ROCK (4) - Sajik in a Frenzy
-Waaaaaaaaah!!!!!
Even on a weekday, Shin Sajik Baseball Stadium was packed to the brim with spectators, plunging into utter madness.
-Jin Yuha! Jin Yuha! Jin Yuha!
The promising ace-to-be, whom everyone had believed would dominate the future, had just notched a complete game shutout in his debut without needing any time to grow into the role.
Thud thud! Clap! Thud thud! Clap!
The fans chanting his name in ecstasy soon started stomping their feet and clapping along.
A quick-witted stadium staffer cranked up Jin Yuha's walk-up song, and in an instant, Shin Sajik transformed into a massive karaoke hall.
"Today's interview star is the rookie pitcher who made the biggest impact in his debut—Jin Yuha!"
And so, in one corner of the victory-fueled stadium, Jin Yuha grabbed the mic.
"Hello, this is Jin Yuha."
His sweat-drenched eyes sparkled a brilliant blue.
Interviews were familiar territory. Even so.
This life's first post-win interview felt fresh in a whole new way.
"Thank you."
Of course, it probably didn't show much on my face. I've got too many years under my belt for that.
[Congratulations on the win today, Jin Yuha!]
Haha, you don't look nervous at all. That's a great look.
Dad always said rookies have to act humble no matter what.
"Nah, I'm just still kinda dazed, that's all."
So I put on a bit of a humble act.
'Didn't I do an interview during the draft? Isn't it a bit late for this?'
That was my inner thought, anyway.
Ah... yeah, I see.
Yeah, the humble act didn't really land.
That was a shocking debut. Did you expect to pitch that well yourself?
Of course. Me throwing well is a given. But...
"No way. Daegu Warriors are a strong team—I was just planning to give it my all. Lucky the results turned out good."
Humble mode maintained.
Any special prep before the game?
Then a gravelly old voice cut in, different from the interviewer so far.
'Special prep, huh...'
Well...
"First off, I focused a lot on my matchup with senior Baek Sangyeon. He's one of Korea's top hitters, after all."
He was the best of the bunch, so I put extra effort into facing him.
"Suppressing Edmund's power was key too. The guy's got insane pop."
The pure power swinger? Not so much.
Edmund whiffed on three pitches in every at-bat today, though. On paper, he seems like he should've been the toughest out.
"No chance. My prep just worked out perfectly."
Sharp old timer.
You threw six pitches today: four-seam, cutter, sweeper, changeup, splitter, curve. How does a rookie handle that kind of arsenal?
Hmm. "Talent?"
Ah.
'Damn, humble act over?'
Humility's tough.
"That curve's not my best pitch, though."
Pardon? But that last pitch to Lee Hyung in the 8th was a curve, right?
"Pure luck. Honestly, it wasn't even well-executed."
This one's for real.
'My curve's too easy to read.'
Even for a Cy Young winner, some pitches are tricky. For me, it's the curve.
'No matter how much I practice, the release point's always off just a hair.'
So I only throw it occasionally to catch 'em off guard. Today was one of those times.
Ah... Lee Hyung's gonna be devastated if he hears that.
"Haha..."
No clue what to say, so I let out an awkward laugh.
We're about out of time. What's your goal for the season, Jin Yuha?
I glanced at the fans still belting out cheers at full volume, tireless.
'They're gonna lose their voices.'
KBO cheering culture was pretty wild even for a Major Leaguer like me. Titans fans took it to another level.
"Hmm..."
The humble act bombed anyway, and I've got this many fans cheering me on.
"I've got some modest goals."
Time to just be myself.
"20 wins. Sub-2.00 ERA. Rookie of the Year and MVP in one."
That's the baseline. Gotta live up to that MLB legend name.
After the interview, I showered and headed out.
'...Driving's such a hassle.'
Should've told Jeong Hanseong to drive. Wait, that guy's clubhouse dorm is home, so he takes the team bus.
'Won't bring the car next start.'
I started the engine and checked my phone.
I replied to Dad: 'Weren't you the one who wasn't exactly humble either?'
Headed home. Wanted to crash hard.
Meanwhile, as Jin Yuha dozed off at home, Korean baseball was in an uproar.
In KBO's 60-year history, only five pitchers had ever thrown a debut complete game before Jin Yuha—and they were all college grads. He was the first high school rookie to do it. An unbelievable record that left everyone stunned.
Complete games were rare in the modern era, making it even bigger.
Sports fans were hyped as expected.
Not everyone stayed cool-headed, of course.
Those types got buried in mockery. Baseball fans are brutal to losers.
Separately, Jin Yuha's bold interview goals stirred controversy.
His deadpan delivery made it hard to pass off as rookie fire—enough to irk fans who love humility.
But the "controversy" fizzled fast thanks to one community post.
Disclaimer: Not a Titans fan. Don't watch this low-tier joke league for real.
Interview blew up overnight, but honestly? It's whatever. Demanding Korean-style humility from Jin Yuha is silly—those blue eyes say it all.
Plus,
Yankees captain comparison to Jin Yusung: "Comparing a mere judge to an emperor? Ridiculous."
Pirates phenom comparison to Jack Gordon: "Has that kid even won a ring? What, no Cy Young since he showed up? Fuck off."
That's the vibe from Jin Yuha's family/mentors, the Mets thugs, back in their playing days.
He's not arrogant—he's brimming with confidence. Learned it from them, so it spills over. And a debut CG-shutout monster rookie can talk like that.
If you're mad, be mad at us. Phillies would take him even if he's Jin Yusung's son.
A MLB fan dropped those old interviews from Jin Yusung and Jack Gordon's primes. Once people saw them, the hate for Jin Yuha died instantly.
Jin Yuha unwittingly rode his family's coattails.
I woke up late. Just past noon.
'Starving...'
Fired up a steak while checking overnight texts. Dad: 'What mess have you caused?' No idea.
"Thanks for the food."
Fueled up, threw on comfy clothes, and headed to the stadium.
"Jin Yuha! You're already here?"
Grabbing coffee at the stadium cafe.
"Hey. 'Already'? I'm late today—kinda wiped."
Back when I bristled at teammates, I always treated fans right. They give us meaning.
No fans, no players—money or heart, doesn't matter.
"...Can I get an autograph?" "Of course. I carry a pen just for this." "Whoa! Thank you!"
Fans gathered quick.
'Weekday today, right?'
Pushed the thought aside, signed fast.
"Hey! Yuha! Don't change your number! Just bought your jersey!"
An elder chimed in.
"Don't sweat it, gramps. Change if you want. Buy another. Do you, Yuha."
Sweet, but...
"No worries. Won't change 15."
15 was Dad's number—and mine till the end in my past life. Never changing.
"Thanks for joining Titans, kid. You're the best. We'll keep cheering. Just stay out of trouble." "Haha, thanks."
Warm start to the day.
"Oh? The future Rookie of the Year, MVP, and carry-machine to lead Titans to glory has arrived?"
Warmth? Gone.
'Was my interview that bad?'
Had to wonder. Yeah.
"Here to chew up KBO, Yuha? So diligent."
Manager Jeong Hyeonho in the hall.
"Hmm... Looking good. Light workout today, right?" "Yeah, stretching then easy weights." "Classic... Future MVP's routine is flawless. Others should learn."
Even the medical staff checking me.
"The guy who's gonna do it all solo from now on has clocked in!"
Seniors already there kept ribbing me. No malice, obviously.
'This feels... novel.'
Being the "teased maknae" didn't sit right, though.
'Eh...'
Not bad, though.
Crack!!
Kang Gihoo's ball sailed over the fence. Second homer today.
The scoreboard read:
Busan Titans 8 : 3 Daegu Warriors
Titans' bats, ice-cold yesterday, were on fire today.
The hot bats kept scorching into the next day. Kwak Jaewoong, roughed up for 6 runs in 5 innings, snagged the win thanks to the offense.
'They didn't half-ass it just 'cause it wasn't me on the mound, right?'
Almost felt slighted.