Chapter 89
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Return Home Run
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Monday, the one day off for baseball players. I headed to Sajik Stadium.
There wasn't any special reason.
I couldn't play in Gyeonggi, but I still needed to do some personal training to keep my edge sharp.
Shin Si-woo?
An unexpected face was there. He was geared up in catcher equipment with the pitching machine running—looks like he was practicing framing.
It was admirable that he was giving up his rest day to train, but...
No need to waste time on something pointless.
"Cha Tae-hyun? What the hell, you show up out of nowhere and turn off the pitching machine?"
"Forget framing practice. Go hit instead. How long are you gonna be a .100 hitter?"
"I went 2-for-2 the day you were out, bumped me to .220. And don't you know how important framing is for catchers? It can make or break your paycheck."
He had a point.
Big-league catchers who could fool umpires with their framing got praised for it and earned bigger contracts.
The problem was...
"ABS is coming, and framing's trash then. What's the point?"
ABS had been introduced to the KBO right in the middle of Nemaga's serialization, and sure enough, it showed up late in Nemaga too.
By my memory, the training this guy was doing would be worthless starting next season.
"ABS? All talk, no action. Umpires are freaking out about protecting their jobs."
"Yeah, it's coming. So no need for that."
"Got proof?"
"Cha Tae-hyun official."
"Unbelievable."
"Fine, if ABS doesn't happen, I'll give you half my salary. Quit that and hit instead."
"Deal! Hitting practice it is!"
What an absurd guy.
"Oh, right, speaking of—did you see this interview?"
Shin Si-woo pulled out his phone and showed me a video.
A familiar face appeared. Kim Shin-hwa, right? We'd synced up as national team reps.
-Yes, I'm totally confident against Phoenix this time. I expect the team to win the first two, and in the third, I'll hand Phoenix their first sweep loss.
-You're overflowing with confidence! Game three is Cha Tae-hyun's return. So you're saying you'll win even with him back?
On screen, Kim Shin-hwa smirked and said,
-Everyone knows I do well against Phoenix. Cha Tae-hyun coming back won't change a thing.
"Damn... He's from that Osaka generation too, but he's the worst trash-talker."
"Eh, probably not serious. Like you said, Osaka generation includes me, so he's just hyping a rookie rivalry. Taking an interview for a meaningless regular-season series? Intentions are obvious."
"Yeah, makes sense."
"Nah... Thinking about it, Kim Shin-hwa might be dead serious. Guy's specialty is running his mouth."
I recalled high school tournaments where he'd trash-talk me every season. Never amounted to anything, of course.
"But his confidence isn't baseless. He actually pitches well against us. Last year, just 4 runs against our team."
"Scared now? Worried about losing after his talk?"
"Hell no. Last year's Phoenix didn't have this Shin Si-woo. Don't worry—with you back, we'll snap the skid and I'll rack up four straight complete shutouts."
Unfortunately, Shin Si-woo's bold claim didn't pan out.
Game 1 against Suwon Sparkles: 7-9 loss, Kim Gun-hyuk blew the save.
Game 2 was ongoing...
[It's gone! It's gone! Over the left field wall! Game-winning three-run homer! Kim Gun-hyuk drops to his knees! Suwon Sparkles hands Phoenix their first losing series!]
This three-game skid is bullshit.
Fuck that old fart, back-to-back blown saves.
Someone burn that old has-been on a stake.
(Fact) Burn Kim Gun-hyuk and we got no closer left.
Fuck...
Sucks, but can't hate on Gun-hyuk... Off day or not, guy's pitched three straight and saved 'em all till now.
But three losses still suck, right?
True. Hurry back, Cha Bao T_T
No Cha Tae-hyun, instant three-game skid lol
Lost again.
I'd half-expected it after my two-game suspension, but a full three-game sweep? No way.
"Hope Gun-hyuk hyung's mentality is okay..."
Blown save followed by another the next day. He collapsed on the mound and shed tears.
Two straight blown saves deserve fan heat, sure, but rolling a nearly 40-year-old closer three days straight? That's an issue too.
"Real problem is no one else to close..."
As my head spun with Phoenix's grim future, my phone rang.
[Little Sis]
"Hey, Ji-hyun. What's up?"
-Oppa...
Ji-hyun calling out of the blue, and her voice so down—what's wrong?
-Come back soon... Phoenix is doomed.
That line melted my tension; I chuckled.
She'd been into Phoenix lately, probably bummed by today's loss.
-We'll get swept at this rate. If that annoying jerk's right, I won't sleep from the injustice.
Laughing again. "Annoying jerk" was obviously Kim Shin-hwa.
"Yeah. I'm playing tomorrow. Promise I'll win."
-For real? Hit a homer on that jerk too?
"Obviously. Could hit two."
-Okay, I trust you, oppa. I'll watch with unnie tomorrow, so you better! Promise!
She hung up only after I promised five times we'd win.
Watching with "unnie"? Who's that?
"No idea."
No point pondering. Good thing anyway.
I'd worried about her always alone; company her age is great.
Anyway,
"Gotta hustle tomorrow."
Two—no, three games later, back in the dugout. Manager spotted me amid his new wrinkles and rushed over.
"Cha Tae-hyun! You're back!"
His beaming pat on my back—hard to believe it was the same gloomy face from broadcasts.
"Good, good... Glad you're here. And I know I shouldn't say this on your first day back, but... uh..."
He trailed off, hesitant, but I got it.
"Yes. I'll be more careful from now on."
He laughed heartily, patting my back again.
"Right, right. Thanks. Unless it's unavoidable, let's hold back. Can't run the game without you anymore."
"We didn't collapse without me."
"Games we'd have won with you."
Manager smirked and slapped my back; teammates swarmed.
"Hey, Tae-hyun! Welcome back! Know how hard I swung that bat while you were gone?"
Andy grinned; Lee Jun nodded chuckling.
"True. Andy multi-hit three games straight. Lee Sang-jin's the problem."
Sang-jin flinched but said nothing. Facts are facts—I'd watched the streams.
"That's right. Sang-jin's been shit lately. Double plays every day."
Andy provoked with a sly grin; Sang-jin finally jumped up and charged.
"Oh shit! Sorry man! My bad! Si-woo! Help!"
"Sorry Andy, but by Korean seniority, Sang-jin hyung outranks you. Can't help."
"What? Seniority? What's that mean? Oh no! Sang-jin sorry!"
I chuckled.
Chaotic first day back, but this team's fun.
"Welcome back, Tae-hyun."
"Ah, yes. Long time, Gyu-hyun hyung."
Rare words from Jin Gyu-hyun, team's steadiest, quietest guy. What's up?
"Yeah. Kids are extra rowdy today, but I like it. Before you, vibe was ice-cold. Prefer this."
Didn't expect him to like the chaos.
"Anyway... I'll get on base somehow from the first. Uh... Hit a homer. They look okay now, but inside, still frustrated. Let's seize momentum."
Ji-hyun and now Gyu-hyun—lots wanting homers.
No big deal.
"Yes. Soon as my at-bat comes, I'll crush one."
Suwon buddy reserved tickets but bailed last minute. Took early bus up.
Manners aside... Tae-hyun God's return day. How to resist?
Cheering Tae-hyun God undercover today only.
Crazy bastard lol
Real talk, can't resist Tae-hyun God's return lol
Tae-hyun God's here! Tae-hyun God's here!
Despite Suwon Sparkles home field, tons of Phoenix fans showed.
Phoenix fans are diehards, travel well, but today was next level.
"No way... More Phoenix fans?"
"Dude, some Busan ajusshi offered triple for my ticket. Kept raising when I said no—ran scared."
"Damn... After two losses, this away support?"
"Yeah, and they've lost almost all to Kim Shin-hwa. Cha Tae-hyun's popularity is insane."
Yes! Kim Jang-hoon on commentary, Lee Hoon-hyun casting. Sparkles vs. Phoenix Game 3 drawing huge pre-game buzz.
Yes. Phoenix fans tripled overnight. Must be the Osaka generation rivalry: Kim Shin-hwa vs. Cha Tae-hyun!
(Fact) Not confidence, just habit.
For real lol Kim Shin-hwa been mouthing off since high school.
Saw his quotes—my face burned lol
But who knows, guy's got luck like a cockroach.
Why's he always own us? Annoying.
But now it's different. Shin Tae-hyun's back.
Yeah, with/without Cha Tae-hyun it's different teams. We can smoke Shin-hwa.
"Kim Shin-hwa backs up his talk with solid pitching..."
High school top three draftees with Lee Seung-tae and Kim Chang-hyun—talent's real. Pro level feels upgraded.
Even top hitters like Lee Jun and Andy whiffing helplessly? Makes sense.
Still, my at-bat's here. Fine.
"Tae-hyun! One big swing!"
Gyu-hyun hyung on first as promised.
Knocked off the bat ring, swung loose, stepped in.
Always think it stepping to the plate:
I really love baseball.
Just two games off, and my heart's racing, lips twitching.
─Waaaaah!!!!
Cheers from third-base stands made me smirk.
─Cha Tae-hyun! Cha Tae-hyun! Cha Tae-hyun!
─Cha Tae-hyun homer! Cha Tae-hyun homer!
Busan to Suwon ain't short, but third base red with Phoenix unis.
Too far for chants, but
I knew what they wanted.
Yes! First matchup fans awaited: Kim Shin-hwa vs. Cha Tae-hyun. Runner on first—might swing early...
TV fans, Ji-hyun at home—they all want the same.
I love expectations.
Fulfilling them? Even better.
Kim Shin-hwa taking extra time with signs. Cautious first pitch against Cha Tae-hyun...
So this moment,
no way I'm missing this tasty low changeup.
─Crack!!!
[Lifts the low pitch! Screaming liner—wall! Over the wall! Homer! Cha Tae-hyun's first at-bat back! Insane uppercut declares Phoenix return!]
First-pitch changeup, fished for homer.
Solid start for return debut at-bat.