Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: National Team VS Australia (2)
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"Whoa, as expected of Joo Seung-cheol?"
"Ki Sang-joo, fighting!"
The bench livened up the moment Joo Seung-cheol reached first base. And the coach was flashing all sorts of signs.
'Let's see... so that means steal, right?'
A steal sign for Joo Seung-cheol... I could guess what it meant.
'For real?'
'Of course.'
'What does it mean?'
'Even if Ki Sang-joo is a good hitter, he's a lefty. And he's the type who pulls the ball, so he gets shifted a lot. That's why he flopped in the majors last year—he couldn't beat the lefty shift. So they're sending Joo Seung-cheol to second to avoid the double-play risk.'
'...What's up with you, baldy?'
'Hey! Don't call me baldy. I've played ball for about ten years—don't tell me you don't get that?'
'Heh, you with your ten years think the other side doesn't know that too?'
'But knowing it still gives us an edge. To catch a steal, they have to throw fast, which plays right into the batter's hands. And if they go for a pitchout, it favors our count.'
Sure, they could ignore the runner and throw off-speed, but that's mind games—not my concern.
'...You know about it, huh? Lame.'
'That's basics!'
Who do you take me for? I've been playing since fourth grade in elementary school—fourth, fifth, sixth, middle school... yeah, about ten years.
Anyway, with the managers of Korea and Australia locked in a fierce battle of wits, Ki Sang-joo's at-bat began.
On the first pitch, Joo Seung-cheol took off, but true to his major league chops, Hendricks didn't flinch and fired a mid-150s fastball right at Ki Sang-joo for a called strike.
"Tough first-pitch strike."
"But he's left-handed, so it won't come easy."
"Hey, hey! Cheer louder! You bastards!"
"Ki Sang-joo, fighting!"
"Blast it, Ki Sang-joo!"
'What would you throw here?'
'Trust my stuff and go fastball. What tricks does a pitcher need to get hitters out? One overpowering fastball's enough.'
'But he's the starter, so he'll mix velocities.'
Hendricks from the videos was a fireballer averaging upper 150s, routinely touching 100. But as Rogers said, with pitch mixing, his velo today as starter was late 140s to early 150s.
'Ki Sang-joo can hit that.'
Crack!
"Ooh! Ah... no dice."
But it was too quick. Ki Sang-joo crushed the second pitch, but it hooked foul hard to the right. And once you're down 0-2, any hitter starts pressing.
Whoosh!
A clean swing cut through the crowd noise.
"Man, hyung went for too much."
"At least Seung-cheol advanced to second thanks to it."
Ki Sang-joo whiffed helplessly on Hendricks' wipeout curve. Two outs, but the runner was in scoring position now.
"Nice swing."
"Nice my ass..."
Ki Sang-joo, unhappy with his swing, sat stone-faced on the bench. But I had a question, so I approached anyway.
"Hyung, how's the curve?"
"...Huh?"
"Damn, kid's got balls asking now."
I ignored the mutter.
"Curve... mid-to-late 130s, big break. Faster than most KBA sliders? Big angle since it's a curve."
"Got it."
"Why ask you? You're not even playing."
"You never know."
"The guys who should ask aren't..."
"Haha, hyung, I was gonna too. Anything else stand out?"
With me breaking the ice, Park Cheol-young—a regular in the lineup—followed up.
"His delivery's tough to read. Most pitchers tip fastballs vs. off-speed, but not Hendricks."
"Yeah, videos were the same."
"And quick setup makes timing hard."
"Got it."
Crack! While hearing about Ki Sang-joo, a massive sound echoed from the field. Kang Han-beom's power, no doubt.
"Ooh! Kang Han-beom!"
"Gonna go?"
"Deep! Huge!"
-Waaaaah!!!
Tokyo Dome's big, but it's homer-friendly. That distance might carry.
The dugout watched as one. But sadly, it died at the warning track.
"Ah... if hyung was ten years younger..."
"Ten? One hour younger and it'd be gone."
'Close one. For a monkey. Wait, is he a pig?'
'Whoa, Rogers thinks it's close? Rooting for Korea?'
'Rooting? I'm saying you'll sit this whole game.'
'Worried about me? Feels good either way.'
'Shut it, monkey bastard.'
Disingenuous as ever.
"Good work."
"Damn, my homer died. Couldn't clear it."
"Died my ass—you're not even playing."
"Alright, first inning offense was a bummer, but he didn't own us. Defense focus, prep for next at-bats. Okay?!"
"Yes, sir!"
First game jitters, but dugout vibe was solid.
'Man, hope we blow 'em out so I get in... wanna face Hendricks.'
Watching without playing's boring, even national team ball. Sick of it from high school.
'What? Break his leg?'
'Who? Cheol-young hyung? Nah, then Kim Hwan-yeong covers second.'
Kim Hwan-yeong's utility infielder—obvious for short tournament needing D. Breaking legs? I'm a law-abiding citizen.
'Heh, the guy blackmailing girls on video?'
'Hey, Hyun-ah seduced me. Her kink—who'd she want watching? Worked out for her too. Guy like me, hung and handsome.'
'Impressive rationalization. Good mindset. Heh.'
Rationalization? Facts. Anyway, for pinch-hit action, needed a blowout, so I yelled.
"Choi Jung-hoon, fighting! Shut 'em down and hit!"
"Maknae cheering good. Hey! You too!"
*
[Classic major league stuff from Hendricks. Tough break for our team, but outstanding pitching today.]
[True, but WBC rules have pitch limits for protection. 65 in finals rounds— he's at 56, so probably last inning.]
Bottom fifth, two outs, no runners. Korea's #8, Park Cheol-young, steps up.
'Coach said see as many pitches as possible, right?'
Early plan vs. Hendricks: attack fast. No point in taking on MLB arms.
But with his limit nearing, from bottom five, see max pitches. #6 Kim Soo-ho and #7 Lee Yong-gi grounded out, but overloaded his count.
[Park Cheol-young singled and stole last AB vs. Hendricks.]
[That's his strength—elite speed. Reaches second almost auto. Hendricks'll be careful.]
[Nine pitches left? Park could chase him.]
As hoped, Park battled Hendricks stubbornly. Four straight .300+ seasons post-Silla Triggers breakout—precise hitter maximizing speed.
Crack!
'Ugh... late.'
140s timing hits singles, but Hendricks knew last inning—max effort.
'156? After 60 pitches? Eat him alive in Korea.'
No way top MLB closer comes here, but Park shuddered imagining.
'No distractions—full count now.'
Park's mind raced. Last strikes all curves. Curve again? On potential last pitch? Fastball? No, winning shot... but 60% fastball rate... fake to slider? Slider riskier. No...
"Time!"
"What the fuck!!"
Hendricks raged at the timeout clearing Park's head.
'Ump called it—why bitch? Fucking pitchers...'
Good for Park. Pitcher showing emotion loses cool, control suffers.
'Good, wait it out.'
Usually works in KBA—walks galore. But Hendricks: top MLB closer.
"Hyaat!!"
Park knew instinctively: strike zone. Late swing inevitable.
'Shit! Make contact—!'
Desperation worked—bat tip snagged it pre-mitt.
Thwack!
Weak contact. But Park bolted to first. Australia's third and Hendricks chased.
"First!"
Reach! Park lunged at bag.
"Urk!"
Ankle pain.
"Cheol-young!"
Trainers and coaches rushed to collapsed Park at first.