Peaceful Bullpen Life [EN]: Chapter 76

[Exclusive] Wonha signs Kang Seong-hyun, a 4-year deal worth 9.5 billion.

Wonha Challengers has pulled off another major deal following last year’s massive contract with Kim Han-wool.

…Omitted…

Meanwhile, although they successfully completed the contract with Kang Seong-hyun this year, Wonha Challengers fans will likely continue to worry.

Key players who will become free agents at the end of next season include the team’s second starting pitcher, Han Kyu-jin, and shortstop Lee Myung-jin, and major players are expected to continue to become free agents in the years after that.

* * *

Seong-hyun stayed with the team without a hitch.

That guy, riding the wave of high hitting and low pitching, juiced up on FA-roid [referring to performance enhancements due to becoming a free agent], and his performance this season was amazing.

Not just challenging for the league MVP, but at a level where even if he stole it, it would be 인정 [acknowledged/accepted].

However, the person in question, with a batting average of 0.322/0.413/0.568, 26 home runs, over 80 RBIs, and even 12 stolen bases…

“I don’t even expect it. I have that much conscience.”

The competition is too strong.

“Park Hae-jin, that guy is a real monster.”

0.363/0.444/0.698, 51 home runs, 143 RBIs.

Even if he were a full-time designated hitter, wouldn’t that be a performance worthy of the MVP?

“Spill the tea. What’s he like?”

“Ah… he’s…”

A look of disgust. If Seong-hyun, of all people, is making that face, what could he be like?

“…Hyung [older brother/male friend], you’re close with Wooseok hyung, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t you hear anything from Wooseok hyung?”

– He’s a genius, works his ass off, and enjoys it.

Wooseok’s one-line review of Park Hae-jin.

“Ah, seriously. That. That’s it.”

We were entering the hall, each of us expressing the feelings we had about Park Hae-jin.

The unnecessarily fancy suit was really uncomfortable. I adjusted the jacket I wanted to throw off right away.

“Hyung.”

“What.”

“Don’t you want to win the championship?”

Suddenly?

The thought that he was talking nonsense made me turn my head to the right.

The profile of him muttering while looking straight ahead looked quite serious.

“Is there anyone who doesn’t want to do that?”

“If we’re going to do it, we have to catch Park Hae-jin. Seriously.”

“I know.”

“No, listen to me.”

Why do I always get scolded by this younger brother?

“What do you think when I’m at bat?”

“When I look at you? I just think… you’ll take care of it?”

“Similar. When Park Hae-jin is on the same team, it’s really, really reassuring. I feel like even if I don’t hit well, he’ll take care of everything, so the pressure disappears. I feel comfortable.”

“…I guess so.”

“First, we have to take him down.”

Taking down Park Hae-jin…

“Whatever happens, we’re going to meet him. If we want to be first in the regular season, if we want to win the Korean Series [championship series of the KBO], eventually, we’ll meet Park Hae-jin. Think about it carefully then.”

“…Okay.”

By the time the story was over, we had arrived in front of the sign with my and Seong-hyun’s names on it. The white tablecloth on the round table looked quite luxurious.

“Ah, hello.”

“Han-wool, long time no see. Seong-hyun too.”

The 2018 KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] League Awards Ceremony.

I, who had already secured the Hold King title a long time ago, was scheduled to receive a trophy, and Seong-hyun attended as a supporting player in the MVP voting.

The most boring MVP vote ever.

Seong-hyun is one of those extras.

After watching an unexpected idol’s congratulatory performance for a while, announcer Kwon Myung-hoon, who I was now familiar with, appeared as the host.

The progress that shows the years of experience. It was such a place that made me laugh when I watched it because he had wit.

First, awards were given to players in the Futures League [KBO’s minor league].

The seniors’ support for the players who will lead Korean baseball in the near future, or 10 years from now, was great.

They showed confidence, receiving enthusiastic cheers from their seniors or direct competitors, as well as encouragement from hardcore fans of Korean baseball.

‘I’m going to the first team soon.’

I could see that determination in their eyes. I don’t know much about living in the second team, but from my point of view, it was an atmosphere that gave me goosebumps and even made me feel fear for the future.

After that, the awards ceremony for the pitcher category, after the rookie of the year in the first team. The first thing that was named was the awards ceremony for the Hold King.

Since the award was based on facts that everyone could know, not a vote, there was no boring candidate announcement or time-wasting.

“Yes, the next award is given to the best bullpen pitcher who always struggles between the starting and finishing pitchers. That’s the Hold King, Wonha Challengers’ pitcher Kim Han-wool. Congratulations!”

At Kwon Myung-hoon’s announcement, majestic music was played in the hall for no reason.

As I got up from my seat and headed to the stage, a pretty woman next to Kwon Myung-hoon briefly introduced my performance this year.

“Wonha Challengers’ Kim Han-wool appeared in 57 games in the 2018 season and pitched for 63 and 2/3 innings, with an average ERA [Earned Run Average] of 1.26, the only one in the league in the 1-point range. After winning the Hold King title with 35 holds last season, he also recorded a whopping 40 holds this year, magnificently decorating his first year of his FA [Free Agent] contract.”

Just as those words ended, I went up on the stage, received the trophy from a high-ranking official of the KBO, and completed the handshake.

“Now, let’s hear Kim Han-wool’s acceptance speech.”

I brought my mouth to the microphone in front of me and greeted.

“Yes, hello. This is Kim Han-wool of the Wonha Challengers. I received a big award this year following last year, and I think it’s an award I received thanks to our team members, not me. Thank you.”

I took a step back from the microphone and bowed.

Unlike last year, when I was nervous because I was flustered, I was definitely more relaxed. As I bowed with a cool smile, the fans in attendance cheered.

“Hold King winner, Kim Han-wool, I’d like to talk to you a little more. You’ve had a good record this year following last year. Is there a secret?”

For a moment, a myriad of thoughts flashed through my head, but I thought it was right to express humility here.

“I really think I was able to have a good record this year thanks to my teammates. There were many times when I was generally good, but there were definitely times when I wasn’t. I think the reason I was able to bounce back without falling behind at that time was because my teammates were firmly supporting me from behind.”

Ah, perfect.

“Yes, and including this season, you have been pitching for more than 50 innings every year for 11 consecutive seasons. Is your body okay? Actually, you had a shoulder injury from the beginning of this season, although it was said to be mild.”

This time, it was a question from the woman next to Kwon Myung-hoon, not Kwon Myung-hoon. I had always thought about the answer to this question, so I was able to express it without adding or subtracting, and without pretense.

“The Wonha fans may get angry if they hear this. I just really like going to a lot of games and throwing a lot of balls. I’m still really happy. I’m really grateful. I think it’s the only way I can repay the team for staying on the team under the pretext of the team’s circumstances. I’m okay.”

“Wow…….”

Kim Han-wool! Kim Han-wool! Kim Han-wool!

My name, which echoed softly from one corner of the audience, created a magic that made all the audience chant my name. Ah, wasn’t I a little cool? I didn’t get the usual arrogance.

“Wonha Challengers had a good record of 4th in the league last year and 3rd in the league this year. Is the promise that Kim Han-wool made at the semi-playoff media day last year still valid?”

“Ah… that championship within 3 years… is that what you’re talking about?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Again, Kwon Myung-hoon’s question time. He asks difficult questions without any problems and laughs playfully.

“Yes. Within the next two years, we will win the championship.”

“Isn’t 3 years supposed to be within next year?”

“Uh… didn’t I say something like within 3 years from next year at that time?”

“We’ll do a video review of this part later separately.”

Ha ha ha!

As the playfulness increased to 2 servings, the hall was filled with laughter. Back to the woman’s question.

“Finally, if you have anything to say to the Wonha Challengers fans?”

“Uh… Wonha had a lot of ups and downs this year. If we had solved the bad parts early on, wouldn’t we have been able to achieve better results? We feel that regret more than anyone else. But please think of it as growing pains for a team that has been at the bottom for years to move up. We can become a stronger team than we are now, and we will be. Thank you.”

“Yes, that was Kim Han-wool, the 2018 season KBO League Hold King.”

The answer to the last question made me think, ‘Oh, that was pretty cool.’

I was intoxicated by my name being chanted again, shaking the trophy here and there and returning to my seat.

“…Oh.”

When I returned, Seong-hyun smiled subtly and clapped lightly.

“Was I a little cool, you bastard?”

“Oh. I never thought you were such a normal person.”

“You crazy bastard.”

The awards ceremony after that went on and on.

Save King, Most Wins King, Strikeout King, Most Wins King, and Winning Percentage King, and then the hitter category.

After awarding the stolen base king and passing the scoring king, the awards ceremony for the remaining 6 categories was held.

“Next, there will be an awards ceremony for batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, RBIs, home runs, and most hits. It’s Sangsoo Tigers’ Park Hae-jin. Congratulations.”

Wow, that’s a lot.

Park Hae-jin got up from his seat at the table slightly behind the table where Seong-hyun and I were sitting.

The tall height and sturdy physique walked steadily to the stage.

“Sangsoo Tigers’ Park Hae-jin was also great this year. This year, he finally won first place in 6 categories and finally got rid of the stigma of being a hitter without improvement. He recorded a batting average of .363, an on-base percentage of .444, a slugging percentage of .698, 51 home runs, 143 RBIs, and 192 hits.”

The introduction was so long that the introduction didn’t end until Park Hae-jin arrived on the stage and stood there awkwardly.

There were so many trophies to receive that a rare sight occurred where the trophies were brought on a tray.

“Let’s hear Park Hae-jin’s acceptance speech.”

“Ah… yes. Hello. This is Park Hae-jin.”

A pleasant baritone, befitting his physique, filled the hall. A cool guy even when a man looks at him.

“As you mentioned in the introduction, I’m happy that I finally made some progress this year, but there are still many areas where I’m lacking. I will try harder.”

A scary bastard…….

Seong-hyun muttered quietly next to me. It was something I fully agreed with.

The progress after that was similar to when I won the award.

When asked how he hits so well, he answered calmly that he worked hard, and when asked if there was anyone who helped him in particular, he gave a stereotypical answer that he was grateful to everyone.

The problem is the third question.

“Earlier, Kim Han-wool made a promise that the Wonha Challengers will win the championship no later than the next two years! I would like to hear Park Hae-jin’s thoughts on this?”

As soon as Kwon Myung-hoon’s question ended, he turned his head and looked at me.

I wonder if the driving force behind the league’s best hitting is that dynamic visual acuity that accurately picks me out even when turning his head so quickly.

“…….”

“…….”

He looked at me, and I didn’t avoid his eyes either.

It was quiet for a few seconds, until I started to think, ‘Isn’t this a broadcasting accident?’

“…Good luck.”

It was a short and thick word, but the way to accept it would be as each person thinks.

I think my smiling face fully expressed how I accepted it.

The fourth question was fixed, and he left a cute message asking the Sangsoo fans to take good care of him as he would work harder.

After that, I watched a video that compressed the 2018 KBO League into a few minutes.

The combination of a calm song that unnecessarily stimulates emotions and the enthusiastic shouting of the casters that makes people’s hearts beat made it impossible not to get goosebumps.

The MVP awards ceremony was held after the video ended.

The video began to announce the MVP voting from the 5th place player, in a way that each of the 100 voting members voted by assigning differential scores from 1st to 5th place.

KP Stars’ Kim Ki-yoon, Hanseong Winners’ Jo Tae-poong, Wooseok in 3rd place. And in 2nd place, Seong-hyun’s scene of hitting a 逆轉滿壘 [reversal bases loaded] home run and roaring was played.

At this point, it started to get boring.

1st place, 749 points, Sangsoo Tigers Park Hae-jin.

Because it was such an obvious result.

Park Hae-jin got up from his seat and headed to the stage again, even though he hadn’t been sitting there for long.

Because he had already done a great interview, this interview was not very long. Just one word about the MVP award.

“Ah… thank you. As I said earlier, there are still many areas where I am lacking, and I don’t know if I deserve to receive this award again. I will just try harder. Thank you.”

How many years in a row is it? Was it 4 years in a row? 4 consecutive league MVPs. Is that even possible?

Compared to the grand beginning, all the excitement had faded away, and the awards ceremony ended with a sense of emptiness.

After that, the winners gathered for a photo. Also, the winners shook hands in a friendly atmosphere.

“Congratulations.”

“Uh… congratulations to you too, man.”

Then it was Park Hae-jin’s turn to shake hands.

I couldn’t just stand still when he bowed his head first and congratulated me. Simple words of blessing were exchanged.

I thought it was done, and when I was about to return to my seat,

“Senior. But are you serious?”

He provoked me.

“Huh? About what.”

“What you said earlier about winning the championship within the next two years. Are you serious?”

“…….”

What is it.

I stared blankly at his face because I couldn’t understand his intention.

“We won’t give up our position so easily either.”

“…….”

Damn it. How can you be so cool even when provoking?

“Huh.”

A burst of laughter erupted.

“Wash your neck well and wait. I’m going to take it soon.”

“Yes. I’ll look forward to it.”

The way back to my seat was supposed to make me feel bad, but I felt better than I thought.

I guess this is how a hero feels when he faces a well-mannered demon king and returns home.

“What did he say?”

“He said let’s fight.”

“What?”

“There’s something like that.”

Even while I was calming Seong-hyun down and leaving the hall, and even after Seong-hyun ate deliciously and returned home, this pretty good feeling continued to be maintained.