Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 281

#280. An Orca Among Minnows

Many people mistakenly believe Oracle Park is hitter-friendly because Barry Bonds hit so many home runs there. But in reality, it is classified as a pitcher-friendly stadium.

The fence is 24 feet (7.3 meters) high to compensate for the short distance to the right field fence compared to the left, and the sea breeze blows in all year round because it is located right next to the coast.

Since Barry Bonds hit 45 home runs in 2004, no player in a Giants uniform has hit 40 or more home runs. That speaks volumes about this stadium.

Of course, it also speaks to the Giants scouts’ shortcomings.

“Boo!”

“Kill that bum! Kill him!”

“If you hit another home run like that, you won’t get away with it, you son of a bitch!”

Perhaps the Giants fans’ boos were directed not at Han Su-hyeok, but at their own team, which had failed to produce a decent home run hitter for 26 years.

Seattle, which scored three runs in the top of the first inning with Han Su-hyeok’s two-run home run and Chuck Clark’s timely hit, added another run in the top of the second inning with a home run by Liam Landman, the second baseman batting ninth, taking a 4-0 lead.

Liam Landman, one of the three players traded from the Miami Marlins, was pushing out the existing second baseman, Jonathan Owens, and securing a starting position.

Jonathan was excellent defensively, often nominated for the Gold Glove [award for defensive excellence] every year, but his batting average for the season had fallen to the low .200s, causing him to lose the manager’s trust.

It can’t be helped.

The law of the jungle,

That’s what the major leagues are all about.

[Second batter, third baseman Han Su-hyeok]

Following the ninth batter’s home run, first batter Derek Fleming walked again.

And my second at-bat came around.

“The pitcher looks completely rattled.”

“……”

“Okay, I won’t argue, just get up on the mound. I’m a generous guy.”

“Shut up.”

“Hmm, that’s how you repay kindness? You must be a real jerk.”

“…Crazy punk.”

“Yeah, say one more word and you’ll get decked by that punk.”

“……”

Realizing that it would be a waste of time to exchange words with me, the Giants catcher’s mouth was firmly shut.

Even I thought the home run in the top of the first inning was a really well-hit ball.

It’s not easy to break through the high fence and the sea breeze blowing in from the coast.

The scene I saw on TV a long time ago came to mind.

The crazy fans who floated boats in McCovey Cove [a part of San Francisco Bay] to catch Barry Bonds’ home run balls.

Well, if we’re talking about crazy, we can’t leave out those Seattle fans who drove for more than ten hours to get here.

What is it about baseball that drives people so crazy?

“Play!”

What I like most about the introduction of the pitch clock is that pitchers can’t waste time endlessly like in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization].

In Korea, pitchers who were tagged with a huge home run by me often refused to throw the ball, looking completely shaken.

But here, they have to throw the ball somehow within 15 seconds if there are no runners, and 20 seconds if there are.

My first motto in baseball is speed and accuracy.

It sounds like a slogan for food delivery, but it’s definitely not.

To make the often-dragging baseball game as fast as possible, and to cleanly resolve ambiguous situations with strikeouts and home runs,

That’s the baseball I pursue.

Whoosh

Bang

“Ball.”

As a pitcher myself, I know.

Even though it’s early in the game, the situation where you’ve already given up four points, there’s a fast runner on first base, and a hitter who can hit a home run is at bat?

As a pitcher, you can’t help but curse.

With a big hit, your removal from the mound is practically guaranteed, so there’s only one ball a pitcher can throw.

A breaking ball that can induce a double play.

What’s the best breaking ball that pitcher can throw?

A splitter [a type of fastball thrown with a split-finger grip].

That’s why I’m anticipating it.

Close my left foot inward to prepare for outside pitches, adjust the position of the grip to respond to low pitches,

Start the swing half a beat later than a fastball,

Whoosh

Right now,

Crack!

“Nice! Run! Derek!”

“Damn Giants! It’s not too late! Go to the website! Vote again!”

“Who is the All-Star third baseman? Who is the greatest third baseman of all time? Tell me! Tell me!”

The launch angle was low, so it didn’t become a home run.

But the ball that hit the strangely shaped right field fence rolled in an unexpected direction.

“Go! Go! Go!”

First base runner Derek was already rounding third base and dashing for home,

Take a deep breath and accelerate the running speed.

Rounding first base to second, a sign to stop came from the third base coach in the distance.

It doesn’t matter. It’s not like I’ve only run on this field once or twice, and with that hit just now, I can definitely get to third base.

“Woo-ah-ah-ah!”

“Damn it, throw it! Throw it to third!”

The Giants right fielder threw the ball with all his might towards third base, and at the same time, my hand stretched out powerfully towards third base.

Splash

“Safe! Safe!”

“Yes! Perfect! Damn, Han Su-hyeok! You’re the best!”

“Don’t worry about the All-Star game! We’ll send you there!”

Score 5 to 0, the pitcher’s head dropped, and the Giants’ pitching coach came up to the mound.

* * *

Some American baseball fans who don’t know much about Han Su-hyeok have a prejudice that he is slow because of his size.

But Han Su-hyeok is a former shortstop who was considered capable of challenging the stolen base record if he wanted to in the KBO.

Seattle, which was leading 6-0 with Han Su-hyeok’s triple and Ty Johnson’s sacrifice fly, allowed a three-run home run to the opponent’s seventh batter in the bottom of the second inning, and was chased 6-3.

And in the ensuing attack in the top of the third inning, Seattle shortstop Josh Oliver, who had made an error in the previous inning and contributed to the three-run home run, suffered an ankle injury due to reckless baserunning.

“Time!”

A time was called, and Jonathan Owens came in as a pinch runner to replace the injured player.

Some Seattle fans frowned at the fact that he, who was primarily a second and third baseman, was used as a pinch runner.

But in the very next inning, they found out why Jonathan was used as a pinch runner.

[Position change: Pinch runner Jonathan Owens ▶ Third baseman / Third baseman Han Su-hyeok ▶ Shortstop]

Jonathan Owens, who came in as a pinch runner, moved to third base, and Han Su-hyeok moved from third base to shortstop instead.

“Damn it, that’s right. That guy used to be a shortstop in Korea.”

“Huh? With that size?”

“He weighed about 100 pounds less back then, but anyway, he was the best shortstop in Korea. Not just the best, but called the greatest of all time.”

“Really? Anyway, good. If we can crush those Giants bastards, it doesn’t matter what it is.”

Han Su-hyeok played shortstop for the first time since his big league debut.

As the season approached the halfway point, manager Daniel began testing Han Su-hyeok’s versatility.

As a designated hitter or left fielder when he needed to recover his stamina, and as a shortstop when the team needed him, like now.

With the team being chased by a 3-point difference, and with the starting shortstop out due to injury, now was the time when Han Su-hyeok’s shortstop defense was desperately needed.

And he perfectly met the manager’s expectations.

Crack!

“Ah! No… Huh?”

“Nice! Awesome! Damn, our third baseman is actually the best shortstop!”

“Even if Josh was there, it would have been difficult to catch that!”

In the bottom of the third inning, the Giants’ leadoff hitter hit a hard ground ball that was about to pass over second base and into the outfield,

Chuck

Han Su-hyeok, who appeared from seemingly nowhere, snatched the ball and threw it strongly to first base.

The hitter, robbed of a hit, looked on in disbelief, and Dimon Anderson Jr., who was about to face a crisis, clapped his glove.

Crack!

Han Su-hyeok’s great defense didn’t end there.

This time, a hard-hit ball was passing through the third baseman’s glove and heading into the outfield.

Han Su-hyeok dove and retrieved the ball, throwing it strongly towards first base.

Bang!

“Out!”

“101 miles! The throw is 101 miles?”

“Damn it! It’s cheating for a pitcher to play shortstop! It’s cheating!”

The Giants fans, who had already lost two hits, shouted and booed with all their might.

They realized.

That Asian player who is challenging the home run record set by their hero is an even bigger monster than they thought, and that maybe this season will be the last season that the Giants hold the home run record.

* * *

– It’s really amazing! Han Su-hyeok, who hit a double in his third at-bat in the top of the fourth inning, is now challenging for his second cycle hit since his big league debut.

– Yes, what’s even more amazing is that not only the home run outside the stadium in the first at-bat, but also the balls in the second and third at-bats just now were all balls that could have gone over the fence. Oracle Park’s right field fence is definitely high.

– It’s also interesting that all three balls went to the right.

– That’s understandable. Derek, Seattle’s leadoff hitter today, has also reached base all three times, right? From the pitcher’s point of view, he had no choice but to throw outside pitches [pitches designed to entice the batter to swing], and it can be seen that Han Su-hyeok noticed that and capitalized on it well.

– Hitting is hitting, but… Seeing Han Su-hyeok’s shortstop defense after a long time, wow… I can’t help but admire it. What should I say, it feels like my eyes are being refreshed? It’s really amazing that he’s gained nearly 45 pounds (20kg) more weight than when he was in Korea, but he doesn’t seem slow at all?

– Yes, basically his physical ability itself is world-class, but more important than that is his game sense. As I’ve said before, there’s no player who understands and plays baseball as well as Han Su-hyeok. He’s a player who can predict the direction of the ball the moment it leaves the pitcher’s fingertips.

– That’s a scary thought.

– But it’s true. Anyway, for Han Su-hyeok, gaining a little weight is no obstacle at all. However, if he gains weight, it will put a strain on his knees and ankles, so he won’t play shortstop often.

– But it would be a huge advantage for the team if Han Su-hyeok could play shortstop in big games like the World Series.

– That’s right. If the league’s strongest hitter can be placed in a position where defense is the top priority, there’s nothing more a manager can ask for when drawing up the lineup. Anyway, this will inevitably make Seattle’s other players nervous. Han Su-hyeok may threaten their positions.

– It’s the catfish effect [the idea that a strong competitor improves the performance of others]. Releasing a catfish into a place where there are loaches to revitalize them.

– That’s right. At that level, it seems like it’s not a catfish, but a shark, no, an orca, but anyway, that’s the idea.

– I understand. While we’re talking, the Giants’ pitching coach is coming up to the mound, so the game is temporarily suspended. We’ll be back after the commercial break. This is Oracle Park, where the game between the Seattle Mariners and the San Francisco Giants is taking place.