Chapter 79
Chapter 79
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
This year, compared to last, he would be throwing later. The goals and circumstances had changed, so it made sense. Last year, learning the knuckleball was part of rehab; this year, it was about recovering a worn-out body and refining his form. Time was short since he had to join the WBC camp in early January. He needed to polish his form here and continue refining it on his own from January onward.
“Are you all staying here the whole time?”
He noticed everyone was still around, even though there were more training sessions left.
“You have to see this.”
“It’s our first time seeing it in person. You’ll understand.”
Eden and Nathan, of course, along with James, David, and Ed, were all waiting to watch his pitching. With so many people, he felt even more nervous than during the Korean Series.
“Let’s start with the easiest pitch.”
Since his body wasn’t fully recovered, they decided to limit each pitch to under ten throws. First up, the fastball.
The moment the ball left his hand until it landed in Minseok’s mitt, he remembered that feeling.
“Good. I’ll keep going.”
Oliver’s encouragement gave him confidence, and he threw continuously. He gradually raised the speed to the high 150 km/h range.
“Okay, stop. Next pitch.”
It was disappointing but necessary to control. He moved on to the slider and then the splitter.
“Wow. That’s amazing.”
He glanced at Nathan, then Eden, whose eyes seemed intense.
Why does he look like that?
If he stared too long, he felt something might happen, so he returned his gaze forward.
Next was the knuckleball. He tried to throw it as similarly as possible to the previous pitches, but he didn’t need Oliver’s assessment to know it was difficult. Unlike other pitches, where he put in power, matching form for a knuckleball was not easy.
The first pitch was over.
“Good work. Want to see?”
Oliver showed him a screen displaying how closely his form matched. The slider and splitter were around 95% aligned with the fastball, and the knuckleball was around 80%.
“Still lacking a bit.”
“This is excellent.”
“What do you think?”
He asked Eden, who made a soft sound.
“I’d notice the difference, but you’d have to bat to really know. So, I could bat as if in a real game and throw, but…”
“Not yet.”
Oliver’s firm answer made Eden give up his insistence and grab his bat.
“Where are you going?”
“Needed to move around.”
Whether he would be facing a person or a machine, he silently wished him luck.
“Seeing it live is even better.”
“Thanks.”
Nathan’s words made him feel good, though he had said it was difficult to give advice.
“Well, it’s different from what I throw, so it’s hard to give tips.”
True. Few throw a knuckleball alongside a 160 km/h fastball. Being a pioneer had its challenges. But recognition and results fueled motivation.
“How was it?”
He asked Ed and David. He had advised Ed before, but this was the first time he showed his pitch.
“So, that’s the same pitch I throw?”
“Only in name.”
David’s words made Ed smile.
“Nice. That means I could throw that too. But it’ll take time, right?”
“Of course.”
“All I have is time.”
Ed’s positivity was impressive, explaining why David and Oliver willingly helped. Ed and David left to practice the knuckleball further.
“You remind me of old Siwoo.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You were that positive too.”
Back then, it was more like ‘whatever happens, happens.’
“Already a year ago.”
“Time flies.”
“It will keep going like this. Seasons, preparation, then more seasons. Time passes quickly. That’s why goals must be precise.”
He understood. Major League Baseball. Last year had clear goals: winning and rehab. Now that both were accomplished, a new goal was needed.
At one point, he hadn’t even thought of MLB as connected to him. Friendship with Eden didn’t change the uncertainty of surviving in KBO. But after a season, winning, and meeting many people, thoughts of MLB grew.
Truthfully, refining pitching form wasn’t necessary if he planned to stay in KBO.
“I haven’t made any big decisions yet. That time was far off.”
“Yes.”
“But if the opportunity arises, I’ll challenge it. But first, I want a few more championships.”
Even if he left, fans would remember him fondly. That was motivation to work harder.
“Shall we start again?”
One week before the WBC camp, Park Siwoo and Song Minseok were in Arizona for the charity game at the Tread Athletics Baseball Center. Nathan Wilson was rumored to participate but was blocked by the team. Eden Kelly confirmed attendance again this year. Park Siwoo, who had shocked everyone last year, was also participating. Unlike last year, everyone knew his presence. He had appeared multiple times on MLB’s homepage, and his strikeout of Eden had left a strong impression. Again, Siwoo and Eden were assigned to different teams.
“Remember last year? The lucky knuckleballer who gifted us a win. Ready for this year’s gift?”
“Yes!”
Siwoo’s team had the same good vibe. This year, he was the starter, and Eden led the opposing team. The showdown began immediately.
The winner was Eden Kelly.
Eden had performed exceptionally over the year, finishing second in the National League MVP voting. But he looked unsatisfied on first base.
‘If I can’t throw other pitches, it’s just like last year.’
To avoid strain before the WBC camp, Siwoo only threw the knuckleball today.
“Out!”
For other batters, that was enough, but Eden wanted more.
“Still not enough.”
“What?”
“Let’s face off properly at WBC.”
Siwoo smiled, and Eden grinned, looking forward to the next encounter. The charity game ended with Siwoo’s team winning. Eden and Nathan then left for the LA Dodgers camp.
“See you in the main event.”
Ed and David returned to their practice, continuing knuckleball work.
“Contact me anytime.”
“Thanks, Siwoo.”
They also planned to meet at the knuckleballer gathering. Oliver would follow Siwoo to the WBC camp but work on a paper about him during that time.
“See you in Korea then.”
Siwoo and Song Minseok boarded the plane.
The WBC first camp was in Saipan, with 35 players listed in the preliminary roster. The camp aimed to narrow it down to the final 30. Being there didn’t guarantee a national team spot, so players on the edge looked serious. Head coach Choi Kang-il pondered before starting.
This national team was arguably the strongest ever. Players like Yoon Chanhee, Korean-American MLB player Alex Rogers, and existing stars like Heo Min and Ha Seo-jin, plus newcomers Oh Garam and Choi Jae-hoon, were present.
But the most important player was Park Siwoo. The WBC results depended largely on him. A pitcher who could dominate opposing aces had unmatched value in short tournaments. He had proven it in the Korean Series.
‘The question is when to use him.’
Only two of five teams would advance to the main event. The most dangerous opponents were Taiwan and Japan. To aim for first place, facing Japan was key; second place, Taiwan.
‘But beating Japan brings much more.’
Winning against Japan could give them confidence and momentum. The Japanese team was no pushover, fielding their best roster. And the WBC rules limited starters to 65 pitches, complicating how to use Siwoo effectively.
The bigger problem: ‘What if Siwoo collapses?’
The Marines and most players trusted him, but failure would cause major issues.
Siwoo arrived at camp.
‘His body should be ready.’
No matter how good, an unprepared pitcher couldn’t be used. Siwoo was young and lacked experience.
‘If what they say is true, he’s well-prepared.’
Coach Choi had contacted Gwak Goobum earlier to learn about Siwoo. Observing him pitch was best.
On the first day, pitchers began throwing. It was a chance to see how well they had prepared during the offseason.
“Okay. Stop here.”
Coach Choi smiled at the pitchers. Heo Min and Oh Garam were in excellent condition. Other bullpen options were also ready.
Finally, it was Siwoo’s turn. Perhaps the most important moment of the camp.
The first pitch.
‘...I worried for nothing.’
Just one pitch was enough. The sound was different from all other pitchers, making Coach Choi beam.
‘Wow, the coach is smiling.’
‘The ball is really good.’
Players alternated glancing between Choi’s rare smile and Siwoo’s pitching. Choi, however, was lost in thought.
‘This is tough.’
Watching Siwoo made him crave more. The desire to reach first place in the group was growing. This dilemma would continue until a decision had to be made, but every time, Choi would smile.