On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 85

After the game, I turned on my phone, and it was flooded with texts and calls from Jung Mi-nam and Kim Young-seok.

They wanted to meet up right away.

Kim Na-young also sent a short congratulatory message.

“Hoo.”

Song Seok-hyun puffed out his cheeks and replied.

-Thanks.

He also replied to Jung Mi-nam and Kim Young-seok.

-Let’s see each other on Monday. Game days are too hectic.

When he arrived home, his mother and younger brother were there.

“Aish, what are you doing up so late?”

His younger brother, Song Cheol-hyun, laughed.

“What time is it? I was watching your game, hyung [older brother in Korean].”

“Aren’t you studying?”

“I studied and watched the highlights.”

“For real?”

“Yeah.”

His mother took Song Seok-hyun’s hand.

“I’m so glad. I’m glad you did well again today.”

“I got lucky.”

“Luck is also skill. Yes, just keep doing this.”

Song Seok-hyun showered and went into his room.

He reviewed today’s game and wrote down how to approach tomorrow’s game.

After a long day, he lay down on the bed and felt like he was floating on clouds.

He hasn’t felt real since the Phoenix game.

Homerun, homerun, homerun.

He hit a homerun against the national team starting pitcher.

He did well in the Phoenix game, but he couldn’t relax.

He wondered if it was just luck, and a corner of his mind felt heavy.

But today is different.

He hit a homerun against the Wolves, who are aiming for the league championship, and their ace, who is also a national team starting pitcher.

It’s not just beginner’s luck or because Phoenix is weak that he did well.

His skills are working.

The experiences of swinging the bat like crazy alone and competing against imaginary pitchers are working in real games.

“Hehe.”

Song Seok-hyun chuckled to himself.

Ding.

At that moment, he heard a text message on his phone.

[Catchers on the Rise]

[The Owner of Jamsil (6)]

It was already past 11 PM.

Manager Ham Sung-hoon was having a private meeting with a man in his office, where the lights were still on.

The man’s name was Kim Hak-in.

His position was the head of the Gotes’ operations team.

Manager Ham Sung-hoon spoke first.

“I’m sorry to keep you when you’re busy.”

“It’s alright. This is also my job.”

“Actually, I have a favor to ask, so I had to call you in.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

Manager Ham Sung-hoon touched the bridge of his nose once.

“It’s embarrassing to say this so soon, but it’s something that’s necessary right now. Is a trade possible?”

The operations team leader was silent for a moment.

“A trade?”

“Yes, as you can see from our current record, we’re not at the point of giving up on the postseason yet.”

“Yes, your team has been doing well lately.”

“Our team has many empty spots right now. You know that well, right?”

“At least for the next month or two, Dae-gyu, Nak-gyun, and Moon-gyu won’t be there, and I know the bullpen is also struggling a lot.”

“Even if we can’t fill all the gaps with a trade, shouldn’t we put out the immediate fire?”

“Then, may I ask who you have in mind for the trade?”

“I’d like to give up Il-hyuk and get a bullpen pitcher in return.”

“Hmm.”

The operations team leader nodded.

“That’s the best card we have to offer as a trade piece.”

“Il-hyuk is good enough to make the first team no matter which team he goes to. He has the skills to become a starter on a team that’s weak at catcher. It won’t be easy to find a good bullpen pitcher, but you know our team’s bullpen, right? It only looks good on paper, but they have too little experience or are exhausted from overuse. We need to urgently acquire players.”

“Then… um… is there any pitcher you want?”

“Excluding teams that are competing for the postseason and Phoenix, which is in total disarray, there are only two teams: Gwangju Bulls and Busan Foxes. We won’t be able to trade for a closer, but I’d like to get at least one of the current first-team setup men [a relief pitcher who typically pitches in the late innings].”

“Both teams are weak at catcher, so a deal is possible. They’ve already requested a trade for Il-hyuk.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“But neither team has a strong pitching staff, and you know that the bullpen is most expensive right now, right? As the trade deadline approaches, other teams will have made bullpen trade offers to those two teams.”

“But there’s no card as strong as Il-hyuk. Please.”

The operations team leader nodded.

“Alright. I’ll report to the general manager tomorrow and have a meeting.”

“Please do.”

The operations team leader left the manager’s office.

Ham Sung-hoon also got up from his seat.

On the manager’s computer monitor, a document about Song Seok-hyun was displayed.

* * *

[Gotes-Wolves Game Ratings 2.2%]

[A New Star is Born! Jamsil Grand Slam! Song Seok-hyun!]

[The Myth of a High School Undrafted Player is Born!]

[The Man Who Hits and Sends it Over!]

The next day, the front page of the sports news was, of course, Song Seok-hyun.

Grand slam at Jamsil, victory against rivals Wolves, 2 homeruns against national team starting pitcher Jang Gye-sung.

It was material that the media would love.

Wolves Game 2.

The number of reporters at Jamsil Baseball Stadium doubled.

“Is this the Korean Series or what? Why are there so many people today?”

Even veteran Kim Jung-ryul was amazed by the intense coverage.

Kim In-hwan and Song Seok-hyun also looked around in wonder at the increased number of reporters.

“Why are there so many reporters?”

“I know, there are way more than usual?”

Kim Jung-ryul kicked Song Seok-hyun’s butt.

“Song Star, how do you feel?”

“About what?”

“How does it feel to be a star, you rascal.”

“I’m not a star, I just had one good game.”

“Ah, Phoenix isn’t even a team? You don’t even count the game against Phoenix?”

“No, no. That’s not what I meant.”

“Ah, bringing up the word Phoenix is ridiculous?”

“Ah, seriously, sunbaenim [senior/older colleague in Korean].”

Kim Jung-ryul chuckled.

“Enjoy this moment. Popularity isn’t always there. Just don’t overdo it. Okay?”

“…Yes.”

“That reminds me… you were sly yesterday, weren’t you? You hugged Yoon Ro-mi?”

Kim In-hwan’s eyes widened.

“Yoon Ro-mi?”

“In-hwan, didn’t you see it?”

“N-no, I didn’t.”

“Yesterday, Jin-il was going to pour water on her, but Yoon Ro-mi got splashed, or should I say watered? Anyway, Seok-hyun hugged Yoon Ro-mi and took all the water. Anyone would think he was a prince on a white horse.”

“Sunbaenim, that’s an electrical device that conducts electricity….”

“Ah, enough with the excuses. So, how did it feel to hug Yoon Ro-mi? Someone shed tears at the announcer’s wedding because they couldn’t even hold her hand.”

Kim In-hwan became serious.

“Ah, hyung [older brother/close male friend in Korean]!”

“You should work hard too, work hard. It looks like Seok-hyun will be walking down the aisle before you.”

Kim In-hwan sulked and walked ahead alone.

Song Seok-hyun approached Kim Jung-ryul.

“Sunbaenim, stop teasing me. Yesterday was just a happening.”

“A happening? Hey, why are you like this? Yesterday, Yoon Ro-mi asked me for your number, you rascal.”

“Really? Did sunbaenim give it to her?”

Kim Jung-ryul smirked.

“What, did you already contact her yesterday?”

“I was surprised when I suddenly got a text yesterday. I thought someone was playing a prank.”

“Ooh, a younger man-older woman couple is born? Should I get a suit made?”

“It’s nothing like that. She just said thank you, that’s all.”

“That’s how it develops, from thank you to I love you~.”

“Stop pushing me.”

“Why are you like that? Don’t you like Yoon Ro-mi’s style?”

“It’s not that… it’s not like I have the time to find a girlfriend yet.”

“There’s no time for that? You just meet. You have to snatch a girl when you’re doing well. If you’re wishy-washy, you’ll never meet the girl you could have met. Like me now.”

Kim Jung-ryul sighed with his hands behind his back.

Song Seok-hyun had nothing to say and just smacked his lips.

Trying to change the subject, he looked around and saw Seol Jin-il being interviewed by reporters.

“Come to think of it, Seol Jin-il sunbae [senior colleague in Korean] did well yesterday too. Right?”

“I know. I didn’t know Jin-il was that good. He originally had potential, but who in baseball doesn’t have potential.”

“I thought he was a bit of a unique person after hearing sunbaenim’s story, but he’s good.”

“He used to fly around in his younger days too. He was quite good as a pitcher and did well after switching to a fielder.”

“He was good as a pitcher too?”

“He threw the ball pretty well too. He can still throw from the outfield to home without a bounce.”

The start of the game was approaching.

The fans of both teams started filling the infield seats, and soon the outfield seats were packed as well.

Following yesterday’s sell-out at Jamsil, today’s game was also sold out early, including the outfield seats.

Even before the game started, Song Seok-hyun was the center of attention for the cameras.

When Song Seok-hyun’s face appeared on the Jamsil scoreboard, the fans cheered.

“Song Seok-hyun! Song Seok-hyun! Song Seok-hyun!”

Song Seok-hyun was embarrassed and lowered his head.

The other Gotes players pointed at Song Seok-hyun and laughed.

In contrast, the Wolves’ bench had a heavy atmosphere.

Jang Dae-hee sat alone in a corner, staring at Song Seok-hyun on the scoreboard.

-Play ball!

“The game is starting! The second game of the Gotes-Wolves 3-game series. Today, the Gotes’ ace, Lee Chang-hoon, is starting. It’s a day where they must secure a victory.”

“The Wolves’ starter is also formidable. Kim Joon-ki is starting. Along with Jang Gye-sung, he is one of the best left-handed starting pitchers in the country. He doesn’t have a fast fastball, but he’s a pitcher who catches opponents with very precise control and breaking balls.”

“Today’s game will be fun too. I hope it’s as fun as yesterday’s game.”

Contrary to the caster and commentator’s wishes, Gotes’ ace Lee Chang-hoon gave up two runs with two walks and consecutive hits from the start.

It seemed like the goddess of victory was smiling at the Wolves today, but it was a false alarm.

The Wolves’ starter Kim Joon-ki, despite his strength of precise control, continuously threw pitches in the middle, giving up consecutive hits.

By the 5th inning, the two pitchers had given up more than fourteen hits.

The score was 6-4.

The Wolves were leading.

“Today, the KS duo [Kim In-hwan and Song Seok-hyun] is out of service. They’re not firing.”

“It can’t be helped. As Kim In-hwan’s batting average has dropped, opposing pitchers are walking Song Seok-hyun. Right now, if you take out Kim In-hwan and Song Seok-hyun from the Gotes, there are definitely no players who are doing more than their share. Seol Jin-il is continuously getting on base today, but he keeps failing to score.”

Manager Ham Sung-hoon stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the ground.

Why can’t he escape the bad premonition?

Kim In-hwan, who was flying around in the Phoenix game, has cooled off in the Wolves game.

When Kim In-hwan is struggling, they walk Song Seok-hyun.

Because there are not enough batters to support Song Seok-hyun, the KS lineup keeps faltering.

He thought about putting Seol Jin-il, who has a good batting average, behind Song Seok-hyun, but he shook his head.

It’s like taking out the bottom stone to support the top stone.

If the runners in front of KS can’t get on base, who will KS bring in?

“Ha.”

The departure of the cleanup trio was painful.

Not only the bullpen was needed, but also a leadoff hitter and a 5th batter were desperately needed.

He trusted starting pitcher Lee Chang-hoon, but no matter how good a pitcher is, there are often times when they can’t perform at their best and collapse in a season, from two or three games to more than that.

Today was the day when ace Lee Chang-hoon collapsed.

The day when the KS duo cooled off and the ace’s pitches were dull.

The Wolves’ starter Kim Joon-ki was shaky, but the weight of the lineup was different.

The Wolves’ depth was so great that there was talk that the difference in skill within the team was the smallest among the eight teams.

Even though the starter wasn’t good, they managed to win with the power of their lineup.

“The game ends. The Wolves win today’s game 9-6, closely chasing Pegasus in first place. On the other hand, the Gotes fall from a tie for 4th to 5th place as the Wales win today.”

“I already miss yesterday’s tight game. It’s fortunate that the Gotes lost by only 3 points today, considering how poor their game content was. The starter collapsed, and the lineup left runners on base even after getting on base. The bullpen recorded walks and runs throughout the game.”

“Has Manager Ham Sung-hoon’s decision to send a large number of first-team players to the second team and boldly use second-team players backfired? They produced good results until the Phoenix game, but today’s game was a debacle.”

“I wonder if it was a problem that they made too many changes. This will make people question the manager’s leadership.”