Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 311

#310. An Era with Him

[As long as I enjoy baseball, records will naturally follow.]

These are the words of Ken Griffey Jr., often hailed as one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball, even surpassing legends of the Seattle Mariners. He was one of Han Su-hyeok’s childhood idols.

July of 2030 ended, and August arrived.

Han Su-hyeok’s second debut season in the Big Leagues had only about two months left.

In the third game against the Texas Rangers, Seattle clinched a resounding victory thanks to Han Su-hyeok’s two stolen bases and his 52nd home run of the season, complemented by an all-around stellar performance from the team. Their season record stood at 70 wins and 43 losses, a strong showing with a winning percentage of 0.619, placing them first in the Western Division.

However, the path ahead remained challenging.

The New York Yankees, boasting an impressive season record of 76 wins and 35 losses (a winning percentage of 0.684), led the entire American League. The Chicago White Sox, fiercely competing within their division, were close behind with 72 wins and 39 losses, translating to a winning percentage of 0.649.

To secure a direct ticket to the Division Series and bypass the Wild Card round, Seattle needed to gain ground on those two formidable teams.

[Home runs becoming infrequent, increased runs allowed, Han Su-hyeok challenging MLB’s pitching and hitting records, his position wavering with the start of the second half]

[Han Su-hyeok needs to hit 22 home runs in the remaining 49 games, but based on his recent hitting pace, he is expected to add only about 10 more]

[Han Su-hyeok has started in 19 games, pitching 148 innings and allowing 8 runs, with an ERA of 0.49, but his 불안한 [unstable] pace continues with runs allowed in the last 4 consecutive games]

Meanwhile, beyond Seattle’s overall team performance, 불안한 [unsettled] attention was focused on Han Su-hyeok, who was 달려가고 있는 [running towards] potentially breaking MLB’s all-time records in both pitching and hitting.

The home runs that had 터졌던 [exploded] at a rate of one every two games in the first half became less frequent. Some reporters began to 선동 [agitate/stir up trouble] by suggesting he was allowing runs more often when starting as a pitcher.

Of course, Seattle and baseball fans who supported Han Su-hyeok could only laugh at this 완벽한 [complete] nonsense.

└ If anyone knows the address of the reporter who wrote that article, please post it. I’m going to 날려버릴 [blow off] his 대가리 [head] with a shotgun.

└ Han Su-hyeok’s pace is truly 역대급 [historic/unprecedented]. Damn, his ERA is still in the 0s with over two months left in the season. And his batting average is also at .410. Don’t mess with this player as you please. You 빌어먹을 [cursed/damned] reporters.

└ The reason his home run pace has slowed down is because more pitchers are trying to avoid 승부 [head-to-head matchups] with him in the second half. Look at the intentional walks he received in the last three games against Texas. That’s what’s important. In the end, Han Su-hyeok 박살냈다 [smashed/destroyed] that intentional walk strategy with his power.

└ That’s right. The home runs will increase again. I’m not worried at all.

└ The ERA record is the same. Damn, in his last 4 starts, he recorded 8 innings with 1 run allowed, 9 innings with 2 runs allowed, 7 innings with 1 run allowed, and 8 innings with 1 run allowed. Is that 부진한 [sluggish/poor]? Did the reporters get shot in the head?

└ Even if he doesn’t record an ERA in the 0s, he is already an 역대급 [historic/unprecedented] pitcher. Even if he doesn’t become a Cy Young winner because of his pitching innings, Han Su-hyeok will be the best pitcher in my heart.

└ What really impressed me is that he always plays for the team’s victory rather than personal records.

└ That’s right. Everyone knows that the player he respects the most is Ken Griffey Jr., right? Han Su-hyeok said in a past interview that he believes records will naturally follow if he enjoys baseball like Ken Griffey Jr. said.

└ Damn, he’s such a 완벽한 [perfect] player. Seattle, I envy you. Our team’s 간판스타 [franchise star] posted party photos on SNS last night even after losing the game yesterday and is fighting with the manager.

└ Looks like a Mets fan. 쯧쯧 [Tsk tsk – a sound of disapproval], why don’t you just switch to the Yankees? Then you might at least win.

└ That’s so 완벽하게 [perfectly] true that I can’t argue with it. I have no choice but to 원망 [resent] my grandfather who introduced me to the Mets.

Seattle fans who supported Han Su-hyeok without a single doubt, and 뉴비 [newbie] fans who had become interested in baseball because of Han Su-hyeok, watched as Seattle entered their next schedule.

In the first week of August, the LA Angels, which included Ryu Han-gyeol and Lee Chan-ho, flew to Seattle.

* * *

“Dinner? Really? You’re inviting us to dinner? Us?”

– Yes, tell me if it’s too much of a burden.

“No, no, what burden? I’m just too 황송해서 [overwhelmed with gratitude].”

– What 황송 [gratitude], anyone would think I’m a 이상한 놈 [weirdo].

“You are a 이상한 놈 [weirdo].”

– Hmm.

“Hehe, just kidding, anyway, thank you, 동생 [younger brother/friend]. I’ll tell Chan-ho.”

– Okay, then I’ll see you after the game.

“Ah, right. Just in case, there aren’t any 이상한 [strange] options 걸리고 [attached] with this dinner invitation, right? Like if you give up a walk, the beef turns into pork…….”

– Hmm.

The American League’s 가을야구 판도 [playoff landscape] in 2030 was quite 복잡했다 [complicated].

The New York Yankees in the Eastern Division and the Chicago White Sox in the Central Division were 서서히 확정짓고 [gradually solidifying] their division championships, while Seattle was 달리고 있었다 [running] in first place in the Western Division, 뿌리치며 [shaking off] Oakland’s 추격 [chase].

For the wild card, which is given to the three teams with the highest winning percentage excluding the division winners, the Boston Red Sox in the Eastern Division were considered the most likely 주자 [contender], and Oakland in the Western Division was also receiving 평가 [assessment] that they could at least secure a wild card.

The problem was the remaining wild card spot, whose 주인 [owner] was not yet 정해지지 [decided].

With the remaining teams in the Central Division, excluding the White Sox, 완전히 나락으로 떨어진 [completely fallen into abyss], the 2nd and 3rd place teams in the Eastern and Western Divisions declared an all-out war to 차지하기 위한 [to take/occupy] the remaining wild card spot.

Texas’s attempt to 남발 [overuse] intentional walks to Han Su-hyeok in the last game against Seattle also 시작된 [started] from that 맥락 [context].

In any case, the LA Angels, who will be 상대하게 [facing] Seattle today, were still in a state of not 버리지 못한 [not having abandoned] their 미련 [lingering attachment] for the wild card.

The Angels, 앞세워 [putting forward] Ryu Han-gyeol, who started as the 2nd starter at the beginning of the season and has 어느새 [somehow] become the 1st starter, are 다짐하고 필승 [determined to win].

In a corner of the Angels’ locker room, the two Korean players who are 나란히 자리를 잡은 [sitting side by side] are 희희낙락하며 농담을 주고받고 [jovially exchanging jokes].

“Hey, Chan-ho. Shouldn’t we buy something to take to Su-hyeok’s house later?”

“Should we? Hmm, he said just to come empty-handed.”

“That’s just what he says, this is 말이여 [listen to me]. It’s the world’s 최초여 [first time ever], 최초 [first time].”

“What is?”

“We’re going to be the world’s 최초 [first] to be invited to dinner at Han Su-hyeok’s house. Isn’t that 놀랍지 않냐 [amazing]?”

Han Su-hyeok, who 진출한 [advanced] to the United States through 포스팅 [posting system – MLB system for acquiring players from foreign leagues], 거절했다 [refused] Seattle’s 제안 [offer] to 대여해 주겠다는 [rent] a 고급 주택 [luxury house] even if it meant using 편법 [illegal/expedient method], and 사들였다 [bought] a 주택 [house] at his own expense.

Han Su-hyeok’s 자택 [residence], located in a 고급 주택가 [luxury residential area] on the outskirts of Seattle,

Of course, the only person who can 드나들 수 있는 [come and go] there officially is Min Ye-rin, who is 인정받은 [recognized] as his girlfriend.

No one, including the club’s 동료 [colleagues] and 관계자 [officials], has even 구경조차 [even seen] Han Su-hyeok’s American home.

Of course, it’s not that Han Su-hyeok 의도했다 [intended] that, but it just happened that way, and 이상한 소문 [strange rumors] began to 만들어지기 [be made] in people’s mouths.

There were rumors that Han Su-hyeok had 대인기피증 [social phobia], no, that he was having parties with women every day, and even 말도 안 되는 소리 [nonsense] that he was 재배하느라 대마초 [cultivating marijuana] in the 저택 정원 [mansion garden], so he wouldn’t let anyone in.

Min Ye-rin, who heard those 소리 [rumors], said to Han Su-hyeok.

‘Oppa [term of endearment for older brother/boyfriend], do you have any 동료 [colleagues] or anyone you want to 데려올 [bring] to the house? I’ll make delicious food and 대접할게요 [treat/serve].’

‘Invite them to dinner? Hmm, well, there are people who would come if I 부르면 [call]…….’

It’s not just 있는 정도가 아니다 [just a few].

There are 선수들이 [players] who would 뛰어올 [jump] right now if he 부른다면 [called], but no one can say anything because they are 보느라 Han Su-hyeok’s 눈치 [reading Han Su-hyeok’s mood]. Only Han Su-hyeok is 눈치채지 못하고 [not noticing] that fact.

Han Su-hyeok, who 고민하던 [was pondering] for a long time at Min Ye-rin’s words, 대답했다 [answered] like this.

‘Hmm, then shall we 초대해볼까 [invite] Han-gyeol 형이랑 [older brother/friend] Chan-ho 형 [older brother/friend] after the game tomorrow? It’s been quite a while since those people ate Korean 집밥 [home-cooked meal].’

‘That’s exactly it. Next time, let’s 초대하는 걸로 [invite] 팀 동료들도 다함께 [all the team colleagues together], and for tomorrow, let’s 모셔요 [invite/bring] those two first. I’ll 해 놓을게 [prepare] the food 준비는 알아서 [preparation myself], so Oppa [term of endearment for older brother/boyfriend], just 데리고 오시면 돼요 [bring] the two of them after the game.’

‘Don’t 거창하게 준비하지 [prepare elaborately]. Those 형들 [older brothers/friends] have a 엄청 좋거든 식성 [really good appetite]. Just 구워주면 [grill] some 고기 [meat] and they’ll 알아서 먹을 거야 [eat on their own].’

‘제가 알아서 할게요 [I’ll take care of it].’

While Min Ye-rin was 한창인 [in full swing] with food 준비 [preparation] for Han Su-hyeok and the Korean 선수들 [players], the 8th game of the season between the Seattle Mariners and the LA Angels began.

* * *

‘There’s no 괴물 [monster] like that 괴물 [monster].’

While Seattle’s 선발투수 [starting pitcher] Hayashi Rentaro 막아낸 [blocked/prevented] the Angels’ attack in the top of the 1st inning with no runs allowed, Seattle’s 반격 [counterattack] began in the bottom of the 1st inning.

Ryu Han-gyeol, the Korean 에이스 [ace] who 지키게 된 [came to protect] the Angels’ 마운드 [mound] today, was 쩝 다셨다 입맛을 [smacking his lips] while looking at Han Su-hyeok’s 성적 [record] 새겨진 [engraved] on the 전광판 [scoreboard].

With about two months left in the season, a batting average approaching 0.420, 52 home runs, and even more RBIs than games played.

In 2027, which was Han Su-hyeok’s 프로 데뷔 [professional debut] season and Ryu Han-gyeol’s 한국무대 마지막 [last Korean stage] season,

That 괴물 [monster] recorded an 말도 안 되는 성적 [unbelievable record] of a .432 batting average, 61 home runs, and 162 RBIs, leading the 워리어스 [Warriors], who were the 꼴찌팀 [last place team] the previous year, to the championship.

Three years later, the 괴물 [monster] who 옮긴 무대를 [moved the stage] from the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] to the MLB is 폭격하고 [bombarding] the league with 성적 [records] that is no less than that, or even more 엄청난 [tremendous] in some ways.

He feels 자부심 [pride] in the thought that he is the same Korean as that Han Su-hyeok, but when he 볼 때 선수 대 선수로서 [sees him as a player against player], he can’t help but feel 허탈감 [emptiness].

Ryu Han-gyeol also 성장해온 [grown up] while hearing the 소리 천재 [sound of genius] from a young age, and although he has no 한국시리즈 우승 [Korean Series championship] experience due to his 막장 소속팀 [terrible team], he is an 엘리트 중의 엘리트 [elite among elites] who was 듣고 [hearing] the 소리 최고 투수 [sound of best pitcher] in the league until Han Su-hyeok 등장 [appeared] and succeeded in 진출 메이저리그 [advancing to Major League].

But when he sees that 놈 [guy], he thinks, what’s the point of all that?

천재 [genius]? 엘리트 [elite]?

If he is a 천재 [genius], then what is Han Su-hyeok?

Is he really the 신 야구 [god of baseball]라도 되는 걸까 [or something], as someone said?

“Play!”

1번 중견수 [1st Center Fielder] Derek Fleming

2번 3루수 [2nd Third Baseman] Han Su-hyeok

3번 1루수 [3rd First Baseman] Ty Johnson

4번 우익수 [4th Right Fielder] Chuck Clark

5번 좌익수 [5th Left Fielder] Jim Brown

6번 지명타자 [6th Designated Hitter] Antonio Garcia

7번 포수 [7th Catcher] Bruce Matthews

8번 2루수 [8th Second Baseman] Liam Landman

9번 유격수 [9th Shortstop] Joey Oliver

선발투수 [Starting Pitcher] Hayashi Rentaro

Han Su-hyeok, who 선발 출장했던 [started] as the 톱타자 [leadoff hitter] yesterday, has 돌아왔다 [returned] to his 제자리 [original position].

Some 전문가들 [experts] 전망했지만 [predicted] that Seattle would 내세울 [put forward] Han Su-hyeok as the 리드오프 [leadoff] again today, but Ryu Han-gyeol did not think so.

Han Su-hyeok knows, and he knows, and everyone in this 업계 [industry] knows.

How 지독한 승부 근성을 갖고 있는 선수인지 [fiercely competitive player] Ryu Han-gyeol is.

He can 피해갈 [avoid] Han Su-hyeok as much as he wants for the team’s 승리를 [victory], but even that has to be 투수 자신이 납득하고 결정해야만 가능하다는 것을 [the pitcher himself has to understand and decide],

If an 자동고의사구 [automatic intentional walk] is 요청될 [requested] according to the 벤치’s 지시에 [bench’s instructions], Ryu Han-gyeol, who is 상처를 입은 [wounded] in his 자존심 [pride], may 오히려 무너질 [collapse instead].

When he was 뛰던 [playing] in the KBO, Ryu Han-gyeol was the 투수 [pitcher] who 내준 [gave up] the most 볼넷 [walks] to Han Su-hyeok among the 9 구단 에이스 [9 team aces], and at the same time, he was the 유일한 투수 [only pitcher] who did not 허용하다 [allow] a single 자동고의사구 [automatic intentional walk].

슈웅 [whoosh]

파앙 [thwack]

“Strike!”

A 묵직한 포심 [heavy fastball] that 들어가는 [enters] almost 걸치듯이 [hanging] on the 바깥쪽 낮은 코스 [outside low course]. Derek just 흘려보냈다 [let go] the ball that is one step 업그레이드 [upgraded] in 제구력 [control] than in the KBO 시절 [KBO days], although the 구속 [velocity] is a little 떨어졌다 [fallen].

He puts aside his thoughts about Han Su-hyeok for now.

Derek Fleming, who is 당장 눈앞에 있는 [right in front of him], is also the 리그 최고 수준의 톱타자 [league’s top-level leadoff hitter] who is 기록하고 [recording] a 출루율 [on-base percentage] in the mid-4할 [mid-.400s] in the last 7 games.

슈웅 [whoosh]

파앙 [thwack]

“볼 [ball].”

A 타자 [hitter] with 적당한 컨택 능력 [decent contact ability] and 적당한 선구안 [decent eye], 적당한 파워 [decent power], and 발 빠르고 수비까지 좋은 [fast and good defense], in some ways, a 타자 [hitter] who is quite similar to his team 동료 [colleague] Lee Chan-ho.

That’s why Ryu Han-gyeol knows too well how to 상대하면 좋을지 [how to face] this kind of 타자 [hitter].

슈웅 [whoosh]

파앙 [thwack]

“볼 [ball].”

The 타자 [hitter] 용케 참아냈다 [barely endured] the 체인지업 [changeup] that 들어오다가 [coming in] into the 바깥쪽 존 [outside zone] and suddenly 뚝 떨어지는 [dropping].

But Ryu Han-gyeol 보았다 [saw]. The 타자’s [hitter’s] 어깨가 움찔하는 것을 [shoulder flinching].

If it was Derek Fleming until the 전반기 [first half], he would have 분명 참지 못하고 [definitely not endured] and his 배트 [bat] would have 나왔을 것이다 [come out]. The 최고조에 달한 컨디션 [peak condition] just 강제로 멈춰 세웠을 뿐이다 [forced to stop].

That’s why he 노린다 [aims] that 곳 [spot] once more.

슈웅 [whoosh]

부웅 [whizz]

“Swing!”

역시나 [as expected],

The 타자’s [hitter’s] 배트 [bat] was 이끌려 나왔다 [led out] by the same 코스 [course] and the same 구종 [pitch type].

Derek, who 헛스윙을 [swing and miss], 노려보았다 [glared at] Ryu Han-gyeol with a 분한 표정 [resentful expression].

But with that 공 방금 [ball just now], the 승부’s 저울추 기울어졌다 [match’s balance tilted] to the 투수 [pitcher].

슈웅 [whoosh]

파앙 [thwack]

“Strike! Out!”

Derek Fleming, who 당한 [suffered] a 스탠딩 삼진 [standing strikeout] by the 포심 [fastball] that 들어가는 [enters] into the same 코스 [course] but is not a 체인지업 [changeup].

He 집어던지고 [threw] his 헬멧 [helmet] and 노려보았다 [glared at] the 투수 [pitcher].

It seems like the 콧김 내뿜는 [snorting] by the 타자 [hitter] is 전해지는 [conveyed] even to the 마운드 [mound],

상관없다 [doesn’t matter].

Ryu Han-gyeol’s 관심 [interest] is already 멀어진 [moved away] from Derek.

Right now, his 관심사는 오직 하나 [only one interest],

Han Su-hyeok, the 괴물 [monster] of Seattle, no, of the 야구판 [baseball scene], who is 걸어 나오며 좌우로 목을 꺾고 [walking out and cracking his neck left and right] in the 대기 타석 [on-deck circle].

Ryu Han-gyeol, who 마주친 눈이 [met eyes] with him, 자기도 모르게 씨익 웃음을 지었다 [unconsciously smiled].

무섭다 [scary].

그렇지만 한편으로는 너무너무 즐겁다 [but on the other hand, it’s so much fun].

저런 대단한 타자와 승부를 할 수 있어서 [to be able to compete with such a great hitter],

어쩌면 야구 역사상 다시 나오지 않을지도 모를 선수와 한 시대를 살아갈 수 있어서 [to be able to live in the same era as a player who might not appear again in baseball history].