Chapter 33
Chapter 33
The Marines players arrived in Daegu for the weekend series against the Daegu Aces, and fatigue was written all over their faces.
“Good work, everyone. Go get some rest. Phew.”
Pitching coach Park Seung-hyeok’s words were met with weak responses as the pitchers dispersed.
“Ugh… how long did it take? I thought we were heading to Busan.”
“Wow, it’s been ages since a trip took this long. Why was it so backed up?”
“A dump truck overturned on the highway. Chaos everywhere.”
“Of all times? Tsk. Let’s hurry.”
The team had already been demoralized by recent losses, and the extra travel time made it worse. Everyone trudged toward the hotel, bodies stiff from the journey.
The same went for Lee Dong-hoon, slated to start tomorrow.
“Ugh, good work today.”
“Yeah. Let’s hit the bed immediately.”
He headed straight to bed with Park Hyun-woo, but…
“Ha.”
The loud snoring from the next room, enough to pierce even the hotel’s soundproofing, made sleep elusive. He had been assigned the room next to Rex, the worst snorer in the Marines.
“Should I go talk to him?”
“No. He’s probably exhausted too. Just sleep.”
Struggling, Dong-hoon finally drifted off, thanks to his fatigue.
The next morning.
“Sir, are you eating breakfast?”
“Yeah. Go ahead. I’ll just dry my hair first.”
“Roger. I’ll scout the menu in the meantime.”
After preparing, Dong-hoon took some food and sat beside Park Hyun-woo.
“Oh? They have omelets?”
“Yeah, they do it over there. Huh? Should I get mine for you?”
“Forget it. You eat.”
Dong-hoon chewed through his food.
‘Something feels weird over the last couple of days.’
Ordinarily, he would have brushed off minor bad luck, but the repeated incidents were unsettling.
‘Let’s think positively.’
Perhaps it was just a way to ward off bad luck ahead of his start.
But…
‘…ugh. What’s with today?’
In the bottom of the first, runners on second and third with two outs. A ball perfectly hit between first base and right field landed right on the foul line.
Even after video review, the call stood. Luck favored the ace, while misfortune hit the Marines and Dong-hoon—a frustrating start.
Still, Dong-hoon held his composure and finished the first inning. The game proceeded smoothly… until the fifth.
[Dong-hoon raises his hand to signal the outfielder. The right fielder, at the wall… it clears! The Daegu Ace’s cleanup hitter, Edwin Coleman, hits a two-run homer!]
Dong-hoon had raised his hand in vain as the ball barely cleared the short distance to the wall in Daegu Ace Park.
“…ugh. Nothing’s going right.”
Still, the Marines’ offense countered, testing the Daegu Ace bullpen and leveling the score.
“Good job, Dong-hoon.”
Despite his frustrations, Dong-hoon pitched six innings, giving up four runs, fulfilling the minimum role of a starter.
The Marines’ victory came despite multiple unlucky moments: balls hit directly to fielders or double plays that went against them. But they won.
However, the next two games would be far worse.
[Double play ball… it hits the base and bounces out! The ball goes to the outfield, and two runners score! Daegu Ace takes the lead!]
[The ball is snatched by first baseman Edwin Coleman! Double play! The Ace erases today’s loss!]
It was as if the sky itself was betting against the Marines, who suffered repeated misfortune. The final game, lost in 11 innings, was especially painful.
“Good work. Forget this game and rest up until tomorrow. See you all on Tuesday.”
Even manager Kwak Gubeom canceled Monday’s practice, taking the team’s morale into account.
The players dispersed weakly, including Dong-hoon and Park Hyun-woo.
“Heading straight home? The kids are asking to eat out. How about you?”
“No, I’ll go home today. Pretty tired.”
“Ah… then I guess I’ll just go home too.”
“What’s this? If you don’t go, I’ll have to pay for everything.”
“I’m broke.”
Park Hyun-woo’s comment made Dong-hoon laugh.
“Not tired?”
“I’ll throw myself onto the bed as soon as I get home. Ha.”
“Shall we go to a sauna?”
“You paying?”
“You crazy.”
“I’ll get sweet rice drink and boiled eggs.”
“Deal.”
When they arrived at the small sauna inside the stadium, Park Hyun-woo couldn’t hide his expression.
“No, this is a bit…”
“Buy the rice drink and eggs at the convenience store.”
“Ugh, fine. Just let’s go together.”
Dong-hoon submerged himself in the warm water.
“Ah… feels good.”
“Why not relax in a bigger spot while we’re at it?”
“Why? This is fine. If you don’t like it, leave.”
They soaked for a while.
“Good work today.”
“Got your menopause coming early, huh? They say it’s hitting sooner these days.”
“Even your concern is annoying.”
“Ha. Thanks to your worry, all my fatigue’s gone.”
Joking aside, Dong-hoon smiled and sank fully into the water.
‘Hyun-woo really put in work this week.’
Three consecutive outings Friday through Sunday. Most were losses, but due to close games, Park Hyun-woo had to pitch. Only Friday brought a win. The week ended with a 2–4 record.
Why they lost?
‘…let’s not think about it.’
The team had been unlucky for three straight days. The tight games also placed extra strain on the bullpen. Yet Park Hyun-woo’s cheerful attitude lifted everyone.
“Why do you have so many worries?”
“…Does it show?”
“Let me guess. Was it talking about the championship? Ever since you mentioned it, your performance dropped, right?”
“Sometimes, just ignore it.”
Since Dong-hoon brought up the championship, the Marines went 2–5. Not something the players could ignore, especially with this string of bad luck.
Unlike the serious Dong-hoon, Park Hyun-woo had a different take.
“I think it’s not because of you, but because Si-woo went to Busan first.”
“That’s some new kind of nonsense.”
“Think about it. That slightly foul ball that hit the base and became two RBIs. That home run. If Si-woo were there, results would have been different. Lots of little things too.”
“You’re serious?”
“Hey, we’re baseball players. Luck works like that. When Si-woo’s here, everyone’s lucky. When he’s gone, things go south.”
“Get lost.”
“Okay. Si-woo pitches twice this week, we’ll see. I’m telling you, I’m right.”
Dong-hoon chuckled in response, but he couldn’t help thinking…
‘…huh. Maybe he’s right.’
“Clean up when you leave.”
“No, come with me a bit.”
The next day, Dong-hoon arrived at the stadium with his stiff body. No training, but he had to maintain a starter’s rest routine.
‘Hmm, at this time…’
Instead of heading to the gym, he went to the bullpen.
There, unsurprisingly, was the person he had been looking for.
Si-woo paused his throwing upon noticing Dong-hoon.
“Sir, you’re here?”
Dong-hoon simply looked at him. Seeing Si-woo washed away the memory of the last three days’ misfortunes.
“…Si-woo.”
“Yes.”
“I missed you.”
“…uh, yes. I missed you too.”
Si-woo awkwardly accepted Dong-hoon’s sudden hug, and they rejoined the team.
Though Monday had no games, it was filled with baseball-related programs. The most popular was the live YouTube show ‘Baseball Club,’ where active players and reporters shared real-time insights.
As the broadcast started, fans flooded in.
“Hello, everyone. We’re back after a week. I’m Kim Hyung-taek, and joining me is analyst Jeong Se-won.”
Comments poured in.
“Don’t mention our team, please. Don’t mention our team…”
“Who’s going to fall this week?”
Hyung-taek smiled at the familiar chaos. Though retired with a modest record, his true fame came post-retirement.
He had built a reputation for calling plays with uncanny accuracy, sometimes causing retired players to cringe at his commentary.
“Today, I support player Lee In-hyeok.”
Though fans used nicknames to request mentions, one name was conspicuously absent.
“Then now, it’s time for this week’s player pick by analyst Jeong Se-won.”
“Yes. The player I’ve chosen is Busan Marines’ Si-woo Park.”
Comments exploded.
Si-woo Park had been pitching four consecutive 9-inning shutouts, including three straight complete-game wins. Fans were glued to every move.
He wasn’t just a story because of his knuckleball. It was the record: one more shutout and he would make KBO history—four consecutive complete-game shutouts and 45 consecutive scoreless innings.
Even non-Marines fans watched closely.
If Hyung-taek mentioned him first, breaking the record, his value would rise, even if it drew criticism.
By the end of the broadcast, Jeong Se-won sincerely encouraged everyone:
“Let’s watch together to see what record Park Si-woo sets this week. Si-woo, fighting!”