Became the Problem Child of MLB - Chapter 220



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Episode 220: Not World Class (6)

[Chicago Cubs 6 VS Tampa Bay Rays 2]

[Chicago Cubs’ Fast Run! Will They Rewrite the History of 1906 (the Most Wins in the Club and the Most Wins in MLB Season)?]

[The Cubs’ dynamite batting lineup that stopped the 5-game winning streak. Han Je-i’s multi-home run at the center of it all!]

[Cubs’ Han Je-yi, who dominated the start and end of the game, recorded 4 hits and 2 home runs in 4 at-bats, winning the game MVP.]

[Cubs Head Coach, ‘(Han) Jay is a hitter who knows exactly what he needs to do on the field. He’s young, but he’s a true professional.’

[When asked about the game MVP from the manager’s perspective, Cubs manager Sean Tillaherty answered, “That’s the player you think of,” and said, “I’m amazed by (Han) Jay’s endless desire to improve. He’s not easily satisfied and always aims higher. He’s a player I look forward to next year more than this year, and 10 years from now more than next year.”]

[Unidentified Major League scout, ‘Han Jae-yi’s BQ (baseball intelligence) overwhelms his physicality. If he had only been a player with good physicality, he wouldn’t have achieved the results he has now. In a world where it’s hard to excel in even one of the two, he has an unfair talent. Especially to other teams except the Cubs.’]

[The NL West is a battle between the Dodgers and Padres, while the Cubs are aiming for the most wins in franchise history after securing the Central title.]

[MLB Standings in the Fog, Who Will Get the Last Wild Card Ticket?]

* * *

Life doesn’t go as planned. I somehow learned this fact at a much younger age than most people.

Someone said at the time, that life is special because it has the charm of uncertainty, and that it is fun to live because no one can predict it. I thought that was really dirty and flashy. I couldn’t relate to it at all.

The charm of uncertainty? Well, there was a time when life was painful because I couldn’t predict even an inch ahead. From the moment I realized that life was out of my control, I drifted on a vast ocean like a helmsman who had lost his rudder.

And even now, I still feel anxious. My prime will end someday, and it may come much sooner than I expected. Or, just like when I opened my eyes to find myself in an unfamiliar bathroom, I can’t rule out the thought that one day I might wake up in the yard lawn with a broken fence instead of my bed.

My longing stems from such anxiety. A desire to improve? If you give me a fancy word for the way I kick my feet like crazy under the water to keep from sinking, I wouldn’t hesitate.

But if you look inside, it’s not that cool or elegant. It’s just busy collecting empty checks scattered here and there.

Because there are people, not only my fans but also those closest to me, who willingly fall for the empty promises I spread.

“I saw you again yesterday, Ddulleongi.”

“What else?”

When I arrived at the training ground, Victor greeted me warmly. Instead of greeting me, I responded warmly.

-… Where on earth can I find happiness and joy?

Can’t you tell just by looking at them? The trust and friendliness between them is evident throughout the conversation…

“One home run and two doubles won’t be enough, right? All the batters need to reflect on themselves.”

-What? Trust in each other?

… Really, I. Even though I work hard, it’s a mess. Just hearing those words makes it hard to tell if they’re saying I did a good job or if they’re being sarcastic.

“Thanks to that, we won the Earth Championship and it was a wake-up call to our team that was getting sloppy. Look over there.”

Exactly!

Taaaaaah!

I looked to where Victor’s fingertips were pointing. Senior Martin’s swing was unusually big today. He was also training with the heaviest type of bat.

Taaaaaaaah-!

It’s a cliche, but the ball flew like a clothesline and easily cleared the center fence. I burst out laughing at the sight, and Victor chuckled and said,

“Those guys are pitiful too. After years of being my puppets, I thought I was finally free, and then you showed up?”

“…Is this my fault?”

“Then it’s my fault?”

I had nothing to say. I put my hand on Victor’s shoulder and said that he had to work harder than he was doing now so that he wouldn’t be pushed to the back room.

“Victor, violence isn’t just about using your fists. Verbal abuse is also violence. When the season ends, I will gather all of Victor’s absurd words and actions and strongly condemn them to the players’ association.”

“Okay. Do it after you’ve finished your work, including the condemnation and the self-sacrifice.”

“…….”

This isn’t working. Should I really just spend the whole day sobbing in the locker room?

-What do you expect from a guy who sticks a camera in your crying face?

… Damn it. Those people who keep talking about me ruining the dugout atmosphere have to see this.

“Are you taking pictures of everything?”

The documentary producer standing beyond the camera smiled and nodded in response to my question. Now, those are the only people I can trust.

Anyway, the MVP of Game 2 was Martin, who hit the winning drive over the fence with the same swing and trajectory as in training.

“MARTIN!”

“Martin! Stay with us forever!”

“I will carve your name on my tombstone!”

“I’ll tell my grandchildren to prepare your uniforms as a shroud!”

Martin nodded with a bright smile at the slightly creepy words of the fans. Then he stood next to me with his chin raised high and said.

“Don’t make a fuss over something so trivial. Everyone is exaggerating.”

“…It’s nothing special. Martin did everything today.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“yes.”

“Well, if that’s what you think.”

Andy smiled as he watched Martin’s trembling mouth, but when his eyes met Martin’s, his face hardened into a serious expression as if he had never smiled before.

“Okay. This is nonsense.”

“…Yes, well, that’s true.”

If I treated another player like this, he would have been furious and asked who he was kidding, but Martin is a little different. He’s the kind of guy who would show you a three-stage side kick if you praise him.

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And the next day, unfortunately, the victory in Game 3 went to the Rays. Wheaton’s changeup was less slumping than usual, and they lost by a clean 4-point margin.

If it had been June or July, when we were in the midst of a fierce competition for rankings, this defeat might have been painful. We might have paused for a moment and checked whether we were headed in the right direction.

But now was no time to regret the past defeat. The season would be over by the time we tied our shoelaces again. We headed breathlessly to our next destination, Boston.

* * *

Mikey O’Brien, scheduled to be the first pitcher for the series against the Red Sox, warmed up by humming a tune. Fenway Park, the home of the Red Sox, is famous for its monstrous asymmetrical structure. As a famous hitter-friendly park, it has some disadvantages for pitchers, but it was not a big problem for Mikey O’Brien.

“You look happy today?”

“Damn. I tried not to show it, but it shows?”

“That’s really great. I think I know why. Can you guess?”

Hanjei smiled and said as Mikey nodded.

“Because it must have been the dream field for young Mikey.”

“Half is correct.”

“What about the other half?”

In response to Hanjei’s question, Mikey glanced at the infield stands and said.

“Aiden came to watch the game today.”

“Wow, you came to cheer for Dad?”

“Right. You didn’t come here to cheer for the Red Sox, did you?”

“That’s true. He’s a beloved father.”

Mikey smiled brightly at Hanjei’s words.

“Well, that’s true, but the season is almost over. And…….”

“and?”

Hanjei replied, but Mikey smiled and mumbled without answering. He didn’t want to tell Hanjei that he wanted to show his son one more game of his father’s prime. It was his pride as a player. He always had a good-natured smile on his face, but his pride was never inferior to that of other players.

In short, he meant that he didn’t want to say anything weak to the young, green rookie.

Mikey, who was looking for something to say, turned his gaze to the outfield stands. Then he noticed a placard fluttering in the wind and quickly changed his subject.

“Well, it’s a perfect day for a perfect game.”

But there was no way Hanjei wouldn’t notice what Mikey, who was right next to him, had noticed.

‘Seventy!’

Hanjei read the text on the placard, seemingly oblivious to Mikey’s consideration to not burden him.

“Ahem. This is pure love, isn’t it?”

“…….”

“Don’t worry too much. You probably know better than I do.”

“a little…….”

“a little?”

As Hanjei opened his mouth to stare at the placard, Mikey showed interest.

“I’m a little excited.”

And then he looked at Han Je-yi with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

Crazy guy. Mikey, who spoke with his expression, shook his head and walked ahead. But at the same time, he couldn’t stop the smirk from escaping from his lips.

* * *

I didn’t really know what it felt like before, but now I know. It’s like having your family come to watch you play.

In the past, I couldn’t understand why my colleagues would try to steal bases that they normally wouldn’t do when their family came over, and why they would jump at balls that weren’t there. To be more specific, I understood the learned emotions in my head, but I had some doubts.

But now I completely understand that feeling of rushing in like a moth even though I know it won’t work.

Taaaaah!

Mikey allowed the first run early in the game, a two-run homer by Red Sox star hitter Patrick Turner. And then, before he could even shake off his shock, back-to-back homers followed.

Taaaaaaaah-!

The Red Sox fans in the stands were going wild. And the Cubs fans were going wild too. It’s become a familiar sight.

Any pitcher gets a dusting once or twice during the season. It’s a shame that Mikey’s day is today, but you can’t take back the words that were spoken and the home run that went over the fence. Yeah. It’s normal for there to be nothing… … .

“Jay!”

“Show your skills!”

“You can do it!”

I guess I’ve been pushing our fans too hard. The fans sitting behind the 11-meter-tall giant green monster have been making ridiculous demands. They say that unless I have propellers on my feet, I can’t catch it no matter how hard I try.

But, what can I do? I’m the one who gave those people ridiculous hope.

Taaaaaaaah-!

It was another long, straight hit. A powerful parabolic curve. Coming straight at me. I ran after the ball as soon as I hit it. And the moment the numbers I had been counting in my mind disappeared, I threw my body and received the shock with my whole body.

“JAY! JAY! JAY!”

“My darling!”

“Sign here now! Take my life insurance money!”

I stood up, pretending nothing happened. And I walked slightly faster than the players heading to the dugout. I wanted to catch up with Mikey, who looked a little more tired than before.

“You know Boston traffic? Aiden is probably still in the parking lot. He’ll be in soon.”

I need to look trustworthy right now, but I’m a little worried because it’s not my area of ​​expertise.

“Just wait a moment, I’ll come back with one quickly.”

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