Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 220

#219. Those Who Met Again

“Damn it, Yeom… If you were going to rest, you should have rested longer. Why are you coming back when we have to play them?”

“Hyung, do you swear too?”

“Swear? What swearing are you talking about?”

“You just said ‘Yeom-byeong’ [a Korean expression of frustration, similar to ‘damn it’]…”

“No, you misheard. Anyway, Chan-ho, you better be sharp today. My ERA depends on you.”

“I’m just an outfielder, though.”

“I saw him practicing hitting outside pitches to right field during the opening game. He’s going to send a lot of balls to the right fielder. Ugh, just thinking about it makes me shudder.”

Ryu Han-gyeol, whose starting day was pushed back due to conditioning issues, was sighing deeply while grabbing Lee Chan-ho. Unfortunately for him, his schedule coincided perfectly with Han Su-hyeok’s return game.

Ryu Han-gyeol thought after watching the video of Han Su-hyeok’s debut home run and his first ejection.

‘That terrifying guy has become even more terrifying.’

He hit an outside cutter, which was on a different level from KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] pitchers at nearly 155 km/h, for an extra-stadium home run. Then, out of nowhere, he got into an argument with the catcher and punched him in the jaw.

It was a beautiful swing and a great punch.

I heard he gained about 17 kg compared to when he was in Korea?

Because of that, he gave up playing shortstop, so the hitters are at least a little more comfortable, but…

‘This is a disaster.’

The problem was that Ryu Han-gyeol himself was a pitcher.

Han Su-hyeok’s already tremendous batting power seemed to have been upgraded even further.

That huge home run in his first at-bat would have ended as a deep fly ball in Korea.

He was ejected immediately after hitting the home run, so I couldn’t see any more of Han Su-hyeok’s changes, but that alone was enough to be wary.

“Chan-ho.”

“Yes, hyung.”

“How did you end up in the same division as that monster?”

“We were here first, though.”

“That’s true…”

“By the way, hyung.”

“What?”

“He’s making his debut start in the third game.”

“Tch… The team atmosphere is going to be ruined.”

While Ryu Han-gyeol was unconsciously smacking his lips, the game between the two teams was just around the corner.

* * *

“Champion, even though the rotation got messed up as soon as the season started, I’m going to use you as originally planned. Do you have any objections?”

“No, Manager.”

“Good. Are you hurt anywhere from hitting that piece of trash?”

“Not at all, I’m 100% in condition.”

“You’re not going to go easy on Ryu just because you know him, are you?”

Han Su-hyeok chuckled at Manager Benjamin Reynolds’ words and replied.

“I think that hyung [older brother or close male friend] has relaxed a bit while I was gone, so I’m going to tighten him up again.”

“Heh heh, yeah. That’s what real friends are for, and it’s a courtesy to people from your hometown. Good, then get out there. Let’s smash those Angels bastards.”

The manager, after sending Han Su-hyeok out, rechecked the lineup sheet he had written and the starting pitcher rotation schedule planned for the next month.

To handle the brutal schedule of the Big League, and to perform both pitching and hitting more reliably.

Han Su-hyeok gained weight after consulting with the club, and he proved that his idea was right in his first at-bat of the opening game.

Han Su-hyeok, who was a little slower than when he played in the KBO, but his power was upgraded by one level.

The manager was planning to fix Han Su-hyeok in the 2nd, 3rd baseman, or left fielder position this season.

However, he needed to think a little more about his role as a pitcher.

He proved that he could handle both pitching and hitting in three seasons in Korea, but the Big League schedule was on a different level than the KBO.

Considering that he had to play games while traveling across the vast American land without a set day off, more thorough management was needed for pitcher Han Su-hyeok.

Therefore, Manager Daniel decided to operate a 6-man starting system in the early part of the season.

Han Su-hyeok would be next in line right after the existing five starters.

Manager Daniel’s plan was to run the season like that for the time being, check how much load Han Su-hyeok was taking, and then readjust the rotation.

In conclusion, Han Su-hyeok was scheduled to play as a third baseman or left fielder in the early part of this season, then start as the team’s sixth pitcher, and then take a break the next day.

Seattle, who had a good winning series against Oakland in the opening series, was now going to play a three-game series against the LA Angels.

And in the final third game, Han Su-hyeok will have his first Big League debut start.

‘Dae-jun… There are so many things to think about now that I’m directing that guy.’

Daniel closed his eyes tightly, thinking of his boss, Lee Dae-jun, whom he had served in Korea.

Although there were occasional disagreements, the two were always good partners and seniors and juniors in life.

On the day Han Su-hyeok’s move to the United States was decided, Manager Lee Dae-jun handed him a shot of soju [Korean distilled spirit] and said.

“Use him well and send him back safely.”

He will return to Korea someday, though he doesn’t know when.

Daniel also knows.

How much of a wind-like presence Han Su-hyeok is.

He is not the kind of person who will bet everything on success in the Major League like ordinary baseball players.

That’s right.

Even if Lee Dae-jun didn’t say it, no one knew when he would suddenly declare that he would return to Korea.

Therefore, Daniel’s goal was simple and grand.

To put the team at the top of the World Series while he has Han Su-hyeok.

That’s the only thing on his mind right now.

* * *

“Hyung, how have you been?”

“Of course, I’ve been good. I’m so relieved that I don’t have to face anyone.”

“Hehe.”

“Why did you come all the way to America across the water? You should have filled your FA [Free Agency eligibility] and come slowly.”

“I missed you, hyung.”

“Oh, you’re joking now? Well, anyway, you came well. Let’s have fun playing the game.”

“Yes, I’m going to have fun too.”

“No, I misspoke. You don’t have to have fun. Just do it. Hey, Lee Chan-ho. Come here. Su-hyeok is here.”

“Oh! Han Su-hyeok! Hey, it’s been a few months. Wow… I saw it on TV, but your body is really… Wow… Is that even an Asian’s body?”

“Hyung, did you gain some weight too?”

“Yeah, I don’t think I need to steal bases here. I’m dying from having to force myself to eat five meals a day.”

“Anyway, it’s even more welcoming to see you in a foreign country. Su-hyeok, let’s take it easy. Huh?”

“I’ll try.”

“Well, and our catcher is a bit rough around the edges, but he’s sincere. He’s a kind and delicate guy who raises five cats at home. Don’t go punching him in the jaw for no reason. I don’t have anyone to catch my ball without him.”

“Hehe, I’m not a gangster. Why would I punch a perfectly fine person in the jaw?”

“Yeah… I hope so. Okay. Then see you in the game.”

Han Su-hyeok, who had finished greeting, turned around and headed to the home team’s dugout.

Ryu Han-gyeol, who was staring at his back, said.

“That guy has become strangely human. He can even joke.”

“That’s right. Did his personality grow as his physique grew?”

“He wasn’t a bad guy before, but it was strangely difficult to deal with him, right?”

“Yes, it’s… how should I say it, it’s a type that’s a little difficult to treat like a younger brother.”

“Anyway, but his body is really amazing. It looks like it’ll be a home run even if it’s a mis-hit.”

“Have a good game, hyung.”

“I don’t know, I’m just going to walk him [intentionally give him a base on balls].”

* * *

Meanwhile, it wasn’t just Ryu Han-gyeol and Lee Chan-ho who welcomed Han Su-hyeok.

KBC [Korean Broadcasting Corporation], which won the rights to broadcast Han Su-hyeok’s Major League games in Korea this season, dispatched two people to Seattle.

To cover Han Su-hyeok’s adaptation to the Big League.

They were the duo of commentator Go Dong-sik and announcer Park Cheol-min, who could be called the best experts on Han Su-hyeok.

“Oh oh… This is the locker room of a Big League team.”

“Camera, are you filming there?”

“Yes, don’t worry, I’ll capture everything that the club has allowed in advance, announcer.”

“Good. Okay, commentator. Let’s get ready too. Han Su-hyeok has agreed to an interview.”

“Oh oh oh…!”

The moment he found out that he would be in charge of broadcasting Han Su-hyeok’s Big League games, Go Dong-sik felt like he was flying into the sky.

Last season, KBC, which had to watch its rival broadcasting station MBS [Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation] make a decent profit by broadcasting LA Angels games, immediately negotiated for broadcasting rights as soon as Han Su-hyeok’s move to the Big League was finalized, and won the rights after fierce competition.

And they dispatched commentator Go Dong-sik and announcer Park Cheol-min to Seattle.

To follow Han Su-hyeok in the early part of the season and cover his every move.

It was a dream come true for Go Dong-sik.

Now, he can broadcast Han Su-hyeok-centered games without hearing any more about biased judgments or favoritism for certain players.

He was grateful to the sky just for that, but he was even given the opportunity to cover him closely.

“Announcer Park.”

“Yes, commentator.”

“The best thing I’ve ever done in my life is to recognize Han Su-hyeok’s potential and focus everything on it.”

“Suddenly?”

“You’ve worked hard too. It must have been hard to be a scapegoat all this time, right?”

“Yes, well… Hooo…”

The announcer, who had spent tearful times sandwiched between Go Dong-sik, who would go on a rampage every now and then, and the broadcasting station, sighed without realizing it.

Numerous warnings and sanctions that had occurred in the meantime flashed through his mind.

“Anyway, don’t worry now. It’s the Big League. From now on, we won’t be warned for whatever we say. I’ll show you what real biased broadcasting is.”

“Commentator…”

As the announcer was about to say something while watching Go Dong-sik, who was renewing his determination with a solemn expression, a Mariners public relations team employee called them.

“Are you the people from Korea? Come this way. I can’t give you much time… Um, please finish within 10 minutes.”

“Ah, yes, thank you. Okay, commentator, and camera director. Let’s go right away.”

“Okay.”

Interviews with local broadcasting stations and Mariners players were in full swing here and there in the locker room, but the figures of some players that everyone would be curious about were not to be seen.

Tai Johnson, who was known to be almost impossible to get an interview with before the game, and Han Su-hyeok, who expressed his intention to refuse the interview for various reasons, were the main characters.

The reason why Han Su-hyeok refused to interview with American broadcasting stations was very simple.

In the few days that he was suspended for punching that moron Desmond King in the jaw, speculative articles surrounding the incident were plastered all over the internet.

They were articles that showed the true colors of American reporters, who are called the originators of paparazzi, which he didn’t even want to talk about.

In that situation, it was obvious what would come out if he, who had returned from suspension, met the reporters.

And above all, it was annoying.

He couldn’t find a reason to answer the reporters’ questions and care about public opinion.

Money? Fame? Power?

Han Su-hyeok had nothing to be desired.

Han Su-hyeok was enjoying the privilege that only a few people in this world can enjoy, not having to do things that he didn’t want to do.

As the fact that Han Su-hyeok refused all interviews before the game became known, some reporters were angry, and some were disappointed.

Of course, there were always exceptions in the world.

“Excuse me, I’ll pass by for a moment.”

“Excuse me. Sorry, sorry.”

The KBC crew, who were receiving envious glances from reporters, were heading to the innermost part of the locker room, where Han Su-hyeok and Tai Johnson were.

“Han Su-hyeok! It’s so nice to see you! Wow, your body is really… Wow! Unbelievable!”

“Commentator, how have you been? It’s been a while, announcer.”

“Well, we were so surprised to hear that you were going to be suspended as soon as we arrived in the United States… We’re so glad it ended in two games.”

“Oh dear… But you didn’t come to ask about that story, did you?”

Go Dong-sik quickly took the words when he felt a very subtle displeasure in Han Su-hyeok’s expression.

“Not at all! Well, that guy must have done something to deserve it. I’m not curious about that at all. Um, we only have 10 minutes, so we need to get to the point quickly. We have to go to the Angels side and meet Ryu Han-gyeol and Lee Chan-ho.”

“You’re busy. Anyway, good. I’m ready. Ask me anything.”

“Thank you. Announcer Park, can I ask the questions then?”

“Yes, commentator. Go ahead. Director, is the camera ready? Yes, good. Commentator, let’s start right away.”

“Okay. Then let’s start. Hmmm, KBC viewers, hello. I am now in Seattle, USA, to meet Han Su-hyeok, the pride of the Korean baseball world, who was voted No. 1 as the man that unmarried Korean women in 2029 want to marry the most. Han Su-hyeok, nice to meet you. First, please say a word to the viewers.”

“The man I want to marry…? Is there such a survey? Um, anyway, nice to meet you. I’m baseball player Han Su-hyeok. It seems like it’s been a while since I’ve greeted you. I’m about to play against the Angels, where Han-gyeol hyung and Chan-ho hyung belong. I’m excited to play baseball with those hyungs after a long time.”

Go Dong-sik thought that it was probably Ryu Han-gyeol, not Han Su-hyeok, who was excited, and continued the question.

“Thank you. I can’t keep the player who is about to play for a long time, so I’ll ask you right away. In fact, what I want to ask the most is… It may not be appropriate for the current situation, but I think it’s a question that I have to address at least once. Han Su-hyeok, I’m curious about what made you decide to advance to the Big League, and whether you are satisfied with that choice now.”

“Um, haven’t I answered that question before?”

“No, I don’t remember hearing an exact answer, Han Su-hyeok.”

“I see. Yes, good. Come to think of it, it seems like that. The reason I decided to advance to the Big League is…”