Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 260

#259. You’ll Find Out Soon

– Ah, as expected, an intentional walk. Jonathan Owens on 7th gets on base with a walk, filling first base. With one out and runners on first and second, Leonard Jones, a rookie catcher who just joined the Seattle team today, steps up to the plate.

– Yes, after a surprise bunt and a sacrifice bunt created a situation with a runner on second base and one out, the Cubs immediately signaled for an intentional walk. Considering it’s the bottom of the 9th with a 1-1 tie, it seems like the only logical choice.

– So, Han Su-hyeok’s victory today is now in the hands of Leonard Jones, number 8. Can you briefly explain what kind of player he is?

– Of course. As I mentioned before the game, he’s a rookie who was with Cleveland until yesterday. His batting average this season is 0.198, so frankly, he’s not much of a power hitter. He also lacks experience. However, since there are no catchers available on the Seattle bench right now, it’s difficult to use a pinch hitter. Somehow, this player has to pull through.

– Or… wouldn’t it be better to pass the opportunity to the next batter? What if he tries to force a hit and ends up hitting into a double play?

– No, look at Kevin MacLeod’s batting average, who’s batting ninth today. It’s 0.195, right? Six of one, half a dozen of the other… Hmm, frankly, that player is usually a pinch runner and a defensive replacement. But with the starting center fielder out, that’s who they’ve got. The reason Seattle can’t break away despite having stars like Han Su-hyeok, Ty Johnson, and Ryan Thibodeau is precisely this: they lack reliable backup players or pinch hitters.

– I see. Thanks for the explanation. So, they need to make something happen in this at-bat. Ah, the Cubs bench is calling a timeout. We’ll be back after a short commercial break. This is T-Mobile Park.

* * *

The guy who’s been running around like a beagle off its leash all game is now staring intently at his bat with his mouth shut.

“Hey, Leonard. Don’t be nervous, just swing like you know how.”

“Huh? Yes, yes! I understand, Coach!”

“I’m not a coach, I’m the manager.”

“Ah! Y-yes! Boss! I’m sorry!”

Even for someone with a naturally energetic personality, it’s understandable to be nervous when playing as a starting catcher in his first game after a trade, especially with a chance to win the game.

Confusing the manager with the coach is a bit of a blunder, though.

Anyway,

If he goes to the plate like that, he’s just going to swing and miss three times and come back.

Fortunately, the Cubs called a timeout first, giving us some extra time.

I called him over while icing my shoulder.

“Leonard, come here.”

“Han! Oh, my idol, my partner, are you going to give me some advice? Tell me anything. I’ll do whatever you say.”

He looks at me with sparkling eyes, like someone who’s been driven to the edge of a cliff and barely found a lifeline.

In reality, no one in the world can guarantee that a batter with a batting average of less than 0.200 will hit a home run 100% of the time.

I’m just trying to do what I can to keep the team’s winning streak alive and secure my own win.

“Leonard, your batting average this season is 0.198. Considering the opposing pitcher’s batting average against, the probability of you getting a hit is less than 10%, I’d say.”

“That’s right. To be honest, I’m not confident. What should I do, man?”

“Listen carefully. There’s only one way to do this. Pick a specific location and pitch type and swing at the first pitch. If that doesn’t work, you’ll probably strike out. What do you say, will you try it?”

No more words were needed.

Leonard Jones nodded his head like crazy.

“Good. I think there’s at least a 35% chance that Chris Garrett will throw a low fastball inside on the first pitch. Does the data say there’s a higher probability of it being outside? That would be the case against a decent batter. But you don’t fit that description. So, trust me on this. Step back slightly so the catcher doesn’t notice. Open your stance a little, and with the mindset of sending the ball to second base, relax your shoulders as much as possible. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Low fastball inside, step back about half a step, open my stance, adjust my grip, okay, I understand! I think I know what I need to do now. Thank you.”

“Go. If this gamble fails, I can’t help you. So, let’s pray to God.”

“Of course. No matter what the outcome, I won’t blame you. Man! Seattle is a really great team. I think I made the right decision to come here.”

Leonard Jones, snorting, steps up to the plate.

Seeing the childlike enthusiasm of the best catcher in the Big League and the captain of Cleveland that I remember is quite amusing.

I’ve done all I can now. I have no choice but to accept whatever the outcome may be.

If this inning’s attack fails, our team, which has a relatively weak defense, will be at a disadvantage.

That’s just how baseball is: a sport where you can only lose if you don’t capitalize on opportunities when they arise.

But,

Thwack!

The word ‘defeat’ that came to my mind was immediately erased.

“Uwaaaaa! I did it! I did it! Han!”

Leonard Jones, who hit a wonderful walk-off hit on the first pitch, runs towards me with snot dripping from his nose.

The players who ran out with drink bottles poured water over his head and laid him down on the ground.

The safety net collapsed due to the excited crowd, and the crowd that rushed onto the field hugged the Seattle players and sang their cheers.

“Han! Come here! Damn it! Come here!”

Jim Brown, unusually excited, shouted loudly at me.

I hesitated for a moment, feeling like an adult joining in on kids’ play, but I figured it would be okay this once and walked towards them.

“Man! Seattle! Go! Go! Go!”

With today’s victory, Seattle’s season record is 29 wins and 17 losses, with a winning percentage of 0.622.

And the ranking is still first place in the American League West Division.

One of the things I initially planned when I entered the Big League,

Seattle’s first World Series appearance may happen a little sooner than expected.

* * *

Thwack!

“Gasp!”

“Stop! Stop! Ahn Chi-wook! Are you going to come to your senses?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sigh, everyone take a break for now, eat and take a shower, and gather again in the afternoon.”

“Yes!”

It’s Monday, when there are no games, but the Warriors’ training ground was filled with the energy of the players.

About 40 days after the start of the season, the Warriors were in second place, having given up first place to the Magicians.

Considering that the Busan Titans are right behind them, 2.5 games behind, they could fall to third place if they’re not careful.

Of course, there were many excuses.

Ace Lim Jun-yeong missed two rotations due to a fingernail injury, and Cheon Sang-jin, who was hit by a ball on his shin, didn’t look good in recent games, perhaps due to the lingering effects.

But the most serious issue is the slump of Ahn Chi-wook, the starting third baseman and core hitter.

His shaky defense in the early days of his debut had improved, and his hitting potential had exploded, leading to expectations that he could hit 30% [batting average], 20 home runs every year, but…

“Chi-wook, can I see you for a moment? Shall we go to the seminar room?”

“Yes, Seong-oh hyung [older brother/friend].”

Although it’s still early in the season, his batting average is hovering in the low 20% range, and he only has one home run.

His hitting is one thing, but the fact that he hasn’t been showing concentration in defense recently means that something is definitely wrong.

Jo Seong-oh, who had been paying close attention to Ahn Chi-wook’s condition recently, finally arranged a meeting with him.

“Sit here. Make yourself comfortable.”

Jo Seong-oh, who signed a 4+1 year contract with the club, was thinking of switching to a player-coach role after playing as a player this season or next season.

After giving up the first baseman position to Min Joo-hyeon, he is mainly playing as a designated hitter, and even on days when Jang Deok-soo comes out as a designated hitter, he is often on the bench.

Nevertheless, Jo Seong-oh was still a central figure in the Warriors as the captain.

Above all, Jo Seong-oh was clearly the best captain because the players trusted and followed him.

“Coffee isn’t great here, would you like a cup of tea?”

“Yes, Seong-oh hyung. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I’m worried that I’m calling you to talk for nothing when you’re already having a hard time.”

A veteran of thirty-eight years old, a player who virtually has the status of a coach within the team.

Jo Seong-oh spoke to Ahn Chi-wook in a warm voice.

“Chi-wook.”

“Yes, hyung.”

“It’s already been four years since I saw you guys join.”

Han Su-hyeok, Ahn Chi-wook, and Seo Hyeong-joo: these three entered this team, which was full of despair, and many things changed.

The rookie trio, who brought the second golden age to the Warriors, were already in their fourth year as professionals, one of whom went to the United States, and the other two remained in Korea and reigned as the best players in the league.

“Chi-wook. I’ll just say it directly. What are you worried about?”

“Yes? Ah, no, that’s…”

“Don’t even think about lying. Do I only see you for a day or two? And you’re the type whose worries are written all over your face. So tell me. What is it? I don’t think it’s just about baseball, am I right?”

“Haa…”

If the person sitting in front of him was a manager or coach, he would never have opened his mouth.

But to Ahn Chi-wook, or rather, to the Warriors’ young players, Jo Seong-oh was a senior, a captain, and a brother.

Maybe even closer than a real brother.

Ahn Chi-wook, who had been agonizing for a long time, finally seemed to have made up his mind and revealed his inner thoughts.

The reason why he couldn’t concentrate on baseball these days poured out of his mouth.

“Sigh, I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for not doing my job properly because of personal matters, hyung.”

“So, to sum it up… your parents are having a hard time these days because a resort and casino are likely to be built around the land they farm?”

“Yes, until recently, they said that the area was managed as a scenic conservation area in Jeju Island, so they wouldn’t get permission to build a resort, so don’t worry… I don’t know. I’m dying of sadness because they said that Jeju Island gave permission, or that Chinese guys come every day with money and harass them to sell their land, and they don’t know what to do, hyung.”

“Haa…”

At Ahn Chi-wook’s words, Jo Seong-oh sighed deeply and looked at the empty air.

This was not a problem that he could solve by simply listening.

It’s unpleasant that the Chinese guys are trying to drive out the farmers and build resorts and casinos on that land, but what can an individual baseball player do about something that’s happening within the boundaries of the law?

At that moment, when he was about to suggest that it would be better to move his parents to a safer place,

Something came to Jo Seong-oh’s mind.

What Han Su-hyeok said in passing when he talked to him a while ago.

When he combined those words with the current situation, a picture formed in his head.

Jo Seong-oh, who realized something, burst into laughter without realizing it.

“Haha, this is amazing. Chi-wook.”

“Yes, hyung.”

“You really have to treat Su-hyeok well when he comes back later. Take good care of the house you’re using now, clean it well, and don’t pile up the dishes and not sort the recycling every day. The house will break down quickly if you use it like that.”

“Yes?”

“You, I think that problem will be solved soon. Um, I don’t think it’s something I should say, and I think you’ll find out naturally.”

“What do you mean, hyung?”

“You’ll probably find out soon. So focus on baseball. Did you understand what I said?”