Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 132

Pitcher Done, Batter Up – 131

“Shouldn’t I start training now? I feel like a bum, and it’s not a great feeling. Or is the preparation not ready yet?”

“After running like crazy, you should rest well. That’s how you can train better.”

“Yeah, yeah, so you can play well next season and win the World Series.”

At Mark’s words, Lee Jung-woo shook his head, looking fed up, and leaned back on the sofa.

He felt that the long-awaited rest was very sweet, but it was *too* sweet. His body was itching for action. He had been running non-stop before the regression, and even more so after it, so perhaps that’s why he felt that way even more.

[After 12 years, the Boston Red Sox ascend to the World Series throne!]

The TV was showing a program that edited the highlights of the previous World Series.

Lee Jung-woo watched the screen filled with Red Sox players shouting with joyful faces, a hint of regret in his eyes.

‘I wish we had gone up there. We wouldn’t have been crushed like that… No, no. It’s ridiculous to grumble when we couldn’t even get there.’

Even as he thought that, Lee Jung-woo chugged cold water as if his throat was burning. He couldn’t help but feel a deep regret.

Because the ultimate stage of the World Series was shimmering right before his eyes.

‘The undefeated streak became a poison.’

The Braves’ postseason run was literally unstoppable.

The San Francisco Giants, led by their great ace, collapsed in the Wild Card series.

The Philadelphia Phillies, boasting the best winning percentage in the National League and a strong contender for the championship, were brutally crushed.

And the Los Angeles Dodgers. Even that prestigious team, at least in the National League, was brutally defeated in the first game by the outstanding pitching of ace Mason Looper.

‘Up to the second game, it was perfect. Until then, it was confidence and a winning mentality. The problem was after that.’

The Dodgers’ starting pitcher in the NLCS [National League Championship Series] Game 2, Aidan Styles, was torn apart as everyone expected. He gave up 4 RBIs [Runs Batted In] to Lee Jung-woo, who was the only one who said it would be a bad matchup unless he increased his number of pitches, and was taken off the mound. Maintaining their momentum, the Braves thoroughly crushed the subsequent pitchers one by one.

So, they won the second game with a landslide victory of 8-2.

Everything was good up to this point. The problem started in the third game.

The overwhelming winning streak created a winning mentality that they would never lose. It armed the Braves with solid confidence, but the moment it crossed a certain line, it transformed everything into arrogance.

It started to feel easy. The postseason, which they had tasted for the first time in a long time, or perhaps for the first time ever, felt easy to the Braves players.

‘I was the same. Even while pretending to be experienced, I was careless. Stupidly.’

Once shaken, the mindset was ruined to the point where it could never be recovered. By the time they realized it, the series was already over.

After two wins, the Braves were brutally defeated in the Championship Series with four consecutive losses, just like the previous opponents they had crushed.

As a result, Lee Jung-woo and the Braves watched other people’s parties on the TV screen, just like now.

‘It’s still a shame. If at least I had come to my senses back then, would the result have been different?’

The defeat was very bitter. The disappointment was even deeper because the Dodgers, who went up, were crushed 4-0.

Lee Jung-woo, who had been drinking water for no reason, shook his head. Regret should end here. The season is already over. The result will not change.

Now it was time to prepare for the next one.

‘There won’t be a second time. If there is another chance, I won’t leave any regrets like now.’

Firm determination flashed in Lee Jung-woo’s eyes as he turned off the TV. He asked Mark.

“How much of the training preparation is done?”

“It’s almost done. You can start right after you come back from Korea. But aren’t you overdoing it? I mean, you even won Rookie of the Year overwhelmingly.”

Mark gave him a worried look. He had even won the NL [National League] Rookie of the Year. As his agent and supporter, he was very pleased with his unwillingness to settle.

On the other hand, it felt too excessive. Already, Lee Jung-woo was at a level that was considered one of the best in the major leagues just by his value. He wasn’t just a ‘superstar in the making’ that was often attached to rising stars. He was already a superstar. His skills were beyond question.

But he’s aiming for another leap forward here? Not just a simple improvement, but something more? Mark thought. If this were to be known externally, even he, as his agent, would not hear good things.

Perhaps Pratt, the general manager who cares so much about Lee Jung-woo, might run over barefoot and grab his pants leg. He didn’t want to see that, so Mark made a subtle expression. But Lee Jung-woo’s words moved him.

“I’m happy to receive the ROY [Rookie of the Year award], but are you going to end it with just that?”

“What?”

“If you pursue safety, you can protect it, but there is no progress. I don’t want to be satisfied with just this much. Now that I’ve come this far, I have to aim for the next level, and even beyond that.”

Mark was momentarily speechless, but he couldn’t hide his smile.

“However, there is no change in taking as much rest as possible. You *must* rest.”

Even so, he subtly made Lee Jung-woo, who was trying to get up from the sofa, sit down again obediently. Development was important, but rest was more precious to Lee Jung-woo right now.

####

After the season ended, Lee Jung-woo, who had been holed up in his house like a retiree to recover from his physical fatigue, set out on a trip to Korea.

It was to stop by before the full-scale reorganization, training, and season preparation. He wouldn’t have time after a little more time passed.

‘If I don’t even come to Korea after playing in the Asian Games, I probably won’t hear good things.’

Perhaps all sorts of things will be said, such as he ignores his country now that he’s been exempted from military service, or that he doesn’t come to Korea because it doesn’t make money.

He doesn’t particularly care, but he didn’t want such things to reach his parents’ ears.

Lee Jung-woo, who visited Korea again, just hung out with his family and acquaintances and enjoyed a light vacation.

“Sigh, the food industry has a high unit price…”

“Isn’t the unit price enough with a sponsorship deal?”

“Well, that’s true. If you’re uncomfortable, okay. I’ll cancel everything. Well, as you said, what we signed in the United States is enough.”

Of course, he worked.

He knew that in order for Mark and the agency to be maintained and to receive help like now, a minimum amount of capital circulation was necessary.

After the season, Lee Jung-woo had personal sponsorship deals and game advertisement shoots that Mark had carefully selected.

In Korea, he also had simple CF [Commercial Film] shoots. There were many places that called him.

The moment Lee Jung-woo’s entry into the country was known, Mark’s cell phone rang non-stop, and there were many places looking for him.

It was a bit excessive attention, but it was natural.

Lee Jung-woo was currently the hottest sports star in Korea, across all sports.

First of all, he was the first Korean to win the Major League Rookie of the Year.

Unlike in the past, when he was simply a candidate, he actually won the award. Moreover, he received almost unanimous votes.

And he didn’t know it well, but according to Mark, the sight of Koreans playing in the MLB [Major League Baseball] postseason gave a big shock.

It was also important that he maintained his stamina until the end and showed a good performance.

As a result, the interest in him was beyond words. In fact, Lee Jung-woo received similar reactions from many people.

“Uh… uh, Lee Jung-woo?”

“Yes, that’s me. Should I sign for you?”

“I, I don’t have any memo paper right now… No, more than that, a picture, I wonder if a picture would be okay…”

Most people, men and women, recognized him and asked for autographs or pictures.

Especially when he occasionally encountered baseball fans, Lee Jung-woo even felt like he had become Medusa in Greek mythology.

“L- L- Lee- Lee Jung-woo!”

If he happened to make eye contact, they would freeze like stone.

In that way, Lee Jung-woo, who definitely felt the feeling of being a star, said goodbye to his last vacation in Korea. He got back on the plane.

“Don’t you need to rest more?”

“It’s enough. I’ve made enough money; now I really have to do my job.”

“He said the preparations are all done. The people are gathered well too.”

“That’s a relief.”

Lee Jung-woo, who nodded, looked out the plane window. The destination was Florida, Miami, just like last year.

However, as Lee Jung-woo’s position changed, so did the preparations.

####

“I’m Ryan Marks, who will be in charge of Lee’s physical training during the off-season. Haha, I’ve prepared a thorough diet as you requested. Be prepared.”

“I’m sports doctor Rosa Flemmens, who will be in charge of Mr. Lee’s physical checkup and fatigue recovery. You should know that a medical test will be conducted before training.”

Not only the familiar hitting trainer, Andrew Lavin, but also numerous trainers and experts.

Lee Jung-woo greeted each and every one of them. His expectations rose little by little.

He felt strangely proud. It felt like a team was formed just for him. No, it wasn’t just a feeling, it actually was.

‘It’s luxurious. At this point, I’m not envious of any superstars. Well, it was very luxurious for a minor leaguer last year too.’

It goes without saying that it was unusual for a Single A player to hire a personal hitting trainer, find a professional GYM, and train while staying in an expensive rental house.

Compared to now, that was also shabby.

‘This is why people spend money.’

Each and every one of them is talented in their respective fields, so a considerable amount of money will be spent, but Lee Jung-woo was not worried. That’s why he had sponsorship deals and advertisement shoots.

His non-stop rising value made this luxury light, so what Lee Jung-woo is focusing on now is not money, but improvement.

“I look forward to working with you.”

Now it’s the end of November.

There are only about 3 months left until the next exhibition game, but Lee Jung-woo was not worried.

He will become stronger.

Much more.

####

As sports doctor Rosa Flemmens said, Lee Jung-woo first underwent a comprehensive examination. He also did a simple test. Not just to see or feel it on the outside, but to know his exact physical condition.

“Good, no, it’s more than that. The number of games you played this year is enormous. Your recovery speed is fast.”

Rosa Flemmens looked at Lee Jung-woo as if she was amazed. The number of games he played this year was enormous.

From ABL [Arizona Fall League]-exhibition game-Double A-Major-Postseason.

If you add them all up, it’s practically the same as playing a full season for an ordinary player, or even more, but his body is still fine, which tells us that his body is not ordinary.

“Muscle quality, muscle density, vital capacity. Especially the skeletal muscle is very good. Ligaments and cartilage are also strong, even considering your young age.”

Lee Jung-woo already knew that his body, except for his right shoulder, was strong to the point of being solid, but it felt different to hear it directly from a doctor.

He was strangely happy, but on the other hand, it was funny that he had failed so miserably despite being born with such a body.

‘Well, that’s not going to happen anymore. I just have to keep running forward.’

Mark was relieved a little after Lee Jung-woo received a good evaluation in the physical examination. From then on, full-scale training began.

“As Lee requested, we have prepared a cycle and diet that can build stamina while maintaining your current physique. Is that enough?”

“Yes, that’s enough.”

First of all, physical training was to maintain or repair the current state. You might wonder what I’m talking about after talking about improvement, but Lee Jung-woo thought that his body itself was suitable now.

‘If I maintain fat and increase muscle here, my body will become too big. Then it will be difficult to defend as a shortstop. Increasing fat even more is the same.’

Of course, there were also preparations to increase speed, endurance, and power by slightly increasing muscle density, but there was no massive bulk-up like last year.

If he laid the foundation with physical training, he also supplemented his defense a little more.

“Frankly speaking, there is no room for Lee to develop further in defense.”

The trainer looked at him with eyes that he didn’t understand why he was hired. Lee Jung-woo’s defense was already at the highest level, to the point where people were saying that he was scheduled to win a Gold Glove.

But he also had work to do. Even with perfect defense, there were elements to develop further.

“However, we can make the process of taking the ball out of the glove a little faster so that we can throw the ball at a faster timing.”

Even though he was injured, he had completed rehabilitation for the time being. He was a pitcher, so his accuracy was excellent. In most cases, he also had a running start, so his speed was not very slow.

But it could go beyond that decent level. It is to shorten the time it takes from catching to throwing.

If he aimed for a little more improvement in defense, the last hitting aimed for evolution beyond improvement.

“Frankly speaking, I already think Lee’s hitting is good, but… if you want to develop further, I have to help you. In fact, there are some shortcomings.”

“You can definitely get better. You can see it if you look at the data I prepared.”

If the familiar hitting trainer Andrew Lavin looked at Lee Jung-woo with a determined look,

A sports scientist named Hank Riley looked excited as if he wanted to start working right away. Like when he first met Andrew Lavin, Mark looked at him with disapproval. But Lee Jung-woo willingly reached out his hand.

“I will work hard.”

That’s how another evolution began.