On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 77

Song Seok-hyun glanced at the stands and waved.

“Seok-hyun! He waved!”

“We’ve got our cleanup hitter too! If Kim In-hwan and Song Seok-hyun both go off, we can do this!”

Even after the home run, they were still down by two points.

But a two-point difference after clawing back from five with two home runs in one inning felt different. It felt surmountable.

Anthony Shane walked two more batters in a row before getting pulled.

As the second starting pitcher headed for the showers, the momentum clearly swung to the Goats’ side.

Even though the Goats’ bullpen was considered shaky, it was still better than the Phoenixes’.

In this game, Song Seok-hyun went 3-for-5 with 2 home runs and 2 walks, reaching base every time he came to the plate, becoming a real nightmare for the Phoenixes.

Kim In-hwan, with his grand slam, snagged the MVP award, but Song Seok-hyun was mobbed by fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures so long that he almost missed the team bus.

* * *

“Uh… well…”

It was time for the post-game MVP interview.

Kim In-hwan was choked up, struggling to speak.

“It feels like it’s been two years since we’ve seen you up here. Right?”

The announcer smiled and gave Kim In-hwan a reassuring pat.

Kim In-hwan barely managed to swallow his tears.

“Yes, it has.”

“You hit an incredible grand slam today. What was going through your mind when you stepped up to the plate? What was your strategy?”

“Uh… I just thought, ‘See the ball, hit the ball.'”

“See the ball, hit the ball. So, you weren’t specifically looking for any particular pitch?”

“No, I’m not the kind of hitter who overthinks things.”

“Kim In-hwan, since being called up to the first team, you’ve been getting more walks and your on-base percentage has improved. What’s the secret to your transformation?”

“It’s not so much that I’ve improved, but Seok-hyun has been hitting really well behind me. Because Seok-hyun is doing so well, the pressure to perform has lifted, and because the pressure is gone, I can see the ball better.”

“Today, you and Song Seok-hyun combined for three home runs. The Goats are in a bit of a tough spot right now, aren’t they?”

“Yes, well…”

“The fans are really counting on you two to help turn things around. Is there anything you’d like to say to them?”

Kim In-hwan took a few deep breaths.

“I’m sorry for letting the fans down until now. But this time, I promise to reward you with good results. I’ll make sure you get to wear your autumn jackets [implying the team will make the playoffs]. I can’t guarantee it, but our team can do it. The Goats are strong!”

Catching Success

Catcher Park Shin-eon

“Wow…”

Song Seok-hyun, already on the bus, was completely wiped.

It had taken him over ten minutes just to sign autographs and take pictures with the Goats fans.

He’d tried to hurry, mindful of his seniors waiting, but the sheer number of fans made it impossible.

“I’m sorry.”

Song Seok-hyun bowed as he boarded the bus.

He was the last one on, besides Kim In-hwan.

“Days like today don’t happen every day, so there’s nothing to apologize for. But from now on, try to come straight to the bus after the game. Signing autographs and taking pictures for fans is best done when you arrive at the stadium. Doing it after every game will cause chaos and potential accidents.”

Song Seok-hyun nodded, bowing his head at the manager’s words.

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Back in his seat, Song Seok-hyun sank into the chair.

Kim Jeong-ryul poked Song Seok-hyun’s cheek.

“The home run ball? Did you get it?”

Song Seok-hyun pulled the ball out of his pocket.

“They found it right away.”

“They’re efficient here. First hit yesterday, first home run today. How does it feel, Song Seok-hyun?”

“It feels great. Yes. Really great.”

Kim Jeong-ryul chuckled and plopped down in his seat.

“We keep winning like this, and I don’t get to play. It’s like being open but closed for business.”

“Isn’t it good for the bullpen to get some rest?”

“I want to get out there, but they keep holding me back.”

“It’s good for the bullpen to rest when they can. When things get hectic, you won’t get any rest, even if you want it.”

Just then, Kim In-hwan boarded the bus.

The players erupted in applause, as if they’d been waiting for him.

“Kim In-hwan! Kim In-hwan! Kim In-hwan! Kim In-hwan!”

Kim In-hwan looked embarrassed and headed for his seat.

The players deliberately applauded louder, laughing.

“How was it, doing an interview after all these years?”

At Kim Jeong-ryul’s question, Kim In-hwan rubbed his nose.

“It was… good, I guess.”

“The announcer who interviewed you today was pretty. Did you slip her your phone number like last time?”

Kim In-hwan’s eyes widened.

The players chuckled, trying to stifle their laughter.

“Hyung [older brother/senior]…”

Song Seok-hyun laughed and chimed in.

“You didn’t try to get her number, you just gave her yours? That’s some confidence. Wow.”

Kim In-hwan’s face turned red, and he waved his hands dismissively.

“It was my first time doing something like that, so I just assumed I had to give her my number.”

“That’s why you didn’t get any calls and it was a total flop. Hehehe, that’s hilarious. She was probably four or five years older than you, but you liked her that much?”

“Ah, hyung. Seok-hyun is right here.”

“Why? What’s wrong with liking announcers?”

“It’s not that I like announcers, it’s that I liked Kim Young-shin back then…”

“Is that so? Is that why you were sniffling at her wedding?”

The bus exploded with laughter.

“Puhahaha, you cried back then?”

“That’s amazing. In-hwan was a complete romantic.”

“Is he just naive or plain stupid?”

Kim In-hwan buried his face in the window.

Kim Jeong-ryul patted Kim In-hwan’s head.

“Hey, don’t sulk. I was just teasing you because it was your first interview in ages.”

“…Okay.”

“You have to hit another one tomorrow, Kim In-hwan?”

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

Kim In-hwan pouted and fell silent.

Song Seok-hyun lowered his voice and asked Kim Jeong-ryul.

“But did he really cry?”

Kim In-hwan immediately retorted.

“I didn’t cry. Why would I cry?”

* * *

The noisy bus soon arrived at their accommodation in Daejeon.

As the players unpacked and headed to their rooms, Park Shin-eon approached Song Seok-hyun.

“Do you have a minute?”

“Now?”

“Come down to the lobby later. I’ll be waiting.”

“Ah… yes, yes. I understand.”

Song Seok-hyun was taken aback by the sudden invitation but didn’t ask any questions.

Song Seok-hyun went to his room and then came back down to the lobby, where Park Shin-eon was waiting.

Park Shin-eon had a backpack with him.

“Follow me.”

Song Seok-hyun followed Park Shin-eon, still unsure of what was happening.

Park Shin-eon went into a cafe that was still open and headed up to the empty second floor.

“I’ll have an iced Americano. Get one for yourself too.”

Park Shin-eon abruptly handed over his card.

“Yes, is there anything else you’d like?”

“I’m good. You can get whatever you want.”

“I’m fine too. I’ll be right back.”

Song Seok-hyun scratched his head even as he placed the order.

Why is Park Shin-eon suddenly doing this…?

Did I do something wrong?

Park Shin-eon wasn’t someone he had any connection with, and he was known for keeping to himself on the team.

He didn’t have personality issues, but he maintained a distance from everyone.

It was unnerving that Park Shin-eon, of all people, had called him out and brought him to a cafe alone.

“Here’s your iced Americano.”

“Okay, have a seat.”

Song Seok-hyun carefully sat down.

Park Shin-eon took a sip of his coffee and stretched his neck from side to side.

“You don’t go to bars, do you?”

“Bars?”

“Yeah.”

“Ah… no. I don’t have time, and I’m not really much of a drinker.”

“Don’t go in the future either. There are a lot of eyes on us these days anyway. Don’t go to other places unnecessarily, and if you have to meet people, meet them at a cafe or at home.”

“Yes…”

“What are you doing? Drink up.”

Song Seok-hyun watched Park Shin-eon as he sipped his coffee.

Why is he suddenly doing this?

Park Shin-eon quickly finished his coffee and opened his bag, pulling out a stack of thick notebooks.

There were ten notebooks in total.

The notebooks had different colored covers and sizes, and they all looked well-used.

“Read this.”

Park Shin-eon handed Song Seok-hyun one of the most worn notebooks.

“Yes.”

Song Seok-hyun opened the notebook.

On the slightly crumpled first page, the word “Basics” was written in large letters.

Turning another page, the first line read:

-The catcher is a position of responsibility.

Song Seok-hyun looked up at Park Shin-eon.

The notebook was filled with Park Shin-eon’s personal know-how.

“Isn’t this what you wrote, senior?”

“That’s right.”

Song Seok-hyun looked back and forth between the notebook and Park Shin-eon.

“Why are you giving this to me…? Isn’t this something you usually keep to yourself?”

Every professional baseball player has their own secrets and strategies.

If pitchers study opposing hitters and hitters study opposing pitchers, catchers have to analyze both.

As a hitter, they analyze the opposing pitcher, and as a catcher, they analyze the opposing hitter.

They also need to understand the tendencies of the umpires.

Catchers gather information and fill in the gaps that the data analysis team can’t cover during the game.

Detailed know-how was a catcher’s most valuable asset, and even catchers on the same team didn’t share everything.

Even if they were teammates, they were still competitors.

“All of this…”

“What? Is it too much?”

“It’s not that there’s too much, but is it really okay for you to show me this?”

“I know all of it by heart. It’s all in my head already. I don’t need it anymore.”

“So, you’re just giving this to me?”

“Yeah, the manager told me to make sure to help you develop. Well, the coaches handle the training, so what else can I do besides this?”

Song Seok-hyun stared at the notebook.

It was a notebook he couldn’t buy, no matter how much money he offered.

Moreover, it was the notebook of Park Shin-eon, known as the best defensive catcher in the league.

How much would be a fair price to pay for something like this?

“Still, are you sure it’s okay to give me something this valuable?”

“I’m only giving it to you. Keep it a secret from the other guys. I’m not a philanthropist, you know?”

Song Seok-hyun closed the notebook.

Even though it was the manager’s order, he couldn’t understand why Park Shin-eon was revealing all his secrets so readily.

That kind of thing usually only happened between close friends…

Besides, Park Shin-eon and Song Seok-hyun had barely exchanged more than a few greetings.

“What? You don’t want it? Should I take it back?”

“No, no. That’s not it. I’m just… overwhelmed.”

“Then why do you look so serious?”

“I’m just wondering if I deserve something like this. It’s really valuable.”

“It’s not *that* valuable, so don’t worry. I’m not expecting you to memorize everything right away, but make sure you read and memorize these two notebooks, these two right here.”

Park Shin-eon pointed to two notebooks.

“This one has everything I’ve learned about how to behave and take care of your body as a professional baseball player. This one contains the basic knowledge that every catcher needs to know. It’s like my secret martial arts manual, so if you leak any of it, we’re both dead. Got it?”

“I will never leak it. Never.”

“Okay, good.”

Park Shin-eon crossed his legs and looked at Song Seok-hyun.

“Work hard. Work hard and you’ll be wearing the catcher’s mask soon.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Song Seok-hyun carefully gathered the notebooks and cautiously asked Park Shin-eon.

“Um… but senior.”

“What?”

“Is the reason you’re helping me this much really just because of the manager?”

“Um… that’s part of it. And… other things too.”