Chapter 46
Chapter 46
“Back then, there wasn’t enough time.”
If he hadn’t heard that information in advance or hadn’t had Ethan Kelly’s help, it would have been a real headache to deal with.
At the time, he had no choice but to settle for wrapping things up as best as he could, but this time was different.
There had been plenty of time to prepare, and public opinion among the fans regarding Park Si-woo and Choi Myung-jun had completely flipped.
More than anything—
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“…No, I should be the one thanking you.”
Lee Gyu-tae firmly held the victim’s mother’s hand as she repeatedly expressed her gratitude.
After hearing about Choi Myung-jun from Park Si-woo, Lee Gyu-tae immediately began investigating his school days.
Just as expected, there were other victims besides Park Si-woo.
“People like Choi Myung-jun usually show similar behavior from a young age, but… this…”
His case was far worse than usual.
The two victims had shut themselves inside their rooms, refusing to speak.
No matter how much he tried to persuade them, it didn’t work.
If anything, they were afraid of coming forward.
What they truly feared was that even after exposing everything, Choi Myung-jun would continue his professional career as if nothing had happened.
When even getting them to talk was difficult, Lee Gyu-tae showed them videos of Park Si-woo and calmly continued persuading them.
Though he had suffered under Choi Myung-jun, Park Si-woo had overcome it and was now shining brighter than anyone else.
Lee Gyu-tae hoped that seeing that would give the other victims courage.
And when Park Si-woo said he would step forward first regarding this incident, they finally gathered their courage as well.
“I am a junior from high school of Choi Myung-jun, currently a player of the Daejeon Phoenix.”
“I am a junior from middle school of Choi Myung-jun, currently a player of the Daejeon Phoenix.”
That was the result.
Naturally, the incident instantly became the hottest topic across every online community.
No one believed Choi Myung-jun’s claim that he was the victim anymore, and public opinion turned completely against him.
However, not many people connected this incident to Park Si-woo’s case.
Most viewed the conflict between Park Si-woo and Choi Myung-jun as a personal feud, separate from the school bullying issue.
A few days later, after completing interviews with key players, the KBO began its press conference.
“We will begin the announcement of disciplinary actions regarding the violent incident involving players Choi Myung-jun and Park Si-woo. First, the assault claimed by Choi Myung-jun has been partially confirmed, as Park Si-woo has acknowledged it.”
“Is this for real?”
“Are we screwed?”
“No, no, wait, they’re still announcing it.”
“However, unlike Choi Myung-jun’s claims, a settlement had already been reached and the severity was minor. Therefore, Park Si-woo will receive a five-game suspension and 100 hours of community service. However, during this process, there was a consistent testimony among the players.”
The director paused briefly, considering the impact this announcement would bring.
“There was a group within the Daejeon Phoenix that continuously harassed Park Si-woo, and some members of that group have admitted to the charges. However, Choi Myung-jun, identified as the key figure, continues to deny all allegations.”
“What?”
“So Park Si-woo was the victim?”
“Choi Myung-jun is insane.”
“Then the school bullying accusations are real too?”
“We have requested a police investigation into this matter. Choi Myung-jun will be suspended indefinitely until the investigation is complete, and disciplinary actions will be finalized afterward. Additionally, players Kim Jung-min and Lee In-hyuk, who led the bullying alongside him, will each receive a 72-game suspension, and the club will be fined 15 million won…”
“That’s a crazy punishment.”
“If they’re suspending him indefinitely, they must be almost certain.”
“How many witnesses are there for it to be like this?”
“Kim Jung-min? Lee In-hyuk? Of course he hung out with guys like that.”
“The Phoenix were seriously rotten.”
“This is separate from the incidents that occurred during Choi Myung-jun’s middle and high school years. Those cases have also been referred for investigation, and the results will be compiled and announced through the media once completed.”
“Choi Myung-jun is finished.”
“With this level of punishment, isn’t it at least a year?”
“But KBO can’t punish school bullying. The club has to handle that internally.”
“The Phoenix season is ruined.”
“Not just the season, their whole future might be ruined.”
“Si-woo, you’ve worked so hard. Now let’s just enjoy baseball with the Marines.”
“But how did Park Si-woo endure all this? No wins despite pitching well every game, injuries, even losing his velocity, and still being harassed, yet he never gave up baseball.”
“They probably considered that when deciding the punishment.”
“I knew something was off about Choi Myung-jun from the moment I saw him.”
The shock refused to fade.
Even fans of unrelated teams, let alone the two teams involved, were left dazed for quite some time.
Once their thoughts and emotions settled, what remained most strongly was anger.
Especially among Phoenix fans, who could be considered the biggest victims.
“So the reason they traded Park Si-woo was because of Choi Myung-jun?”
“That bastard pushed him out and then tried to bury him afterward but failed, right?”
“If that bastard wasn’t there, Park Si-woo would still be on our team?”
“Can’t we just release Choi Myung-jun and bring Si-woo back?”
“I thought the GM had lost his mind back then, but it was because of him.”
“Rewatch the dugout footage, it’s all there.”
“If you can see it after watching just a few times, it means it wasn’t a one-time thing.”
“Look at him jabbing Park Si-woo with his elbow as he walks past. Creepy as hell.”
“No wonder Park Si-woo couldn’t play properly.”
Phoenix fans had barely held themselves together as Park Si-woo kept setting records and Marines fans screamed in joy every game.
Even at the time of the trade, many fans had been furious.
But they endured it because they were told it was a move for the championship.
And now, all the anger that had built up since then finally exploded.
Phoenix fans gathered in front of Phoenix Park.
They had only one demand.
“Bring Park Si-woo back!”
But unless the Marines had gone insane, there was no way they would let him go.
“…Yes. Understood.”
What the Phoenix chose first was to calm the fans’ anger.
“Phoenix GM Oh Gyu-jin resigns, taking responsibility for the recent incident.”
First, they let go of Oh Gyu-jin, who had led the trade.
Officially, it was a voluntary resignation, but the owner’s anger was so intense that he wouldn’t be able to show his face in the baseball world for quite some time.
But that alone wasn’t enough to calm the fans.
“…Please suggest any method.”
Even after Oh Gyu-jin’s resignation, the meeting room remained silent at the words of the operations team leader who had taken over as acting GM.
A method? Of course there was one.
Bring back Park Si-woo.
That would calm the fans and make them happy again.
But how?
“…What about releasing Choi Myung-jun?”
One team leader finally spoke up, but even that was impossible.
Leaving aside the issue with Park Si-woo, what if the high school bullying charges were proven false?
What if they released a young pitcher in his prime and he was later found innocent?
What if another team picked him up after public opinion cooled down?
The backlash would be devastating.
For Phoenix, the best option was to place him on voluntary retirement status, unable to move forward or back.
However, all the other players involved as main perpetrators besides Choi Myung-jun were expelled.
It might not be enough, but they hoped it would calm the fans at least a little.
And when Choi Myung-jun heard the result, he scoffed.
“See? No matter how much they tear into me, they can’t abandon me.”
In the end, a baseball player was defined by skill.
Choi Myung-jun trusted his ability.
As long as he had that, he could play anywhere.
The suspension would end eventually.
When people gradually forgot, he would return then.
“I’ll repay them with baseball.”
What phrase could be more perfect than that?
Clenching his teeth, Choi Myung-jun gripped the ball again, preparing for the future.
Even alone, he would train for the day that would come.
“I’ll get my revenge then.”
No matter how things looked now, that day would come.
Soon, he stepped onto the training mound with the ball in his hand.
Perhaps because of muscle soreness, the outer part of his shoulder throbbed slightly.
A pain he had been feeling for weeks.
But with his shrinking position and because of Park Si-woo, he couldn’t bring himself to say he needed rest.
“It’s fine.”
There had been a lot going on lately.
He had always lived with this kind of pain.
If he took time and trained enough, it would be fine.
But not long after ignoring the pain and throwing, his hand began to tremble, and he collapsed on the spot.
Snap.
“Aaaaaargh!”
Something in his shoulder felt like it had torn, and all strength drained away.
After screaming in agony for a long time, Choi Myung-jun was finally taken to the hospital.
“Mr. Choi Myung-jun.”
“…Yes.”
The doctor stared at him briefly through his cap and mask before speaking.
“It’s a rotator cuff tear. We’ll need detailed tests to be sure, but it appears to be severe.”
At those words, Choi Myung-jun’s face turned pale.
An injury that was practically a death sentence for a pitcher.
“If I get surgery, I’ll be fine, right?”
“Well… even with surgery, you might not be able to play baseball…”
“What the hell!”
Though he raged at the shocking news, it didn’t change the doctor’s diagnosis.
If anything, the detailed examination only brought worse results.
“Breaking news: Choi Myung-jun, at the center of controversy, confirmed for shoulder surgery due to complete rotator cuff tear.”
“Phoenix release Choi Myung-jun. ‘The nature of the incident was severe, and he showed no signs of remorse. We apologize to the fans.’”
I returned to Sajik Stadium after a long time.
The stadium was quiet since the players were away for an away series.
I had come at this time on purpose.
For whatever reason, I had been at the center of the incident for the past two weeks.
Following the GM’s advice, I had only been going between my home and the training facility provided by the club.
Maybe that was why the stadium felt a little unfamiliar.
“Oh, you’re here?”
When I entered the GM’s office, he smiled lightly and poured me some water.
Just two weeks ago, when I drank water here, I had no idea things would unfold like this.
“You’ve worked hard. Fortunately, things were resolved easily since they stepped forward first.”
“I guess I was lucky.”
The GM looked at me for a moment and let out a small chuckle.
“Yes. You were lucky.”
So much had happened that it was hard to believe everything had been resolved in just two weeks.
And yesterday, I heard the final news about Choi Myung-jun.
“What will happen to him?”
“With a complete rotator cuff tear, you can consider his career as a pitcher over.”
The GM spoke calmly as he sipped his coffee.
“Even without that incident, it wouldn’t have been easy for him to return. Public opinion is too harsh. And Phoenix won’t take him back unless he shows what he used to. You don’t need to worry about him anymore.”
“I see.”
At the GM’s firm words, it finally sank in.
My ill-fated relationship with Choi Myung-jun was now over.
“Now I can just focus on baseball.”
“You’ve done well. Let’s discuss your return date with Oliver and adjust it.”
Though my suspension had ended, the GM wanted to be as cautious as possible about my return.
More than anything, he was worried about the risk of injury if I rushed back.
After finishing my conversation with him, I immediately went to meet Oliver.
“You came at the perfect time. The test results just came out.”
“How are they?”
“Well, do you feel any discomfort right now?”
“No, none at all. Did something come out wrong?”
At my question, Oliver smiled.
“It’s exactly as you feel. It’s perfectly clean. I don’t think it could look any better.”
Only after he showed me the results did I feel relieved.
“That’s good.”
“You can read these now?”
“No. I trust you.”
There were many reasons, but Oliver had come all the way to Korea for me.
There was no reason not to trust him.
“Hmm. Since you say that, I guess I should say what I prepared.”
“What is it?”
“If you’re okay with it, I think it might be time to start trying other pitch types.”
“…Other pitch types? Didn’t you say it would take at least a year?”
“I did. But the situation has changed. I told you that the reason you couldn’t throw fastballs was because your brain was suppressing your body, right?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t define that reason exactly, but the biggest factor is likely continuous and repeated pain. Environmental factors and stress can’t be ignored either. Now that most of those have been resolved, there’s a possibility.”
Hearing something I hadn’t even considered left me momentarily blank.
“I’m not saying you should start throwing right away. In cases like this, it’s best to be as cautious as possible.”
“When would that be?”
“There’s a perfect time before the second half starts.”
The All-Star break.
Even if I participated in the All-Star Game, there would still be about four days of rest, making it the perfect time.
“Sounds good.”
“Of course, if your condition isn’t good at that time, it can always change. You know that, right?”
“Yes.”
It was only the beginning of June, so there was about a month until the All-Star Game.
Of course, there was no guarantee I could throw that pitch again by then, but I couldn’t help feeling excited.
But the day I threw a four-seam fastball in a game came sooner than expected.