Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 395

394. The Goal of Life

“Um, so, to summarize your opinion simply, it’s desirable to put more weight on eccentric contractions, is that it?”

– Yes, Dad. I put the data you sent me into this program, and while there aren’t any major issues in other areas, there’s a slight tendency for the range of joint motion to decrease. The fatigue recovery rate is also definitely lower compared to the figures from a year ago. No matter how great Han is, he’s still human. Given that he’s continuing to pitch and hit, my judgment is that to maintain his current physical indicators for as long as possible…

A long time ago,

The first thing Han Su-hyeok did when he realized he had regressed was to find a personal trainer who could perfectly manage his body for the two-way challenge.

Jacob Turner, who, despite his reputation as the world’s best trainer in 2040, still dedicates everything to Han Su-hyeok alone.

The meeting between the two wasn’t just for Han Su-hyeok’s sake.

With his help, Jacob was able to afford the enormous medical bills for his daughter, who had a rare disease, and eventually, the child overcame the illness and grew into a wonderful adult.

That little girl, who was only nine years old at the time and couldn’t even hold a small hope until a treatment was developed, was now a full-fledged college student living her own life.

As a great sports trainer following in her father’s footsteps.

– Let’s talk about work later. Is Han doing well?

“Tell me honestly. You called because you’re curious about him, not me, right? You’ve been avoiding my calls every day, saying you’re busy with classes.”

– No, I was really busy at that time…

“Okay. You have to live your own life. But, Annie.”

– Yes, Dad.

“It’s fine to admire him as a baseball player and be grateful to him as a benefactor, but… I want to stop you from going any further. There’s no room next to him.”

– I know. I just…

“I’m not trying to nag. I just don’t want you to get hurt. You understand my heart, right?”

– Of course. I’m twenty years old now. I’m not that little kid who clung to Han’s clothes and whined without thinking.

“Haha, right. Time really flies. I wish you could have stayed that way for a long time, but you’ve grown up so much that you understand what I’m saying…”

– Stop it! Dad, anyway, I’ll send you the final data as soon as it comes out. If you need anything else, contact me. I’ll hang up now. I have to go to class.

“Okay, Annie. Don’t run, be careful. Let’s talk again later.”

In his younger days, Jacob Turner was worried by academia and the industry for his radical training methods, but now he too was entering middle age.

It wasn’t easy to understand and accept all the latest machines and complex programs that came out almost every day.

But fortunately, Jacob didn’t have to struggle with those unfamiliar devices.

His daughter, Annie Turner, who was majoring in sports training following in her father’s footsteps and was praised as having a great talent surpassing her father, was supporting him like this.

A combination of a father with rich experience and insight and a daughter who freely handles the latest technology,

At least until Han Su-hyeok retires, he will be able to remain the best trainer for him.

However, what Jacob was sorry about was,

‘I hope she doesn’t get any strange ideas.’

It was that his daughter’s heart, who had just become an adult, kept heading somewhere.

His daughter, who had followed Han Su-hyeok like a *chin oppa* [close male friend/brother] since she was a child, and had built up affection by following his games after getting up from her sickbed.

He was just worried that her heart might get hurt.

‘She’ll do well. She’s not a child.’

Jacob thought that Han Su-hyeok and Min Ye-rin were the best lovers who couldn’t be separated.

When you see them together, you get that feeling.

That there is an invisible bond of fate connected between them. The thought that there is a strong knot that will not be broken no matter what happens.

It’s hard to explain in words.

It’s just a feeling that you naturally acquire after living in the world for a long time.

“Huff, huff, huff… Jacob. I’m done. Oh, I’m going to die!”

“Hmm, you’re already done?”

Jacob’s thoughts were shattered by someone’s voice.

Ahn Chi-wook, who had recently rejoined this practice room at Han Su-hyeok’s direction.

He was looking at him with a face that looked like he was about to collapse, soaked in sweat.

“It looks like you still have some energy left. Hmm, let’s add 20 more laps of running.”

“Keuh-heuk! Jacob! Are you trying to kill me? There’s a game the day after tomorrow!”

“You won’t die. I’ve set it up so you won’t die, so trust me and run. Come on, move! Move! I’ll run with you, so hurry!”

“Haa…”

Jacob, pushing Ahn Chi-wook’s back and running around the indoor running track,

He thanked Han Su-hyeok once again in his heart.

That his daughter, who had been lying in the hospital room every day, could grow up to be such a wonderful adult and love someone.

As a father, it was heartbreaking that the love was unrequited, but he was grateful that even the child, who was said to not last more than a few years at first, could experience the pain of love like that.

It will hurt right now, but someday his daughter will overcome that pain and find new love.

The father just hoped that the time of that pain would not last too long.

“Come on, increase the speed a little more! Faster! Faster!”

“Haa, haa, it’s strangely hard today. Jacob, is there something wrong at home…”

“Move! Move!”

* * *

The team that suffered the most from Han Su-hyeok’s return this season was undoubtedly their Seoul rival, the Magicians.

The Magicians, who were challenging for their second consecutive championship following last season, threw everything they had at him with the determination that there would be no championship without overcoming Han Su-hyeok. And they were brutally crushed.

Two consecutive sweeps, plus three losses by more than 10 points.

The lineup that had been painstakingly refined over the winter collapsed in an instant, and the players’ morale plummeted.

The Magicians, who had fallen to 5th place after the Warriors, Titans, Commanders, and Rangers, with each team playing around 90 games.

A warning was issued that if things continued like this, even the autumn baseball might be in danger, and new manager Kim Seong-soo was in a desperate situation.

“Roberto, I trust you. My lifeline depends on you.”

“Boss, I will do my best. Please trust me.”

“Good, hold on somehow. I’ll score somehow, so your job today is to hold on on the mound.”

“The match with Han…”

“Avoid it, unconditionally. Even in a bases-loaded situation with no outs, I will request an automatic intentional walk without hesitation. That guy will get on base with a walk in every at-bat today, so just pretend he doesn’t exist. Just focus on the other batters.”

He was called the best left-handed hitter during his playing days, but now it’s all in the past.

Now he is a manager on a tightrope, having to worry about contract extensions year after year.

Kim Seong-soo, who boldly challenged Han Su-hyeok at the season opener, is no longer here.

All that remains here at Jamsil Baseball Stadium is a responsible father who is worried about his daughter’s tuition fees that he has to pay next week.

“Play!”

If they lose today’s game, the Magicians may lose their 5th place to the Falcons.

Fortunately, today’s starting match is between the Magicians’ foreign ace and the Warriors’ 4th starter, Cheon Sang-jin.

Cheon Sang-jin,

He’s still a good pitcher.

But he’s much less terrible than the Warriors’ 1st, 2nd, and 3rd starters.

Win, definitely win today’s game.

Paang

“Strike! Out!”

Manager Kim Seong-soo, who was holding his trembling heart and watching the match with the lead batter, let out a sigh of relief.

Starting pitcher Roberto Gomez succeeded in striking out the opponent’s leadoff Derek Fleming after a full-count battle.

“Woo-woo-woo-woo!”

“You cowardly bastards!”

“Are you going to do this from the first inning? Huh?”

When Han Su-hyeok walked out from the on-deck circle, Kim Seong-soo requested an automatic intentional walk without hesitation.

The Warriors visiting fans who filled Jamsil Baseball Stadium sent out crazy jeers, but he didn’t bat an eye.

It would have been difficult to handle such jeers if he were a player, but he is now not Kim Seong-soo, the Magicians’ 3rd batter, but the manager of the 5th-place team who has to do anything to win.

“Batter, to first base.”

That’s how a situation of 1 out and runner on 1st base was created, and Ahn Chi-wook stepped into the plate.

He was a good junior during his playing days, and they still meet privately sometimes,

But at this moment, he was the worst enemy in the world.

The outcome of today’s Han Su-hyeok avoidance operation depended on how effectively the Magicians’ pitchers could stop Ahn Chi-wook.

Paang

“Strike!”

It wasn’t just the pitcher who was nervous in this desperate situation.

The most stressed person when the batter in front of him is exposed to blatant intentional walks is none other than the batter behind him.

Ahn Chi-wook, whose pride was hurt.

Buung

“Swing!”

The bat followed an absurd ball that was far out of the strike zone, and in an instant, it was no ball two strikes.

‘Inside two-seam’

The sign Kim Seong-soo gave directly was passed to the pitcher through the catcher, and the Magicians’ ace, who nodded, threw the ball with all his might.

And,

Ttaak!

“Aagh! Damn it!”

“It’s a ground ball again!”

“Hey! Ahn Chi-wook! Are you going to come to your senses?”

A double play leading to 4-6-3.

The moment Kim Seong-soo’s plan worked properly,

A faint cheer erupted from the Magicians’ dugout, and the atmosphere in the Warriors’ dugout sank in an instant.

* * *

“Hey, Ahn Chi-wook. Don’t try to scoop it up on purpose. It’ll just mess up your balance even more. Just do what you’ve been doing.”

Ahn Chi-wook, who hit another double play in the 3rd inning following the 1st inning, walked towards the defensive position with his head bowed.

Han Su-hyeok patted Ahn Chi-wook’s butt and gave him advice, but he couldn’t hear those words right now.

As the season progressed, other teams’ checks on Han Su-hyeok became more and more severe.

It was inevitable.

With 90 games completed, it was foolish for anyone to face a batter who was recording unbelievable stats of a .459 batting average, .591 on-base percentage, 1.110 slugging percentage, 50 home runs, and 105 RBIs.

But,

‘Damn it, how pathetic.’

It wasn’t just this year that Han Su-hyeok had such stats.

Isn’t Han Su-hyeok an irregular who always hit over 40% batting average and around 70 home runs even in the major leagues? There have always been checks, and he and the Mariners have overcome them wisely.

During his Seattle Mariners days, Han Su-hyeok had Tai Johnson, the best hitter of the time, behind him.

A living legend whose accumulated career was second to none.

After he retired, James Taylor, who was called Han Su-hyeok’s only rival, transferred as a free agent and filled that spot.

In short, Han Su-hyeok always had the best hitter of the time behind him. Except for Han Su-hyeok, of course.

So, is Ahn Chi-wook as good a hitter as them?

I don’t know yet. The answer to that will only be revealed after Ahn Chi-wook enters the big leagues.

But,

You can’t criticize a hitter who is running towards his career high, recording a batting average of .351, an on-base percentage of .433, a slugging percentage of .581, 21 home runs, and 98 RBIs in 90 games, as sluggish.

He was a good enough hitter. It’s just that he didn’t have the same sense of intimidation as Tai Johnson or James Taylor.

“Play!”

When he first joined this team, Ahn Chi-wook’s goal was to surpass Han Su-hyeok.

That goal changed to following Han Su-hyeok at some point, and after he advanced to the United States, it changed once again to protecting this team until Han Su-hyeok returned.

Ahn Chi-wook has achieved all the goals he set wonderfully.

Nevertheless, Ahn Chi-wook’s heart was frustrated.

It was because of the self-reproach that his friend and idol, who had returned to the domestic stage, was being held back because of him and was not playing properly.

Ttaaak!

“Ah…”

“Haa, it’s going to be tough today.”

“It’s okay, Cheon Sang-jin! You did well!”

While Ahn Chi-wook was in despair, Cheon Sang-jin allowed his second home run.

On the other hand, the Warriors’ hitters didn’t score a single point against the Magicians’ ace.

The score was 3 to 0, and the game was already in the 9th inning.

The Magicians’ ace Roberto Gomez, who had thrown 115 pitches until the 8th inning, went down from the mound with applause from the home fans.

And following him, the Magicians’ *jarang* [boasting] closer Oh Dong-cheol took the mound.

Oh Dong-cheol, an overwhelming closer who boasted the fastest 158km/h fastball as a domestic player before Han Su-hyeok’s return.

Until he struck out the Warriors’ 6th Yu In-cheol and 7th Seo Jun-seok in a row, no one doubted the Magicians’ victory.

But,

Ttaak!

Park Kyung-bae, a 2nd year second baseman who started to show an upward trend in hitting in the second half, hit a mid-hit and saved the last hope.

And Choi Min-seok, who is still showing good performance as a backup member even at the age of late thirties, picked out a walk, creating a 2-out, 1st and 2nd base chance.

The Magicians’ pitching coach, who was embarrassed, went to the mound and the game was stopped for a while.

Various opinions were exchanged, but the pitcher was not replaced. Manager Kim Seong-soo decided to trust Oh Dong-cheol.

[No. 1 hitter, right fielder Derek Fleming]

But the closer, who had been shaken once, eventually failed to find his place.

The moment Oh Dong-cheol’s last *seungbu-gu* [crucial pitch] was called a ball, and Derek Fleming, who had shown patience, walked to 1st base, a huge cheer erupted from the away cheering section.

[No. 2 hitter, center fielder Han Su-hyeok]

Even if it’s two outs, the hitter is none other than Han Su-hyeok.

The time for a decisive match that makes even fans who are watching their respective team’s games temporarily change channels has returned.

However, there was no *meotjin* [wonderful] home run or strikeout that fans expected.

“Batter, to first base.”

“Woo-woo-woo!”

“You cowards!”

Manager Kim Seong-soo kept his word.

An automatic intentional walk requested despite the bases being loaded.

Han Su-hyeok, who shook his head, walked to 1st base, and the 3rd base runner entered home, narrowing the score to 3 to 1.

Continuing the 2-out, bases-loaded situation,

Ahn Chi-wook’s face, who was in the on-deck circle, turned red as if it would burst at any moment, and in the meantime, the Magicians’ pitcher was replaced from Oh Dong-cheol to Yu Han-yeong.

A veteran left-handed pitcher who showed absolute *sangseong* [matchup] superiority with 9 at-bats and no hits against Ahn Chi-wook this season.

Ahn Chi-wook’s face turned pale.

He didn’t care about being embarrassed once again. The team’s defeat wasn’t on his mind as much as it was now.

The only thought he had right now was the worry of what if he disappointed that guy once again, and that worry filled Ahn Chi-wook’s head.

“Play!”

The practice pitches of the replaced pitcher were over and the game was resumed.

Yu Han-yeong, who calmly exchanged signs like a veteran, threw the first pitch.

Buung

“Swing!”

Exclamations leaked out from all over the stands.

Ahn Chi-wook, who had hardened to the point where it was clearly visible to anyone.

Ahn Chi-wook, whose body had completely hardened due to the swing, unknowingly looked at Han Su-hyeok on 1st base.

At that moment, Han Su-hyeok moved.

‘Lightly.’

Han Su-hyeok, who was standing on the base, lightly swung his arm as if he was swinging. And he muttered something towards Ahn Chi-wook.

At that moment, he remembered what Han Su-hyeok had told him before the game.

He remembered Han Su-hyeok’s advice not to try to scoop it up by force, and not to be afraid of double plays or defensive shifts, but to swing his own swing.

Deureuk

A lifeline came down to Ahn Chi-wook, who was hanging on the edge of a cliff.

‘Lightly, don’t try to uppercut by force, with the mindset of hitting it.’

There is a batting mechanism that is most suitable for any hitter. A strong uppercut swing dominates the world of baseball, but it cannot be said that it is the only answer.

Ahn Chi-wook’s shoulders, which had been stiff, straightened out, and his head, which had been complicated, was cleared in an instant.

At that moment, the ball left Yu Han-yeong’s fingertips.

Not that fast, but a perfectly controlled low ball on the inside.

Ahn Chi-wook’s bat turned powerfully to match that ball.

A strong and fast straight-line hit that comes out when Ahn Chi-wook’s swing is made most perfectly flew powerfully towards the right-center.

Ttaaak!

“Wooaaaaaa!”

“It’s done! It’s done!”

“Run! Run!”

The 3rd base runner and the 2nd base runner stepped on home, tying the score, and in the meantime, the Magicians’ right fielder, who was embarrassed, dropped the ball once, and Han Su-hyeok, who was on 1st base, sprinted towards home without hesitation.

“Safe! Safe!”

“Waaaaaaaaaa!”

A 3-RBI double that reversed the game in an instant.

Han Su-hyeok, who stepped on home, clenched his fist towards Ahn Chi-wook, who arrived at 2nd base.

“Okay, let’s finish it like this!”

“Let’s go! Warriors!”

In the bottom of the 9th inning, the Warriors’ *jarang* [boasting] iron wall closer Eric Barkley processed the Magicians’ three hitters with consecutive *beomta* [ground/fly ball], and the game ended with the Warriors’ victory.

Reporters gathered around Ahn Chi-wook, who was selected as the MVP of today’s game.

Ahn Chi-wook, whose eyes were still red as if his heart was not calming down, opened his mouth in front of the microphone.

“I realized today how lacking I am as a player, and how much more effort I need to make to become a truly proper baseball player. No, maybe I will never be able to reach that goal I am aiming for in my life. But it’s okay, because I have a friend who can reach that goal instead. I will continue to run with all my might to follow that friend in the future. That is the goal of my remaining baseball life.”