Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 345

#344. A Grand and Majestic Home Run

“Alright, everyone, time for practice.”

“Ah, Jun-yeong, sunbae [senior]! Just a moment!”

“Has everyone forgotten what day it is tomorrow?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“Hey, Jun-yeong, come on. Let’s just watch the first at-bat of the first inning. I’m curious too, man.”

“Even you, hyung [older brother/friend]…”

“Hehe, I’m still the captain, you know. Once you take over the captaincy next year, you can do as you please, but for today, let’s do as I say. Everyone watches Soo-hyuk’s first at-bat and then starts training, okay?”

“Yes, Captain!”

While the Seattle Mariners had already clinched the Western Division title early and were challenging the all-time longest winning streak in Major League Baseball, across the sea in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], the Warriors players, who had come to the stadium for training despite it being a Monday off-day, were gathered together.

With the season nearing its end in just over two weeks, the Warriors were leading the KBO league, but they couldn’t relax at all because the Magicians had been on a 10-game winning streak and were right on their heels.

In this situation, the Warriors were scheduled to play their last three games of the season against the Magicians starting tomorrow. It was essentially a decisive battle for this year’s regular-season championship.

Despite the urgent situation, the Warriors players couldn’t take their eyes off the TV.

Han Soo-hyuk, who wasn’t content with just dominating Major League Baseball and was climbing the ranks of the single-season home run record tainted by drugs, finally reaching the top,

The Warriors produced, or perhaps the best player this Earth has ever produced, was predicting another home run.

At the media day held before the three-game series against the Texas Rangers, Han Soo-hyuk told reporters:

He was ready to hit any pitch that wasn’t an intentional walk, and he would set a record that no one would ever be able to break.

Han Soo-hyuk’s face was brighter than ever when he said those words.

It wasn’t the expression of someone always being chased by something, or more precisely, hidden by some shadow he had created himself, but the face of someone who genuinely enjoyed baseball.

“Hey, it’s starting.”

“He’s batting first again today.”

“Without Tai Johnson, that batting order is the best.”

“I wish I was playing on that team right now, so I could help out.”

“What are you talking about, Hyung-joo? If you went to the Mariners, you’d be a backup outfielder.”

“Hey! Ahn Chi-wook, that’s a bit harsh, isn’t it? Me, a backup? This genius center fielder Seo Hyung-joo?”

The voices of Seo Hyung-joo and Ahn Chi-wook, bickering as always, echoed through the clubhouse as the Mariners’ offense began in the bottom of the first inning.

The Mariners were riding high after Ryan Tibodeau’s three-batter strikeout in the previous inning.

As the intense bass riff symbolizing Han Soo-hyuk echoed through the stadium, the crowd, which filled the stadium, rose from their seats and chanted his name.

“Wow… it’s really spectacular.”

“American scale is definitely different. Right?”

“Look at the subtitles. 49,200 people came today. It’s the highest attendance ever.”

“Almost 50,000 people. Wow… it must feel great to play in a place like that. Right, Deok-soo hyung?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I played there during an international tournament, and it was really good.”

Some of those watching TV hadn’t seen Han Soo-hyuk play in person.

To them, Han Soo-hyuk was an untouchable hero and idol.

And they felt immense pride in the fact that such a player was their senior.

“I heard Soo-hyuk is coming back to Korea after the season?”

“Yes, Captain. I heard he’s returning with Min Ye-rin.”

“Hehe, I guess he’s not even trying to hide it anymore. Well, it’s not like it could be hidden anyway.”

“I always thought Soo-hyuk was just a stoic guy, but seeing him mention Min Ye-rin in every interview these days, it seems like he’s already completely under her thumb. I can imagine the future. Hehe.”

“No way, that’s not true. Even if Soo-hyuk wanted to be controlled, Min Ye-rin wouldn’t let him. Min Ye-rin turns pale and rushes over whenever Soo-hyuk even coughs.”

“…Sounds nice. Talking about it suddenly makes me feel pathetic. He’s good at baseball. His girlfriend is Min Ye-rin. And he’s about to make a ton of money. He’s got it all, everything.”

In fact, he was already making more than enough money, but they had no way of knowing that.

As the chatter continued, the Texas starting pitcher threw a ball that landed in the catcher’s mitt.

It was a pitch that flew where the bat couldn’t possibly reach, and the catcher barely caught it while jumping.

“Hmm, are they going to give him an intentional walk?”

“Texas is out of the postseason anyway, and that pitcher is a rookie who was called up in the second half, right? Then, instead of avoiding the confrontation, they’ll probably try to push through it. They’ll also want to see how they can do against the best hitter.”

“Well, I guess it’s the same for the pitcher. When else would they get a chance to comfortably face Han Soo-hyuk?”

“That’s right. I think the last pitch was just a miss because he put too much power into it.”

“Really? Then we can look forward to it.”

As baseball players, they exchanged various analyses about a single ball, and the Texas pitcher, with a stiff expression, powerfully threw the ball toward Han Soo-hyuk.

And,

Thwack!

A clear and magnificent sound of impact echoed as if they were hearing it live, and a special camera, installed solely to track Han Soo-hyuk’s home runs, diligently followed the trajectory of the batted ball.

Realizing it was a home run the moment he hit it, Han Soo-hyuk leaned on his bat like a cane and admired the trajectory he had created.

Shortly after,

Thud.

The batted ball landed in the middle of the highest part of the third floor of the left field stands, and the stadium shook as if there had been an earthquake.

The Seattle fans hugged each other and shed tears of emotion. Han Soo-hyuk, after slightly raising his hand toward them, began to slowly circle the diamond.

The fireworks that had been prepared in advance went off, and the entrance music symbolizing Han Soo-hyuk echoed through the stadium as if it would burst.

The moment Han Soo-hyuk stepped on home plate through the chaos, a message celebrating Han Soo-hyuk’s 75th home run of the season was clearly displayed on the scoreboard.

[Seattle Mariners No. 1 Han Soo-hyuk, achieves his 75th home run of the Major League season]

Cheering crowds, fireworks exploding from all directions, and majestic music,

T-Mobile Park instantly turned into a festival.

“Damn… that’s so cool.”

“75th… is that really crazy?”

“I thought he’d hit one more, but I didn’t know it would be the very next game.”

“Han-gyeol must be relieved now. Hehe.”

“Alright, everyone, let’s get up now. We’ve seen Soo-hyuk’s home run, so now it’s our turn.”

“Yes, Captain. You’re right. It would be a real disgrace if we lost first place while that guy is doing that.”

“Good, then let’s clean up here and gather on the ground in 10 minutes!”

The Warriors players’ fighting spirit was ignited after seeing Han Soo-hyuk’s home run.

Their former teammate was building incredible records on the best stage of Major League Baseball that no one could ever break, and they were determined to win tomorrow for his sake.

A player who could give his teammates tremendous inspiration and motivation just by playing baseball,

That was Han Soo-hyuk.

* * *

[Major League Baseball’s single-season home run record broken in two days, Han Soo-hyuk’s 75th home run of the season in the game against the Texas Rangers]

[Major League Baseball experts who made negative predictions about Han Soo-hyuk before the season began: “We were crazy. He was a player we couldn’t even evaluate. We once again send him our sincere apologies.”]

[49,253 spectators visited T-Mobile Park to see Han Soo-hyuk’s home run… Breaking the record for the most attendees since the opening of T-Mobile Park, the Seattle Mariners are setting new records every day]

[Seattle Mariners achieve a 20-game winning streak at the end of the season with a 7-3 victory over the Texas Rangers, approaching the New York Yankees, the American League’s top team in overall winning percentage, with a 5-ri [unit of distance, approximately 3.93 km] difference in winning percentage, with the acquisition of the Division Series No. 1 seed in sight]

[Benjamin Reynolds, manager: “I would like to express my deep gratitude for the fighting spirit and dedication that Ryan has shown this season. Now, following Han Soo-hyuk, Ryan will also complete his regular season appearances and focus all his attention on the postseason.”]

└ Great, I think I should cancel my statement that 2001 was the Mariners’ best heyday. Even if we win all the remaining games, we won’t be able to match the 116 wins we recorded at that time, but no matter how I think about it, the current team is the best team in Mariners history.

└ Of course. If we had taken care of just a few of the games we lost while experiencing trial and error at the beginning of the season, we would have broken that 116-win record. Damn, I never thought this day would come again in my life.

└ My grandson is already making a picket sign to use in the World Series championship parade. The funny thing is that I’m not stopping him, but rather joining him. I know that my grandson will be greatly hurt if everything falls apart, but still.

└ Don’t worry. That won’t happen. Our ace’s shoulder is still fresh, and the rest of the pitchers are also maintaining their condition. The new closer hasn’t given up a single point in the last seven games. And above all…….

└ He is healthy.

└ That’s right, we have the best baseball player in history, Han Soo-hyuk. I heard what he said this morning. He told us not to worry about anything and just watch the game comfortably. I believe his words more than anyone else in the world.

└ Well, if we get the No. 1 seed… we’ll face either Oakland or Boston in the Division Series.

└ It doesn’t matter who it is. I’ll say it again, we’re the best. We’re going to crush Oakland, Boston, and those damn Yankees, and move forward. Towards the World Series.

“Han, you’re keeping your promise, right? If I record a quality start in today’s game, you’ll teach me that hard sinker at next year’s spring camp.”

“Don’t worry, just pitch well. And be careful not to get cocky in the setup position.”

“Of course.”

The 12th game of the season against Texas, it was originally my turn to pitch, but manager Benjamin started rookie Samuel Ramos in my place.

To be honest, I didn’t think anything would happen if I pitched one more game, but after reading the worry and concern on the manager’s face, I reluctantly nodded my head.

With the team challenging for its 21st consecutive win after surpassing 20 consecutive wins, it’s impossible for anyone without a strong heart to entrust the starting mound to a rookie who made his big league debut a few months ago.

I’m hearing rumors that some of the Mariners’ ownership group are arguing for the appointment of another manager, citing Benjamin’s lack of career experience…….

Well, I think it’s better to just kick out anyone who’s talking such nonsense from management. Anyone who tries to act like an owner with such a small stake has no choice but to be kicked out of this house.

Anyway,

Not only the starting pitcher, but also rookie Henry Hernandez entered as left fielder instead of Jim Brown, who has been experiencing minor discomfort in his back throughout the second half, and Leonard Jones wore the catcher’s mask to manage Bruce’s stamina.

Three of the lineup are backups or rookies.

Therefore, the early game will determine a lot in today’s game as well.

A battle of whether we will break Texas’ momentum first and take the game comfortably, or whether our team’s inexperienced rookies will collapse.

The best way to win such an early momentum battle,

There’s no need to say it twice.

A home run,

A very grand and majestic home run.