Chapter 92
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Four Shutouts and the Bullpen Blues
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"Yes~! Today's Player of the Game is... none other than! Tae-hyun God! Player Cha Tae-hyun!"
The announcer clapped like a seal amid the roaring cheers, draping a wreath necklace around Cha Tae-hyun's neck.
"Uh... Do they usually do this?"
"Four straight complete shutouts? This is the least we can do! Congratulations! Let's give him a round of applause, viewers!"
Applause for Coach Cha-sa-bong! Clap clap clap!!
Pulled aggro just to show this. Tae-hyun God's 4 straight shutouts... for real? My chest is swelling with pride...
Clapping with my own hands and feet lol for real
Got smacked by mom for clapping too loud...
Mom says we gotta celebrate the 4 straight shutouts too! She'd approve lol
For real lol 4 straight shutouts from Phoenix? Busan folks just accept it all
"Yes~ I can almost hear the viewers' applause from here. We want to celebrate more, but we can't skip asking our Cha Tae-hyun! What's your take on achieving four straight complete shutouts today?"
"Well, first off, being able to pull off four straight shutouts today was thanks to the team..."
Simple thoughts on the game, the tensest moments, how he overcame the pressure—standard questions flew one after another.
Cha Tae-hyun handled the interview so cheerfully that even clichéd questions entertained the viewers, but what they really craved was something else.
Time to drop Kim Shin-hwa's name...
Lol he opened his mouth first, now karma time?
Announcer's grinning like she knows it's coming lol
Fans hadn't forgotten Kim Shin-hwa's cocky pre-series interview.
Not just Phoenix fans—even non-fans loved seeing big mouths get stuffed.
'Hurry up and ask it...'
Just as fans silently wished, the announcer finally dropped the name.
"Yes! Next question. Before this series, Kim Shin-hwa had that fiery interview, right? What did you think of it, Cha Tae-hyun?"
Cha Tae-hyun grinned, lifting the corner of his mouth the moment he heard it.
"No big thoughts. Just 'Kim Shin-hwa being Kim Shin-hwa again...'"
The announcer let out a silent scream, mouth agape in shock.
She'd hoped for something fun, but this was too savage.
Viewers, though? Ecstatic.
Lolol Kim Shin-hwa being Kim Shin-hwa fml lololol
It's true lol Kim Shin-hwa is Kim Shin-hwa lol
Just thought 'oh, he's at it again' (loose translation)
That's a direct translation? Lololol
Seeing the announcer's shocked face, Cha Tae-hyun continued with a mischievous grin.
"Oh, and I want to say thanks to Kim Shin-hwa."
"Ah... haha! Yes! You two teamed up for the Osaka Baseball World Cup, right? So with your friendship, that was a fun jab, but now thanks too!"
The announcer desperately tried to smooth it over at the lifeline, but Cha Tae-hyun dropped another bomb.
"You might remember, but my five straight homers record? That was against Kim Shin-hwa. And now... four straight shutouts today..."
Cha Tae-hyun flashed a thumbs-up at the camera, sweetly adding,
"Thanks, Shin-hwa!"
Thumbs-up Cha Tae-hyun meme incoming! Worth it lololol
Fuck that thumbs-up is so annoyingly perfect lol
Thanks Shin-hwa! Absolute gold lololol
Doing that cuz they're friends? Too much lol
The five straight homers were against him too? Lol
Tae-hyun... that's hitting too hard...
Kim Shin-hwa's impressive too—giving up two mega records is a record itself?
You're truly evil...
Congrats on being the first to give up two mega records, Kim Shin-hwa!
A bit spicy, but this was subtly Cha Tae-hyun's consideration.
Some baseball fans were hardcore trolls.
By framing it as friendly ribbing, he prevented Kim Shin-hwa from endless abuse.
'Better to keep it lighthearted.'
Wondering if he'd gone too far, Cha Tae-hyun added one last olive branch.
"But Kim Shin-hwa's really grown a lot. His stuff was solid. I only hit one homer off him this time."
So much built-up beef...
Only one homer? Gold lololol
Beat him down then 'you did well' lol
We know he's grown, Cha Tae-hyun. Still, congrats on the shutouts.
??? Who the hell is this?
Kim Shin-hwa? Lololol
Prob some roleplayer lol talks like a chuuni
The walls were lined with Cha Tae-hyun-marked uniforms of every style, display cases filled row after row with signed bats and homer balls.
Anyone might mistake it for the Cha Tae-hyun Museum.
Surprisingly, this was the office of Randeria's top conglomerate chairman.
Its owner, Shin Myung-hoon, could finally smile after a long time.
Cha Tae-hyun's suspension had soured his mood, and Kim Shin-hwa's provocative interview had thinned his already sparse hair with stress.
Now Cha Tae-hyun returned with mega records and a savage interview payback—refreshing, like downing a shot of soju.
"See? Our Busan's star! Phoenix's star! Cha Tae-hyun! Even the interview was so~ satisfying, right Secretary Kim?"
"Yes. He gives back as good as he gets—that's what makes him a star, in my book."
"Exactly, Secretary Kim. I couldn't stand that Kim Shin-hwa punk, but this cleared the air. Don't you think being a Phoenix fan was the right call lately?"
Though Secretary Kim was currently wearing a Cha Tae-hyun special uniform under near-threat from the chairman to dress Phoenix for broadcasts.
Born in Changwon, he'd been a diehard Dinosaurs fan since starting baseball.
'Saying being a Phoenix fan was smart... even if...!'
"Don't you think so?"
"Of course! Imagine how boring life would be without being a Phoenix fan?"
'Ha... maybe I should retire.'
As Secretary Kim pondered his 278th resignation of the season, the office door opened.
"Oh~ Director Lee?"
It was Director Lee, summoned by the chairman.
Dark circles like a panda under his eyes—he looked utterly exhausted.
"Yes, Chairman. What brings you today..."
"Hahaha! Nothing big. Phoenix snapped their skid and climbed back to second. Feels like this year's our shot... Found a new merc yet?"
Director Lee's exhaustion stemmed from one reason.
'Dump that crazy trash merc NOW and get a new one!'—the chairman's orders.
"Yes. We're negotiating with a solid pitcher now. Could have him in the first team within a week. Oh, and trash Eric Wood's already on waivers."
'Insane...'
Secretary Kim flinched overhearing.
How much overtime to scout so fast? Seemed suspicious, like grabbing anyone to calm the boss.
"Really? That's my Director Lee! Lightning fast. How'd you snag a major-league caliber arm?"
"Well... he's pitched in the majors."
True enough.
If you ignored his one start: 5 innings, 4 runs—mostly minors, now indie leagues.
"Nice! Hard to find guys now, great job! For the title, we need speed—this is huge. Expect big rewards if we win. You know I keep my word."
Life finally returned to Director Lee's weary face.
"Yes, Chairman. We'll push hard for the title this year."
"Yes! Phoenix dropped a mega record today—drinks on me? What say you, Director Lee."
'Phoenix escaping the skid makes my life easier. Thanks, Cha Tae-hyun. Truly. Keep it up to keep the chairman calm.'
"Yes, Chairman. I know a great spot—I'll guide you."
"Ah, Secretary Kim, you too."
"Yes...? Me too?"
"Of course! You're family now. Can't leave out our true Phoenix fan Secretary Kim."
"...Yes. ...Thank you."
[Busan Phoenix's Shaun White Quality Start (6 IP, 3 ER) But Lose 4-9 Game 1 to Daegu Elephants. Is the Bullpen Okay?]
[Phoenix Bullpen Crumbles Again... Sweep by Elephants Game 2 Loss. Foreign Pitcher Exit Messing Up Rotation...]
[Busan Phoenix Swept by Daegu Elephants... Bullpen Factor Again. Fans Calling for Cha Si-hwan, Cha Yun-myung—the Cha Brothers...]
LLL'Cha'LLL familiar pattern...
We know overuse but bullpen has no one ffs
Who knew surprise Cha Si-hwan and the old man would pitch best
Kim Chan-woo (bullpen trash), Yu Min (can't throw strikes), Kim Pil-jung (control fail) etc... Phoenix pen is legendary...
Bullpen depth was why we sucked last year—early season starters ate innings hid it, but this is Phoenix normal
Get the merc fast, put Ro-woon in pen, 3-game stints, arm it out for title!
Stepping off the bus at Sajik, Su-ho sunbae lamented to me.
"Tae-hyun, I'm really getting why they say DTD these days. This team was doomed to drop."
Right.
This team fits DTD perfectly.
Early season, starters threw shutouts and ate innings, hiding the bullpen weakness.
In modern baseball, where 6 innings is a quality start, starters can't keep throwing 7 forever.
"Still fourth place. Bullpen mismanagement now... but landmines happen."
"Landmine... yeah. Huge one. Without that psycho Eric Wood, it wouldn't be this bad..."
"True. Ro-woon sunbae stabilized the pen, but back to starting now."
That's the real issue.
Lee Ro-woon, Cha Si-hwan, Cha Yun-myung, closer Kim Gun-hyuk.
The closer setup built by trading third-round picks and gambling on Ro-woon to bullpen—shattered.
Sure wins turn to losses.
No wonder the skid.
Thin depth teams crumble like this.
One starter hole, one pen hole—team implodes.
"Heard the merc contract's quick. Better when he arrives?"
"We'll see, but Ro-woon back to pen should end the streak."
Su-ho sunbae nodded calmly.
"...Tae-hyun, I want this season bad. Retire with Phoenix, win a title as a player. Might sound pathetic, but dead serious. Want to win here."
I get it...
His love for Phoenix shows more than anyone's.
"Yes. No worries. Good merc, we'll roll awhile."
If no more pen help, it'll blow up by summer...
Manager'll handle it.
"Yeah. Ro-woon starting tomorrow—gotta pep him. Rest up, Tae-hyun."
"Yes. See you."
Ro-woon starting...
Why does four straight losses come to mind?
"Hey! You guys are pros!"
If you infer from the raging uncle's shout, we lost today.
Four straight losses dropped Phoenix to fifth.
"Spring ain't even over—what's this!"
"Hey! Ro-woon, stick to pen—what's with starting!"
"......"
Ro-woon sunbae slumped beside me.
Blame clear: him.
Down after 5 IP, 5 ER disaster.
His Naruwiki page probably reads "Harmful" now.
"Sorry, Cha Tae-hyun... You did great, but my stuff was trash."
Ro-woon sunbae's quirk: low energy makes him almost normal.
Calling me by name, not "Ibo."
Anyway,
"It happens."
"No need to console. I pitched like garbage—fact."
"Not consolation—truth. Switching from 2-IP pen to 5+ starter ain't easy."
No way it'd be.
Wouldn't have happened without Eric Wood—he just drew the short straw.
Thinking about it pisses me off again—how many wins did that guy cost?
"...Wanted to do well. As a starter."
Hm... Misread him.
Bad outing aside, he still clings to starting.
"Not the last chance. Another bust, opportunity comes... New merc might flop too..."
Before I finished, manager called us.
"Don't rush home—gather up. New merc's here. Greet and go."
Already...?
Glancing at Ro-woon sunbae,
"...Time to head back already."
There was a never-before-seen low-energy Ro-woon sunbae.
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