Chapter 27: The First All-Star Game (Part 1)
“Welcome, this is Kim Seoa. For the special interview ahead of the 2024 professional baseball All-Star Game, we have Lee Junseong of the Seoul Dragons with us today.”
“Thank you.”
After passing through the first half, which had been quite tough for our team and for me personally, we are now greeted with the welcome break of the All-Star Game.
No matter how talented I am, since it is my first season and the weather has been growing hotter, I feel a certain degree of fatigue, so this break feels all the sweeter.
Of course, the seniors are saying I am not a superhuman when they look at me now...
I have absolutely no intention of setting a normal standard for myself.
“You have achieved the number one fan vote for the middle relief pitcher position in the Magic Team this time. Congratulations once again.”
“Thank you for the fans’ interest. To live up to those expectations, I will show a wonderful appearance in the All-Star Game as well.”
“Yes, really, Lee Junseong is not only skilled but also shows exemplary behavior in interviews with proper language and fan service, so it seems fans are giving him more love.”
Originally her outfit was stunning, but since it is summer, the announcer Kim Seoa wearing a short skirt is conducting the interview. I do not know where to put my gaze.
“Let us look at Lee Junseong’s record as a first-time All-Star in his rookie season. He appeared in 46 games this season, pitched 54 innings, recorded 98 strikeouts, 6 wins 0 losses 12 holds 14 saves with an ERA of 0.83. It is an incredibly amazing record, isn’t it?”
There are games where I throw aggressively when there is no tight situation and allow long hits. But since there is no title to worry about except the Rookie of the Year, I did not care. If I had focused only on middle relief and closer, but I was moved around here and there, it was inevitable.
“The surprising thing is that this record was achieved with only half the season. Many fans are worried about Lee Junseong’s stamina and health. How do you plan to deal with this part in the future?”
Surprisingly, the announcer asked a sensitive question. After all, topics like my low ERA and high strikeout rate, many innings and frequent appearances are much discussed on the internet.
“I always pitch while communicating with the team, and I am also trying to maintain the best condition. Since I come out to the game while checking my body condition frequently, I think fans do not have to worry.”
“If I say ‘I can do anything for the team’, fans and reporters will bite the team. To avoid unnecessary things, I have to speak well.”
“Yes, really, fans will be reassured.”
Anyway, the announcer is just saying prepared lines, so I simply let it pass. If it had been with journalists who like to dig, it would have been more relentless.
“Even if it is Lee Junseong showing the best performance, there must have been a lot of difficulties preparing for the first season as a rookie. How did you overcome the pressure, and is there anyone around who helped you greatly?”
“Park Ujin, the main battery senior, and Captain Gang Daeho senior, and the manager and coaches have also helped a lot. Luckily, I joined a really strong team with good atmosphere, so I just threw with the mindset that I have to help this team every day, and it seems good results are coming out.”
I gave the obvious, standard answer.
“Yes, Lee Junseong who is already melting into the team is nice to see. As you know, there are many female fans claiming to be Lee Junseong’s fans already. Not only on the ground but also private parts, many fans are interested. What do you do in your daily life as a young man in your early 20s?”
Questions about trivial things are coming at the end. Even if it is Suhyeon, Song Hyeonji might be sensitive to such stories, so I could not answer immediately.
“And I have to think about the other girls I will meet in the future.”
“Haha, I am focusing on daily training and game preparation. I am really grateful for the fans’ interest in my daily life, but… I think my daily life will seem quite boring to other people.”
I gave an ambiguous answer. I could not give a better one.
“Yes, thank you for the answer. It was really a fun experience for me interviewing. Finally, please give me one word of resolve for the fans.”
“Lee Junseong of the Seoul Dragons. Thank you to the fans who sent me to the All-Star Game I dreamed of. I will show wonderful appearances at Gocheok Dome, and I look forward to your support for the Dragons in the remaining season. Thank you.”
I bowed my head while looking straight at the camera.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
After filming, Kim Seoa talked to me.
“Thank you.”
“Your words are getting longer and longer.”
“No.”
“Huhu, the camera is off, so you can talk comfortably.”
Kim Seoa, who is not particularly close, touched my arm and said. She looks very happy.
There must be a reason for that. I saw a news article about her marrying an older doctor recently. I do not know if it is accurate, but her husband’s family is rich… She tried to appeal by marrying into a rich family, but she succeeded. What a remarkable woman with her determination.
“I heard you are getting married this time. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Junseong is so popular, but no girlfriend?”
“Ah… It is not the situation. It is my first season.”
Since the camera is not rolling now, it is fine, but Kim Seoa’s eyes are not normal. She seems like she will accept anything. The staff around seem busy tidying up.
“What kind of woman do you like, Junseong?”
“Well…”
I glanced at her legs, then swept up to the top. Kim Seoa sitting with legs crossed seemed to want me to look more closely, without any discomfort, or rather, more so.
“I do not know well, but if I have to say, I like mature women.”
“Um… really? Older women preference?”
“More like, haha, though the words are a bit like that, if a woman is pretty, but legs short and body petite, I cannot get my mind off it, I guess.”
I started talking about things I cannot say in the interview.
“I see what you mean.”
Kim Seoa smiled slightly as if she noticed my words.
“But it is hard because I do not know what those women like.”
“It is not hard.”
Kim Seoa has been looking at my lower body since earlier. I have felt discomfort from below at some point.
“What those women need is…”
Kim Seoa looked around briefly then massaged my thigh.
“Um… Junseong will be loved by many women.”
Kim Seoa also seems to feel that no matter what she does now, it is a situation where she can pass. She is quick on the uptake, as expected. Just having a face and body is not enough for marriage.
I looked at Kim Seoa for a moment, then spoke first.
“I do not know, if there is any concern, I will ask you again in the future.”
“Anytime.”
When I handed her my smartphone, Kim Seoa entered the number as if waiting.
“Contact me anytime, okay?”
“Yes, noona.”
Looking at Kim Seoa’s smile, I stood up.
Thinking about how life is full of various things.
Anyway, it is a good thing. It is not like Suhyeon or Hyeonji, but Kim Seoa is a woman I was interested in from the first time I saw her.
She was once the most threatening woman pursuing marriage, but if she is a prospective married woman, the story is different. It seems she wants to enjoy with a young, strong man before marriage.
Is this also influenced by that marriage blue? A bit sorry for the prospective husband, but for a happy married life, I will soothe the melancholy of my future wife.
If she is that sharp-witted, she will not choose divorce after meeting me a bit.
I got an unexpected harvest and left the building.
***
Gocheok Dome where the All-Star Game is held, many fans gathered, and signing was a bit tiring, but since this is also a professional obligation, I worked hard.
The main game is tomorrow, today there are various events like home run race.
By good luck, I had a special event prepared: a simple home run race for pitchers. Although only six people participate, two from our team, me and Albert, were selected.
It was time to show my batting to the fans, not only to the teammates who already know my batting ability roughly.
Players hit for 2 minutes, but pitchers due to stamina and injury issues only for 1 minute.
I was in the 4th spot. The one who has hit the most home runs so far is Albert from our team who hit only 2. It is not particularly bad level…
Park Ujin, who was selected as All-Star with me, started throwing the ball.
Thud!
The feeling is good from the beginning.
***
“The last pitch is a home run! Can you believe it? Lee Junseong drew 12 arcs in one minute.”
“Wow… I am too surprised to speak.”
“Lee Junseong is greeting the cheering fans and entering. How many more fans will he surprise?”
“I watched Lee Junseong’s batting form, and compared to the league’s best hitters, his form is stable without any shortcomings, and most of all, his power is amazing. Not only distance but exit velocity is really…”
“Before the serious home run race, Lee Junseong is announcing that he will make the All-Star Game tomorrow his stage. See you soon.”
This year, each team’s home run hitters declared participation, expecting a record-breaking home run race, but Lee Junseong’s shocking home run show made everything shine.