Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 73

End of Pitching, Beginning of Hitting -72

Jeong-woo rubbed his right shoulder, feeling strange at Mancini’s question.

Rolling around, throwing, he wondered if he had unknowingly caused a problem.

As his face hardened, the manager waved his hands frantically, as if to say that wasn’t the case.

“No, it’s not that there’s something wrong with your shoulder, Lee. I was wondering if you’d be okay with pitching? Not full-force pitching, but just enough for the batter to hit.”

“Yes, I can.”

‘That’s my specialty.’

Jeong-woo didn’t bother to say the last part.

Throwing in a way that’s easy for the batter to hit is easy for Jeong-woo.

It’s not like he intends to. It’s just that batters tend to hit his pitches lightly.

And it’s not like his durability is an issue, even if his power has decreased due to the aftereffects of his injury.

He played as a pitcher before his regression, after all.

For more than ten years.

“But what’s going on?”

However, that didn’t mean he understood this proposal.

When Jeong-woo asked with a questioning look, the manager told him everything that had been said so far.

That the fans wanted to see him at the All-Star Game, that the club was thinking positively about it, and that General Manager Pratt had approved it without question.

After hearing all the explanations, Jeong-woo licked his lips.

Before his regression, he watched the All-Star Game on TV in Korea, and then in the United States, but,

Maybe he could sit in the stadium seats himself.

Not just for the All-Star Game, but he might be able to get on the Major League mound.

“So, you’re saying I should work with Joey in this Home Run Derby?”

“Although that won’t completely satisfy the fans, they’ll be happy to see your face on the screen, even if it’s just in the Home Run Derby.”

After hearing that explanation, Jeong-woo understood.

Braves fans definitely love him too much.

There are many factors, but the fact that Jeong-woo Lee has become a symbol of hope for the Atlanta Braves has been a big one.

In fact, the team’s ranking has gone up since he was called up. That was almost certain.

Jeong-woo found the fans’ love awkward, but he also accepted it happily.

He also acknowledged that he had to do something for them.

And it’s not uncommon for someone other than a pitcher to take the mound in the Home Run Derby.

‘Sometimes they bring out an old mentor or friend, or a teammate who didn’t make it to the All-Star Game.’

A prime example is Josh Hamilton.

After experiencing a rough life, including a traffic accident, drug addiction, and a suicide attempt just before the draft, he made a comeback.

He confidently made it to the Major League and participated in the Home Run Derby in 2008.

At the time, he put his 71-year-old mentor on the mound.

There are often cases where someone other than a pitcher takes the mound because of the special nature of the Home Run Derby.

‘In the first place, it’s not a game; it’s more like an event for the fans.’

The All-Star Game also lost its World Series home advantage [the winning league in the All-Star Game used to get home-field advantage in the World Series].

The Home Run Derby is not even that.

Some players don’t even participate in the first place. How could it be?

“But would it be okay? It’s been a year since I pitched. I don’t want to cause trouble for Joey….”

At Jeong-woo’s concern, Mancini smiled warmly and contentedly.

“He suggested it first.”

“Yes?”

“Joey suggested it. He said he doesn’t care if the ball flies into his head. Let’s satisfy the fans. He said he already has so much money he doesn’t know what to do with it anyway. And he’s already won.”

“Ah….”

Jeong-woo glanced at Joey, who was running hard on the ground.

For some reason, his sturdy body looked even bigger today.

####

“So, Jeong-woo Lee, is that how you pronounce it? Anyway, he’s going to be on the mound during Joey Fredman’s turn?”

“Yes, it’s been decided within the Braves.”

The man scratched his chin.

If things go well, there might be an interesting scene at the Home Run Derby, the All-Star Game Eve event.

‘Lee, he’s a player who’s been talked about a lot these days.’

Jeong-woo Lee.

The Asian player was one of the most talked about players in the Major League recently.

He was a player who was certain to become the Braves’ franchise star in the future.

‘It’s interesting. An ordinary Asian rookie is already so popular.’

He heard that the Korean broadcasting company that bought the broadcasting rights was smiling happily at the soaring market capitalization.

It had been a long time since an Asian had gained this much fame.

The man remembered the name clearly.

“Was he originally a pitcher? Or is that someone else?”

“That’s Lee. After graduating from high school, he signed with the Braves for $2.5 million. I heard he was quite good, but he switched to being a hitter last year due to the aftereffects of a shoulder injury.”

“That’s a good story, too.”

The man tapped the table with his fingertips.

He had a picture in his mind. A fragrant smell brushed past his nose.

The smell of money, the smell of box office success.

‘A promising pitcher who collapsed, then jumped to stardom after switching to a hitter. Then, in the Home Run Derby, he steps onto the Major League field as a pitcher for the same team hitter….’

What is the biggest factor that determines the success of a league?

Overall improvement in the quality of the game? A fair and just league without corruption? Mature fan culture?

Those are all somewhat correct, but in the end, the biggest factor that determines the success of a league is buzz.

There has to be buzz for people to talk about it, and then people who are curious will go to the stadium or turn on the TV channel.

The reason why many sports leagues are focusing on hero marketing is because of that buzz.

In the end, that leads the league.

In fact, there were many behind-the-scenes stories, but Bud Selig’s [former MLB commissioner] time as league commissioner boasted great success by producing buzz centered on hero marketing.

It seemed like there would be such buzz at this Home Run Derby.

“Let’s push it. It’s a pretty plausible story, isn’t it? A promising pitcher who collapsed due to injury, then makes a comeback as a hitter, and then, although it’s the Home Run Derby, he still takes the Major League mound as a pitcher again.”

It was like a drama, so the man was sure that it would stimulate people’s emotions.

Maybe it could be the foundation for making him a hero by becoming the background story of a rising star.

‘The more heroes there are in the league, the better. It’s a bit of a shame that he’s Asian, but it’ll be better for marketing in Asia.’

The man, Robert Oldman, the 21st Major League Commissioner, smiled faintly.

####

“You’re really not making any sense. It’s true that Lee is a Korean player, but that doesn’t mean he’s your property. I can’t tolerate my player’s image being used like this as an agent.”

“I’m a little disappointed that you just think of it as consumption. We are seriously considering Jeong-woo Lee’s boarding [selection for the national team]. It’s being discussed internally.”

“Without saying a word to the agent or the player himself?”

Mark shook his head in disbelief.

If they were really considering it, the current behavior didn’t make sense.

“Give me a definite answer. Don’t keep shaking up a player who’s in the middle of the season. YES or NO, one thing for sure.”

“I’ll say it again, we’re seriously considering it now. We still need more internal discussion. And frankly, I’m offended. Don’t you think it’s unreasonable for an agent to be involved in the national team lineup?”

Mark sighed, staring at the other person, who was acting like he was the one in the wrong.

In the end, he jumped up from his seat.

Before leaving, he said one thing.

“Don’t think that the players will only make concessions forever. At least Lee won’t be as long as I’m here. He’s a Major Leaguer.”

“Are you threatening me? I don’t know if Jeong-woo Lee knows that his agent is such a rude person.”

Mark smiled inwardly at the reaction that seemed to assume that this protest was an individual act of misconduct by the agent.

If things went wrong, he wanted to take all the blame.

Mark, who came out of the room, straightened his disheveled clothes.

The face that had been bubbling with anger was now filled with coldness.

‘Okay, this makes it clear. It’s not just throwing out bait. There are many stories inside the association. However, the opposing opinion is a little bigger.’

If they didn’t even think about it at all, they wouldn’t even meet him.

Even if they met, they wouldn’t have come out like this, instead of turning around and coaxing him gently, I would have treated him a little more high-handedly.

Conversely, if they were really seriously discussing it, he would have welcomed his visit.

The fact that he is turning his words around as much as possible and showing an ambiguous reaction means that the story about Lee’s boarding has not been clearly integrated within the association.

This makes things easier.

‘There’s no point in me digging in any further here. I have to shake it from the outside.’

The method is simple: bring the wind from the outside and just sweep it all the way inside.

There are several ways to do that.

Mark knew the most effective one.

[Turn left in 100 meters.]

Behind the navigation sound, he operated the cell phone attached to the vehicle mount and soon made a call somewhere.

After a short ringtone, the voice that came with the clicking connection sound was exhausted.

-Yes, this is Park Seong-kwon of Sports Korea.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Park. I’m sorry to contact you so suddenly. I’m Mark Rogers, Jeong-woo Lee’s agent. Do you have time to talk for a moment? I know a good restaurant.”

Press. In these matters, the press is always the answer.

At least Mark thought so.

If you distance yourself from them, they’ll bother you like mosquitoes in the house.

If you get close, the press is like a tongue in your mouth.

That tongue has the power of a well-honed knife.

Now was the time to wield that knife.

####

[Is the Baseball Association’s handling of things just a game of passing the buck?]

[Does the association want to win? Or is it just about preserving their positions and taming the players?]

[An association that doesn’t respect players. It’s time to change the way players are incited to quell public opinion!]

[Military service is not a weapon. Players are not tools.]

[Isn’t this about Lee Jeong-woo?]

[ㄴIt’s obviously Lee Jeong-woo. They’re using Lee Jeong-woo to muddy the waters.]

[ㄴTo be honest, the association’s handling of things is terrible.]

[ㄴSo, is Lee Jeong-woo joining or not? I wish they would say something for sure.]

[ㄴCan’t you tell? They’re just using Lee Jeong-woo to muddy the waters. They’ll probably take him from the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization].]

The backlash began.

Until now, fans were busy arguing among themselves.

The focus didn’t come to the association as intended.

But as the media turned its guns first, only then did the fans begin to glare at the association.

In particular, Lee Jeong-woo’s fans, who had been expressing their dissatisfaction from the beginning, stepped forward like berserkers.

A Korean Major Leaguer, a promising player who could even aim for Rookie of the Year.

They were already unhappy that they were using such a player as a shield.

Are you really just going to suck the sweet water and throw it away like this?

It was unacceptable.

[Lee Jeong-woo’s anger? ‘I’m happy that it’s being discussed in a glorious position, but I also want to get a definite answer.’ Reveals heavy heart through post-match interview…]

[Atlanta Braves side, ‘He is a player whose future is more important than immediate results. We would be happy to send him if an offer comes.’ Does this imply Lee Jeong-woo’s boarding?]

There, Lee Jeong-woo and the Braves also gave strength.

After winning the game against the Milwaukee Brewers, the first opponent in July, Lee Jeong-woo had a light interview with the Korean media, and General Manager Pratt quickly expressed the club’s intentions.

That made public opinion burn like oil poured on a lamp.

That spread the story that was simply coming out among baseball fans to the general public.

“Oppa [term used by a younger woman to address an older brother or male friend], you said this player was good last time, right?”

The man who turned his head to the girlfriend who was holding out the cell phone screen opened his eyes wide.

Unlike himself, who was an extreme baseball fan, his girlfriend was so lukewarm that the baseball stadium date he had dreamed of before dating was still a dream.

He was always disappointed.

He was so excited that she showed interest for the first time.

It also felt like a match made in heaven that she was pointing out the player he liked.

“Lee Jeong-woo? He’s good, he’s really good. He’s a really good player. Why? Are you interested in baseball? Do you want to go see a game together? It’s fun to watch on TV, but baseball is different when you see it in person. I’ll pay for the game tickets and dinner. How about watching the game with chicken and beer?”

The man, who poured out words like a machine gun, looked at his girlfriend with expectant eyes.

But the woman betrayed his expectations and shook her head and asked.

“It’s not that. Isn’t the national team made up of the best people? But why can’t this player do it? If you’re good, shouldn’t you be on the national team?”

“Ah~ There are various circumstances….”

Although he was disappointed that it wasn’t the reaction he expected, he seemed to be interested.

The man answered diligently.

Similar things were happening here and there.

That was slowly becoming a wind, as Mark said.

It’s a strong storm.

####

Without knowing what was happening in Korea at all, Lee Jeong-woo was just living his usual days, but one more thing was added to his daily life.

“Nice ball. Hey, Lee, you could be a pitcher?”

“I used to be a pitcher.”

“Haha, no way. With this ball?”

“You said it was nice?”

“That’s just a compliment. Lee, you did a good job switching to a hitter. You’re perfect as a shortstop.”

“Still, the course is okay, so throw it one more time.”

Lee Jeong-woo, who made a slightly sullen expression at the bullpen catcher’s joke, took his stance again at Joey’s request.

His heart was strangely pounding at pitching for the first time in almost a year.

Now, his identity as a hitter was greater.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve thrown a ball so comfortably.’

With a faint smile, Lee Jeong-woo stretched out his body and watched the ball fly.

People’s bodies adapt quickly to the situation.

The act of standing on the mound and throwing the ball was already a little unfamiliar.

So the unremarkable ball was worse than he remembered.

‘Is this about 80 miles early to mid? The speed is the same as before. The quality is worse.’

There was no need for the throw to be powerful.

Lee Jeong-woo, who was convinced that he would not be able to return as a pitcher with this, asked Joey.

“How is it? Can you hit it?”

“Oh, it’s perfect. The control is better than I thought. There’s no movement. If you do well, you might even be able to win?”

“Yes, that’s a good thing.”

Joey said it with pure intentions.

Lee Jeong-woo was a little upset because it was his ball, but he smiled inwardly.

He threw the ball suddenly.

Then Joey quickly swung and showed off his bat speed as if it was impossible, but his swing cut through the air.

What Lee Jeong-woo threw was not the four-seam fastball he had thrown so far, but the two-seam fastball that he had mainly thrown before the injury, and that had allowed him to cling to the world of professionals.

Joey was a little surprised at the plausible change, considering that he hadn’t thrown it for a long time.

The bullpen catcher, who was busy teasing Lee Jeong-woo, also opened his eyes wide.

“What? You knew how to throw changeups- oh, you used to be a pitcher.”

“Cool, right?”

“No. It’s okay. It would have been pretty plausible if a good pitcher had thrown it. But Lee, you’re a shortstop? No way.”

Despite the bullpen catcher’s harsh evaluation, Lee Jeong-woo was quite satisfied.

The two-seam fastball that he had been throwing throughout his career until he was last released just before his regression was definitely better than his skills.

It’s just a pity that it’s being thrown from his hand.

‘It’s a good ball, but it met the wrong owner.’

When Lee Jeong-woo, who smiled self-deprecatingly, was clenching and unclenching his hands for no reason, someone approached him.

“Are you practicing for the Home Run Derby?”

“Ah, yes. I was practicing for a while. It’s going in better than I thought. What do you think, Mason?”

Mason came over, having seen it while passing by.

He usually had a blank face like Lee Jeong-woo, but now his face was clearly emotional.

“It wasn’t bad. But if it’s okay, can you show me that one more time?”

His eyes, which met Lee Jeong-woo’s, showed an indescribable desire.