Return to the Hometown Mound

Even though Hiller struggled from the start and gave up five runs, baseball is a game you can't predict until the final out. The game wasn't over yet.

"Fighting!"

"Aja, aja!"

"Let's go!"

"We still have a chance!"

The dugout was filled with the players' cheers. The fans packing Hana Eagles Park didn't give up despite the five-run deficit, belting out team songs. True to their title of having the most come-from-behind wins in the 2018 season, no one from captain Song Kang-min to the rookie Tae-woong was throwing in the towel.

The coaching staff seemed to think it was too early to quit as well, bustling about. Pitching coach Song Jun-woo called the bullpen to check on the reliever who would follow Hiller.

Click.

"You said Man-jae was in good condition earlier? Yeah. I'll have him go two innings, maybe stretch to three depending on how he's throwing, so get one more guy ready behind him."

Right away, the bullpen pitchers slated for the remaining innings started warming up one by one.

Manager Han Young-deok and the hitting coach were deep in discussion, probably brainstorming pinch-hitters for a potential comeback or at least a tie.

Even in the midst of the loss, Tae-woong cheered on his team, clapping enthusiastically and handing out chilled ion drinks from the fridge to the players coming off the field after defense. He fulfilled his duties as the rookie to the letter.

But the Dinos weren't about to hand over their five-run lead easily. Starting from the sixth, four Eagles relievers took the mound in succession, holding the line without allowing a single run. The offense showed some late power, clawing back three runs, but that was it.

In the end, they fell short, losing 5-3 to the Dinos.

At least we didn't go down without a fight.

The starter had faltered and surrendered a bunch of runs, but the bullpen that followed locked down the rest of the innings scoreless. The hitters stayed focused, narrowing the gap without giving up.

Of course, a loss is a loss if you only look at the results...

But few saw the outcome as a disaster. This was regular season play, and the Eagles-Dinos matchup was just one of 144 games. It wasn't a do-or-die Wild Card game or Game 7 of the Korean Series on the brink of a 3-3 tie.

No need for disappointment or self-blame over dropping one game. Patch the weaknesses, build on the strengths, and show up better next time.

And that's on me to step up. I didn't pitch today, but watching from the dugout taught me a lot.

"Good work out there!"

"Yeah, Tae-woong. You too. See you tomorrow."

Tae-woong mulled over his thoughts as he helped the seniors and operations staff clean up. He finally exited the main gate of Hana Eagles Park late at night, long after the packed stands had emptied.

"Haaah, slept like a rock. Feeling refreshed."

Monday, the one true rest day after a strong weekend series against the Dinos. Tae-woong woke up with a satisfied grin.

After breakfast and washing up, he hummed a tune while packing his bag.

Rustle, rustle.

"Four pairs of socks, two black undershirts for changing in the fifth, spare glove..."

Ace, who had been glued to the laptop on the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠desk watching a Major League live broadcast, heard the noises and turned to Tae-woong.

"Huh? Packing. Why? I know when to hit the road."

Tae-woong didn't miss a beat with his busy hands.

"What bullshit. I've got a Wednesday start on the road, so heading out early."

As Tae-woong said, most teams sent their starters a day or two ahead to the hotel for away games to manage conditioning. Bus rides built up fatigue, knowingly or not. Especially after a Thursday finale to a midweek series, when the weekend set was far off. Arriving at 2 or 3 a.m. could wreck a starter's routine if they had to pitch right after a day or two.

Of course, back in my minor league grind, I rode even crappier buses for 10-hour hauls, so this is milder by comparison... Still, fatigue adds up.

For these reasons, Tae-woong—who was starting Wednesday—was heading to the away hotel first with Kim Min-wook (starting tomorrow) and one support staffer.

"Forget the game 10,000 km across the ocean and focus on my schedule? Red star on the calendar right next to your laptop not enough?"

"...You win."

"Suwon."

Ace finally perked up, whipping ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his head around and rushing over.

"Yeah."

Unlike the excited Ace, Tae-woong stayed cool.

Facing my old team isn't new for me.

Pre-regression journeyman Tae-woong had been through this a few times. Sure, trades weren't his choice, but some toxic fans saw it as betrayal. Experience dulled the nerves.

"All packed. Thirty minutes till departure—let's roll."

Back Thursday anyway, so light load. Tae-woong dragged his single carry-on out the door toward Hana Eagles Park, the pickup spot.

"Let's go, hurry up!"

"Shut it."

Tae-woong arrived at the Suwon away hotel in the team van driven by support staff, alongside Kim Min-wook. He unpacked, hit the hotel gym, trained with Min-wook to keep his routine, then pored over analysis on the Wiz hitters he'd face in two days—enduring Ace's "advice" laced with nagging.

Tuesday rolled around. After lunch outside the hotel, the Eagles squad rested briefly before boarding the team bus for the 20-minute ride to Wiz Park.

By the window seat, listening to music, even Tae-woong felt a buzz from the reunion.

After rehab and Double-A, he'd talked once with manager Kim Jin-woong before the straight trade to Eagles. He'd stopped by Wiz Park briefly to grab his stuff, but with it being an away day, he'd missed most players and coaches except a few staff.

Over a month since I last saw their faces.

Away teams trained 2-3 hours pre-game, after the home side's afternoon session. Coaches and players mingled across dugouts and the field.

Off the bus, Tae-woong hustled his gear to the dugout—and grins bloomed instantly.

"Oh, who do we have here? Starting left fielder and shortstop?"

"Hey, you forgetting our key lefty setup man Jun-hong?"

The three players traded from Wiz to Eagles were visiting: Park Jun-hong, Oh Seon-jun, and Choi Jin-hyung.

"Hello!"

Bow to the manager first.

Tae-woong greeted them and headed to the Wiz dugout to show his face to old teammates. He locked eyes with Kim Jin-woong mid-interview with reporters.

The manager waved with a big smile.

"Oh! Tae-woong's here?"

"Hello, Manager. Keeping well?"

"Of course. You too?"

"Naturally. Daejeon's home sweet home now."

"What, kid? That ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠quick?"

"Hahaha!"

The reporters, pausing the interview, burst out laughing at the banter between the recently tight mentor-protégé duo.

"Manager, how about a photo with Seo Tae-woong? Could make a fun short piece."

"Yeah? C'mere, Tae-woong."

"Sure."

Photo snapped, Tae-woong bowed to the manager and reporters, chatted briefly with nearby seniors, then sought the face he most wanted to see.

"Where's Jae-gun hyung?"

"Aw, still remembering your buddy? Probably shagging flies in the outfield after batting practice. Go on."

"Thanks."

Under the scoreboard, crouched and gathering balls: Kang Baek-ho.

Tae-woong cleared his throat and boomed in a deep voice.

"Hey, super rookie."

"Yes, sunbaenim... Wait, Seo Tae-woong, you maniac!"

Baek-ho spun around. Despite the curse, his grin screamed delight.

Tae-woong smirked back.

"Holding up without your big bro? Batting average tanked since."

Baek-ho flinched, stammering.

"S-Still, man, who cares about average anymore? Not the '80s. Look at OPS. And hey, what's baseball's flower? Home runs, right?"

True to his words, while Tae-woong nursed an injury for a month stuck at two wins, Baek-ho played every game without a hitch. Rookie stamina should've flagged, but not for him.

He alternated left and right field, and when tiring, manager Kim Jin-woong slotted him as DH for a game or two. Couldn't bench Wiz's top hitter easily.

Baek-ho powered through a brief slump, boasting a solid .314 average, .390 OBP, and monstrous .634 slugging. Top-five league in OBP, slugging, OPS—sans average. Prime MLB leadoff: hits for average, gets on base, crushes for power.

His speed was average, thanks to his build.

Feet aren't 'hot-footed' yet, but he'll grow taller, bulk up soon enough.

Tae-woong helped scoop stray balls into the bin, catching up on lost time.

Ten minutes later, Baek-ho headed in for rest and chow. Tae-woong hit the pen for a quick bullpen session with the catcher.

"See ya tomorrow. Gotta shower and eat."

"Yeah, get going. I'll fan you out good tomorrow."

"Psh, I'll go deep four straight at-bats. Don't cry."