Chapter 78
Chapter 78
880 million won.
Last year’s salary had been quite low, and since he still had service time, there wasn’t a pressing need for such a huge raise.
But the impact couldn’t be ignored.
In terms of increase rate, it was 1,000 percent.
The violent impact of such a number was exactly why that figure was set.
Too much, you think? The money Park Si-woo brought in this year alone far exceeded this amount.
Every time a uniform was printed, it sold out, and even after the season ended, uniforms were still selling every single day.
If he moved to the U.S., whatever he earned now would seem trivial.
But the impact would remain forever.
And on top of that, a unified championship.
The chairman, usually so stoic, had shed tears at the moment of victory, and the parent company promised full support for the winter.
Most importantly, this amount would keep the relationship with Park Si-woo in excellent shape.
Considering that, even this much money seemed cheap.
Of course, if Park Si-woo maintained his performance, a move to the U.S. was inevitable.
But if a minor dispute over such a trivial matter arose, and somehow he chose FA over posting?
Better to eliminate even the slightest chance.
He had already been disappointed with his previous team.
It was crucial to make it clear that this team was different.
As a result, Park Si-woo signed without hesitation, exactly as the management wanted.
Now the focus could shift to FA.
Marines had one priority this offseason: strengthening the lineup.
Before Park Si-woo went to the U.S., they had to win at least one more championship.
Players like him couldn’t be bought simply with money.
The fact that he could only be around for three or four more years made it even more crucial to make this period count.
While Lee Gyu-tae spent the winter diligently, Park Si-woo finally allowed himself some rest.
Thinking back, he hadn’t had proper downtime and had gone straight to the national team.
Still, he soon felt restless.
Before his injury, baseball had been fun, and he had trained every day to win.
After his injury, he had trained every day just to survive, to regain his velocity.
Rest wasn’t exactly easy.
But Oliver’s advice came to mind: rest is part of training.
He wondered how Oliver was doing.
Oliver had gone ahead to the center to prepare before Park Si-woo arrived for the national team.
Si-woo smiled, grabbing his coat.
Even a walk would help him ease his feelings.
“Hello?”
Si-woo’s phone rang.
It was Danny.
“Si-woo. Where are you?”
“At home.”
“Oh really? Then do you want to come hang out with Hailey?”
“Can I join?”
“Of course. Hailey learned a new dance and wants to show it to you.”
“That sounds good. Where?”
That day was spent enjoying Hailey’s dance.
Over dinner, they discussed his future plans.
“I’ve thought about it. I’ll stay in Korea one more year.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Hailey likes it here, and I feel I still have room to improve.”
The last game of the Korean Series hadn’t gone as he’d hoped.
He naturally felt some regret.
The next day, he met with Gale.
“How have you been?”
“Fine.”
“You looked well during the game.”
Gale had originally planned to leave early but postponed his trip to meet Park Si-woo.
“Really? Danny’s staying too?”
“Yes. But Danny?”
“Well, I was also thinking of staying one more year.”
Gale had a standout season, good enough for MLB contracts, but still felt he had room to grow.
“Most of all, having you here makes me push harder.”
He would make the decision in the U.S. and left with that promise.
Even after meeting Danny and Gale, Park Si-woo didn’t have a day to relax at home.
“Is this the place? Nice.”
“What’s nice about it? Senior’s house is the best.”
His teammates came over for the first time to Park Si-woo’s house.
“Why here? Not moving?”
“This place has good energy.”
Hearing stories about the house, Park Hyun-woo’s eyes lit up.
It really felt like that.
Park Hyun-woo wandered around, impressed, though the contract period wasn’t over.
Before heading to the U.S., Park Si-woo packed his things.
Last year had been hectic, but this year felt different.
Time in Korea had been enjoyable, and he wasn’t going alone.
“Did you bring your passport?”
“Do I look like a kid to you?”
Along with Song Min-seok, Park Si-woo arrived at the center where his knuckleball journey had started.
“Si-woo! Long time no see. I’ve been watching your throws in the U.S., can’t wait to see you.”
James.
And he wasn’t the only familiar face.
“Eden.”
“Si-woo.”
They shook hands tightly.
Park Si-woo welcomed Eden, who had given him confidence in his pitches, and Eden welcomed Si-woo, who would fulfill his wishes.
“Ah, I have someone to introduce.”
James led him with a meaningful smile toward the training area.
“Nathan! This is the Si-woo I told you about.”
“Nathan?”
Park Si-woo’s eyes widened.
Nathan Wilson.
He sounded exhausted.
“Nice to meet you. You must have had a hard time because of him.”
Nathan had come at Eden’s suggestion.
“There was nowhere else to train.”
This center was famous, and it was conveniently close to LA.
But it felt surreal.
Two top MLB players, Eden and Nathan, were right beside him.
Eden was familiar, but Nathan? Park Si-woo had studied his videos before.
He couldn’t believe he was sharing the same space with such a pitcher.
“You’ll get used to it. We’ll be together for a while.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Nathan’s interested in you too.”
“There’s a pitcher who throws both knuckleballs and 100-mile fastballs. How could he not be curious? Sure, we’ll have fun training together too.”
Nathan glanced at Eden before looking at Park Si-woo.
“Only when you’re ready.”
“Of course I am.”
“Good. Rest today. Start tomorrow. Eden, you go first, the two of you hang out.”
After Nathan left, Eden asked, “We’ve got a lot to talk about, right?”
“We will. Why are you holding a bat?”
“That’s part of it. Fun stuff.”
James intervened.
“Eden, Si-woo can’t throw today. Oliver isn’t here, and he needs rest.”
“…You saw that splitter. It’s rare to see it live, plus the fastball.”
“…I want to, but no.”
Eden had no choice but to relent.
“Where’s Oliver?”
“He went to check on some players at David’s request.”
David—the one who taught Si-woo the knuckleball.
He hadn’t been in contact much this season, so this was the chance to meet.
And that wish was fulfilled.
“David! Long time.”
“Yes. Long time. I heard about you through Oliver.”
David returned with Oliver, but they weren’t alone.
“Si-woo, I have a request.”
“What is it?”
“I want you to teach him to throw knuckleballs properly.”
He had realized it even before seeing him: this newcomer spoke Korean.
“Hello, I’m Ed Cole.”
“You speak Korean?”
“Yes. My grandmother is Korean, and she raised me.”
Though he sounded like a Korean-American, his Korean was excellent.
“Ed, first let’s check your condition. Follow me.”
James took Ed to the exam room while David explained why he wanted to learn the knuckleball.
“It was an accident. A traffic accident.”
Ed had been a right-handed pitcher, but after the accident, he couldn’t throw with that hand.
He didn’t give up and switched to left-handed pitching, meeting David along the way.
“…I think I read about that.”
“Really?”
During WBC seasons, Korean players always drew attention.
He had seen the news about Ed Cole and his accident.
He never expected to meet him here.
“Si-woo, if you feel pressured…”
“No, not at all. I’m happy to help.”
David had taught him without any reward, following a knuckleballer rule: if someone wants to learn, you teach freely.
“I’m glad I can help.”
Park Si-woo liked that rule.
The training continued with Nathan Wilson and Ed Cole joining.
But he didn’t throw.
Recovery exercises came first.
“One more time.”
“…Do you know how many times I’ve said that?”
“You can do it.”
James was relentless but always smiling while giving instructions.
After the endless exercises, he approached Min-seok, lying exhausted.
“Are you okay?”
“…Why did I agree to this?”
Min-seok chewed on greens and chicken breast, looking miserable.
“The effect is good, isn’t it?”
“…Yeah. It has to be. Otherwise, why am I eating chicken I paid for? You gotta work hard.”
By the way, Si-woo paid for all U.S. expenses himself.
With his raise, he could afford it.
Min-seok regained energy and went back to James.
“…I’m ready.”
He looked intense.
Watching him train while resting, Si-woo noted that Min-seok’s workout intensity was higher.
“Catchers have to train like that, or it’ll be harder during the season.”
“Here?”
Eden sat beside him.
“Si-woo, don’t you feel stiff?”
“Not at all.”
Eden kept insisting on live batting.
It wasn’t a big deal, though.
“We’ll meet soon anyway.”
The WBC was approaching.
Eden confirmed he’d participate.
“…We might not meet.”
“True.”
Korea and the U.S. were in different groups.
If he couldn’t make it, the next meeting would probably be next winter.
“Still, meeting then will be fun.”
“True. Oh, wait, one more thing.”
“What?”
“Charity game. Will it happen this year?”
Of course. They held it annually.
“Good. Let’s be on opposing teams.”
Eden, suddenly fired up, disappeared to train.
Alone, he didn’t stay long.
Nathan approached.
“You know? I envy you two.”
“Us?”
“Yes. Playing alone isn’t fun.”
Confused, Si-woo looked at Nathan, who smiled.
“I had a hitter I wanted to beat. He was ten years older in MLB. Could I beat him as a rookie? A few years later, I did. But it wasn’t him I wanted to beat. Eden? He’s similar.”
That reminded Si-woo of the first time he met Eden.
Nathan had worked hard to hit against him.
“Eden doesn’t watch me anymore. But now, because of you, I’m interested. I couldn’t help but notice. Who is this pitcher? But it’s justified.”
“…Thank you.”
His chest swelled with pride.
“You’re going to WBC, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then that’s the place.”
By the time Si-woo went to the U.S., Nathan wouldn’t be the same.
He might even consider retirement.
This WBC was his last chance to face Nathan in his prime.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Good.”
He had a feeling it would turn out that way.