A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 241

61. Korean Series (3)

The long-awaited Game 1 of the Korean Series arrived, and the KH Cannons emerged victorious.

Final score: 9-2.

Woo-hoo!!!

Woo-hoo!!!

Starting pitcher Jimmy Morris delivered a stellar performance, allowing only 3 hits and no runs in 6 innings, perfectly fulfilling his role as the ace.

Ryujangho, batting third and playing center field, had 3 hits in 4 at-bats, including a home run, and 4 RBIs, earning him the Daily MVP award.

In addition, many players such as Cheon Jinwoo, Ahn Youngchan, Lee Subin, and Kang Jaeyoon effectively played their parts.

However, the most decisive factor in the Cannons’ victory that day was something else entirely.

It was ‘speed’.

The Cannons’ aggressive base running.

The Cannons players were fearless.

The moment the opposing catcher even looked like he might plant a knee on the ground, they would take off without hesitation.

The instant the opposing pitcher’s shoulder twitched, they would steal as if they had been waiting for it.

-Ah, he’s running! The first base runner is stealing! Second base, second base, at second… Safe! He’s safe! KH Cannons adds another stolen base!

-Wow, this is really something! The Cannons players are recording a 100% stolen base success rate today! How many stolen bases is this already?!

In that way, the Cannons players steadily secured one base after another.

Thanks to this, the Cannons scored 5 runs by the 4th inning with only 3 hits, showcasing what Lee Subin called ‘eco-friendly baseball’.

“Eco-friendly? Why eco-friendly?”

“If you get fewer hits, you burn fewer calories, right? If you burn fewer calories, you eat less. Doesn’t eating less help our planet?”

“Where did you hear that…? Then what’s that chocolate bar in your hand right now?”

“……”

“And didn’t you steal my protein powder earlier because you were hungry after stealing a base?”

“……”

Of course, the opposing team, SH Knights, didn’t just sit back and take it.

They showed their determination to catch up by bringing in their bullpen’s [relief pitchers] best arms, the pitchers they used when they absolutely needed to win, and strengthening their offense by using pinch hitters early on.

In addition, they tried to prevent further stolen bases by changing catcher Kwon Jungmin’s ball distribution [the sequence and type of pitches he called].

-Ah, it’s another miss! It’s a walk. This is creating an increasingly difficult situation for the Knights, isn’t it?

The must-win bullpen pitchers, who came up not fully warmed up, fell into a state of control issues.

-He fumbles the ball! He couldn’t catch it cleanly! He hurriedly throws to first base, but… Safe! He’s safe! All runners are safe!

As the crisis escalated with the pinch hitters, who were brought in early, making clumsy defensive plays.

“Jangho, it seems like the catcher’s changed his ball distribution. You know what that means, right?”

“Yes, I understand.”

After a brief conversation with the hitting coach, the Cannons’ genius hitter, Ryujangho, slowly stepped into the batter’s box.

With runners on first and third and two outs, he began his calculations while leveling the dirt in the batter’s box.

‘They changed the ball distribution? Then the Knights must have noticed our Cannons’ strategy…’

Swish.

Ryujangho takes his batting stance.

‘Then they must have sealed off the slider. The curve is also a bit ambiguous. In the end, all that’s left is the four-seam fastball and the changeup, but if I had to pick the one that’s easier to control?’

Wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, the Knights’ bullpen pitcher enters his set position.

As he watched the movement of the first base runner and turned his body toward the catcher, throwing the first pitch with all his might.

A faint smile appeared on Ryujangho’s lips.

‘That’s right.’

Four-seam fastball.

‘I’ve been… waiting for this!’

Thwack!

From a natural swing motion as smooth as flowing water, a terrifying sound of impact erupts.

Ryujangho, having completed his follow-through all the way past his right shoulder, nonchalantly tossed his bat away and began to circle the diamond with a calm expression.

The 128-meter home run that exploded in the bottom of the 7th inning with two outs and runners on first and third.

The hit that sealed the victory that day was flying over the right field fence of KH Cannons Field.

* * *

The! Strongest! K! H!

The! Strongest! K! H!

That night, joyful shouts from Cannons fans erupted throughout Yeongsan City.

Not only around KH Cannons Field, but also at the Yeongsan City Hall intersection, which was filled with people wearing Cannons uniforms.

Was it only the joy of those who watched the game in person that day?

[Nothing More Needed… Cannons Defeat Knights, Take Game 1 of KS]

[Overwhelming Performance in Offense, Defense, and Base Running, No Knights at Cannons Field]

[Winning Manager Arthur Freeman: “The Players’ Fearless Performance Was Impressive”]

Articles announcing the Cannons’ victory were quickly uploaded to internet portal sites.

-We won!!!!!!! KS Game 1!!!!!

-Wow, what’s with this comfort? I never thought I’d be watching the Korean Series lying down?

-Hey, watching lying down! Shouldn’t you be watching on your knees? The gods of baseball have descended to earth to show us the game?

-That bastard’s hopeless. His basics as a Cannons fan are all wrong.

-Starting tomorrow, hang up a portrait of Ryujangho and bow to it.

-These outfielders are scary with their idol worship…

Internet baseball communities were in an uproar with posts from Cannons fans.

-I think this victory means more than just one win for the Cannons. They’ve completely shaken off the pressure from the Korean Series with today’s game.

-I got the impression that they were very thoroughly prepared for the series. Even though they hadn’t played a real game in almost a month… The players’ game sense is at its peak?

-What other expression is needed? They’re the team that finished first in the regular season. You have to see that their strength is coming out.

Praise for the Cannons poured out on post-season review broadcast programs as well-

“……”

“……”

At a 4-star hotel not far from Yeongsan City, an SH Knights strategy meeting was being held.

“I’m sorry, Manager.”

It was the Knights’ operations team leader speaking.

“I think our operations team’s response was a bit naive. We should have been careful from the beginning to prevent the training footage from being exposed…”

The story that the Cannons had obtained Kwon Jungmin’s ‘autumn anchovy’ [rigorous off-season training] training video had now spread throughout the baseball world.

It was a fatal mistake for the operations team, but Knights’ manager Kim Hogyun simply shook his head lightly.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Have you forgotten the Korean Series from two years ago? We managed to come back and win the championship even after losing the first two games back then.”

The experience of winning the Korean Series for two consecutive years was a strong pillar of support for the Knights.

“But Manager, the situation is not easy this time, that’s a fact.”

It was the head coach speaking.

“We had plenty of stamina back then, but now the players are very tired from coming up through the semi-playoffs.”

“Jungmin, who was flying around during the playoffs, only managed an infield hit today, didn’t he? In fact, just looking at that…”

The Knights people couldn’t bring themselves to say anything hopeful.

However, it seemed that Manager Kim still had one last card up his sleeve.

“It was a tough game, that’s true. There’s no denying that. But in the top of the 7th inning of today’s game… I saw a glimmer of hope there.”

“The top of the 7th? What happened then?”

“It did. When starting pitcher Jimmy Morris went down, didn’t the Cannons’ middle relief pitchers come into play? We attacked those pitchers and scored 2 runs.”

From 6-0 to 6-2.

Although Knights couldn’t create a big inning when Cannons’ Kang Jaeyoon came up, it was the most active time for the Knights throughout the game.

“I think this was an opportunity that came about because of Arthur Freeman’s tendencies.”

When Manager Kim mentioned Cannons’ Freeman, the Knights people all leaned forward.

“What does that mean?”

“Isn’t Arthur Freeman a minor league manager? I heard he’s been managing in the minor leagues his entire career.”

Manager Kim continued.

“Isn’t the purpose of the minor leagues primarily development and management? To nurture promising players and rehabilitate injured ones…….”

At this point, the Knights’ coaches could guess what the manager was getting at.

“Are you saying that Arthur Freeman doesn’t have much experience with short-term series like this one?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Manager Kim nodded.

“Today, Jimmy Morris’s pitch count was exactly 102. Normally, he should be taken out. But today is Game 1 of the Korean Series [the championship series of the KBO, South Korea’s professional baseball league]……. Considering the importance of the game, wouldn’t it have been reasonable to let him go for another inning or so?”

“I suppose so. He was pitching so overwhelmingly well that it seemed fine to go until the 7th.”

“Come to think of it, I think I saw Jimmy Morris grumbling. He said he would pitch another inning, but the pitching coach stepped in to stop him.”

It was at this moment that the Knights’ strategy meeting, which had been heavy throughout, became slightly lighter.

“If Arthur Freeman maintains his current approach, it seems necessary to dig into that area in tomorrow’s game as well. The gap between the starting pitcher and the closer.”

“The appearance of that closer is also uncertain. There were reports that his elbow was a little uncomfortable, and if it’s Freeman, he’ll choose not to send him out.”

“Then Kim Jung-gyu or Kang Jaeyoon will take care of the back door [finish the game as relief pitchers]……. Manager, if we do well, there might be a chance?”

With the premise of ‘minor league manager’ given, the coaching staff began to come up with ideas.

Of course, not everyone showed a positive outlook.

“But wouldn’t the Cannons also know this fact?”

It was the opinion of the operations team leader.

“The timing of the bullpen’s activation, or whether the closer will appear……. I think even their coaches can persuade the manager on these matters.”

It was a reasonable statement, but the Knights’ manager only smiled faintly.

“Team Leader Choi, do you know what? The fact that you’re giving me opinions……. Hasn’t it been that long?”

“R-Really?”

“Yes, was it this April? You started giving me opinions after we lost first place in the regular season to the Cannons.”

Why would that be?

The Knights’ manager continued.

“You know it too. There’s no one in this baseball world who can nag a manager who’s producing results. Even if there are complaints or advice, that’s only possible when the performance drops.”

That was why there were so many ‘dictator’ type managers in baseball.

No matter how bad their temper, no matter how outdated their baseball, once they produce results, no one can touch them.

So, when the results come out, everything seems to be going well, but the moment something goes wrong, the gossip pours out as if they’ve been waiting for it.

“Right now, the Cannons can be said to be Arthur Freeman’s kingdom. Isn’t that obvious? He brought a team that had been wandering at the bottom to the Korean Series in just two years.”

“…….”

“At least tonight, there won’t be anyone who can give the manager a hard time. Well, things might change after we lose to them once or twice…….”

The Knights’ manager smiled.

“By then, all the situations will already be in our Knights’ favor.”

* * *

At that very moment, when the SH Knights were gathering ideas to prepare for Game 2.

The KH Cannons’ coaching staff were also gathered in the manager’s office, sharing their opinions.

“Logan Parker, who will be starting tomorrow, has had a pretty good record against our Cannons. We may need to be a little careful tomorrow.”

“Hmm, I see. Are there any other points?”

“Yes, and looking at the data from today’s game…….”

The Cannons people were setting up strategies for the upcoming game with the power analysis team staff.

On the surface, it seemed to be going smoothly, but in fact, there was one person among those gathered that day who had a particularly dark expression.

‘Damn it, should I tell the manager this, or not…….’

It was the Cannons’ pitching coach.

‘Looking at today’s game, it’s right to take the starting pitcher longer. The trainer said there would be no problem for a game or two. But I wonder if the manager’s personality will allow it…….’

The Knights’ manager’s insight was true.

Not everyone at KH Cannons was thinking the same thing, and Arthur Freeman also had his own stubbornness.

As a pitching coach who knew the manager’s tendencies well, it was really hard to bring up the story.

‘He’s usually a gentle person, but in these areas, he’s the type to get angry if you do something wrong…… Hmm?’

The pitching coach was wavering while worrying alone.

But just then, he could feel someone staring at him.

‘Special Advisor Kim?’

It was Jisub. The Cannons’ team manager’s aide, who was also in the coaching staff meeting that day as a representative of the front office.

He was staring intently at the pitching coach’s eyes.

‘Why?’

He and Jisub had known each other well since he was the manager’s interpreter.

The pitching coach asked Jisub with his lips.

‘Wh, y, i, s, i, t.’

There was no answer. He just shook his head as if it was nothing.

‘What a silly friend…….’

The pitching coach smiled wryly and turned his gaze to the power analysis chart on the desk.

While the two were doing that, the meeting that day was coming to an end.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Arthur Freeman’s words were being conveyed through an interpreter.

“It seems like we can wrap up today’s meeting here……. How about it, is there anything you want to say last?”

In a way, it was the last chance.

However, the pitching coach had finally decided not to express his opinion.

‘Eh, yeah. It’s late, so there’s no need to argue…….’

The pitching coach closed the chart.

‘We’ve won one game, so we have some leeway……. It wouldn’t be bad to just watch a little more.’

Just as he was soothing the anxiety in one corner of his heart while thinking that way.

“Manager!”

Someone raised their hand.

“Oh, Jisub! Something?”

“Yes, I was looking at the game records today and suddenly thought of something.”

Jisub glanced sideways at the pitching coach and continued.

“I know the manager’s usual philosophy well, but still, this is a short-term series……. Shouldn’t we trust the players a little more?”

“Trust the players?”

It was a story from Jisub, whom he usually cherished, but at this moment, Arthur Freeman’s expression became serious.

“I think you’re talking about taking Jimmy Morris out early today……. Well, I don’t think today’s decision was particularly wrong?”

“I’m not saying that my opinion is definitely right either. But isn’t this the Korean Series?”

Jisub’s soft voice filled the manager’s office.

“It’s a really important game, and it’s a game we have to win. As such a game……. I think we should gather opinions from various people on this part?”

“Ah, gathering opinions? Because it’s an important game, let’s be careful?”

Hmm, that makes sense too.

Arthur Freeman sat back down and turned his head.

“Um…… Coach Nam.”

“Yes?!”

“What’s Coach Nam’s opinion? Today’s pitcher change……. Come to think of it, I don’t think I heard Coach Nam’s opinion.”

“Ah, are you talking about my opinion?”

An opportunity to express his opinion came unexpectedly.

The pitching coach felt his heart pounding for no reason, and he was opening his mouth with a determined expression.

“Actually, I have a similar opinion to Special Advisor Kim…….”

The pitching coach was unfolding the chart he had once closed again.

It seemed like bedtime would be a little late today, but that was no longer a big problem.