Chapter 94
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Maxwell's Debut
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"Maxwell needs to pitch well..."
Those words slipped from Shin Ha-yoon's mouth.
It wasn't strange coming from a Phoenix fan like her,
but right now, she was speaking not as a fan, but as an intern on the Phoenix strategy analysis team.
To paraphrase a bit,
it meant, "If Maxwell pitches poorly, I'm fired."
"...Maybe I should've just stayed quiet? I got too excited and opened my mouth, and now I'm in deep trouble..."
Maxwell Bennett was the replacement mercenary she'd scouted.
"He doesn't seem like a bad player, at least."
After digging through his minor league and independent league records, Maxwell Bennett had steadily trended upward right up until his call-up to the big leagues.
That meant he'd gained some real insight as a pitcher.
Sure, he'd suddenly posted poor results in the majors and ended up in independent ball, but he'd quickly bounced back.
In other words,
"It was an external issue."
Maybe his mentality shook?
Pitchers were a sensitive bunch, after all. Even minor scandals or troubles with women could rattle them.
If those external problems were resolved, he was definitely the type to rise again as a solid player.
Bring him on board quick before that happens! That's what she'd thought... or rather, all she'd done was think it.
After all, Shin Ha-yoon was just a newbie intern on the strategy team.
She figured she'd study it as a learning experience and leave it as a fond memory.
Then Manager Lee Eun-seok had come to her—that was the problem.
"Got any replacement mercenaries in mind?"
"Pardon...? You're asking me?"
"Yeah. Cha Tae-hyun says you have a good eye for talent... Man, that guy's lucky? Dating a smart, pretty girl like you."
"We're not exactly dating, heh heh..."
"Anyway, I want your opinion."
"It won't mean much, right?"
"Nah. Just curious—speak freely."
"Oh, well then... I've got this guy, Maxwell Bennett. Look here—his stats trend straight up..."
She'd gotten excited when the manager asked and spilled everything, never dreaming it would lead to an actual signing...
"If Maxwell flops now, they won't blame the rookie intern who vouched for him, right?"
Unable to hold back her exploding anxiety any longer, Shin Ha-yoon slipped into the bathroom and pulled up the broadcast on her phone.
Classic salaried Lupin move...
Can't help it... If I go crazy like this, that's true salaried Lupin territory.
After ten... twenty minutes of watching the broadcast in the bathroom, Shin Ha-yoon lifted the corners of her mouth as Maxwell escaped the jam.
"As expected of Cha Tae-hyun. Nearly caused a disaster, but he's safe. His defense is just jaw-dropping every time."
There had been a few crises staged, but in her eyes, Maxwell was putting on a solid, successful show.
He'd targeted the inner half a bit too obviously at times, leading to trouble, but he'd snapped out of it and was pitching well now.
Yes! Maxwell has now recorded a quality start with 2 runs over 6 innings.
"This should keep me from getting fired."
Feeling much relieved, Shin Ha-yoon left the bathroom, chuckling to herself.
"Ah, how did I end up in Phoenix? Can't leave this jerk~ Heh heh..."
Well, if Cha Tae-hyun went to the big leagues... she might consider it.
"No... If my assigned player goes, I should follow. That feels right. Then I'd be a big league coach? ...Nah, that's too much. Just his personal coach... Hm... Out in foreign land, he probably won't get his own place... We'd live together...? Heh heh... Big leagues might be nice."
6 innings, 2 runs—a quality start.
For a replacement mercenary fresh on the team facing the league's second-place squad, it was an outstanding line.
The manager was grinning big, saying something like, "I hate religious nuts, but you're alright!"
"I'll do one more inning."
"He says he'll do one more inning."
"Huh? Why? It's enough already. Don't push on your first day."
Maxwell knew it was enough—and that pushing on day one was unwise.
But he also knew this team's win rate differed drastically between starters eating 6 innings and those going 7.
Can't miss a single win...
His contract had a crazy clause: over half the signing bonus—$200,000—upon a championship.
"Just $200K? Our chairman's got deep pockets. You'll get more than you imagine."
He'd dismissed it as bait for a perennial last-place team, but seeing Cha Tae-hyun today changed his mind.
If Cha Tae-hyun stays healthy... it might really happen.
Plus bonuses for 10 and 20 wins.
That made every win precious.
Oh...? Maxwell Bennett is back out for the 7th? For a guy who just joined in a hurry, it might strain his stamina, but Manager Lee Eun-seok must think he's good to go.
Ahem... I shouldn't say this, but... I respect Manager Lee Eun-seok's decision.
What can Maxwell do... he's come this far.
Stop beating around the bush like Pussey—just say it straight.
Yeah, fuck—if you're a foreigner, eat 7 innings, huh? Drop after 6 and Chan-woo comes in from the pen—then we lose, no dinner money fuck.
They'd get wrecked right away lololol.
But honestly relatable—upvote lol.
Upvote lololol.
Swinging strike three! Maxwell's splitter looks sharp too. Even in the 7th when stamina might be fading, he's covering with smart pitch sequencing and breaking balls.
After snagging one out, Maxwell thought of his wife in the hospital.
The $300K signing bonus had put out the immediate fire, but stage 3 pancreatic cancer demanded time, money, and luck.
Even with 2028 medical advances and new surgical techniques boosting survival rates, it was still just 17%. And surgery required her condition to stabilize first, needing ongoing hospitalization...
Don't think you'll head back after $300K, Maxwell. A lot's riding on your shoulder now.
Crack!
He fouls off a high fastball. It was a bit up, but is this the bad-ball hitter known in KBO? One out, runner on first. Curious about Manager Lee Eun-seok's call here—continue or pull him?
Definitely... getting tough.
Maxwell wiped the cold sweat from his brow and glanced at the bench.
The manager sat watching him—no pitcher change. Maxwell gave a slight smile, then looked to Cha Tae-hyun, signaling subtly with his eyes.
Cha Tae-hyun caught the meaning and flashed an OK sign with his fingers.
Sorry, Tae-hyun. I know pulling too much toward you isn't ideal, but...
When anxious, aiming your way still feels best.
Crack!
The third batter nicked an inside two-seamer but topped it weakly. It rolled feebly—Cha Tae-hyun fielded it cleanly for what looked like a double play.
But baseball's unpredictable once the ball's in motion.
As Cha Tae-hyun reached with his glove, the ball veered away, hopping awkwardly.
"Tough luck..."
Maxwell, prepping the next pitch in regret, watched wide-eyed as Cha Tae-hyun instinctively snatched it barehanded.
He fired to second.
"Out!"
Andy caught it and threw to first.
"Out!"
Whoa!!!
Hahaha! I'm dying because of my Cha Tae-hyun!
Is this defense?! Never thought Phoenix's infield would feel this rock-solid!
"Damn...! That's it! Oh shit! Yeah! This is it!"
Maxwell rarely cursed, but he yelled it out, pumping his fist. It wasn't enough to capture the dopamine rush of pressure releasing.
"Tae-hyun, you might've changed my life today."
"...What's that supposed to mean? Don't tell me you're suddenly feeling crooked or something?"
Maxwell chuckled and continued.
"If even one or two of those plays you'd made had slipped, I might've crumbled today. Honestly, I felt a ton of pressure."
A bad debut could snowball. It happened often.
"Not my credit—it's the Lord's. Keep the faith without blaspheming Him."
Maxwell smirked, paused, then spoke.
"Tae-hyun, looks like the day I blaspheme for real is coming, just like you said."
"...What?"
Cha Tae-hyun startled for some reason, but Maxwell pressed on.
"This time, it wasn't God—you changed my fate. I'm sure of it."
"Even that's part of God's plan. Have faith, no doubts."
"Hm... You're a pretty devout believer yourself, huh, Tae-hyun? How about joining me at church tomorrow?"
"Sorry, pass. If anything, I'm Buddhist. Namu Amida Butsu."
"Haha! You're as crazy as the other Phoenix guys!"
"...Can't accept that."
"Nah, you're definitely crazy. From the moment you joined Phoenix."
Stunned, Cha Tae-hyun raised the white flag.
"...Hitting me with facts dirty."
As Maxwell chuckled, Lee Sang-jin approached and placed the ball in his hand.
Maxwell looked puzzled, so Lee Sang-jin asked Cha Tae-hyun to translate.
"Keep it—your first win ball."
"...Aha."
Maxwell's mouth opened slightly before he grinned.
"Tell Sang-jin thanks. But doesn't he know? Whether this is a win ball or loss ball depends on the final out."
Cha Tae-hyun smirked.
"Don't worry. My at-bat's coming next inning. I'll smash another nail in."
"If you do, Tae-hyun, I'll pray to you instead of the Lord?"
"Please, don't say scary stuff... Just trust in the Lord."
"Hahaha! Of course I trust Him!"
The Blaze manager had used his pitchers generously for a reason.
"Maxwell just got to Korea—jet lag barely over. 5 innings tops, 6 at most, then down. Too early to concede."
Even assuming 6 innings, Phoenix would need to burn their bullpen for 3 more unless they rotated. That meant Kim Chan-woo or Kim Gun-hyuk—stars of their recent 4-game skid.
Crack those two, and a comeback was on.
"If not for that Cha Tae-hyun punk, no way 7 innings..."
He hadn't accounted for Cha Tae-hyun ruining everything...
"Coach, got any Cha Tae-hyun types in our system? Young shortstops."
"...If we did..."
"I know. Just jealous... Jealous. With him, we'd build a dynasty easy. What a talent wasted on Phoenix—like pearls around a pig's neck, or a diamond necklace."
"...Manager... Still saving pitchers?"
Sighs nonstop, but pitchers already spent—if they lose? Sleep's gone.
The manager declared firmly.
"Bring in Su-chan."
"Even Su-chan...?"
"Don't you know Cha Tae-hyun's up next? Want another bomb?"
"...Weren't we skipping him anyway?"
"Can't skip with runners piled up. Put in the guy who gives up least."
Not sure Su-chan stops him...
The coach's uneasy hunch...
Yes... Even with Kim Su-chan in, Phoenix keeps the momentum. Lee Jun and Andy hit back-to-back, runners on first and second, no outs. Tricky to IBB Cha Tae-hyun again.
Crack!
"Damn..."
It became reality.
On the third pitch, he yanks Kim Su-chan's signature waterfall curve cleanly! Cha Tae-hyun tosses the bat, Kim Su-chan drops his head! Sajik Stadium ignites again! Three-run homer! Score now 2-7—Cha Tae-hyun crushes Blaze's hopes!
"Ha... I said hit all you want, just no homers!"
The Blaze manager's angry voice echoed in the dugout... and the game ended uneventfully at 2-7.
"Today's Player of the Game is Maxwell!"
? Not Tae-hyun God with 3-for-4, 2 HRs? This right?
Ao lolol just accept it—got a good foreigner, gotta give him this to keep him motivated.
Fr, keep that up and we'll bring back Eric Wood?
Signed, Maxwell today.
Instant cure lolol.
Maxwell beamed at the unexpected Player of the Game award and pulled a ball from his pocket.
"Yes. I'm thrilled, but I can't not mention this. Sang-jin gave me this ball, saying it'd be my first win ball today. And it was. Thanks to Captain Sang-jin and the team."
WOW Captain Sang-jin is so cool...
This is facts...
Romance dead lolol.
"Wow... That's what a captain is! It'll be a memorable moment for Maxwell. One last thing on today's win?"
"What I really want to say..."
Mary lay in her hospital bed, watching her husband's broadcast on her phone.
Chemo and frequent antibiotics drained her strength, making even a smile a chore.
Today's Player of the Game is Maxwell!
"Don't know what he said... but MVP or something? Heh heh... Congrats, honey."
In this moment gazing at her husband, Mary managed a faint smile.
As she traced her finger lovingly over his face on the screen, amazingly, he grinned as if seeing her and raised the mic.
What I really want to say?
Her husband, smile playing on his lips, hesitated shyly before murmuring softly.
"Mary, I love you forever."
Though distant through the speakers,
"I love you too, Max."
it was more than enough to connect their hearts.