Natural Disaster
[Championship Series Game 1 Held in Seoul and Busan. Both End in Shutouts!]
[Guardians' Shim Chando and Titans' Jin Yuha Both Record Shutouts Side-by-Side. Is a Golden Age Returning to Korean Baseball?]
[Guardians' Shim Chando: "I'm Looking Forward to My Head-to-Head with Jin Yuha." Fighters Fans: "Is the Series Already Over?"]
[Titans' Jin Yuha: "It's a Shame the Perfect Game was broken, but I'm not too bothered. I'll get it done someday." Tilts his head at Shim Chando's interview.]
As always, it's an age-old sports tradition for fans of the winning team to rub it in the faces of the losing team's fans.
Naturally, Titans fans who claimed victory in Game 1 were no exception in teasing the Rhinos fans...
I have zero urge to tease those Changwon guys. They're just so damn pitiful. Our ace throwing shutouts isn't a one- or two-day thing. They just couldn't do it.
Honestly, even Titans fans had to admit Game 1 was brutally cruel.
It's a natural reaction to feel pity for the opponent after an overwhelmingly lopsided win.
Ugh, just mock us already. This pity party feels even worse.
Of course, Rhinos fans weren't exactly moved by it. If anything, the Titans fans' consideration only made them feel more pathetic. But still.
Feels like we ran into a natural disaster. My mind's blank. Just worried it'll mess with our bats.
Rhinos fans didn't turn on their team. Facing Jin Yuha, it was an unavoidable outcome. Of course.
Until the playoffs ended, their manager Andonghwa had been called "GodDonghwa," but now his surname had turned to stone, and the Rhinos were being rechristened the "Dumbass Team." But that was just the usual affectionate ribbing.
However, the next day.
They can't keep their shit together meeting their master lmao fuck
Rhinos fans swiftly reclaimed their lost aggression. They had no choice.
Eastern Championship Series Game 2. The early innings were, as expected, a pitchers' duel.
THWACK!!
"Strike three!"
James Gilbert, who would almost certainly head to MLB next year, flaunted his skills before the Major League scouts in attendance. Sure, the only team he wanted was the New York Mets, but more interest from clubs was always better.
CRACK!!
"Out!"
Carl Lauer of the Rhinos—who, in Jin Yuha's memories, would definitely make MLB next year—was dealing just as effectively. After struggling against the Rangers' finesse hitters in the playoffs, he'd sharpened his blade for the Championship Series and delivered strong results.
THWACK!!
"Strike three!"
The teams, locked at 0-0 through six innings, erupted into a slugfest once the starters departed.
CRACK!!
In the top of the 7th, Jacob Dominguez jumped ahead with a three-run shot off the Titans' fifth starter Kwak Jaewoong from the pen.
CRACK!!
In the bottom of the 7th, the Titans' franchise catcher and star Park Cheongwon answered back to close the gap.
CRACK!!
In the top of the 8th, the Titans' closer Park Oseon surrendered an RBI single to Rhinos captain Song Jeongwoo. Up to that point, it looked like the Titans would drop the home game, letting the Rhinos avenge yesterday's loss.
CRACK!!
That was until the Titans' second hitting sensation, Kang Gihoo, unleashed a tying three-run homer against the Rhinos' closer in the bottom of the 8th.
And then.
CRACK!!
In the top of the 9th, Titans closer Jo Yongjin navigated the threat with infield help.
CRACK!!
In the bottom of the 9th, Park Cheongwon—who'd scored the Titans' first run—delivered the final blow.
Titans one-club man and longest Korean Series drought holder Kang Dongho flinched for a moment in the booth but soon smiled. After all, he was a Titans fan too.
AbsoluteRhinos disband and draft starts now
A stark contrast to the Rhinos fans who'd already disbanded their team in their hearts.
Long story short: Titans fans popped the champagne too soon, and Rhinos fans called for disbandment way too fast.
Championship Series Game 3. The Rhinos notched their first series win at home.
CRACK!!
Titans Game 3 starter Travis Turner posted a mediocre 6 innings, 4 runs. Compared to Jin Yuha's 9-inning shutout and James Gilbert's 6 scoreless, it stood out even more.
"Eh, what can you do."
Jin Yuha shook his head, munching on Manager Jeong Hyeonho's sunflower seeds from the dugout. The Travis Turner he knew became a solid starter for an MLB contender, but that was the future.
'Back then, the guy didn't just rely on one curve as his finisher like now.'The future Travis Turner had somehow added a third pitch. Unlike the current version, who barely had the curve.
'In short, the kid's still growing.'On the flip side, the Rhinos' key hitters were already polished pros. Song Jeongwoo, who'd played for the St. Louis Cardinals, and Jacob Dominguez, who'd carve a platoon role with the Detroit Tigers in a few years.
It was only natural for the growing MLB hopeful to lose against finished MLB vets.
"I... I'm trash."
"Yeah, spot on. Honestly, today's stuff was pretty trash."
It was just as natural that Jin Yuha offered no comfort to Travis Turner. He kept it low-key, but he was as strict on teammates as he was on himself.
.
.
.
"Noooo!!!"
An inexplicable roar echoed from the visitors' dugout.
"Phew... one win down."
Rhinos manager Andonghwa gnawed his lip after their first Championship Series win.
"We have to win tomorrow. No question."
He didn't look like a winning manager—more like a man being chased.
"Lose tomorrow, and it's match point with that guy on the mound..."
Andonghwa was desperate.
Eastern Championship Series Game 4 featured a fierce managerial chess match.
Manager Jeong Hyeonho's run-and-hit strategy created bases loaded, no outs. Andonghwa countered with an infield shift early.
CRACK!!
Andonghwa claimed the first skirmish. But.
CRACK!!
Jeong Hyeonho, mocked as a "talent-reliant manager" but proud of it, grabbed the lead again with player power.
Of course, Jeong Hyeonho wasn't idle. He gambled by yanking Baek Jeongsu early in the crisis.
THWACK!!
"Strike three!"
The gamble paid off perfectly.
Pinch-hitters and runners. Sac bunts and steals. Pitcher swaps and shifts.
The managers' maneuvers shone in a game that saw over 10 pitchers from both sides.
THWACK!!
"Strike three!"
Titans victory.
Series score: 3-1. Meaning...
One more win, and the Titans would claim the series.
Andonghwa's worst nightmare had arrived.
"Fuck... we absolutely couldn't lose today."
Unfortunately for Manager Andonghwa.
Natural disasters can't be avoided.