Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 333

#332. The Oakland Series (1)

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, during the era of Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa, when they were competing and hitting 70 home runs, Major League Baseball fans wondered:

‘Could someone hit 80 home runs someday with this trend?’

However, it was revealed that the players who ushered in that great era were actually using performance-enhancing drugs. With increased drug testing and stricter enforcement, the number of home runs across the league plummeted, and people finally faced reality.

There are limits to human power.

As time passed, it became common for a player to become the home run king by hitting only around 40 or 50 home runs each year.

Then, one day, two incredible players appeared.

Giancarlo Stanton, who possessed raw power unmatched in baseball history, and Aaron Judge, a giant standing at 6 feet 7 inches (2 meters) and weighing 287 pounds (130 kg).

When these two players hit 59 and 62 home runs respectively, people realized that the natural limit for home runs, achieved without artificial enhancement, was likely around that number.

Therefore, many prematurely assumed that no player would ever reach the 70-home run mark again.

Until Soo-hyuk Han appeared.

*Thwack!*

[Soo-hyuk Han hits his 70th home run of the season in the last game against the Cleveland Guardians, reopening the 70-home run era after 29 years]

[Newly updated Major League Baseball single-season home run rankings]

1st place: Barry Bonds, 73 (2001)

2nd place: Mark McGwire, 70 (1998) / Soo-hyuk Han, 70 (2030) (tie)

4th place: Sammy Sosa, 66 (1998)

5th place: Mark McGwire, 65 (1999)

6th place: Sammy Sosa, 64 (2001)

7th place: Sammy Sosa, 63 (1999)

8th place: Aaron Judge, 62 (2022)

9th place: Roger Maris, 61 (1961)

10th place: Babe Ruth, 60 (1927)

[Soo-hyuk Han, the true god of baseball in this era, surpassing Babe Ruth, the legendary “Sultan of Swat”]

[Major League Baseball experts: “Soo-hyuk Han’s 2030 season will be remembered as the greatest individual season in history. If he has a rival, it’s only himself,” praise]

[A massive home run that directly hit the Progressive Field scoreboard. Ronald Clark (45), who caught the historic 70th home run ball, said, “I am a huge fan of Soo-hyuk Han. I flew here to see his game. Compensation? I don’t need it. This ball belongs to him. I plan to donate it to the Seattle team immediately.”]

[Japanese pitcher Hayashi Rentaro, who earned a win thanks to Soo-hyuk Han’s home run, said, “He is a living Buddha on the field, not just in my heart.” What did he mean by that?]

[Seattle Mariners sweep the Cleveland series and record 91 wins and 49 losses with a winning percentage of 0.650. Postseason advancement is highly likely unless something unexpected happens!]

[Seattle team finishes their grueling 17-game road trip and finally returns home. Fans gather at the airport to give them an enthusiastic welcome]

[Mariners fan club says, “They are our heroes. Waking up in the morning and looking forward to the Mariners game is the best part of the day. There are only a few games left in the season. We will enjoy every moment of the wonderful games they play until the end.”]

[What’s next for the unstoppable Mariners? A four-game series against their division rival, the Oakland Athletics, who are second in the American League Wild Card race]

[This four-game series against Oakland, featuring 5th starter Dimon Anderson Jr., followed by 1st starter Ryan Tibo, 2nd starter Soo-hyuk Han, and 3rd starter Mike Warren, is expected to be the final hurdle to the Fall Classic [World Series]]

* * *

“Okay, everyone, gather around. Especially those starting today, get over here.”

“Ty, what’s up?”

“What do you mean? I’m just trying to act like a responsible adult for once. Looks like everyone’s here. Actually, it’s nothing big. As you all know, the Oakland guys are fighting for a playoff spot too. That doesn’t mean they’ll be nice. They’re the toughest guys in the league.”

“That’s true.”

“Good, what I’m saying is, don’t get drawn into their mind games. I’m not saying just take it. If you’re going to retaliate, do it right, but otherwise, don’t react to their BS [bullshit]. We only have 22 games left. When I was playing in St. Louis, I screwed up at the end of the regular season and ruined our chances at the Fall Classic more than once. I don’t want you guys to go through that. Don’t get hurt. Understand?”

“Yes, Mommy. We’ll keep that in mind.”

“Damn it, get over here! Derek!”

Ty, looking exasperated, chased after Derek, but the remaining players’ faces were serious.

He was right.

The playoffs were almost here. They had safely completed 90% of the 162-game season.

If they kept up their current performance, the Fall Classic would be within reach.

In this situation, there was no need to engage in unnecessary mind games with Oakland, even if they were rivals.

Perhaps the Oakland players were thinking the same thing.

They had missed out on first place in the division, but as the second-ranked wild card team after Boston, they were fighting to maintain their position.

Only a few months ago, at the start of the season, they were the champions and Seattle was the underdog.

But now, after several months, the positions of the two teams had completely reversed.

The Seattle rookies, who had been intimidated by Oakland’s power and the spirit of Oakland’s notoriously aggressive veterans, had been reborn as true warriors this season.

That’s why they weren’t afraid of anything.

“Here’s the lineup for today. Even if some of you are feeling a little off, we’re sticking with this. We need to break their spirit.”

“Understood, Manager.”

1. Center Fielder Derek Fleming

2. Third Baseman Soo-hyuk Han

3. First Baseman Ty Johnson

4. Right Fielder Chuck Clark

5. Left Fielder Jim Brown

6. Designated Hitter Antonio Garcia

7. Second Baseman Liam Landman

8. Catcher Bruce Matthews

9. Shortstop Josh Oliver

Pitcher Dimon Anderson Jr.

Jim and Liam, who had complained of slight discomfort, were in the starting lineup.

It was an all-out war.

A war where neither side could afford to back down.

* * *

Oakland, the first-place team in the American League West last season, was having a good season, maintaining a winning percentage of over 60%.

However, Seattle had stolen the spotlight by recording an incredible winning percentage of 0.650.

With each team having roughly 20 to 30 games left, Oakland was competing with the Boston Red Sox for the first wild card spot.

They couldn’t afford to let their guard down.

Aside from the competition with Boston, the Angels in the same division were still fighting for a wild card spot.

It’s baseball, where anything can happen.

A team that’s doing well can suddenly go on a losing streak, and a team that’s struggling can go on a winning streak. That’s just how it is in Major League Baseball.

The Oakland Athletics needed every win they could get.

Before the four-game series against Seattle, the first-place team in the same division and their newfound rival, the Oakland players were burning with fighting spirit.

“Listen up, everyone. We’ll be using every available relief pitcher in today’s game. You haven’t forgotten how those guys beat us this season, have you? If you show any weakness, I’ll pull you off the field immediately. Remember that. This isn’t just a warning.”

After the manager’s long speech, only the players remained in the locker room.

Today’s game, with the two teams’ fifth starters facing off, was likely to turn into a slugfest [a high-scoring game]. And the most important thing in a slugfest is the cohesiveness of the batting lineup.

What’s the best way to increase cohesiveness?

It’s to increase the focus of each individual batter.

Julio Pena, the starting first baseman and captain who had been leading Oakland for the past three years, spoke cautiously.

“I think it’s better to have a slugfest. Don’t you think? Even if they have two monsters on that team, we can win if we shut down the rest of their guys. We’re better at teamwork, right? Don’t you think so?”

“That’s right, Captain.”

“Good. No need to say more. The results of this four-game series will play a big role not only in advancing to the postseason but also in the Fall Classic. Let’s put aside unnecessary emotional fights and focus on the game.”

He was worried about whether the lingering tension from the bench-clearing brawl [a fight involving players from both teams] between the two teams at the start of the season was still present.

In particular, starting catcher Desmond King, who was out for more than a month due to the incident, and his close friend Devin McPherson were key figures to watch in this series.

After speaking, Julio Pena looked elsewhere.

In the distance, he saw Desmond King and ace Devin McPherson talking in front of the lockers.

‘Damn it, nothing should happen…’

* * *

The pleas of the veterans of both teams to focus on baseball and avoid unnecessary emotions were shattered in the very first inning.

*Thwack!*

“You goddamn bastards!”

“It was a mistake! A mistake!”

“Shut up! You sons of bitches!”

Matt Robinson, the leadoff hitter for Oakland this season, stepped up to the plate, and Dimon Anderson Jr. threw the first pitch cautiously.

A young pitcher who dreamed of becoming like his respected Ryan Tibo.

He, who had been holding the fifth starter position for Seattle this season and playing his part, threw a wild pitch on the very first pitch.

It wasn’t intentional, of course.

He was just nervous because he was starting the important four-game series, and he put too much strength into his hand, wanting to throw a perfect ball.

“You sons of bitches, I’m going to kill you.”

“Hey, stop it. I told you it was a mistake.”

The batter, who was hit in the back with a 95-mph fastball, was helped off the field by his teammates, and a pinch runner took his place at first base.

The atmosphere of the Oakland players, who lost their leadoff hitter in the first game of the series, began to turn ugly.

“Play!”

When a hit-by-pitch occurs, it’s not just the batter who is under pressure.

The pitcher who threw the wild pitch is also under pressure.

Dimon Anderson’s control, already affected by the pressure, began to waver.

After a full count, he managed to get the second batter out, but he allowed a hit to Julio Pena, the third batter, putting runners on first and third with one out.

Desmond King, the fourth batter, stepped up to the plate.

“Hey, Desmond. I’m telling you again, that pitch was a mistake. Let’s not waste any unnecessary emotions.”

“Shut up.”

Desmond, dismissing Bruce’s words, glared at the pitcher with fire in his eyes.

If you had to pick the Oakland player with the most animosity towards Seattle, it would be Desmond King.

He was injured by Soo-hyuk Han in the opening game, was out for about a month, and had a hard time getting back into shape even after returning.

Of course, the reason for that was because he touched Derek first and even made racist remarks, but Desmond’s mind was devoid of any fault of his own.

All that remained for him now was anger towards Seattle, or more precisely, Soo-hyuk Han.

‘You son of a bitch.’

Soo-hyuk Han, who was looking at him nonchalantly next to third base.

What Desmond was really upset about was that he was inferior to Soo-hyuk Han in every way, not only in fighting but also in baseball skills and team performance.

Barely suppressing his rising anger, Desmond powerfully pulled the first pitch thrown by Dimon.

*Thwack!*

It was a hard ground ball hit towards third base, although it was hit slightly on the bottom.

A ball that looked a little difficult for the third baseman to catch thanks to the shift to the right.

But the one guarding that spot wasn’t just an ordinary third baseman.

*Thud!*

With the sound of the hit, the ball was sucked into Soo-hyuk Han’s glove, who instinctively dove for it.

Soo-hyuk Han, immediately getting up, threw a bullet-like throw towards second base.

“Out!”

Liam Landman, the second baseman who caught the ball and tagged the base, threw it back to first base.

“Out!”

“Nice! Perfect defense!”

“Yeah! You’re the best! Soo-hyuk Han!”

“You goddamn Oakland hicks! Eat a double play and go home! If you go home crying, your mom will wipe away your tears!”

Soo-hyuk Han, who perfectly shut down the one-out, runners on first and third threat, returned to the dugout nonchalantly, and Dimon, running from the mound, put his arm around his shoulder, looking grateful.

The only one unhappy on the field at this moment was Desmond King, whose one-RBI single became a double play.