Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 7

#6. I Won’t Be a Pitcher

Typically, rookie players selected through the annual draft sign contracts with their respective teams by the end of September.

Additionally, existing players on the team negotiate their salaries and renew their contracts from early December to the end of January of the following year. This period is commonly referred to as the off-season.

In the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], a professional baseball player’s contract period runs from February 1st to November 30th each year. For the two months from December 1st to January 31st, they are essentially unemployed.

Well, the reason I’m bringing this up is that today is the day I officially sign my contract with the team.

“Hey, I heard Han Su-hyeok is coming today?”

“Wow, that guy is really something. What kind of rookie only shows up on the day he’s supposed to sign his contract?”

“He doesn’t need to be desperate. Honestly, I’m jealous.”

“Tsk, he’s making the other guys feel deprived… Should I try to lay down the law when he gets here?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. You, an employee from the operations team, are going to mess with our team’s top prospect? You’ll be clearing out your desk right away.”

“…I’m just saying. Geez, you’re so sensitive.”

“Stop talking nonsense and pay attention. Can’t you see the manager, head coach, pitching coach, and hitting coach are all gathered in the conference room over there?”

“Yeah, why aren’t they waiting at the training field? Why come all the way here…”

“They’re trying to get Han Su-hyeok into their camp as soon as he arrives.”

“Hmm.”

“Oh, he’s here. It’s really Han Su-hyeok. It’s harder to see our own team’s player than it is to see a celebrity.”

“Wow… By the way, it looks like he’s gotten taller? Didn’t they say he was 192cm [approximately 6’3″]? Maybe it’s because his arms and legs are long? He looks even taller than that?”

“Yeah… And it looks like he’s put on more muscle too. Anyway, his physique is amazing.”

Come to think of it, this is my first time at the Warriors’ team office.

I finally set foot in the team office, which still feels unfamiliar, something that is technically mine but I can’t quite claim as my own yet.

“Hello. I’m Han Su-hyeok.”

“Oh! Han Su-hyeok. Welcome.”

“You’re here to sign the contract, right? The president, no, the team owner said he’ll be here in about 30 minutes.”

“Yes, I wanted to see the manager and coaches first.”

“Alright. They’re all waiting in that conference room over there.”

“I understand.”

“Hey, Han, could I possibly get a photo…”

“Hey! Are you serious right now? Go to the conference room first. You can take photos later.”

The front office staff pointed me toward the main conference room.

The manager and coaching staff, who haven’t found a proper solution and are barely clinging to their jobs, but are still unaware of their future, were waiting for me with eager eyes.

The reason they requested a meeting with me today was obvious.

They want to get me on their side, to somehow maintain their precarious positions.

Hmm, but what should I do?

“What? What did you just say, Han Su-hyeok? What did you say? You’re only going to play as a hitter this year?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I threw too much this year.”

“No, even so, you can’t just decide that…”

The manager’s mouth dropped open at my declaration that I would only play as a hitter during my first season.

And the head coach and pitching coach’s faces began to rapidly sour.

The one with the least patience was the pitching coach.

The person who had been eagerly waiting for me to join the team, the man who had planned to use me as a stepping stone to extend his own lifeline.

“Hey, Han Su-hyeok.”

“Yes.”

“You, you didn’t even discuss such an important issue with the team…”

“I did discuss it.”

“With whom? When?”

“With the team owner, on the day of the rookie draft. We agreed to include it as an official clause in the contract.”

“……”

At the mention of the team owner, everyone’s mouths closed as if on cue.

No matter how much power they wielded within the team, the existence of the team owner, who held their careers in his hands, was a force to be reckoned with.

Even if I was just a rookie in my mid-20s.

“No, even so… A guy who can throw 165km/h [approximately 102 mph] not pitching…”

“It’s not that I won’t pitch, it’s just that it’s difficult right now.”

“Hmm.”

At my cold attitude, which seemed impenetrable, the manager and coaches closed their mouths and began to strategize.

They were probably thinking about how to change my mind, or, more accurately, how to manipulate me to their liking.

The manager, who had no power due to being sidelined by the head coach and pitching coach factions, and who might be facing his last year, simply closed his eyes and ignored the situation.

He knew very well that there was no benefit to him in expressing his opinion here.

Eventually, it was the manager who spoke again.

“Um… Han, are you confident as a hitter?”

“Manager!”

“Hold on. Let’s hear him out first.”

“Yes, I’m confident.”

“What position do you want? You mainly played shortstop and outfielder in high school, right?”

“Those are the most comfortable, but… I don’t mind other positions. I can play catcher, but it seems like it would put a strain on my knees, so I’m not sure.”

“Hmm.”

With a face full of regret, the manager began to calculate something.

What he needed now was not a special pitcher who could improve the team’s performance, but Han Su-hyeok, a name that could extend his own lifeline.

He must not ruin his relationship with him.

Realizing that fact, the manager smiled broadly and said.

“Okay, then let’s start as a hitter for now.”

“I understand.”

“Manager!”

“Okay, Han Su-hyeok, you need to sign the contract with the team owner now, so let’s talk about the rest later. It’s not like today is the only day.”

“Haa…”

At the manager’s unilateral declaration, the coaches got up from their seats and left the room. That left only the manager and me in the conference room.

“Um… Han.”

“Yes?”

“You’re pretty close with the team owner, right?”

“Well… I guess? He’s a senior from my school, and he was also my agent…”

“Please put in a good word for me. Tell him how much I’m helping you with your baseball career, things like that.”

I gave a big smile to Manager Jeong Min-sik, who was desperately trying to gain favor.

“Yes, I’m planning to stop by the president’s office anyway, so I’ll be sure to mention it, Manager.”

“Really? Thank you! Trust me! I’ll clear away anything that gets in your way, Han!”

Hmm.

* * *

“Hyung [older brother or close male friend], is the new manager still not decided?”

“Yeah, I’m still in contact with the person you mentioned… But the conversation isn’t progressing and is just staying in the same place.”

“Hmm.”

“Can I be honest?”

“Go ahead.”

“I don’t think that person is really going to accept the manager position. Honestly, what would he be lacking that he would want to be a manager? He’s already reached the pinnacle in baseball.”

“It might seem that way. But he’ll eventually agree. Just put in a little more effort.”

“Haa… I don’t know. Is this really going to work? What would Park Jae-cheol gain from being the manager of the Seoul Warriors? I really don’t know.”

I had intended to cut off my involvement in team operations by handing over the blacklist, but I changed my mind a little.

To really focus solely on being a player, I need to make sure that the manager who will help Hyung run the team is properly selected.

And I know the person who is most suitable for that position.

Park Jae-cheol, the first Korean major leaguer and legendary pitcher with 140 career wins.

I offered him the Warriors’ manager position, even though he hasn’t had much connection with baseball since retiring, other than occasionally doing commentary.

Hyung said it was crazy.

He said that someone who has nothing left to achieve in the baseball world and has accumulated enormous wealth by playing as a major leaguer for over 10 years would have no reason to be the manager of a Seoul team that isn’t even his hometown.

But I know.

Because Park Jae-cheol, who came to see me in America the year I received the Cy Young Award, told me himself.

‘Actually, I’ve always wanted to be a manager in Korea, but no one ever offered me the position. I wonder if they felt it was too much to ask? I’ve always been open-minded, though. By the way, have I ever told you? It’s the story of when I first started playing baseball in America…’

The core of that long story, which I had to listen to until my ears bled, from when he first started playing baseball to when he retired, was one thing.

He wanted to be a manager more than a coach or a director. But no one ever gave him that offer.

“Our manager has to be that person, no matter what.”

“No, of course, Park Jae-cheol is an amazing legend, but… Would he be good as a manager? And would his name recognition work for our team, which has no ties to him?”

“Um, let’s assume for a moment. Imagine that the new manager, whoever it is, cuts off all the entrenched elements of the team, including the scouts on that list. And fills those positions with people who have no connection to the existing factions. What would happen then?”

“There would be a huge backlash. And forces allied from the outside would pour out criticism.”

“That’s right. That’s why someone with ties to the Warriors can never do this. Everyone is connected by one or two degrees of separation, so how can you replace all those people? And how would you deal with the external criticism? There’s only one answer. Someone who has no ties to the Warriors, and whose name recognition alone can suppress all the noise.”

“That’s Park Jae-cheol?”

“Then who else do you think it could be?”

“…There isn’t anyone else.”

“Hyung could step forward and wield full authority as the team owner and president. The problem is that no one would want to come to our team if that happened. They’d think a young guy who doesn’t know anything about baseball is doing crazy things. Right now, we need Park Jae-cheol’s name recognition.”

“Haa… Why is it so complicated?”

“Be honest. Isn’t it because you don’t want to talk to that person?”

“…He talks too much. Hey, once he starts talking, it’s at least two hours. And if he has a drink, it’s definitely an all-nighter. I’m really struggling.”

“Haha, that’s what the top person is like. Well, good luck. I’m leaving first.”

“The top person isn’t me…!”

I got up from my seat, sensing that the conversation wouldn’t end. Then Hyung grabbed my pants leg with a desperate expression and continued.

“Wait, Su-hyeok.”

“Yeah, why? I signed the contract. I have to go to the practice room now. I’m busy.”

“I was going to say that too. Now that you’ve entrusted it to me, stop worrying about the team and do your best as a player. You’ll get overloaded if you worry about everything. Don’t try to take it all on yourself, and let’s just do our own jobs. Okay?”

I didn’t bother answering Hyung’s words.

Because it was so obvious and I already knew it well.

Yes, even if I was a major leaguer in my previous life, I’m not that Han Su-hyeok now.

With a body that is still unfamiliar, skills that are not yet fully developed, and a surrounding environment that could be a significant variable.

To overcome all of this and achieve satisfactory results, thorough preparation is needed from now on.

Therefore, my meddling in team operations ends here.

‘Click’

I left the president’s office and headed to the practice field where Jacob was waiting.

As of today, I am officially a Warriors player.

Now, the real beginning.

The second life I’m living with everyone.

* * *

﹂ Hey, what’s this… Why isn’t he pitching?

﹂ I thought we were going to see our own Ohtani [Shohei Ohtani, a famous Japanese two-way baseball player] in Korea, but he’s only going to be a hitter?

﹂ Seriously, I know two-way play is difficult. But then he should just pitch.

﹂ That’s right. The Warriors desperately need pitchers.

﹂ No, no, the Warriors need pitchers, and they also need catchers, and they desperately need a first baseman, and they absolutely need a second baseman, and they can’t do without a third baseman, and they definitely need to buy a shortstop, and the outfielders are also a problem.

﹂ LOL

﹂ Could it be that they didn’t have enough money to pay the contract, so they settled for 1 billion won and decided he would only be a hitter?

﹂ Nah, would you do that? If Han Su-hyeok played two-way, they would make hundreds of millions more in ticket sales alone.

﹂ Hey, maybe he has a shoulder injury or something? Is that why Seattle dumped him and he returned to Korea?

“You little punk…”

In a situation where the internet spaces where baseball fans gathered were buzzing due to Han Su-hyeok’s declaration that he would not play two-way.

Someone’s unusually slender and white fingers tapped the keyboard as if playing the piano.

﹂When writing on the internet, please think before you type. You might face the consequences. How dare you say such nonsense to Su-hyeok.

﹂What’s this again? Are you a Han Su-hyeok fangirl? Why, did I say something wrong? It’s strange. Suddenly not wanting to pitch means one of two things. Either he hid an injury to get the contract, or… Maybe he got caught doing drugs?

﹂This is your last warning. If you go one step further, you’ll see my face at the police station.

﹂Crazy. Get lost lol Do whatever you want you punk drug addict Han Su-hyeok drug addict Han Su-hyeok

“Hoo…”

The owner of those slender and white fingers, who had been in a heated argument with a hater online, sighed deeply and pressed the smartphone call button.

“Oppa [term used by a female to address an older brother or close male friend/acquaintance], ”

– “Oh, why, what’s wrong again?”

“I just sent you the PDFs, so sue all of them.”

– “Why again… What is it this time? Are there still brave kids left in this country who mess with you?”

“Not me.”

– “Then what is it?”

“I sent it all in the email, so you’ll understand if you read it.”

– “…Okay. I’ll do it if you tell me to. But what are you going to sue them for?”

“First, defamation.”

– “Defamation… But can you sue for that even if it’s not you?”

“Consult with the lawyer about that, and there’s more.”

– “More? What is it?”

“Blasphemy.”

– “Yeah, blas…phemy… what?”

“I’m not kidding. Consult with the lawyer and sue for everything you can, no matter how much it costs. Don’t show them any mercy. Teach them a lesson so they can’t spout nonsense on the internet again.”

– “Haa… Okay, I understand for now. I’ll read the email and call you back.”

“Good.”

To dare utter such nonsense to the savior Han Su-hyeok, who came down to the barren land called the Warriors.

Those fearless punks need to be taught a lesson.

– “Is there anything else you need besides that?”

There was a time when the Warriors absorbed all the casual fans in the Seoul area and boasted a much larger fan base than the Magicians.

But after spending the last four years at the bottom of the league, all those casual fans left, and only the truly enraged ones remained.

And here, there is the truest of the true.

“Just handle that properly. I’ll be watching.”

The owner of the slender and white fingers closed her eyes tightly and murmured as if whispering.

“The strongest Warriors… shall prevail…”

* * *