Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 65

#64. Enemies Meet on a Narrow Bridge

In my past life, I never had even a gram of interest in, or saw any value in, being a national representative.

Due to a shoulder injury, I was naturally excluded from the 2027 WBC [World Baseball Classic] and the 2028 LA Olympics. It wasn’t until I went up to the Big Leagues and settled in that I was first named to the 2030 Asian Games team.

The biggest reason I decided to join the national team was Seong-hoon hyung [older brother or close male friend].

Frankly, if I were only thinking about military service, I could have just naturalized [become a citizen of another country to avoid mandatory military service in South Korea].

The club was willing to actively help, and above all, I had no strong attachment to my Korean nationality.

To me, Seong-hoon hyung would call me at every chance and nag, saying I had to wear the Taegeuk mark [the symbol of South Korea, often used to represent the national team], that I had to know that the people were behind me, that everything was for me… He nagged me with all sorts of things.

Tired of refusing, I eventually notified the team that I would join the national team and succeeded in winning a gold medal while playing as the 3rd batter and closer for the Korean team.

Looking back now, that was the last favor Seong-hoon hyung ever asked of me in my past life.

Damn it.

Just thinking about the past makes me feel bitter.

“Why? Soo-hyuk, why are you frowning? Doesn’t that tea suit your taste? I heard it’s expensive?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

“Hmm…”

Seong-hoon hyung, who had another health checkup after months of my nagging, looked at me with a strange expression.

The image of hyung dying of illness is still vivid in my memory.

Perhaps that’s why, whenever the results of hyung’s health checkup come out, my head is filled with that thought.

“Forget about that, what did the hospital say? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Hey, don’t worry. There’s no one in the world who lives in a cleaner environment than me. I quit drinking because of you, quit smoking, the air purification system runs 24 hours a day at home and in the office, and I only eat organic food. I really wouldn’t get sick even if I wanted to.”

“Okay, as long as there’s nothing wrong. More importantly, why did you call me?”

“Ah, right. Look at my mind. I caught a guy who should be training and just talked nonsense. It’s about the WBC. The WBC that will be held in the United States in August this year.”

“Hmm?”

“I was wondering if you’d like to play there. I’ve always talked a lot, but I don’t think I’ve ever asked for your opinion.”

This is the tournament held four years after South Korea was disgraced in 2023.

In my past life, when I was busy taking care of myself due to injuries, I didn’t even pay attention to the tournament. So I don’t even remember who won.

Anyway, the WBC, which was usually held before the season, was scheduled for early August this time, with the proposal of the MLB Secretariat [Major League Baseball’s governing body] and the consent of each country’s association.

The intention was that.

The professional leagues of each country have an All-Star break of about a week to ten days every summer. It’s sometimes a little longer when there are Asian Games or Olympic Games.

The Major League Secretariat proposed: Instead of March, when the sense of the game hasn’t fully returned yet, how about holding the WBC in August, when the regular season is in full swing?

Instead of drastically reducing the All-Star Game schedule of each league, how about extending the break period a little and holding a national competition in which those All-Stars participate?

Well, the game schedule was decided in August for that purpose.

My personal expectation is that the simulation results showed that it would be most advantageous to the income of the Major League Secretariat. Otherwise, they wouldn’t move.

Anyway, the WBC is held in August, when the league is in full swing… It’s going to be crazy.

The best players in the major leagues, who are tearing up the league, will come to the national competition while maintaining their peak performance.

Hmm, that sounds fun.

“Thinking about playing… thinking about playing…”

“There seems to be some opposition among the veteran members of the selection committee, but the secretary-general and the president’s will seem very strong. So, in the end, they decided to ask us for our intention to join.”

“Hmm… What do you think, hyung?”

“Me? Well… From the club’s point of view, it’s okay to play. Anyway, it’s a good marketing point to have a national team player on the team. But I’m also worried about your stamina if you play in a national competition during the season.”

In a word, he wants me to play.

If that’s the case.

“Okay, then let’s do it. What. If an official document comes from the KBO [Korea Baseball Organization], say I’ll play.”

“Oh? Really? Then I’ll put your name on the preliminary entry list?”

“Yeah, as for stamina, if I’m tired, the other players won’t be able to play at all? Don’t worry and proceed.”

“Oh… okay, thank you. Then let’s put your name on the preliminary entry list first and see how it goes.”

“As you wish, then I’m going to practice.”

“Okay, take care.”

After finishing the conversation, I left the president’s office with a light heart.

While walking towards the practice field, I remembered my first national team game, which I played without any thought.

I hardly spoke to the other Korean players, and I even got into a fistfight with the Taiwanese pitcher who threw a beanball at me, probably.

Hmm.

I wonder what my first national team game in this life will be like.

* * *

“Director, you’re here. Coaches, please come in too.”

“Yes, General Manager. You came to work early.”

“I have to. The chairman said he would watch today’s game in person.”

“Hmm… the chairman…”

Recalling the last three games that were a mess due to the unprecedented bench-clearing in KBO history, Magicians’ head coach Joo Seok-do slumped down on the conference room chair.

The damage that the Magicians suffered from that incident was enormous.

First of all, Hwang Seong-min, that crazy bastard who caused the incident, was completely kicked out of the baseball world.

After being released from the Magicians, the guy who received a 150-game suspension from the KBO will never be able to set foot in the baseball scene again.

Choi Dong-seok, the 4th starter who threw the beanball that sparked the bench-clearing, has since fallen into a slump and has become a mop-up pitcher.

In addition, Song Ki-tae is recording a batting average in the 10% range even in the minor leagues, and Jung Ki-ho, who was brought in together, is self-reflecting after getting into a physical fight with the minor league players and receiving internal sanctions.

“Haa…”

In the end, it seems that they only lost Choi Min-seok in the last trade.

The new general manager smiled bitterly as he saw the coach constantly sighing.

He is also frustrated.

To become the general manager of a team aiming to win the championship this year in such a bad situation.

General Manager Jung Min-sik, who recruited Hwang Seong-min, was immediately called to the president’s office that day, got scolded, and lost his job. Rumor has it that he even knelt down, but apologizing doesn’t solve everything in the world.

Everyone from the top management of the club to the lowest-ranking front office is on edge and watching the Magicians.

The only good thing is that the Magicians are still holding on to third place in the midst of all this.

The problem is the three-game series against the Warriors, who have returned.

The Seoul rivals, who are running in 3rd and 4th place with a 1.5 game difference, the rankings of the two teams may change depending on the results of this three-game series.

Even the club owner is scheduled to visit the stadium for the first and second games of this series.

For Yoon Jae-seok, the new general manager of the Magicians, who has worked hard to get to this position, it is a game that must be won.

That’s why Yoon Jae-seok is attending the pre-game strategy meeting in person.

“Director, I won’t say much. You’ll have to go back to training soon.”

“Yes, General Manager.”

“As you know, the chairman will be attending today’s and tomorrow’s games in person. If, by any chance, we lose both of those games…”

“Gulp.”

“You understand what I mean without me saying any more, right?”

“I understand what you mean.”

“Director.”

“Yes.”

“A lot is at stake in this three-game series. We have to win no matter what. Please.”

* * *

“Okay, everyone knows that this is a rivalry game with 3rd and 4th place at stake. I’m not saying this to make you nervous. It means you should concentrate that much. The lineup is here, so check it again, and Captain!”

“Yes, Director.”

“Make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again, and especially Han Soo-hyuk.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you, you rascal.”

“What did I do? I wasn’t doing anything, Director.”

“Ahem… you rascal, don’t recklessly step up even if a bench-clearing happens, no, never mind. Duk-soo! If the atmosphere is strange, hold that guy back first. He’s a time bomb!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll hold him tight.”

“No, what did I do…”

“Hehe, anyway, I don’t think the Magicians will do that again, but everyone be careful, and let’s win today’s game too. Okay, fighting!”

“Fighting!”

Director Lee Dae-jun, who had encouraged the players, left the dugout and headed towards the director’s office as if he had remembered something to do.

After a month of not being able to come to his senses after the season opener, the rookie director began to show composure and experience.

A very objective and accurate eye for seeing players, as well as the ability to make judgments at every moment, and the drive to push forward with his own will without paying attention to public opinion.

He’s a good director. If the Warriors continue to do well, I want to tie him down with a long-term contract.

I was wondering if a foreign director should take over the baton after Director Lee Dae-jun finished the internal reorganization of the club, but maybe that won’t be necessary.

Stop thinking nonsense.

The starting lineup that Director Lee Dae-jun posted in the dugout was like this.

1st batter, 2nd baseman Lee Chang-mo

2nd batter, 3rd baseman Ahn Chi-wook

3rd batter, shortstop Han Soo-hyuk

4th batter, 1st baseman Jo Seong-oh

5th batter, catcher Jang Duk-soo

6th batter, right fielder Max Walker

7th batter, designated hitter Kang Jin-seok

8th batter, left fielder Kim Soo-hak

9th batter, center fielder Choi Min-seok

In the case of the starters, I knew in advance, but seeing it with my own eyes makes my thoughts a little complicated.

Ahn Chi-wook, who is going to be the 2nd batter again today, started muttering something with a nervous expression.

Senior Jang Duk-soo, who has moved up from 8th to 5th, has a surprisingly calm expression. After all, this senior’s greatest strength is his mental strength as strong as his physique.

Perhaps Director Lee Dae-jun wanted to give Max a sense of alertness, whose batting average has recently declined, and also wanted to create a zigzag lineup of left and right from 3rd to 7th.

“Friend, my performance has been a bit bad lately, right?”

“That’s right, but there are still many opportunities left, so don’t be too nervous.”

“Hmm, good. My family’s livelihood depends on my shoulders, but I’m okay.”

It’s a comment that makes me feel something.

What would be the feelings of a foreign mercenary who started as the 4th batter in the opening game and has now been pushed back to 6th?

Batting average 0.265, on-base percentage 0.327, slugging percentage 0.440, 4 home runs, 22 RBIs, 1 stolen base.

Considering the price tag of $500,000, well, it’s just an acceptable performance. Since he is a mercenary who was brought in with the expectation of doubles rather than home runs, he is doing his job just by scoring 22 RBIs.

However, following senior Jo Seong-oh, who belatedly had his long-hitting ability bloom, and now even senior Jang Duk-soo is pushing back the batting order, he must be feeling a sense of crisis.

So far, the decision makers of this club, including me, have not been talking about replacing the mercenary, but you never know what will happen in the world.

I’ll have to hope that he adapts to the Korean stage quickly and shows us the performance we expected.

Anyway… it’s obvious how the Magicians, who even replaced the general manager due to the last incident and whose parent company chairman is even watching the game in person, will come out today.

A game between aces, a match expected to be won by one or two points.

They’ll try to avoid me as much as possible and fight in the bullpen after the 7th inning.

Hmm.

Well, it’s a tactic that would have worked very well in the past.

But.

The pitcher who is timidly crouching in the corner of the dugout and looking at people’s faces.

Seeing senior Yang Ki-cheol, who has been focusing on adjusting his pitching form after debuting in the last Incheon game, I can’t help but smile.

They must think they’re at an advantage if they go to the bullpen fight?

The Magicians guys, they’re going to be very surprised today.