Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: 2022 Wrap-Up Camp (2)
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“Wow, he's young for sure. There's a real difference.”
“Is he a monster?”
“No wonder he's so confident.”
'These punks, you're on a different level from me. Totally different.'
After unpacking and running the physical fitness test, I crushed every single event. Especially in the strength test, I posted numbers that left the other players speechless.
'From what I can see, you're definitely not human.'
'Thanks, I appreciate it.'
I usually held back on max weights during regular workouts to avoid injury, but today I went all out. Even Rogers was staring at me with a stunned look.
“Hey, you on something?”
“Call me hyung, you punk.”
“Ah, you're older, but damn, you're picky. Hyung, Maeng-ho hyung. Happy?”
“Yeah, you little shit.”
Im Jun-ho, why's this guy acting like we're best buds?
“Hyung, why didn't you show up to the freshman hangout?”
“Hey, use that time to train more. Got it?”
“Oh, so you never take a break and just train?”
“Yeah, kid. That's how you sign for 550 million like me.”
Sure, there was some sex mixed in, but almost all my time went to training, so it wasn't a lie.
'Some? Put some spit on your lips before lying, you shameless bastard.'
'Ah, what's wrong now? Honestly, that's diligent enough. Sex is exercise too, you know?'
'Heh, yeah, for a monkey like you.'
'Rogers likes it too, though.'
Anyway, Jun-ho looked deeply impressed by my answer.
“No wonder your stats are insane. Hyung, honestly, facing you sucked. I'd swing and miss every time. So frustrating.”
Last time I faced this guy was the President's Cup, right? I think I got on base three times then too.
“But I didn't give up a homer at the end, so I won, right? Gotta step it up, hyung.”
“Screw you.”
“Coach! Maeng-ho hyung's cursing!”
Crazy bastard... Dealing with guys like this is exhausting. He's the type who's annoyingly upbeat and bugs everyone around him. I ignored his playful yelling and headed toward the infielders gathered together.
'These guys have defiant looks in their eyes.'
'Well, they're all potential rivals.'
As Rogers said, the infielders were wary of me. Rookies, vets back from service, guys bouncing between first and second team—all eyeing me.
It didn't feel bad. I knew that look. Back when I couldn't play except this year, sitting on the bench staring at the starters. Now the tables had turned.
'What can you do? Baseball's ruthless. No talent, you ain't making it no matter how hard you try.'
'You get it. When those glares start feeling sweet, you're a true superstar. You've got the talent, Ji Maeng-ho.'
'Oh, calling me by name? Not 'monkey punk'?'
'...Yeah, good mindset. You monkey punk.'
Everyone in second team was a rival anyway. Team spirit? That's first-team stuff. Until you're up there, I didn't see them as teammates.
'Won't change much even in first team.'
'Right, this is just a pit stop. Your real target is the majors. Surpassing yours truly, Rogers Hornsby!'
'Got it, Mr. Rogers! Looking forward to working with you!'
“Alright, everyone see the fitness test results?”
While I savored the losers' stares, second-team manager Lee Soo-hyun showed up with the results sheet.
““Yes!””
Some voices brimmed with confidence, others had lost it. Mine was definitely confident.
“Good. Now I'll divide you into training groups. Training starts tomorrow, so rest up today. Group lists go up in front of the dorm tomorrow morning. Two infield groups, two outfield groups, one catcher group, three pitcher groups. Not based on fitness tests, so no complaints. That's all.”
What? No free batting already? ...Did So-young lie to me?
“Manager! No free batting?”
“Oh, Ji Maeng-ho. Want batting practice?”
Lee Soo-hyun's eyes looked proud. What was that expression? Anyway, I wanted to bat, so I answered quick.
“Yes!”
Ever since that day, I'd trained hard. Truth was, like So-young said, you can't always hit at 100%—you need to perform even when exhausted. I wanted to show that fruit today.
“Got energy to spare, huh? Good, rookies need that fire. Stick around after roll call. Anyone else want extra training besides Ji Maeng-ho?”
“......”
“Less fire than the rookie.”
“I want to stay and train too!”
Jun-ho raised his hand after glancing around.
“Pitchers, rest. It'll be rough starting tomorrow. Any other hitters?”
“I'm still good.”
Oh, Kwan-hyung hyung! So-young wouldn't trick me. Guys like him, with ironclad self-management, bat even after tests. Meaning So-young saw me as Kwan-hyung level.
She put me on par with one of Korea's top-five all-time outfielders. Felt great.
“Oh! Kwan-hyung. Knew you'd want more. Anyone else?”
With Kwan-hyung raising his hand, a few younger guys followed suit.
“All good? I won't take blame if you overdo it and get hurt.”
““We're fine!””
“Alright, first day—keep it light. Roll call over. Dismissed for real. Hitters staying for batting practice, hang back. Oh, Kwan-hyung, no group yet—come with me.”
“Got it.”
“Yeah. Dismissed.”
““Good work, sir!””
After Lee Soo-hyun finished, everyone except the free-batting applicants scattered. Remaining players were mostly early-to-mid twenties. Vets had all left.
'Makes sense. Even I was wrecked then—tough for the old guys.'
'Heh, still got batting energy left. True orangutan.'
'Come on, pros gotta handle this. And others stayed too.'
Looking at the numbers, pros really were on another level. I was beat back then, but so many with energy left. Didn't expect this many—maybe one or two fitness freaks? Pros, huh?
But I was a pro now too, under contract. No backing down from seniors. Time to crush their egos with skill, pro-style.
“Hey, rookie. Come here.”
While thinking that and waiting, someone called me. Only rookie staying for free batting was me, so probably.
“What?”
I answered from my seat. No need to move if he could hear.
“Hey! When a senior calls, you come.”
“I can hear you. Talk from there.”
“Ha, what a punk. Total idiot, huh?”
Idiot? What's that mean?
'Dumbass? It's an insult.'
'How would I know if I don't?'
'Idiot, the tone screams curse.'
“Rookie?”
I ignored him, so he walked over. Who was this?
“Who are you? Do I know you?”
Hair a bit shorter than average, speech with a slight Gyeongsang accent mixed in Seoul dialect.
“You don't know me? Last year's home run king.”
“Ah, I don't watch pro ball. Home run king? Why didn't I know? Wait, AT had one? Congrats anyway.”
“What bullshit. Don't play dumb. Obviously Futures League, southern division.”
Answered so boldly, I thought he meant KBA home run king. Southern division meant Futures (second team)?
“Ah, yes. Congrats on home run king.”
“Hey, think I want congrats? You really don't know me?”
“Nope. Don't even know AT's starters. Well, I know Kwan-hyung hyung—he was playing when I was a kid.”
“Punk, it's Kwan-hyung senior. Man, total idiot.”
He shook his head.
“Listen, I get you wanna impress, but read the room. Seniors are beat, and you pull this?”
“If you're tired, go rest.”
“Look at that attitude. I'm telling you 'cause you seem like a dongsaeng. Keep it up, no love in the army. I was at Sangmu till this season. There...”
“Not going to the army.”
“Punk, born a man in Korea, you go.”
“Getting gold at Asian Games next year.”
Supposed to be this year, but delayed by host issues. I was aiming for it. Age limit, and top first-round picks usually make the candidate list.
Once on the list, national team spot was easy.
“Whoa... you're no ordinary guy.”
“Hear that a lot. My stamina's not ordinary.”
Made sense. Looked mid-thirties, army done, stuck in second team—hard for him to grasp my grand dreams. Little people mock the ambitious.
“...Fine. Hit well.”
“Thanks for the well-wishes. You too, fighting.”
He went back. What a random guy... Seemed decent, though. If I were senior, I'd have chewed him out for not coming when called.
In sports, that's decent-guy level. Expected more flak, but he gave well-wishes and left. Confirmed.
'Normal folks get scared and run from what they can't understand.'
'What’s that mean?'
'Heh, he fled your monkey-brain shock. Though yellow monkeys don't vary much in smarts.'
'Racism again. And I'm not dumb—averaged over 30 on exams.'
No stress from starting every game, hit career-high scores. Sure, guessed some, but first time over 30 average. Felt good. Beat Won-ho, who picked all one number and slept.
'...Whatever. Prep for batting.'
'Someone'd think you studied well.'
'Punk, no time for study—war.'
'War? Looked it up—you didn't serve.'
'......'
Win! Rogers vanished. First time—did I beat him verbally?
'Mr. Rogers! Won't tease anymore—come back!'
But he didn't reappear until Lee Soo-hyun arrived with coaches and balls. Super embarrassed, I guess.
“Batting practice pitcher starts tomorrow, so no live batting. Tee work lightly today. Got it?”
“No pitching machine?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Tee batting was meh. Focus drops without free batting, but conditions sucked today.
“Follow me. One, two, three, four... Eight with Kwan-hyung? Light two hours, then out.”
“Got it!”
“Yep!”
“Good energy. Let's see it in the batter's box.”
Woo Kwan-hyung. Right throw, left bat. Outfielder. (Highlights are Golden Glove seasons, bold is year before FA contract—looks better on computer!)
Hard to see on phone, so one more. View sideways!
