Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 117

#116. Pandemonium

In the 2009 WBC [World Baseball Classic], the Korean national team achieved two consecutive victories against Japan in the first and second rounds.

Although the overall level of Korean baseball wasn’t quite on par with Japan’s, several S-class players, many of whom were active in Major League Baseball and Japan’s professional leagues, were enjoying their last golden age. The other players, fueled by a fierce determination to not lose to Japan, also played with extraordinary grit.

And that marked the last major tournament where the Korean professional team defeated Japan in baseball.

Since then, the Korean national team has consistently fallen short against Japan in the Olympics and the WBC.

The primary reason for failing to advance beyond the first round of the 2023 WBC can be attributed to their defeat against Australia.

As initially planned, they were expected to secure victories against China, the Czech Republic, and Australia, thereby advancing to the second round with a 3-0 record.

The Major League Baseball (MLB) Secretariat, which organizes the WBC, also anticipated that Japan and Korea, both significant markets, would progress to the second round.

However, Korea was unexpectedly upset by Australia, leading to the humiliating outcome of being eliminated in the first round once again.

So, is the defeat against Australia the biggest regret in the minds of Korean baseball fans right now?

Probably not. The memory of that crushing defeat against Japan likely looms even larger.

Superstars with annual salaries exceeding 1 billion won [approximately $750,000 USD], who often acted superior in Korea, faltered, unable to even make contact with the 155 km/h [approximately 96 mph] fastballs thrown by Japanese pitchers.

Conversely, Japanese batters effortlessly targeted Korean pitchers who were touted as fastball specialists back home.

A 13-4 defeat.

It was a day when the stark reality of Korean baseball, which had been rumored to be overhyped, was laid bare for all to see.

In particular, Korean fans were deeply impressed by the Japanese pitchers.

Japanese pitchers, despite not being particularly imposing physically, consistently threw fastballs exceeding 155 km/h into every corner of the strike zone.

Meanwhile, Korean players seemed stuck in the past.

While young Japanese players were routinely throwing pitches exceeding 155 km/h, Korea had to rely on a 35-year-old veteran whose top speed had diminished to 142 km/h [approximately 88 mph].

Regardless of the argument that speed isn’t everything, the disparity in performance was striking.

Increasing pitching speed.

It’s a simple concept, but a difficult challenge to overcome.

Numerous speed enhancement training programs developed in the United States are readily available online, so it’s not a matter of lacking knowledge. The latest American training methods are easily accessible at professional clubs and private baseball academies.

The key is that these processes must be implemented as early as possible.

If you aspire to become a professional, you must adhere to a structured training program from your student days and build your body accordingly.

The sooner, the better. The older you get, the efficiency of these methods decreases exponentially.

Once the body is sufficiently developed, you must establish the most suitable pitching mechanics for your individual physique.

Just like me now.

Whoosh.

Pow!

“Strike!”

Eto Iori, completely overwhelmed by the fastball that whizzed past him, swung wildly at the 165 km/h [approximately 102.5 mph] fastball that was well outside the strike zone.

Having a blazing fastball is advantageous for this very reason: it can intimidate the batter.

“Strike!”

This time, a cut fastball darts into the low inside corner.

The batter, anticipating it would be outside the zone, simply watched as the ball, which began to break sharply just before reaching home plate, was sucked right into the strike zone.

“…Chikusho!” [Damn it!]

The involuntary curse escaped the lips of Eto Iori, who reigned supreme in his league, was the leading hitter for Japan’s most prestigious club, and was considered a future manager.

A fierce look began to harden his expression.

But the world isn’t so simple that courage or a death-or-glory attitude can compensate for an inability to hit a pitch.

That’s utter nonsense. What you need to hit the ball isn’t some samurai spirit, but accurate vision, reflexes, and bat speed.

Whoosh.

Boom.

“Swing! Out!”

* * *

– Ah! What is this! Han Su-hyeok, who was throwing a fastball of over 165 km/h, struck out Eto with a 95 km/h [approximately 59 mph] slow curveball!

– Keu keu, keu keu, keu ha ha, keu ha ha ha ha!

– Um… Commissioner?

– Ah, I’m sorry. I was just so happy, so incredibly happy that I got carried away. But viewers, you understand, right? If you’re a Korean citizen, how can you not laugh when you see this?

– Hmm hmm, Eto, having been struck out, retreats to the dugout looking utterly defeated. No outs, runners on 1st and 3rd becomes 1 out, runners on 1st and 3rd.

– It’s truly unbelievable.

– Yes?

– The fact that Han Su-hyeok throws blazing fastballs is something everyone here knows. Except for a few stubborn people who wanted to deny it, of course.

– Um, Commissioner, please watch your language…….

– Yes, I will. Nevertheless, the lingering question about Han Su-hyeok, whether he could consistently throw such pitches in a real game, has now been definitively answered. Because he struck out the opponent’s leading hitter in a critical situation with no outs and runners on 1st and 3rd in the WBC Korea-Japan match.

– That’s absolutely correct. I’m not sure if I should be saying this from my position as a broadcaster…….

– Just say it. I’m enjoying this, so go ahead. If I get fired from the broadcasting station, I can always start my own personal broadcast with you.

– Please don’t misunderstand. I’m just an ordinary office worker who wants to keep working at the broadcasting station for a long time. Anyway, what I wanted to say is…….

– Yes.

– It’s incredibly refreshing. I’m at a loss for words. It feels like washing down a throat full of sweet potatoes with a cool cider [a Korean expression for something that is very satisfying and relieves frustration].

* * *

The leading hitter representing Japan was struck out.

‘He’s a monster… but he’s still a kid.’

Hamasaki Akinori, the leadoff hitter who started the inning for the Japanese team, glared at Han Su-hyeok from third base, fueled by the pride of being the leadoff hitter and starting shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds.

Media outlets frequently compared him and that rookie, who played the same shortstop position, simply because they were both Asian.

It was absurd. Comparing himself, who had played full-time for 7 years in Japan and then 2 years in the United States, with a rookie who hadn’t even played for a year in the Korean league, was ridiculous, no matter how talented he was.

Even in today’s game, that guy hit a home run first, but he didn’t pay much attention to it.

After all, each player contributes to the team in different ways. Just focus on doing what you can do.

In the top of the 7th inning, with the team trailing by one point, he came up as the leadoff hitter and delivered a clean hit, safely reaching third base using his blazing speed when the next batter followed with another hit.

He thought the inning was as good as done. Considering the caliber of the remaining pitchers on the Korean team, it seemed virtually impossible to prevent Japan’s 3-4-5 cleanup hitters from scoring.

Although the score was only a one-point deficit, the momentum of the game had clearly shifted to Japan long ago.

At that moment, as despair began to creep across the faces of the Korean players and fans, the rookie shortstop who had been a minor annoyance went to the mound.

And he struck out Japan’s leading hitter by throwing a 168 km/h [approximately 104 mph] fastball and a 95 km/h curveball.

He was slightly taken aback.

But that was all. The situation remained overwhelmingly in Japan’s favor.

One out, runners on 1st and 3rd.

A brilliant idea flashed through Hamasaki’s mind.

The runner on third base would feign a run to distract the pitcher. Meanwhile, the runner on first base would attempt to steal second.

It was a strategy designed to eliminate the possibility of a double play and make the batter more comfortable at the plate.

No matter how fast Han Su-hyeok throws, he’s still a rookie who lacks experience at the professional level.

He’s probably flustered right now. He probably has no idea what he’s supposed to do.

He can’t help but be rattled.

That’s the weakness we need to exploit.

The Japanese bench also recognized and approved Hamasaki’s plan.

The next batter stepped into the batter’s box. And Hamasaki immediately initiated his move.

It was very simple.

Just take a slight step forward and then return to the set-up position in time with the pitcher’s motion.

That alone would create an opportunity for the runner on first base to steal second. If they were lucky, they might even induce a balk from the pitcher, or perhaps the catcher would make a wild throw.

Japan, still a master of tactical baseball, and Hamasaki, possessing exceptional tactical execution skills, was shifting his weight forward to gauge Han Su-hyeok’s reaction at that very moment.

Pow.

“Out!”

“Nani……?” [What…?]

The instant Hamasaki’s weight shifted forward, a ghostly pickoff throw came in from third base.

Hamasaki’s body froze completely at the unexpected throw, and the third baseman’s glove tagged his shoulder.

– Wow! Han Su-hyeok picked off the runner on third base with a lightning-fast throw!

– Yes, it was a truly remarkable pickoff that left Hamasaki Akinori completely stunned!

– Commissioner, it’s not Hamanori Akisaki, it’s Hamasaki Akinori.

– What do I know about the names of players from other countries? The important thing is that no outs, runners on 1st and 3rd is now 2 outs, runner on 1st.

– The moment you say that, Han Su-hyeok throws the first pitch! Swing! The batter’s face turned white! How can anyone hit that? That’s the look on his face!

– Yes, this time it was a 148 km/h [approximately 92 mph] power curveball. That’s the fastball speed of most pitchers. Hit that? Hehe, if there’s a batter who can hit that, I’ll sign him immediately and have him drug tested.

– Amazing! It’s truly amazing! Ah, Han Su-hyeok throws the second pitch again! Swing! This time, a 167 km/h [approximately 104 mph] fastball was perfectly placed on the low outside corner! It was a truly ridiculous swing!

– That batter is the leading home run hitter in the Japanese league this season? Hmm, that swing was so bad that a routine fly ball could have landed on it.

– Commissioner, even if it’s a national team game, please be a little more careful with your words… Oh! Han Su-hyeok, who goes straight into the set position as if not giving you a moment to rest! He throws! Swing! Strikeout! Han Su-hyeok, who took the mound with no outs and runners on 1st and 3rd, saves the team from the crisis! Tremendous applause erupts for Han Su-hyeok, who comes down from the mound without allowing a single run!

– I’m so proud! I’m truly proud!

– Right? I’ve never been so proud of being a citizen of the Republic of Korea as I am today…….

– No, not that. I’m truly proud of myself for being the first to recognize such a great player and following him around and ki… cheering him on with all my might! Kyung-mi, are you watching? Dad, I finally succeeded! I was right!

– We’ll be back after the commercial break. This is Citi Field.

* * *

“Catch him! Catch him! Hey! You there! Stop! Stop right there! I won’t arrest you, so stop!”

“I don’t want to! You’re going to kick me out again!”

“No, just stop for now! What did you eat to be so fast!”

The moment Han Su-hyeok struck out the last batter of the inning, Min Ye-rin, who had scaled the safety net of Citi Field and was waving the Warriors flag at the top, began to sprint around the stands to evade the pursuing security guards.

While the American broadcaster covering today’s game joked that ‘he has the speed to be used as a pinch runner in the big league right away,’ a small celebration was unfolding in the Korean dugout.

“Su-hyeok-ah… you, you really, wow, wow…….”

“Han Su-hyeok! Come here! Come on, let’s hug!”

“Thank you, Su-hyeok-ah. Thank you so much.”

Two strikeouts and one pickoff.

Han Su-hyeok, with just seven pitches, single-handedly resolved the dire situation of no outs, runners on 1st and 3rd.

His teammates and coaches, who had been watching the game with bated breath due to the ominous feeling, greeted him with excited expressions.

No matter how fast he throws, no one could have imagined that a first-year rookie with no international experience would be able to perfectly navigate such a high-pressure situation without allowing a single run.

But it happened.

The morale of the Korean national team soared.

“Damn it, who’s up to bat this inning?”

“It’s Woo-chan leading off.”

“Get on base even if you get hit by the pitch! You have to get on base no matter what. We can’t be embarrassed when the youngest is performing so well!”

“Don’t worry, hyung!” [older brother/senior]

The confidence that they could succeed and the responsibility to do so combined harmoniously, boosting the Korean team’s morale. The atmosphere inside the dugout was electric.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere among the Major League scouts in the audience was heating up in a slightly different way.

“Hehehe, hehehe, hehehehehe.”

It was the maniacal laughter of Daniel, a scout from Seattle, who realized the immense potential of the player he had overlooked when he was truly committed to the game.

“Hey! Don’t you understand what I’m saying? Immediately dispatch scout personnel to the Korean branch! How little time will it take to bring in such a player, even if it takes several years? Do you understand what I’m saying? Yeah? I’ll take full responsibility!”

It was the resentful voice of the Yankees scout who had previously scoffed that Han Su-hyeok was just a rookie from a backwater league, regardless of his talent.

“…Boss, about the shortening of the overseas advancement qualification restriction that KBO [Korea Baseball Organization] is promoting. How about we lobby KBO and the Major League Secretariat on our side?”

The Boston Red Sox scout, contemplating even deploying lobbyists to expedite Han Su-hyeok’s overseas advancement, was speaking to the general manager.

“Catch him! No, stop! Hah hah… Please stop!”

“If you promise not to kick me out! Then I’ll stop!”

“Aaaagh! Stop! Please!”

The game of hide-and-seek between Min Ye-rin and the security guards was now being moved to the outfield.

In that way, the entire Citi Field descended into pandemonium because of Han Su-hyeok.