Full Count (2023–…): Season 1, Episode 9 - The Season of Crisis - full transcript
Kiwoom Heroes advance to the playoff finals, where an even stronger opponent awaits them.
(theme music)
(bat clacks)
ANALYST 1: This game...
BOTTOM OF THE TENTH
NEXEN 10 : 10 SK
...is starting anew
at the bottom of the tenth.
ANALYST 2: It's a full count.
ANALYST 1: And he throws his eighth pitch.
He hits it to the center!
ANALYST 2: It's a goner.
ANALYST 1: This ball travels far
and is headed to Jamsil!
(in English)
Goodbye! Goodbye! Goodbye!
(crowd cheering)
Han Dongmin says goodbye
to the Nexen Heroes!
ANALYST 3: Doosan finishes
this miraculous journey
of the 2019 postseason with their victory!
ANALYST 4: The LG Twins
makes it to the semi-playoffs
two years in a row!
ANALYST 5: This is how the game ends.
Doosan takes the win
with a score of 16 to 8.
I didn't want to forget
that sadness I felt.
I told my team we can train
and challenge ourselves again.
They look like they can make it,
but they always slip at the end.
The moment you think the Kiwoom Heroes
can finally win the Series,
that's when they lose it.
ANALYST 1: The Heroes of Kiwoom
secure their first win
in the semi-playoffs.
ANALYST 2: Game 2 of the semi-playoffs
between Kiwoom Heroes and KT Wiz.
The KT Wiz wins Game 2.
ANALYST 3: Two wins and a loss.
Kiwoom takes the lead with a win.
ANALYST 4: The KT Wiz
takes the series to Game 5!
2022 SEMI-PLAYOFFS WINS
KIWOOM 2 : 2 KT
REPORTER: In Game 4 of the semi-playoffs,
the KT Wiz takes the win to tie the score.
Tomorrow's Game 5 will decide
who makes it to the playoffs.
EP. 09
THE SEASON OF CRISIS
They say that the players get worn out
much faster during the postseason,
about two or three times faster
than during the regular season.
And Kiwoom and KT
played the semi-playoffs until Game 5.
ANALYST 1: Kiwoom was leading the series
and KT caught up in Game 2.
And Kiwoom run ahead once again,
and KT tied the series again.
That's how the series has been going.
ANALYST 2: That's right.
The postseason system makes the players
feel much more pressure
when it gets to Game 5 like this.
Both teams wanted to avoid Game 5,
but it's inevitable now.
ANALYST 1: That's right.
(crowd yelling, cheering)
ANALYST 1: Swing, and the game is over!
(crowd roaring)
The Kiwoom Heroes will go to Jamsil!
SEONGHO: The Kiwoom Heroes performed great
during the postseason
these past few years.
But they were always
climbing up from the bottom.
Because they were using
all their power to catch up,
they end up without any strength left.
That's why it's harder
for the teams that start from the bottom.
See you at Jamsil.
KIM JAEWOONG
KIWOOM HEROES PITCHER
YONGTAIK: The fact that Kiwoom
beat KT in the semi-playoffs
and advanced to the playoffs
was very unexpected.
The LG Twins wanted
the semi-playoff teams to play to Game 5.
It didn't matter who it was,
as long as they play
to Game 5 and move up.
And it was the best-case scenario
for the LG Twins.
For the LG Twins,
because the Kiwoom Heroes
played until Game 5,
I'm sure they are all smiles.
-HOST 1: You're probably right.
-Right.
They haven't played in 13 days,
so they have to train again.
-HOST 1: That's quite obvious, right?
-HOST 2: Right.
HOST 1: When you are progressing
through a season,
sometimes the most obvious thing
is the most important.
HOST 2: Of course.
SEONGHO: Of course,
they might have lost their touch a bit
from the 13-day rest period.
But the LG Twins have the perfect bullpen.
It's utter perfection.
It's difficult to point out a flaw.
REPORTER: The impenetrable bullpen
of the LG Twins
has made history
by recording 100 holds in a single season.
When Jung Wooyoung takes the mound,
the hitters think,
"This is going to be difficult."
ANALYST 1: Two runners on first
and second, with Park Kunwoo in the box.
ANALYST 1: It's a fastball!
It's in the zone!
Jung Wooyoung sends Park Kunwoo back
and escapes the jam.
ANALYST 2: That sinking fastball
Jung Wooyoung threw just now.
-It's an impossible pitch to hit.
-ANALYST 1: Indeed.
ANALYST 2: No one can hit that.
DONGHYUN: Jung Wooyoung will go scoreless
in the eighth no matter what.
And in the ninth, they have
the king of saves, Go Woosuk.
NO. 19, GO WOOSUK
LG TWINS PITCHER
REPORTER 1: The closer
for the LG Twins, Go Woosuk,
beat the best save record of the team,
recording 40 saves.
REPORTER 2: Yi Jungyong, who took
the mound on behalf of Go Woosuk,
achieved his first save
with his perfect pitches.
The LG Twins' pride, the relievers and
the closers, came out and did their job.
I felt like we were moving
together in unison.
In order to win the game,
they didn't hold back
and threw with full force.
That's why I think
our pitchers are so strong.
I can say these things with confidence
because we have such great pitchers.
I've been imagining myself
taking the mound in the Korean Series
in a crucial moment of the game.
I still imagine it,
and I've been preparing for it.
I really hope that
the postseason starts soon.
DONGHYUN: The LG Twins had a great roster.
And the Kiwoom Heroes
were already worn out,
having played five games against KT.
All the experts expected
the LG Twins to advance.
JAMSIL BASEBALL STADIUM
PLAYOFFS GAME 1
ANALYST 1: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,
to the very first game of the playoffs.
Today's game will be held
at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.
The Kiwoom Heroes continues
to fight passionately in the postseason.
WONKI: This season, we had a lot
of trouble against the LG Twins.
Both pitchers and hitters
were strategically ahead of us.
And they had many great players.
It was one of the teams
we were overwhelmed by.
Many people expected
that the LG Twins would win the playoffs.
INTERVIEWER: How would you rate the roster
of the Kiwoom Heroes as a baseball fan?
I think the LG Twins will have
the upper hand in Game 1.
YOUNGROK:
Their pitchers are just so strong.
And the lineup is well-balanced.
I think LG will win three to zero.
It's 100%. There's no doubt LG will win.
KYUDAE: You won't know the results
until the ninth inning is over.
Looking at the pitchers,
people say that LG has the upper hand.
I'm sure they'll do well
and overcome this.
Because they are the Heroes.
ANALYST 1: Winning the first game
is crucial for both teams.
When we look at the past playoffs,
the teams that won the first game
had a higher chance of advancing.
They have an 80.6% chance to advance.
We can say that it's highly likely.
Many said that the LG Twins will have
a slight upper hand in the closer battle.
Who will be the winner
of Game 1 of the playoffs??
The game begins now.
PUIG
TOP OF THE SECOND
KIWOOM 0 : 0 LG
It's a hard-hit ball to the left!
It lands in front of the left fielder.
JIYOUNG: The regular season
is a separate matter.
The big games of the postseason
are a whole new season.
ANALYST 1: He hits the second pitch.
It penetrates through the center.
In front of the center fielder.
JIYOUNG: Even if you are a great pitcher,
you may end up throwing poorly
in those big games.
I thought we had a chance to win.
ANALYST 1: He pops up
the curveball! It goes to the left!
To the left wall!
But it's a foul.
(analyst 2 exclaims)
ANALYST 2: The ball shouldn't
have come in that high,
so that pitch was a mistake.
ANALYST 1: Yes. However, this mistake
led to a foul in the end.
ANALYST 1: Center left.
The center fielder calls the catch.
There was a jam, but the LG Twins
manage to stay scoreless.
Kelly manages to overcome his own jam.
(crowd roaring)
ANALYST 1: He hits
the second pitch to the center!
He waits and fields the ball!
He steps on the base
and throws it to first!
-He misses the throw to first!
-(crowd roars)
He goes for home from third!
First point. He comes home!
Kiwoom's infielders are shaken up!
The LG Twins score
the first run of the game.
The score is one to zero.
The LG Twins secure
the first run of the game.
Kiwoom seemed exhausted.
They showed defense that lacked focus
and began to make errors.
BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
KIWOOM 0 : 2 LG
ANALYST 1: The ball pops up high.
Both the shortstop
and the center fielder track the ball.
But he drops the ball!
He misses the catch!
(crowd screaming)
One runner, and two runners!
They come home!
Two more runs for LG!
YONGTAIK: The overall
team spirit was down.
Even before the playoffs,
the LG Twins were thought
to be the stronger team.
ANALYST 1: The first baseman fields it
and throws it home!
But the ball doesn't make it.
And the LG Twins score another run!
ANALYST 1: It's a bunt!
The ball goes to first!
But it's not an out!
The runner is safe on first!
ANALYST 2: Kiwoom's defense
isn't working out as they want.
Another disappointing defense.
It was LG's game.
ANALYST 2: The LG Twins
picks Jung Wooyoung to take the mound.
TOP OF THE EIGHTH
KIWOOM 3 : 6 LG
TAEJIN: Jung Wooyoung is tall,
so he has long arms and legs.
His release point
feels closer than that of other pitchers.
On top of that,
he doesn't throw simple fastballs.
He throws a lot of two-seams.
He's one of the pitchers
many hitters have difficulty facing.
ANALYST 1: The game started
with the pitcher with the most wins.
But now we have
the pitcher with the most holds.
Jung Wooyoung faces Puig.
ANALYST 2: This fight is interesting
because the pitcher
is great at forcing ground balls,
while the hitter
is great at hitting home runs.
-ANALYST 1: That's right.
-ANALYST 2: Yes.
Jung Wooyoung versus Puig.
(crowd chanting)
ANALYST 2: It's a full count.
Let's see what happens.
He hits the final pitch
into a ground ball.
Shortstop Oh Jihwan fields the ball!
He throws it to first base,
and it connects!
That pitch becomes an out
for the Kiwoom Heroes!
ANALYST 1: The LG Twins played
the pitcher with the most wins,
the pitcher with the most holds,
and now, the pitcher with the most saves.
Go Woosuk takes the mound.
(fans cheering)
GO WOOSUK
JINSUNG: In Woosuk's case,
he's no doubt the best closer in Korea
when you watch him play.
If you look at him training as well,
he's always so serious.
You're bound to become a good player
if you take your training seriously.
NO. 19, GO WOOSUK
2002 MOST SAVES
ANALYST 1: Kiwoom plays Im Jiyeol.
I'm sure you remember him.
He hit a homer previously
during the semi-playoffs.
TOP OF THE NINTH
KIWOOM 3 : 6 LG
(crowd chanting)
The count is two and two. Go Woosuk is up.
It's an outside pitch!
He swings and strikes out!
The LG Twins, who were waiting for today,
shake up the Heroes in Game 1!
The LG Twins manage to win the first game.
PLAYOFFS WINS
KIWOOM 0 : 1 LG
DONGHYUN: Game 1 was immaculate.
The timing of playing relievers
and the closer was perfect.
They made it seem like
winning that game was easy.
REPORTER: The LG Twins winning Game 1
of the playoffs has not happened
since you hit an RBI in 2002,
-which was 20 years ago.
-What?
It's been a long time since you've won.
It must feel more special now.
How do you feel?
I wasn't aware of that fact.
But since 2002,
I know that our fans have been wishing
for a ticket to the Korean Series.
JIHYUN: We are training
and preparing passionately.
We will do the best we can.
(fans singing)
YONGTAIK: That first game
really made it seem
like the LG Twins had momentum.
I thought, "For these playoffs,
Kiwoom is no match for LG."
Come here.
We can win this.
We got this.
PLAYERS WAITING ROOM
JUNGHOO: Let's win tomorrow.
We can win this.
-We have a chance.
-PLAYER: Tomorrow.
JUNGHOO: We can win if I do better.
-Right?
-Of course.
JUNGHOO: We definitely have a chance.
-Right?
-JUNGHOO: LG's got nothing.
(crowd cheering in distance)
ANALYST 1: We can see that fall
has arrived in Jamsil Baseball Stadium
while Kiwoom is aiming for a win
and the LG Twins
tries to maintain its lead.
Game 2 between these two teams...
SEONGHO: If the team that had
to work its way up loses Game 1,
the series usually ends with its loss
with a score of three to one.
That's just how things usually go
during the postseason.
SANGHOON: I thought that they may feel
a bit down after losing yesterday's game.
I was surprised
when I saw the Kiwoom players.
It's not that they were relaxed.
But they had casually come
to play another game.
(whistle blowing in distance)
It's like this. There were small errors,
but they faced them head-on.
PLAYOFFS GAME 2
KIWOOM HEROES VS LG TWINS
ANALYST 1: He hits the first pitch!
And it penetrates through the center.
FANS: Lee Yongkyu. Lee Yongkyu.
YONGKYU: This season, I didn't make
any contribution to the team.
Things were really tough for me.
ANALYST 1: He hits the curveball.
It goes between first and second base.
And Lee Yongkyu goes for third base.
And he advances to third!
(whistles blowing)
YONGKYU: In Game 1 with LG,
I wasn't in the starting lineup.
But thankfully,
I was in the starting lineup for Game 2.
There was one thing on my mind.
I wanted to play differently
from the regular season.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: Lee Yongkyu attempts
to steal, but goes back.
(analyst chuckles)
ANALYST 2: Lee Yongkyu
is pressuring him even from the base.
These little things can mess up
the mentality of the pitchers.
ANALYST 1: That's right.
Kiwoom was worn out.
The LG Twins had a good rest.
Everyone knows that fact.
But when they start playing,
they felt that they had a chance.
ANALYST 1: It's tense
between the hitter and the pitcher.
Will he swing at the first pitch?
He makes contact!
A hit that flies to the center-right!
Two runners come home!
Kiwoom adds two runs to their score!
(crowd cheering)
HYESEONG: I had made all the errors
in Game 1 for this series.
That's why I thought we
could keep winning starting with Game 2
if I didn't make any mistakes.
That helped boost my confidence.
TOP OF THE SECOND
KIWOOM 5 : 0 LG
ANALYST 1: He makes contact!
It goes to the 5-6 hole!
Lee Junghoo passes third base.
But he doesn't choose to come home.
The hitter advances to second!
He's going for home now!
And the runner comes home!
The Kiwoom Heroes score another run!
28 YEARS OF WAITING!
The score is six to zero.
(fans cheering, singing)
-ANALYST 1: They are changing pitchers.
-ANALYST 2: They are.
(applause)
PLUTKO
SEONGHO: They lost Game 1,
but how did they...
I don't know how to explain it in words.
BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
KIWOOM 7 : 6 LG
ANALYST 1: The ball goes
to the second baseman!
Out on second. Now to first!
It's a double play!
The game is over!
The Heroes of Kiwoom
manage to tie the series!
The current score is one to one!
Confidence? Yes.
We knew that we all played well,
and that's how we made it this far.
When young players
win those types of games,
their fear turns into confidence.
When that happens,
that synergy is explosive.
GOCHEOK SKY DOME
PLAYOFFS GAME 3
LG TWINS VS KIWOOM HEROES
(upbeat music)
ANALYST 1: We're coming into Game 3
with the score being one to one.
This is an extremely important game.
That's right.
The team that wins today's game
will only have one game to win
in order to advance to the Korean Series.
YONGTAIK: Game 3 is more important
than any other game in the series.
Both teams are playing
their best Korean starters.
Today, Kim Yunsik and An Woojin
will be taking the mound.
From Game 1 and Game 2,
we have extracted and analyzed
our strengths and weaknesses
from those two games.
And we will try to overcome
those weaknesses.
REPORTER: I heard you will be playing
at full force even stronger today.
We don't have a stronger full force.
It's just always full force for us.
For us to have a stronger team spirit
and a better chance to advance,
today's game is absolutely important.
When I looked at Kiwoom, it seemed
like they weren't pressured at all
and completely relaxed because they
were proud they had made it this far.
YONGTAIK: The players were
just having fun playing baseball
in the postseason.
That's the feeling I got from them.
Actually, even in the semi-playoffs,
this aspect of their team
is what makes the Kiwoom Heroes strong.
ANALYST 1: Before the season began,
I don't think I saw any experts
who expected Kiwoom Heroes
to make it to the top five.
ANALYST 2: Me neither.
I don't think I did either.
-ANALYST 1: But...
-ANALYST 2: And you know, Lee Junghoo,
who is on the screen right now,
gave an angry interview because of it.
For the past ten years, Kiwoom played
the most postseasons out of all the teams.
But no experts predicted their win.
So they were upset.
-And they ended up proving themselves.
-ANALYST 1: Right.
And there are two key players
who led the team to the postseason.
Hitter Lee Junghoo.
And today's starting pitcher,
who is taking the mound
for the third time this postseason,
the best pitcher in the KBO, An Woojin.
It was decided that Woojin
will take the mound in Game 3.
If we went to Gocheok Stadium
with an even score,
I thought we would have a chance
with Woojin taking the mound.
TOP OF THE SECOND
LG 0 : 0 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: The ball flies
to the center-right!
Right fielder Puig!
He fails to catch the ball.
Oh Jihwan makes it to second base easily.
Kiwoom failed to convert their chance
in the bottom of the first.
And they are in a jam now.
Moon Bogyeong with a bunt,
but it's a fake bunt!
And...
It penetrates through the 5-6 hole!
Oh Jihwan passes third base.
And the LG Twins score
the first run of Game 3.
Moon Bogyeong's RBI!
The LG Twins take the lead with this run.
They say An Woojin is hard to beat.
But they managed
to score a run against him.
(crowd chanting and clapping)
WOOJIN: I think I played the game
on a four-day turnaround.
A turnaround of four days
versus five days is a huge difference.
Your overall body state,
the state of my hand,
exhaustion, and my condition.
They're all different.
It wasn't my hand that day,
but the overall condition of my body.
I wasn't feeling too great that day.
TOP OF THE THIRD
LG 1 : 0 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: An Woojin is throwing
his 50th pitch against Chae Eunseong.
To the left!
It's a goner!
Chae Eunseong's solo homer!
(crowd cheering)
Chae Eunseong seemed like
he knew where the pitch was.
It was like he was waiting for it
with a perfect hit.
A homer for him.
The score is two to zero.
The LG Twins are in the lead.
CHAE EUNSEONG
DONGHYUN: In the case of the LG Twins,
An Woojin throws
the fastest pitches in the league,
so they thoroughly prepared
against that specifically.
INTERVIEWER: Kim Yunsik played against
An Woojin as the pitcher that game.
-He pitched better than Woojin, right?
-That's right.
DONGHYUN: Kim Yunsik
seemed like the type of pitcher
that became good
in a short period of time.
He was nuts.
That's how well-prepared
he was for that game.
Also, he analyzes what he lacks
during the season
to make quick improvements.
And that drove his confidence
and changed him as a player.
It's been two years
since I've been a manager,
but all the plans
we come up with never work.
Games rarely go according to plan.
-ANALYST 1: This is it for Kim Yunsik.
-ANALYST 2: Right, he's coming down.
ANALYST 1: He pitched 5.2 innings.
He allowed three hits,
but he went scoreless.
Kim Yunsik took the mound
for the first time in the postseason
and manages
to perfectly wrap up the innings.
LG's next pitcher is Jin Haesoo.
A runner on third with two outs.
Jin Haesoo will now face Lee Junghoo.
(indistinct muttering)
UMPIRE: What?
-I was hit.
-Okay.
ANALYST 1: The umpire acknowledges it.
It's a hit-by-pitch.
Kim Hyeseong is playing his role well
as the number-four hitter of Kiwoom.
When the runners were on first and third,
he made good contact during the season.
He makes contact to the right!
It's a hit!
Third baserunner Song Sungmun comes home.
Lee Junghoo stops at third.
The score is two to one!
The Kiwoom Heroes
begins to chase them down!
(phone rings)
Hello? Sure.
-Let's go.
-Let's go!
Come on!
In the postseason,
the best pitchers of the team continue
to take the mound until the game ends.
All the good relief pitchers
and closers come out.
ANALYST 2: Usually, Jung Wooyoung
would take the mound in the eighth
and play the role
as the primary setup man.
But in the most important
and the most dangerous situation,
LG decides to play Jung Wooyoung.
ANALYST 1: In Game 1, Game 2,
and even in Game 3,
Jung Wooyoung
takes the mound with Puig in the box.
Jung Wooyoung's first pitch
was a bit low. Ball one.
This is Jung Wooyoung's two-seam
versus Puig's power.
It goes to third base.
The third baseman catches it,
but he's too late!
The score is two to two. It's a tie!
Puig hits a slow groundball to third base.
And Lee Junghoo comes home.
This game begins anew
in the bottom of the sixth!
LEE JUNGHOO
In the box is Kim Taejin.
TAEJIN: The first pitch
was almost a brushback.
But it was an inside pitch and a strike.
That's why I thought
since he pitched one inside,
I was certain that he
would pitch a two-seam.
ANALYST 1: He pushes the ball out!
Kim Taejin's RBI puts Kiwoom in the lead!
All the players of Kiwoom
are doing so great.
(crowd cheering)
Against Jung Wooyoung,
the primary setup man
that the LG Twins are most proud of,
Kim Taejin records an RBI
which turns the game around.
The score is three to two.
The Kiwoom Heroes take the lead.
LG
KIWOOM
(phone rings)
Hello? Okay.
-You're going out now.
-Yes, sir.
ANALYST 1: LG is on offense
at the top of the seventh.
Kiwoom's second pitcher after An Woojin,
Lee Seungho, takes the mound.
LG's first hitter in the seventh,
Seo Geonchang, records a hit.
(crowd cheering)
(phone rings)
Right away? Okay.
Kim Donghyeok, let's go.
Hurry.
JEONGBAE: If his pitch
slows down, you're up.
PLAYERS (clapping): Good luck!
ANALYST 1: Manager Hong Wonki's
decision in a jam is Kim Donghyeok.
(crowd chanting)
The count is two and two.
He makes contact!
The ball goes near second base.
The third baserunner comes home.
The score is three to three.
The game that started over
in the bottom of the sixth.
The game that Kiwoom thought
they had turned around.
However, LG takes the game
back to square one in the seventh.
DONGHYUN: Kiwoom was in a state
where they could've taken the momentum.
But suddenly, they were unstable.
ANALYST 1: He fields the ball.
Kim Donghyeok tags him out.
He's out.
While that's happening,
the third baserunner comes home.
The LG Twins manages to convert
all their chances in this inning
and take the lead, four to three.
They turn the game around!
From that point on,
it's a battle of the dugouts.
The manager's decision in the dugout.
You can see everything
that's going on in the bullpen.
JIYEOL: On the screen, you can see
the other team's bullpen as well.
And I saw that Yi Jungyong
was warming up for the game.
(phone rings)
All right.
-Jungyong, are you ready?
-JUNGYONG: Yes, sir.
Yes. All right.
Let's go.
Good luck!
YI JUNGYONG
ANALYST 1: The LG Twins bullpen had
the lowest average ERA of all the teams
in the 2022 season.
Yi Jungyong comes to take
the mound from the bullpen.
Next up is Lee Yongkyu,
but Kiwoom decides
to play the pinch hitter Im Jiyeol.
ANALYST 2: After the pitcher
was switched out,
both teams are making so many adjustments.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH, TWO OUTS
LG 4 : 3 KIWOOM
SANGHOON: In the postseason,
they need to become so insane
that the opposing team, their fans,
their bench, and their front office
must start to hate them.
ANALYST 1: He hits
the first pitch with confidence!
It goes behind the center fielder!
And it's gone!
Im Jiyeol!
I think we have finally found
the man of the fall today!
Im Jiyeol turns the game around
with that homer.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 4 : 5 KIWOOM
(crowd cheering)
SUNGMUN: I was in the bathroom.
But I heard the crowd
and my team cheering.
So I went outside, and it was a homer.
I lost my voice after the game that day.
IM JIYEOL
(crowd roaring)
JIYEOL: My body just reacted.
It was a reflex.
I trusted my eyes and hands.
JUNGHOO: Because he throws good fastballs,
I thought it'd be wise
to time hits against the fastball.
And because Junghoo was after me,
he said the pitcher would face me head-on
instead of pitching around.
JIYEOL: That's the same thing
I had in mind.
But with that, I became more certain.
With all the home fans there,
I couldn't believe what I did.
I think that was the best day...
(sharp inhale)
...of my entire baseball career.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 4 : 5 KIWOOM
ANALYST 2: Instead of playing
Lee Yongkyu, they played Im Jiyeol.
The bench wanted an extra-base hit.
(analyst 2 groans)
But Im Jiyeol really showed them
what it meant to overdo it.
ANALYST 1: I repeatedly said
that the LG Twins have a strong bullpen.
It goes to the right! That ball also...
It goes over the wall!
(crowd roaring)
Who is this player?
He's the best hitter in Korea,
Lee Junghoo.
After the ball was thrown, I saw Junghoo.
He made contact and hit a home run again.
SUNGMUN: That's when I lost my voice.
I should've rested before shouting.
But I had to shout thanks
to Jiyeol's home run
and the second home run.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: Kiwoom manages to widen the gap
even more with a score of six to four.
-Yi Jungyong has only thrown two pitches.
-ANALYST 2: Exactly.
LEE JUNGHOO
JUNGHOO: In order to take
the energy away from the enemy team,
we need our fans' support.
The crowd's cheering helps
raise the team spirit.
(crowd cheering)
WONKI: Watching the fans cheer
for us even louder than LG,
that moment was
very touching and memorable.
It was amazing. We were playing baseball
in the same stadium.
SUNGMUN: But still,
my teammates looked so amazing.
(crowd chanting)
ANALYST 1: Now, LG has two regular innings
of offense left. The eighth and the ninth.
It's a sharp ball!
This ball bounces off the wall!
(crowd cheering)
Although they allowed Kiwoom
to take the lead in the seventh,
LG is preparing a counterattack
in the eighth inning.
The fifth hitter, Oh Jihwan.
He pushes it out to the left! It's a hit!
ANALYST 2: I don't think we can make
any guesses regarding today's game.
-ANALYST 1: Agreed.
-ANALYST 2: Right.
(phone rings)
Hello?
All right.
Youngjun, stop.
-Jaewoong, your next.
-JAEWOONG: Yes, sir.
-You can do it.
-Let's go!
-Come on!
-Put your back into it!
ANALYST 1:
This is the battle of the bullpens.
But neither is yielding great results.
The battle continues.
ANALYST 2: They're playing him already.
-ANALYST 1: They are playing Kim Jaewoong.
-ANALYST 2: That's right.
INTERVIEWER: You can say Kim Jaewoong
is a different type of closer.
He's very different.
First of all, he's very short.
Despite being short, his release point...
When I catch his pitch,
I think, "Why did the hitter miss this?"
But when I go against his pitches
during training,
his command is better than I expected,
and his pitches pop up easily.
That's when I realized
he's a great pitcher.
ANALYST 1: They're saying
they cannot lose this.
-ANALYST 2: That's right.
-ANALYST 1: If they lose the lead,
the result of this series
will become unclear.
This is Hong Wonki's decision.
I wonder what result this will yield.
-This is interesting.
-ANALYST 2: That's right.
ANALYST 1: Moon Bogyeong,
who was the last hitter of Game 2.
Then, his hit resulted in a double play.
ANALYST 2: But right now, the runners
are on first and second with no outs.
-Any type of strategy can be played here.
-ANALYST 1: Right.
Closer Kim Jaewoong takes the mound
in the eighth inning
in a no-outs situation
to pitch out six hitters.
TOP OF THE EIGHTH
LG 4 : 6 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: Kim Jaewoong's first pitch
against Moon Bogyeong.
A bunt! But it's a foul.
Moon Bogyeong doesn't have
much experience with sacrifice bunts
from when he was a student
and even now as a professional player.
If the hitter had more experience,
the hitter would've withdrawn
his bat as it was a ball.
(suspenseful drum beats)
ANALYST 2: These small things pile up
and might lead to situations
-that influence the game's results.
-ANALYST 1: Right.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: It pops up a bit.
(analyst 1 gasps in awe)
And to second base! It's a double play!
Jaewoong dove for the ball,
but at first, I couldn't see
whether he had caught the ball or not.
I was busy getting ready for a poor throw.
But his throw was straight-on.
I'm sure you know
Jaewoong's fastballs are quite famous
in the KBO League.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: Wow.
-Kim Jaewoong is amazing.
-ANALYST 2: That was just...
Even outfielders wouldn't be able
to make that catch.
(analyst chuckles)
JAEWOONG: I didn't
really think of what to do.
My body just went
for the dive in the moment.
I got pretty lucky
because my body reacted.
I caught the ball and turned to second,
and he was pretty far from the plate.
And this one was quite lucky too.
I just chucked the ball quickly,
but it was fast and accurate.
And it became a double.
JIYOUNG: He suddenly flew for some reason.
I was amused to see
a little chubby guy flying for the ball.
That's when the momentum just shifted.
His play really changed
things up in the dugout.
It raised our team spirit.
ANALYST 2: We can see why
the Kiwoom Heroes chose this player
to be their closer.
-ANALYST 1: Look at how amazing he was.
-ANALYST 2: Just this play.
This play proved how good he is.
Flying pig?
He was more like a flying gummy bear.
TOP OF THE NINTH
LG 4 : 6 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: It's a hard-hit ball.
Kim Wheejip fields it.
He throws it to second for the out!
The Kiwoom Heroes win
the most important game
they had to win
to advance to the Korean Series.
Kiwoom only has one win left
before they advance.
PLAYOFFS WINS
KIWOOM 2 : 1 LG
Through today's game, I realized
how amazing Kiwoom was as a team.
The LG Twins fans have been dreaming
of going to the Korean Series
for 20 years.
But the series isn't
in their favor right now.
ANALYST 2: The LG Twins
are on the verge of elimination.
In the stadium, I could tell
that Kiwoom had this great confidence.
They knew they could win.
They knew that day was the last.
They were going to end it.
PLAYOFFS GAME 4
LG TWINS VS KIWOOM HEROES
ANALYST 1: Puig's hit pops up very high!
To the center!
It's over the wall!
(crowd cheering)
Puig's home run turns the game around!
BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
LG 1 : 2 KIWOOM
PUIG
TOP OF THE FIFTH
LG 1 : 2 KIWOOM
Second baseman Kim Hyeseong.
He throws to first!
ANALYST 2: He asked for an instant replay.
ANALYST 1: The call is overturned.
It's not an infield hit, but a second out.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: He goes to second.
And he's safe!
Lee Jiyoung steals the base.
He goes into scoring position
without anyone's help.
(crowd cheering)
Jung Wooyoung.
ANALYST 1: Jung Wooyoung is playing
all the games in this postseason.
ANALYST 2: Jung Wooyoung takes
the mound against a very difficult lineup.
ANALYST 1: It's a full count.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 1 : 2 KIWOOM
(clonks)
ANALYST 1: It's a walk!
Lee Yongkyu, the first hitter,
advances to first.
If your heart is wavering,
so will your pitches.
SANGHOON: This may sound harsh,
but if you do well in ten games,
but you do poorly in one single game,
you get criticized.
That's the world of professionals.
JUNG WOOYOUNG
He played 144 great games.
JUNG WOOYOUNG
But he was judged based on
a few games he played poorly.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: Puig makes contact
and his bat cracks!
This ball travels through the infield!
(crowd roaring, clapping)
WOOYOUNG: That's true.
Bullpen pitchers can only
speak based on their results.
The process isn't important for us.
We only speak with results.
If the result is terrible,
regardless of the process,
you will get criticized.
That's just the nature of it.
ANALYST 2: Go Woosuk takes the mound.
He recorded a save in the first game.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 1 : 3 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: It's a hit to the left!
The third baserunner comes home!
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 1 : 4 KIWOOM
Another run toward victory!
The Kiwoom Heroes
make the score four to one!
Kiwoom is getting closer
to Incheon step by step.
Their game wasn't
about each player doing well.
The overall power of the team
becomes a crucial factor
when it comes to big games.
That's what I had in mind watching them.
TOP OF THE NINTH
LG 1 : 4 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: He swings
at the high pitch! It's a strikeout!
In the past in 2014 and 2019,
and now in 2022!
The Kiwoom Heroes set off
on their third attempt
at winning the Series!
ANALYST 2: The Kiwoom Heroes
make miracles come true.
This is a painful loss by the LG Twins.
From where they're standing,
this is a shocking loss.
ANALYST 1: That's right.
THE KIWOOM HEROES
ADVANCE TO THE KOREAN SERIES
PLAYER: Good work, everyone.
-Good job.
-Safe travels home.
-Good job.
-Great work.
(fans clamoring)
JIHYUN: We had our trust...
(hums)
...mostly in our bullpen pitchers.
But they allowed the game
to be turned around.
I believe that is what caused
us to lose today as well.
The Kiwoom players
are receiving a lot of energy
thanks to all the support from the fans.
We will go to the Korean Series
and show our fans our best
to repay all your support.
FANS (singing):
♪ Let's wipe our faces today ♪
♪ Let's all cheer and shout ♪
Kiwoom Heroes, let's go!
♪ Fill the cup ♪
During the postseason,
the number of Kiwoom fans
grew exponentially.
There are so many people
who were charmed by Kiwoom's baseball.
People around me, even those
who didn't know much about baseball,
were amazed with Kiwoom.
JUNGHOO: In a season
when no one expected us to do well,
we performed well and made it here.
That's what makes it more meaningful.
Even if we don't win the Series,
I believe all our players
will still smile after the game
and tell one another
that they did a good job.
That's how I feel about our team morale.
It's really like a movie.
Scream!
(energetic yells)
Raise the flag.
Raise the flag.
FANS (singing):
♪ Raise the flag in the clear blue sky ♪
Heroes!
♪ In the clear blue sky of Seoul ♪
♪ Raise the flag of the Heroes ♪
♪ In the clear blue sky of Seoul ♪
♪ Raise the flag of the Heroes ♪
WELCOME TO INCHEON SSG LANDERS FIELD
KOREAN SERIES GAME 1
KIWOOM HEROES VS SSG LANDERS
After we lost,
we told Manager Kim Wonhyong...
(sniffles)
...that they shouldn't take Kiwoom lightly.
HOJUN: I told him that their team
is rock solid and more united than ever.
That's what I told him.
Even from the outside,
you can see how solid their team was.
(suspenseful music)
Hello.
Hello.
(suspenseful music intensifies)
ANALYST 1: Game 1 of the Korean Series
between the Kiwoom Heroes
and the SSG Landers.
Our starter is An Woojin.
Kim Kwanghyun
will be the starter for Game 1 tomorrow.
ANALYST 2: The best right-handed pitcher
and the best southpaw are meeting today.
He's a difficult pitcher to face.
WONKI: We had to come up with a new plan.
ANALYST 3: Kim Kwanghyun
comes down from the mound.
GWANGHYEON: I was nervous.
I thought it was important
to prevent them from gaining momentum.
SEONWOO: I'm sure everyone thinks
that the winner of Game 5
will win the Series.
SEYOUNG: SSG played Kim Kwanghyun.
No one expected that from Kiwoom.
REFEREE: Woojin,
let me look at your fingers.
UNEXPECTED MOMENTS
THAT THREATEN THE JOURNEY TO VICTORY
ANALYST: It goes over the left wall!
-Kwanghyun!
-Here comes the ace.
(yelling and clapping)
NEXT EPISODE
TO VICTORY
(bat clacks)
ANALYST 1: This game...
BOTTOM OF THE TENTH
NEXEN 10 : 10 SK
...is starting anew
at the bottom of the tenth.
ANALYST 2: It's a full count.
ANALYST 1: And he throws his eighth pitch.
He hits it to the center!
ANALYST 2: It's a goner.
ANALYST 1: This ball travels far
and is headed to Jamsil!
(in English)
Goodbye! Goodbye! Goodbye!
(crowd cheering)
Han Dongmin says goodbye
to the Nexen Heroes!
ANALYST 3: Doosan finishes
this miraculous journey
of the 2019 postseason with their victory!
ANALYST 4: The LG Twins
makes it to the semi-playoffs
two years in a row!
ANALYST 5: This is how the game ends.
Doosan takes the win
with a score of 16 to 8.
I didn't want to forget
that sadness I felt.
I told my team we can train
and challenge ourselves again.
They look like they can make it,
but they always slip at the end.
The moment you think the Kiwoom Heroes
can finally win the Series,
that's when they lose it.
ANALYST 1: The Heroes of Kiwoom
secure their first win
in the semi-playoffs.
ANALYST 2: Game 2 of the semi-playoffs
between Kiwoom Heroes and KT Wiz.
The KT Wiz wins Game 2.
ANALYST 3: Two wins and a loss.
Kiwoom takes the lead with a win.
ANALYST 4: The KT Wiz
takes the series to Game 5!
2022 SEMI-PLAYOFFS WINS
KIWOOM 2 : 2 KT
REPORTER: In Game 4 of the semi-playoffs,
the KT Wiz takes the win to tie the score.
Tomorrow's Game 5 will decide
who makes it to the playoffs.
EP. 09
THE SEASON OF CRISIS
They say that the players get worn out
much faster during the postseason,
about two or three times faster
than during the regular season.
And Kiwoom and KT
played the semi-playoffs until Game 5.
ANALYST 1: Kiwoom was leading the series
and KT caught up in Game 2.
And Kiwoom run ahead once again,
and KT tied the series again.
That's how the series has been going.
ANALYST 2: That's right.
The postseason system makes the players
feel much more pressure
when it gets to Game 5 like this.
Both teams wanted to avoid Game 5,
but it's inevitable now.
ANALYST 1: That's right.
(crowd yelling, cheering)
ANALYST 1: Swing, and the game is over!
(crowd roaring)
The Kiwoom Heroes will go to Jamsil!
SEONGHO: The Kiwoom Heroes performed great
during the postseason
these past few years.
But they were always
climbing up from the bottom.
Because they were using
all their power to catch up,
they end up without any strength left.
That's why it's harder
for the teams that start from the bottom.
See you at Jamsil.
KIM JAEWOONG
KIWOOM HEROES PITCHER
YONGTAIK: The fact that Kiwoom
beat KT in the semi-playoffs
and advanced to the playoffs
was very unexpected.
The LG Twins wanted
the semi-playoff teams to play to Game 5.
It didn't matter who it was,
as long as they play
to Game 5 and move up.
And it was the best-case scenario
for the LG Twins.
For the LG Twins,
because the Kiwoom Heroes
played until Game 5,
I'm sure they are all smiles.
-HOST 1: You're probably right.
-Right.
They haven't played in 13 days,
so they have to train again.
-HOST 1: That's quite obvious, right?
-HOST 2: Right.
HOST 1: When you are progressing
through a season,
sometimes the most obvious thing
is the most important.
HOST 2: Of course.
SEONGHO: Of course,
they might have lost their touch a bit
from the 13-day rest period.
But the LG Twins have the perfect bullpen.
It's utter perfection.
It's difficult to point out a flaw.
REPORTER: The impenetrable bullpen
of the LG Twins
has made history
by recording 100 holds in a single season.
When Jung Wooyoung takes the mound,
the hitters think,
"This is going to be difficult."
ANALYST 1: Two runners on first
and second, with Park Kunwoo in the box.
ANALYST 1: It's a fastball!
It's in the zone!
Jung Wooyoung sends Park Kunwoo back
and escapes the jam.
ANALYST 2: That sinking fastball
Jung Wooyoung threw just now.
-It's an impossible pitch to hit.
-ANALYST 1: Indeed.
ANALYST 2: No one can hit that.
DONGHYUN: Jung Wooyoung will go scoreless
in the eighth no matter what.
And in the ninth, they have
the king of saves, Go Woosuk.
NO. 19, GO WOOSUK
LG TWINS PITCHER
REPORTER 1: The closer
for the LG Twins, Go Woosuk,
beat the best save record of the team,
recording 40 saves.
REPORTER 2: Yi Jungyong, who took
the mound on behalf of Go Woosuk,
achieved his first save
with his perfect pitches.
The LG Twins' pride, the relievers and
the closers, came out and did their job.
I felt like we were moving
together in unison.
In order to win the game,
they didn't hold back
and threw with full force.
That's why I think
our pitchers are so strong.
I can say these things with confidence
because we have such great pitchers.
I've been imagining myself
taking the mound in the Korean Series
in a crucial moment of the game.
I still imagine it,
and I've been preparing for it.
I really hope that
the postseason starts soon.
DONGHYUN: The LG Twins had a great roster.
And the Kiwoom Heroes
were already worn out,
having played five games against KT.
All the experts expected
the LG Twins to advance.
JAMSIL BASEBALL STADIUM
PLAYOFFS GAME 1
ANALYST 1: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,
to the very first game of the playoffs.
Today's game will be held
at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.
The Kiwoom Heroes continues
to fight passionately in the postseason.
WONKI: This season, we had a lot
of trouble against the LG Twins.
Both pitchers and hitters
were strategically ahead of us.
And they had many great players.
It was one of the teams
we were overwhelmed by.
Many people expected
that the LG Twins would win the playoffs.
INTERVIEWER: How would you rate the roster
of the Kiwoom Heroes as a baseball fan?
I think the LG Twins will have
the upper hand in Game 1.
YOUNGROK:
Their pitchers are just so strong.
And the lineup is well-balanced.
I think LG will win three to zero.
It's 100%. There's no doubt LG will win.
KYUDAE: You won't know the results
until the ninth inning is over.
Looking at the pitchers,
people say that LG has the upper hand.
I'm sure they'll do well
and overcome this.
Because they are the Heroes.
ANALYST 1: Winning the first game
is crucial for both teams.
When we look at the past playoffs,
the teams that won the first game
had a higher chance of advancing.
They have an 80.6% chance to advance.
We can say that it's highly likely.
Many said that the LG Twins will have
a slight upper hand in the closer battle.
Who will be the winner
of Game 1 of the playoffs??
The game begins now.
PUIG
TOP OF THE SECOND
KIWOOM 0 : 0 LG
It's a hard-hit ball to the left!
It lands in front of the left fielder.
JIYOUNG: The regular season
is a separate matter.
The big games of the postseason
are a whole new season.
ANALYST 1: He hits the second pitch.
It penetrates through the center.
In front of the center fielder.
JIYOUNG: Even if you are a great pitcher,
you may end up throwing poorly
in those big games.
I thought we had a chance to win.
ANALYST 1: He pops up
the curveball! It goes to the left!
To the left wall!
But it's a foul.
(analyst 2 exclaims)
ANALYST 2: The ball shouldn't
have come in that high,
so that pitch was a mistake.
ANALYST 1: Yes. However, this mistake
led to a foul in the end.
ANALYST 1: Center left.
The center fielder calls the catch.
There was a jam, but the LG Twins
manage to stay scoreless.
Kelly manages to overcome his own jam.
(crowd roaring)
ANALYST 1: He hits
the second pitch to the center!
He waits and fields the ball!
He steps on the base
and throws it to first!
-He misses the throw to first!
-(crowd roars)
He goes for home from third!
First point. He comes home!
Kiwoom's infielders are shaken up!
The LG Twins score
the first run of the game.
The score is one to zero.
The LG Twins secure
the first run of the game.
Kiwoom seemed exhausted.
They showed defense that lacked focus
and began to make errors.
BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
KIWOOM 0 : 2 LG
ANALYST 1: The ball pops up high.
Both the shortstop
and the center fielder track the ball.
But he drops the ball!
He misses the catch!
(crowd screaming)
One runner, and two runners!
They come home!
Two more runs for LG!
YONGTAIK: The overall
team spirit was down.
Even before the playoffs,
the LG Twins were thought
to be the stronger team.
ANALYST 1: The first baseman fields it
and throws it home!
But the ball doesn't make it.
And the LG Twins score another run!
ANALYST 1: It's a bunt!
The ball goes to first!
But it's not an out!
The runner is safe on first!
ANALYST 2: Kiwoom's defense
isn't working out as they want.
Another disappointing defense.
It was LG's game.
ANALYST 2: The LG Twins
picks Jung Wooyoung to take the mound.
TOP OF THE EIGHTH
KIWOOM 3 : 6 LG
TAEJIN: Jung Wooyoung is tall,
so he has long arms and legs.
His release point
feels closer than that of other pitchers.
On top of that,
he doesn't throw simple fastballs.
He throws a lot of two-seams.
He's one of the pitchers
many hitters have difficulty facing.
ANALYST 1: The game started
with the pitcher with the most wins.
But now we have
the pitcher with the most holds.
Jung Wooyoung faces Puig.
ANALYST 2: This fight is interesting
because the pitcher
is great at forcing ground balls,
while the hitter
is great at hitting home runs.
-ANALYST 1: That's right.
-ANALYST 2: Yes.
Jung Wooyoung versus Puig.
(crowd chanting)
ANALYST 2: It's a full count.
Let's see what happens.
He hits the final pitch
into a ground ball.
Shortstop Oh Jihwan fields the ball!
He throws it to first base,
and it connects!
That pitch becomes an out
for the Kiwoom Heroes!
ANALYST 1: The LG Twins played
the pitcher with the most wins,
the pitcher with the most holds,
and now, the pitcher with the most saves.
Go Woosuk takes the mound.
(fans cheering)
GO WOOSUK
JINSUNG: In Woosuk's case,
he's no doubt the best closer in Korea
when you watch him play.
If you look at him training as well,
he's always so serious.
You're bound to become a good player
if you take your training seriously.
NO. 19, GO WOOSUK
2002 MOST SAVES
ANALYST 1: Kiwoom plays Im Jiyeol.
I'm sure you remember him.
He hit a homer previously
during the semi-playoffs.
TOP OF THE NINTH
KIWOOM 3 : 6 LG
(crowd chanting)
The count is two and two. Go Woosuk is up.
It's an outside pitch!
He swings and strikes out!
The LG Twins, who were waiting for today,
shake up the Heroes in Game 1!
The LG Twins manage to win the first game.
PLAYOFFS WINS
KIWOOM 0 : 1 LG
DONGHYUN: Game 1 was immaculate.
The timing of playing relievers
and the closer was perfect.
They made it seem like
winning that game was easy.
REPORTER: The LG Twins winning Game 1
of the playoffs has not happened
since you hit an RBI in 2002,
-which was 20 years ago.
-What?
It's been a long time since you've won.
It must feel more special now.
How do you feel?
I wasn't aware of that fact.
But since 2002,
I know that our fans have been wishing
for a ticket to the Korean Series.
JIHYUN: We are training
and preparing passionately.
We will do the best we can.
(fans singing)
YONGTAIK: That first game
really made it seem
like the LG Twins had momentum.
I thought, "For these playoffs,
Kiwoom is no match for LG."
Come here.
We can win this.
We got this.
PLAYERS WAITING ROOM
JUNGHOO: Let's win tomorrow.
We can win this.
-We have a chance.
-PLAYER: Tomorrow.
JUNGHOO: We can win if I do better.
-Right?
-Of course.
JUNGHOO: We definitely have a chance.
-Right?
-JUNGHOO: LG's got nothing.
(crowd cheering in distance)
ANALYST 1: We can see that fall
has arrived in Jamsil Baseball Stadium
while Kiwoom is aiming for a win
and the LG Twins
tries to maintain its lead.
Game 2 between these two teams...
SEONGHO: If the team that had
to work its way up loses Game 1,
the series usually ends with its loss
with a score of three to one.
That's just how things usually go
during the postseason.
SANGHOON: I thought that they may feel
a bit down after losing yesterday's game.
I was surprised
when I saw the Kiwoom players.
It's not that they were relaxed.
But they had casually come
to play another game.
(whistle blowing in distance)
It's like this. There were small errors,
but they faced them head-on.
PLAYOFFS GAME 2
KIWOOM HEROES VS LG TWINS
ANALYST 1: He hits the first pitch!
And it penetrates through the center.
FANS: Lee Yongkyu. Lee Yongkyu.
YONGKYU: This season, I didn't make
any contribution to the team.
Things were really tough for me.
ANALYST 1: He hits the curveball.
It goes between first and second base.
And Lee Yongkyu goes for third base.
And he advances to third!
(whistles blowing)
YONGKYU: In Game 1 with LG,
I wasn't in the starting lineup.
But thankfully,
I was in the starting lineup for Game 2.
There was one thing on my mind.
I wanted to play differently
from the regular season.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: Lee Yongkyu attempts
to steal, but goes back.
(analyst chuckles)
ANALYST 2: Lee Yongkyu
is pressuring him even from the base.
These little things can mess up
the mentality of the pitchers.
ANALYST 1: That's right.
Kiwoom was worn out.
The LG Twins had a good rest.
Everyone knows that fact.
But when they start playing,
they felt that they had a chance.
ANALYST 1: It's tense
between the hitter and the pitcher.
Will he swing at the first pitch?
He makes contact!
A hit that flies to the center-right!
Two runners come home!
Kiwoom adds two runs to their score!
(crowd cheering)
HYESEONG: I had made all the errors
in Game 1 for this series.
That's why I thought we
could keep winning starting with Game 2
if I didn't make any mistakes.
That helped boost my confidence.
TOP OF THE SECOND
KIWOOM 5 : 0 LG
ANALYST 1: He makes contact!
It goes to the 5-6 hole!
Lee Junghoo passes third base.
But he doesn't choose to come home.
The hitter advances to second!
He's going for home now!
And the runner comes home!
The Kiwoom Heroes score another run!
28 YEARS OF WAITING!
The score is six to zero.
(fans cheering, singing)
-ANALYST 1: They are changing pitchers.
-ANALYST 2: They are.
(applause)
PLUTKO
SEONGHO: They lost Game 1,
but how did they...
I don't know how to explain it in words.
BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
KIWOOM 7 : 6 LG
ANALYST 1: The ball goes
to the second baseman!
Out on second. Now to first!
It's a double play!
The game is over!
The Heroes of Kiwoom
manage to tie the series!
The current score is one to one!
Confidence? Yes.
We knew that we all played well,
and that's how we made it this far.
When young players
win those types of games,
their fear turns into confidence.
When that happens,
that synergy is explosive.
GOCHEOK SKY DOME
PLAYOFFS GAME 3
LG TWINS VS KIWOOM HEROES
(upbeat music)
ANALYST 1: We're coming into Game 3
with the score being one to one.
This is an extremely important game.
That's right.
The team that wins today's game
will only have one game to win
in order to advance to the Korean Series.
YONGTAIK: Game 3 is more important
than any other game in the series.
Both teams are playing
their best Korean starters.
Today, Kim Yunsik and An Woojin
will be taking the mound.
From Game 1 and Game 2,
we have extracted and analyzed
our strengths and weaknesses
from those two games.
And we will try to overcome
those weaknesses.
REPORTER: I heard you will be playing
at full force even stronger today.
We don't have a stronger full force.
It's just always full force for us.
For us to have a stronger team spirit
and a better chance to advance,
today's game is absolutely important.
When I looked at Kiwoom, it seemed
like they weren't pressured at all
and completely relaxed because they
were proud they had made it this far.
YONGTAIK: The players were
just having fun playing baseball
in the postseason.
That's the feeling I got from them.
Actually, even in the semi-playoffs,
this aspect of their team
is what makes the Kiwoom Heroes strong.
ANALYST 1: Before the season began,
I don't think I saw any experts
who expected Kiwoom Heroes
to make it to the top five.
ANALYST 2: Me neither.
I don't think I did either.
-ANALYST 1: But...
-ANALYST 2: And you know, Lee Junghoo,
who is on the screen right now,
gave an angry interview because of it.
For the past ten years, Kiwoom played
the most postseasons out of all the teams.
But no experts predicted their win.
So they were upset.
-And they ended up proving themselves.
-ANALYST 1: Right.
And there are two key players
who led the team to the postseason.
Hitter Lee Junghoo.
And today's starting pitcher,
who is taking the mound
for the third time this postseason,
the best pitcher in the KBO, An Woojin.
It was decided that Woojin
will take the mound in Game 3.
If we went to Gocheok Stadium
with an even score,
I thought we would have a chance
with Woojin taking the mound.
TOP OF THE SECOND
LG 0 : 0 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: The ball flies
to the center-right!
Right fielder Puig!
He fails to catch the ball.
Oh Jihwan makes it to second base easily.
Kiwoom failed to convert their chance
in the bottom of the first.
And they are in a jam now.
Moon Bogyeong with a bunt,
but it's a fake bunt!
And...
It penetrates through the 5-6 hole!
Oh Jihwan passes third base.
And the LG Twins score
the first run of Game 3.
Moon Bogyeong's RBI!
The LG Twins take the lead with this run.
They say An Woojin is hard to beat.
But they managed
to score a run against him.
(crowd chanting and clapping)
WOOJIN: I think I played the game
on a four-day turnaround.
A turnaround of four days
versus five days is a huge difference.
Your overall body state,
the state of my hand,
exhaustion, and my condition.
They're all different.
It wasn't my hand that day,
but the overall condition of my body.
I wasn't feeling too great that day.
TOP OF THE THIRD
LG 1 : 0 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: An Woojin is throwing
his 50th pitch against Chae Eunseong.
To the left!
It's a goner!
Chae Eunseong's solo homer!
(crowd cheering)
Chae Eunseong seemed like
he knew where the pitch was.
It was like he was waiting for it
with a perfect hit.
A homer for him.
The score is two to zero.
The LG Twins are in the lead.
CHAE EUNSEONG
DONGHYUN: In the case of the LG Twins,
An Woojin throws
the fastest pitches in the league,
so they thoroughly prepared
against that specifically.
INTERVIEWER: Kim Yunsik played against
An Woojin as the pitcher that game.
-He pitched better than Woojin, right?
-That's right.
DONGHYUN: Kim Yunsik
seemed like the type of pitcher
that became good
in a short period of time.
He was nuts.
That's how well-prepared
he was for that game.
Also, he analyzes what he lacks
during the season
to make quick improvements.
And that drove his confidence
and changed him as a player.
It's been two years
since I've been a manager,
but all the plans
we come up with never work.
Games rarely go according to plan.
-ANALYST 1: This is it for Kim Yunsik.
-ANALYST 2: Right, he's coming down.
ANALYST 1: He pitched 5.2 innings.
He allowed three hits,
but he went scoreless.
Kim Yunsik took the mound
for the first time in the postseason
and manages
to perfectly wrap up the innings.
LG's next pitcher is Jin Haesoo.
A runner on third with two outs.
Jin Haesoo will now face Lee Junghoo.
(indistinct muttering)
UMPIRE: What?
-I was hit.
-Okay.
ANALYST 1: The umpire acknowledges it.
It's a hit-by-pitch.
Kim Hyeseong is playing his role well
as the number-four hitter of Kiwoom.
When the runners were on first and third,
he made good contact during the season.
He makes contact to the right!
It's a hit!
Third baserunner Song Sungmun comes home.
Lee Junghoo stops at third.
The score is two to one!
The Kiwoom Heroes
begins to chase them down!
(phone rings)
Hello? Sure.
-Let's go.
-Let's go!
Come on!
In the postseason,
the best pitchers of the team continue
to take the mound until the game ends.
All the good relief pitchers
and closers come out.
ANALYST 2: Usually, Jung Wooyoung
would take the mound in the eighth
and play the role
as the primary setup man.
But in the most important
and the most dangerous situation,
LG decides to play Jung Wooyoung.
ANALYST 1: In Game 1, Game 2,
and even in Game 3,
Jung Wooyoung
takes the mound with Puig in the box.
Jung Wooyoung's first pitch
was a bit low. Ball one.
This is Jung Wooyoung's two-seam
versus Puig's power.
It goes to third base.
The third baseman catches it,
but he's too late!
The score is two to two. It's a tie!
Puig hits a slow groundball to third base.
And Lee Junghoo comes home.
This game begins anew
in the bottom of the sixth!
LEE JUNGHOO
In the box is Kim Taejin.
TAEJIN: The first pitch
was almost a brushback.
But it was an inside pitch and a strike.
That's why I thought
since he pitched one inside,
I was certain that he
would pitch a two-seam.
ANALYST 1: He pushes the ball out!
Kim Taejin's RBI puts Kiwoom in the lead!
All the players of Kiwoom
are doing so great.
(crowd cheering)
Against Jung Wooyoung,
the primary setup man
that the LG Twins are most proud of,
Kim Taejin records an RBI
which turns the game around.
The score is three to two.
The Kiwoom Heroes take the lead.
LG
KIWOOM
(phone rings)
Hello? Okay.
-You're going out now.
-Yes, sir.
ANALYST 1: LG is on offense
at the top of the seventh.
Kiwoom's second pitcher after An Woojin,
Lee Seungho, takes the mound.
LG's first hitter in the seventh,
Seo Geonchang, records a hit.
(crowd cheering)
(phone rings)
Right away? Okay.
Kim Donghyeok, let's go.
Hurry.
JEONGBAE: If his pitch
slows down, you're up.
PLAYERS (clapping): Good luck!
ANALYST 1: Manager Hong Wonki's
decision in a jam is Kim Donghyeok.
(crowd chanting)
The count is two and two.
He makes contact!
The ball goes near second base.
The third baserunner comes home.
The score is three to three.
The game that started over
in the bottom of the sixth.
The game that Kiwoom thought
they had turned around.
However, LG takes the game
back to square one in the seventh.
DONGHYUN: Kiwoom was in a state
where they could've taken the momentum.
But suddenly, they were unstable.
ANALYST 1: He fields the ball.
Kim Donghyeok tags him out.
He's out.
While that's happening,
the third baserunner comes home.
The LG Twins manages to convert
all their chances in this inning
and take the lead, four to three.
They turn the game around!
From that point on,
it's a battle of the dugouts.
The manager's decision in the dugout.
You can see everything
that's going on in the bullpen.
JIYEOL: On the screen, you can see
the other team's bullpen as well.
And I saw that Yi Jungyong
was warming up for the game.
(phone rings)
All right.
-Jungyong, are you ready?
-JUNGYONG: Yes, sir.
Yes. All right.
Let's go.
Good luck!
YI JUNGYONG
ANALYST 1: The LG Twins bullpen had
the lowest average ERA of all the teams
in the 2022 season.
Yi Jungyong comes to take
the mound from the bullpen.
Next up is Lee Yongkyu,
but Kiwoom decides
to play the pinch hitter Im Jiyeol.
ANALYST 2: After the pitcher
was switched out,
both teams are making so many adjustments.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH, TWO OUTS
LG 4 : 3 KIWOOM
SANGHOON: In the postseason,
they need to become so insane
that the opposing team, their fans,
their bench, and their front office
must start to hate them.
ANALYST 1: He hits
the first pitch with confidence!
It goes behind the center fielder!
And it's gone!
Im Jiyeol!
I think we have finally found
the man of the fall today!
Im Jiyeol turns the game around
with that homer.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 4 : 5 KIWOOM
(crowd cheering)
SUNGMUN: I was in the bathroom.
But I heard the crowd
and my team cheering.
So I went outside, and it was a homer.
I lost my voice after the game that day.
IM JIYEOL
(crowd roaring)
JIYEOL: My body just reacted.
It was a reflex.
I trusted my eyes and hands.
JUNGHOO: Because he throws good fastballs,
I thought it'd be wise
to time hits against the fastball.
And because Junghoo was after me,
he said the pitcher would face me head-on
instead of pitching around.
JIYEOL: That's the same thing
I had in mind.
But with that, I became more certain.
With all the home fans there,
I couldn't believe what I did.
I think that was the best day...
(sharp inhale)
...of my entire baseball career.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 4 : 5 KIWOOM
ANALYST 2: Instead of playing
Lee Yongkyu, they played Im Jiyeol.
The bench wanted an extra-base hit.
(analyst 2 groans)
But Im Jiyeol really showed them
what it meant to overdo it.
ANALYST 1: I repeatedly said
that the LG Twins have a strong bullpen.
It goes to the right! That ball also...
It goes over the wall!
(crowd roaring)
Who is this player?
He's the best hitter in Korea,
Lee Junghoo.
After the ball was thrown, I saw Junghoo.
He made contact and hit a home run again.
SUNGMUN: That's when I lost my voice.
I should've rested before shouting.
But I had to shout thanks
to Jiyeol's home run
and the second home run.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: Kiwoom manages to widen the gap
even more with a score of six to four.
-Yi Jungyong has only thrown two pitches.
-ANALYST 2: Exactly.
LEE JUNGHOO
JUNGHOO: In order to take
the energy away from the enemy team,
we need our fans' support.
The crowd's cheering helps
raise the team spirit.
(crowd cheering)
WONKI: Watching the fans cheer
for us even louder than LG,
that moment was
very touching and memorable.
It was amazing. We were playing baseball
in the same stadium.
SUNGMUN: But still,
my teammates looked so amazing.
(crowd chanting)
ANALYST 1: Now, LG has two regular innings
of offense left. The eighth and the ninth.
It's a sharp ball!
This ball bounces off the wall!
(crowd cheering)
Although they allowed Kiwoom
to take the lead in the seventh,
LG is preparing a counterattack
in the eighth inning.
The fifth hitter, Oh Jihwan.
He pushes it out to the left! It's a hit!
ANALYST 2: I don't think we can make
any guesses regarding today's game.
-ANALYST 1: Agreed.
-ANALYST 2: Right.
(phone rings)
Hello?
All right.
Youngjun, stop.
-Jaewoong, your next.
-JAEWOONG: Yes, sir.
-You can do it.
-Let's go!
-Come on!
-Put your back into it!
ANALYST 1:
This is the battle of the bullpens.
But neither is yielding great results.
The battle continues.
ANALYST 2: They're playing him already.
-ANALYST 1: They are playing Kim Jaewoong.
-ANALYST 2: That's right.
INTERVIEWER: You can say Kim Jaewoong
is a different type of closer.
He's very different.
First of all, he's very short.
Despite being short, his release point...
When I catch his pitch,
I think, "Why did the hitter miss this?"
But when I go against his pitches
during training,
his command is better than I expected,
and his pitches pop up easily.
That's when I realized
he's a great pitcher.
ANALYST 1: They're saying
they cannot lose this.
-ANALYST 2: That's right.
-ANALYST 1: If they lose the lead,
the result of this series
will become unclear.
This is Hong Wonki's decision.
I wonder what result this will yield.
-This is interesting.
-ANALYST 2: That's right.
ANALYST 1: Moon Bogyeong,
who was the last hitter of Game 2.
Then, his hit resulted in a double play.
ANALYST 2: But right now, the runners
are on first and second with no outs.
-Any type of strategy can be played here.
-ANALYST 1: Right.
Closer Kim Jaewoong takes the mound
in the eighth inning
in a no-outs situation
to pitch out six hitters.
TOP OF THE EIGHTH
LG 4 : 6 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: Kim Jaewoong's first pitch
against Moon Bogyeong.
A bunt! But it's a foul.
Moon Bogyeong doesn't have
much experience with sacrifice bunts
from when he was a student
and even now as a professional player.
If the hitter had more experience,
the hitter would've withdrawn
his bat as it was a ball.
(suspenseful drum beats)
ANALYST 2: These small things pile up
and might lead to situations
-that influence the game's results.
-ANALYST 1: Right.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: It pops up a bit.
(analyst 1 gasps in awe)
And to second base! It's a double play!
Jaewoong dove for the ball,
but at first, I couldn't see
whether he had caught the ball or not.
I was busy getting ready for a poor throw.
But his throw was straight-on.
I'm sure you know
Jaewoong's fastballs are quite famous
in the KBO League.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: Wow.
-Kim Jaewoong is amazing.
-ANALYST 2: That was just...
Even outfielders wouldn't be able
to make that catch.
(analyst chuckles)
JAEWOONG: I didn't
really think of what to do.
My body just went
for the dive in the moment.
I got pretty lucky
because my body reacted.
I caught the ball and turned to second,
and he was pretty far from the plate.
And this one was quite lucky too.
I just chucked the ball quickly,
but it was fast and accurate.
And it became a double.
JIYOUNG: He suddenly flew for some reason.
I was amused to see
a little chubby guy flying for the ball.
That's when the momentum just shifted.
His play really changed
things up in the dugout.
It raised our team spirit.
ANALYST 2: We can see why
the Kiwoom Heroes chose this player
to be their closer.
-ANALYST 1: Look at how amazing he was.
-ANALYST 2: Just this play.
This play proved how good he is.
Flying pig?
He was more like a flying gummy bear.
TOP OF THE NINTH
LG 4 : 6 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: It's a hard-hit ball.
Kim Wheejip fields it.
He throws it to second for the out!
The Kiwoom Heroes win
the most important game
they had to win
to advance to the Korean Series.
Kiwoom only has one win left
before they advance.
PLAYOFFS WINS
KIWOOM 2 : 1 LG
Through today's game, I realized
how amazing Kiwoom was as a team.
The LG Twins fans have been dreaming
of going to the Korean Series
for 20 years.
But the series isn't
in their favor right now.
ANALYST 2: The LG Twins
are on the verge of elimination.
In the stadium, I could tell
that Kiwoom had this great confidence.
They knew they could win.
They knew that day was the last.
They were going to end it.
PLAYOFFS GAME 4
LG TWINS VS KIWOOM HEROES
ANALYST 1: Puig's hit pops up very high!
To the center!
It's over the wall!
(crowd cheering)
Puig's home run turns the game around!
BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
LG 1 : 2 KIWOOM
PUIG
TOP OF THE FIFTH
LG 1 : 2 KIWOOM
Second baseman Kim Hyeseong.
He throws to first!
ANALYST 2: He asked for an instant replay.
ANALYST 1: The call is overturned.
It's not an infield hit, but a second out.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: He goes to second.
And he's safe!
Lee Jiyoung steals the base.
He goes into scoring position
without anyone's help.
(crowd cheering)
Jung Wooyoung.
ANALYST 1: Jung Wooyoung is playing
all the games in this postseason.
ANALYST 2: Jung Wooyoung takes
the mound against a very difficult lineup.
ANALYST 1: It's a full count.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 1 : 2 KIWOOM
(clonks)
ANALYST 1: It's a walk!
Lee Yongkyu, the first hitter,
advances to first.
If your heart is wavering,
so will your pitches.
SANGHOON: This may sound harsh,
but if you do well in ten games,
but you do poorly in one single game,
you get criticized.
That's the world of professionals.
JUNG WOOYOUNG
He played 144 great games.
JUNG WOOYOUNG
But he was judged based on
a few games he played poorly.
(crowd cheering)
ANALYST 1: Puig makes contact
and his bat cracks!
This ball travels through the infield!
(crowd roaring, clapping)
WOOYOUNG: That's true.
Bullpen pitchers can only
speak based on their results.
The process isn't important for us.
We only speak with results.
If the result is terrible,
regardless of the process,
you will get criticized.
That's just the nature of it.
ANALYST 2: Go Woosuk takes the mound.
He recorded a save in the first game.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 1 : 3 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: It's a hit to the left!
The third baserunner comes home!
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
LG 1 : 4 KIWOOM
Another run toward victory!
The Kiwoom Heroes
make the score four to one!
Kiwoom is getting closer
to Incheon step by step.
Their game wasn't
about each player doing well.
The overall power of the team
becomes a crucial factor
when it comes to big games.
That's what I had in mind watching them.
TOP OF THE NINTH
LG 1 : 4 KIWOOM
ANALYST 1: He swings
at the high pitch! It's a strikeout!
In the past in 2014 and 2019,
and now in 2022!
The Kiwoom Heroes set off
on their third attempt
at winning the Series!
ANALYST 2: The Kiwoom Heroes
make miracles come true.
This is a painful loss by the LG Twins.
From where they're standing,
this is a shocking loss.
ANALYST 1: That's right.
THE KIWOOM HEROES
ADVANCE TO THE KOREAN SERIES
PLAYER: Good work, everyone.
-Good job.
-Safe travels home.
-Good job.
-Great work.
(fans clamoring)
JIHYUN: We had our trust...
(hums)
...mostly in our bullpen pitchers.
But they allowed the game
to be turned around.
I believe that is what caused
us to lose today as well.
The Kiwoom players
are receiving a lot of energy
thanks to all the support from the fans.
We will go to the Korean Series
and show our fans our best
to repay all your support.
FANS (singing):
♪ Let's wipe our faces today ♪
♪ Let's all cheer and shout ♪
Kiwoom Heroes, let's go!
♪ Fill the cup ♪
During the postseason,
the number of Kiwoom fans
grew exponentially.
There are so many people
who were charmed by Kiwoom's baseball.
People around me, even those
who didn't know much about baseball,
were amazed with Kiwoom.
JUNGHOO: In a season
when no one expected us to do well,
we performed well and made it here.
That's what makes it more meaningful.
Even if we don't win the Series,
I believe all our players
will still smile after the game
and tell one another
that they did a good job.
That's how I feel about our team morale.
It's really like a movie.
Scream!
(energetic yells)
Raise the flag.
Raise the flag.
FANS (singing):
♪ Raise the flag in the clear blue sky ♪
Heroes!
♪ In the clear blue sky of Seoul ♪
♪ Raise the flag of the Heroes ♪
♪ In the clear blue sky of Seoul ♪
♪ Raise the flag of the Heroes ♪
WELCOME TO INCHEON SSG LANDERS FIELD
KOREAN SERIES GAME 1
KIWOOM HEROES VS SSG LANDERS
After we lost,
we told Manager Kim Wonhyong...
(sniffles)
...that they shouldn't take Kiwoom lightly.
HOJUN: I told him that their team
is rock solid and more united than ever.
That's what I told him.
Even from the outside,
you can see how solid their team was.
(suspenseful music)
Hello.
Hello.
(suspenseful music intensifies)
ANALYST 1: Game 1 of the Korean Series
between the Kiwoom Heroes
and the SSG Landers.
Our starter is An Woojin.
Kim Kwanghyun
will be the starter for Game 1 tomorrow.
ANALYST 2: The best right-handed pitcher
and the best southpaw are meeting today.
He's a difficult pitcher to face.
WONKI: We had to come up with a new plan.
ANALYST 3: Kim Kwanghyun
comes down from the mound.
GWANGHYEON: I was nervous.
I thought it was important
to prevent them from gaining momentum.
SEONWOO: I'm sure everyone thinks
that the winner of Game 5
will win the Series.
SEYOUNG: SSG played Kim Kwanghyun.
No one expected that from Kiwoom.
REFEREE: Woojin,
let me look at your fingers.
UNEXPECTED MOMENTS
THAT THREATEN THE JOURNEY TO VICTORY
ANALYST: It goes over the left wall!
-Kwanghyun!
-Here comes the ace.
(yelling and clapping)
NEXT EPISODE
TO VICTORY