Chapter 68, Taking Control Again
“Wow... it really suits him.”
“Take pictures now. He said he’s changing before he pitches.”
“Damn, he really is handsome. He never smiles, so it actually fits even better.”
Fans wearing all kinds of uniforms admired Choi Seong.
Choi Seong’s parents quietly listened without showing any reaction.
They usually avoided coming to the stadium.
But today, they had received All-Star Game tickets and decided to come.
Their son had simply told them,
“Come watch once.”
In truth, they rarely came because they worried their presence might distract him.
Still, they always watched his games on television at home.
Choi Seong, the most popular player in history.
That title did not seem exaggerated.
Even fans of other teams had Choi Seong’s name and number printed on their jerseys.
“His popularity is unbelievable when you see it in person...”
Choi Seong’s name and number were also on his parents’ uniforms.
But unlike everyone else, their backs had enormous autographs on them.
“Our Seong really works hard.”
“I never thought I’d see Seong wearing a leather jacket in my whole life.”
The outfit Choi Seong wore because of fan requests...
Was a black leather jacket.
He also appeared wearing sunglasses.
“His concept is a biker gang member... Our boy doesn’t even have such a scary face.”
“Leave him alone. Our Seong has that dangerous handsome look.”
“What does that even mean, honey...”
Even while saying that, they quickly lifted their phones and took pictures of their son.
“It really suits him.”
“He normally never smiles, so maybe that helps the concept.”
“The Oceans fan club voted for it, and he wore it without complaining. He’s good at fan service too. Is there anything he can’t do?”
Hearing the fans talk made his parents straighten their shoulders with pride.
But what mattered most was what he would show at the plate.
Choi Seong was participating in the All-Star Game, but to manage his condition, he was only scheduled to play one inning and take one plate appearance.
Manager Rodriguez would remain on the All-Star bench and had strictly limited both his pitching and hitting.
He did not want unnecessary strain on Choi Seong’s shoulder.
“He’s about to leave for the national team... I’m worried about injuries.”
“Why worry? We’ve always just let Seong do what he wants and supported him from behind.”
They were worried about him going to America too.
The news and newspapers had increasingly started warning about Choi Seong’s injury risk.
People were concerned that playing both ways and serving as a full-time starter would be too much for a rookie.
On top of that, he was playing for the national team and participating in the All-Star Game.
Some reports even predicted that he would soon suffer an elbow injury.
“We should feed him eel.”
“Not just eel. Let’s give him anything that’s good for stamina. That’s about all we can do.”
They did not know much more about baseball than ordinary people.
There was not much they could do for their son.
Choi Seong always said he was grateful they stayed beside him.
But they were the ones who felt grateful that he had grown up so well.
CRACK!
The moment Choi Seong stepped in as the leadoff hitter, he swung at the opposing starter’s pitch.
He immediately got a hit.
Cheers erupted from all over the stadium.
“Seriously, what can’t Choi Seong do?”
“I’m telling you, we should’ve finished last! Why did we have to be decent that one year and miss the draft pick?”
“Wow, even without a home run, he gives the fans proper service before leaving.”
Of course, it was still only the first inning.
Choi Seong reached first, but no run scored.
Still, the various costumes worn by the hitters made the game entertaining.
“Everyone prepared so many things. Jae-jun and Geon-woo need to play well too. Don’t get nervous...”
They were already talents who had survived brutal training at Choi Seong School.
Everyone laughed at Kwon Geon-woo’s S*nic costume.
“What is that S*nic? Did he seriously dye all his hair for one day?”
Everyone also laughed at Yoon Jae-jun’s Dolsoe costume.
Unfortunately, maybe because of the costume, his bat did not show much power.
Soon afterward, Choi Seong returned wearing his proper uniform.
The opposing hitters also appeared in their own strange costumes.
But there was nothing playful about Choi Seong’s pitches.
166 km/h.
The scoreboard displayed his fastest pitch of the season, directly through the middle of the strike zone.
Everyone fell silent.
Then they exploded into cheers.
“That’s insane! What was that?!”
Everyone could only stare.
The burning force coming from that perfect four-seam fastball...
The All-Star Game was a festival.
Not a festival for Choi Seong, even though he had received the most votes.
It was a festival for the fans.
Time passed quickly.
The All-Star Game MVP did not come from Choi Seong School.
No one expected Ahn Hong-gyu to hit a grand slam in the ninth inning.
Because of that, all the glory, including the one hundred million won prize money, went to Ahn Hong-gyu.
“I’ll buy next time!”
Ahn Hong-gyu repeated that line throughout the entire national team training camp.
For reference, many articles had appeared about me treating the national team players to dinner.
Then again, becoming captain at twenty was strange enough.
If I was also actively spending money on everyone, of course people would talk about it.
“Not bad.”
I calmly focused on batting again.
As the United States Olympics approached, the ticking sound inside my heart gradually returned.
The ticking excited me again.
This was what truly feeling alive was like.
It felt like I was fighting directly against my own life.
“All right, guys. They’re drawing the groups.”
At the coaches’ words, the players rushed into the locker room and turned on the television.
Strong cold air poured from the air conditioner.
Korea.
United States.
Japan.
China.
Taiwan.
Cuba.
Dominican Republic.
Canada.
A total of eight teams had entered this Olympics.
Jeter, a former superstar who had dominated American baseball, stepped forward to draw the groups.
