The Reporter's Curiosity
After the game ended, the players filed out of the clubhouse and headed to the dorms next to the stadium. One loss after nine straight wins. Put another way, they'd won nine out of ten games, but this defeat stung deep. Especially since they'd surrendered back-to-back homers that flipped the score— the team's mood was downright ugly.
In stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere, Yoo Min-hoo packed his gear with calm indifference. He even seemed a bit relaxed, finishing up last among the Beloit players and stepping out of the clubhouse. That's when he locked eyes with a brunette beauty in the hallway.
Marsha, the reporter from Baseball Research, spotted him and widened her eyes.
"I thought all the Beloit players had cleared out. You're still here?"
"I'm the last one."
Yoo Min-hoo shrugged as he replied, and Marsha tilted her head curiously. Players from a team that had just suffered a gut-wrenching loss were usually hysterical. Even the calm ones quickly caught the irritation and defeatism from their teammates. In fact, the Beloit players she'd glimpsed moments ago all looked sharp-edged. But there was no real emotion in Yoo Min-hoo's voice.
Intrigued, Marsha asked, "One loss after nine wins—how's the team feeling?"
"Eh, not great."
He answered as if commenting on someone else's business. Marsha gave him a strange look.
"Roy, you come off as pretty oblivious to other people, don't you?"
That drew a dry chuckle from Yoo Min-hoo.
"Not really. I'm just not that emotional."
"Hmm."
Despite her somewhat rude remark, Yoo Min-hoo steered the conversation smoothly.
Mature for his age, Marsha thought, eyeing him.
Yoo Min-hoo looked puzzled and asked, "Weren't you here for Joey Barton's interview?"
"Yeah, but the place is swarming with reporters right now. No way I can push through that crowd."
She gave a wry smile, and he nodded sympathetically.
"If not now, it'll be even harder to snag a one-on-one later."
"Well, as much as I hate to say it myself, Roy—do you know what a beauty's best advantage is?"
"……."
Yoo Min-hoo paused at her words, then burst into a quiet laugh and shook his head. Marsha grinned bashfully.
She's fun, he thought, enjoying the light mood. But Marsha's mind wandered to other concerns.
Hmm, Roy Yoo.
As a reporter for a top-tier magazine in the U.S. baseball world, she knew exactly where this rookie pitcher stood in the minors. He was adapting well with impressive stats.
But he's not quite feature-worthy yet.
He was standing out, but not enough to catch Baseball Research's eye. The magazine didn't bother with average players—their standards were sky-high.
"Hey? You?"
A man's voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see a burly East Asian guy standing there.
Yoo Min-hoo glanced at Kim Yong-su with a bored expression.
"Here comes the hero of the comeback."
Marsha had no idea what that Korean meant.
"Heh, how's it feel? I broke your team's streak. Pissed?"
"Yeah, you're amazing."
Kim Yong-su tried to bait him, but Yoo Min-hoo didn't bite. Kim clicked his tongue at the nonchalant response, then noticed Marsha and frowned.
"Who's she?"
"Reporter."
As Yoo Min-hoo answered, Marsha approached Kim Yong-su.
"Nice to meet you, Kim. I'm Marsha from Baseball Research. Up for an interview?"
Of course, Kim only caught her name.
"Uh, so, um."
He fumbled, unsure how to respond. Yoo Min-hoo stepped in.
"She wants to interview you. Go grab an interpreter."
"Interpreter bro already clocked out."
"Then next time."
Yoo Min-hoo shrugged, and Marsha looked confused.
"What's going on?"
"Interpreter's gone for the day."
"Ah~"
Marsha nodded in realization. Kim Yong-su stared at her, then turned to Yoo Min-hoo.
"Hey, buddy. Help me out."
His friendly tone and intent were clear. Yoo Min-hoo grimaced.
"Why me?"
"We're both far from home—gotta help each other out."
"Nah, I've lived in the States forever."
"I haven't even talked to a hot girl properly since coming here. Please."
Kim's voice turned pitiful. Yoo Min-hoo sighed, recalling Kim's bold claim back at North Myeong High about snagging a pretty girlfriend in America.
Marsha eyed them curiously.
"What're you two talking about?"
"Go ahead with the interview. I'll translate."
Marsha's eyes widened—she'd already shelved the idea.
***
During the interview, Marsha realized she needed to revise her assessment of Kim Yong-su as a hitter. She hadn't overhyped him, but...
Smarter than he looks.
Kim could explain his hitting mechanics in detail, which meant he approached at-bats with real calculation.
Typing on her laptop and recording, Marsha glanced at Yoo Min-hoo.
"How do you two know each other?"
"We crossed paths last year in Korean high school ball."
"Oh?"
Come to think of it, he pitched righty back then, switched-hander in high school league, she recalled, curiosity sparking.
I'll check the office footage when I get back.
As the interview wrapped, Kim asked, "Is Baseball Research a big deal?"
He wasn't tuned into the baseball media scene, so it was a fair question.
"Pretty famous. For prospects, they ignore anyone below first-round unless it's special."
"Heh."
Kim puffed up proudly. Marsha turned to Yoo Min-hoo.
"Did you face Kim last year?"
"A few times."
"How'd it go?"
"Dodged him after the first."
"Why?"
"Wasn't ready to handle him back then."
Marsha tilted her head at his straightforward answer.
I heard Roy Yoo's got a huge ego.
Before she could dwell, Kim looked uncomfortable.
"What're you talking about?"
Yoo Min-hoo, feeling a bit drained, replied.
"Our head-to-head history."
"You just ran every time."
"True. And even if we match up tomorrow or the next day, I'll dodge again."
Kim tsked.
"You've got nasty stuff—why run from me like that?"
He couldn't wrap his head around it. Last year made sense with the injury, but now? Pitchers loved overpowering big bats; it had to feel as good as crushing a top arm.
"Your technique's still better."
"All that velocity, and you're this timid."
Yoo Min-hoo just shrugged at Kim's incredulous look. Marsha, annoyed at being sidelined, asked,
"What've you been chatting about?"
"Nothing much. Just that I'll always avoid facing this guy."
Marsha stared at him in disbelief, but his face was dead serious.
Now that's interesting, she thought, eyes gleaming.
The next day, game two between Beloit and Bowling Green. Joey Barton crushed another three-run homer, hammering home the gap in class once more. Beloit fell 7-3, sweeping the series loss.
The oddity? Chamber pitched in the eighth—not a save situation. With the game out of reach, he'd strong-armed Wyndham into letting him in. First up: Kim Yong-su.
Joey Barton's homer? Fine, Chamber got the talent gap. But Kim? Unacceptable.
Luck wasn't on his side. Full count, his fastball clipped the zone—called a ball. Chamber lost it, storming the ump and yelling.
From the dugout, Yoo Min-hoo watched and clicked his tongue inwardly.
What a hothead.
Wyndham hit the field—not to calm him, but shield him. Wyndham took the ejection instead, settling things.
Afterward, Chamber's control went haywire. He escaped scoreless, but it was shaky—far from his usual steadiness.
Yoo Min-hoo got why Chamber bombed in Double-A before: mental fragility.
Way too emotional.
Back in his dorm, Yoo Min-hoo stared at his laptop, lost in thought. Tomorrow's finale—he'd pitch regardless of the score. Facing a major leaguer was gold for minor leaguers.
He'd enter against Joey Barton, likely facing Kim Yong-su too.
With Kim, I already planted the seed yesterday.
The real issue: Joey Barton. Pure skill-wise, untouchable right now.
For impossible matchups, he went extreme—like intentional walks. But tomorrow was about experience, so no cheap tricks.
Though Joey's not at 100% either.
Long layoffs created cracks, even for elites.
How well I exploit that gap decides tomorrow.
Arms crossed, Yoo Min-hoo smirked at the laptop screen's Joey Barton.