Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 145

#144. Untouchable

“Listen, Manager Park. Let’s resolve this amicably. There’s no benefit for either of us if this gets out. It’s true that guy was wrong a hundred times over, but it’s also a fact that Hansu-hyeok threw the first punch…”

“To be precise, he grabbed his collar first. And then he dodged the incoming punch and retaliated.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“Not at all. If a batter dodges a beanball [a pitch intentionally thrown at the batter] aimed at his head and then beats up the pitcher, is the batter at fault first? No. The guy who threw the beanball in the first place started it.”

“…….”

The truth of what happened that day was clearly revealed.

It’s an era where umpires on the field wear cameras and microphones to avoid unnecessary disputes and suspicions.

Although the camera had issues and didn’t capture the video, the high-performance microphone worn by the first base umpire recorded all the conversations between Hansu-hyeok and Rafael Jorge that day.

The KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] was in a difficult position.

Rafael not only made derogatory remarks about fans and fellow players but also made sexual comments about world star Min Ye-rin.

It’s clear that the guy, who suffered a fractured jaw and will be out for at least a month, is the cause of this incident.

Hansu-hyeok grabbed his collar, but that guy threw the first punch.

However, regardless of the context, the problem is that he currently appears to be the victim.

A bench clearing [when players from both teams rush onto the field during a game, often resulting in a brawl] that started with a verbal argument between players, unrelated to game situations like beanballs or tackles.

How should this be handled?

The Busan Titans wanted to quietly cover up the matter without disclosing any information to the outside.

With clear evidence in the form of a recording, there’s no way to deny that Rafael spewed nonsense to his teammates, fans, and even opposing team fans. The best option was to quietly bury it.

But Park Jae-cheol had no intention of doing so.

There are some guys like that.

Foreign players who look down on Korean baseball, acting as if they’re major leaguers even though they failed to make it to the big leagues and came to a foreign country, those morons who belittle Korean players, culture, and fans.

To teach those guys a lesson, we must never let this pass quietly.

Of course, there’s an even more important reason.

Hansu-hyeok’s image.

Park Jae-cheol was even more determined by the concern that Hansu-hyeok’s image, which had risen to national hero status due to the recent WBC [World Baseball Classic], might be tarnished by this incident.

“Please officially announce what happened that day from the KBO.”

“Haa, the Titans are taking such a strong stance…”

“If the KBO doesn’t reveal it, we will…”

“You don’t mean the Warriors will disclose it directly?”

“No, why would we? We’ll just pass it on to Min Ye-rin. What happened.”

“Pardon?”

The KBO Secretary-General’s face turned pale at Park Jae-cheol’s words.

No way. We must prevent that at all costs.

It’s better to be at odds with Busan than to make Min Ye-rin an enemy.

Gulp.

But that wasn’t the end of it. Park Jae-cheol’s mouth opened again.

“And we will exclude Hansu-hyeok from all the events that were previously discussed.”

“No! What are you talking about?”

This time, he was even more surprised.

Hansu-hyeok’s popularity has skyrocketed since the WBC victory, and as a result, the image of Korean baseball and the KBO is also gradually improving.

How many events are currently being planned around Hansu-hyeok? There’s even a visit to the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the President of South Korea] scheduled for this rest day to celebrate the WBC victory.

Hansu-hyeok is excluded from that?

No way. We must prevent that at all costs.

“Manager Park. Okay, I understand what you mean.”

“Hmm.”

“We will announce the follow-up measures with the utmost sincerity. So please…”

* * *

[KBO Announces Follow-up Measures for Bench Clearing Between Titans and Warriors… Hansu-hyeok Suspended for 2 Games + Fine of 5 Million Won, Rafael Jorge Suspended for 10 Games + Fine of 10 Million Won]

[What Was in the First Base Umpire’s Black Box? KBO: “Rafael Made Serious Derogatory Remarks About Titans Players and Fans, and Warriors Fans, Which Was the Cause of the Incident”]

[KBO: “We Cannot Disclose the Details of the Conversation, but It Included Racist and Sexist Harassment. It Was Not Something That Could Be Easily Overlooked”]

[Embarrassed Busan Titans: “We Are Trying to Understand the Situation in More Detail Through the Players”]

[Busan Titans Player A: “Honestly, I Don’t Know What Rafael Said. I Don’t Know What He’s Thinking Because He Doesn’t Usually Hang Out With Other Players.”]

[Warriors Manager Park Jae-cheol: “It’s Too Disgusting to Even Mention. Foreign Players Who Look Down on Korean Baseball and Only Want to Make Money Should Be Expelled on This Occasion.” Strong Remarks]

[Hansu-hyeok, Who Knocked Down Rafael and Was Ejected: “If He Utters Such Nonsense Again Next Time, It Won’t End Like This.” Unusual Expression of Anger]

Some Titans fans who protested that the punishment for Hansu-hyeok, who threw the punch, was too lenient, shut their mouths as if they had made a promise when it was revealed that Rafael had made racist and sexist remarks.

Strong criticisms of the Busan Titans’ player management system, which was already considered a mess, began to emerge.

While the Busan Titans were in chaos, the three-game series between the two teams ended in an instant.

The Warriors’ overwhelming sweep.

Hansu-hyeok, who was ejected in the first game, did not participate in the subsequent second and third games.

However, the Warriors players, who belatedly learned the truth of the incident, were furious.

“If I meet that bastard again, I’ll break his spine.”

Rafael was perhaps fortunate to be hospitalized.

If he had played in the game, he might have been beaten to death.

The Warriors players’ anger, having lost its target, eventually erupted towards the opposing team.

Hansu-hyeok was absent due to suspension, but they showed such strong performance that they couldn’t feel his absence.

16 to 3 in the first game, 11 to 1 in the second game, and 7 to 2 in the final third game.

The Warriors, who completely crushed the Titans, closed the gap to 4 and a half games behind the first-place team, Incheon Rangers.

The Warriors, whose goal was to advance to the fall baseball [playoffs] in the top 4 until the first half of the season, had now clearly transformed into a team aiming for the championship.

Meanwhile, on the very day that the three-game away series against the Titans ended, a few reporters approached Hansu-hyeok, who was watching the game from the stands without returning to Seoul, and tried to interview him.

Hansu-hyeok, who usually gave only short answers, gave unusually long answers.

“You seemed unusually upset during the first game against the Busan Titans. Can I ask if there’s any reason? Is it related to the bench clearing?”

“No.”

“Then… ?”

“I just felt bad because playing against that team felt like looking at a political cartel rather than a baseball team.”

“Pardon? What does that mean?”

“In my opinion, Kim Ju-ho is the only one who seems to be playing baseball on that team. That’s all I have to say. Thank you.”

Hansu-hyeok’s sudden bombshell statement turned the baseball world, or rather, the Busan Titans, upside down.

A current player had publicly revealed the uncomfortable truth that everyone in the baseball world had been quietly covering up.

The furious Titans front office issued a strong warning and protest to the Warriors, while also demanding additional sanctions against Hansu-hyeok from the KBO.

But the world was already on Hansu-hyeok’s side, not Busan’s.

Hansu-hyeok’s power, who had recently risen to national star status due to the WBC, was beyond what they had imagined.

While Warriors manager Park Jae-cheol lightly ignored Busan’s warning, and the KBO, caught in the middle, couldn’t do anything, people who had been quietly watching the situation began to move.

[After Hansu-hyeok’s Strong Remarks, Reports About the Busan Titans Surge ‘It’s a Huge Political Interest Group, Not a Baseball Team. We Need to Get Rid of the Sycophants Who Blind the Owner’]

The anti-Titans forces, who had been waiting for someone to step forward, or more specifically, the players and staff who had been discriminated against and expelled from there, rushed to send tip-off emails to broadcasting stations, newspapers, and YouTubers.

The surprised Busan club made every effort to prevent the reports from popping up everywhere, but that was impossible from the start.

According to rumors, the story eventually reached the owner of the Busan Titans, that is, the chairman of the parent company.

It is unknown whether the furious owner’s iron fist will be directed, but it was certain that the cartels that had been dominating the Titans could no longer act as arbitrarily as before.

That’s how the three-game series between the Warriors and the Titans ended, leaving behind many things.

* * *

Hansu-hyeok, who had missed two games due to suspension, returned.

In the three-game away series against the Gwangju Jaguars, the air at Champions Field began to heat up as Hansu-hyeok was once again named in the lineup as the shortstop and second batter.

“Suhyuk, did you have a good rest for two days?”

“Yes, Seong-oh hyung. I ate a lot of delicious food and rested.”

“Oh, you’re even joking now, you rascal. Good, good. I was worried about you starting from the WBC and now doing both pitching and batting, but that’s good.”

Cho Seong-oh, who now felt more like a big brother than a senior, patted me on the shoulder and passed by.

The other seniors were the same. They had that look in their eyes that showed they didn’t want to bring up that day’s events. Even Seo Hyeong-ju, who would have been sarcastic already, didn’t say anything.

But there’s always an exception.

An Chi-wook, who is usually known for being oblivious, asked me with a really serious look.

“Do you like Min Ye-rin?”

If Seo Hyeong-ju had said the same thing, I might have grabbed his mouth and made him run around the field. But I knew that An Chi-wook’s words came from a place of concern for me, so I just ignored it.

“Titans Game 2, 7th Inning Error.”

“What, what? Why is that an error? It was clearly recorded as a hit.”

“Answer with your conscience. Do you really think it was a hit?”

“…….”

I left An Chi-wook, who had suddenly become silent, in that spot and slowly started running.

The story that An Chi-wook had just told me kept swirling in my head.

Do I like Min Ye-rin?

Well, if I had to say, I’d say I like her.

I’m not crazy, and there’s no way I could dislike someone who chases after me, helps me, and appears like a ghost to solve problems whenever I need something.

Of course, for the same reason, I like Seong-hoon hyung, my team’s seniors, and even An Chi-wook and Seo Hyeong-ju.

Hmm.

Okay, I have to be honest.

Even in my previous life, I didn’t really know what it felt like to like a woman.

Lately, whenever Min Ye-rin looks at me with strange eyes, I feel something tingling in my heart…….

Well, can I really call that romantic feeling?

Sometimes I can’t take my eyes off Min Ye-rin when she’s far away…….

Can I accurately judge my heart with that?

I don’t know.

The voice of someone who told me in the hospital room that I hope I learn how to love others and be loved comes to mind.

Ah… thinking about that makes my heart feel heavy again.

Why can’t I remember that woman’s name, why?

* * *

Seoul Warriors (Away) VS Gwangju Jaguars (Home) Game 1

Score 0:0 No Outs

Gwangju Jaguars Pitcher Michael Campbell

Top of the 1st Inning, Warriors Offense

1st Batter, Center Fielder Seo Hyeong-ju

1st Ball, Ball

2nd Ball, Ball

3rd Ball, Strike

4th Ball, Strike

5th Ball, Foul

6th Ball, Ball

7th Ball, Foul

8th Ball, Foul

9th Ball, Ball

Walk

Hitter Runner to 1st Base

└This is some shitty baseball;;;

└I’m more annoyed by that guy than Hansu-hyeok

└If you’re going to get on first base anyway, just do it nicely instead of making him throw 9 balls, haa…

└Michael, his elbow hasn’t been good lately, so he can’t throw for long

└If we’re already out of the fall baseball race, why not just bring up a rookie instead of using a foreign player

└There are no rookie pitchers to bring up;;;

2nd Batter, Shortstop Hansu-hyeok

1st Ball, Ball

2nd Ball, Ball

3rd Ball, Ball

└WTF LOL, didn’t the bench signal for a walk?

└Or is he just chickening out and throwing balls on his own

└This is frustrating, just fight even if you get hit!

4th Ball, Swing

Two-Run Home Run Over the Left Field Fence

1st Base Runner Scores, Hitter Runner Scores

Seoul Warriors 2: Gwangju Jaguars 0

└Come out, you bastard who just told him to fight

└LOL, he hits it so coolly over the fence

└There are still 36 games left, and Hansu-hyeok has 46 home runs and 109 RBIs. Is he human?; ;;

└If he goes over 50 home runs, the stadium will be in chaos again trying to catch it

└Honestly, considering the punishment for the bench clearing last time, it seems like the KBO can’t touch Hansu-hyeok anymore

└That’s right. If he’s gone, the KBO’s popularity itself will be shaken

└He’s also really good at fighting, there’s another guy like Jangbi next to him, and he’s even free from punishment? He’s OP [overpowered]

└You should never start a bench clearing with them. It’s better to lose gracefully even if you lose

└In the end, a real baseball player should just be good at baseball. To become someone that no one can touch in less than a year since debut LOL