Peaceful Bullpen Life [EN]: Chapter 14

14. Giving Up, Halfway

13 games, 15 innings, ERA 0.67, 1 win, 2 holds, 7 saves, 26 strikeouts, 3 walks, 0 hit-by-pitch, WHIP 0.46.

This is the monthly record of a certain relief pitcher in the league. To exaggerate a bit—no, there’s no need to exaggerate—this is a record good enough to be named monthly MVP.

Of course, every player has their hot streaks, so there must be several players who have achieved similar records, and they will probably be selected again.

Then.

26 games, 109 plate appearances, batting average 0.613, on-base percentage 0.724, slugging percentage 1.575, 20 home runs, 43 RBIs, 29 walks, and 0 strikeouts.

Let’s say there’s another player who achieved the above record in the same month. Yes, an overwhelming record that makes the pitcher’s record seem pathetic.

Even though baseball is a team game, if you entered the post-season with this kind of hitting ability, wouldn’t just having this player be enough to win the championship?

“What the…”

Yes, the pitcher above is me, and the batter below is Park Haejin. What kind of nonsensical record is that?

Wow! I was happy that I had MVP-level stats for two months in a row, hehe!

But in the neighborhood next door, he was putting up season MVP-level stats or better during the same period, no exaggeration.

Giving up, halfway.

It felt a bit easier to admit it. He’s a player in a different class, in a different dimension.

When the outside fastball that missed the zone was called a strike, and I pulled the half-out fastball I was aiming for, hitting the pole.

That was big. Wow, so this is what the real deal is like.

He should just hurry up and go to the Major League.

In fact, the reaction to me in the community wasn’t that bad. No, rather, there was praise for my control in accurately throwing to a spot that was half a ball out, right after getting a call on one that was a ball out.

Of course… there were more comments about my mistake that created the situation itself.

Thinking about it, I really dug my own grave.

Still, it’s not that much of a loss… because a mistake is a mistake, Park Haejin’s home runs weren’t all my fault.

And thanks to that, I even achieved the quest to get hit by a home run and raised my stats after a long time.

“…Stats.”

Control ― Top

Power ― Medium

Stamina ― Low

Four-seam ― 49

Curve ― 37

Slider ― 26

Splitter ― 31

Changeup ― 36

Sinker ― 34

Traits

Detachment ― I’m okay with any batted ball or situation.

Discomfort ― Makes the opposing batter uncomfortable when they see the pitcher on the mound.

As June ended and July began, my stats, which had been temporarily inflated, returned to their original state.

Still, at this point, at least… if you only consider the physical aspects, wouldn’t I be a lower-middle-tier pitcher in the league?

If you include my control and game management skills, I’d be slightly above average. That’s how I’ve been making a living, after all.

And as July began, a new event opened up. The All-Star Game at the end of this month.

A game of stars. A star of stars. A match called something like that. Only one game a year, with no impact on the league team standings, but rather, when viewed across the entire league, it’s a single game that rivals the top in popularity.

Yes, why would I bring up the All-Star Game? That game that has been someone else’s party for the past 10 years.

“Mr. Kang, do you have any memories of the All-Star Game?”

“Ah, yes. I have many.”

“Oh, what kind of memories?”

“I’ve never been selected for the All-Star Game, so I’ve made good memories with my family every year.”

……

That commentator’s self-deprecating gag also applied to me. During the All-Star break, I treated myself as a reward and did nothing. A day to eat a lot of cola and meat, which I had been avoiding to take care of my body.

But this year is different.

Why?

My name is on it. The team nominated me as a bullpen pitcher candidate.

Oh!

But I know that the All-Star Game vote has already become half a popularity vote. So, even though I was not in first place among the bullpen pitcher candidates in the Eastern League, but in a close second or third place, I wasn’t that disappointed. Rather, I was moved.

Ah… so this is what it’s like to be an All-Star candidate.

Objectively, my record is the best among the five bullpen pitchers in the Eastern League, where Wonha belongs. Even I can see that.

This year’s Eastern League manager is Kim Seokju, the manager of Sangsoo Tigers, which is also in the Eastern League. He’s a kind and gentle person, but his charisma in the game…

Every plan he makes hits the mark, so I think, ah, is this what it means to be possessed?

After the recent series with the Sangsoo Tigers, manager Kim Seokju came to me and gave me a hint. He said he would take me as a manager’s pick, so don’t worry.

I wasn’t really worried, but oh… it felt really good. For some reason, I ate chicken that day.

As of the end of July, including the games right before the All-Star break, my 2017 season record is as follows.

31 games, 44 innings, 1.92 ERA, 4 wins, 1 loss, 21 holds, 6 saves, 45 strikeouts, 14 walks, 0 hit-by-pitch, WHIP 1.18.

Ah, this is a league-class bullpen!

Only half of the league has passed, but the difference with the second-place holder in holds is already more than 5, so unless there is a major upset, it is almost certain that I will be the league’s hold king. And the most encouraging part is…

…

…

4. Visco Runners

5. Wonha Challengers

6. Gaya Perfectors

…

…

Our Wonha, which had been in the bottom ranks for years, secured 5th place in the league, putting us within reach of the post-season for the first time in years.

In the meantime, our team has created a ‘winning formula’. If the starter blocks 6 or 7 innings, I cleanly block the 7th and 8th innings, or just the 8th inning, and then Lee Hyojae closes in the 9th, or I just go to the 9th. Or, if Hyukjoon pitches 8 innings, I close.

In fact, Hyukjoon has won many games in the 16 games he has started this season, and is currently in first place with 14 wins.

He’s a guy who says silly things like, ‘Hehe, it’s all thanks to you, seniors, ehehehe,’ but his skills are definitely real.

So, the day before the All-Star Game arrived. Events like Speed King, Control King, Bunt King, and the Home Run Derby.

All the strong arms from each team gathered on the mound. Not pitchers, but fielders. The primal curiosity of who is the fastest among the fielders who are not pitchers.

Jang Dongwoon, the catcher of Dongsung Hornets, recorded a whopping 148km [approximately 92 mph], taking first place by a landslide. But why do they show my face on the screen every time he throws a ball? Who is the cameraman?

In the ensuing Bunt King, our team’s Giseong surprisingly took first place. 19 points out of 5 chances, 1 point ahead of first place. It was fun to see the faces of the spectators who were turned upside down when a guy who was known for not being able to bunt took first place…

And it was my turn to participate.

“Kim! Han! Wool!”

Mr. Control King. It’s a game where you knock down five bats set up 15m [approximately 49 feet] away with five balls. One player from each team participated. Since it’s not something that can be done by throwing hard, not all teams had pitchers participate, and quite a few teams had fielders participate.

Tting!

[Mr. Control King!]

– Try to hit the bats with breaking balls!

– +1 for each breaking ball hit (excluding four-seam)

“…Eh.”

As I stood in front of the mound, spacing out, the announcer called my name. Only then did I come to my senses.

Throwing with breaking balls when it’s hard enough with fastballs?

Tong―!

“Oh, is that a breaking ball? The ball curved!”

I hit the bat on the far right with a sinker. With a clear sound, the bat fell over. Should I check them one by one? This time with a splitter.

Teong―!

The bat on the far left flew away. Next, let’s try hitting it with a changeup.

Tik―!

“Uh…”

“It went over! Success!”

It barely grazed the side, but thanks to the weight of the ball itself, the bat wobbled back and forth before falling over. So, there were two bats left, and two balls left. For the fourth one, let’s throw a curveball that I haven’t thrown before.

Teong, teong!

Waaaaa!!

Ah.

“Wow, what is this! Isn’t this a feat!”

The ball that hit the bat on the right bounced off and hit the bat next to it. There was one ball left to throw, but there were no bats left to knock down. The hand holding the remaining ball trembled.

F***… My slider is…

“Kim Hanwool, with one ball left! And he knocked down all five with breaking balls!”

Tting―!

[Mr. Control King!]

– Try to hit the bats with breaking balls!

– +1 for each breaking ball hit (excluding four-seam)

– Reward ― Curve +1, Changeup +1, Sinker +1, Splitter +1

No way. There’s no bonus stat for having one ball left?! Huh?!

Control ― Top

Power ― Medium

Stamina ― Low

Four-seam ― 49

Curve ― 37+1=38

Slider ― 26

Splitter ― 31+1=32

Changeup ― 36+1=37

Sinker ― 34+1=35

Traits

Detachment ― I’m okay with any batted ball or situation.

Discomfort ― Makes the opposing batter uncomfortable when they see the pitcher on the mound.

No way.

The stat window forcibly popped up in front of my eyes with the notification that the quest was completed.

Oh… my stats went up, but why… tears…?

The Home Run Derby… Personally, it was a shame that Park Haejin didn’t participate again this year. I was secretly curious about how many he would hit if he was determined to hit the pitches that were thrown to him.

There’s a curse of the Home Run Derby, that the hitter who wins the Home Run Derby doesn’t have a good end to the season? I don’t know if it’s because of that kind of jinx, but anyway, the winner was my friend Wooseok. Especially the fight against our Giseong in the finals, which went into overtime, was really legendary.

With the Wonha Challengers winning in two categories out of the four events, the eve ended with an upset… and the most important All-Star Game day.

“……”

“……”

I was humming and walking down the hallway when I ran into him head-on. With him.

“Hello.”

“…Oh. Hello.”

Unlike an athlete, he had fair and flawless skin, neatly styled hair, strong features, a manly and sturdy body, and Park Haejin, bowing politely with such an appearance, looked like he could make even a man fall in love.

Then, as he passed by, the high-class perfume scent flowed past without being overwhelming. F***, he’s so cool. I’m already in love.

After passing him and arriving at the dugout, the first person to greet me was manager Kim Seokju, who was in charge of the Eastern League today.

“Hanwool.”

“Ah, yes. Hello.”

I bowed as politely as Park Haejin did earlier, but ah, I just look pathetic. Let’s go back to normal.

“No matter how many points the score difference is today, you’re going to go out in the 8th inning, so be prepared.”

“Oh……”

I felt good about the blatant push, even from a manager from another team, not even my own team’s manager.

“Thank… you.”

“You’ve definitely changed this season. You know that, right?”

“Yes… I know.”

“What is it?”

“Yes?”

“Tell me your secret. I’ll tell it to our team’s kids too.”

Well, a quest-like thing appears in front of my eyes? If I succeed in this, it raises my stats and increases my abilities.

“Hehe……”

I can’t say that, so I just give a sheepish smile.

“Is it a trade secret or something?”

“Yes. I’m planning to spread it around when I become a coach in a few years.”

“You rascal. I’ll have to snatch you up quickly when you retire.”

“Ahik……”

A championship troubleshooter. In the last 10 years as a manager, he has advanced to the Korean Series [championship series] 7 times and won the Korean Series 5 times.

Such a legendary manager has marked me as a pitching coach!

“But please think of that as a distant future.”

“When will it be?”

“I’d like to call it 20 years if I could.”

“You’re going to play even at 50?”

“If my body can handle it, why not?”

“That’s right, that’s right, you have to do it with that mindset.”

But I’m a player. A pitching coach is not a player. Pitching coach? That’s after retirement. I have no intention of retiring quickly right now.

For different reasons, manager Kim Seokju nodded as if he liked this spirit.

“Kim Hanwool!”

“Yes?”

Then, as I was walking around the ground for a while, I turned around at the sound of someone calling me. A beautiful woman running towards me with a bright smile.

“Would you mind doing a quick interview?”

“Ah… yes.”

It was Gu Hyeonjeong, the main announcer of MBS [broadcasting station]. As soon as she asked for my understanding, the camera stood in front of us.

“Hello! I’m here with Kim Hanwool. Kim Hanwool! This is your first All-Star Game appearance, right?”

“Ah… yes.”

“It’s a really cliché question, but what are your thoughts?”

“I’m happy about half of it… and dazed about half of it.”

“Why are you dazed?”

“I’m wondering if someone like me should be in this position… something like that.”

“Hey! If Kim Hanwool is left out of the All-Star Game among the bullpen pitchers this season, that would be controversial. Did you know that you actually have the highest WAR [Wins Above Replacement, a comprehensive baseball statistic] of 1.7 among the bullpen pitchers this season?”

“Ah, really?”

“I don’t think Kim Hanwool knew that either?”

“I thought it would be high, but I didn’t know it would be that high.”

Actually, it’s a bit ambiguous to evaluate the bullpen with WAR…

Anyway, after finishing a short interview with announcer Gu Hyeonjeong, someone put their hand on my shoulder.

“Hey. She’s pretty, right?”

“I don’t look at someone like you, you son of a b****.”

“Would she look at you?”

“I’m better than you.”

“Bullshit.”

My friend Wooseok. And over there, he’s a huge fanboy of announcer Gu Hyeonjeong.

The guy who got FA [Free Agent] rights at the end of last season naturally applied for FA and hit the jackpot.

Seongun Hawks, who are bickering with our team Wonha in the town below, made a big bet, a total of 8 years and 14 billion [Korean won, approximately $10.6 million USD].

In reality, it’s a 5-year, 10 billion contract with a 3-year, 4 billion opt-out clause, but f***, 3 years and 4 billion is also a jackpot.

This b****** really has to buy me a house. How much did I raise him? Oh, I’m getting angry?

“Hey.”

“Huh?”

“You have to buy me a house in Seoul.”

“What are you talking about.”

“How much did I raise you? Or are you even human?”

It’s 100% serious, but he took it as 100% a joke and laughed loudly, patting me on the shoulder.

“Okay. I’ll buy you a house as a wedding gift when you get married.”

“F***, bring the contract.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Would I?”

“I admit it. Of course, it’s a lie.”

You son of a b****.

“Do you think you’ll be up today?”

“The manager said he’ll put me up in the 8th inning no matter what?”

“Oh… Kim Hanwool. You’ve grown a lot.”

“I’m already bigger than you, you shorty.”

“What, you wanna fight?”

“Where are you going with a height of 175 [approximately 5’9″]?”

“I hope my turn comes in the 8th inning. I’m going to plant it on the scoreboard.”

“Your record against me this year is 7 strikeouts in 7 at-bats, right, sir?”

Whispering love.

Delivering hope.

Not sparing compliments.

You are a precious person.

After a while of silly talk with my close friends, we split up due to each team’s meeting. When I went to our team’s dugout, well, I’ve accumulated some experience, so I’m right in the middle, slightly above the middle in terms of age. I was the last to arrive, and manager Kim Seokju started a short speech after seeing me arrive.

“First of all, congratulations to everyone who participated in the All-Star Game… The most important thing is this. Don’t get hurt. Got it?”

Yes!