A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 533

The Newcomer to the Baseball Team is Too Good 533

112. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (6)

That day featured a home game against the Texas Rangers at Clockwise Field.

It also marked the big league debut of Johannes van Benschoten, a 29-year-old pitcher.

To make a long story short,

the beginning was a nightmare.

It was a typical game spiraling out of control. He’d start strong, getting to two strikes, but then it would unravel: ball-ball-foul-foul.

Any slight mistake resulted in a walk, and pitches right down the middle were inevitably hammered for hits.

In the first inning alone, he threw a staggering 36 pitches, giving up 4 hits and 3 walks. It was a miracle he only allowed 3 runs.

Boo-ooo!!!

The boos pouring from the spectators at Clockwise Field were understandable.

Johannes returned to the dugout, head bowed. The broadcast screen showed a large image of his family.

It was the kind of moment you’d want to rewind, but baseball waits for no one.

Amidst this chaotic atmosphere, as the bottom of the 1st inning approached, the Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching coach approached manager Brett Evans.

“Manager, the data is in.”

“Ah, is that so?”

The pitching coach handed over a three-page report from the baseball operations department.

The report meticulously detailed Johannes van Benschoten’s pitching data from the top of the 1st inning.

The content was extensive, given the high pitch count, but manager Brett Evans quickly grasped the key points.

“The mistakes all stemmed from the fastball.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Most of the mistakes were slammed into the ground… So, he was hesitant to commit to the fastball?”

“It means the timing of releasing the ball was delayed… Yes, that seems a reasonable assessment.”

The manager and pitching coach exchanged a knowing look, as if they had made a silent agreement.

The starting pitcher was huddled in a corner of the dugout, cautiously sipping water from a paper cup, watching the reactions around him.

Fixing his gaze on that pathetic figure, the pitching coach said to Evans.

“Manager, let’s replace him.”

His tone was firm.

“The high fastball is almost Johannes’ only weapon. His entire pitching strategy relies on that unusual ball. But if he can’t throw his primary pitch…”

In fact, preparations were already underway.

The moment the first run was scored, Brett Evans had instructed a relief pitcher to warm up.

It was a starting pitcher making his major league debut, and one with known vulnerabilities.

It was a logical decision, enabling a swift response, but Brett Evans slowly shook his head.

“Let’s give it a little longer.”

“Yes?”

At the pitching coach’s questioning look, the manager offered a wry smile.

“Didn’t we promise the president during the meeting? To stick with him until 50 pitches, regardless of the outcome? To treat Johannes like an ace until then.”

“Well, yes, but…”

The pitching coach seemed unconvinced.

“Sometimes, our general manager is a difficult person. I can accept the 50 pitches. But why does he want him treated like an ace?”

“Haha, if things go well, we’ll have a smart starting pitcher, right? With those exchange conditions, it’s worth trying, even if we’re being fooled.”

Just then, the satisfying crack of a bat echoed from the field.

As everyone stood up like a bunch of meerkats, watching the ball’s trajectory, Brett Evans gestured to Johannes.

“D, did you call for me?”

The starting pitcher of the day approached timidly, summoned by the manager.

The Tampa Bay Rays manager’s action towards the intimidated pitcher was simple.

“Hand.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s see your right hand.”

Johannes hesitantly extended his hand, carefully, with a confused expression.

Evans grabbed his right hand as if snatching it and began to examine it.

“Hmm, calluses are properly formed. There are quite a few places that have repeatedly burst and healed. In my opinion, this is…”

A hand that has practiced a lot?

At Evans’ words, Johannes straightened his back without realizing it.

“W, well, because I’m a player. If you’re a player, you shouldn’t skip training…”

“Is that so? That’s a good attitude.”

With a barely perceptible smile, Evans continued.

“36 pitches in the top of the 1st inning, I would have replaced you normally. Because it wasn’t very efficient pitching, by any measure.”

“……”

“But I’ve decided to give you more time on the mound. I hope you’ll throw with the determination to last at least until the 5th inning.”

“W, why is that…”

To Johannes’ question, Brett Evans replied calmly.

“The team’s situation isn’t good.”

Of course, it was a fabricated statement.

“The heat is especially severe this year, and the bullpen pitchers are extremely fatigued. Vincent Hiyama’s departure has put a strain on the starting rotation.”

“Ah ah.”

“Besides, as soon as this series ends, we’re going straight to a hellish 7-game road trip in the west… We could fall into a long losing streak and ruin the season.”

That’s why I’m telling you this.

The manager wore a serious expression.

“Please put in a little more effort. Just hold on until the 5th inning. Just for today, you are our Tampa Bay’s ace, and furthermore…”

Squeeze.

While gripping Johannes’ right hand tightly, Evans uttered the most decisive words he had prepared.

“Johannes van Benschoten, you are our only hope.”

* * *

The Tampa Bay Rays’ bottom of the 1st inning attack, which started with a score of 3-0, managed to score 2 runs.

The person who hit a 2-RBI [Runs Batted In] double that split the left-center field with one out and runners on 1st and 2nd was Tampa Bay’s starting catcher, Alex Montero.

Wow!!!

The atmosphere in the stands had changed significantly with his timely hit, but Alex didn’t have the luxury to savor the moment.

The inning ended while he was on second base. He had to hurry and prepare for the top of the 2nd inning defense.

“Hey, Captain! You need to get your mitt!”

“Oh, thanks!”

Alex Montero, carrying his catcher’s mitt, helmet, and knee pads that he hadn’t finished putting on, hurriedly ran out onto the field.

Just as he was saying ‘Thank you’ to the bullpen catcher who had come out first and was catching the ball for him, someone caught his eye.

‘……Johannes?’

It was the starting pitcher of the day.

Johannes van Benschoten.

He had taken the mound in the 2nd inning following the disastrous 1st, and he was doing practice pitches with a rather dazed look.

The ball was being exchanged properly. It wasn’t that strange. But somehow, he gave the impression that his soul had left his body.

‘Damn it, he’s a friend who needs a lot of attention.’

Alex requested a time-out from the umpire, then hurried up to the mound.

To Johannes, who was looking at him with a look that seemed to ask why he was coming up, he uttered a short sigh.

“Are you feeling a lot of pressure?”

“Yes?”

“I’m talking about the manager’s request. The request to hold out until the 5th inning no matter what.”

Alex Montero had overheard the manager’s decision while putting on his equipment.

He might have reacted differently in the past, but now he’s a veteran looking forward to his 1,000th start.

It wasn’t difficult to guess why Johannes was making that expression.

“I understand how you feel. You came down after making such a mess in the top of the 1st inning, and then you’re told to hold out until the 5th inning—it’s absurd, right? It must feel daunting.”

Johannes was scared.

That was Alex Montero’s judgment.

“But in times like these, you have to focus on the battle with each batter. I’ll give you signs for pitches that are as easy to throw as possible.”

To be honest, at this point, Alex Montero had lowered his expectations for the starting pitcher significantly.

High fastball? Trying to sneak an ambiguous 90 mph ball into the upper strike zone? Against major league hitters who can hit even 100 mph fastballs?!

Johannes didn’t seem to have the confidence to do that. Maybe our general manager made a mistake this time.

So, what can you do? You have to rely on other pitches. Alex thought that it was his role to soothe and guide the pitcher somehow-

“Ah, that’s okay.”

The starting pitcher’s answer was unexpected.

“I don’t feel any pressure to hold out until the 5th inning at all. In the first place, the team’s situation isn’t good, the bullpen’s fatigue is high, and I’m Tampa Bay’s hope only for today—if you know all that, that’s all…”

Johannes smiled.

“It’s the manager’s bluff, right?”

“?!!”

Alex must have felt his heart sink.

“No, how did you know that…”

“Hehe, a bluffer recognizes a bluffer, wouldn’t you say?”

Johannes wiped under his nose.

“Tampa Bay is famous for thorough physical management, right? Even after Vincent left, many good bullpen pitchers came up from Triple A [Minor League Baseball]. Just thinking about that, the manager’s words don’t make sense, and…”

“And?”

“The hand, the manager’s hand.”

It was very soft?

Johannes shook his right hand.

“In that kind of crisis situation, even if a person has dry skin, their hands tend to get a little damp, but the manager didn’t have any of that. Then you know. It’s a bluff. An absurd bluff.”

“……”

“Didn’t the manager just give me some encouragement? I got to make my debut with difficulty, and my family is watching… Just throw about 20 more and come down?”

It must have been at this moment that Alex Montero began to look at Johannes with a fresh gaze.

He was a friend who was much more perceptive than he thought. He had surprisingly good insight, and he also had quick judgment.

‘Does he unexpectedly have the qualities of a pitcher?’

But at this moment, the question that came to Alex Montero’s mind was different.

Okay, I knew that friend wasn’t feeling pressured. I also know that he sees through this whole situation.

But then why-

‘Was he making a spaced-out expression?’

I wanted to ask, but unfortunately, it was during the game.

The umpire had been yelling from earlier. The time-out was too long. The game had to proceed.

If he delayed any longer, he might get a warning. Alex Montero had no choice but to back down.

“Okay. If you know that much, then I don’t need to worry anymore. Then let’s focus and get to work.”

Thud.

After patting the pitcher’s shoulder with his catcher’s mitt, Alex Montero was about to turn around and head back from the mound.

More precisely, when he had taken about two steps towards home plate, Johannes’ voice came from behind him.

“Captain, if I throw a high fastball, will there be even a slight chance?”

“Chance?”

When Alex Montero stopped and looked back, Johannes nodded lightly.

“Yes, just for today, Tampa Bay’s ace, Tampa Bay’s hope… I’m talking about the possibility of hearing that kind of praise.”

I want to hear it at least once.

Johannes had a serious look in his eyes.

“Not praise based on a bluff, but real… I’m talking about earning a true ace title with sincerity.”

* * *

When starting catcher Alex Montero returned to his position, the referee immediately declared the game resumed.

“Play on!”

The batter stepped into the batter’s box, and he was seen grumbling a few words to Alex.

Why are you so late? What were you talking about for so long? Was he voicing such complaints?

When Alex tapped the batter’s butt and turned his gaze to the pitcher, and when he signaled the pitch he had promised a little while ago.

“……”

Johannes van Benschoten on the mound was swallowing dry saliva without realizing it.

‘High fastball.’

Frankly speaking, it was something that Johannes himself couldn’t readily understand.

When Brett Evans grabbed his right hand a little while ago, when he said, ‘You are our only hope.’

At that time, Johannes felt a burning thirst from deep inside his heart.

“Hoo!”

Normally, he would have been satisfied.

He would have been wiggling his butt because he was so happy.

It was an honor just to be in the major leagues, but he was even being treated like an ace by the manager.

And is that manager just an ordinary person? Isn’t it Brett Evans, a legend enshrined in the Hall of Fame?

It was a much greater moment than he had ever dreamed of. He could just close his eyes and ignore the fact that the manager’s hands were soft.

Who would even ask what the manager’s hands were like? If necessary, he could bluff that they were wet and like dead fish.

Thus, it would have been the perfect scenario for this bluffer. It was exactly the scene he wanted to share with his family and brag about, but.

Johannes,

felt a deep thirst.

When the general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays came to find him in person, the surprise at that time was beyond what he had imagined.

When he stepped onto the major league stage in just a week, the excitement at that time far exceeded expectations.

Was that why? Maybe that’s why I became curious.

Even if I hear it as just a joke, I feel this good; even though I know it’s a bluff, I feel this excited.

‘If I get treated like a real ace… what does it feel like?’

While slowly going into the windup motion, Johannes was reminded of a moth he had seen as a child.

A moth that recklessly flew into the lamp that his grandmother had turned on, and then lost its wings and fell helplessly.

At that time, he picked up the burnt moth and laughed at it for being foolish, but he realized that he was no different.

Now he throws a 90 mph fastball. He throws a terrible ball at a height that’s perfect for getting hit by those terrifying hitters.

I know it’s a foolish act. I know it’s a crazy act. I also know that this choice will be ridiculed by everyone.

But I have to throw it.

I have no choice but to throw it.

Because I saw the real thing.

Something substantial that can’t be fabricated, something that can’t be obtained with imagination alone, that something I-

‘I’m desperately wanting it!!’

Euryah!

It was right after that that Johannes’ shout echoed across the field.

An arm that was swung like a whip, a ball that channeled all the strength of his body into it.

Although it was only a fleeting moment, Johannes seemed to have been frozen in the same posture as when he threw the ball.

He hadn’t thought that he should immediately move into a defensive posture after releasing the ball.

‘Oops! Defense!’

When he belatedly came to his senses, when he was startled and quickly raised his head.

At that very moment, an unexpected scene was unfolding before the eyes of this hopeless bluffer pitcher.

“……”

Everyone had their mouths wide open.

The batter was frozen like ice in the same posture as when he swung wildly, and the referee was also making a ghost-like expression.

Not only that. In the 3rd base dugout, the Texas manager was surprised and took off his sunglasses, and in the 1st base dugout, the Tampa Bay pitching coach was widening his eyes.

“What is it? What was that just now?”

“Wasn’t it just a slow ball? Wasn’t it an ordinary fastball?”

“But why did the batter swing wildly? It looks like he missed the timing?”

“It’s not just missing the timing. The trajectory itself was completely different!”

Murmur murmur murmur.

The field was buzzing with speculation about the strange ball that had suddenly flown in.

When the referee, who belatedly came to his senses, made a strike call, a voice called out to pitcher Johannes on the mound.

“Hey, Johannes! Aren’t you going to get your head in the game?”

Alex Montero. It was the one thing he shouted while spinning the ball around.

“What pitcher throws that kind of ball on the first pitch? Aren’t you managing your stamina? Did you come up as a middle relief?”

“Ah… I, I’m sorry!”

Johannes nodded with a dazed expression.