Ch 201

One.

October 27, 2018.

The landscape of New York was now a landscape that was nothing compared to winter. Now, each of them wore their jackets and occasionally spewed out white breaths, busily joking around like New Yorkers.

So were the cars.

Like New York, various cars were busy on the road, moving their best towards their destination.

Albert Lee, a New York taxi driver, did the same.

“uh?”

As he was looking for a customer, he found the customer and immediately stopped the car in front of the customer.

And as soon as the customer got into the car, Albert Lee quickly analyzed the customer’s characteristics in the rearview mirror.

It was an instinctive action to quickly prepare for guests with poor quality.

In fact, there were a few places where the guest’s behavior was questionable.

He was wearing a scarf, covering his face, a hat, and even wearing sunglasses to hide his identity.

Frankly, under normal circumstances, Albert Lee would never have picked up the guest.

“You are a Mets fan.”

If the guest’s hat, scarf, and jumper were not all of the New York Mets.

“Then the destination must be Yankee Stadium, right?”

Conversely, that’s why Albert Lee was happy to pick up guests.

“The goal would be Game 4 of the World Series.”

While speaking, Albert Lee touched his hat so that the back seat passenger could see it.

The New York Mets logo was also engraved on his hat.

It wasn’t just that.

On his driver’s dashboard were loads of bobble-head dolls made from Mets players.

Albert Lee, proof that he gave his soul to the Mets, and that’s why he gladly accepted this dubious Mets fan.

“Am I not wrong?”

At Albert Lee’s question, the customer shook his head and said:

“You are correct. Please go to Yankee Stadium.”

Albert Lee smiled at the answer, and immediately his car began to spin vigorously.

Of course, while driving, Albert Lee’s mouth began to move vigorously.

“It’s a really great season, isn’t it? It’s been 20 years since I’ve been a Mets fan, and this is my first season like this. It’s probably the first season for everyone in the MLB. To have one player win the World Series alone is unprecedented in MLB history.”

A brief flash of memory flashed through Albert Lee’s mind as he spoke.

“Perfect of Perfection, I still can’t believe it’s the day I saw it live.”

I recalled a historic moment that happened in New York four days ago.

“Did you see it at the scene?”

“After working as a taxi driver in New York for over 10 years, you can get one World Series ticket. Of course, it’s a very high seat, so I honestly didn’t see anything, but what does it matter? isn’t it? It’s important to be at the scene where the legend is being used. I already put the ticket in the frame for that day. Next year, I’ll take it in a frame and get Lee’s autograph.”

As Albert Lee was speaking, he tapped his hat once more and spoke.

“Of course, you should get it here. Maybe Lee will like it. He’s a player who’s anxious to sign autographs. He’s an amazing player in so many ways.”

Albert Lee, who was speaking, immediately moved on to the next topic of the story.

“Actually, the World Series was already over there. It’s a perfect game, Babe Ruth and even Cy Young did what they couldn’t do, so what more games do you need?”

It was about Game 2 and Game 3 of the World Series.

“I could see that the Yankees lost their mind in Game 2 and Game 3. Thanks to you, I was able to win easily. Especially yesterday, more Mets fans than Yankees fans went to Yankee Stadium. Yankees fans felt it, too. That this game cannot be won.”

The story that used to be said came straight to the present.

“It will probably be worse today. It’s a game with Howman.”

The conversation ended there.

In the beginning, the distance from City Field to Yankee Stadium was only a little over 10 kilometers in a straight line, and the road to Yankee Stadium was already like a parking lot with cars wandering in search of a parking spot. No further entry was possible.

“Walking from here is probably ten times faster than going by car.”

I’d rather walk.

At Albert Lee’s words, the customer nodded and immediately paid Albert Lee the fee.

“Oh, that’s fine.”

Then Albert Lee declined the fee.

“You can’t take money from a Mets fan who comes all the way to Yankee Stadium to support the Mets. Isn’t it the day we win the World Series? It’s still early, of course, but there’s no doubt about it.”

Albert Lee’s intention was to give the best support he could to a Mets fan who came alone to Yankee Stadium, the enemy’s home, rather than the home city.

In fact, the customer did not make any effort to pay the fee.

“thank you.”

He expressed his thanks, and at the guest’s words, Albert Lee said with a bright smile.

“Thank you, then hoo!”

Albert Lee’s words were answered by the guest.

“downpour.”

With those words, the customer opened the door and got out.

‘uh?’

At that moment, Albert Lee noticed that the guest’s attire had changed.

It was confirmed that the hat was no longer visible from the guests who were armed with hats, scarves, and jumpers.

“You left your hat! hat!”

Surprised by this, Albert Lee immediately rolled down the driver’s window and shouted at the departing customer.

However, the customer had already disappeared from the crowd heading to Yankee Stadium.

“Ah, oh my…”

Eventually, Albert Lee gave up calling guests.

Instead, he wanted to move on his own.

‘I have to return the hat somehow.’

If the guest was visiting Citi Field, he could get a Mets hat, but it was absolutely impossible to get a Mets hat at Yankee Stadium.

Albert Lee was unwilling to allow his fellow Mets fan to have such memories.

Albert Lee got out of the driver’s seat immediately and opened the rear door.

Then I saw the hat that the guest had left behind.

‘uh?’

And I saw a baseball that the customer had left behind.

‘Baseball?’

Surprised by this, Albert Lee took the baseball in his hand and looked at it. And he could see.

“Ho, hoo!”

Jinyong Lee, the special autograph he left for himself.

2.

Yankee Stadium.

The highest and most dignified baseball field in Major League Baseball.

– Hello, baseball fans who love Major League Baseball, Game 4 of the World Series, perhaps the last game of the season, will be held at Yankee Stadium today.

However, today Yankee Stadium was facing the most dire situation since its birth.

– If the Mets take today’s game, it will be their third World Series title since 1986 with a 4-0 record.

Because I didn’t know if the Yankees would be sacrificed at Yankee Stadium today.

– And for that victory, Lee, who recorded the perfect game, the only record in major league history, will be on the pitch.

Jinyong Lee, the coronation sacrifice to announce that he is now an absolute major in the major leagues.

Naturally, the atmosphere at Yankee Stadium was so miserable that it was hard to believe that it was a World Series atmosphere.

– Yeah, that’s it. I wanted to feel this atmosphere.

But Kim Jin-ho, he was different.

He was smiling as if he was very satisfied with the atmosphere of Yankee Stadium.

Jin-yong Lee looked at Kim Jin-ho like that with a smile.

– What you looking at?

Kim Jin-ho, who felt that gaze, turned his head and looked at Lee Jin-yong with a blunt look.

The two exchanged glances without saying a word for a while.

At that moment, Jinyong Lee opened his mouth.

“If I become a winning pitcher here today, I may not see Kim Jin-ho again.”

At that, Jinho Kim smiled.

– So how do you feel? huh? great?

“There is nothing wrong with that.”

– Come on, I’m fine too.

Kim Jin-ho, who uttered the words, turned his head.

“I may not be able to tell you during today’s game, so I’ll tell you in advance.”

– What?

“Thank you.”

A short word, but at that word, the twisted corners of Kim Jin-ho’s lips began to rise.

– what? Can’t you hear me? Can you tell me again?

Jin-yong Lee said with a smile at Kim Jin-ho’s continued request.

“Thank you Jinho.”

– Yes, thank you too… Huh? Why are you all of a sudden? Are you ignoring me as a ghost now?

“No, where is the half-speaking honorific in English? Is that right?”

– Hey, that’s in English. You said it in Korean a while ago, right?

“Ah, I guess I made a mistake because I don’t use Korean often. I will correct it.”

– Hey, you bastard! What a mistake a guy who is less than a year old in America makes a mistake! hey! do it right again! Say thank you by standing up straight and bowing nine times! hurry!

“Anyway, why are you so dissatisfied with the topic today?”

That was then.

“lee!”

Joe Jones, who entered the dugout, found Jinyong Lee and approached him.

“Who were you talking to?”

At that question, Jinyong Lee said with a smile.

“No, I was praying.”

“pray? A prayer to secure a World Series win?”

At Joe Jones’ question, Jinyong Lee shook his head and said.

“I prayed to thank you for the miracle that had come to me.”

“Isn’t that a World Series win?”

It was there.

Jinyong Lee stood up and patted Joe Jones on the shoulder.

“Winning the World Series doesn’t have to be prayerful.”

“right.”

Thus, Game 4 of the World Series, which will be recorded as the last game of the 2018 season, began.

3.

A mound reminiscent of a mound.

In front of the tomb, a man dressed in a neat suit, despite the cold weather, prayed with his hands together.

After a while, the man who finished praying took something out of his arms.

What he took out was a luxurious ring box.

When the man opened the ring box, a gorgeous ring was revealed.

“Jinho Kim, this is the World Series ring you have been longing for.”

A World Series ring to commemorate the 2018 New York Mets World Series victory.

Jinyong Lee put the ring down in front of the tomb.

Then he let out a long sigh.

“It’s finally over.”

With those words, Jin-yong Lee looked at the grave in front of him and Kim Jin-ho’s grave without saying a word for a while, as if soaked in long recollections.

After he had finished recalling, Jinyong Lee opened his closed eyes and glanced at his side.

– What you looking at?

“It is still there.”

Jinho Kim was there.

– What, man? are you still there? this kid!

“No, you won the World Series, so why aren’t you successful?”

– Not me!

“Oh, I’m going crazy.”

Jinyong Lee, who was talking, scratched his head nervously.

“No, didn’t Sowon win the World Series while he was alive?”

– right.

“Then, wouldn’t it make sense to be successful if you win the World Series?”

– No, that’s why… To be precise, winning the World Series was one of my wishes.

“I beg your pardon?”

In front of Kim Jin-ho’s shock confession, Lee Jin-yong made a terrified expression and said as if threatening.

“Then what about the rest of your wishes?”

– No, it’s okay. Actually, I had only two wishes, including winning the World Series.

“two?”

– yes.

“What is it?”

– Exceeding the Cy Young record and breaking Yogi Berra’s most World Series wins.

Kim Jin-ho, who was talking, was smiling brighter than ever.

On the other hand, Jin-yong Lee looked at Jin-ho Kim with an absurd look.

“Wait, let’s do some math.”

At that moment, Jinyong Lee, grasping the situation, began to calculate.

“Cy-Young career multiplier….”

– 511 wins. Fortunately, the record for most innings or strikeouts in a major league career is not Cy Young, but Surprised Ryan. So Jinyong, you will only need to break the most wins in your career.

“Are you happy with that?”

– Oh, and by the way, the most wins in the MLB World Series are 10 wins by Yogi Berra. You can do it 10 more times. Yes, I just need to win 47 games every season for 10 years and win the World Series.

At Kim Jin-ho’s words, Jin-yong Lee covered my face with both hands.

“Oh, damn it…”

– Don’t be too discouraged. Jinyong-ah, you can do it. Yes, I’ll sing you a song to be strong. Dad, be strong.

“Shut up!”

Along with the horse, he took the ring box containing the World Series ring that Jinyong Lee had left in front of the grave.

– Hey, what are you doing? I didn’t give it to you? Poor bastard, where’s the give and take?

“It’s noisy! I’m on the verge of going out of my mind right now, so don’t touch me!”

– Hey, no matter what the situation is, you have to talk right away.

“Hey, really!”

Jin-ho Kim changed his expression when he saw Jin-yong Lee who was genuinely angry.

– Hmm.

Then, Jin-ho Kim, who had calmed the atmosphere for a while with a cough, approached Jin-yong Lee and said,

– Actually, there might be another way.

“Another way?”

– The most Cy-Young wins and Yogi Berra’s most World Series wins are always the wishes of baseball player Jin-ho Kim, and the wish of human Jin-ho Kim is another.

At that time, Jinyong Lee also made a serious expression and listened to Jinho Kim.

– My lifelong wish has been one since I was little.

“what is that?”

Eventually, Kim Jin-ho spoke with a more serious expression than ever.

– Going to the women’s bath.

At that, Jinyong Lee said with a sullen expression on his face.

“Damn you whore!”

After that, Jin-yong Lee, who took the ring box, turned his back from the grave of Jin-ho Kim and stepped forward.

– Jinyong-ah, where are you going?

“Where are you going, we have to go to America and prepare for this season. Damn, I’ve got a very fucking ghost. damn ghost.”

Kim Jin-ho smiled at that.

– Yeah, damn ghost. Whoa!

End