On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 189

Each time Yu Sun-ho hit the ball, it soared further and further.

5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes.

After hitting all the balls from the pitching machine, he swung at the wall.

He continued doing that for a long time.

It was already past midnight when Yu Sun-ho left Jamsil Stadium.

* * *

The second match against Wales.

Gote faced a major disaster.

Jung Jin-oh, who had been performing well recently and was considered a reliable sixth starter, was pulled in the first inning.

Three home runs in the first inning alone.

Ham Seong-hoon took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

-Gote is having a very rough time, both yesterday and today. The starting pitcher is collapsing right from the start.

-It’s a major disaster. In fact, I see it as a disaster that was bound to happen.

-A disaster that was bound to happen?

-Yes. Didn’t Manager Ham Seong-hoon bring out the sixth starter in the middle of the season? Superficially, he said it was an unavoidable choice for the tired starting pitchers, but don’t other teams know that and push forward with five starters? In the end, five starters are the optimized system. It seems Manager Ham Seong-hoon made such a reckless decision because he lacks experience. It might have worked for a few games by chance, but eventually, this kind of trouble happens.

-But hasn’t Jung Jin-oh been doing well recently?

-They should have rotated such young and inexperienced players from the bullpen first. If they do well in the bullpen, they get promoted to the starting lineup. That’s a virtuous cycle, but he was too impatient. Just because they do well in the minor league doesn’t mean they’ll do well in the major league? I don’t think so.

Kim Na-young, who was watching TV, pressed the mute button.

She frowned deeply.

“Saying this, then saying that. Do those commentators have no backbone? No conviction, no conviction!”

Jung Jin-oh was huddled in a corner of the bench like a sinner.

Sung Jong-hyun, the starting pitcher for Wales, overwhelmed Gote’s lineup with his improved skills.

“……Hoo.”

Ham Seong-hoon sighed as he watched Song Seok-hyun get a walk.

Pitching coach Yeon Woo-shik said.

“It seems Director Song has given clear instructions to avoid our cleanup hitters [the strongest hitters in the batting order] at all costs.”

“This kind of tactic isn’t new, but I didn’t expect us to struggle this much against Wales.”

“……I hesitate to say this, but wouldn’t these kinds of games inevitably happen during the season? Don’t be too disheartened.”

“Thank you for your words. It’s unavoidable, but it still hurts.”

Gote scored 5 points in the game, which wasn’t bad, but Wales scored 8, resulting in an 8-5 victory for Wales.

That evening.

Articles criticizing Ham Seong-hoon flooded the internet.

[A sixth starter that doesn’t exist in the US or Japan. Manager Ham Seong-hoon’s persistence? Stubbornness?]

[Gote has no alternative besides the KS Po [Korean Series Postseason]. Criticism pours in for Manager Ham Seong-hoon, who made no preparations throughout the season]

[Four games behind Pegasus. Is Gote’s first place out of reach?]

[Gote’s popularity takes a hit. A certain commentator said: Teams that are meant to fall will fall]

Ace Pitcher

Angry Whale (3)

“Isn’t the club stopping this kind of thing?”

Ham Seong-hoon’s wife nagged him from morning.

The sports articles constantly pouring out from TV, newspapers, and the internet were irritating her.

“If you get so worked up over things like that, you’ll die of frustration.”

Ham Seong-hoon’s wife raised her voice in response.

“It’s only two losses. Why are you tormenting people so much over two losses? Is losing the game all your fault? They lose because the players aren’t performing.”

“Why else would a manager be a manager? They’re a manager to take responsibility. Don’t say things like that outside.”

“I don’t talk about this stuff outside. I only talk to you about it.”

His wife pouted.

Ham Seong-hoon changed his clothes and finished getting ready to leave.

“Are you leaving early again?”

“There are only twenty games left. I need to tighten things up.”

“It’s like the club doesn’t appreciate how hard you work, just because you weren’t their pick for manager.”

“Even if I was their pick, these kinds of articles would be constantly popping up at the end of the season. Once you start having that victim mentality, there’s no end to it. And, ultimately, I’m fine.”

“Your mental fortitude is something else.”

“Didn’t you always say you liked how dependable I am?”

“You’re such a bear.”

“Roar.”

“That’s a tiger.”

“What sound does a bear make?”

His wife rolled her eyes and pondered.

“Gom-gom? [Korean onomatopoeia for a bear’s growl]”

“……Ha, hahaha. Gom-gom. That’s funny.”

“You laughed late.”

“I’m always a beat behind. Oh, I’m late. I’m leaving.”

* * *

Ham Seong-hoon arrived at Jamsil a little after lunchtime.

On his way to the manager’s office, a front office employee greeted him.

“You’re here?”

“Yes, hello. Are you going to lunch?”

“Yes, I’m heading out now. Have you eaten, Manager?”

“I ate already. Enjoy your meal.”

Just as Ham Seong-hoon was about to pass the employee, the employee spoke.

“Oh, but Fish is already here.”

“Fish is?”

“Yes. He seemed to be heading to the practice field.”

Fish wasn’t in the practice field but on the stadium.

He was running alone in Jamsil Stadium.

When Ham Seong-hoon appeared on the field, Fish approached him.

“Hello, Boss.”

“Hello, Fish.”

Ham Seong-hoon spoke to Fish in English.

“It’s still early. Why are you here already?”

“I woke up too early.”

“Couldn’t sleep?”

“I got some sleep. About six hours?”

“Aren’t you tired? Is your condition good today?”

Fish showed off his bicep.

“I’m always in the best condition. Today too.”

“What were you doing here? Running?”

“I was running to sweat a little.”

“You’re starting today. Is it okay to use up your energy?”

“Having too much energy is the problem. Hoo.”

Ham Seong-hoon chuckled.

“You seem nervous? Are you feeling a lot of pressure?”

“I don’t feel any pressure. It’s just another game I play every day.”

“Is it a sense of responsibility as an ace? Take it easy. You’re not checking the news, are you?”

“……Well, a little?”

Ham Seong-hoon laughed loudly.

“Who’s translating the news for you? The interpreter?”

“They answer when I ask.”

“I guess I told you too honestly. Don’t worry about the Korean media. They’re usually a bit harsh. They have to be to get views. Just listen with one ear and let it out the other. If you worry about that stuff, even things that would have worked won’t work.”

“It’s a bit…… harsh. I don’t understand why they’re criticizing you so much when it’s not your fault.”

“Isn’t it the same in America?”

“America……. Major League is harsh too. But this is Korea. Everyone seems to be quite polite, but the media is not at all.”

“The media is the same everywhere. They just throw whatever they want to throw. What are you worried about? Your contract is confirmed for next year anyway. You’re the ace of Jamsil. What’s there to worry about?”

Fish hesitated for a moment.

“Actually, it’s not about my performance or salary.”

“Then what is it?”

“Um. Um…… I want to play with you next year too, Boss. On this team that you lead. It’s fun, the Gote team. Right now, it really feels like my team.”

Ham Seong-hoon rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“Next year is just next year. Don’t worry too much about it. If we have a good relationship, we can play together next year too.”

“I really hope so.”

The two couldn’t make eye contact and looked away.

Fish spoke first.

“Then I’ll run a little more.”

“Okay. Don’t run too much.”

“Okay, Boss.”

Ham Seong-hoon also turned and headed to the manager’s office.

“I thought he was just hot-tempered, but he’s unexpected.”

The corners of Ham Seong-hoon’s lips twitched.

* * *

The last game of the weekend series against Wales.

Neither team scored a single point through the first five innings.

Fish played his role as an ace perfectly, and left-handed fireballer Gu In-seon intimidated left-handed batters with his sharper fastball and slider.

Lee Ji-sung, Kim In-hwan, and Yu Sun-ho, the three left-handed batters, suffered the humiliation of only getting one walk combined in five innings.

With the left-handed batters helpless, Wales thoroughly avoided Song Seok-hyun.

It was obvious that Gote’s scoring power would decrease if their cleanup hitters were quiet.

The hitters on both teams were getting impatient in the tight pitching duel.

“Has his control suddenly gotten better?”

Yu Sun-ho tilted his head at Kim In-hwan’s question.

“It seems a little better, but I don’t think it’s gotten that much better.”

“I’m going crazy because I can’t see In-seon’s pitches at all.”

“I’m about to go crazy too. I can’t hit the ball at all. He’s a grim reaper to left-handed batters, a grim reaper.”

At that moment, hitting coach Kang Yeon-tae approached.

“Alright, alright, gather around.”

Kang Yeon-tae made eye contact with the players and said.

“In-seon has thrown seventy-one pitches. At this pace, he can go until the 7th or 8th inning. Everyone’s too impatient. We’ve only lost two games. Why is everyone so impatient?”

The players didn’t answer.

“During the game, let’s only think about this game. Don’t think about the pennant race [the competition to win the league]. If you try to win by force, it’ll only backfire. Look at today. Why are you being so aggressive against In-seon? Don’t you know he has bad control? Even if you strike out, you have to wait and hit. Why do you keep swinging when you know that?”

“Sorry…….”

“In-seon is in good condition right now. Don’t think about getting a hit, just build up the pressure. Give up strikeouts and get walks. Got it? Stick close to the plate. In-seon has a bad temper, but he hates hitting batters. Let’s stick to the basics, got it?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, hands in. One, two, three.”

“Gote, let’s go!”

Top of the 6th inning.

Wales’ batting order started with leadoff hitter Lee Jae-hoon.

“Wales has a good batting order. It starts with the leadoff hitter.”

“If Lee Jae-hoon gets on base, he can shake up Fish. He’s a player who steals 40 bases every year.”

“But Fish is no pushover either. The Wales batters haven’t been able to do anything today.”

Song Seok-hyun called for a pitch inside to Fish.

Fish’s pitch was right down the middle, but Lee Jae-hoon missed the timing and hit a ground ball.

The ball rolled straight to the shortstop.

“The shortstop fields it and throws to first. The first baseman missed it! The ball was high. First baseman Kim In-hwan jumped to catch it, but his foot came off the base as he landed, safe, he’s safe.”

“Jung Young-soo, the shortstop, was too hasty just now when he could have handled it calmly. Lee Jae-hoon’s speed made him think he had to throw it quickly.”

“Gote is fortunate that Lee Jae-hoon didn’t get to second, but they’re facing a fast runner on first.”

Jung Young-soo looked at Fish and Kim In-hwan and signaled that he was sorry.

Fish patted his chest, signaling that it was okay.

“Fast runner Lee Jae-hoon is on first, and Kim Jae-hong, who has both power and speed, is at the plate. That’s Wales’ scoring route, right? The combination play of two national team outfielders is spectacular.”

“Usually, pitchers throw outside fastballs when a fast runner is on base, right? Pitchers sometimes mix in a changeup on purpose, but in the end, they can’t help but rely on outside fastballs. Kim Jae-hong needs to time the ball well.”

Fish’s first pitch was an outside fastball.

-Ball. Outside.

It was a bit outside.

Lee Jae-hoon on first base slowly moved his feet.

The second pitch was an outside changeup.

Kim Jae-hong swung and missed, and Lee Jae-hoon ran to second.

Paat!

As soon as Song Seok-hyun caught the ball, he stood up and threw it.

The second baseman ran in and reached out his glove to catch it.

Just as Lee Jae-hoon stretched out his hand to steal second base, the second baseman’s glove blocked him.

-Out!

“Out! He’s out. Lee Jae-hoon failed to steal the base.”

“The timing was good. It looks like a hit-and-run was called, but Song Seok-hyun reacted quickly.”

“It seems he has the best arm in the league for a reason. Lee Jae-hoon seemed to have a good start, but it turns into a clear out.”

“Fish’s quick motion is a bit slow, but Song Seok-hyun’s quick pop time makes up for it. This will make Fish feel more secure again, right?”

Fish gave Song Seok-hyun a thumbs up.

Song Seok-hyun made an okay sign with his fingers.

Fish got Kim Jae-hong to fly out to center field and then struck out the next batter.

Fish, who came down from the mound, held out his fist to Song Seok-hyun.

“Nice play, rookie.”

“Thank you.”

Bottom of the 6th inning.

Gote’s attack started with Kim In-hwan.

Gu In-seon frowned as he warmed up and saw Kim In-hwan sticking close to the plate.

The result was a walk.