Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 95

Pitcher Over, Batter Up – 94

As the game concluded, the crowd eagerly gathered their belongings, waving enthusiastically at both the Mets players and the visiting Braves fans.

Their faces beamed with joy, contrasting sharply with the gloomy and somber atmosphere surrounding the Mets, as bleak as a rain-soaked street.

“Goodbye! Hope we can do this to you again next time!”

“You guys can’t beat us anymore! Why do you keep dwelling on the past? You need to focus on the present!”

“Thanks to you, the Phillies will catch up soon! We really appreciate it!”

Unfortunately for the Mets, Lee Jung-woo’s calculations had been spot on.

The Mets had hoped to narrow the gap with the Braves in this series and prepare themselves to catch up in the future.

But the series resulted in a clean sweep defeat for them.

“How can you guys be so nice? Giving up your ranking and letting us sweep you.”

“Keep doing this in the future!”

Thus, amidst cheers from the Braves fans, the Mets players trudged back onto the plane with heavy steps.

‘Now only 8 games left. Good, definitely possible,’ Lee Jung-woo thought.

Of course, Lee Jung-woo played a significant role in making that happen.

His series record was 13 plate appearances, 10 at-bats, 3 hits, 3 walks, 4 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases, which, while not as spectacular as some might have expected, was still impactful.

However, he consistently delivered solid performances throughout the series, actively contributing to the team’s victory, which was satisfactory enough.

But Lee Jung-woo wasn’t entirely satisfied. He still needed 5 more wins to reach his goal.

‘I’ve got 3 wins for now. Let’s get just 5 more.’

He didn’t seem to feel sorry for the gloomy Mets players and visiting fans. Lee Jung-woo was satisfied with the current results but still greedily desired more victories.

Lee Jung-woo’s next victims were the Arizona Diamondbacks, against whom he had hit an inside-the-park home run two months prior.

####

“I’d rather be in Phoenix, Phoenix.”

“Everything’s great here, but it gets too hot in the summer.”

The Braves players on the away plane shook their heads, uttering words that would have dumbfounded players from other teams if they had overheard them.

That’s because Phoenix in August is notoriously hot, often described as hell on earth.

With an average temperature of 40 degrees Celsius [104 degrees Fahrenheit], it boasted scorching heat.

Most Major League players didn’t particularly welcome going there in the summer.

However, the Atlanta players didn’t mind the Phoenix away trip that much, to the point of making such jokes.

Atlanta also experienced summer heat, though not as extreme as Phoenix.

“Is Phoenix a little better?”

“That’s just a saying. It’s hotter there. But in some ways, it’s better because it’s not as humid as Atlanta.”

“Well, it’s the difference between being baked and steamed. Still, be careful. You’ll get baked quickly if you walk around carelessly. The staff will hand out sunscreen when we arrive in Phoenix, so use it if you can.”

Lee Jung-woo understood their nonchalant reaction.

He was also a bit taken aback when he first came to America and went to Florida.

He had heard a lot about the heat, and the temperature was definitely no joke, but he felt that the summers in Korea were even worse.

‘And Chase Field is a dome stadium with powerful air conditioning, so no matter how high the temperature is, it’ll be much better than throwing a ball while sweating in Korea.’

Lee Jung-woo was lost in such complacent thoughts, but when he arrived in Phoenix, he was horrified.

‘Is this hell?’

The temperature in Phoenix was beyond imagination.

The sunlight wasn’t warm; it was scorching and stinging as if setting the body on fire.

Even though it was dry with low humidity, it was overwhelmingly suffocating as soon as he got off the bus.

“They’ll definitely close the dome and windows, right? People will die otherwise….”

“The dome will definitely be closed, but… I hope the air conditioning is strong enough.”

“I misspoke. Atlanta is much better. This is no place for people to live.”

The other players, who had been joking around, seemed to have changed their minds after experiencing it firsthand, shaking their heads.

‘That’s why they’re called a home run factory. The humidity must be low.’

Lee Jung-woo clicked his tongue at the heat but was also a little disappointed.

The D-backs’ home stadium, Chase Field, along with Coors Field, was one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in the National League.

Due to the dry climate, the humidity in the air was low, which significantly increased the distance of batted balls, sometimes leading to the activation of the home run factory, as Lee Jung-woo had said.

However, in the summer, the dome and windows were closed, which increased the humidity inside the stadium due to the powerful air conditioning.

‘It’s hot, but it’s a bit of a shame. It would be even better for me if it were similar to Coors Field [home of the Colorado Rockies, known for its hitter-friendly environment].’

But since it wasn’t particularly important to Lee Jung-woo, who was a hitter now, he had thoughts that would have horrified the pitchers and made them slap him on the back.

That’s because the more the distance of batted balls increased, the more advantageous it was for hitters with power like Lee Jung-woo himself.

So, while he was a little disappointed,

he looked forward to experiencing the infamous Chase Field firsthand.

Hoping that it would be as good (?) as he had heard.

####

‘It’s definitely good to have a dome stadium. I understand why they praise it so much. It’s crazy outside, but it’s actually a bit chilly inside. They even built a stadium like this. Money is amazing.’

Lee Jung-woo chuckled as he entered Chase Field.

Even though it was hellishly hot outside, the stadium was surprisingly pleasant, even chilly inside.

Having been frequently exposed to Korea’s hellish summers, and with few dome stadiums even in the summer,

he felt the greatness of capital and the effect of dome stadiums as he had to throw balls in the humid weather.

The broadcast camera captured his 모습 [Korean word for “appearance” or “figure”] and the D-backs bench in a cross-cut.

[Yes, the broadcast camera is capturing the 모습 of two players Korea is proud of.]

Kwak Hyung-sun of the D-backs and Lee Jung-woo of the Braves. They were virtually the last bastions of Korean major leaguers.

Except for them, the remaining Korean players were now Triple-A leaguers, not major leaguers.

But even as the last bastions, the two people’s positions were slightly different.

Unlike their past matchups, the focus was rapidly shifting to Lee Jung-woo.

Even the phrases promoting their game were ridiculed by netizens [internet users].

[The Korean Derby is on again! Lee Jung-woo vs. Kwak Hyung-sun! A showdown between two Korean major leaguers!]

[Honestly, it’s a bit much to call it a showdown now, isn’t it?]

[If I were Lee Jung-woo, I’d be pissed. He’s a franchise star, but he’s being compared to a washed-up rotation player.]

[How did it come to this? Last time they faced off, Lee Jung-woo was a newly called-up backup, and Kwak Hyung-sun was the starting third baseman.]

[The difference is that Kwak Hyung-sun has been on a steady decline, and Lee Jung-woo has been on a steady rise.]

The performances Lee Jung-woo had shown for about two months since their last match had created such a change.

The camera, capturing the two people in a cross-cut, vividly contrasted this difference in atmosphere.

But even while mocking, Korean baseball fans desperately hoped.

That Lee Jung-woo would do well, of course, and that Kwak Hyung-sun would also take off from this game.

‘The stadium is better than I thought, and my recent game sense is good, so I’ll sweep the D-backs cleanly.’

Of course, Lee Jung-woo was merciless.

####

Kwak Hyung-sun also knew.

What people called him. He knew it very well.

‘Washed up. Yeah, I’m washed up.’

He readily admitted it.

For some reason, his performance had declined rapidly, and now that he had been ousted by a rising competitor, Kwak Hyung-sun was washed up even in his own eyes.

But he didn’t want to end it there.

At least, having crossed the Pacific with great ambition, he intended to struggle to the end.

‘Even if I’m not as good as that Lee Jung-woo, I can do better than I am now. I’ll somehow climb back up.’

He armed himself with a firm determination and went out onto the field, but for some reason, the back of his neck felt chilly, perhaps because of the air conditioning.

[The D-backs are once again cleanly stopping the Braves’ attack. Kwak Hyung-sun’s defense was key just now, wasn’t it?]

[Yes, it would have been quite dangerous if it weren’t for Kwak Hyung-sun’s diving catch.]

Fortunately, his defense was keeping up with his determination today.

In both the top of the 1st and 2nd innings, he was able to overcome crises thanks to his good defense.

“You’re doing well today? Do that in the batter’s box, Kwak. Very good.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Kwak Hyung-sun, moistening his dry lips at the manager’s praise, wore a deep smile.

He could gradually regain trust like this.

If he kept doing that, he would eventually be able to reclaim his stolen position.

‘My defense is in good condition. My body feels light. Let’s do well in the batter’s box.’

Returning to the bench covered in dirt, he moistened his dry lips and prepared to go on the attack.

If he could succeed in the attack as well, he would be quite close to regaining his starting position.

He armed himself with forced confidence and went up to the plate.

And the table was perfectly set.

[With runners on 1st and 3rd, Kwak Hyung-sun comes to the plate as the 7th batter.]

[It’s an opportunity. Kwak Hyung-sun’s hitting feel has been good recently, hasn’t it? He’s been consistently getting hits even when coming in as a substitute.]

[That’s why he was called the best contact hitter in Korea.]

The Korean commentators also cheered, hoping that he would show a good performance, and Kwak Hyung-sun, who came to the plate, felt good for some reason.

But why did the back of his neck keep feeling chilly?

‘Hoo. Don’t be nervous. It’s nothing. Kwak Hyung-sun, you’re the best hitter in Korea.’

He thought he was simply nervous about the opportunity that had come and shook his head, focusing all his attention on the pitcher.

‘They’ve been hit consecutively since the start of the inning, so they’re bound to be shaken. Look for an opportunity and calmly swing. Simply and smoothly. Connecting the movements naturally.’

The catcher said something to Kwak Hyung-sun, who was chanting as if casting a spell, but he didn’t have the luxury to pay attention to such things and waited for the ball, glaring at the pitcher as if he would kill him.

Whether it was because he couldn’t get his bearings or because he was testing the waters, the pitcher kept throwing outside the strike zone and didn’t give him a good course.

But he waited patiently.

And finally, it came. A fastball with a lot of mistakes.

‘It’s here. I’m definitely hitting it!’

“Heup-”

Letting out a powerful shout,

he swung his long bat.

It was a swing he did hundreds of times a day,

his body drawing a natural curve,

swinging the bat smoothly and naturally, as he had chanted.

‘Got it-!’

A batted ball with proper power.

Joy was rampant on Kwak Hyung-sun’s face like a blooming flower,

and he threw his bat 멋들어지게 [Korean expression for doing something stylishly or impressively] and stepped forward with all his might, but soon realized.

Where the chilly feeling had come from.

He was a good junior and a stimulating junior.

It seemed like he was armed with a professional spirit worthy of applause.

The shortstop, who had jumped high, snatched the batted ball flying over his head.

Then, he threw the ball without even landing in the air, and why was his aim so good even in that posture?

The throw accurately pierced into the open glove.

Kwak Hyung-sun, who watched all the situations like a slow-motion video, thought.

‘That merciless bastard.’

####

After the game ended,

the players who were preparing to leave the locker room gradually gathered around the TV set up on one side,

and as time passed, all the players gathered together, fixing their eyes on the TV screen.

“What are you guys doing? Aren’t you leaving?”

“Oh, Coach, he’s too good?”

Some coaches were about to say something because the players didn’t seem to be preparing to leave and were doing other things,

but the moment their eyes reached the TV screen, they naturally blended into the group.

“Wow, he hits that so lightly? 96 miles is 154 kilometers, isn’t it? The Major League is really different.”

“Think about the salary, the salary. The minimum salary there is similar to our top salary. They get paid that much because they do that much.”

“Look at that body. Is it possible for an Asian to have that kind of body? It’s a rock, a rock.”

They were watching baseball.

To be exact, it was a broadcast that only collected highlights of today’s Major League games,

and the 모습 [Korean word for “appearance” or “figure”] of doing baseball again after having just done baseball was quite unbalanced,

but the player’s play in the screen made them understand the situation on the one hand.

Even for the same player, it was artistic.

“Wow, he catches that.”

“Hyung-sun must be really pissed.”

“If that kind of batted ball was caught, it’s a relief if the hitter doesn’t swear. No, how do you catch that?”

“Jae-chun, why can’t you do that? Try doing it like that.”

“Yeah, if Jae-chun defends like that, I’d get a shutout every day.”

“Is a shutout the problem? If we had a shortstop like that, we’d easily get an ERA [Earned Run Average, a key pitching statistic] in the 2s.”

In the video, as the shortstop jumped up with all his might and snatched the batted ball that was flying high,

exclamations flowed from the players’ mouths all at once,

and especially the pitchers all looked at the shortstops of the same team.

Their eyes contained envy for the pitcher in the video,

and the shortstop chuckled as if he was dumbfounded at the pitchers’ complaints.

“Hey, seniors, if I knew how to defend like that, I would have gone to the Major League long ago.”

“Look at what this guy is saying? Did you just say in front of the coach that you’re going somewhere else? This is a reactionary?”

“Hya, I’m really envious. He said he’s twenty-two now, right?”

“I think that’s Korean age? American age is twenty-one like it says now.”

“Twenty-two? So young.”

At a young age, some veteran players were momentarily lost in 현자타임 [Korean slang for a moment of sobering reflection].

Twenty-two. Most baseball players at that age are not even able to be a first-team starter unless they are really talented, and even very good players are only first-team backups. The vast majority are 열심히 구르는 [Korean expression for working hard and struggling] in the second team.

Or they don’t get a satisfactory pick in the high school draft and give up baseball altogether, or they play in the college league.

“But he’s a major leaguer at twenty-two? Seeing this, the world is really X같아 [Korean slang for “shitty” or “messed up”].”

“It’s really X같지 [Korean slang for “shitty” or “messed up”].”

When some players sighed for no reason in a situation where they didn’t even smoke,

one of the senior pitchers suddenly looked at the player who was넋이 나가서 [Korean expression for being in a daze or completely absorbed] watching TV.

“Ah, come to think of it. Aren’t Young-joon and him the same school? He’s a year older, right?”

“Who and who are the same school? Young-joon? Are Young-joon and Lee Jung-woo close?”

“It’s a prestigious school, a prestigious school.”

“It’s prestigious, one is a first-team starter at twenty-one, and the other is a major leaguer at twenty-two.”

“Ah~ then is Lee Jung-woo the senior in America that Young-joon talked about last time?”

The player who was넋이 나가있던 [Korean expression for being in a daze or completely absorbed], Sung Young-joon, was even more embarrassed by the seniors who were flocking to him.

“Young-joon, were you close to Lee Jung-woo?”

“Yes, we were close? We were one year apart. We played together. I have his number. I sometimes send him congratulatory greetings.”

“Wow, if you have his number, it’s over~ What was Lee Jung-woo like in high school? Was he that good then too?”

“Well… he was good… but it’s very different from now.”

Sung Young-joon smiled awkwardly.

To be honest, he was still awkward with the current Lee Jung-woo.

Because it was too different.

He was such an overwhelming pitcher, and they even played together as a battery [pitcher and catcher duo] in the competition,

so the image of Jung-woo hyung [Korean term for older brother or senior] that he remembers is still much stronger as a pitcher.

‘Who would have known? I thought he would go to the Major League as a pitcher… I didn’t know he would become such a shortstop.’

That’s why it was even more awkward.

When they met in Australia,

even the person who was so good couldn’t overcome the devil’s claws of injury and switched to a hitter.

After a little more time passed.

Suddenly, he came out in the Major League exhibition game.

He even came out in the Major League exhibition game and eventually became a Major Leaguer.

He was even mentioned in the news and sports articles, and even considered as a Rookie of the Year candidate.

It would be easy to understand if it felt like the whole world was taking a hidden camera against him.

“Well, he’s a major leaguer, so there’s no need to talk about high school. What’s his personality like? Was he arrogant?”

“No, he was just quiet and ordinary. He had a strong desire to win like a player. But his expression is always the same, so he looks a bit 냉철하게 [Korean for “coldly” or “rationally”] if you don’t see him for a long time.”

“Wow~ you seem really close? You even know these trivial things. Then……”

Just knowing Lee Jung-woo and having some kind of relationship with him.

It was still amazing that 하늘같은 [Korean expression for someone highly respected or revered] seniors showed this kind of reaction.

But for some reason, Sung Young-joon felt like his shoulders were shrugging, so he faithfully told him about Lee Jung-woo that he knew.

The more he talked like that, the more he expected.

He was very curious about Lee Jung-woo, who he would see again.

“Young-joon, are you going to the Asian Games too?”

“Yes, I’m actually going as a backup catcher.”

“Still, that’s something.”

“Young-joon did well. He’s not as good as Lee Jung-woo, but if you look at it, he’s a genius, a genius. If you look at him playing in the first team since last summer.”

Sung Young-joon scratched his 까끌까끌한 [Korean for “rough” or “prickly”] chin, smiling awkwardly at the seniors’ compliments.

Thanks to the fact that the team had run out of catchers, he was able to come to the first team earlier than expected.

Since then, he has also been selected for the Asian Games roster thanks to his fairly good performance.

Of course, there were many older players, so it felt too blatant that they were aiming for military exemption.

“Still, you don’t have to worry about going to the military. If you have someone like him, you’ll definitely win a medal.”

“Hey, you have to try it first to know.”

“You don’t have to try it. If a major leaguer comes out in the Asian Games, the game is over. Everyone else will be an amateur.”

Sung Young-joon didn’t bother to press down on the corners of his rising mouth, even though he pretended not to be.

Like that saying, just the fact that a major leaguer was coming out was enough to cause complaints from neighboring countries.

The weight of the team has changed.

Perhaps because he could handle his military service much earlier than others, Sung Young-joon 씰룩거리다가 [Korean for “twitching” or “wriggling”] his lips, then suddenly tilted his head.

‘By the way, what do you see if you’re good at baseball? How did you get it right?’

There was something Lee Jung-woo had said when they met in the Australian league a few months ago.

He had told him to be careful of Kim Hee-chang, the starting pitcher who played in the game together and had a meal together at that time. At that time, he just thought of it as light trash talk and passed it over, but now that he thinks about it, it felt like a prophet’s prediction.

Like the words to be careful, he was being털리고 [Korean slang for “getting beaten up” or “dominated”] coolly by Kim Hee-chang after returning to Korea, and not only that, Kim Hee-chang was even receiving the evaluation of being the best among rookie and native starting pitchers, so he was performing like crazy, 씹어 먹으며 [Korean expression for “devouring” or “dominating”] the league and was even selected for the Asian Games roster.

‘He 털어놓고 [Korean for “revealed” or “confessed”] everything himself. Did he see the future or something? Oh, I’ve watched too many cartoons. He was good at that time, so he must have just caught it.’

Sung Young-joon shook his head, thinking that way.

After the program ended, Sung Young-joon packed his bags again, looking forward to meeting him.