Veteran Rookie (2)
This season, the Titans had luck on their side right up to the end.
Unlike the West Playoffs series, which wrapped up relatively quickly with a clear winner.
"Whoa... they're fighting like absolute maniacs."
The two teams clashing in the East Playoffs were battling with everything they had, as if there was no tomorrow.
"That's good for us, right? Whoever comes out, they'll be exhausted."
In the meantime, the Titans had shifted into full gear, training specifically for the Championship Series.
"Phew... as expected of the Titans. They earned that championship for a reason."
Today's practice game opponent was the Carvers, who had bowed out early in the season. They'd come to Busan in person to help the Titans prepare.
"Ah, Park Gwangho sunbaenim. Good work out there. You were throwing well, though."
"Jin Yuha, didn't I tell you to call me hyung?"
That's a bit much. We're not that close yet.
"...But it's interesting."
"What is?"
"No special preparations for the postseason?"
"Huh?"
Not really.
"Do we need something like that?"
"Well... you've kept unveiling new weapons all season."
Hmm.
Come to think of it, yeah.
He'd added a slider to his repertoire mid-season. Then a slow four-seam.
I guess I'd think the same if I were him. But...
"I haven't prepared anything like that. Adding more here would just make things messy."
"Hmmm... overkill, huh? As expected of my star pupil."
When's this guy gonna drop the concept?
Well, this means other teams will probably expect me to have a new pitch ready.
I can use that.
That night.
A new video went up on the Titans' YouTube channel.
In the video titled that, Jin Yuha was...
Crack!!
"Great ball!"
Crack!!
"Nice pitch!"
...throwing a new pitch in the bullpen.
"...Added a new pitch for the postseason? What's that one?"
Rhinos manager Andonghwa gaped at it.
"This is insane. Even if we make the Championship Series, we'll just be supporting actors. Now a palmball too?"
Rangers manager Yoon Youngsik groaned in frustration.
"Sigh... let's win the playoffs first and worry later."
"Can't give up on the playoffs, though."
Still, they quickly refocused from the Titans' YouTube video to preparing for their playoff finale.
"Ha... a palmball. Maybe tell the hitters to treat it like a changeup."
"Why post a secret weapon on YouTube? Confidence? Or a fake-out?"
Of course, they couldn't stop thoughts of Yuha's new pitch from lingering in their minds.
Crack!!
The Titans' Championship Series opponent was set: the Rhinos.
"At least we don't have to travel to Seoul."
Ball City. Busan, nicknamed the capital of baseball, had long been distant from fall ball.
Naturally, because the team based there, the Titans, had poor results. Still, Busan fans loved baseball and loved the Titans.
Even through over a decade without a single playoff appearance. Even when unbelievable losing streaks crushed hopes at the postseason door. Even during the rebuilding years with back-to-back last-place finishes.
Busan's baseball fans stood firm, cheering the Titans. Sure, they hurled all kinds of abuse at the team during those times—but insults come from love, after all.
And finally.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
New Sajik Stadium made its fall ball debut since opening.
"New stadium opened in 2031... how many years has this team gone without playoffs?"
"Shut up."
"And fans stuck with them? They're crazy."
"I said shut up."
"But now it's fun to cheer, right?"
"That, I'll admit."
New fans—mostly drawn by Jin Yuha—were stunned by the history, while longtime Titans supporters felt a mix of emotions as they flooded into New Sajik Stadium.
Now introducing the Titans' starting lineup!
The in-stadium announcer's voice was barely audible.
-Whoaaaa!!
Because the fans packing the stadium were roaring even before first pitch.
#1 CF Jeong Suyeong!
And the cheers...
#2 1B Kang Gihoo!
...grew louder with each player called.
#3 RF Frank Rodriguez!
As they lined up in front of the dugout.
#4 DH Oh Daesoo!
The stars who delivered the franchise's first regular-season title.
#5 3B Yoon Gangyeol!
#6 2B Jegal Hoon!
They were already legends.
#7 LF Kim Taeyong!
And the protagonists of history.
#8 C Jeong Hanseong!
#9 SS Baek Jihun!
Stood here to write new history once more.
And starting pitcher Jin Yuha!
Their third Korean Series title in franchise history.
The Titans' fall ball quest for the ultimate goal had begun.
Thump thump! Clap! Thump thump! Clap!
To the pitcher's entrance song that was practically a synonym for victory for the fans.
-Whoaaaa!!
Top of the 1st.
Rhinos captain and steadfast leadoff hitter Song Jeongwoo felt...
Whoa... this atmosphere is insane.
...slightly overwhelmed by New Sajik Stadium's heat. It bordered on madness.
'Titans are Korea's Phillies'?
As a former major leaguer, that was ridiculous.
This is worse than Philly fans.
The Phillies' last title was over 30 years ago, sure, but they'd been consistent postseason contenders. Even with their fans' rep for fanaticism.
- "Hey! Jeongwoo! Strike him out quick and get back!"
Nothing compared to Titans fans who'd craved fall ball for so long.
At this level...
Even Jin Yuha would feel the pressure, right...?
No way.
Song Jeongwoo didn't underestimate Yuha. He couldn't.
Yuha's Media Day comment was spot on. The Rhinos had zero wins—let alone experience—against him. So they approached him with zero complacency.
He's the same as always.
The rookie who always oozed confidence. He'd throw with the same nonchalance.
Whoosh!!
So Song Jeongwoo's job was...
To crack that composure somehow!
Luckily, as leadoff, and everyone knew Yuha's first-pitch four-seam to start games.
Buzzz!!
Like he'd done against Harold Gallen in Playoffs Game 1, Song Jeongwoo swung aggressively at the first pitch.
Crack!!
But if Gallen's four-seam was 158 km/h...
-165 km/h
Yuha's was over 7 km/h faster—the velocity only one man in Korea could touch.
"Foul!"
The speed meant power too, so no homer like in Playoffs Game 1.
"Haa..."
Song Jeongwoo sighed in frustration at the plate.
Tap tap.
But the Titans' battery wasn't giving him time to vent.
Second pitch... no point guessing. Arsenal's too varied. Could even be that palmball now.
Before the game, Rhinos manager Andonghwa had addressed Yuha's new pitch—maybe.
And...
That was the plan against Yuha today. But...
Crack!!
"Strike!"
If it were that easy, Yuha's average innings this season wouldn't exceed 7—even with the Titans easing off the gas in the second half.
"Ha... expected the splitter, but it's clipping the zone."
Count ran deep in a flash. Song Jeongwoo could already see his fate.
Buzzz!!
Crack!!
"Swinging strike three!"
And it played out exactly as envisioned.
Hm?
Guess the pregame prank didn't land as planned.
No big deal.
It was just a prank, after all.
Crack!!
"Strike!"
You always perform like normal on a test anyway.