Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 131

#130. Living Legend

-Do your best and forget the rest.

Do your best and forget the rest.

These are the words of Walter Alston (LA Dodgers manager from 1954 to 1976), whom Robert Wilson, the coach of the American national team, respects the most and considers his first role model.

It’s a great saying.

Robert Wilson, who has led America’s top prestigious club for a long time, knew better than anyone that baseball games never go as planned.

The immense financial power that other clubs couldn’t even dare to follow, and the world’s best players who were drawn to the name of the Yankees.

Even with such players, they couldn’t win every game.

It’s already been 18 years since the Yankees last won the World Series championship.

Looking at their performance in the last 10 years alone, their best record was winning the American League East Division in 2022.

That’s why he knows well.

Baseball never goes according to human plans, and the ball is round.

But.

‘Holy Shit……!’

Even so, isn’t this too much?

A starting pitching match between Ryan Thibodeau, the undisputed world’s best pitcher who recorded an overwhelming record of 14 wins, 4 losses, and an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] of 1.71 in the first half of this season alone, and a KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] league rookie in his first year.

Moreover, this is the rookie’s first starting appearance. It’s practically his debut game.

‘Having your debut game in the WBC [World Baseball Classic] finals? Are they out of their minds.’

That’s why everyone predicted the American team’s victory.

It was a one-sided match that didn’t even need to be weighed.

Not only the pitching, but all nine hitters filling the American team’s lineup are the best players who could be in the heart of the batting order if they went to their respective teams.

That’s why he believed that a WBC championship title would be added to his career today.

Looking back now, it was a really stupid thought.

To think that such a crazy monster was hiding in a small country like Korea.

“Coach, should we leave Zack in?”

“Hmm…….”

Robert Wilson’s thoughts were interrupted by the coach’s call.

The top of the 9th, America’s last attack in regular innings.

Although a runner advanced to first base due to a third baseman’s error, the next two batters were struck out, continuing the situation with two outs and a runner on first.

It’s amazing to think about it.

Being held to a no-hitter until the 9th inning by a rookie making his professional debut.

But it’s not time to be discouraged yet.

They just need to win somehow. Somehow.

Then, the shame of being dragged around by a weak team like Korea and the disgrace of being held to a no-hitter until the 9th inning by a rookie pitcher can all be blown away at once.

The score is still 0 to 0.

If it goes to extra innings, America has the advantage.

Unlike Korea, which is betting everything on Han Su-hyeok, the American bullpen still has pitchers representing the league lined up and waiting.

But coach Robert Wilson felt a strange sense of unease.

He had to score here, now was the last chance, his instincts were screaming.

‘Could it be that I’m afraid of the next inning? Because of that kid?’

Robert Wilson vaguely guessed the reason.

The bottom of the 9th, Korea’s attack starting with the second batter.

He was feeling a primal fear about the batter Han Su-hyeok who would appear there.

‘Damn it, I can’t believe we’ve been driven to this point.’

In the end, Robert Wilson pulled out the last card he had been saving.

“Get Ty ready.”

“Ty? Ah, yes, I understand. Coach. Hey, Ty, you’re up as a pinch hitter. Get ready.”

“Yes, Coach.”

At the coach’s call, someone stood up in the middle of the bench.

A huge physique that looked to be at least 6’7″ (2 meters) tall, a broad, inverted triangle-shaped body, and unusually long arms and legs.

If the American batters who had appeared so far were all-star-level members representing the league, then the player who was preparing to go out at the coach’s call was the best among them, the number one hitter in Major League Baseball.

Ty Johnson, the main gun of the St. Louis Cardinals and the face representing Major League Baseball in the 2010s and 2020s.

The world’s strongest hitter, called a living legend.

He finished preparing to step up to the plate.

– Ah, Ty Johnson is coming out as a pinch hitter.

– What kind of player is he? Commissioner, please explain.

– I don’t think there’s any need to explain. He’s a big leaguer among big leaguers who has almost monopolized the three major titles of batting champion, RBI [Runs Batted In] champion, and home run champion, representing Major League Baseball from the mid-2010s to the present.

– That’s amazing. But he was left out of the lineup today, right?

– Yes, he was left out of the starting lineup due to some discomfort in his toe. But as the situation has become like this, he’s finally going out. Haa… It’s one mountain after another, this player is coming out here.

– In the end, we should see this as the American bench’s intention not to go to extra innings.

– Yes, in this WBC, a 10th-inning tiebreaker is applied even in the finals, right? So, I expected Ty Johnson to appear in the 10th-inning tiebreaker if the game went to extra innings as it is. Because he’s such a sure card.

– I see. Thank you for the explanation. In the top of the 9th, with two outs and a runner on first, the American team’s batter is being replaced. I’ll be back shortly. This is Progressive Field in Cleveland, USA.

* * *

“Su-hyeok, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay, Coach.”

“Um… I don’t know what to say in this situation… but I hope you’ll give it your all one last time. Ju-hyeon, you too, stop hanging your head.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t come out here to hear you say you’re sorry. Let’s just get one more out. Let’s think about the rest after that. Now, if there’s anyone here whose heart is pounding and whose hands and feet are trembling so much that they need to be replaced, raise your hand.”

The pitching coach threw a joke, but none of the fielders gathered on the mound laughed.

The coach nodded as he looked at those players, patted my butt, and went down the mound.

Squeezing the strength out of my body, I overcame difficult moments, again and again.

The pressure of having batters who could send the ball flying over the fence with just one mistake stepping up to the plate nine times in a row.

No matter who you are, it wasn’t an easy problem to deal with.

“Fighting!”

“Fighting! Let’s cheer up!”

At the first baseman Lee Su-yeong’s lead, all the fielders in the infield shouted fighting.

After a brief moment of catching our breath, he stepped up to the plate.

Ty Johnson, a living legend of Major League Baseball.

The one who troubled me quite a bit in my past life, the one who didn’t give up his position as the best hitter in Major League Baseball until he was over forty, was now back in his mid-30s and standing in front of me again.

To be honest, I can’t help but laugh.

To think that such a terrifying guy is only appearing in the 9th inning.

Compared to the 1st inning, none of my finger strength, shoulder condition, or lower body strength is in good shape.

But it’s okay.

I just need to get rid of this guy. Just one batter.

Nod.

Jeong Dae-han and I exchanged signs several times, and finally decided on the pitch and course.

A cut fastball that flows out of the outer zone.

Considering the current situation where the velocity of the four-seam fastball has dropped, I need to induce a ground ball rather than a strikeout. Especially if the opponent is that monster.

Whoosh

“Ball.”

The most powerful cut fastball I’ve thrown today grazed the outer zone and flowed out.

But Ty Johnson’s monstrous eye selected that ball.

If this guy had come out from the 1st inning, and if I had struck him out once or twice, he wouldn’t have been able to watch this ball so calmly.

There’s no use in thinking about that now.

Nod.

This time, a two-seam that reverses from the outside to the inside.

It’s not a bad choice. I nodded to Jeong Dae-han and immediately went into the pitch.

Whoosh

Crack!

– Ah, that was hit properly! It’s big! It’s big! Ah, ah, ah, ah! That’s a relief! It’s really a relief! A foul that curves out of the left foul pole, that was a really big hit.

– Haa, I thought my heart was going to explode. I’m glad. I’m really glad. The angle of the two-seam was so good that it became a foul. Ty Johnson, he’s really an amazing hitter. To send that ball flying so far.

– Han Su-hyeok is looking at the left fence with a dumbfounded expression.

– I’m really grateful and sorry. In this situation, to have to keep a rookie in his first year on the mound who has thrown nearly 100 pitches. The Korean baseball world owes Han Su-hyeok a big debt. We’ll have to repay him in some way!

– I agree with the commissioner’s words this time. It’s too harsh a situation for a young player to endure.

– I pray and pray that Han Su-hyeok will be able to muster a little more strength and block the last batter.

* * *

To be honest, it was a bit of a mistake.

The ball that I was trying to take out a little more grazed the zone, and Ty Johnson’s bat turned without hesitation.

Of course, it was a ball in a course that would be over 90% likely to be a foul.

But after getting hit with such a tremendous hit after a long time, I suddenly came to my senses.

I guess it was the same for that guy.

Perhaps he was a little disappointed that his best swing ended in a foul, and disappointment was also evident on Ty Johnson’s face.

I think I did well to participate in this WBC.

Will the day come when I face that monster again?

Next international competition? Well, he certainly won’t be at the Olympics next year, and at best it’ll be the WBC, but then that player will be close to forty.

He’ll still be maintaining his skills then, but in many ways, he’ll be worse than he is now.

I remember talking to him at the All-Star Game in my previous life.

It wasn’t a big story. Just a story about the basics of pitching and the mindset at the plate.

He reacted to my story that I casually threw out, and that was all that a few words were exchanged.

Yeah, to be honest, at that time I felt a sense of competition with Ty Johnson, but on the other hand, I think I felt a little envy.

The velocity I lost due to a shoulder injury, the repeated injuries.

Because of those things, I felt my limits, and Ty Johnson always maintained his top position regardless of age or injury.

Maybe what filled my heart was regret.

That regret that I wanted to go back to before I was injured and fight Ty Johnson at his peak.

It was a story that was only possible in dreams.

But.

I’m fulfilling that dream now.

Although the situation is very unfavorable to me, I’ve already thrown nearly 100 pitches, it’s a situation where a no-hitter will be broken with just one hit, and there’s not a single reliable pitcher behind me,

It’s a very unfavorable situation,

But I’m enjoying it.

Even so, I’m enjoying this moment so much.

Grip

Perhaps it’s thanks to taking a short break.

I can feel the finger strength that was rapidly draining away returning.

I need to hurry. I need to end the match with Ty Johnson before this energy, which may be temporary, runs out.

Nod.

I don’t need any other balls at times like this.

I need that ball that I wanted to throw so much, that I definitely wanted to show Ty Johnson.

Not Han Su-hyeok, who endured with only his pride after losing his velocity, but the pride of having the most powerful ball on this earth, the kind of ball that only Han Su-hyeok, full of that pride, can throw.

The ball was launched from my fingertips.

Shoooooong

Pow!

“Strike!”

“Wow!”

“167㎞/h [kilometers per hour], 167㎞/h! Crazy, really crazy!”

Ty Johnson couldn’t budge at that four-seam fastball that dug into the innermost part of his body, that ball that reached 104 miles.

No, didn’t he do it?

It doesn’t matter.

Ball count one ball two strikes.

The limited number of pitches has already been exceeded. Once this match is over, I have to go down the mound unconditionally.

There’s no need to save any more strength.

I have to squeeze out all the strength I have. Until the last drop.

A firm determination fills Ty Johnson’s face. He also knows it.

That now is the moment of the match.

If the opponent wasn’t Ty Johnson, I might have thrown a slow curve or something here.

But that is not respect for the strongest opponent.

No, it’s not respect for me, who has been waiting for such a real match for a long time.

That’s why I’m going to throw the best ball I can throw.

The lower body, which had lost its strength and was faltering, starts to take off vigorously once again.

The waist, which had started to creak after throwing nearly 100 pitches, entered its final operation.

Gathering that condensed energy to the shoulder, with a heart asking the shoulder, which was soaked in fatigue, for the final match,

“Tahat!”

I couldn’t help but let out a shout.

At the same time, the ball left my fingertips.

A white ball flying fiercely like a bird aiming for its prey.

Ty Johnson started to swing vigorously at that ball.

Shoooooong

Whooong!

Pow!

“Swing, strike out!”

“Uaaaaaaaa!”

“Su-hyeok! You crazy bastard!”

“Haaaa, I’m going crazy. I’m really going crazy! You crazy bastard!”

The number 105 miles was brilliantly engraved on the electronic display board.

169㎞/h [kilometers per hour].

The atmosphere in the stands was heating up as if it would explode at any moment. Tremendous applause erupted even from the American stands that had been pouring boos at me.

After looking at that scene for a while, I turned my gaze to Ty Johnson.

The world’s best hitter was looking at me with a blank expression.

I unknowingly bowed my head slightly. It was a greeting in return for the rival who had given me the best match.

He made a slightly surprised expression, then soon bowed his head towards me.

Perhaps this is the first and last confrontation between a giant who dominated an era and me.

I couldn’t help but stare at Ty Johnson’s back, even forgetting about the victory.