Peaceful Bullpen Life [EN]: Chapter 106

106. Challenge

The Korean Series.

Our Wonha Challengers boldly issued a challenge in this arena to prove which is the strongest baseball team in Korea.

Issued a challenge?

It might sound odd to use such a term for the top team in the regular season, but considering the momentum or flow, it’s not entirely wrong.

“Hello, I’m Kwon Myung-hoon, the caster who will be hosting the 2019 KBO League Korean Series Media Day. Nice to meet you.”

Clearly, they are the challengers and we are the champions, but everyone’s attention was directed towards them, not us.

“First, let’s hear from the manager of the pennant race winner, Wonha Challengers, Manager Lee Han-joo. Could you say a few words?”

“Ah, yes. Hello, I’m Lee Han-joo, manager of the Wonha Challengers.”

“Also, a word from Kim Han-wool and Kang Sung-hyun.”

“Hellooooo.”

“Hello.”

That was it for greetings.

“So, you finished 4th in the 2017 season and 3rd in the 2018 season, and this year you’ve risen to the top. Manager, could you share your thoughts?”

“In many ways, we had some luck, but it wasn’t just luck; our players worked really hard. I want to thank them.”

“Kim Han-wool, who finished his first season as captain in first place, must have some fresh feelings as well.”

“Ah… yes. I don’t think I did my part properly this year, but we still got good results. I think the other players really stepped up.”

“Kang Sung-hyun, in his first season after signing as a free agent, must also have a lot to say.”

“I’m always just trying to make sure the fans aren’t disappointed.”

The Wonha side’s responses to the year’s impressions all reflected their individual personalities well.

“What will Manager Kim Seok-joo say? It’s been a long time since he’s experienced the playoffs.”

“Actually, I never thought I’d fall into a rut. But thanks to the Wonha Challengers, I feel like I’ve really woken up.”

“Park Dong-il must have been very disappointed that he couldn’t participate in the early part of the season.”

“I am disappointed. If I had been in good condition from the start… well, the person sitting here might have been different.”

“Park Hae-jin, how would you evaluate this season?”

“It was a season with many regrets. Both personally and for the team.”

After listening to the responses from the core members…

“Crazy…”

It’s obvious. They really feel that way.

I wasn’t just dumbfounded; I felt a sense of dread, so much so that I cursed under my breath, making sure no one could hear.

While Kwon Myung-hoon was talking, I subtly shifted my gaze towards the Sangsoo side.

The manager and their ace pitcher were talking quietly amongst themselves, and their cleanup hitter…

“…….”

Was looking at me.

Without any change in expression, he was staring at me, deeply immersed in thought. What shape and color could those thoughts possibly have?

What things he focused on while preparing for this season.

And whether those things paid off.

Which player on the opposing team he is most wary of.

Which of his own team’s players will make a big play.

What score he predicts his team will win by.

What his personal stats will be like in this series.

Afterward, several questions were asked, and we faithfully answered them.

Then, I suddenly realized.

“Then, this is the last question I have. How about each team briefly promote themselves to the opposing team?”

Why are they going in defeated?

“First, congratulations on finishing first in the regular season… We may have lost our spot to you, but the Korean Series will be different.”

Why are they already intimidated before it even starts?

“The Korean Series might be unfamiliar to you, but we’ll guide you well.”

Why do we have to volunteer as the challengers?

“Good job. We’ll be returning to our spot.”

Why?

“Wonha Challengers, would you like to say something?”

“Ah… huh?”

As the manager picked up the microphone, I spoke quietly so that my voice wouldn’t be picked up.

“Ah… okay.”

After briefly asking for understanding, the priority shifted to me. Perhaps finding the sight interesting, the cameras flashed more rapidly.

“We, the Wonha Challengers, are the top team in the regular season. Whether it was luck or skill, we are the top team. Whether the Korean Series is our first time or not, we have been waiting.”

I paused briefly to organize my thoughts.

“I realized that I need to change the mindset I’ve had until now. I will not approach this with a challenger’s mentality.”

I turned my head and looked at the Sangsoo Tigers side. More precisely,

“I accept your challenge.”

I said, looking straight into Park Hae-jin’s eyes.

Click-, Click-click-

As I put down the microphone, the flashes intensified. The manager looked at me and smiled, and Sung-hyun seemed lost in thought after hearing my words.

The manager, who picked up the microphone again, said that he would rewrite the dignity of the top team, and Sung-hyun told the fans to apologize in advance.

Wow, Sung-hyun is even stronger.

After watching a teaser video about the Korean Series together, we got up from our seats. While taking various poses and photos at the request of reporters,

“Then, we will conclude the highly anticipated 2019 KBO League [Korean Baseball Organization] Korean Series Media Day. Thank you.”

The official eve was over.

“Hyung [older brother or close male friend].”

“What.”

While watching our manager exchange pleasantries with the opposing manager, Sung-hyun called out to me.

“Good job with what you said.”

“What are you talking about.”

“About not doing it with a challenging mindset, or whatever.”

“Yeah.”

“Nice.”

As I tilted my chin slightly to the lower right, I could see Sung-hyun’s stiff face in the corner of my vision.

“What were you thinking about earlier?”

“When.”

“After I said that. You seemed to be thinking about something.”

“Just… I was just wondering why I was going in defeated.”

“At this point, the other guys must have understood too.”

“I think so.”

“Good job.”

By the time the manager, who had finished greeting, returned, Sung-hyun and I were heading behind the chairman.

“The Korean Series…”

Huh.

It arrived a year earlier than the nonsense I spouted at the 17th season’s Media Day. I had no intention of delaying the championship until next year just to match the 3-year mark.

“Han-wool.”

“Yes, Manager.”

“Good job with what you said.”

“Yeah… well. That’s how it is.”

As I watched the manager pat my shoulder and head towards his car, a thought occurred to me.

“Manager.”

“Why?”

“Earlier, what were you originally going to say?”

“Earlier? Before you asked for the microphone?”

“Yes.”

The manager, who received the question, didn’t answer quickly and just smiled contentedly.

“Probably, it would have been something similar to what you were thinking just before.”

“What about now?”

“I’m thinking the same thing you’re thinking.”

Hehe.

The corners of my mouth curved upward on their own upon hearing the manager’s answer.

“Take care of yourself. See you tomorrow.”

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”

By the time the angle of my bowed waist returned to 180 degrees, the manager’s car had squeezed out of the white square.

Chik, chiik- Hooo…….

I felt a strange sensation, so I didn’t want to go straight home. My steps, as if possessed, headed towards a nearby smoking area.

There was no one in the smoking area located in the corner of the building, but a crude light was illuminating the ashtray forlornly.

“Hooo….”

Even though a hot fire was burning only about 10cm away from my mouth, it didn’t scare me; instead, it gave me comfort.

In fact, I had seriously contemplated this recently.

Baseball was nothing more than a way to make a living for me.

A means to live in a good house, drive a good car, and eat good food. My motivation for baseball was clearly in that direction.

When did it start? When did I change my mind about that? Or rather, when did I develop a passion for baseball?

“How did I end up like this.”

“Is something the matter?”

“Ah, you startled me, damn it!”

The legs that had been squatting straightened in an instant. The reason for my racing heart wasn’t the cigarette, but,

“I’m sorry. Did I startle you badly?”

“…Oh, no. It’s okay.”

Park Hae-jin, who had suddenly appeared and uttered a pleasant voice.

“…Ah, what a surprise.”

“Weren’t you okay?”

“No, I was startled, but, uh, well…”

Hooo…….

As I focused on the flame reaching the filter, my trembling heart and limbs calmed down.

“Do you smoke too?”

“No. I was about to go home, but I saw you, so I came over.”

“Ah… okay.”

I stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray made of coffee grounds. I was only going to smoke one and go home, but the strange atmosphere made me want to smoke a little more.

“…Ah. Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine. Please, smoke comfortably.”

“Sorry.”

After asking Park Hae-jin for his understanding, I put a new cigarette in my mouth. The extinguished light was lit again, adding strength to the shabby lighting.

“What did you come to talk about? Do you have anything to say?”

“It’s been a while since we’ve met personally, so I wanted to have a conversation.”

“So, what do you want to say?”

“Just….”

“…….”

Uncharacteristically, he couldn’t speak clearly. I waited, keeping my gaze fixed on him.

Just when I was about to laugh, imagining my face spitting out smoke to the side so it wouldn’t go towards him,

“What did you mean by that earlier?”

“What?”

A slightly unexpected question popped out.

“Didn’t you say, ‘How did I end up like this…’ ?”

“Ah… that.”

I stopped talking in the middle and looked at Park Hae-jin’s face for a moment.

His expressionless face, which made it impossible to know what he was thinking, felt like a wall, making it seem like a good time to talk about my inner thoughts.

“What do you think about when you play baseball?”

“Well….”

I didn’t expect that I would be asked a question in return after asking one. His slightly surprised face was quite unfamiliar.

“It’s fun. So I just feel like I want to do better.”

“Fun….”

“Don’t you find baseball fun, sunbae [senior/older colleague]?”

“Until recently, I didn’t find it fun. I thought it was the only way for me, who only knew baseball and nothing else, to make money.”

“I don’t think that’s wrong.”

“I know. I don’t want to say that I regret thinking that way back then. It’s just….”

Hooo…….

“Since what I thought was just a way to make money is going well, now I want to keep winning.”

Pook-

“I just think the priorities have changed now.”

“What priorities?”

“It’s not about making money by getting good results and winning. It’s about getting good results and winning, and then the money will follow on its own. Like that.”

I wonder if he’ll understand.

“People are so fickle. A guy who was clinging on to make money when he wasn’t getting good results is now acting like this because he’s getting some results.”

“Aren’t people fickle animals to begin with?”

“I didn’t expect you to say something like that.”

I chuckled and put the cigarette pack in my pocket. Now that it was really time to go home, I passed by Park Hae-jin and left the smoking area.

“I’m also a person. I also get annoyed and angry when I don’t get good results.”

“I’ve never seen that.”

“I just make sure it doesn’t get noticed by other people.”

Well, he’s also a person.

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“You remember, right? How you kept hitting home runs whenever you faced me.”

“Yes. I remember.”

“But this year, we met three times and lost all three times.”