Peaceful Bullpen Life [EN]: Chapter 26

The First Game of the 준-Playoffs [Semi-Playoffs]

“Should we call this cool weather in autumn, or warm weather in autumn? But one thing I can say for sure is that this is perfect weather for playing and watching baseball.”

As the camera panned across the entire stadium with the caster’s intro, it moved behind home plate.

Three men in neat suits, each holding a microphone, were shown on camera. The man in the middle, wearing glasses, adjusted his microphone.

“Hello viewers, this is Sajik Stadium in Busan, where the first game of the 2017 professional baseball 준-playoffs [semi-playoffs] will be held. I am MBS caster Kwon Myung-hoon, and I will be joined by commentators Lee Young-jin and Kim Soo-chan. Hello.”

“Hello.”

“Hello.”

As caster Kwon Myung-hoon bowed to the camera, the two commentators standing on either side of him also bowed.

“The KP Stars secured their third-place ranking relatively early and reduced the physical burden on their starting players by using backup players in the starting lineup from the second half of the league. However, the Wonha Challengers, who finished the season in fourth place, barely confirmed their fourth-place spot in the final game of the regular season.”

“The players probably have some physical burden. It’s unavoidable. They must be exhausted not only physically but also mentally. But on the other hand, they are riding that momentum and atmosphere, so Wonha will not back down easily.”

Lee Young-jin, a legendary home run king from the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], started with a comment.

“Actually, Kim Han-wool made a similar statement at yesterday’s media day to what commentator Lee Young-jin just said.”

“That’s right. However, if I look a little deeper than the overall team aspect, I’m a little worried about Kim Han-wool.”

“Ah, what part are you worried about?”

“The physical part, stamina. Caster Kwon Myung-hoon mentioned it, and Kim Han-wool himself said it at the media day, right? That he is the key player. I see it that way too. If Wonha, who has an advantage in defense and starting pitchers, wants to beat KP, they need to perform well in the middle and closing.”

“That’s right.”

“But Kim Han-wool has pitched more than 50 innings every year for 10 years since his debut, and he has pitched more than 60 innings in the last three years, and now he has to pitch in the post-season.”

“That’s right.”

“Moreover, since closer Lee Hyo-jae is physically struggling, Kim Han-wool has to cover this part as well. If Kim Han-wool collapses, Wonha will have a very hard time, that’s how I see it.”

Kim Soo-chan, a former pitcher known for being stingy with praise, actually praised Kim Han-wool and voiced his concerns.

“Thank you for your comments. We will be back with the Wonha Challengers’ attack in the top of the first inning after a short commercial break. Thank you.”

After a few minutes of preview about the game, the caster smoothly wrapped up the conversation as the commercial break approached.

“Cut!”

The three men’s expressions brightened at the PD’s [Production Director’s] cut sign.

“Honestly, who do you think will win?”

“I think KP.”

“Me too, KP.”

While heading from the ground to the commentary box, commentator Lee Young-jin casually brought up the topic, and the other two gave similar opinions.

“Am I the only one who thinks Wonha will win?”

Unable to hide his bewilderment, Kim Soo-chan, the oldest and most experienced in baseball among the three, added.

“Well, if they play in a normal state, I think Wonha would win. Didn’t they have 11 wins and 7 losses in the pennant race?”

“Wonha will be ahead with 10 wins and 8 losses.”

“Right. Baseball is defense. Wonha has a good defense. No matter how good KP’s batting is, Wonha will block it all.”

The other two nodded in agreement with that point.

“But they look too exhausted. Especially Han-wool. I’m most worried about him.”

“That much? It’s the first time I’ve seen commentator Kim Soo-chan favor one player so much.”

“Haha, favoritism.”

The playful banter of the three middle-aged men continued even after arriving at the commentary box.

“Hwang Hyuk-joon as the first starter and Han Kyu-jin as the second starter are good. But the problem is after that. And if possible, they will try to save Hyo-jae. No, Hyo-jae will be the main one, but they won’t push him too hard. You can see he’s getting old. Then Han-wool will go up.”

The other two seemed to find it plausible and nodded.

“So, if Han-wool goes up, Wonha wins, and if Wonha loses, Han-wool doesn’t go up? Then it’s a dilemma for Wonha. They have to fight with a mid-tier lineup in the league. This is also ambiguous. I can’t trust the batting.”

He was freely speaking his mind in front of the legendary home run king, but even the home run king agreed with that opinion.

“I think Hwang Hyuk-joon and Han Kyu-jin will come out and win in the first and second games, and then Hwang Hyuk-joon will come out again and win in the fifth game?”

“Hey, that’s too much like a novel.”

“Baseball is a novel.”

“Live in 10 seconds!”

The ongoing chatter was stopped by the PD’s call sign.

The middle-aged man who had been joking around was gone, and caster Kwon Myung-hoon, who has the longest career and the most popularity among current baseball casters, appeared.

“Cue!”

“2017 KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] Professional Baseball, this is Sajik Stadium in Busan, where the first game of the 준-playoffs [semi-playoffs] will be held. The first post-season game of this season will of course be held with a full house.”

“It’s the fifth consecutive sell-out game from the first game of the Korean Series last year to this game.”

“That’s right. We are also feeling the growing enthusiasm for baseball. In this regard, announcer Gu Hyun-jung had a brief conversation with Wonha’s Kim Han-wool, let’s take a look.”

The screen switched to the interview video that had been taken earlier.

“Hello, this is MBS announcer Gu Hyun-jung. I am here with Wonha’s Kim Han-wool! We are continuing the sell-out streak from the first game of the Korean Series last year to today’s first game of the 준-playoffs [semi-playoffs], what do you think?”

“Uh… well. It’s good. I’m grateful that many people like baseball.”

“Is Kim Han-wool also feeling the popularity?”

“A little?”

“When do you feel it?”

“The number of people asking for autographs when I leave work has increased. And many more people recognize me on the subway when I leave work.”

“If you could say a word to those who support Kim Han-wool?”

“Thank you. Overwhelmingly thank you.”

“Currently, Wonha Challengers was the first of the eight clubs to open a team video channel, and as the first to open it, it has the most subscribers. Do you acknowledge that Kim Han-wool himself has the highest stake in the channel?”

“Yes. So, if the PD sees this, shouldn’t they give me a bonus? Otherwise, I’m going to refuse to appear.”

At that, the announcer burst out laughing, covering her mouth for a moment before finishing the interview and the camera returned to the commentary box.

The three men in the commentary box couldn’t hide their pleased smiles at Kim Han-wool’s playful interview.

“Do you two watch the Wonha account?”

“Yes. I subscribe to it.”

“There was such a thing?”

“It’s quite fun to watch.”

“Hoo…….”

Kim Soo-chan, who is the oldest and most unfamiliar in this area, had an expectant look on his face as if he had discovered new civilization.

“The national anthem ceremony will be held.”

Baseball players from the Busan area came out to the ground and finished preparing to sing the national anthem. During that time, not only the players but also the spectators in the stands stood up and placed their right hands on their left chests.

After the national anthem ended, the fans couldn’t help but cheer at the rising excitement, and soon a famous entertainer from Busan came to the mound wearing the KP Stars uniform.

After a short greeting, the ball thrown in front of the mound was accurately delivered to the catcher’s mitt, and he ran to the catcher as if he was happy with that alone and asked for a handshake. The club announcer asked for a brief comment, and he cheered for the KP Stars’ victory before leaving the ground.

Soon, as KP Stars’ first starter, Lim Jae-hyuk, was seen throwing the ball on the mound, KP Stars’ defensive positions were displayed on the screen.

“KP Stars’ defensive formation is as follows: Lee Kyung-moo, Shin Yong-hee, and Lee Chang-hyun in the outfield, Ha Eun-min, Ryu Seung-hoon, Kim Ki-yoon, and Ahn Byung-guk in the infield, and the battery of pitcher Lim Jae-hyuk and catcher Hwang Ha-kyun. What do you think of starting pitcher Lim Jae-hyuk?”

“He’s only been in the league for two years this year, but he’s the team’s first starter, the first starter in the post-season. Do we need any more explanation than this?”

Ahem!

“Good fastball, good breaking ball, and good control. All abilities are above average, a very ideal starting pitcher. What to watch out for is how KP’s fielders will deal with the crisis situations that they are likely to create.”

“Which player do you think is important in terms of defense, commentator Kim Soo-chan?”

“Ryu Seung-hoon’s role will be important. They are a team with many weaknesses in terms of defense. As the post-season emphasizes the role of defense more than ever, shortstop Ryu Seung-hoon will be very busy coordinating all the fielders.”

True to his *dokseolga* [outspoken critic] persona, commentator Kim Soo-chan pointed out KP Stars’ defense from the start.

“Here is the batting lineup of the Wonha Challengers against pitcher Lim Jae-hyuk. 1st batter shortstop Lee Myung-jin, 2nd batter right fielder Kang Sung-hyun, 3rd batter first baseman Nam Ki-sung, 4th batter center fielder Park Jin-hyung, 5th batter designated hitter Yoon Seung-joo, 6th batter third baseman Lee Sung-hoon, 7th batter second baseman Jeon Sung-moon, 8th batter catcher Moon Gyu-hak, 9th batter left fielder Yoo Hoon.”

“Many people think that Wonha’s lineup is weak, but I don’t think so. The explosiveness may be lower compared to other teams, but the lineup is surprisingly well-organized.”

“Which player will play the most important role in the lineup?”

“I would pick Yoon Seung-joo. I felt like his swing was somehow creaking in the second half of the regular season. Since he is a designated hitter who cannot help in terms of defense, he must work harder in terms of batting.”

After a short conversation, a scene of KP Stars’ first starter, Lim Jae-hyuk, practicing pitching was captured.

Lee Myung-jin, who was matching the timing of Lim Jae-hyuk’s pitching from a place slightly away from the plate, was seen, and the umpire was running around.

“KP Stars’ starting pitcher is Lim Jae-hyuk. In the 2017 season, he started in all 24 games and recorded 10 wins and 6 losses with an average ERA [Earned Run Average] of 4.38 in 144 innings. He recorded 98 strikeouts and allowed only 26 walks, and his season WHIP [Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched] is 1.33.”

“It’s hard to believe he’s only 21 years old this year. He doesn’t have anything particularly outstanding like a fast ball, good control, or good breaking ball. But he has guts. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve seen a rookie pitcher with the mindset of ‘try hitting it’.”

“I had a harder time facing a pitcher with guts like Lim Jae-hyuk than pitchers with fast balls and good breaking balls that commentator Kim Soo-chan mentioned.”

After the practice pitching was over, the umpire stood behind the catcher and called Lee Myung-jin, who had finished his practice swing.

He showed his palm to the pitcher, signaling him to wait a moment, and finished preparing to fix his pivot foot by moving his right foot back and forth. After that, he took a batting stance and waited for the pitch.

“The first pitch is an outside 148km fastball, and the umpire’s judgment that it passed through the zone results in a strike.”

“The second pitch is a falling ball. He watches it, count 1-1.”

“The third pitch is an outside fastball again, but it’s slightly off.”

“The count becomes favorable to Lee Myung-jin as the outside fastball misses again.”

“Oh oh, another fastball missing outside, Lim Jae-hyuk gives up a meaningless walk from the start.”

Then, second batter Kang Sung-hyun walked on a straight walk.

“Lim Jae-hyuk doesn’t seem to be in very good condition today. He sends out two consecutive batters on walks from the start, and catcher Hwang Ha-kyun calls a time-out for a moment.”

“Isn’t he feeling the pressure?”

“He has to overcome this in this kind of position to become a pitcher who will represent our country in the future. If you have thoughts about it just because it’s a big game, you can never have good results. You have to become indifferent. He has too many thoughts.”

As commentator Kim Soo-chan said, Lim Jae-hyuk showed less shaking his head when facing third batter Nam Ki-sung.

The pulled hit from a 1-2 count went into the glove of right fielder Lee Chang-hyun, but it was a pretty well-hit ball, so there was no difficulty for Lee Myung-jin, who was on second base, to tag up to third base.

Then, as fourth batter Park Jin-hyung appeared, the catcher exchanged signs with the bench for a moment and said something to the umpire.

Then, as the umpire said something to Park Jin-hyung again, Park Jin-hyung’s face crumpled and he took off the arm guard, foot guard, and batting gloves that he had been wearing and put them down on the spot and walked to first base.

“Ah, is it an intentional walk?”

“It seems so. After all, Park Jin-hyung’s batting sense was good at the end of the season, and Yoon Seung-joo’s batting sense was not very good. But it’s a bit unexpected to see a bases-loaded strategy from the start of the game.”

“Naturally, the infielders start defending a little closer than usual.”

“Well. Is this a good direction?”

“Commentator Kim Soo-chan doesn’t seem to think it’s a good method.”

“Yes. Even if Yoon Seung-joo’s condition is down, did they really have to make it bases loaded? The way he competed with batter Nam Ki-sung was the Lim Jae-hyuk we knew, shouldn’t we have trusted that?”

“The bases are loaded and it’s the first pitch. The first pitch is a slider that curves into the body. It was a bit deep, starting with one ball.”

After watching the first pitch, the batter was matching the timing by swinging the bat outside the plate for a moment. After about two or three practice swings, he went back to the plate.

“Batter Yoon Seung-joo hits the second pitch.”

“We have to be careful of this ball.”

Commentator Kim Soo-chan had many jokes from fans that he had an excellent eye for the game and would make a lot of money if he did *Toto* [sports betting pool].

As he muttered quietly,

Bang―!!

“Oh oh, a well-hit ball, it’s big!! This ball is!! From the start of the post-season, announcing his revival!! It’s Yoon Seung-joo’s grand slam!!”

The score became hot from the start.