On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 67

“Still, that kid’s got real potential. Coach Ham, polish him up, and he’ll be a great asset to our Manager Ham.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Rising High as a Catcher

Entering Jamsil

That evening.

Song Seok-hyun packed his bags and headed home.

His mother was surprised and a little confused by his unexpected appearance.

“What’s going on? What’s with the luggage? Did they cut you from the team?”

Song Seok-hyun put down his luggage and smiled brightly.

“Mom! I’m going to work in Jamsil starting tomorrow! I made it to the first team!”

* * *

Dinner was a pork belly [Samgyeopsal] party.

His mother grilled the meat and placed it on Song Seok-hyun’s rice bowl. Song Seok-hyun, in turn, put it back on his younger sibling’s and mother’s bowls, making a wrap [Ssam – a Korean dish where cooked rice and other ingredients are wrapped in lettuce or other leafy vegetables].

“Here, try this.”

“Oh, you. How embarrassing.”

“Come on, we eat like this on days like these. Eat up.”

His mother reluctantly put the wrap in her mouth.

Song Seok-hyun wiped the water from his hands on his pants.

“Well, it might be too early to say this, but our family’s finally catching a break. Just my salary alone is enough for the three of us to live comfortably. I can even save some money from time to time.”

“That’s really a relief, a relief. If you can earn money this quickly, you’ll be able to pay off your seniors’ debts quickly, right?”

“Yeah, I have to pay them back. We’ve already spent quite a bit on hospital bills and stuff, right?”

“Well… yes. After settling the debts from Mom’s business, we didn’t really spend much on ourselves, but a lot of money is gone.”

“Then I won’t be able to pay it back right away… I’ll pay it back as I can afford it once I get my salary.”

“You should. Even if it was lent out of goodwill, it’s good to pay back borrowed money quickly.”

Song Seok-hyun stroked his younger sibling’s head.

“You just focus on studying hard now. I’ll somehow get you through college.”

“I’ll take care of college myself. You shouldn’t get too excited about going to the first team and focus on doing well.”

“You little punk. You’re already talking like an adult.”

His mother said.

“So, you’ll be commuting from here starting tomorrow?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“That’s good, that’s good. Now that Mom is home, I’ll take good care of you. I couldn’t take care of you properly when you were in school because of work.”

“There’s nothing to take care of. I’m all grown up now. Just eat well and sleep well. Mom, take care of yourself. Are you doing your rehab consistently?”

“Of course. Nayoung makes sure to go with me every time she goes to the hospital. So, even if I want to skip it, can I?”

“Ah… is that so?”

Song Seok-hyun ate some soybean paste stew [Doenjang-jjigae].

“Nayoung must be busy studying, but she’s so kind. She’s been sensible and kind since she was little, and she’s still so upright even now.”

“Well, Nayoung has always been like that.”

“Make sure to thank Nayoung. You don’t contact your friends much these days, do you?”

“I’m busy too, and it’s hard to meet up, so I can’t do it like I used to. It’s not like I’m deliberately avoiding them.”

“Still, friends are assets, assets. See Minam and Youngshik often. Buy Nayoung something delicious too.”

“I bought her something last time, why do I have to buy her something again?”

“I mean see her often.”

After finishing the meal, Song Seok-hyun went outside and sat on the stairs.

Song Seok-hyun had a baseball in his hand.

“Hyung [Older brother or male friend],”

Song Cheol-hyun sat next to Song Seok-hyun.

“Why did you come out?”

“What about you?”

“I just wanted to get some air.”

“Me too.”

“Geez, how boring.”

Song Cheol-hyun snatched the baseball from Song Seok-hyun’s hand.

“Didn’t you contact your other hyungs and noonas [Older sister or female friend]? It’s hyung’s first team debut, why don’t you meet up and talk about it today?”

“It’s just the first team in name only; it’ll be a while before I get to play. It’ll be embarrassing if I brag to them and then get sent back down to the second team without even playing a game.”

“Still… you should at least tell Noona Nayoung.”

“It’s okay. I’m going on an away trip starting tomorrow anyway. I’ll see them after the away trip.”

“They must be disappointed, your hyungs and noona.”

“I’ll contact them tomorrow. I have to let them know I made it to the first team.”

“Hyung, you can’t play tomorrow?”

“I probably won’t be able to play tomorrow… I’m the third catcher. Would the backup’s backup play right away?”

“Okay, but I’ll still look forward to it tomorrow.”

“You just study. Even if I come out tomorrow, I’ll only come out as a pinch hitter; are you going to skip studying because of that? No way, you.”

Song Cheol-hyun clenched the baseball tightly.

“Would Dad be happy if hyung wins against the Phoenixes?”

“He should be. His son won.”

“A Phoenix fan might play his first game against the Phoenixes.”

“That would be interesting in its own way.”

Song Seok-hyun got up from his seat.

“My butt’s cold. Let’s get up.”

“Okay.”

Song Cheol-hyun also got up.

“Hyung, you need to sleep early, right?”

“Yeah, I’m supposed to train with the seniors starting tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll go with you tomorrow for the first time in a while.”

“Will that be possible?”

* * *

The next morning.

Song Seok-hyun packed his bags and headed to Jamsil.

Kim Jung-ryul and Kim In-hwan were waiting in front of the parking lot.

“Hello!”

Kim Jung-ryul waved his hand as Song Seok-hyun greeted him brightly.

“Wow, I didn’t know we’d meet again this quickly.”

“Me too. I didn’t think I’d get to the first team this quickly…”

Song Seok-hyun looked at Jamsil Stadium with tearful eyes.

The largest baseball stadium in Korea.

The sacred ground of the Korean Series.

The heart of Seoul baseball.

“First of all, congratulations on making it to the first team.”

Kim In-hwan patted Song Seok-hyun on the shoulder.

“Thank you, hyung.”

“But Seok-hyun, there’s something you need to know.”

“What is it?”

“The team’s in a mess right now. The atmosphere is grim. You need to know that before you go in.”

“Why is the team atmosphere like that?”

Kim Jung-ryul stepped forward.

“There will probably be an article about it today or tomorrow. Our team’s first baseman was caught drunk driving.”

“…How much did he drink?”

“License revoked. The club will probably bench him for the season.”

“If it’s the first baseman, that would be Senior Choi Daegyu…”

“That’s why In-hwan got called up.”

Kim In-hwan scratched the back of his head.

“I feel kind of sorry.”

“Did you see the photos circulating online?”

“What photos?”

“You didn’t see them? Photos of Nakkyun and Munkyu.”

“No. What are they?”

“Did the club already delete them…?”

Kim In-hwan said.

“It’s possible that Nakkyun hyung and Munkyu hyung’s lawyers stepped in.”

“Are their connections that good…? Oh, anyway, Nakkyun and Munkyu also went to the second team this time. They caused an accident.”

“Was it a big accident?”

“I don’t know for sure right now. They were caught partying wildly at a club. They’ll probably keep their heads down and wait until things calm down.”

“You’re talking about Senior Lee Nakkyun and Senior Kang Munkyu, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. Our team’s third baseman and right fielder.”

“Wow, then all of our FA [Free Agent] hitters are gone, aren’t they?”

“That’s right. I thought Nakkyun and Munkyu were always like that, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they caused an accident, but I didn’t expect Daegyu to drunk drive; he’s usually so quiet.”

“If three starting hitters are gone, the atmosphere must be serious.”

“The coach changed too. Our team’s second team coaches came up to the first team, and the first team coaches went down to the second team.”

Song Seok-hyun shook his head.

“Wow, so much has changed?”

“The manager changed, the coaches changed, the players changed; it’s a mess, a mess.”

“I think I came up at a bad time. The atmosphere is not good…”

“You’re a rookie, so it’s unlikely that things will spread to you, but still, be careful with your actions and words.”

“Yes. Be careful with my actions and words.”

“Let’s go for now. The guys will come to work in the afternoon, right? Before that, you should look around the stadium and say hello to the front office guys. It’s rude for a rookie to come right on time.”

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

Song Seok-hyun followed Kim Jung-ryul around, looking around every corner of the stadium.

Jamsil was a stadium used by both the Goats and the Wolves.

Kim Jung-ryul, with his wide circle of acquaintances, introduced Song Seok-hyun to the Wolves staff as well.

“Post Jung Yongwook, Song Seok-hyun! Don’t forget him! He’s going to cause a big accident [make a big impact].”

The players began to appear one by one, just in time for lunch after touring the stadium.

Kim Jung-ryul once again took the lead in introducing Song Seok-hyun to the players.

“Changhoon!”

“Yo, Minseok!”

“Seokjoo’s here?”

“Donggyu!”

“Round and round, our Jaewan~.”

Kim Jung-ryul knew every player, and there wasn’t a player he wasn’t close to.

Song Seok-hyun was introduced to all the players on the team, and he introduced himself as well.

“And here… our home madam [referring to his position as the main catcher]! Park Sineon!”

Kim Jung-ryul pointed to Park Sineon.

The Goats’ starting catcher.

He was overshadowed by Jung Yongwook and played the role of the second-in-command, but he was considered the best defensive catcher.

Although he was a defensive catcher, he was also a hitter who hit above average.

“Did Jungryul take drugs today? He’s so hyper.”

“Take a good look. This is our rookie catcher and Post Jung Yongwook, Song Seok-hyun.”

“Oh, Post Jung Yongwook?”

Park Sineon laughed heartily and held out his hand to Song Seok-hyun.

“I see another junior walking a difficult path. You’re going through a lot too.”

“No, I’m happy to be a catcher.”

“Oh, look at his hand. Your palm is thick. You must catch the ball well?”

Park Sineon examined Song Seok-hyun’s hand.

“Your fingers are long too.”

“He used to be a pitcher. He switched to catcher in high school.”

“A pitcher to a catcher?”

Park Sineon looked at Song Seok-hyun with a curious expression.

“You’re a funny guy. So how long have you been a catcher?”

“This is my third year.”

“Three years? Three years?”

Kim Jung-ryul answered instead.

“He’s twenty years old. He joined this year.”

“Twenty years old?”

Park Sineon scanned Song Seok-hyun up and down with a curious expression.

“Jihwan didn’t come up, and you came up instead?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right.”

“Not even three years since joining, but three years as a catcher… the first team is too early.”

Song Seok-hyun swallowed hard.

Kim Jung-ryul tapped Park Sineon on the shoulder.

“His basics are surprisingly good? And above all, his power is the real deal. Other than Inhwan, he’s definitely number 2 in power on our team.”

“So you’re an offensive catcher. I understand now. Jihwan is also on the defensive side, and Ilhyeok and I are also on the defensive side, so we need one offensive catcher TO [to complete the roster].”

“You should teach him well in the future. He’s perfect as your successor!”

“Successor?”

Park Sineon looked at Song Seok-hyun and smiled.

“We’ll see about that.”

“You’re being coy.”

The next person Kim Jung-ryul introduced was Seo Ilhyeok.

The Goats’ backup catcher and defensive catcher.

“Ilhyeok, are you busy?”

“No. Why?”

“Introduce yourself to our youngest. You haven’t seen him before, have you, our youngest?”

“No, what’s your name?”

“Hello? I’m Song Seok-hyun, and I’m a catcher.”