Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 319

318. For Han Su-hyeok

There’s no guaranteed winning strategy in baseball.

Everything is a battle of probabilities, determined by the data of both sides, and the judgment of the coaching staff and players at any given moment.

In that respect, it couldn’t be said that the White Sox manager’s decision to intentionally walk Han Su-hyeok was entirely wrong.

However,

the story changes a bit when the team suffers a crushing 9-2 defeat in the first game of the crucial four-game series as a result.

└ Yesterday’s game was truly awful. It was like a self-portrait of why our team can’t become a prestigious one.

└ To get destroyed after giving four intentional walks, God, strike that damn manager with lightning.

└ Damn it, the Texas guys already did this before. It’s obvious that walking Han Su-hyeok will just lead to getting hammered by the next batters, what was the manager thinking?

└ 9-2 in a match-up between fifth starters… damn bastards.

└ I’ll say it again, the atmosphere in the first inning wasn’t bad. There was a double play, but that was because Han Su-hyeok, that monster, was on third, and it was clear we could score. All of this is the fault of the manager who walked Han Su-hyeok and then got hit with a two-run shot by Ty Johnson.

└ Just passing by as an Angels fan, but you guys are morons.

└ What, I’m already pissed off, you son of a bitch!

└ My child recently entered school. I needed more money. But I was laid off from my company. The only hope left for me was Han Su-hyeok’s home run ball.

└ What the hell are you talking about?

└ You guys remember when Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run in 2022? It fell to the ground avoiding the gloves of the spectators, but if you could have caught it, you could have gotten at least $100,000, no, $200,000.

└ Aha, you must be one of the idiots who was waving a butterfly net to catch the home run ball yesterday.

└ White Sox, you sons of bitches. I’m one of those idiots too. Because of your cowardly actions, hundreds of thousands of dollars in economic creation disappeared from T-Mobile Park yesterday.

└ That’s right, the guys who are in first place by taking advantage of other teams in the league giving up on the season are doing stupid things to protect that spot.

└ Compete fairly! If you do that again, I’ll set fire to your home stadium!

Amidst the White Sox fans’ anger at suffering a major defeat despite giving up four intentional walks, and the criticism from baseball fans who came to T-Mobile Park to see Han Su-hyeok’s home runs, the second game between Chicago and Seattle began.

“There will be no automatic intentional walk requests from the bench today. Emilio, I trust you.”

“Of course, Boss. I’ll shut him down perfectly.”

If the White Sox manager had been a more assertive figure, or had strong power within the club, the automatic intentional walk against Han Su-hyeok might have continued.

But he was just one of the ordinary managers in the major leagues, and he didn’t have the courage to push his own way through criticism.

The decisive factor is that the second game is a match-up between aces.

The White Sox manager decided to bet everything on his ace, Emilio Castro.

* * *

“Good, now we’re only 0.02 games behind those White Sox bastards. We’re almost there. Just a little further. Ryan, can I trust you?”

“Of course, Manager.”

“Good, here’s the lineup for today.”

Manager Benjamin, who had gathered the players and raised the atmosphere, posted the lineup he had just written and left the locker room.

1. Center Fielder Derek Fleming

2. Third Baseman Han Su-hyeok

3. First Baseman Ty Johnson

4. Right Fielder Chuck Clark

5. Left Fielder Jim Brown

6. Designated Hitter Antonio Garcia

7. Catcher Bruce Matthews

8. Second Baseman Liam Landman

9. Shortstop Josh Oliver

Pitcher Ryan Thibodeau

Including Han Su-hyeok returning to his original position as the lead-off hitter after yesterday’s game, the Seattle Mariners’ best lineup at the moment was all present.

Even though no one leaked information, Manager Benjamin accurately predicted that the opposing team would stop the intentional walk strategy against Han Su-hyeok. That meant Benjamin was a better manager than he thought.

“Damn it, they’re lucky bastards. We struggled to shake off the Oakland and Angels guys, and they’re just sitting still and rising to first place in the division.”

“The Tigers, Royals, and Twins are all tanking [deliberately losing to get better draft picks] at the same time, I always feel like the Central Division guys should be penalized. They have no intention of winning.”

“By the way, did you see the stands? There are no tickets for a weekday afternoon game, so people can’t get into the stadium.”

“Hey, Han. You definitely have to hit a home run today, don’t you think? Can you hear the fans stomping over there?”

“Home run? Well, it’s not like it comes out just because I want it to.”

“I don’t think that’s something a guy who’s hit 59 in 120 games should be saying, don’t you think, Ty?”

“Hehe, maybe today Babe Ruth or Roger Maris, one of those two, or maybe both, will jump out of their graves.”

Han Su-hyeok, who hit his 59th home run in the last game against Houston and was ranked 10th in the major league single-season home run rankings, would now move up one spot each time he hit another home run.

9th place was 60 by Babe Ruth in 1927, 8th place was 61 by Roger Maris in 1961, and 7th place was 62 by Aaron Judge in 2022.

And the records from 6th to 1st place were all built with the power of drugs [referring to the steroid era in baseball].

“First, let’s hit two, no, three today, Han. We need at least three to push those unsightly Yankees guys out of the rankings.”

“I’ll say it again, a home run is not something that comes out just because I want to…….”

“What, do you even have humility? Why are you backing out so awkwardly?”

“Hmm, I think there’s a deep misunderstanding about me.”

“Okay, anyway, we’ll support you firmly from the front and back, so you have to hit a home run today no matter what. We don’t need three, let’s just hit one for sure.”

The Seattle players, led by Ty Johnson, surrounded Han Su-hyeok and gave him energy.

For them, who had been away from the center of the major leagues for quite a long time, the fans’ attention that Seattle was receiving this season was so enjoyable.

And they knew very well that Han Su-hyeok’s record march was at the center of it.

“So, for the second place in the American League, and for that guy Han Su-hyeok, let’s do our best!”

“Okay!”

“In that sense, Ryan, can we trust you today?”

“Of course, leave it to me. Han, I’ll shut them down perfectly so that you can win even if that friend only hits one home run.”

* * *

In the top of the first inning, Ryan Thibodeau, standing on the mound, thought.

He received so much from Han Su-hyeok this season.

He was able to make his daughter’s birthday happy with the home run he hit, and he was able to learn various mindsets and skills that he needed as a pitcher.

Not only that.

He was also able to get rid of the burden of encouraging and leading the team members alone until last season.

On the batter side, Ty Johnson, who transferred from St. Louis, held the weight, and Mike Warren, who was brought in from the Dodgers, volunteered to be a mentor for the pitchers.

And Ryan was vaguely aware that Han Su-hyeok was at the center of all of this.

So, Han Su-hyeok was not just a teammate to Ryan.

The most reliable ace whenever the team was in crisis, the best problem solver who made him expect every time he stood at the plate, and the team leader who kept making him look back whenever something went wrong.

“Play!”

Such Han Su-hyeok challenged the single-season home run record.

At this moment, for him and for the team, there is only one thing Ryan can do.

Shut them down perfectly.

So that they don’t even dare to think about the intentional walk strategy,

He’s not going to give up a single point.

The first ball containing such spirit of Ryan flew towards White Sox’s lead hitter Hamasaki Akinori.

Whoosh

Bang

“Strike!”

– Oh, that’s a really great ball. Don’t you think so, Commissioner Go Dong-sik?

– That’s right. Ryan Thibodeau is throwing his highest speed of 100 miles from the beginning of the first inning. Speed is speed, but look at this video here. The movement is no joke, right? It shows almost sinker-like movement. The secret to Ryan Thibodeau’s best performance since his debut this season is this four-seam movement.

– I heard that he was inspired by Han Su-hyeok’s hard sinker?

– Yes, it seems that Han Su-hyeok actually looked at the grip, not just inspired. Haha, isn’t that amazing? A player who is only in his early twenties is teaching a Cy Young winner [award for the best pitcher] ace of a team a new pitch.

– Actually, it was like that in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] days. There were more than one or two players in the Warriors who said they received teachings or help from Han Su-hyeok.

– That’s right, at that time, some idiots… hmm, so-called experts claimed that Warriors was creating an image for Han Su-hyeok, how could a rookie who just debuted in the pros teach other players? But what about this? It turned out to be true when he came to the United States?

– ‘Turned out to be’ hmm, that’s rude, Commissioner.

– Ah, I’m sorry. I got excited again. Viewers, I sincerely apologize. Anyway, the conclusion is this.

– Han Su-hyeok is the best?

– That’s just a very obvious thing, similar to the earth being round, and what I want to say is… Seattle Mariners, no, the center of the major leagues is Han Su-hyeok. When he coughs loudly, the American baseball world trembles…….

* * *

The White Sox’s first attack in the top of the first inning ended with three batters out, including two strikeouts.

“Ryan’s in great condition today, isn’t he?”

“Okay, let’s get started too.”

“Derek, you have to get on base no matter what. Get hit by the ball and get out.”

“Of course.”

Seattle’s counterattack in the bottom of the first inning, Derek, who returned to the lead-off hitter in a day, entered the plate.

“Hey, Jordan. How have you been?”

“What are you talking about, I saw you yesterday.”

“Really? Yesterday, I thought there was no catcher behind the home plate because the automatic intentional walk kept coming out.”

“I wondered what you were talking about, but it was bullshit. Don’t talk nonsense and shut up.”

“You guys were the ones who spouted nonsense first. What did your captain say in the interview? Did he say that Han Su-hyeok would not set a record in this four-game series? What, so does that mean you’re just going to keep throwing intentional walks today?”

“Shut up.”

As the catcher closed his mouth as if he didn’t want to argue anymore, Derek smiled and turned his gaze to the pitcher.

An important game with the team’s direct ticket to the division series at stake, and Han Su-hyeok’s record at stake.

He feels energized to be the lead-off hitter in such a game.

Other players are the same, but Derek especially had a debt of gratitude to Han Su-hyeok.

Starting with him blowing that damn catcher from Oakland’s jaw instead of himself in the opening game of this season, he learned a lot from Han Su-hyeok, such as how to take the pitcher’s breath on the base, and how to take the opponent off guard and go one base further.

At first, he was a little bothered by learning something from a guy who was only in his fourth year as a pro, but now he doesn’t care at all.

He realized painfully this season that age doesn’t matter in baseball.

“Play!”

In that sense, Derek was ready to do anything for Han Su-hyeok now.

The internet went crazy because of the automatic intentional walk yesterday, but no one knows when the opposing manager will take out that stupid card again.

So, the best way he can help Han Su-hyeok is,

‘Get on base.’

If he advances to first base in a no-out situation, no matter how misguided the Chicago White Sox manager is, he will never give Han Su-hyeok a walk.

Squeeze

Seattle’s talented lead-off hitter, who had been working hard to hit a home run rather than getting on base, and a long hit rather than a single, began to focus on getting on base itself.

Whoosh

Bang

“Ball.”

Until last season, Derek, who was in the 2nd or 3rd spot of this team, enjoyed hitting big balls and slowly circling the diamond, and was a player like the epitome of a hitter with great running ability who wanted to be called the second Mike Trout by the media.

However, due to the joining of Han Su-hyeok and Ty, his position was changed to number 1, and he had to go through quite a few trials and errors as he paid more attention to getting on base and baserunning than long hits.

Even in such a situation, the fact that he was selected as an All-Star showed how talented an outfielder he was.

Whoosh

Tak!

“Foul!”

Derek thought.

Will he become a player who challenges 30-30 [30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season] like Trout?

Or will he become a player who can record a 40% on-base percentage and 50 stolen bases even if he can’t hit a home run?

In fact, the answer was already decided.

If you only consider the value, the former may be more advantageous, but what Seattle needs now is the latter type of player.

He recalls the message from the club’s management that was recently delivered through the general manager.

The promise from the club’s top management to give weighted value in salary negotiations to players who had to change their positions or change their playing styles due to team circumstances.

Recalling that pleasant promise, Derek Fleming grabbed the bat shortly.

Whoosh

Bang

“Ball.”

As always, the ball of Emilio Castro, who defected from Cuba and became the White Sox’s ace, is very difficult to deal with.

Not only is it fast, but the movement is so severe that it is not easy to hit the ball in the center of the bat.

Especially when aiming for a long hit and making a big swing, such problems become even more prominent.

But,

What Derek, who is now at the plate, is aiming for is not a long hit, but getting on first base.

Whoosh

Tak!

“Good! That’s it! As expected!”

“Derek! You are our Mariners’ stormtrooper!”

“I love you! Derek! Stay on our team forever!”

Chewing on the enthusiastic cheers of the home fans coming from the stands, Derek looked towards the waiting batter’s box.

He was walking out of there.

Han Su-hyeok, who once dreamed of becoming the second Mike Trout, made Ricky Henderson his role model,

The strongest hitter in the current, no, major league history.

As he slowly walked out, the spectators began to stomp their feet in time.

Thump! Thump!

The entire stadium vibrated as if it would collapse at any moment, and the blood disappeared from the faces of the White Sox players watching the scene.

“Damn, it’s so cool.”

A sigh mixed with grumbling flowed out of Derek’s mouth as he looked at Han Su-hyeok without realizing it.

It was the most ideal center hitter he had wanted to become a long time ago, but could not become in the end.