Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 25

#24. If You’re Going to Be a Voluntary Slave

The significance of a home run in baseball is truly special.

When the team is winning, it cements the lead; when losing, it sparks hope for a comeback.

A home run has the power to dramatically shift team morale.

My leadoff home run brightened the faces of my seniors, who had been tense since the start of spring training due to our team’s last-place finish last season.

Conversely, the Titans players, who had subtly looked down on us before the game, began to show signs of unease.

Good.

Home runs are the best, after all.

I need to hit as many as possible before the pitchers start pitching around me [avoiding pitching directly to me].

Thwack!

While I was lost in thought, the next batter, first baseman Jo Sung-oh, was out on a line drive straight to the shortstop.

Then, Max Walker, batting fourth today, smacked a clean double to right-center field on the first pitch.

Considering his $500,000 salary, he’s a much better hitter than I initially thought.

Hitting home runs at Jamsil Stadium [a large stadium in Seoul known for being difficult to hit home runs in] isn’t easy anyway.

Given the spacious outfield, a medium-long distance hitter like him might be more valuable than a mediocre home run hitter.

Of course, the ideal scenario would be to have a hitter like me who can hit home runs even at Jamsil… but with our budget, that’s just a pipe dream.

“Out!”

While I was lost in thought, Ahn Chi-wook’s well-hit ball went directly to the second baseman, and Max, who had strayed too far from second base, was caught in a rundown, resulting in a quick three outs.

“That last one…”

“Good hit. Just unlucky.”

“Huh?”

“Keep doing that.”

“Hmm…”

Ahn Chi-wook, who unintentionally hit into a double play, was looking at me cautiously, so I praised him for the first time in a while.

He didn’t really respond, but he seemed quite pleased, judging by the twitch in his lips.

You can’t just constantly criticize them. You have to offer praise when they perform well.

Even a mutt recognizes its owner and obeys them if you praise them occasionally.

Well, that last ball was just hit right at the infielder.

He’s definitely capable of great things when he puts his mind to it.

Worth scolding him.

* * *

“Out!”

“Out!”

A bullet-like ball that looked like it would squeeze through the gap between the shortstop and third baseman.

Han Su-hyeok smoothly scooped up that hit and made an accurate, quick throw to Lee Chang-mo while still seated.

Lee Chang-mo tagged second base and fired the ball to first, resulting in a swift double play.

“Nice!”

“Crazy! Han Su-hyeok, you’re insane!”

“He caught that. Wow… !”

Lee Chang-mo, hearing the crowd cheer during a defensive play for the first time in a while, unconsciously glanced at his right hand.

That feeling from just now, that exhilarating sensation when he received Han Su-hyeok’s throw and relayed it to first base.

It’s been a long time.

The feeling he had when he first practiced with the veteran shortstop who had played for over 10 years in Baltimore.

Just now, Lee Chang-mo felt a similar connection with Han Su-hyeok as he did with that big league veteran.

‘It must be my imagination.’

No matter how talented Han Su-hyeok is, it’s impossible for him to play like a seasoned shortstop who’s been in the major leagues for over a decade.

Dismissing the thought, Lee Chang-mo returned to his defensive stance.

Suddenly, he was reminded of the time when he was released by his former team and ended up wearing the Warriors uniform, something he had never envisioned.

The team was divided into factions, and guys like Hwang Sung-min and Song Ki-tae were acting like they were the team’s core, strutting around with puffed-up chests.

Thinking about that time, this team has improved significantly.

Of course, there haven’t been any major player acquisitions.

‘Han Su-hyeok…’

Just the arrival of that rookie beside him, who was twirling his ankle and wearing a cocky expression, has completely changed the atmosphere.

There was a time when I shone brightly like that kid.

Lee Chang-mo, who had always played baseball without much thought, simply going through the motions, began to reminisce about his glory days.

* * *

That double play with Lee Chang-mo was pretty smooth.

As expected, there’s a significant difference in defensive ability between players who have experienced the major leagues and those who haven’t.

The average speed of batted balls is incomparable to the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization].

Moreover, hitters in the big leagues go for a full swing in almost every situation. They attack with the intention of crushing the ball, regardless of the count.

So, infielders must always be prepared for scorching line drives.

They have to learn to catch balls flying at their faces in the blink of an eye and transfer the ball from their glove with minimal delay.

“Nice play, senior.”

“What? Haha, yeah. You too.”

In that regard, the連携 [renkei – teamwork/coordinated play] with Lee Chang-mo was really satisfying.

Right now, both Lee Chang-mo and I are wearing the Warriors uniform, but if you think about it, aren’t we both from the big leagues?

Maybe he’s the only one on this team who I can discuss defense with.

Not only Lee Chang-mo, but also Jo Sung-oh, who cleanly caught the throw at first base, has decent defense.

He has a solid build and natural strength, but surprisingly, his glove work is smooth, and he often snags difficult throws.

Come to think of it, I remember Jo Sung-oh grabbing me and crying bitterly at the last team dinner before the spring training game a few days ago.

What did he say?

Oh, right.

His son, who had just started kindergarten, said he was ashamed of his dad?

That must have been quite a blow for Jo Sung-oh, who is more family-oriented than anyone else on the team.

‘But senior, why? Why is he ashamed?’

‘His friend teased him. Said I’m bad at baseball. Said your dad sucks at baseball. Man, these kindergarteners are brutal these days. Why are they picking on other people’s dads who are just minding their own business?’

Jo Sung-oh, who usually doesn’t feel the effects of alcohol, got drunk after a few beers and sat next to me, lamenting for about an hour.

Well, I don’t know.

I don’t know exactly how he feels.

I’ve never had a child, and I’ve never been bad at baseball.

Hmm.

Was that a bit insensitive?

Anyway.

Actually, there were two players I was most interested in watching during the last spring training camp, one of whom was Lee Chang-mo, and the other was Jo Sung-oh.

Thirty-five in Korean age [34 internationally, as Koreans count age differently].

It’s an age when decline is inevitable, but strangely, Jo Sung-oh’s batting average has been gradually increasing each year.

It’s because he has a naturally strong physique. In other words, he’s a naturally powerful guy.

If you manage that type well, he can play his role for at least a few more years.

If Jo Sung-oh could hit about 20 home runs from the 5th or 6th spot…

Hmm.

The more I think about it, the more I want to work with him.

“Su-hyeok, next at-bat.”

I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize it was my turn to bat.

I gave Jang Deok-soo a nod of thanks and slowly walked into the on-deck circle.

The foreign pitcher from the Busan Titans, whose confidence was shaken by my home run in the first at-bat, was glaring at me with fire in his eyes.

What a funny guy.

What’s his name? Thomas Spencer?

He was in a Seattle minor league team?

I’ve never heard of that name in my previous life?

Hmm, then he must be insignificant.

“Su-hyeok, I was impressed earlier. I told you to take it easy. I’ll buy you something delicious.”

“I’ll buy you something even more delicious, so can you give me one more good ball, senior?”

“What?”

“I got a pretty hefty signing bonus.”

Gu Jae-hyun’s mouth finally snapped shut at my unexpected response.

It’ll only tire him out if he keeps talking to me.

By the way, that foreign pitcher looks like he’s really going to cause trouble?

“Senior.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“If that foreigner throws the ball at my head, I won’t stand still.”

“What are you talking about? That’s…”

“And our manager won’t stand still either.”

“…”

I’m not kidding, if he throws anything even remotely close to a beanball [a pitch intentionally thrown at the batter’s head], I won’t let that foreigner get away with it.

He’ll have to be prepared to face my wrath before the manager even intervenes.

Is it okay to talk so rudely to a senior from another team?

Who cares? It’s not like I’m transferring to another team. It’s not like I’m going to beg for a coaching position after I retire.

The only people I need to be nice to are my teammates. Seniors from other teams have no impact on my life.

“Ball.”

Fortunately or unfortunately, the Titans’ foreigner didn’t throw a beanball at me after all.

Three balls and one strike.

An absolutely advantageous count for the batter.

Then.

Thwaaaack!

“Fuck!”

It’s obvious what kind of pitch a pitcher with shattered confidence would throw at 3 balls and 1 strike.

I sent the 150km [~93 mph] fastball that came right down the middle over the left field fence, and I walked around the bases as slowly as possible, giving the audience plenty of time to cheer.

The foreign hitter from the Titans, who was standing at first base, looked at me as if he was in a foul mood.

Why? Don’t you like that I’m running slowly?

I deliberately slowed down my pace even more at that absurd gaze.

We might really end up having a brawl starting from the exhibition game.

“Ahn Chi-wook!”

“Why? Why… why? What did I do again? I didn’t do anything?”

Oops, I’ve been cracking down on him so much lately that I instinctively yelled at him as soon as I made eye contact with him in the on-deck circle.

…Hmm, I don’t really have anything to say, what should I do?

“Just get hit if he throws it at your body.”

“What? What does that mean?”

“If that pitcher throws a beanball, just get hit and pretend to be dead. This hyung [older brother/male friend] will beat him up.”

“…Crazy.”

I’m serious. That pitcher’s eyes look crazy, something’s fishy.

Oh well, I don’t know. Let’s think about the rest after he actually throws a beanball.

After hitting a consecutive home run and scolding Ahn Chi-wook once, I plopped down on the far right side of the bench, which had become my designated seat.

Then, Jo Sung-oh, who had been substituted early due to a minor injury, cautiously approached and sat next to me, watching my every move.

What is it?

“Su-hyeok, can I ask you something?”

“Yes, senior. Go ahead.”

“I don’t know how this will sound…”

“Yes?”

“Um… how do you increase the number of home runs?”

“Home runs?”

Jo Sung-oh, who has maintained a build of 185cm and 85kg [~6’1″ and 187 lbs], gained a little more weight as he transitioned to first base.

But the number of home runs didn’t increase at all.

He knows it too.

That a starting first baseman on a team should hit at least twenty home runs.

He’s asking the youngest junior, who hits home runs the easiest and farthest of all the players he’s met.

How do you increase home runs?

Jo Sung-oh didn’t notice that the junior’s expression changed subtly at that moment.

* * *

The moment I had been waiting for had arrived.

Surprisingly quickly.

Since the last spring training camp, there have been more than a few people who have asked me about the secret to my power hitting.

Not only Ahn Chi-wook and Max Walker, but also some seniors aiming for a starting position and rookies who joined the team at the same time would take turns asking about my hitting mechanics.

But I didn’t have much to say. In the first place, each player has their own characteristics.

There are guys like Ahn Chi-wook who are born with a talent suited for a contact hitter despite their natural size, and there are players like Max who hit longer when they swing concisely rather than with a big swing.

And if I had to say, Jo Sung-oh was the type of player who could be a little more aggressive in aiming for long hits than he is now.

“Well, it’s not like there’s a definite answer.”

“Don’t say that, just tell me. Huh?”

Currently, there aren’t many people on our team who are paying attention to the player named Jo Sung-oh.

As always, he’s a player who will give us a performance that’s a little disappointing but still close to one person’s worth, that’s about the limit of expectations for Jo Sung-oh.

Just enough to support us until rookies like me, Ahn Chi-wook, and Max Walker settle in.

That man is asking me.

How do you hit a lot of home runs?

It’s a time I’ve been subtly waiting for, but I still have to check what I need to check.

Is it worth sharing my practice space and time with the person named Jo Sung-oh?

What I need most right now, no, what our team needs most is a hitter to protect me.

It’s still an exhibition game, so the pitchers are going head-to-head with me, and I’m swinging freely, but when the regular season starts, the number of pitchers who openly avoid me will increase.

To prevent pitchers from walking me intentionally, I need a hitter to protect my back.

A body that looks quite sturdy for his age, unusually long arms, and even the fact that he was in the top ranks in the team test a while ago despite being the oldest member.

This is actually the type that Jacob likes to handle…

Okay, then.

“Would you like to go somewhere with me after the game today, senior?”

“Huh?”

Although you have to endure not eating everything you want, you can’t even dream of alcohol, and you have to do extra training after every game when others are playing and resting.

People around you will criticize you for being too old, and sometimes it’s so boring and difficult that you wonder if this is how humans live, and sometimes you’ll feel a sense of futility.

You might want to quit several times a day, and you might imagine punching Jacob in the face.

Well.

If you endure and follow well, the results of your efforts will definitely come out.

Welcome to being a voluntary slave.

Welcome to Jacob’s World.

* * *