War? Or Festival? (2)
Friday. The eve of the All-Star Game.
The heat at Jamsil Dome was already scorching.
It was the start of the Home Run Derby, which some even called the flower of the All-Star festivities.
Of course, there had been a Futures All-Star Game beforehand.
"Futures All-Stars? Who the hell watches that crap?"
To the fans, this was the real kickoff to the All-Star weekend.
"Hey, come on, our buddy's out there playing. Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"When did you ever play in the Futures All-Star Game?"
"Not me, I mean..."
If a minor-league ghost like Travis Turner overheard that, he'd probably gripe, but personally...
"Guys in the minors need a little less spotlight."
That way...
"They'll get desperate to climb up to the majors, right?"
"Whoa... total boomer vibe."
And besides.
"Minor league stats don't mean jack anyway."
Unless you're hitting .400, stats down there are meaningless. Hell, even a .400 hitter might flop in the bigs.
"...You're such an asshole."
"And what gives you the right to say that to me?"
"Huh?"
No.
"You've never been demoted to the minors since debuting. And you're a catcher."
"...Have I not?"
Jeong Hanseong tilted his head at my words.
"Doesn't change the fact that you're still an asshole!"
True enough.
The format for the 2040 KBO Home Run Derby went like this.
Five players from the East and five from the West, selected 100% by fan vote. Each gets two minutes to swing freely, then bonus time at the end.
Preliminaries use 2 outs. Finals use 3.
Today was just prelims. Finals would happen during All-Star Game clean-up time.
And.
"I'll be back."
From the Titans, Kang Gihoo hyung had made the participant list. Natural, since he was in the middle of a home run title race.
The batting practice pitcher was Jeong Sangwoo hyung.
He'd actually asked me first, but it fell through in the end.
"Fell through? Nah, he straight-up rejected you."
"No... I was really gonna do it?"
"A guy like that skips BP to go all-out in a real at-bat?"
I felt wronged.
"You want me to hold back and let balls clear the fence?"
"That's what BP is for..."
Instinct kicked in—I couldn't hold back.
Anyway, that's why Jeong Sangwoo hyung ended up as the BP pitcher.
"...He finally makes it to the All-Star Game, even if it's just as BP guy."
He seemed thrilled, so all good.
"But Jamsil Dome's huge. Won't homers be rare?"
Jeong Hanseong's worry turned out pointless.
CRACK!!
CRACK!!
Kang Gihoo hyung sent 11 balls over the wall.
And someone went even crazier.
CRACK!!
CRACK!!
CRACK!!
The Warriors' slugger Edmund—who was just a strikeout machine to me, but a nightmare for so many pitchers—took prelim top spot with 13.
"Whoa... can he win the finals?"
"Making finals is impressive enough."
I couldn't bring myself to say he'd win.
His power's still insane, though...
Saturday.
The Home Run Derby buzz was wild, but fans were really hyped for the main All-Star Game. Especially since...
No head-to-head all season between the league's top pitchers—the hype was through the roof.
Finally, time to face that guy.
Sim Chando felt the same. He'd been dying for this matchup.
You too, right?
He figured I did.
"Play ball!"
Top of the 1st.
Sim Chando took the mound first.
Sim Chando hadn't prepped anything special.
Not his style anyway.
Like Park Woohyeok said, he was all-in serious today.
This isn't a festival. It's a prelude. Me vs. Jin Yuha.
Tap tap.
The West All-Star catcher was the Guardians' regular, used to syncing with Sim Chando. He knew how dead serious Chando was today. So...
Catcher Sign: Two-seam, outside top
Leadoff, Baek Sangyeon... Early season, he wasn't tough. But now? Power and his old sharpness back. Tricky hitter.
Whoosh!!
But.
Crack!!
The ace on the mound was national team No. 1 starter Sim Chando.
Crack!!
No. 2, Kang Gihoo... The most dangerous bat.
Titans' comet-like rookie vet. Monster power, solid eye, precise hitting—a complete package. But.
Lack of experience.
Still a rookie.
Crack!!
Thwack!!
"Strike three!"
He cruised through No. 3 Frank Rodriguez too, then headed off the mound, eyes on the East dugout.
Jin Yuha... how you gonna answer?
High-fives with teammates, and one pitcher strode out: me.
"...Glasses?"
Sim Chando's brow furrowed slightly.
Why's that hyung so damn serious?
All-Star Games are festivals. Gotta know how to have fun.
"Eh, kinda bugs me though."
No prescription, but wearing something on my face felt off.
"Tch. If not for Mia..."
When I asked what to do for All-Star flair, Mia's answer was simple.
Sports nut like her goes nuts for "rookie channeling legend vibes." She suggested a nod to the old ace.
Baek Jihun hyung said the same, but I went with hers happily. Sometimes who says it matters more than what.
"Isn't that a bit too on-the-nose?"
West leadoff, Pistols' Oh Seungjin, joked from the plate to the catcher behind it.
Park Cheongwon, who'd normally snap "Shut up and strike out," just chuckled it off.
"Your skills are predictable too—go strike out yourself."
Pretty much what he'd say in any game, All-Star or not.
"Tch."
Oh Seungjin smacked his lips.
Tap tap.
He gulped as Park Cheongwon tapped the PitchCom.
Even in All-Stars, facing this guy's no joke.
He was the only guy to homer off me this year, but he still feared me.
"Seungjin."
Then Park Cheongwon called him.
"Watch yourself."
Clear warning.
"Pardon?"
Whoosh!!
No time to ask— I fired.
Compact delivery. Low three-quarters arm slot. Classic me.
But.
Why's his arm so high?!
Today's motion was totally different.
Dynamic windup. Classic overhand.
It looked just like...
No way—copying the delivery too?!
The old Titans ace icon.
Thwack!!
"Ball!"
The shock first pitch was a ball.
"Ugh..."
Tight inside.
"Told ya. Yuha's command's gonna wander this inning."
Oh Seungjin feared facing me for a whole new reason.
"Tch."
Command was tricky, as expected. Unfamiliar slot.
Of course.
Wouldn't plunk anyone, though.
I'd thrown overhand before—pre-regression, amateur days.
Worst case, if I do bean someone...
Hyungs would get it. It's a festival, right?
If not... war it is.
Luckily, no beanball on Oh Seungjin, as I'd boasted.
Just.
Thwack!!
"Strike!"
Bzzz!!
"Strike!"
Thwack!!
"Strike three!"
He struck out, channeling the legend.
Whoaaaa!!
Not just Titans fans—all 12 KBO teams' supporters in Jamsil went nuts. Most had never seen the famous "Glasses Ace" pitch live.
Like Mia said, sports fans eat up narratives like this.
Busan. Shin Sajik Baseball Stadium practice field.
"Hahaha! That's it... this is what I've been waiting for!"
One guy lost his mind over my performance most of all.
"Kim. I get you're hyped, but aren't you supposed to be coaching me first?"
Kim Pilsun pitching coach, staying in Busan to teach Travis Turner the curve.