Major S6

America emerged victorious from the spring World Baseball Cup after a fierce, sixteen-inning game.

The World Cup players who played for the pride of our nation

have been greeted by the passionate cheers of fans as they returned to their major league training camps.

Can I have a word on that last hit at the World Cup?

I just see that grand slam as the first step into my new baseball career.

With the season starting soon,

are you confident in your skills?

My only goal is to keep improving.

What is Gibson's current status as a pitcher?

Will he be retiring?

His surgery was a success, but it will be a long time before he's fully recovered.

I don't think we'll see him back on the mound.

This retirement is happening right before the start of the season.

Isn't this quite a loss for the team?

Yes, it is.

However, he has had an amazing career in the Majors.

At the moment, I can only thank him for making so many dreams come true.

The World Cup has left us with quite a bit of drama, including the sudden retirement of pitcher Joe Gibson.

However, many people are wondering whether that game truly determined who is the best in the world.

There are many players who didn't play for their national teams in order to train for the major league season.

Now that they've been set loose, what sort of games will we see?

The major league season is right around the corner.

Hey, Watts!

Show us some great games again this year!

Thank you!

Show us what you've got, Mr. Hornets!

Mr. Watts.

You seem to be as popular as ever.

Could you comment on how the Hornets plan to respond to their fans' hope

that they'll win the championship after twenty-five years?

I'm a closer,

so I like us to have a big lead so I don't have to pitch.

However,

I personally think we have a great chance this year.

After all, we have some lively newcomers this year.

Are you referring to Mr. Keene, who'll be the starting catcher this year?

Or are you referring to leadoff hitter Mr. Roy, who's made himself quite a home as shortstop?

Or could you be referring to him?

Who knows?

I'll leave that up to your imagination.

To the Hornets training camp, please.

Hey, Keene!

You're practicing hard, as always.

I heard the super rookie's coming back today.

Yeah.

That's what I've heard.

You two were friends in the minors, right?

Well, do you think you can take my pitches once you're done warming up with him?

Rosario looks pumped to take on the rookie.

Nelson, Parker.

He must be a pretty good rookie to make our ace that serious.

For the sake of our team, I sure hope he lives up to his name.

When will you be pitching next?

I saw the World Cup.

You'll show off your amazing pitching in the majors next, right?

I'm looking forward to it.

Hey, we've been waiting for you, Mr. Shigeno!

I saw your wonderful pitching at the World Cup.

Oh, thanks.

Embarrassingly enough, I didn't know you played for our AAA Bats until my staff told me.

Boss, who is this old man?

Y-You idiot!

He's the owner!

He's the owner of the Indiana Hornets, Mr. Larry Lance.

That's all right.

Anyway, we're quite blessed to have someone like you working with us.

Your promotion to the Majors is pretty much set in stone after the World Cup results,

but we'll need to have you pitch a few exhibition games.

You seem to have rested well in Japan,

so you'll be ready in four days for our game against the New York Titans, right?

Yeah.

We have Watts as the closer, so you'll probably be pitching early,

but I'm sure you'll do fine with your stamina.

We expect great things from you.

Do your best, Mr. Shigeno.

Sure.

Shigeno, huh?

A true gem.

He can draw in the crowds with his performance, and we'll also gain a Japanese fan base.

Use him as much as possible right away.

Got it?

But Owner,

it's his first major league season.

We shouldn't be reckless and have him crumble under the pressure.

Hey, now, Mr. Stacy.

Isn't your coaching contract up for renewal this year?

Don't you need to show results, no matter how you do it?

Shigeno!

Shigeno!

Good luck!

Mr. Shigeno!

Do you have a moment?

May I have a few words with you?

I'd like to ask you about the World Cup and your plans for the future.

Yes, I'd like a few words as well.

I'm Tomita from Sunrise Sports.

I'm Morita from Weekly Major.

May I interview you after practice?

I'd love to hear your comments about the—

Shut up!

Interviews?

I have nothing to say about a game I lost!

Don't you have a sense of delivery?

No interviews! Goodbye!

Boy is he wild...

Though it's not like we didn't know that he hates interviews.

What did he mean by "delivery"?

He probably mistook it for "delicacy."

Damn them.

Making a fool out of me.

What the hell's their...

Hey, you're back.

Oh, you two!

Who are you again?

We're Roy and Dunstan!

We've been together since the Bats days.

Sorry about that.

Well, I've gotta say, you put on quite a show at the World Cup.

That face-off with Gibson Jr. gave me the shivers.

I heard the owner even came to personally welcome you.

Your success in the Majors is pretty much guaranteed.

You guys too?

Shut up!

All of you!

H-Hey, what's wrong with you?

Nothing, damn it!

What the hell...

I can't stand how everyone treats me here.

I performed well?

I pitched well?

You must be kidding!

Why isn't anyone yelling at me?!

They got a homer out of me!

I'm a losing pitcher!

Hey, losing pitcher!

Wh-What was that?!

Sanders!

Yo!

What a surprise!

You're here, old man?

I didn't see you in first half of the camp.

If you're still on the roster at this time of the year,

you'll definitely be selected for the majors—

No!

I'm not a player anymore.

I see...

You re-injured yourself when you were training in the off-season...

Yeah.

I'm just a bullpen catcher and personnel for the Hornets.

It's a fun job, actually.

I get paid to do something related to baseball, and I get to watch major league games all the time.

Living the dream, right?

In any event,

good job at the World Cup.

It's a shame that you lost in the end,

but you pitched pretty well against America.

It was commendable pitching.

Not that again.

I've had enough pity already.

Hey, what are you so grumpy about?

I'm not showing you pity.

I'm just telling the truth.

The truth?

Wanna know the truth?!

The truth is that I lost!

My record 103 mph pitch was hit for a walk-off grand slam!

Pitching against Gibson at the World Cup,

I lost my one and only predestined match!

And for a little while, I even considered quitting baseball.

But...

baseball is all I have.

Upon realizing that fact,

I came back here, mustering every ounce of conviction in me to start over again!

I don't want anyone showing me pity!

I see.

Then let me tell you a thing or two, you incompetent pitcher.

You considered quitting baseball?

Give me a break!

You've barely stepped into the Majors, so don't act like some veteran!

Your record 103 mph pitch?

Shut up!

If he hit your 103 mph,

then pitch at 105 or even 200 mph, you dumbass!

You think that's impossible?

I sure as hell don't.