Confirmed Leadoff Hitter
I'd better grab a taxi. Thanks to kicking off the week with a win, the locker room was buzzing with energy. The heroes of the victory were chatting away in high spirits, and I quickly packed my bag after showering. That's when it happened.
"Kim Hu-seong."
I looked up to see Manager Kim Young-ho standing there.
"Yes, Manager."
"Come with me for a sec."
He headed straight toward the dugout. The stadium lights were off, leaving the place deserted, and the stands were nearly empty now. Manager Kim Young-ho stood in front of the dugout, chewing gum instead of a cigarette as he gazed up at the sky. When I approached, he slowly turned his head.
"You did great today."
"Thank you for believing in me."
The manager eyed me for a moment before speaking. "You proved yourself in today's game. I'm putting you in the leadoff spot for the next week. Show me what you can do over the remaining five games. Your base running and defense have already passed with flying colors. If you keep your hitting steady, you could even lock down the starting leadoff role going forward."
I drew in a sharp breath.
"I'll keep pushing. I won't let you down."
He looked at me again, then said quietly, "Good. But keep this in mind. In my book, the leadoff spot isn't just for some fast guy. It's where the team's most complete hitter stands—a five-tool player. That's the consensus."
I could feel his philosophy in those words.
"I don't think you're that player yet. By my standards, Jeong Ui-hoon or Kim Han-seong fit better. So... make sure I don't regret this decision."
I bowed deeply. "Yes, sir. I will."
Manager Kim Young-ho gave a short nod and walked out of the dugout. I stood there for a while longer.
...Sajik Stadium in Busan... Hitting the first team really feels real now.
I stared out at the empty field before heading back inside.
On the way back to the team hotel after the game, exhaustion was setting in, but my mind was strangely exhilarated. Maybe it was the satisfaction of putting it all out there today. But as I reached the elevator, Senior Hwang Do-yoon tapped my shoulder.
"Hey, Hu-seong, you made it? You killed it today. I asked them to room us together. Head up, then come back down. Let's grab a light drink."
I froze for a second. Normally, I'd just crash in my room, but... no, it was hard to turn down someone who'd gone out of his way to help get me back on the first team.
"Sure... got it."
Hwang Do-yoon smirked. "Yeah, nights like this call for a drink." He clapped my back.
I rushed to the room, unpacked, changed clothes, and headed back down. The place he led me to was a Korean BBQ joint. But inside, Captain Son Tae-ho and Senior Lee Sang-hyeon were already seated.
Huh? Why are these two here...?
I tensed up. The vibe didn't feel like a casual hangout. But Hwang Do-yoon broke the ice first.
"Here comes our Hu-seong! What'd I tell you? He's got it, right?"
Son Tae-ho nodded and raised his glass. "Yeah, he does. Knew he had the chops, but... hmm, that thing made me a bit cautious."
The mood shifted slightly at that.
"Haha... sorry about that. I said I'd explain later, so tonight..." I bowed my head.
"It's fine. Do-yoon already filled me in. Would've been better to hear it from you, but..."
Hwang Do-yoon jumped in with a grin. "Separate issue, but I've seen his training in the second team. Guy's got no personal life. Just training, workouts, meals, repeat. Just bad luck he got caught. Oh! Not totally no life, but... point is, he's not slacking on baseball."
The tension eased a bit. Son Tae-ho slid a glass my way. "Hey, Hu-seong. If we hadn't called you, what were you planning to do tonight?"
I thought for a sec and answered honestly. "Just... a light walk or jog, maybe? After performing well, I figured sleep wouldn't come easy."
Hwang Do-yoon spread his hands with a laugh. "See? Told you. Baseball's all he knows."
Son Tae-ho chuckled too and nodded. "Alright, got it. Just no big screw-ups from here on. Keep it up like today. Got it?"
I bowed immediately. "Yes, sir. I will."
Lee Sang-hyeon, checking his phone, chimed in. "Handled the interview well too. Fans were pissed, but seems like it's cooling off now."
"For real?"
"Yeah, just checked. A few places... anyway, they won't hate you as much now."
Son Tae-ho made a weary face. "Haa... fans are exhausting. But... that interview—was it for real?"
"Yes...? Yeah, it was. I have to keep doing that. Otherwise, what's the point of me being here?"
"Hmm..." Son Tae-ho looked conflicted.
"Ah! That's why? Kim Hu-seong, you'll burn out playing like that in the summer. For real. You sure you can keep it up?"
Lee Sang-hyeon asked me directly.
"...I have to. Somehow."
Meanwhile, the Busan Siguls coaching staff was in a meeting. A winning series against the tenth-place Turkeys, who were struggling in the mid-table fight, was just breaking even. But dropping the opener with such an off performance made for a tense atmosphere.
The Siguls manager propped his chin on his hand. "That opponent's leadoff, Kim Hu-seong or whatever? Come up with a plan for him."
"No clear way..." The chief coach muttered lowly.
"Chief says no dice. Rest of you?"
"Pitchers mess up their rhythm holding him. Best to just focus on their own pitching. But..." The pitching coach spoke up, pausing before continuing. "If we're matching up, bullpen should lean veteran over young guys. Players who won't get rattled by that base running. It's more mental than velocity for this guy."
The Siguls manager nodded—it made sense.
"And the pitchers might feel a bit hard done by."
"What?"
"Turkeys' lineup was better than expected. Their pitching was meh overall. Closer and middle relievers were solid, but we should've scored more off the rest."
"Haa... so it's the hitters?" The hitting coach sighed.
"Objectively, yeah."
Deep wrinkles formed on the Siguls manager's forehead. "Can't argue that."
"Ah..."
After a moment's thought, he muttered quietly with his head down. "Really grates on me."
He called to the pitching coach. "Pitching coach."
"Yes, Manager."
"Can't overuse vets, so from now on, treat second base as a freebie. Don't worry about the runner. Catcher stays defense-oriented, so just hold third."
The pitching coach looked shocked. "Second base free?"
"Yeah. Steals are tough to stop anyway. Don't get shaken—throw your game."
"Got it."
He glanced at the hitting coach with a dissatisfied look. "And hitting coach."
"Yes, Manager."
"We all know their pitching's weak. Hitters gotta step up. Keep that in mind."
"Understood..."
The next morning, my head throbbed the moment I opened my eyes. The booze from last night was hitting me with a mild hangover. I grabbed the water bottle on the nightstand, chugged half, caught my breath, and got up. Sunlight poured in through the window.
"Oh crap..."
The clock showed morning practice was almost starting. I jumped up, splashed water on my face haphazardly, grabbed my uniform bag. From the other bed, Hwang Do-yoon stirred and mumbled.
"Hu-seong... can't make it today. Gonna rest and join for the game."
...Slacking off's an option?
I hesitated. "Then maybe I could..."
"No way, you're a rookie. Go."
He pulled the covers over and passed out again.
...Damn. Jealous. Being a rook sucks.
I sighed bitterly, slung my bag over my shoulder, and opened the door, grumbling inwardly. Walking the hotel hallway, I tried clearing my head, but last night's fatigue and lingering alcohol weighed me down. In the elevator, I checked my phone— one new message notification.
What the...?
Oh, right—she wasn't around. Hmm... how to reply? I sent the messages and stepped outside.
"The... the bus is gone!"
Haa... damn. Just joined, so stuff like this... Bus already left... Guess I'll drive... Wait, no. Better not risk it. Taxi it is.