Peaceful Bullpen Life [EN]: Chapter 70

※ Chapter 70. Comma

Once again, a short break was given. Thanks to securing victory in three matches, a short break of a whole 3 days was added.

The stadium where we would experience the slightly larger stage of the playoffs for the first time was the Gocheok Dome.

Since it was under the same Seoul sky, it was a schedule where we could just hang around the neighborhood without going far.

Clap clap clap!

In the middle of that one day. As soon as I sat down, cheerful applause burst out from across the table.

“I believed in you!”

Min-young was widening her eyes and rejoicing.

The team she supports, thanks to the performance of the player she supports, had reached the finals and showed such a great performance again.

It was a situation that any fan would be happy about.

“But I think it’s going to be tough from now on.”

However, from the perspective of the person involved, I had no choice but to lay the groundwork.

“I know.”

“It’s a relief that the disappointment will be smaller.”

“Dongseong is scary……”

“It’s scary, honestly. They have to be pretty strong……”

They might seem weak because of the nickname ‘Kong Line’ [a self-deprecating nickname implying they often finish second], but Dongseong was also one of the teams that had been fiercely accumulating wins this season.

From the perspective of a team that barely managed to reach the .500 mark, it was natural to embrace the challenger title, following the team’s name.

The fans also knew it. They didn’t rashly say we had to win. That’s why all our players promised to do their best.

“You’re going to tell me to look forward to next year, right?”

“I have to lay the groundwork with that story.”

“Can I trust you? That Han-wool will stay and do it while he wants to.”

It wasn’t the puppy-like ‘hehehe’ atmosphere like before. In the serious atmosphere, I couldn’t easily answer and paused for a moment.

“Yes. I will.”

Even after giving a good answer, I wondered if it was an answer that needed to be paused over.

“Then that’s enough.”

Hehe, the sight of her putting the small piece of meat that was cut so well into her mouth was quite cute.

I also laughed ‘hehe’ and took a bite of the meat in front of me.

* * *

Season 74 wins, 1 draw, 51 losses. And 63 wins, 2 draws, 61 losses.

This difference of nearly 10 games was the difference between the 2nd and 3rd place teams in the regular season.

Of course, everyone predicted Dongseong’s victory. Even Wonha’s fans.

It’s okay, we did well just getting here. I’m satisfied.

That kind of atmosphere rather stimulated the players’ stubbornness.

Are we the kind of people who would stop here?

This gist was very well expressed at the media day.

The manager spoke in a gentle tone that he wouldn’t end the game easily, and Seong-hoon also continued with a similar gist.

Hyeok-joon inherited Chu Bong-gi’s spirit that he had shown at the previous media day.

No-hit, no-run, I know now that I’ve done it once.

The people who attended from Dongseong were manager Han Dong-hee, Go Myung-hyun who bats 3rd and plays 3rd base, and Hyun-jin, the national team’s ace pitcher.

As members of a team that reserves one spot every year when picking the top 4 teams, they leisurely 받아쳤다 [badachyeotda – parried/countered] Wonha’s representatives’ provocations.

“You’re going to no-hit, right?”

“Yes. I will.”

Hanging out next to the pitcher warming up right before the game seems to have become one of my routines now.

Today, I sat next to Hyeok-joon and watched the warm-up.

Bang—!

“Ah, good ball!”

Listening to the sound of the mitt that seemed like it would burst, I couldn’t help but feel reassured.

No one would believe it, but no-hit is just no-hit. Isn’t it just confidence that he’ll perform roughly equivalent to that?

Strike three!!

But is he really going to do it?

Watching Hyeok-joon returning to the dugout after striking out the third batter in the bottom of the 8th inning, I really thought so.

The number of pitches was also appropriately 102. If he pushed himself a little, it didn’t seem like an impossible story at all.

Clang—!

“Ah… too bad.”

However, a no-hit, no-run is not something you can see so easily. Jang Dong-woon, whom he met after 1 out, hit a right-field hit from the first pitch, and the record immediately disappeared.

Because Jang Dong-woon’s batting was the only weakness you could pick from Dongseong, the disappointment that washed over me felt even greater.

People often say that if a no-hitter is broken in the late innings, it’s even more dangerous.

Everyone on the team knew it, so Gyu-hak and the pitching coach tried to call a timeout and go up to the mound.

But he resolutely refused the timeout. After just blinking his innocent eyes, the pitching coach had to return to the dugout.

Clang—!

“Pick it up, second!”

“Tag, tag!!”

And the next batter he met, Kim Seok-ho, ended the inning by creating a reverse double play with two pitches.

“Han-wool.”

“Yes?”

“Can you finish it up?”

“Me? What about senior Shin Kyung-seok?”

“Because there’s only one point difference. I think your probability is higher for now.”

“Yes. It’s okay. Please talk to the senior.”

“Okay.”

In the middle of answering, I got up from my seat, grabbed my glove, and quickly headed to the dugout.

The top of the 9th inning starts with Seong-hoon, number 6. Because Gyu-hak is 끼어있기 [kkieoissgi – wedged/sandwiched] in the 8th spot, we have to consider the possibility that the inning will end faster than expected.

“Gun-yeong!”

“Yes!”

I was stretching my shoulders as I walked to the bullpen, so I grabbed the ball right away. I started catching lightly.

Throwing the ball, and receiving the ball again. Just before throwing again, my eyes unconsciously turned to the ground.

“He’s still throwing.”

– Senior.

– What.

– I will definitely show you that I have grown.

– No, you don’t have to show me.

– I want to show you.

– Please.

– I have to show you.

– X 벌놈이 [X beolnomi – X you rascal/jerk].

Hyun-jin’s call the day before the media day. His 모습에 [moseube – appearance/figure] faithfully fulfilling the short call history made me 기가 갈렸다 [giga galliyeotda – feel pressured/deflated].

The score he gave up during the 8 innings was Seong-hyun’s solo home run.

Hyeok-joon, who didn’t allow a single run during the same period, could be said to be superior, but his performance was also definitely great.

“Fastball!”

Bang!

Let’s hurry.

Our batting order isn’t very good, and the pitcher over there is Hyun-jin.

The time to warm up seems shorter than I thought. I threw away all unnecessary routines in the middle and focused only on throwing the ball at a fast tempo.

“Han-wool, let’s go.”

I was so engrossed in throwing the ball that I didn’t even know the attack was over. The door opened and I walked to the center of Gocheok Dome, which felt different from the atmosphere I usually felt.

Overwhelmed.

Unlike the 준플레이오프 [Jun-Playoff – Semi-Playoff], I was being overwhelmed.

I didn’t feel this sense even at Sajik Stadium, where I met KP last year, or at Daejeon Hanbat Stadium, where I met Seong-woon a while ago.

The air one step above.

Just the difference between having the word ‘준 [Jun – Semi]’ attached or not, I was being overwhelmed.

Ding—!

[Playoffs!]

– Get a save including one strikeout! (0/1)

– Reward – All pitches +1

As soon as I stepped on the plate, text appeared on the window of the record room far above the catcher in front of me.

A difficult batting order to face from number 1. I decided to push aside whether or not I would succeed in the mission as a secondary issue.

Let’s win.

It’s never easy to meet and beat a strong team like Dongseong on such a big stage. Let’s catch them when we can.

Play!

The play call dropped and Choi Yong-hwan took his position. Woo-seok boasts such overwhelming specs, but Choi Yong-hwan is also a good enough hitter to be the national team’s number 1 hitter.

A number 1 hitter with no weaknesses.

From my perspective, who has to say 사기에 가까운 [sagie gakkaun – fraudulent/deceptive] comments, I was 속에서 열불이 나는 [soge seo yeolburi naneun – burning up inside/frustrated].

“Ball!”

I intentionally 깔았다 [kkalatda – laid down/placed] the curve downwards. Because it was such a big curve, the knob of the bat was slightly visible, showing traces of trying to watch it until the end and hit it.

Tuk—

“Ball—”

The splitter that 박힌 [bakhin – embedded/stuck] on the ground so roughly that the expression ‘almost 메다꽂았 [medakkotat – slammed down]’ was fitting was such an absurd ball that Gyu-hak’s mitt gave up following it.

Two balls.

I started with a not-so-good count against the league’s top number 1 hitter, but I didn’t think badly of it.

High ball.

After all, the finishing pitch for Choi Yong-hwan should be seen as high.

I have to make him hit it in the air.

As I was thinking about the sight of a right-handed hitter 끊어버리는 [kkeuneobeorineun – cutting off/chopping] 4 seconds flat to first base, I felt genuinely scared.

Since the pitcher who started with two balls first would naturally want to catch the count. Let’s aim for that.

Since I started with two balls first, I can afford to watch one, right?

Which one will Choi Yong-hwan choose between the two 갈림길 [galimgil – crossroads/choices]?

“Strike—!”

Was it the former, or the latter?

He 지나치기는 [jinachigineun – passed/let go] the fastball that 박히는 [bakhineun – embedding/sticking] deeply on the 몸쪽 [momjjok – inside of the body/inner part], but in the process, the movement that was more 적극적이었던 [jeokgeukjeogieotdeon – active/aggressive] than the previous two balls still made me 헷갈리게 [hetgallige – confused/puzzled].

Just one more. Let’s catch just one more somehow. What should I catch it with?

“Ah.”

Looking at Choi Yong-hwan and thinking of Woo-seok, I suddenly thought of the 승부 [seungbu – match/game] with Woo-seok. I couldn’t remember the details, but there was one 공 하나 [gong hana – ball/pitch] that was 뜬금없었던 [tteungeumeopseotdeon – unexpected/out of the blue].

I immediately put it into action. When I showed my index and middle fingers, Gyu-hak nodded, saying he understood.

After confirming that it was 치환되는 [chihwandoeneun – converted/substituted] into three fingers, I prepared my 자세 [jase – posture/stance].

The ball I will throw is a high curve. It has to go high enough that you think, ‘This came in?’ It shouldn’t be 몰리지 [molliji – crowded/pushed], and it shouldn’t become a ball.

The ball thrown with the best concentration flew exactly in the direction and position I wanted.

띡 [ttik – sound of a light hit]!

“억 [eok – gasp]!”

But he hit it?!

Because I was 보다, 보다, 보다, 보다 들어 오길래 [boda, boda, boda, boda deureo ogillae – watching, watching, watching, watching it come in], it hit the 배트 [baeteu – bat] that 무심코 흘러나온 [musimko heulleonaon – unconsciously flowed out], and the 타구 [tagu – batted ball] rolled to my right.

Ah, it’s 애매한데 [aemaehande – ambiguous/vague]!

It’s too far for the catcher to catch and throw, and the hitter’s feet are too fast for the 3rd baseman to run and catch. I have to catch it, I have to throw it.

My body, which had already executed the movement faster than I thought, was running along the 3rd base line.

“Mine!!”

Without any filtering, my mouth was sending a signal that I would catch it. One step ahead of the direction the ball was heading, my left foot 당도함과 동시에 [dangdohamgwa dongsie – arriving at the same time] my right hand touched the ball.

I don’t even know what grip I 잡혔는지 [japhyeotneunji – grabbed/held].

I threw the ball that I 집어 든 막무가내로 [jibeo deun mangmugaenaero – picked up recklessly], 걸쳐 [geolchyeo – straddling/spanning] even my ring finger.

Looking at the ball flying in my 시야 속에서 [siya sogeseo – field of vision] and 가라앉는 수욱 [garaneunneun suuk – sinking swiftly] downwards at some point, I wondered if it was a changeup 계통 [gyetong – type/system].

쿠닥 [kudak – thud]—!

By the time I recognized the strong 충격을 가해지는 [chunggyeogeul gahaejineun – impact being applied] on my back, my 시야 [siya – vision] was 휘둘렸다 바쁘게 [hwidullyeotda bappeuge – swirling busily].

Only when the 잔디 [janndi – grass/turf] of the 땅바닥 [ttangbadak – ground/floor] entered my 시야 [siya – vision] once, twice, did I realize that I had 굴렀다는 몇 바퀴 [gulleotdaneun myeot bakwi – rolled several times].

Because of that, the situation at 1st base that 사라진 [sarajin – disappeared] in my 시야 [siya – vision] was enough to make my 맘을 애달프게 [mameul aedaleupge – heart ache/sadden].

“아우우웃 [auuuut – a drawn-out ‘out’ call]!!”

심판들 특 [simpandeul teuk – characteristic of umpires], they call it even stronger when a 호수비 [hosubi – great play/defensive gem] comes out.

“Hyung, are you okay?!”

“How’s your back? Can you breathe well?”

Words of concern for my safety continued from around me, but the judgment of the 상환 [sanghwan – situation/circumstances] at 1st base was the priority.

I was worried that Choi Yong-hwan might draw a 네모 [nemo – square] in his dugout with 불만으로 멋진 주먹질에 대한 혹여나 [bulmaneuro meotjin jumeokjire daehan hokyeona – out of dissatisfaction, perhaps with a cool punch].

2nd batter, Jo!! Hee!! Jiin!!

However, I knew that he had 확실하게 받아들였음을 [hwaksilhage badadeuryeosseumeul – definitely accepted] the out 판정을 [panjeongeul – ruling/judgment] with the voice announcing the appearance of the next batter.

And only then did my back start to hurt.

“…Hyung.”

“Are you okay?”

“Was I cool?”

Despite my teammates’ worries, my mouth was 나불거리고 쌉소리를 [nabulgeorigo ssapssorireul – babbling nonsense].

“You were X나 [Xna – extremely/fucking] cool.”

Hehe.

I could forget the pain in my back with the 극찬 [geukchan – extreme praise] that the hyung [hyung – older brother/male senior], who was always cold and 무뚝뚝하던 [muttukttukadeon – blunt/reserved], gave with 거친 표현까지 써가며 [geochin pyohyeonkkaji sseoga며 – even using rough expressions].

탁탁 [taktak – pat pat]—

“You’ll hurt your body. Do it 적당히 [jeokdanghi – moderately/appropriately].”

“Ah, of course.”

He even 친절하게 털어주는데 [chinjeolhage teoreojuneunde – kindly brushed off] the 잔디묻은 [janndimudeun – grass-covered] on my back, but this 오히려 이게 더 아팠다 [oh히려 ige deo apattda – this was even more painful].

I quickly 정신을 차리고 [jeongsineul charigo – regained my senses] 뚜벅뚜벅 [ttubeokttubeok – trudged/walked heavily] walked to the 플레이트로 [peulleiteuro – plate]. Naturally, my 시선 닿았다 [siseon daatta – gaze reached/fell] towards 1st base.

I saw Hyun-jin wearing an 아이싱티 [aisingti – icing tee], meaning he had 끝냈다는 본인의 역할을 [kkeunnaetdaneun boninui yeokhareul – finished his role] now.

He’s finally 내려왔네 [naeryeowatne – came down/off]. We can win even if we go to 연장 [yeonjang – extra innings], right?

Well, I had such a 안일한 [anhilhan – complacent/easygoing] thought for a moment. To put it a little differently, I felt 편해졌다 [pyeonhaejyeotda – relieved/comfortable].

I was ready to 돌려줄 [dollyeojul – return/give back] the feeling of being 압도당하던 [apdodangadeon – overwhelmed].

Clang—

The 모습 [moseup – appearance/sight] of the ball that 어설프게 맞은 [eoseolpeuge majeun – awkwardly hit] on my neck rolling 데굴데굴 [deguldegul – rolling around] to my left made my legs 반사적으로 [bansajeogeuro – reflexively] move to the left.

“Gi-seong, go in!”

I saw Gi-seong’s 검은색 스파이크 [geomeunsaek seupaikeu – black spikes] in the corner of my 시야 [siya – vision] following the ball. The 검은색 스파이크 사라지는 [geomeunsaek seupaikeu sarajineun – black spikes disappearing] quickly as soon as my 콜 [kol – call] ended.

I 집어다가 [jibeodaga – picked up] the ball with my glove and 밀었다 툭 [mireotda tuk – pushed lightly] while 받아들인 [badadeurin – accepting] the 모멘텀 향하는 [momenteom hyanghaneun – momentum heading] towards 1st base.

As I 두고 시선을 [dugo siseoneul – placing my gaze] on the ball 떠나는 [tteonaneun – leaving] my hand 천천히 [cheoncheonhi – slowly], Gi-seong, who had just 도착한 [dochakhan – arrived] at 1st base, was 내밀고 본인의 탄색 미트를 [naemilgo boninui tansak miteureul – extending his tan mitt].

“아우우웃 [auuuut – a drawn-out ‘out’ call]!”

Once again, one of the 심판들의 특징 발현됐다 [simpandeului teukjing balhyeondwaetda – characteristics of the umpires manifested]. He showed off a 라이트 훅 [raiteu huk – right hook] that would 진짜 골로 갈 [jinjja gollo gal – really go to hell/be in trouble] if you got hit, and 돌려보냈다 [dollyeobonaetda – sent back] the hitter to the dugout.

“Wow, what’s up with you today, hyung. Did you take something?”

“Don’t say scary things.”

“You’re really 날아다니네 [naradanine – flying around/doing great] today, hyung.”

“You try doing defense like this too.”

“Ah.”

After 잠시 때려준 몇 대 [jamsi ttaeryeojun myeot dae – hitting a few times] with 팩트로 [paekteuro – with facts] after 건네받으며 [geonnebadmyeo – receiving] the ball from Gi-seong, I 심호흡 하고 후우 [simhoheup hago huu – took a deep breath and exhaled].

The 모습 [moseup – appearance/sight] of 굴르고 몇 바퀴 [gulleogo myeot bakwi – rolling several times] and 뛰어댕기는 빠르게 [ttwieodaenggineun ppareuge – running around quickly] was 깎아 먹고 [kkakka meokgo – eating away/depleting] the 순간적인 체력을 빠르게 [sunganjeogin chelyeogeul ppareuge – instantaneous stamina quickly].

While I was 만지작거리고 로진 [manjijakgeorigo rojin – fiddling with rosin] to catch my breath a little, Go Myung-hyun entered my 시야 [siya – vision].

Another 좌타 [jwata – left-handed hitter]. But he’s a 띄워 치는 [ttwieo chineun – hitting fly balls] style, so there won’t be much for me to 관여할 [gwanyeohal – interfere/be involved], right?

“Strike—!”

I 던졌다 [deonjyeotda – threw] the curve from the first pitch so he would 띄워 치라고 아싸리 [ttwieo chirago assari – hit fly balls on purpose]. But I 던졌다 [deonjyeotda – threw] it so he could 구경 한번 [gugyeong hanbeon – take a look] if possible.

I 던졌다 [deonjyeotda – threw] the ball so it would 마무리되도록 [mamuridoidorok – finish/conclude] at a 절묘한 [jeolmhyohan – exquisite/perfect] spot on the 바깥쪽 [bakkatjjok – outside]. Looking at him 멀뚱히 구경 [meoltteonghi gugyeong – blankly watching], he looked uncomfortable somewhere.

They’re 잡아준다고 [jabajundago – calling strikes] there?

“Strike—!”

Yeah, they’ve been 잡아주더라 [jabajudeora – calling strikes] from before.

I 확인시켜 주었다 [hwaginsikyeo jueotda – confirmed] the 구심 [gusim – home plate umpire]’s 성향 [seonghyang – tendency/inclination] by 던져주며 [deonjyeojumyeo – throwing] the fastball to the 똑같은 곳으로 [ttokgateun goseuro – same place].

“Ball—”

Afterwards, I 던졌다 [deonjyeotda – threw] a fastball on the 몸쪽 [momjjok – inside] as a 깜짝 선물 [kkamjjak seonmul – surprise gift], but it was a ball.

“High ball—”

And I tried 던져봤지만 [deonjyeobwatjiman – tried throwing] a fastball in a 높은 곳 [nopeun got – high place] to aim for a 헛스윙 [heotswing – swing and miss] once, but I 받아냈다 [badanaetda – received] the ball one more time.

When it became a 2-2 count, I wondered if I should 써볼까 [sseobolkka – try using] a 뻔한 수법 [ppeonhan subeop – obvious trick], but I shook my head.

Thumb and index finger.

However, the catcher gave me the 믿음을 [mideumeul – belief/trust] that the 진부한 is the best [jinbuhan – cliche/conventional]. I 끄덕이고 [kkeudeogigo – nodded] and 약지가 검지와 반시계 방향으로 살짝 돌아갔다 [yakjiga geomjiga bansigye banghyangeuro saljjak doragatda – ring finger slightly turned counterclockwise] in the glove.

I lightly 완성하고 [wanseonghago – completed] the 체인지업 그립 [cheinjieop geurip – changeup grip], and then I 던진다 [deonjinda – throw].

Whoosh—

Swing—! Out!

“어후 [eohu – phew]……”

I would have 지르면서 괴성을 [jireumyeonseo goeseongeul – screaming with a strange voice] like 쌰아악 [ssyaaaak]! 와아악 [waaaak]! 이야악 [iyaaak]! and 내려왔을 텐데 [naeryeowasseul tende – come down] the 마운드를 [maundeureul – mound] 평소 같았으면 [pyeongso gateosseumyeon – like usual], but I was so 빠졌는지 진이 [ppajyeonneunji jini – drained/exhausted] from the 연속 호수비 [yeonsok hosubi – consecutive great plays] that I hadn’t 예정에도 [yejeongedo – planned].

“Ah, hyung, nice!”

“You worked hard.”

Ding—!

[Playoffs!]

– Get a save including one strikeout! (1/1)

– Reward – All pitches +1

Ah.

The 미션 완료 알림 [misyeon wallyo allim – mission complete notification] that 튀어나오는 [twieonaoneun – popping out] with a 시간 차 [sigan cha – time difference] when everyone came out to the ground after 확정 짓고 승리를 [hwakjeong jitgo seungnireul – confirming the victory].

“쌰아아악 [ssyaaaak]!!”

After 얻고 나서야 [eotgo naseoya – only after obtaining] the 보조 목표물 [bojo mokpyomul – auxiliary target] called 미션 [misyeon – mission] in 더불어 to the 메인 [deobureo to the mein – in addition to the main] called 팀 승리 [tim seungni – team victory], 개인 세이브 [gaein seibeu – individual save], 무의식 명령하라 표현 기쁨을 [muuisik myeongnyeonghara pyohyeon gippeumeul – unconsciously ordering to express joy].

“He’s lost it.”

“Did it hurt a lot?”

Of course, that 모습은 [moseubeun – appearance] would have 보였을 텐데 [boyeosseul tende – looked] like a 미친놈 [michinnom – crazy guy] to the eyes of the people next to me.

Because I was 항상 각인이 되어 있던 [hangsang gagini doeeo itdeon – always imprinted/engraved] as such a 놈 [nom – guy/person], the teammates 남기고 감상평 짧은 [namgigo gamsangpyeong jjalbeun – leaving a short review] called 미친놈 맞네 [michinnom manne – crazy guy is right] and 숙였다 [sugyeotda – lowered] their 고개를 [gogaereul – heads] towards the 3rd base 응원석 [eungwonseok – cheering section].

Series score 1 to 0. We started by 잡고 동성을 [japgo dongseongeul – catching/beating Dongseong] once.