Controversy Erupts Right Before Sunday's Game
[The Emergence of a Korean Unicorn? Baseball Experts: "The Most Shocking Game of This Season... We Can't Fathom Jin Yuha's Limits."]
[Jin Yuha's Past Comes Back into the Spotlight: The League's Top Pitcher Was Actually the Youth National Team's Best Slugger?]
[Legends of the Plate in Unison: "A Perfect Swing. Absolutely Not a Lucky Hit."]
["Who's hitting home runs? Yuha? Already?" Jin Yusung's Cryptic Remark from His Seoul Home, Where He Was Resting?]
From Tuesday before the new series kicked off, every sports section in the news was packed with stories about Jin Yuha.
The shock and awe over Jin Yuha's hitting prowess. The anticipation that maybe, just maybe, a two-way player could emerge in Korea.
For those reasons, most articles were glowing. But a few had a different nuance—and that's what caught fans' eyes even more.
It was the overwork controversy surrounding Jin Yuha.
Manager Jeong Hyeonho nodded at the sudden uproar over Jin Yuha's alleged overwork.
"Well, it was bound to blow up eventually."
Jin Yuha really was logging a ton of innings for a rookie—no, even beyond that—for anyone.
"He's already over 100 innings. A rookie hitting triple digits? That's gonna stir up talk from all angles."
"The Verducci Effect list was probably based on rookies over 100 innings, right?"
"Yeah."
But.
"This feels kinda unfair, though."
From the manager's perspective, it wasn't entirely unfounded grievance.
The Titans, having declared their rebuild complete, will want results by any means. Amid that, their star rookie's heroics must look mighty appealing to the front office. They might be pushing the kid's future down the drain just to save their own jobs.
"...Does that even make sense?"
"Ahem."
Of course, it was true that Manager Jeong Hyeonho relied heavily on Jin Yuha. GM Hyeon Myeongun was using him like a cheat code in marketing too.
But.
"You think other teams wouldn't use him the same way?"
Manager Jeong Hyeonho was convinced any team would milk Jin Yuha just like this.
"With a guy like Yuha, you think they'd not squeeze every drop out of him?!"
"Manager... you're getting too worked up. Take a breath."
"No! It's just so frustrating!"
What pissed him off most was.
"Look at these headlines? All hedging with 'could be' crap. Are they messing around?"
"The reporters probably know deep down. We manage Yuha like crazy. We check him head to toe after every start."
"Exactly! Sigh... It's all about clicks."
He could see right through why the reporters wrote it that way.
"Show 'em his medical reports, and they'd shut up."
"Might just spark more conspiracy theories—like Yuha being a reptilian."
"Rep... what?"
"Or a polymorphed dragon."
"Sukoya. You still reading fantasy novels?"
"Webnovels are classics now."
Manager Jeong Hyeonho shot his head coach a deadpan look before sighing deeply.
"Sigh... Anyway, we'll handle this internally. Lucky Yuha doesn't ego-surf much."
"Eh, he has been lately. Hanseong and Jihun taught him."
"Tch... Why's that even fun? Nah, he only sees the praise anyway."
Manager Jeong Hyeonho thought to himself.
"Having such a superstar rookie means I gotta sweat the small stuff."
But.
"Think it'd be easier without him?"
"No way. The articles aren't all wrong—we're alive 'cause of Yuha."
No resentment toward Jin Yuha whatsoever.
"What'd the checkup say?"
I shrugged at Jeong Hanseong's question.
"Figures... No way you'd push yourself when you baby your body like that."
Typical of the guy who knew me better than anyone on the team.
"But why ask outta nowhere?"
"The vets are freaking out."
"Huh?"
His explanation went like this.
"They couldn't hack it, so you pitched extras and even batted."
"Right."
"Then the overwork article drops."
"Yep."
"So now they're worried you're gritting through pain just to pitch."
"Yeah. I mean... June's been heavy. The whole strategy banks on you."
That much was true.
"Unnecessary worry."
Before regression, I was an MLB superstar. Meaning I knew my body's worth better than anyone.
Honestly, I'm like half the team's strength right now.
If I got hurt, Titans' season's toast. No way I'd risk that. Plus.
"You think I'd just cave to pressure?"
"...Damn, you're such a punk."
"But it's fine, right?"
I left speechless Hanseong behind and headed to the training field. Even on Monday, most guys were there.
"...They all came voluntarily. Don't wanna burden you more."
"Group chat didn't say that."
Was I getting ostracized?
"Can't say it with you there."
"Bullpen vets too."
"They feel bad you overdid it 'cause they couldn't back you up."
"That's not it."
Whatever.
"...Feels kinda nice, though."
Everyone showing up for me? Honestly touching.
"Hit like Yuha! Don't get buried by Yuha! Shine for All-Star!"
Hmm.
"...That's Baek Jihun sunbae."
I hadn't said a word.
The team's response to the sudden controversy was swift.
Manager Jeong Hyeonho faced the cameras himself, declaring no overwork now or ever. He backed it up by releasing medical records from the team's staff, boosting credibility.
Fans were stunned. Jin Yuha, who'd pitched enough to deserve the flak, was pristine.
Fans bought the Titans' rebuttal. Jin Yuha exceeding expectations was old news.
The Titans YouTube video dropped right on time, helping big time.
Not everyone bought Manager Jeong Hyeonho's explanation.
No way to convince everyone perfectly. But.
"We can satisfy most."
Two ways, even.
"Show Yuha's fine."
Or.
"Ease his load."
Luckily, current Titans could do both. Manager Jeong Hyeonho smiled, checking the players' conditions.
The Titans were a freshly rebuilt squad. Young team.
Probably why their bats exploded this week. Young teams on a roll? Unstoppable.
Must be vets like Park Cheongwon sunbae steering right.
Made me think: even without me pre-regression, Titans might've nailed rebuild.
What'd Kang Gihoo say...?
I barely remembered chats with MLB's Kang Gihoo. Friendly, but not tight.
"Yuha, pitch easy this week. I'll handle it."
MLB Kang Gihoo would flip seeing him and current Titans' Kang Gihoo bro-ing out.
"Or solve it at the plate again?"
We were tight enough for dumb jokes now.
"Nah. I'll trust the lineup. Please."
"Got it."
Whatever last game, my resolve stood: no at-bats this season.
Hot bats don't guarantee wins every game.
Friday. Titans lost.
Good news: bats stayed scorching. No risk of them cooling on my start days from overwork drama.
And Saturday.
The controversy's star.
CRACK!!
"Strike!"
Turned the fuss into a non-issue with one pitch.