Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 406

#405. Extra Story 5 – The Last Step

South Korea, nestled in Northeast Asia.

In Seoul, the vibrant capital of South Korea, lived a man universally recognized as the emperor of the global baseball scene—indeed, the entire sports world. He was also the number one individual asset holder in South Korea: Han Su-hyeok.

He turned pro at 18, exploded onto the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] scene within three years, advanced to the Major League, and proceeded to rewrite most of the Big League’s cumulative pitching and batting records during his decade-long stint there.

Then, he returned to his homeland and led his team, the Warriors, to six championships in seven years, effectively becoming a baseball deity.

Thump, thump.

“Si-won! Daddy’s home!”

Almost as famous as his baseball prowess was his legendary fighting ability.

Throughout his professional career, he was involved in 35 bench-clearing incidents and remained undefeated, possessing fists that could fell anyone with a single blow. Han Su-hyeok was known for a ruthless personality, showing no mercy to his opponents.

However,

“Si-won, Daddy… um, Si-won, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“No… nothing happened. It’s time for my picture book, so I’m going in.”

“Really? Daddy bought pizza, so have some…….”

“I’ll eat it later, Daddy.”

“Huh? It’s pizza?”

Even the formidable Han Su-hyeok was just an ordinary dad, rendered endlessly vulnerable in front of his child.

Han Si-won, the five-year-old son of Han Su-hyeok and Min Ye-rin, retreated to his room, leaving the pizza his dad had bought untouched. Perhaps taking after his mother, he was an exceptionally sensitive child with advanced language skills for his age.

Min Ye-rin approached Han Su-hyeok, who had stiffened at the unexpected reception.

“You’re home, honey? Did the meeting end early?”

“Yeah, today we just had to finalize the players’ incentive issue… But more importantly, why is he acting like that? Did he have a fight with a friend at daycare or something?”

“Si-won? Pfft, no. You don’t need to worry about it.”

“He’s refusing pizza, and you’re saying it’s nothing? What’s going on, Ye-rin? Tell me.”

“Um, it’s really not a big deal.”

Min Ye-rin turned on the TV and replayed the video her son had been watching moments before.

On the screen, a handsome baseball player with blonde hair and striking blue eyes stood before a microphone.

“That’s David Blake. Why are you playing this?”

“Si-won is sulking because of him.”

“Huh? What are you talking about? What is this?”

“Just watch,” Min Ye-rin said.

Instead of answering, Min Ye-rin increased the volume.

David Blake, the New York Yankees’ ace pitcher and cleanup hitter—the New York superstar who had swept the regular season MVP [Most Valuable Player award], Cy Young Award [award for the best pitcher], and World Series MVP awards this year—began answering reporters’ questions.

“David, congratulations on becoming both the MVP and Cy Young winner. Also, congratulations on being the first to succeed as a two-way player since Han Su-hyeok.”

“Thank you.”

“Baseball fans around the world are most curious about this. After Han Su-hyeok left for Korea, no player in the Major League could truly be called a two-way player. Everyone is thrilled that you’ve reached the top as both a pitcher and a hitter this season. So, the question is: what are your thoughts on Han Su-hyeok, who is considered the best player in Major League history and the textbook example of a two-way player?”

David appeared to ponder the reporter’s question for a moment. Then, as if his thoughts had crystallized, he began to speak.

“First of all, I want to express my sincere respect for Han Su-hyeok. As a Major League veteran, as a legend who has built a career that no one has yet matched, and as a pioneer who revived the two-way role in the Big League after a long absence.”

“Yes.”

“But… I want to make one thing clear. I heard something interesting recently. A sports gambling site held a virtual pitching and batting match between me and Han Su-hyeok, alternating between the mound and the batter’s box.”

“I saw it too. It was quite a hot topic.”

“Yes, what surprised me was that many of the gamblers who participated in that bet placed their wagers on Han Su-hyeok. I want to ask the fans this: of course, Han Su-hyeok is still a great player. Even though he’s playing in a ‘minor league’ [KBO], the fact that he recorded 55 home runs and an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] of 1.58 at the age of 38 demonstrates his greatness. But!”

“But?”

“He’ll be 39 next year. Yes, he’s almost forty. And I’m a 25-year-old player who achieved an ERA of 1.61 and hit 62 home runs in the Big League, the highest level in the world, this season. If we’re talking about Han Su-hyeok in his prime, I have no complaints about being considered inferior. Back then, he was an incredible player who recorded over 70 home runs and an ERA in the 0s every season. But he’s old now, and I’m improving every year. I don’t understand why people still think I’m worse than Han Su-hyeok.”

“David, you should be a little careful when discussing potentially controversial topics…….”

“Controversial? Is this really controversial? Ha, let me reiterate: I am currently the best star in the Big League. On the other hand, Han Su-hyeok is…….”

Click.

Min Ye-rin, as if she had shown all that was necessary, shrugged at Han Su-hyeok.

“Now you understand why Si-won is upset? It’s because the child who believes his dad is the best in the world heard someone claim otherwise for the first time. Just pretend you didn’t hear it. He’ll forget about it soon enough, honey.”

“Hmm.”

“Honey, you’re not taking that rookie’s words to heart, are you? The agency probably told him to say all that. They’re trying to generate buzz before the long-term contract negotiations to inflate his value. So don’t worry about it and go wash up quickly. Dinner’s ready.”

“Hmph.”

“Honey?”

“Hmph…….”

* * *

– Good job, David. Your value will increase by at least ten million dollars after that interview today. You’ll catch some heat, but so what? That’s not what matters, right?

“Damn it, Alfred. My SNS [Social Networking Service] is being flooded with curses. I can’t even turn on the notifications.”

– Hehe, it can’t be helped. You picked a fight with Han Su-hyeok, of all people.

“Look, it’s partly because I was told to do it, but is this something that should be so controversial? I didn’t say anything wrong, did I? What’s wrong with saying not to compare me to an old man who’s turning forty the day after tomorrow? Huh?”

– That’s right. You’re right. The past is always romanticized. People are remembering Han Su-hyeok in his prime, when he was dominating the Major League. They don’t care how old he is now. You can see that Babe Ruth is considered the greatest baseball player after Han Su-hyeok, right?

“Tsk, whatever. Anyway, how are things with the Yankees? Are they still sticking to 10 years, 700 million dollars?”

– Unfortunately.

“Damn it, those old-fashioned guys. They’re saying they can’t give me more than the highest amount ever?”

– So, David.

“What.”

– Have you considered moving teams? There’s talk of a 12-year contract in Texas…….

“No way. You know I have no intention of leaving New York. The best player in the world has to wear the uniform of the best team.”

– Hmm, I see. Then, as planned, we’ll use the offer from Texas as a negotiating tactic. Just wait a little bit. I’ll somehow break the stubbornness of that old man Steinbrenner [owner of the New York Yankees].

“Good, I trust you.”

– Oh, and David, this is just out of concern… Now that things have turned out this way, would it be a good idea to offer a word of greeting to Han Su-hyeok on SNS? Something like, ‘Sorry for unintentionally mentioning your name,’ or something like that?

“Why bother? I’ve already taken all the heat anyway. I don’t want to back down. It’s time for me to go work out, so let’s hang up.”

– Wait, wait, David, even so…….

David hung up the phone and grumbled.

“Damn it, that Han Su-hyeok, Han Su-hyeok, Han Su-hyeok… When was Han Su-hyeok anyway? I’m so sick of hearing about him.”

* * *

2041 season: Im Jun-yeong, Jang Deok-su, An Chi-wook, Choi Ma-ru.

2042 season: Cheon Sang-jin, Yang Gi-cheol, Choi Min-seok, Yu In-cheol.

Han Su-hyeok, having seen off all the seniors, peers, and juniors who had been with the Warriors during their golden age, protected the team with new rookies.

The Warriors, facing the 2043 season with key players missing all at once, were defeated by the Magicians and finished as runners-up. But aside from that year, the Warriors never relinquished their champion’s title.

Everything was thanks to Han Su-hyeok’s presence.

The Warriors’ rookies, who took the places of the seniors on the first team, grew slowly but steadily, relying on Han Su-hyeok, who was hailed as the strongest hitter and pitcher in history.

Six championships and one runner-up in seven seasons after Han Su-hyeok’s return.

Now, everyone had no choice but to acknowledge it.

The strongest baseball team of the 21st century was the Seoul Warriors.

Park Seong-hoon, who had been managing this powerhouse team for the past 20 years and had been in charge of the Warriors’ major and minor affairs in place of Han Su-hyeok, asked with a serious expression:

“Su-hyeok, are you serious about retiring after next season?”

“Yeah, I think I’ve really done enough now. I want to watch Si-won grow up by my side. Hyung [older brother or close male friend], you know what? His taste is exactly the same as mine when I was young. Isn’t that amazing?”

Park Seong-hoon chuckled at his words.

“You’ve really become a dad.”

“Hehe, so hyung should have a baby soon too.”

“I was thinking of trying next year anyway. My wife seems to be considering it now too.”

“Really? That’s a relief. Wait, what should I give my nephew as a birth gift when he’s born……? Should I buy him a helicopter so he can get around quickly when something urgent comes up? Yeah, a helicopter, that’s a good idea.”

“No, you idiot. What’s the point of riding a helicopter in this small country?”

“I even bought a private jet?”

“Hehe, that’s because you’re an unstoppable fool for your… Okay, I get it. You’re right. Who in this world can pressure you to play baseball more? You’ve worked hard. You’ve really suffered a lot.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought you’d be against it?”

“Me? Why? I know better than anyone how hard you’ve worked playing baseball, so why would I be against it? Han Su-hyeok, let me say it again: you were the best. No, you *are* the best. So you can live comfortably now. You deserve it.”

“Thanks for understanding, hyung. Oh, I forgot to mention the most important thing. I’m a little sorry to the Korean fans, but I’m planning to spend my retirement season in the United States.”

“Huh? In Seattle? Why? Oh, are you going to break some records that you couldn’t break before?”

“No, I’m not interested in that. It’s because of Si-won.”

“Si-won? Is it for his education?”

“What education? I just want to show him who his dad is.”

“Huh?”

“And I think I need to shut up that punk who’s talking nonsense.”

“Huh?”

* * *

Daniel Mitchell, who rose from a Far East Asia scout for the Seattle Mariners to general manager, and then to president, still held that position, recognized for his management skills.

The Seattle Mariners, who reigned as the strongest team in the Major League during Han Su-hyeok’s 10-year tenure.

But after he left, and after all the veterans who had created the team’s golden age with him retired,

Seattle struggled to regain its former glory.

Two World Series championships in the 7 seasons after he left for the KBO.

It was a result that would be satisfactory for a typical team, but it was a disappointing outcome for those who remembered the team’s golden era.

In particular, the humiliation of watching their nemesis, the New York Yankees, win two consecutive championships left a deep scar on the hearts of the Seattle players, management, and fans.

It was frustrating, but unavoidable.

The Seattle Mariners, despite competing for the top spot in the Major League in terms of financial resources, simply couldn’t match the illustrious history that the New York Yankees had built.

Even when offering the same conditions, players often chose the Yankees. In the recruitment battles for big-name free agents, Seattle was repeatedly defeated by the Yankees.

As these setbacks accumulated, the power gap between Seattle and New York gradually widened. In the meantime, even David Blake, hailed as the only true two-way player since Han Su-hyeok, emerged, further disrupting the balance between the two teams.

David Blake, the Cy Young winner who recorded an ERA of 1.61 and 16 wins as a pitcher last season, and the MVP who boasted a batting average of 0.333 and 62 home runs.

The emergence of that punk who had brazenly provoked Han Su-hyeok, dismissing the greatest player in history as a has-been, seemed to seal the fate of the two teams.

“Damn it…….”

He had vowed before the fans that he would definitely bring home the World Series trophy next season,

But in reality, he lacked confidence. Looking at the team’s roster, the New York Yankees were truly the strongest team in history—perhaps as strong as Seattle had been during Han Su-hyeok’s time.

As Daniel was tearing his hair out over this seemingly insurmountable problem,

Creak.

The smartphone on his desk vibrated.

Daniel sighed deeply, picked up the phone, and checked the message.

“Huh?”

It was a message from his boss.

Daniel’s eyes widened as he read the message.

“T, this… what the heck?”

It wasn’t a long message—just a short sentence of a single line:

[I have decided to spend my last season in Seattle. Keep my seat open.]