Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: National Team Member, For Now (1)
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"Hmm... Nice swing."
He's as blunt as ever. Is it because he's from Gyeongsang Province?
"...Is that all?"
"You've got power too."
"Thank you."
It's been a week since spring camp started. Joo Hyung-jin's evaluations, following me around since the second day, were straightforward. I couldn't tell if this was good or bad.
With only a week left, I was starting to feel a bit anxious. On top of that, his requests for solo training sessions with just me were making even me feel self-conscious.
Normally, the team wouldn't accommodate a player's request for separate training, but since this was an unprecedented case of a high school grad joining the national team, they generously approved it. Soyoung must have pulled some strings.
"Um, Senior Joo Hyung-jin?"
"What?"
"Is it okay to keep doing this? It's starting to feel awkward."
I was fully participating in team drills like fielding and baserunning, but skipping the two-hour bunting practice was nice—though it drew too much attention. Especially Yoon Sung-tae's piercing gaze waiting for me back at the dorm...
"You're just a pinch hitter on the national team anyway, kid."
His odd mix of Seoul dialect and Gyeongsang accent, probably from all the TV appearances, almost made me chuckle, but I held it back and responded.
"True."
"I'm just here to check your bat. And bunting? Forget it. That's my job."
"Mine then?"
"You're a homer guy. No need for that bunting crap."
"Oh, thank you."
Does this count as approval? Praise always feels good.
Heh heh, they say praise makes even dolphins dance. That's exactly him.
Dolphins?
Yeah. That's about your intelligence level.
Is Rogers praising me too? Upgrading from monkey to dolphin is progress, right?
"Who'd you learn from?"
"Ah, self-taught... Well, I was under Coach Lee Ki-cheol in high school. He's a coach now, though."
"He drilled a lot of batting practice."
"You know Coach Lee Ki-cheol?"
"Ran together for a few years. Heard he had a kid recently."
"Oh, yeah."
I'd heard the news shortly after arriving at camp. I wanted to rush over, but couldn't. Hyejin noona sent photos, though. Not sure if it looks like me, but the eyes were just like hers.
She said Lee Ki-cheol was thrilled, saying the baby had his toes. Ha. Can't wait to see it.
"Anyway, don't worry. This is all just for show."
"Huh?"
"It's already decided. Didn't know?"
"No, I didn't."
Soyoung didn't know either, so of course I didn't.
"Tch, I wasn't thrilled either, but what can I do? For Korean baseball's future, they say. Can't refuse."
"Why tell me now?"
"Watched you enough. You've got the skills, kid. Why not go pro in the majors?"
Joo Hyung-jin's solid endorsement...! It felt great. He's a legend in Korean baseball, after all!
Even this punk is a legend.
Hey! Joo Hyung-jin is obviously a legend.
So, how many homers did that asshole hit?
About 150 in the majors? Total 599 between Korea and the US. Wanted his merch as a kid, but it sold out.
150? Was he playing in the dead-ball era?
Still, 150 as a Korean is impressive!
"Can't even respond."
"Ah, just wanted to conquer Korea first. You did the same, right, Senior?"
"Flatterer. Well, my kid plays here too. You know him? Joo Seung-cheol."
"Joo Seung-cheol? Of course. 2021 Rookie of the Year."
Even without following KBA, everyone knew Joo Seung-cheol. The sport's superstar, Joo Hyung-jin's son.
Handsome, inherited the legend blood—30 homers in his pro debut year, snagging Rookie and Golden Glove.
"Told that kid not to go majors. Good choice on your part. Minors suck. Not a place for humans."
Not sure what he meant by that, but if Joo Hyung-jin says so.
"Anyway, do well. You've got talent."
His bluntness hid it, but he thought highly of me. Talent like mine shines through. Keh heh heh.
Idiot.
Actually, didn't you stick with me because you saw my talent, Mr. Rogers? Right?
Idiot. Without you, no reason to come to this backwater! Why'd a monkey like you pick it up!
Mr. Rogers, tsundere guys aren't charming.
Shut up, moron!
Tsundere mode today. Ignoring Rogers' rant, I focused on batting. The thrill of solo training during bunting time and legend's approval lightened my swings.
After swings, Joo Hyung-jin was gone. Guess he'd seen enough—batting, fielding, baserunning.
"...So you're really going national team? End times."
At dinner with the rookies, boasting drew fun reactions.
"Knew it. Saw it coming from you, Hyung Maeng-ho."
"Why the hell are you sucking up?"
Jun-hoo, worshipping me since Christmas, got tackled by Hyun-sung. They were Hwi-yun High's battery, so close.
"What do you know about Maeng-ho hyung?"
"Bullshit. I've watched since middle school."
"Tsk. Anyway, hyung, club again later?"
Jun-hoo wiped drool and asked.
"What club? Train hard, punk."
"Aww, come on."
"Ugh! Hyung! This guy's being weird!"
Sudden aegyo from Jun-hoo horrified Hyun-sung. Me too.
"Fucking punk. One more aegyo and I'll smash your head with a bat. For real."
"...Sorry."
"Anyway, keep it secret. Just you guys."
"Okay."
"In return, clu... Aak!"
Smacked Jun-hoo's head and left the table. Doesn't he get tired? Club talk after hard training.
I had natural stamina, so okay, but unlike Woo-gwan-hyung said, Sands coach ran brutal drills.
Veterans were shocked too—probably a new style this year. Fielding and baserunning aside, bunting volume was insane.
Even Ki-sang-joo, who called formation for focus early on, looked drained.
Boring, but good. Gotta escape first.
Odd for a pro rookie, but Sands' training felt old-school. Dodging to national team felt lucky.
And...
"Ma, you're really going national?"
"Gonna lie?"
"Damn. Who's doing my laundry?"
"Figure it out. Spin your top well~. I'm off to nationals."
"Traitor punk. Didn't peg you for it."
Yoon Sung-tae's despair was satisfying.
[National Team] WBC Roster Announced. Controversy Over Jang Woo-joo and Ji Maeng-ho?
(OSEX Reporter Park OO)
The 2023 WBC South Korea baseball team roster of 28 players, including three active MLB players, was revealed on the 3rd.
......(excerpt)......
This roster notably includes rookies Jang Woo-joo (19) and Ji Maeng-ho (20) with no pro experience, sparking major buzz. The KBA technical committee stated, "After evaluation, both will greatly aid the national team and represent Korea's baseball future," showing strong expectations.
Former MLB player Joo Hyung-jin said of Ji Maeng-ho, "Physically on par with pros, with swing path fitting modern baseball trends—always a threat for the big one. A promising talent who might surpass me."
Former NPB player Park Won-yeol on Jang Woo-joo: "Fastest pitcher in Korea now. Excluding him for age would be discrimination. Needs polishing, but his fastball will shock the world," from spring camp observations.
Jang Woo-joo is a righty fireballer who hit 160km/h in high school, Future Buffalo's 1st round pick. Ji Maeng-ho, power infielder who broke high school homer records, AT Thunderbirds' 1st rounder.
Eyes on their international debut.
Public interest? Who watches baseball?
They'll get crushed again anyway.
Who are these guys? lololol
Why pick high schoolers? F***, Korean baseball is done.
Promising prospects. Support over hate, please.
F***, lose to Japan and swim back.
*
"Sorry for pulling you during spring camp, but circumstances are what they are. Welcome to the national team. Familiar faces and new ones— no need to introduce myself, right?"
All non-MLB players gathered. National team coach Lee Geum-hyun smiled kindly. Looked like a jolly grandpa, but a legend with seven championships across two teams.
Best Korean coach, with two medals as national team skipper.
Still just monkey league.
Got Olympic medals too.
So?
...Yeah.
Rogers seemed cranky lately—probably no sex since camp started. Me too, honestly.
"Self-intros first? Rookies, step up."
Ugh, self-intros again. From wrap-up camp to now.
"Pitchers first."
"Hello. Future Buffalo pitcher Jang Woo-joo."
"Hello. AT Thunderbirds infielder Ji Maeng-ho."
