Just Fucking Hold On (5)
High school, first year. Jeong Hanseong approached Jin Yuha, who hadn't been in Korea long, for a pretty superficial reason.
He's Jin Yusung's son, right? Jeong Hanseong had never even watched a Major League game, but he naturally held deep respect for Jin Yusung. The man was Korea's baseball hero, after all.
That was why he'd mustered the courage to approach Jin Yuha, who even the seniors were intimidated by—and in the end, they'd become friends. It was possible only because Jin Yuha turned out to have a surprisingly decent personality.
— "Hey, glove up."
He brushed aside the memory that popped into his head unbidden.
Anyway. Jeong Hanseong's baseball life changed completely after meeting Jin Yuha.
The all-around monster who threw like a maniac and hit like one too had taken one look at Jeong Hanseong's swing and completely rebuilt it from the ground up. The result? Jeong Hanseong, who hadn't drawn any real attention through high school first year, ended up drafted second round, overall first pick.
'That's not all.'
The years spent as Jin Yuha's dedicated catcher had helped far more than he'd imagined.
His defense had improved to the point where it rivaled the seniors', surpassing his peers.
'And hitting...'
His ability to handle fastballs had noticeably sharpened.
It made sense. After catching Jin Yuha's fastballs, every other pitcher's heat felt downright slow.
Thwack!!
That was why he could keep ripping massive shots off Harold Gallen, the nightmare matchup.
"Ah. Foul again."
Unfortunately, in today's game, even his well-struck balls weren't producing results. Third at-bat, first pitch—another foul homer.
"What's after a foul homie?"
He ignored the Rangers catcher's snickering jab.
— "Senior? He's on the other team—what's that matter? You gonna go easy 'cause he's a senior?"
Advice from his mentor-like friend.
'Just fucking hold on...'
Manager Jeong Hyunho's June strategy felt all too familiar to Jeong Hanseong.
'Just trust Jin Yuha. And throw James in too.'
His alma mater—Seoul's prestigious powerhouse that had churned out countless pros—had run a similar game plan.
'Any manager with a guy like Jin Yuha on the roster would do the same.'
But still.
'We don't wanna just ride his coattails.'
No Titan player, Jeong Hanseong included, felt great about dumping all the pressure on Jin Yuha. They'd vowed to at least hand their ace a win after all the hell he'd go through in June.
Whoosh!!
Even against Harold Gallen, the opponent who felt like a nightmare. They hadn't scored a single run through nine, things not going their way, but the Titans' fight was unbroken. And.
'He's a nightmare for the other guys, not me.'
Jeong Hanseong didn't look weak to Gallen just because he wore the Titans uniform—in fact, this was their first matchup. And.
Thwack!!
"Goddamn unfair park."
Despite the massive blast, Jeong Hanseong grumbled as he sprinted to first. Jamsil Dome—the ball died just short of clearing the wall.
Tap.
Slide.
"Safe!"
"Hanseong, nice work."
"...Substitution?"
Leadoff double. Manager Jeong Hyunho immediately pinch-ran for Jeong Hanseong. A bold move.
"This means..."
Today's DH was Park Cheongwon. With only two catchers on the Titans roster, swapping Jeong out for Park Cheongwon behind the plate would naturally eliminate the DH spot.
"Manager's dead set on scoring this inning."
"Got it."
The pinch-runner was Jang Munwoo, a teammate who'd been handling pinch-running and hitting duties since Jeon Galhoon's trade.
'If we don't score and it goes to extras...'
Back in the dugout, Jeong Hanseong snuck a glance at Jin Yuha's expression. Even his closest friend was unreadable.
The Titans' pinch-runner swap prompted an immediate Rangers counter.
And that move.
Pop!
Perfectly countered Manager Jeong Hyunho's decision.
Whiff!!
"Strike three!"
Thwack!!
Today's game was full of surprises. Me giving up a hit before the opposing pitcher, and the catcher behind the plate not being Jeong Hanseong but someone else.
"Yuha, it's been a while syncing up like this. Don't get too weirded out without Hanseong."
"No worries, sir. I'll trust Park Cheongwon and just pitch."
But some things stayed on script.
Whiff!!
"Strike three!"
Bottom of the ninth. No runs allowed.
"Yuha, you climbing the mound for the tenth too?"
I glanced at the lineup.
"Yeah, makes sense to go this far."
Starting with number three hitter Frank Rodriguez.
"You worked your ass off today."
My name sat in the eight hole.
"Told you—I'd pitch through the tenth."
"...For real?"
"Tell the bullpen seniors to rest easy."
"This right?"
Today's game left a bad taste.
'Ha... Hate having to do this.'
Resentment piled up. Complaints.
Whiff!!
"Ball."
Thwack!!
Thwack!!
Whiff!!
"Strike three!"
"Batter to first."
"Ha..."
The annoyance swelled.
'Intentional walk?'
I got it. Facing batter Kim Taeyong made less sense than pitting against pitcher me. But.
"Getting it done to you sucks."
Never happened pre-regression, which made it worse.
Step step.
Like I'd said once, no plans to bat this season. But plans rarely stick.
Whirr!!
A few practice swings done, I.
Tap tap.
Stepped in, tapping the plate's corner with my bat.
"Seen that somewhere... copying your dad?"
Dad's routine. Mine too.
"..."
I wordlessly set up.
"Just stand there and walk. You'll get hurt."
The yapping catcher grated, but the intent landed.
'Total disrespect. Fine then.'
Whoosh!!
First pitch was definitely.
'Fastball.'
One hundred percent in the zone.
Crack.
No need for fancy leg kick. My power sent it plenty far without.
Whirr!!
First at-bat in ages, but no rust. Perfect form, bat exploded like lightning.
The fastball—tossed carelessly since it was just against a pitcher—met my bat.
Thwack!!
The ball vanished from sight in an instant.
"Fuck... what the hell."
Result? Obvious.
Extras. Dramatic spot, bases loaded homer.
[...]
[...]
Yet the broadcast booth went silent.
— ...
The Jamsil Dome crowd matched.
'What the...?'
Everyone struggled to process.
"Whoa..."
Even the Titans baserunners stared blankly where the ball vanished.
Step step.
As all froze, Jin Yuha started a slow trot. And.
Whirl!
Casually flung the bat.
— ROARRR!!
Only then did the crowd erupt.
The booth finally chimed in.
Like a spell broken.
"Hey hey hey! Yuha! What the hell?!"
Baek Jihun, out on a first-pitch tap, returned to the dugout making a huge fuss. Uncharacteristic energy for a hitless day.
"Got lucky."
"Two lucky ones and you'd pass my season homer total easy."
Jeong Suyeong's quip.
"No, you're a one-homer guy too!"
"You with your season single and me? Same level? And I'm your senior?"
Baek Jihun trembled, then gasped in panic, eyes on me.
"This... buries my gold glove?"
Hm.
"My All-Star?"
Well.
"Go play defense, sir."
Can't be helped. Opponent's me.
"...I hit a double too. Vowed so cool too..."
The glove mumbled, but it didn't reach my ears.