Back to the Plate - Top of the 3rd
Kim Hu-seong's turn at bat came around again in the top of the 3rd. So far, so good. The question now was how to keep it going…
Kim Hu-seong was on fire today. The big question was how Yang Do-yeong would handle him this time…
As I walked back to the plate, I quickly scanned Yang Do-yeong's expression. He'd already given up two runs, his lips pressed tight, no trace of his usual composure radiating from the mound. It wasn't the look of the ace everyone expected from a powerhouse team.
First-round win to me. A hitter just needs one hit a day to call it solid… but I had no intention of settling for that. Today… it's been a pretty infuriating day.
I fixed him with a sharp glare again. Not just the pitcher this time… the entire defense too.
And right away, something caught my eye. Gwangju Pigeons' third baseman Kang Do-yoon was playing much closer to the base now, and way up front. It was a shift meant to counter bunts or slow grounders—he was remembering the hit I'd laced earlier.
Makes bunting or poking a slow one toward third tough now. I concluded quickly.
But on the flip side, with him creeping in like that, the shortstop's coverage area behind him had to widen. And I could see the gap that created. Between third and short—it was pretty big.
Hit it there, and I'm alive. The problem? My usual swings won't thread that needle… Pitcher could snag it too. Plus, both short and third have quick feet and reflexes. Even a slight angle off, and I'm done.
So I needed a grounder with a bit more speed. I tapped my bat and decided to take the first pitch.
Whiiiff! Thwack!
Yang Do-yeong fired one quick and tight inside. I let it go. Breathing deep, I regripped and thought.
So how do I do it…? Right… time to try that.
The method I'd ditched before. Raising the angle. Unlike my irregular-bounce downswing, a level swing produced plain infield grounders—which was why I'd scrapped it—but for punching through that spot, it'd do just fine.
Perfect. If it's outside, just push it through. No need to crush it—a normal grounder works.
Yang Do-yeong cut off the second sign and nodded. The catcher dropped low, flashing outside with his mitt.
Here it came. Second pitch. An outside fastball.
My body reacted first. Elbow flared, I shoved it straight through.
Crack! The ball met the sweet spot dead-on, dropping low just like I'd planned.
"Kim Hu-seong hits it!"
The moment it hit the dirt, it was a routine-speed grounder—but the direction was killer. Straight through the hole between third and short, right between the two fielders.
"Oh~ great course. A beauty slipping between short and third."
Gwangju Pigeons' shortstop Ryu Geon-ho reacted instantly. With quick steps, he lunged left, diving for it with his glove outstretched.
"Got it!"
Ryu Geon-ho popped up and eyed first. But I was already sliding in safe.
"Ah…"
The shortstop reared back to throw, then froze. No point—he knew it.
"Third can't make the throw. Kim Hu-seong picks up a smart hit!"
Lee Seo-jin sounded stunned in the booth.
"Kim Hu-seong is unbelievable today. That hit was just too impressive."
"What stands out?"
"It's not his usual style. He doesn't hit that kind of ball often… but with the gap between third and short so wide, he smartly went there. He used to mix it up with bunts, but now he can thread the needle into holes like that too… Oof… Nightmare for the defense."
"Impressive growth from Kim Hu-seong."
"Yeah… He feels way more developed than last game. Hard to believe he's a rookie… He's growing scary fast."
"Batter hits it. Rolling toward third."
I charged forward fast, snagged the ball, and fired it to Hwang Do-yoon at first.
Whiiiff! Thwack!
"Out!"
"Game over! Gocheok Turkeys take the win 10-3, grabbing the final out!"
Nice! That's what I'm talking about, fuck yeah.
I jogged in from third to the dugout, totally satisfied.
"Great work, everyone. Nice!"
The manager and the bench guys waiting outside greeted me. I high-fived my way through and headed in.
"Kim Hu-seong!"
"Yeah?"
As I packed up in the dugout, someone called urgently.
"Time for your interview."
"Oh! Got it."
I headed straight out for it.
"Great game in your return today, Kim Hu-seong."
"Thanks."
"Incredible performance. 5-for-6 with 2 RBIs, 3 runs scored, and a stolen base. Satisfied with today's showing?"
I grinned.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"You're a total nightmare for the Pigeons now. Official Pigeons Killer. Like the nickname?"
Hmm…
"Nah, not really."
"Oh? Why not?"
"Makes it sound like I'm only good against one team. I want to crush every team."
"Hoo~ Ambitious. I love it. One more thing—your hitting and style have evolved a lot lately. Anyone you're modeling after?"
Hmm? They fishing for props here?
"I'm a guy with tons of flaws. I try all sorts of fixes. One player I've studied a lot is you, the commentator interviewing me, Lee Seo-jin. But since teams are reading this style now, I'm picking up others too."
"You mean Coach Lee Gyu-yong, right?"
"Spot on."
"Pitchers are gonna hate you. Fans'll love it. Keep bringing the heat."
Interview done, I headed to the locker room.
Huh? The vibe was off.
"What the…"
"Oh, you're here? Sit quiet. Fielders' meeting."
As I slipped in last, Son Tae-ho uncrossed his arms and spoke up.
"Big win today. Good work."
Everyone nodded.
But his next words grabbed all eyes.
"One thing I wanna say, that's why I called you."
Son Tae-ho raised a hand to hush the murmurs.
"Things are chaotic lately, right? Trade rumors flying—who's getting dealt, all that."
A few faces stiffened before he finished. The whispers had been swirling quietly for days. Who's name's coming up, front office vibes are weird, bundling a few fielders, pitchers too maybe… Nothing solid, but everyone knew. Rumors don't start from nothing.
"Kim Hu-seong."
"Yeah, hyung."
"Give him a hand, guys. Best out there today."
Clap clap clap clap What? More props?
I blinked around, clueless.
"Look at this guy. Misses six days with injury, comes back firing on all cylinders—defense, baserunning, hitting. And not shaken by trade talk."
Uh… That was just normal for me… Trade? Gu Min-seok hyung said it wouldn't happen, so I ignored it… Is that worth noting?
"Word is, his name's topping the trade lists."
What? Me?
Dead silence.
Son Tae-ho kept going.
"But look at him. Zero shake. Just does his job. Straight-up ballplayer."
Hmm… Gasp.But I'm not…
"Some of you wanna get traded, some don't. Makes you antsy. Some dreaming of escape, others scared of getting dumped. I get it. But bottom line? Excel here, no matter what. Never forget that. Nail it where you are, and that's why they keep you—or trade for you. Got it?"
"Hyung? I didn't even know. Why not tell me sooner?"
His palm cracked my head.
"You idiot. When someone praises you, shut up and take it! No sense."
A few guys by the wall snickered.
Son Tae-ho continued.
"Wanna hear more trade talk? You'd fetch a nice deal. Maybe 150 million next year?"
My eyes widened. Others leaned in. 150 mil? Mine's 3 mil now. Huge gap. Damn minimum wage.
Son Tae-ho smirked at my reaction and added,
"Especially teams you own, like Gwangju Pigeons. They'd love grabbing you. Sounds good, huh?"
Gwangju Pigeons? Nice…?
"…Sounds great. Who do I talk to?"
Thwack!
"You traitor! Jumping at 'good' like that! You're not going anywhere, punk."
I scratched my head.
"Guess I ain't good enough?"
"Nah, man. A 3-mil guy playing like a 100-mil stud? Team won't let you walk. Send you out, they'd need three Jo Seon-jaes to even think about it. Nah, even three Jo Seon-jaes are pricey—they'd pass."
Son Tae-ho jabbed a finger at me.
"See this poor bastard? Other team, he'd demand 150 mil next arb. Here? Tops out at 100. Bet on it."
I went soul-vacant, shocked.
"So get it? Some poor saps can't leave or cash in. Even if you go, kill it here first. Don't think 'kicked out'—escaping this team? Solid choice too. Real talk."
He clapped brightly.
"Alright! Let's crush the rest. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Meeting over. Back to the hotel."