Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 132

#131. Called Shot

On the outskirts of New York City, a boy sat in the living room of a mansion that resembled a castle, surrounded by a massive wall. He appeared to be about seven years old, with East Asian features, thick eyebrows, firm lips, and an inherent air of dignity.

It was immediately apparent that this boy was the owner of the grand estate. His eyes were glued to the TV screen that covered an entire wall of the living room.

“Oh my God! Jesus! Han Su-hyeok, the starting pitcher for the Korean team, strikes out Ty Johnson!”

“That’s 105 miles per hour! A 20-year-old making his debut as a starter throws 105 mph again in the 9th inning. I was probably lying in bed eating cheese balls at that age!”

“Ty Johnson’s dejected expression is caught on camera. It’s unfortunate. In the end, the U.S. fails to capitalize on a critical opportunity with a runner on first.”

“Even though they’re the opposing team, it’s truly amazing. Han Su-hyeok, the emergence of a super rookie who has made a huge impression on baseball fans around the world.”

The boy, who had watched the final showdown between Han Su-hyeok and Ty Johnson without even taking a breath, let out a soft sigh and leaned back into the sofa.

At that moment, a blond man in a suit appeared behind him.

“Young Master, you’re watching baseball.”

“Yeah, it’s… really interesting.”

“You never showed much interest even when your aunt was running the baseball team…”

“Joe, I was only two or three years old back then. I wasn’t old enough to be interested in anything.”

“Haha, is that so? Understood. My apologies. Anyway, what should we do? Lady Angela is looking for you.”

“Hmm, Mom is… then I should go. But Joe.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Do you know that player?”

“Who are you referring to…?”

“That pitcher from the Korean team. The one with the same name as our father.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve only seen him on the news a few times. Why do you ask?”

“Just… because he’s cool.”

“I see. But Young Master, I think you should go to Lady Angela first.”

“Alright, I understand. If she’s calling me so urgently, there must be a reason.”

He was disappointed that he couldn’t watch the baseball broadcast until the end, but the boy already had the ability to control such desires.

The weight of being the heir to the world’s most prestigious family, and his pride in his father and mother, were already shaping him.

Joe Wilson, the secretary, felt sorry for the boy, who had matured too quickly.

“Young Master, if you wish, shall I invite those Korean team players to the mansion?”

“Invite?”

“Yes, if you wish, I will bring them over as soon as the game ends.”

The boy’s eyes sparkled at the secretary’s words.

The boy knew.

That if he gave the order, it would soon become reality.

But that would ultimately put pressure on the other party, causing discomfort to the player he had come to admire.

“No, Joe, there’s no need to go that far. Um… can you just make sure those players can stay comfortably in the U.S. while they’re here, regardless of today’s game result?”

“Of course. I will take care of it.”

“Okay, thank you. That’s enough.”

Only then did the boy look satisfied, moving his short limbs and walking outside.

The mansion doors were flung open by the waiting servants.

There, the father whom the boy respected the most, the strongest and most reliable person in the world, was waiting.

“Father.”

“Hmm.”

“I’m all ready.”

“Hmm.”

Two men, who looked identical except for their age and height, moved to meet their wife and mother.

As the boy hurried to keep up with his father, Han Su-hyeok’s wonderful pitching flashed through his mind once again.

‘Should I try baseball? I should talk to Mom about it.’

* * *

Now, before the final attack of the 9th inning, the atmosphere in the Korean team’s dugout was quietly burning.

Obsession with victory, tension, surging motivation, and the opposing pressure, fear, and responsibility.

In the midst of countless emotional whirlpools, the coach, staff, and players looked at each other.

And Coach Jeong Yun-seok slowly opened his mouth.

“I won’t talk long. We defended the 9th inning safely, but we’re still at a disadvantage. Su-hyeok can’t pitch anymore. But the opposing team’s mound will be filled with the best pitchers one after another. Now, let me ask you one thing. Are you afraid?”

“No, Coach!”

“Good, we have only one thing in our favor. None of the many spectators gathered in this stadium, and none of the millions of people watching the game on TV, expect us to win. In other words, no one will criticize us even if we lose. Does that make you feel relieved?”

“It makes us frustrated!”

That was the answer he wanted. A smile spread across Jeong Yun-seok’s face.

“That’s right. I was going to take out anyone who said they felt relieved, but thankfully, it seems like there’s no one like that. Now, if we don’t score in this inning, we’ll have to go to a tiebreaker. I don’t need to tell you that we’re at a disadvantage. We’ll score somehow in the bottom of the 9th. And we’ll return to Korea with the trophy. Understand?”

“Yes, Coach!”

“Good. First, we get a runner on base. Then the U.S. will be the ones being chased. Deok-su.”

“Yes, Coach.”

“You’re the pinch hitter. I don’t need to say much, right?”

“Got it.”

The final attack of Korea’s regular inning in the bottom of the 9th begins with Lee Tae-woong, the number 2 hitter.

Jang Deok-su was brought in as a pinch hitter instead of Lee Tae-woong, who had shown extreme sluggishness with three strikeouts today.

The pitcher on the mound is the guardian of Progressive Field, that is, Cleveland Guardians closer, Jimmy McCown.

A left-handed pitcher with a fastball exceeding 100 miles per hour and precise control.

Come to think of it, all the pitchers who took the mound for the U.S. team today had fastballs of over 100 mph.

Overwhelming power. Han Su-hyeok had faced those monstrous pitchers alone for 9 innings.

“Su-hyeok, don’t worry. I’ll do something about it.”

“Senior.”

Jang Deok-su left a short message to Han Su-hyeok and slowly walked towards the batter’s box.

A giant physique reaching 2 meters [approximately 6’7″], but Jang Deok-su is one of the smartest players among the Warriors.

He understood why the coach had used him as a pinch hitter in the final attack of the 9th inning.

Because he’s strong against left-handed pitchers? Well, there are several hitters on the bench who are more specialized against left-handed pitchers than him.

A big hit? Or a surprise bunt?

It’s not an opponent you can hit a home run against just by aiming for it. Moreover, thanks to the surprise bunt he showed in the last Korea-Japan match, the U.S. team would have fully grasped Jang Deok-su’s play style.

In the end, there is only one answer.

Getting on base.

Coach Jeong Yun-seok’s special order to Jang Deok-su was to get on base.

And Jang Deok-su knew very well what he had to do for that.

Whoosh.

“Huh?”

“What is that guy doing?”

“Who is he imitating right now? Crazy, that guy is definitely crazy.”

“Kill him! Kill that big, dumb idiot!”

Suddenly, the American stands began to stir greatly. And some excited spectators pointed at Jang Deok-su and began to hurl abuse.

Called Shot.

Jang Deok-su had just imitated the called shot performance of Babe Ruth, the pride of the United States and the all-time number one in Major League Baseball.

There are several theories about Babe Ruth’s called shot. He said he would hit a home run, and he actually hit a home run in that at-bat, but he never pointed to the fence with his finger, no, it’s true, and so on.

But what’s important now wasn’t that.

Jang Deok-su had touched Babe Ruth, who could be said to be the sanctuary of Americans, and that had irritated not only the spectators but also the opposing players, especially pitcher Jimmy McCown, who was famous for his hot temper.

‘Outside? No.’

‘Then this?’

‘Nope.’

‘What do you want?’

‘Inside cutter, I need to show that guy what’s what.’

Jimmy McCown, who had been shaking his head at the catcher’s signs, finally nodded.

A 94-mile cutter, considered his best weapon along with his 100-mile fastball.

How many bats of right-handed hitters had he broken with that ball so far?

He would show that arrogant Asian who dared to touch something he shouldn’t have touched a bitter taste.

He would make the guy’s blood run cold with the best cutter that he would never have seen in a lower league like the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization].

Jimmy McCown, with a scowl on his face, slowly began his windup.

And as he planned, a perfect, wonderful cutter that dug into the inside of the right-handed hitter flew towards Jang Deok-su.

But there was one thing Jimmy McCown had overlooked.

That was that Jang Deok-su was a catcher who had put in a tremendous amount of effort to catch Han Su-hyeok’s 100-mile cutter.

And,

Thwack!

“Ugh! Mom, I’m dying!”

His hobby is girl group dancing, so he is quite good at using his body.

Jang Deok-su pretended to be surprised by the cutter digging into his body and pulled his butt back.

It was an action to avoid the ball that anyone could see.

However, unlike the lower body taking the action to avoid, the upper body, especially the right elbow, which was in the path of the cutter, was rather slightly pushed forward.

The problem was that the huge bulk filling the batter’s box and the large motion that anyone could be fooled by overlapped, blurring the umpire’s eyes.

“He got hit on purpose!”

“Damn it, request a video replay!”

Curses and donuts flew onto the ground from the stands.

But it was useless. The U.S. had already used all the video replay chances allowed to them. Of course, that was also within Jang Deok-su’s calculations.

“Die! You big, dumb idiot!”

“You should fear my shotgun. I’ll kill you when you get out of the stadium!”

The American spectators, who had allowed the runner to get on base in the last defense of the 9th inning, cursed Jang Deok-su with all their hearts.

But he stepped on first base with a blank expression and was replaced by pinch runner Kim Se-jun.

“Senior, is your elbow okay? That’s the side without the protector.”

“It’s okay, I’m fine with this much. Su-hyeok, I’m counting on you.”

Even while frowning as if the hit area was uncomfortable, Jang Deok-su returned to the dugout without losing his smile.

The players welcomed him with all their hearts.

For the second time after the 5th inning, a runner got on base without any outs.

The one who received that precious chance was Lee Su-yeong of Daegu, the home run hitter who represented the KBO before Han Su-hyeok appeared.

“Play!”

Lee Su-yeong, who had spent countless hours in the baseball world and experienced all kinds of hardships, was beyond what he could handle at this moment.

Bottom of the 9th, no outs, runner on first.

Should he bunt? No. That’s not a good idea.

In his opinion, the success or failure of this 9th inning attack depends on Han Su-hyeok, the number 5 hitter.

Han Su-hyeok, who had one hit and one double today, and hit a big ball that almost became a home run.

The only rookie in his first year who showed hope among the Korean hitters who were tightly bound by the American pitchers.

He has to create a chance for him to hit properly.

What if he bunts here and it becomes one out and a runner on second?

Then, regardless of the result of the next hitter’s at-bat, the U.S. will walk Han Su-hyeok. Even if it becomes bases loaded.

Too low of a probability, they haven’t been able to do anything against the American pitchers today, but they have to squeeze everything out in this inning and give the youngest the opportunity to end the game.

Jang Deok-su, who just entered the plate, even Jang Deok-su, who is in his first national team competition, did it. But if he, a veteran, fails, he won’t be able to face his juniors.

Lee Su-yeong gripped his bat short. He doesn’t even remember when he gripped his bat this short.

The first year of his professional debut? Or before he went up to the first team, that is, when he was trying to get into the eyes of the second team coach?

He doesn’t remember. And none of that matters now.

He has to get to first base somehow. Even if he sells his soul to the devil.

Crack!

“Foul!”

“Ball!”

“Strike!”

Crack!

“Foul!”

“Ball!”

Crack!

“Foul!”

Craaack!”

“Foul!”

“Fuck!”

The best home run hitter, who is running for the number 1 spot in career home runs in the KBO, who has been trying to hit even one more home run in his life, gripped his bat short and began to do his best to get to first base somehow.

Jimmy McCown, who had already thrown 8 balls, spat out curses and kicked the dirt on the mound.

The U.S. team’s catcher sent a sign to the dugout. It was a sign that a pitcher change was needed.

However, according to WBC [World Baseball Classic] regulations, a pitcher who has once taken the mound must face at least 3 hitters.

The catcher sighed deeply and put his mitt forward again.

There’s no other way anyway. He can’t give up a walk here.

The only ball he can throw now, no, he has to throw, is the 100-mile fastball that made Jimmy McCown the guardian of Cleveland.

That ball was fired towards Lee Su-yeong.

And as if waiting for it, Lee Su-yeong’s bat swung powerfully.

Craaack!

Lee Su-yeong, who threw his bat away, ran madly towards first base. As if he had returned to his rookie days.

The shortstop threw himself to catch the batted ball that was trying to get out of the infield. Then he powerfully threw the ball towards first base.

At the same time, Lee Su-yeong’s foot stepped on first base.