Chapter 84

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 84

Chapter Title: Jump Catch Spectacle and the Old Man's Comeback

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"Y-Yeah... haha... It's truly unbelievable defense, even on replay. Who can blame the Winners runners? Even back in my playing days, I'd have chased after that ball thinking it was definitely getting through."

"You're absolutely right. Look right here—it's a clean hit, isn't it? Lee Su-ho's face shows that 'oh no' moment the instant he releases the pitch. Even the pitcher thought it was gone... yeah... haha... and then he jumps... and catches it... hahaha..."

The two announcers let out hollow laughs as the slow-motion replay of Cha Tae-hyun's jump catch played.

Both were veterans with over a decade of broadcasting experience. They'd witnessed plenty of great plays firsthand, yet they couldn't hold back their awe.

"Caster, you've called Major League games before, right? Do defenses like this happen often there?"

"The majors are on another level, so jump catches like this do pop up from time to time... but in all the games I've called, I haven't seen one. I can say this with confidence: out of every defense I've seen with my own eyes, this is the best. Honestly, it baffles me a bit. Cha Tae-hyun... why hesitate on the majors?"

"Majors? What majors... Trying to kidnap our ace..."

Shin Ha-yoon, about to dive into a furious keyboard war, suddenly remembered the cake in the oven and bolted to the kitchen.

"Uh... why's it so shrunken..."

He'd followed the internet recipe to the letter...

Disappointing, but no big deal. His sister had bought enough ingredients for about four cakes anyway—one failure wouldn't hurt.

Though thinking of his sister, he should save one... but whatever. No way it'd all get used up.

Sajik Stadium's catcher's table.

Cha Yun-myeong's wife and son were watching the game.

"Mom, when's Dad coming out?"

"Huh? Dad? Might be a bit longer."

"Aww... I wanna see Dad soon..."

"Really? But weren't you a Winners fan, Myeong-hu? Dad's on Phoenix now, the opposing team—is that okay?"

Up until now, he'd eagerly watched Winners games and begged for their uniforms.

With his dad now on Phoenix, it must be a dilemma for the kid.

No matter that Dad was a Phoenix player now, the bond with his long-time favorite team wouldn't vanish.

"It's fine, Myeong-hu. Cheer for your favorite team. No need to force yourself for Phoenix just 'cause of Dad."

She was a baseball fan too. She knew changing teams wasn't easy.

Plus, as a mom, maybe it'd be better for his mental health to keep rooting for Winners over Phoenix.

No joke—dead serious.

'They're doing well lately... but spring hot streaks aren't rare. Who knows yet.'

Despite her consideration, her son Cha Myeong-hu grinned and said,

"I'm not a Winners fan."

"Huh...? It's okay, Myeong-hu. Cheer for whoever you like."

"No. I'm Dad's fan."

Ah.

Her lips, momentarily stunned, curved into a wide smile.

The kid had followed Winners games and begged for their jerseys all to support his dad.

She stroked her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠proud son's head.

"Right. Then Dad's team is Phoenix now, so let's cheer for them too. If they win today, Mom'll buy you a jersey with Dad's name on it."

"Really? For real! Fighting! Fighting! Phoenix!"

'...Did I just jinx it? Should've just said I'd buy it anyway.'

She wasn't confident they'd win today.

Phoenix had already given up 3 runs in the first. Without Cha Tae-hyun, it could've been double—6 runs easy.

And this was her husband's debut.

They needed a solid lead so he could pitch relaxed...

She clasped her hands tight in prayer.

By the time her husband took the mound, may the score be way, way ahead.

Giving up 3 in the first was a great start—or a disaster, depending on perspective.

Yet Phoenix's dugout was cheering, while Winners', who'd scored, was deathly silent.

What could you do?

They'd blown the chance with a rare triple play.

Small consolation: today's starter Durant pitched well against Phoenix...

'That doesn't matter...'

The Winners coach shook his head.

If that logic held, yesterday's Shin Min-seok was solid against Phoenix too—until he collapsed pathetically.

Couldn't deny it anymore.

Phoenix was a different team from last year, solidly in contender status.

Thin depth and shaky bullpen were still weaknesses, bound to show as the season wore on—but right now, no easy out.

With runners on first and second, one out, facing Cha Tae-hyun to salvage pride? Arrogant.

"Manager, tell 'em to IBB Tae-hyun?"

"Walk him? You know how prideful Durant is? Walking the first AB would backfire. Skip Tae-hyun, it's Lee Sang-jin—and forget he wore 4 there before? Better try to get Tae-hyun out first AB."

He'd planned to push for the IBB, but that made sense.

Of course...

'No matter the era, respect between seniors and juniors...'

The manager just itched to flatten him after that cocky interview.

"And hey? Up 3 runs, no need to walk—"

The manager, fuming again at the interview, was about to chew out the coach when—

CRACK!

"...That... that bastard! Again!"

Durant's nasty splitter turned into an RBI on a ridiculous uppercut.

But that wasn't the point.

All the manager saw was Cha Tae-hyun pumping his arms in a goofy victory pose.

"What the hell is that guy's deal?!"

"M-M-Manager, calm down! Public opinion's already bad—don't make it worse!"

The coach had to physically restrain the manager charging out of the dugout, huffing like a bull.

No cute kid today, but I celebrated first anyway.

Winners eats this stuff up.

Yeah, childish... but they swung first with the manager?

High-level psych war deserves a counter.

Anyway, Winners players glaring daggers? Mission accomplished.

This reaction to a little celebration? Manager and players all old-school boomers.

Can't have that.

Baseball's for kids too—too many boomers is a problem.

Time I lead the charge to eradicate KBO's boomer culture.

Meaning: ceremony every base from now on.

Get it, Winners? Annoying, sure—but for league health, endure it.

Mad? Strike me out then.

Sang-jin hyung smirked, nodding toward home like "c'mon back."

Hm... whiff there, he'd look pretty dumb.

"Damn! Their whole team's mannerless trash!"

Still, riling the foreign ace? Solid win.

Control is key for pitchers.

Lose it, rhythm breaks—leads to fat pitches.

Like right now.

CRACK!!

Sang-jin hyung's bat whipped through a grooved pitch.

I took a quick start then jogged home.

No need to run—a massive blast.

Home run.

"Damn! Sang-jin kills it!"

"Captain! Captain! Captain!"

Sang-jin rounded bases, arms high, stomping home.

Teases Lee Jun daily, but tee-bagging pro.

"Hahaha! You maniac, Sang-jin!"

"Celebration's all high-fives today? Haha!"

"Shin Si-woo! I'll triple axel your high-five!"

Up 4-3, comeback success.

But we're not stopping.

CRACK!!

"Yes! Tae-seop!! Hit today!"

"Anyone no-hit today is a Winners spy!"

"See? This is Phoenix!"

Losing to Winners today? Disaster.

The long first-inning offense ended.

Two more after the homer made it 3-6. Lee Su-ho shook off shaky start for a gem.

Later hits aplenty, but no more runs. Su-ho's 6 IP, 3 ER quality start earned the hook.

Top 7th, bullpen time.

Phoenix fans knew this was the real game, eyes anxious on the mound.

"Ha... bullpen always makes me nervous..."

"Right? Best we got is Ro-woon...?"

"He rolled a 1 last time. Cha Si-hwan then?"

Ro-woon and Si-hwan bandied about, but up went a different name.

"Cha Yun-myeong? That trade fossil? Down 3, pull him now?!"

"Trade and pitch him Day 2? No clue..."

Stadium and TV fans mostly doubted Cha Yun-myeong,

but

"Daddy! Daddy! Fighting!"

"Honey! You got this!"

His family stood, cheering husband and dad loudest.

Though mound-bound Cha Yun-myeong couldn't see.

Knowing they cheered somewhere? Enough.

Cha Yun-myeong looked skyward.

Sajik's sky, soon familiar.

Beautiful blue.

Head down, he toed the rubber, gripped the ball.

"Watch close, Myeong-hu..."

No more 157km/h snake fastball from prime righty sidearm.

But

"Dad ain't dead yet."

THWACK!

Not prime, but lively tailing four-seam jammed in tight.

Batter tilted head in confusion,

Shin Si-woo blurted awe.

"...Tailing's insane..."

Curious velo, Si-woo glanced at the board.

[150km/h]

"...What."

Si-woo puzzled again.

'Wasn't he the washed-up old man?'

ROARRRR!!!!

Strike light flared; silent Sajik erupted.

"Mom! Mom! See Dad's pitch? So fast!"

"Yes! Saw it! Dad throws great! 3rd round pick no regret now!"

Ecstatic wife and son jumped,

community exploded.

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