A Historic Moment: Let's Talk About the Busan Titans
Among the twelve KBO teams, the Titans were one of the very few whose name hadn't changed once since the league's inception. In a word, they were a team boasting history and tradition.
That meant countless star players had donned the Titans' uniform over the years.
The bespectacled ace who defined an era. The pinch hitter ranked among the top five in Korean baseball history.
They were the Titans' legends—and legends of Korean baseball itself. But even they had failed to achieve one thing.
It was...
"Regular season championship."
For nearly sixty years, the Titans had never once clinched a regular season title. Even back in the pre-2000s when they'd won the Korean Series twice, it had been other teams taking the regular season crown.
And now, in September 2040, the Titans finally had their first regular season championship within reach.
Some might sneer that it was a fake title since the Guardians led the combined league win percentage standings in the Western League—but what could you do? It was just that kind of era.
"Heh heh... I'm the best GM. I completed the rebuild in three years and dragged the team's strength into contention."
That was why Titans GM Hyeon Myeongun's face was perpetually wreathed in smiles these days. It was only natural—he was the man leading the Titans, a team rich in history and tradition but honestly a bit short of true powerhouse status, into their golden age.
"Sure, I got a bit lucky, but in this game, luck is skill too."
But Hyeon Myeongun was no fool out of touch with reality. He knew better than anyone that he had little to do with the Titans' current success.
Not that it meant manager Jeong Hyeonho had done a stellar job either. Games, after all...
"Are won by the players."
On the TV sports channel, the chyron read 'Titans Regular Season Title Clinched: Magic Number 2', and the same panelists who'd been ripping into them just last year were now singing the Titans' praises.
"Wait... aren't they really just hyping Yuha and Kihoo?"
Jaw-dropping numbers. Even more so considering their ages. Without those two, a Titans regular season first place was utterly impossible.
"Still, it's not like I contributed nothing."
Jin Yuha had been the undisputed No. 1 pick, so fine—but drafting Kang Gihoo? Pure vision on his part. Keeping him out of the first team until after his military service was a joint call between Hyeon Myeongun and Jeong Hyeonho.
"And the foreign players too..."
James Gilbert and Frank Rodriguez had been consistently solid from spring training onward. Sure, there'd been that Ivan Rodriguez fanboy fiasco, but replacement Travis Turner was performing well enough.
"This qualifies me plenty to be a championship GM, right?"
Grinning ear to ear and humming a tune, Hyeon Myeongun checked the schedule and broke into a massive smile.
"Ah, tomorrow's the day we clinch."
Saturday doubleheader. Game 1 starter: Jin Yuha. Game 2 starter: James Gilbert.
The Titans' ace duo taking the mound to seal the title.
Personally, I think the Titans got pretty lucky this season.
"You wanna say it's 'cause of me again?"
That too, but...
"Can't deny we had insane luck, right?"
Even setting aside my joining, the Titans were lucky.
"No major injuries to starters."
"True... other teams collapsed in a flash."
"Mercs panned out too."
"Ivan sucked, but Travis is fine."
"...Even the thin bench pulled their weight surprisingly well."
"Heh heh. Thanks to me a bit."
Jeong Hanseong's smirk rubbed me the wrong way, but I'm fair. The Titans, criticized for shallow depth, had solid showings from backups like Jeong Hanseong. Couldn't ignore their effort. In fact...
"In doubleheaders like today, giving starters ample rest is a huge edge."
"Yeah... but you good? Lots of regulars sitting Game 1."
Hmm.
"Not expecting much offense from the bench anyway."
"Huh? For real?"
"With Kang Gihoo sunbae and Frank, we'll score somehow. Plus you and Jang Munwoo."
Defense was the issue.
"...Sunbaes'll handle it fine."
Infield captain Baek Jihun sunbae and outfield captain Jeong Suyeong sunbae were reliable.
"No need to worry, right?"
But.
"Eh..."
Jeong Hanseong trailed off, disagreeing, then nodded toward somewhere.
"Uwaaaah... Win and we clinch. Lose and I'm done. Hyung, what do we do? My stomach's starting to hurt."
"Shut it, mine too. Us clinching? Am I dreaming?"
Ah.
'Sunbaes are new to this too, huh.'
As the season nears its end, pressure on players varies by team. Obvious, since situations differ.
For a team like the Titans, title on the line, the pressure was beyond imagination. Especially since just last year, last place felt more familiar.
'Even Park Cheongwon sunbae looking tense makes sense.'
Opponents like the Carvers today? Minimal pressure. Their season was basically over.
'Titans succeeding meant they comfortably finished last.'
Of course.
"Finally! Our rematch is on, Jin Yuha!"
No way that hype was normal.
"Long time no see, sunbae."
Pre-game, Carvers ace Park Gwangho visited the home dugout at Shin Sajik Baseball Stadium.
"Heh. That unshakable attitude—truly like my master."
Still an overwhelming guy.
"S-sorry, Yuha. He's been obsessed with wuxia novels lately."
Carvers starter catcher Gu Dohwan bowed to me—his junior—and apologized so politely it looked routine.
"...Sunbae must have it rough with your ace too."
Jeong Hanseong chimed in sympathetically. Bizarre.
'I'm pretty chill. Talking about Travis?'
Fair. That guy's as weird as Park Gwangho.
"Sunbae, you're brimming with confidence today? You sure you're okay?"
They provoked first, so I fired back lightly.
"Clear skies after rain. One of my favorite idioms."
Bold reply.
'He earned it.'
Park Gwangho was career-high this season, especially hot lately. Last game, a complete game with 3 ER against the Warriors, sprinkling hot sauce everywhere.
"Yes. Looking forward to a good matchup."
We exchanged well-wishes and parted.
"Man, you took that well? Wasn't he sniping you before? And you just endure?"
"Eh... don't hate the personality."
I like hard workers. Specifically, ones who get results. Park Gwangho fit. Plus.
"Doesn't change anything. I'm winning anyway."
"...You're serious?"
Obviously.
"Play ball!"
Top of the first.
I took the mound, scanning the infield.
'This is...'
Jang Munwoo starting over Jeon Galhun? Fine.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Other infielders were extra tense too.
'Didn't expect Yoon Gangyeol sunbae or Kang Gihoo sunbae to be this wound up.'
Baek Jihun sunbae's usual levity aside, those two were visibly stiff.
'Need to loosen them up.'
No need for chatter—I wasn't that type, and it wasn't necessary. Just.
Whoosh!!
Thwack!!
One ball sufficed.
Like now.
"Strike!"
The ump's booming call.
"Haa..."
Batter's deflated sigh.
-165km
Radar gun reading.
'Why the nerves?'
I'm on the mound.