Chapter 19 - Incredible Rookie Performances!

The broadcast booth was buzzing with excitement as the commentators, hyped up by the rookies' fireworks, rattled off their rapid-fire analysis.

"Today's rookie starters from both teams are putting on a show! Right?"

"Absolutely! Even though it's just spring training, I have to admit I didn't expect Seo Tae-woong to shine this brightly."

"As you can see from the stats, his fastball topped out at 123 km/h. That's extremely low."

"But he hasn't given up a single run over four innings with that slow stuff. It shows how he's dominating hitters with his command and pitch mix."

My judgment was way off.

"Lions' rising rookie Yang Chan-seop has been nearly perfect too, aside from that shaky second inning, right?"

"Spot on! Sure, it was Yang Chang-seop's mistake of a pitch, but Kang Baek-ho smashing it over the wall was impressive. That kid's got real talent. Feels like looking at my rookie days."

"Seeing three high school rookies light it up in one game—how long has it been since something like this?"

"First time ever. Even for me!"

"Speaking of which, wasn't committee member Park Jae-ho famous for his Rookie of the Year season?"

"Ah... haha, yeah. I was the first—and last—Rookie of the Year to join the 30-30 club."

"Truth is, Park Jae-ho commentator had such a heartbreaking year in '96. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠If it weren't for our Hana Eagles senior Gu Dae-sang, he would've swept Rookie of the Year and MVP. Haha."

"Come on, Jeong Man-cheol committee member. Can we drop that story? It still stings."

"Aren't you holding onto it too long? It's been over 20 years."

"Hahahahahahaha!"

"Alright, now it's the bottom of the fifth. Lions' offense coming up. On the mound, Seo Tae-woong with four scoreless innings!"

"Manager Kim Jin-woong said pre-game that Tae-woong would go five innings. Can he keep the shutout going?"

"I think so. A pitcher with that kind of command doesn't break easily."

Tae-woong was slated for five innings today. So far: four innings, one hit, no walks, scoreless.

"Shh, shut up already. I need to focus—be quiet."

Tae-woong, on the verge of heading out, added, "And it's not 35 points, it's 40. One point matters right now—don't short me on the reward."

Crack!

"Ball to center! Oh! Center fielder bobbled it! Runner hustles to second—safe!"

"Smart baserunning creates a scoring chance."

Whoosh! Thwack!

"Count 1-ball, 2-strikes! Empty swing—strike three! Curve! Another curve!"

"Four straight inside curves to get him. Rare scene."

Crack!

"Ah, that falling outside changeup nicked the bat. Fouled the first pitch."

"Grounder rolls toward third. To first! Ball beats the runner! Two outs!"

"No-out second turns into two-out second in a flash."

Whoosh! Pow!

"Striiike three!"

"1-2 count, fastball right on the outside corner—looking strike three!"

"That pitch caught him off guard. Normally you'd expect bait pitches with slow velocity, but he challenged right away."

"Scoreless streak through five! Wiz's new magician, Seo Tae-woong!"

"Location is unreal. This kid's the real deal."

"Freely commanding early-120s four-seamers. In the fifth, he allowed a double thanks to center's error, but stayed cool in scoring position."

Inside, outside—low-zone four-seamers threading the strike zone. Outside changeups and curves to righties, inside low curves to lefties. Hitters were helpless.

Finally shutting down the fifth scoreless, Tae-woong returned to the dugout. A message popped up—with the promised reward.

Tae-woong immediately claimed the reward: the 40-point Curve he'd wanted—KBO ace starter level.

"Let's check status."

"Pitches look solid, skills decent. Velocity... eh, it'll work out later."

Max velo bugged him up top, but scrolling down improved his mood.

"Finally! This is happening to me! Oh! God! No, System!"

He barely suppressed a victory jump with superhuman restraint. What he needed most? A changeup to fool hitters.

And for a slow pitcher, a good curve wasn't just an addition—it was a weapon that covered his velo weakness.

Even Ace's snark sounded joyful now.

"Time to bomb 'em with curves?"

"Nah, won't happen."

* * *

Tae-woong realized something new.

He could chat with Ace without speaking aloud. Thinking words sent them like a game's whisper function.

"Too lazy, man. Happy?"

'God, I wanna mound up already.'

His body itched to pitch ASAP. Yesterday's mission reward exceeded expectations.

But his next start was still days away. Two days before the opener: final event.

March 22, 2018. Manager Kim Jin-woong unusually brought two rookies to media day alongside two mid-tier vets: spotlight hogs Seo Tae-woong and Kang Baek-ho.

Thud thud.

"Yo, quit pacing. You Michael Jackson or what? Why moonwalk backward?"

Despite Tae-woong's jab, Baek-ho kept fidgeting and fired back.

"What do I do? Tae-woong, they'll ask my season goals. Spill the real ones? What? Ugh, gotta pee again."

"Then wear a diaper. Plenty of time—go buy some!"

Tae-woong yelled at Baek-ho, darting between bathroom and waiting room every five minutes.

"Fuck... what am I supposed to do about it?"

Baek-ho chugged water mid-nerves.

"You not scared?"

"Me? Pfft, no way."

Ace spotted Tae-woong's sweaty palms silently.

'No! Not me!'

"Yo! Last pee break, real quick."

"Yeah, piss pants. Hurry up."

Baek-ho bolted to the bathroom. Tae-woong followed.

"Wait! Kang Baek-ho! I'm coming too—gonna burst!"

* * *

Media day went smoothly. Chatty managers and star players bantered. Finally, AT Wiz's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠turn.

Surprisingly, twice the questions as last year's champs, Tigers.

Napert, now decent at Korean after seven Bears seasons. Hwang Jae-geon, MLB stint then FA return. Super rookie Kang Baek-ho, high school Ohtani and top ROY pick. And first-round draft ace Seo Tae-woong with spring training dominance. Prime media bait.

"Manager Kim Jin-woong, season expectations?"

"Primary goal: escape last place! Ultimately, .500 and playoffs."

"Who’s your ROY pick?"

"Tons of promising rookies, but one of these guys next to me."

Manager Kim's broadcaster charm plus Tae-woong's sly rookie wit drew laughs.

As Wiz time wound down, final questions for Baek-ho and Tae-woong.

"Kang Baek-ho, season goals?"

"Uh... First, no harm to the team. And... personally, ROY challenge."

Baek-ho's rookie quiver mixed textbook answer with bold ambition.

Tae-woong's turn.

"Seo Tae-woong, season goals?"

Same question. A hologram appeared—mission as always, with snarky Ace.

'Do it?'

Last year's Dinosaurs' Son Si-hoon media day bomb—"Even one loss to Giants would suck"—blew up. A year later, still backlash: 7-9 vs. Giants.

He meant it as fun, but netizens? Ruthless when results lagged.

Thus, no controversy magnets today. Veterans like Bears' Woo Hee-gang, Lions' Kang Man-ho kept it fun, but no headlines yet.

Tae-woong hesitated despite juicy reward. Feed the haters or play humble rookie?

'Peppermint water, though.'

OP game item: full stamina restore. No need now, fresh out of high school. Long season needs endurance.

'Stamina dips late-season? My pitches turn to garbage.'

More debate. Go big or safe like Baek-ho?

Leaning safe—interruption.

Tae-woong gritted teeth unconsciously.

Ace's childish taunt lit Tae-woong's pride.

'Fuck it! Mission accepted—go big. What's the worst?'

Reward tempted too. No use now, but playoffs? Gold.

Gripping the mic hard, Tae-woong boomed:

"My goal: Surpass 2006's Ryu Han-jin for best ROY! And Wiz championship!"

His voice echoed. Venue hushed at the bomb.

Tae-woong grinned amid silence.

'Too cocky for a rookie? Why so quiet? Reporters love this.'

No reaction. Glanced left—Baek-ho gawking, mouth agape, 'You idiot?' face.

But Tae-woong's worry was unfounded.