The Curse of Analysis Begins
Russell was back on the mound in the ninth inning.
Manager Han Geunseong did not usually open with starters, but Russell’s pitch was simply too good to pull him now. If they took him out, morale would drop even further. So the manager gave him a complete-game chance.
Russell climbed the mound with a cheerful grin, chewing gum.
He had already thrown nine innings, yet his face showed no sign of fatigue.
*Good. Let’s see this through to the end.*
Choi Seungtaek found Russell’s confidence refreshing.
[Fastball down the middle]
*Thud.*
The Seagulls’ batting order came back to the top of the order once more. Song Woosop stepped up again, and Seungtaek kept probing his weakness.
*Whoosh*
*Boom*
*Crack!*
Strike!
“This… damn it.”
Still getting the same pitch, Woosop started cursing.
This was already his fourth time facing it today. He had every right to explode.
Even in the ninth, Russell’s velocity held steady.
Was it because a no-hitter was within reach? Or had he finally answered the hitters who had scored the only run against him in the eighth?
Whatever the reason, Russell’s fastball remained brutally honest and powerful.
*Whoosh*
*Crack!*
Woosop made contact, but the ball was weak and spun limply toward the mound. Russell fielded it and threw to first. Tae Pyung-yang took it with ease.
“Out!”
Two outs left.
*Whoosh*
*Crack!*
…
Russell’s fastball still sat at the top of the 150 km/h range. The entire Seagulls lineup could not solve it.
*Whoosh*
*Crack!*
- Shortstop Hwang Ganggyeong caught it and threw to first!
- Out! MacPhais win the opener with Russell’s masterpiece!
“Ye~~sse!”
Russell pumped his fist on the mound. Seungtaek walked over and high-fived him.
The bench players and coaches stood in a line waiting for the players to return. Seungtaek high-fived everyone on his way back to the dugout.
“Nice!”
“First win!”
“Great start.”
“Awesome. Opening day with a win!”
The dugout was buzzing with joy. Seungtaek smiled and began removing his catcher gear.
“Choi Seungtaek player!”
“Yes!”
“Would you mind doing the player-of-the-game interview right now? We need to prepare immediately.”
“Yes! Understood.”
Seungtaek headed straight to the interview area.
*Strange. Usually they start with MVP.*
Just as he stepped in front of the cameras, a broadcast staffer grabbed him and whispered in his ear.
“Choi Seungtaek player, Russell is currently undergoing a doping test. We need you to stay as long as possible and stall for time.”
*Whoa… damn it. Of course. He’s throwing so well they had to pull him for the test!*
He could not skip the interview, though. Being named MVP and refusing it would be worse.
*Wait… after the interview, right? Why—*
“We expect a lot from you. Please hold out as long as you can.”
Seungtaek reached the interview table and was greeted warmly.
“Choi Seungtaek! It’s been a while. Right after the President’s Cup championship, you’re already doing the opening-day player-of-the-game interview!”
“Oh, yes! Thank you very much.”
“You had an incredible finish today— a walk-off hit in the final game. How did you manage to hit such a clutch pitch in such a crucial moment?”
*They want me to stall. So I should draw more attention?*
Before he could answer, shocking text appeared in front of his eyes.
[Other clubs have begun analyzing Choi Seungtaek. The period of declining auxiliary statistics is now one month earlier.]
*What?!*
[As his name value rises, rival clubs ramp up their responses. The probability of being scouted and analyzed has increased.]
This was professional baseball now. Power analysis was not something Seungtaek did alone anymore.
After the sharp live drill, the front office had ordered a power analysis the moment he performed well in the opener—even as a rookie.
*If I draw even more attention in this situation… they’re going to be on me like never before.*
“Um… Choi Seungtaek player?”
When he stayed silent while Seungtaek thought, the caster called out again.
“Ah! Sorry. I’m not really sure how I hit that one. Senior Song Chang-soo’s unusual form had me following him so closely I barely saw the ball. I guess it was just lucky.”
“Haha… yeah, Song Chang-soo’s pitch is pretty weird.”
“So what did you think of today’s game?”
“Um… honestly, it felt easy because Russell’s pitches were so good. I didn’t give any signals, and he just threw strikes all the way. It was impressive.”
“Ah! Right. Russell was outstanding today. From the hitting side, it probably looked like that.”
“Yes.”
Seungtaek naturally let every pitch go to Russell.
*Then the pressure on me should ease up a bit.*
Seungtaek glanced toward the dugout.
Russell emerged as soon as the doping test ended. He gave the “you’re good” signal.
“Well, congratulations on a successful debut, Choi Seungtaek player.”
“Thank you.”
The interview wrapped, and Russell stepped into the next one.
“Congratulations on the no-hitter.”
“Thanks, man.”
* * *
The thrill of the opening-day win lasted only a moment. The next morning Choi Seungtaek woke up hungry.
He had already been eating only healthy food for quite a while as a penalty.
His diet had grown painfully monotonous, and he felt the spark leaving his life.
*Sigh… What should I eat today? First, let’s go out.*
Seungtaek stepped outside. While he pondered his options, he spotted a building with a bright green sign.
“That doesn’t look bad! I’ve never eaten there. Might as well try it!”
“Welcome to Train, where the finest sandwiches are made.”
Seungtaek walked into the famous sandwich shop.
*Something healthy and actually delicious…*
He had come here because he thought it served healthy sandwiches, but the dizzying number of menu items made his face fall.
Just then, a woman entered from behind him.
“Excuse me… may I order first?”
“Yes, of course.”
Overwhelmed by choice, Seungtaek gave her the counter space.
The woman in front of him was slender and pretty, but his eyes landed on her clothes.
*Huh? I’ve seen that outfit before.*
“How would you like your sandwich, ma’am?”
“Honey oat bread, please. Roasted chicken for the patty. Add every vegetable possible. Sweet onion sauce. Length—15 cm.”
*Whoa, fast.*
Watching the rapid, confident order, Seungtaek was impressed.
At the same moment, he remembered the clothing.
*Oh! That’s our Magpies uniform. So she’s from the Magpies front office. Interesting—it’s not something sold outside.*
“Yes! I understand. We’ll have your food ready as quickly as possible.”
The Train employee answered politely and turned to Seungtaek.
“Next customer, I’ll help you.”
*Um… now I have to think again. What looks good?*
Seungtaek’s worried expression returned. The woman who had ordered first looked at him curiously.
“Um…”
*What? I was already stressed out—why is she staring?*
“Um… uh! Uh! Yes! Are you… Choi Seungtaek player?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Oh my, oh my! You’re the Magpies cheerleader Lee Naeun!”
The woman before him was the Magpies cheerleader.
“Ah! So you’re a cheerleader. That’s why I guessed you must be with the Magpies because of the uniform.”
“Is that so? We just got new uniforms and they’re really nice. I wear them all the time. What do you think? Cute, right?”
“Yes, very cute.”
Seungtaek sensed strange stares from somewhere.
*Huh?*
He scanned the room and noticed the Train employee in front of him staring at him and Lee Naeun with a forced smile.
It was actually scarier than anger. Seungtaek was in such a hurry to order that he had missed the menu entirely.
“Oops! Sorry! I’ll order now. Um…”
“Need help with your order? I know this place well.”
Seeing Seungtaek in a panic, cheerleader Lee Naeun quickly stepped beside him.
“Do you have any food preferences?”
“Just something healthy and delicious.”
“Then. Honey oat bread and tuna patty.”
The Train employee’s face brightened at the fact that conversation had resumed.
“Yes! Then what about sauce and vegetables?”
“Um… sweet onion sauce, and all the vegetables. Length…”
Cheerleader Lee Naeun glanced at Seungtaek.
“There are 15 cm and 30 cm options.”
The quick-witted employee looked at Seungtaek.
“Um… I’ll take 30 cm.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare your order right away.”
*Sigh…*
Seungtaek let out a long breath. Lee Naeun found his expression hilarious and covered her mouth to laugh.
“It’s that hard for you?”
“Whoa… that was the most difficult order I’ve ever given.”
“Ah! It’s too funny. Should we wait here?”
“Yes, let’s.”
Seungtaek sat on the empty stool next to Lee Naeun.
“Baseball players usually don’t come here, but it’s kind of surprising.”
“Ah… I’ve been focusing on my body maintenance. I try to eat as healthy as possible.”
“You’re doing it on purpose?”
“Yes. Eating like this keeps inflammation low and my body in good shape.”
“Wow… amazing. I’ve never seen a baseball player manage their diet this seriously.”
“But… the healthy options are really tasty, yet it’s hard to find them. I always end up circling the same few places. Finding a place that’s both healthy and delicious is tough.”
“Ah… then I can tell you a few places I know. There aren’t many people who know spots as good as this one.”
Seungtaek’s eyes sparkled.
“Really?”
“Yes! Obviously.”
Lee Naeun pulled out her phone and showed him several locations. Seungtaek began collecting the valuable information.