Chapter 30
Chapter 30
After last season ended disappointingly with a sixth-place finish against the Suwon Knights, Seoul Falcons’ manager Choi Jeong-gyun set his sights on finishing fifth or higher this season.
To achieve that, he replaced the foreign one-two punch, which had been lacking compared to other teams, and even made an FA acquisition.
Thanks to bold decisions and investment, Seoul Falcons currently stood at 8 wins and 7 losses, tied for fourth.
Although there was a gap from third-place Daejeon Phoenix, the Phoenix were not in great shape.
Choi Myeong-jun was injured. The club claimed it was due to personal carelessness, but rumors suggested he injured himself out of frustration.
That detail didn’t matter. The first starter of a rival team was out, and now was the perfect moment to strike.
But the opponent wasn’t favorable.
Busan Marines, coming off a winning series at home against Incheon Stars, arrived at Seoul Falcons’ stadium. Last season, the Marines might have been warmly welcomed, but this season they were in second place behind Gwangju Wolves.
Spring or not, their momentum was palpable. The real problem was Park Si-woo, who, after a surprise start on opening day, had pitched three consecutive complete-game shutouts. Every time he appeared, he delivered another shutout.
Not against weak teams either—these records were set against last season’s top three. How could anyone feel good about that?
The only consolation was that Seoul Falcons had won today’s game.
The Marines’ starting rotation for the three-game series was Choi Seung-ho, Park Si-woo, and Gale Davis. They managed to get today’s game, but Park Si-woo and Gale Davis would appear back-to-back starting tomorrow.
Falcons had their first and second starters ready, but Park Si-woo was a concern. Gale Davis, coming right after Park, had clearly benefited from Park’s presence, a fact well known to everyone. Davis could match other teams’ first starters. Otherwise, he was just an ordinary second starter.
Choi Jeong-gyun took note.
If they could just get past Park Si-woo tomorrow, the final game would be favorable.
But how to break him?
“One point first.”
Breaking a record first was key. Records could devour players. A pitcher chasing a perfect game or no-hit could collapse entirely if the streak ended. Batters aiming for records could slump if they failed.
Choi Jeong-gyun focused on the Park hidden behind the streak. Only 23 years old, he would inevitably feel the weight of records. Even seasoned veterans often crumble under such pressure. One point could be all that was needed to swing from a winning series to a sweep.
While Choi Jeong-gyun looked ahead to tomorrow, someone else at the Marines was also anticipating the day.
“Oh, PD, are you okay?”
“Hehe, me?”
“You’ve been smiling all week...”
“I’m fine! I feel amazing right now!”
Since last week, Oh Na-eun had been unusually cheerful, and people around her worried, but her happiness was genuine.
If she uploaded this today… it would be perfect.
Rewinding to Saturday, when Lee Dong-hoon celebrated his 400th game, Oh Na-eun had imagined capturing the moment of victory. This was huge.
Dong-hoon was the pride and sore point for Marines fans, dismissed simply for being a Marines player, called their “ace” for over ten years. Yet he had silently worked his way here. His wish was to win, and Park Si-woo had promised to grant it, even insisting on extra footage.
After filming, Oh Na-eun had paused. If she uploaded this on Park Si-woo’s starting day… the timing would maximize the impact. Park Si-woo’s fourth consecutive shutout. Marines fans would go wild.
She couldn’t hold back her laughter imagining it. Others worried, but she just hummed, eager for the moment.
The first time on the mound as a Marine had been at Jamsil Dome, and she hadn’t expected to return just three weeks later. Of course, the opponent was different: Seoul Falcons.
Still, it was a thrill. On opening day, they had rushed him onto the mound.
“Were you okay then?”
“Then?”
“Yeah. Now I think it was crazy of me.”
“You realize now? I thought the manager would kill me too.”
Even with bases loaded, who expected a knuckleball?
“But it was really fun. Batters asked, ‘What kind of pitch is this?’ every time. Ha.”
At that time, there was nothing to lose. Now, stakes were higher: shutout streak, record, first starter status.
Before, he had been first starter; now, it wasn’t guaranteed. The pressure felt different.
“What are you laughing about?”
“Oh, senior. Just talking about opening day.”
Dong-hoon sat beside him. Things had grown a little awkward since filming the video, though they were closer.
In his first year, he had watched the Korean Series from the hospital. Second year in the bullpen. Third year at home. Each time, he longed to play. Even for one pitch.
He understood Dong-hoon’s wish to throw in the Korean Series completely.
“Right, it was here then?”
“Yes. Though it was against Friends back then.”
“This will be easier. Falcons aren’t heavy hitters, but Manager Choi Jeong-gyun is strong strategically. Be careful of that.”
“How?”
“Yesterday, right? He squeezes runs out and wins with them. Just keep that in mind.”
Advice from a pitcher with 400 starts. He nodded.
“Oh, PD said the video goes up today.”
“What video… that one?”
“Yes. Reactions will come tomorrow, but be ready.”
Dong-hoon grinned and stood.
“Talk among yourselves. Ask questions if you have any.”
He had never seen Dong-hoon give guidance like that. Even strict, he rarely stepped forward to advise.
The game began. Manager Choi explained strategy to Falcons batters:
“Get one run, and we win today and tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
Even if exaggerated, they trusted him. Their starter was solid: Miguel Castillo, fresh from MLB. 22 innings, 3 runs in three games. He proved himself beyond the team’s ace.
-Strike out! Castillo shuts down Ha Seo-jin!
Three batters gone in a flash. The final batter faced Castillo’s bold, powerful pitch, showing why he was a first starter.
First inning passed as planned. Now, only bottom of the first to execute. Signals relayed. The batter.
“Bunt!”
From the first pitch, a daring bunt sent him sprinting to first.
-Park Si-woo fails to field! Cha Jae-hoon reacts but cannot throw! Surprise bunt successful! Lead-off safe for Falcons!
Even with success, Choi Jeong-gyun didn’t stop. Stealing was unlikely; he never planned it.
“Bunt!”
Again, to advance a runner to second. First pitch, first bunt, successful; second bunt, safe. Mission accomplished. Marines dugout noticed something odd.
“Both first pitches?”
“Yes.”
Knuckleballs are hard to bunt. Falcons had prior data from opening day at the same dome. Unlike other fields, the dome’s conditions were predictable.
Now, Choi trusted his batters. One hit, one point. And the batter up was last season’s hit king: Taylor Redick. Not a power hitter but precise. Perfect for Falcons’ strategy.
-Strike! Strike! Strike out!
Confidence met the knuckleball and failed. Still, one hit could produce a run. Next up, batter Kim Si-hyeong. Choi noticed Park Si-woo’s posture.
One hit would break the streak. Everyone in the stadium thought so, but Park Si-woo remained calm and confident.
-A hard knuckleball at 131 km/h hits the center. Strike! Another knuckleball fools him again. Third pitch, body side—strike out!
Two central hitters gone without contact. Falcons dugout felt the shift. Choi thought:
Records can devour people. Perhaps he, not Park Si-woo, was the one consumed.