Chapter 1

Every Hitter's Dream

You all know about the stories of Babe Ruth, Tony Gwynn, and Albert Pujols. You, however, have probably never heard of the stories of Lee Man Soo (unless you're a rabid White Sox fan), Yang Joon Hyeok, or Lee Seung Yeop. What I'd like to tell right now is the story of one hitter in Korean baseball who managed to outshine all of the hitters that I have mentioned until now. His name is Kim Kang Jin. In this story, he will meet many people, live through many events, and will finally achieve lifelong fame.

Without further ado, here is his story…

It's time…

World Series, seventh game, Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two out, full count. The score is 2 to 5… I'm the star player of my team about to lead our victory… One home run could end it.

The pitcher throws the ball… no use. I rip the ball apart with my bat. The ball goes over left field… High fly ball… The fielder tries to catch the ball at the fence… No! Don't catch it… I can't believe it… I hit the grand slam! WE WON! WE WON! The other players are gathered at home plate, ready to celebrate. They immediately smother me with their bodies and congratulate me, thumping me on the back, and eventually toss me into the air with rapture.

The whole crowd is shouting my name out loud! Kim Kang Jin, Kim Kang Jin… oh come on, louder, louder! KIM KANG JIN! KIM KANG JIN! Yes, that's it! Like that! Say your gratitude to the star player who has won it all!

WHACK!

I wake up from that dream… every hitter's ultimate fantasy. Too bad it wasn't real. I think I must have dozed on the way to our home stadium. I was still in the bus. And Coach was right in front of me, crossing his arms and saying, "Tut, tut… daydreamed during the trip, didn't you?" In one hand, he held a wooden baseball bat. He must have hit me a little on the head when we had already arrived to wake me up.

"Yes, I think so," I replied, with a note of disappointment still remaining in my voice.

"Anyways… the bus has arrived for some time right now. Welcome, kiddo, to our holy ground; the Hawks stadium!"

I stared at the stadium with awe. "The Hawks stadium!" I may have seen the stadium in the television for some time, but I had never seen it in person… until now.

My name is Kim Kang Jin, and I'm a rookie baseball player who has just been drafted into the Hawks baseball franchise. However, I'm sure that I can be the best player ever through this great opportunity given to me by the team. I was called a "baseball genius" by my peers in my elementary, middle and high schools, and I am confident I will be known as one yet again.

I step out of the bus, and breathe the fresh outside air while stretching my arms out. But then, I remember that Coach was still around me, and decided to restrain myself from anything that was further embarrassing.

Coach was the person who I owed so much to. He was the one to see my prodigious skills in high school in the National High School Competition. He was the one to offer me a contract for a spot in the Hawks lineup. And most importantly, he was the one that would lead me towards the path towards stardom.

Coach then gave me some instructions to go to our team's captain and also gave me directions to my room in the dorm. I bowed goodbye to him, and then ran to the complex near the stadium that would be where I would stay for the next few years.

Looking back, this was the point when my lifelong baseball career had begun.

Author's Note: The material that is in this story is partially based on the yet-to-be-released-in-America Baseball Superstars 2012, which is already released in Korea as 2011 Pro Baseball. Beware of spoilers.