung-ryul sat down, Yeon Woo-shik scratched the back of his head.

“You’re visiting after a long time. Why is it so hard to see your face even though we’re in the same dorm?”

“Well, I’m in the rehab group, so our schedules don’t match. I’ve been training hard these days.”

“Training?”

Yeon Woo-shik smacked his lips.

“You’re training hard, you say?”

“What’s wrong with someone living diligently?”

“Hey, you were kicked out of the camp, weren’t you? What do you mean you’re training hard?”

“That’s because of my injury, not because I was kicked out. The same words can mean different things.”

“Well, whatever. Whether you train hard or not, it’s none of my business. I thought you were retiring because you haven’t been around here lately.”

“Hey, it’s not my time to retire yet.”

“What do you mean it’s not? Hyung-seok retired. You two are close, right? Didn’t Hyung-seok tell you?”

“I knew about it. But still, becoming a coach at thirty-one is too early.”

“You mean it’s not strange to become a coach at your age. You should just enjoy yourself until the end of the year and then become a coach. Ah, I’m bored. I have no one to hang out with because you don’t hang out with me.”

“Why do you keep telling me to retire so soon? I’m hurt.”

“Hurt, my foot. What now? Are you trying to come back? Don’t even think about it. If you stand on the mound with that arm again, it’ll be ruined. Hey, don’t you know Sunbae [respected senior] Sung-yong? He still can’t raise his arm above his shoulder. It’s better to quit before your daily life becomes difficult. You’ve already withdrawn your retirement fund, right? With 8 billion won [approximately $6 million USD], you can live comfortably for three generations. What are you clinging to?”

Kim Jung-ryul rested his chin on his hand.

“I do have regrets…”

“You’ve been a star, you’ve gotten a FA [free agent] deal, what regrets could you have?”

Kim Jung-ryul hesitated.

“A championship?”

“A championship? Pfft, you’re joking. What championship?”

“Isn’t it natural for a player to want a championship career? I need to leave a championship record before I retire.”

“Is that even possible? Even if it is, you’re not in a position to go to the majors right now. You have the yips, you’re injured, and your velocity is down.”

Kim Jung-ryul showed his shoulder.

“My shoulder may be messed up, but I can still throw. If the weather gets warmer and my condition improves, I can reach up to 145 km/h [approximately 90 mph].”

“You can’t start, and even if you come out as a reliever, a maximum of 145 km/h means you’ll be struggling to throw 140 km/h [approximately 87 mph]. Is that even possible? I’m not trying to look down on you, but I’m being realistic. You’ll only hurt yourself if you ruin the remaining ligaments and damage your shoulder.”

“Hyung.”

Kim Jung-ryul stood up.

“I know how you feel, Hyung, but I have ambitions too. I have my own gamble.”

“Ha, what gamble?”

“I’m going to try throwing underhand properly. I’m thinking of switching to a submarine pitcher.”

“Underhand? You? Suddenly?”

Coach Yeon Woo-shik raised both hands and scratched his head wildly.

“Ah, seriously. What are you talking about? Why underhand all of a sudden?”

“Underhand puts a lot of stress on the waist and knees, but it puts less stress on the arm. The velocity itself isn’t as important. When I throw underhand, it doesn’t hurt. My control and pitches are good too.”

“You’ve been throwing overhand your whole life, and now you’re going to throw underhand?”

“Yes, I’m confident. Right now, my velocity is in the low 130s km/h [approximately 81 mph]. When the weather gets warmer, it’ll be over 135 km/h [approximately 84 mph].”

“Aish. Jung-ryul, Jung-ryul. My cute Jung-ryul. Why are you being so stubborn all of a sudden? You haven’t had any motivation since you went to the rehab group. You haven’t even played in the minor league games.”

“It’s different now. I’m serious. I’m confident.”

“Suddenly confident… Hooo.”

Yeon Woo-shik straightened his back and sat up straight.

“So that’s why you came? You want me to give you a chance?”

“Yes, please give me a chance. I’m begging you.”

Kim Jung-ryul put his hands together in a pleading gesture.

“Hyung, just once. Just give me one chance. I know it’s been difficult for you because I haven’t been playing, but I really couldn’t throw because of the yips. I can really throw properly now.”

“Hooo, well, it wouldn’t be a problem for Kim Jung-ryul to play in the minors. It’s not that difficult. Is that all you came to ask, groveling like this? What’s the real reason you’re here?”

“And…”

Yeon Woo-shik chuckled.

“See, see? The real intention always comes out later. What? Do you want me to guarantee something?”

“No, it’s not that. Do you know someone named Song Seok-hyun?”

“Song Seok-hyun? Who’s that?”

“He’s a catcher in the rehab group.”

“Ah, really? Is that his name? You mean the guy who hangs out with you, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why him?”

“Could you put him on the minor league team and give him a chance too?”

“Him?”

Yeon Woo-shik immediately shook his head.

“Aish. He’s an undrafted catcher. He’s a high school graduate, right? I might consider a pitcher, but how can I use someone as a catcher who hasn’t been verified even in minor league training?”

“That’s why I’m asking you to include him in the minor league training.”

“How can I put him in the minor league training when he’s already assigned to the rehab group?”

“The rehab group is just a place for troublesome players. Almost everyone has left or retired, so there are only three of us left: me, Seok-hyun, and Young-jin. How can we run a rehab group with just three people? It makes sense to just put us on the minor league team and give us a chance.”

“Aish, don’t even think about it. I can’t get rid of the rehab group. Do you want to take away Coach Jang’s job? Coach Jang is so good at greasing palms all over the team [a Korean expression for being politically savvy and maintaining connections].”

“I’m not saying to get rid of the rehab group, but since there’s nothing wrong with his body, let’s have him participate in the minor league training and see what he can do.”

“Aish, you’re too kind and can’t leave the kids alone, huh? Young-jin is an infielder who keeps injuring his ankle, so how can we use him? And there must be a reason why an undrafted catcher came in as undrafted. Especially a catcher.”

“Even if Young-jin is still in rehab, Seok-hyun is healthy and good. When he was training with me in Japan, he hit two home runs against a SoftBank prospect pitcher. That pitcher was throwing at least 150 km/h [approximately 93 mph].”

One side of Yeon Woo-shik’s lip curled up.

“Don’t lie. Everyone’s throwing 150 km/h these days.”

“Then maybe 145 km/h?”

“Not 125 km/h [approximately 78 mph]?”

“I’m serious. It was 145 km/h. He was a top-level player and was said to be SoftBank’s future closer candidate. The team cherished him, but Seok-hyun beat him up.”

“It was just training, so maybe he was just warming up.”

Kim Jung-ryul sat next to Yeon Woo-shik.

“Hyung, I’m serious. Seok-hyun is the real deal. We need to give him a chance no matter what. Please let him join the minor league training. It’s just training, so what’s the harm? He’s technically a minor league player anyway, so there’s no administrative problem with him playing. He’s already affiliated with the minor league team.”

“Ah, geez.”

Yeon Woo-shik frowned.

“It’s going to be a hassle. There’s a reason why the front office took the kids out of the rehab group. If I say I’m going to use those kids, I might upset the front office, and I have to persuade the manager too. Ha, it’s a hassle. This is going to be a huge hassle.”

“Then how about this? Say you need an exclusive catcher for me. I’m fixing my yips, right? Say I need to work with Seok-hyun because of the yips. Even if I’m past my prime, the front office would want to use me for a few games, right? Since I’m still a high-paid player.”