Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 372

371. Just Watch, I’ll Definitely Make It.

A man should have a goal for the day, a goal for life. My goal was to have people say this:

“Behold, Ted Williams passes by. The greatest hitter who ever lived.”

– Ted Williams (August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002)

Ted Williams, who played for the Boston Red Sox for over 20 years and recorded a .316 batting average in his final season at the age of 42, was known as the last .400 hitter before Han Su-hyeok appeared.

He was a great baseball player who joined the war as a fighter pilot when World War II broke out during his major league career. He was also famous for his strong personality and pride, which sometimes cost him the MVP award. He sincerely hoped that the title of the greatest hitter would be attached to his name in the distant future.

But,

[Batting average 0.421, on-base percentage 0.530, slugging percentage 1.019, OPS 1.550, 79 home runs, 172 RBIs, hitter WAR 18.1. Han Su-hyeok recorded results that cannot be explained by the word overwhelming… Rookie of the Year, MVP, Hank Aaron Award, Gold Glove in the third baseman category, Silver Slugger, etc. He swept all titles in all areas of hitting]

[Han Su-hyeok, who ranked first in history in three categories including slugging percentage, OPS, and home runs in a single season, experts say, “The hitting performance he recorded this season cannot be explained by the word amazing. He is a player close to perfection, combining only the strengths of the best hitters of all time, such as Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.”]

[Major League fans, “He is only in his first year in the Major League. But he is called the strongest hitter of all time. I can’t even guess what title will be attached to his name in 5, 10, and 20 years.”]

Even though baseball is a sport of records and statistics, the short-term impact Han Su-hyeok showed was too significant.

After leading Seattle to its first World Series victory since its founding and recording overwhelming results in all areas of hitting, people began to call him the greatest hitter who has ever existed. It was an expression close to certainty, not possibility.

It wasn’t just hitting.

206 innings, 22 wins and no losses, 335 strikeouts, ERA 0.52, WHIP 0.59, pitcher WAR 12.2.

People were amazed by his pitching record, which surpassed all objective indicators, recording the best ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of runs allowed per nine innings] and WHIP [Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched, a measure of baserunners allowed per inning] in a single season, and creating a myth of invincibility.

Baseball is a sport based on uncertainty.

But in the face of one person, Han Su-hyeok, even the basic foundation of baseball was shaken. He was the only player who played baseball on the premise of success, not failure.

Han Su-hyeok, who was born for baseball and deserved to be called baseball itself.

After winning the 2030 World Series, he stayed in Korea for a while to watch the Warriors’ V4 [their fourth consecutive championship] in person, and then returned to the United States.

He swept almost all the awards a major leaguer could receive, including MVP [Most Valuable Player], Cy Young [Award for best pitcher], Rookie of the Year, Hank Aaron Award [Award for best offensive player], Gold Glove [Award for best defensive player], and Silver Slugger [Award for best offensive player at each position]. He cut off all contact with the outside world and spent time alone.

No, to be exact, he wasn’t alone. Because next to him was Min Ye-rin, Han Su-hyeok’s lover, who everyone in the world acknowledged.

“Oppa, you’re leaving tomorrow, right?” (Oppa is a Korean term used by a younger woman to address an older brother or close male friend.)

“Yeah, I’m going in a day earlier than planned. I have some people to see, including Seong-hoon hyung [older brother or close male friend].”

“Okay. Then I’ll follow you as soon as my studio work is finished.”

“You don’t have to. You’re doing the second half of the work in New York anyway, right? Why don’t you just stay in the United States?”

“I don’t want to be apart. I’ll try to adjust my schedule somehow.”

Han Su-hyeok, who finished his short but sweet break, reappeared in the world to participate in the 2030 Doha Asian Games, which will be held from December 1st.

The secretariat, which initially tried to disallow the Asian Games participation of major leaguers included in the 40-man roster, changed its stance to leave it to the players’ judgment as if nothing had happened when Han Su-hyeok confirmed his participation in the competition.

[Major League superstar Han Su-hyeok confirms participation in the Asian Games national team… Japan and Taiwan national teams, which were aiming for gold medals, are in a state of emergency]

[Japan national team coach Takahashi, who was initially considered the top candidate for the championship, said, “Isn’t it against the rules for a big league .400 hitter and 22-game winner to participate in the Asian Games?”]

[Taiwan national team, which was aiming for a gold medal by calling up both current big leaguers and minor leaguers, said, “We will not show off unnecessarily. If he participates, we will have no choice but to revise our goal. We will focus on defeating Japan and winning a silver medal somehow.”]

[Hayashi Rentaro, Han Su-hyeok’s teammate and ace of the Japanese national team, “Ask me to tell you Han Su-hyeok’s weaknesses? Even in the major leagues, where the world’s best brains and cutting-edge systems are concentrated, no one has found Han Su-hyeok’s weaknesses. To be honest, if I meet him, I will have to approach him with the attitude of learning something.” Japanese netizens are angry, saying he has no spirit]

[Boston Red Sox bullpen pitcher Wang Lei, “If Han Su-hyeok starts against China, I think it’s better to just forfeit and conserve our energy. You never know? Last season, there was a truckload of guys who talked like that in the major leagues and got destroyed. He is an opponent you can never beat.” Chinese netizens criticize Wang Lei for losing the spirit of a great power]

└ There’s nothing wrong with what he said, why are they making such a fuss.

└ Not everyone watches the major leagues. There are that many idiots who think their country’s baseball is the best.

└ Well, there are people in China who sincerely believe that Wang Lei will grow into a pitcher better than Han Su-hyeok.

└ You don’t have to look far. What did the Busan kids say when Han Su-hyeok was playing in Korea? They said their shortstop was better…….

└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ (Korean laughter, similar to “hahaha”)

└ Anyway, does this mean we’re guaranteed a gold medal?

└ Japan is a bit strong… but with Han Su-hyeok in the team, our members are not bad either. Especially Cheon Sang-jin, Seo Hyeong-ju, Ahn Chi-wook, Choi Ma-ru, Park Dong-seok, and Yoo In-cheol… Just looking at the 6 Warriors players makes me feel so secure.

└ It’s a scam that all of them except Cheon Sang-jin are under 24 years old. The Warriors will dominate for the next 10 years.

* * *

“Wow… it’s really Han Su-hyeok…….”

“Sss! Hey, Oh Gyeong-tae. Did you just call Su-hyeok hyung’s [older brother or close male friend] name?”

“Heok! No, sunbaenim [senior/upperclassman]. It’s not that, I’m just so amazed… I’m sorry!”

“Be careful. Before I tell on you. Huh? He’s coming this way? Su-hyeok hyungnim [honorific term for older brother/close male friend]!”

On the first day of the Asian Games national team’s call-up, Han Su-hyeok appeared in front of the players, who were filled with excitement at wearing the Taegeuk mark [South Korean flag patch] for the first time in their lives.

He was wearing casual clothes, not a uniform, because he came straight from the airport to the training ground. He moved towards the place where his juniors were gathered, and Choi Ma-ru, who discovered this, ran to him like a puppy meeting its owner.

“Hyungnim [honorific term for older brother/close male friend]! Hyungnim [honorific term for older brother/close male friend]! Su-hyeok hyungnim [honorific term for older brother/close male friend]!”

“Quiet. You’re deafening me. And as I always say, we’re only a year apart, so don’t call me hyungnim [honorific term for older brother/close male friend], hyungnim [honorific term for older brother/close male friend]? Call me hyung [older brother/close male friend] comfortably.”

“No! How dare I. By the way, was your flight comfortable?”

“Yeah. By the way, where is the coach… Ah, he’s over there. I have to go say hello.”

“Have a good trip, hyungnim [honorific term for older brother/close male friend]!”

Han Su-hyeok, who discovered former Incheon Rangers coach Gu Yong-sik, who was in charge of the Asian Games following the last Olympics, moved his steps towards him.

All the players and staff of the national team focused their attention on each of Han Su-hyeok’s steps.

It was the same when he played in Korea, but now Han Su-hyeok was truly at the pinnacle of the baseball world, the best player in the world without any room for controversy. And he was also the owner of baseball teams in the United States and Korea.

Even for baseball players who receive hundreds of millions or billions of won in annual salary, Han Su-hyeok was a star-like existence that was hard to even look up to.

“Coach, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Wow! Who is this? Su-hyeok, you came. I was waiting for you to come. How’s your body? Is there anything uncomfortable?”

“Not at all. I feel better than during the season after taking a good rest.”

“Really? That’s a relief. Ah, by the way, thank you so much for arranging the coaching training program. I was a little overwhelmed to go to the United States without any foundation, but thanks to your help, I was able to breathe.”

“Don’t mention it. Then I’ll go change into my uniform.”

“Oh, that’s right. You should. There’s still about an hour of free time left, so take your time, take your time.”

Gu Yong-sik, who was pushed out of his position as coach due to political infighting within the Incheon Rangers, was preparing for coaching training in the United States. Han Su-hyeok, who happened to learn about this, arranged training with the Seattle Mariners, and from next year, he will wear the Mariners uniform and learn the advanced baseball techniques he so desired.

In addition, Han Su-hyeok spared no support for Korean professional players or coaches who wished to advance to the United States, and conversely, he began to lend a helping hand to big leaguers who wanted to spend the end of their careers in Korea.

Regarding Han Su-hyeok’s actions, someone said this:

That Han Su-hyeok will gradually narrow the gap between the Major League and the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], and that he is a gift from God for Korean baseball.

“Ahn Chi-wook, Seo Hyeong-ju, what are you doing here? If you’ve changed into your uniforms, go out and take care of your juniors…….”

“Han Su-hyeok!”

“Wow, look at him nagging as soon as he comes. Hey, we’re veterans now. Why go out quickly when it’s cold? We’re going to warm up a bit here and then go out.”

“Hmm, Yong-jae hyung [older brother/close male friend] is already out there.”

“Heok, really? Then we have to go out too. Hey, by the way, you’ll approve it, right?”

“What?”

“What else, posting [system by which KBO players can be signed by MLB teams].”

“Approval? The approval is already out. Aren’t you going to enter posting right after the Asian Games?”

“…You’re talking like it’s someone else’s business. Yeah, that’s right. The CEO said that. If the posting amount doesn’t meet the standard, it’s better to stay in Korea. So say a word…….”

“Seo Hyeong-ju.”

“Huh?”

“The CEO, Park Seong-hoon, is in charge of the club’s management anyway, so it’s strange for me to say this, but I think that’s right too. You’re already confirmed for a minor league contract with the minimum salary because of your years of service, and you’re going to take a low posting amount from there? I guarantee you’ll rot in the minors.”

“Hmm…….”

“At least 15 million dollars.”

“Huh? What is?”

“If there’s no club that writes down that amount for the posting amount, give up neatly and play in Korea for a few more years. If it doesn’t work out, you can get FA [Free Agency] and get a lot of money and go. Why are you in such a hurry?”

Seo Hyeong-ju couldn’t answer that he wanted to be like you, or, to be exact, he felt that if he stayed in Korea any longer, the gap between him and you would widen.

Han Su-hyeok was right.

It’s strange that Han Su-hyeok played as a full-time major leaguer and smashed the league in his debut year.

There were more than one or two Japanese players who ruined their careers by advancing to the big leagues early under ambiguous conditions.

But,

“Bad guy…….”

“What are you saying.”

“Yeah, you’re great. Damn it, I’m going to go no matter what. Just you wait. I’m going to smash the Japanese guys in this Asian Games and go to the United States somehow.”

“Well, whatever. Anyway, don’t talk nonsense and come out quickly.”

“Of course. It’s special training from today. Hey, Ahn Chi-wook, let’s go out.”

“Huh? Oh, okay.”

Han Su-hyeok chuckled as he watched his two colleagues rush out towards the ground.

He said this, but Seo Hyeong-ju was a pretty good player, and there were more than one or two big league clubs that were showing interest in him.

Last season, he recorded a slash line of 0.345 / 0.439 / 0.517 with 21 home runs and 48 stolen bases, rising to become the best center fielder in the KBO, and a young hitter who can even defend second base if necessary.

It goes without saying that the Seattle Mariners, which Han Su-hyeok owns, were also actively considering signing Seo Hyeong-ju.

After confirming that no one else was in the locker room, Han Su-hyeok picked up his smartphone and made a call somewhere.

“Daniel, it’s me. Yes, I arrived well. It’s nothing else, but about that Seo Hyeong-ju guy. Um, let’s do this. Keep leaking it through the media until the day of posting. We’re interested, we’re watching, we’ll decide the posting amount depending on his performance in the Asian Games. You understand what I’m saying? Good. Maybe that guy will be our team’s new second baseman next year.”