Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 177

#176. We Are Strong

‘Master… where should this disciple go? Was I wrong?’

Venturing down an uncharted path is difficult for anyone.

Especially when you have to lead others from the front.

Although he had experienced several Korean Series victories as a player, Coach Lee Dae-jun was still a novice as a leader.

Feeling deeply responsible for the injuries of Jo Sung-oh and Lee Man-sik, he gazed at his mentor Jung Yoon-seok’s photo with a wistful look.

He wanted to grab his mentor and ask him, even now. And be comforted.

As Lee Dae-jun stared at his mentor’s photo with longing, the person he had been waiting for entered the coach’s office.

“Boss, you were looking for me.”

“Yes, you’re here, Benjamin. Have a seat over here.”

“Thank you. I brought a few of these on the way; they’re delicious.”

Chief Coach Benjamin chuckled as he placed a few tangerines he was holding on the desk.

They were tangerines sent by Ahn Chi-wook’s parents, who owned a tangerine farm.

Come to think of it, the tangerine harvesting season had returned.

It’s November.

The faces of his two disciples lying in the hospital floated in his mind again.

‘Those guys are too old, so their injuries won’t heal easily, and they got hurt at a time like this…….’

Lee Dae-jun opened his mouth with a hollow voice.

“Benjamin, I’m having some thoughts.”

“What kind of thoughts, Boss?”

As always, Benjamin responded with a warm voice.

Come to think of it, he had received so much help from this man.

If it hadn’t been for him giving advice at every important moment, and if it hadn’t been for the help of the coaching staff he brought, he would never have made it this far.

“I thought I was a very lucky person. Aside from anything else, just the fact that Soo-hyuk came into my arms.”

“I agree.”

“So I tried not to be greedy. The achievements the Warriors have made this year were all created by the blood and sweat of the players and coaches. I was just lucky.”

“I find that hard to agree with.”

Benjamin thought Lee Dae-jun’s words were only half right and half wrong.

It was true that he was a lucky person, but it was entirely Coach Lee Dae-jun’s ability that led the team this far based on that luck.

However, Lee Dae-jun’s expression did not improve.

“I think I trusted that luck too much and did something reckless. I should have taken Lee Man-sik and Jo Sung-oh out sooner…….”

“Boss.”

“Yes, go ahead, Benjamin.”

Even the wisest and most capable people sometimes fall into self-doubt like this.

But Benjamin, who had lived for over 60 years, had come to realize a little more about the ways of the world.

“It’s just hindsight. Anyone in that position would have had to use those two friends.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes, it’s just bad luck. Ironically, the goddess of fortune who had been following you seems to have fallen asleep for a while. It’s okay. Originally, luck is like a mischievous being that comes and goes for a while.”

Benjamin’s words weren’t necessarily the answer, but Lee Dae-jun’s heart felt a little lighter.

His aide, who resembled his mentor in some ways, a grateful person who gave him strength whenever he had difficulties.

Lee Dae-jun bowed his head towards Benjamin and got up from his seat.

He didn’t know if his words were right or not.

But one thing was certain: if someone had to make a decision and take responsibility at this moment, it could only be himself.

That would be the attitude of a coach leading a team.

“I understand. It was very helpful, Benjamin.”

“I’m glad if that’s the case. Then shall we go do our jobs now?”

* * *

In front of the Warriors dugout, Lee Dae-jun gathered the players who had finished training.

Come to think of it, the players who played the game together would have been the most surprised by the injuries and departures of the veterans, not himself.

Lee Dae-jun extremely disliked nagging the players before the game, but he felt like he had to say something today.

But what should he say first?

After much deliberation, Lee Dae-jun opened his mouth.

“Okay, I was going to say we’re challenging for the top spot for the first time in 8 years, but the two old guys who should be hearing that aren’t here.”

It was a joke thrown to ease the tension, but none of the Warriors players laughed.

The players’ faces were filled with a mixture of emotions: guilt and worry for the veterans, and fear for today’s game.

Lee Dae-jun suddenly came to his senses.

What was important now was not to dwell on regrets about past choices, or to ruminate on the guilt for those who were not here.

His players were still young and inexperienced.

Those players had to challenge for the top spot in the Korean Series without any veterans to lead them.

1st Center Fielder Seo Hyung-joo

2nd 3rd Baseman Ahn Chi-wook

3rd Shortstop Han Soo-hyuk

4th 1st Baseman Walter Smith

5th Catcher Jang Deok-soo

6th 2nd Baseman Lee Chang-mo

7th Right Fielder Kim Soo-hak

8th Designated Hitter Kang Jin-seok

9th Left Fielder Choi Min-seok

Starting Pitcher Cheon Sang-jin

Among the players named in today’s lineup, only Lee Chang-mo, who was from Incheon, and Choi Min-seok, who was from the Magicians, had experience in the Korean Series.

From 1st to 3rd, this was their first professional stage this year, and 4th Walter Smith was from Seattle, which had never advanced to the World Series since its founding.

Kim Soo-hak and Kang Jin-seok, who only remembered the team’s dark days, and Choi Min-seok, who was a backup member of the Magicians.

And Cheon Sang-jin, a second-string pitcher who had to worry about being released throughout his career, who was on the mound again after three days of rest.

In a way, these players, who had been thoroughly excluded from the mainstream to the point where they could be called outsiders, had been running at full strength for a season to win the team.

And now, they were anxious after losing their leader.

Lee Dae-jun became even more unsure of what he had to do.

How could he reassure these players?

How could he calm their anxious minds and help them unleash 100% of their skills?

“Guys, so what I mean is…….”

As Lee Dae-jun was about to say something, unable to find the words,

someone unexpected stepped forward.

It was a certain player who had experienced winning the World Series, the only one on this team who knew it besides himself.

“Can I say a word, Coach?”

“Huh? Soo-hyuk, you?”

“Yes, if you allow me.”

Lee Dae-jun stared at Han Soo-hyuk with a blank expression.

He usually didn’t say anything unless it was necessary, no, beyond that, he was the youngest who should be the most nervous in this situation.

Of course, Han Soo-hyuk was not an ordinary youngest, but still.

What was going on? Why was he volunteering to say something?

For a moment, he had that thought.

It was none other than Han Soo-hyuk who had grabbed this team by the collar and brought them this far this season.

If there was anyone who deserved to say something to the players now that captain Jo Sung-oh was gone, it was none other than Han Soo-hyuk.

Lee Dae-jun’s gaze turned to Han Soo-hyuk.

And he realized.

“Okay, Soo-hyuk. Then I’ll ask you to do it.”

From now on, it was the players’ time, not the coach’s.

What they needed now was not the coach in the dugout, but a reliable leader to play with on the field.

This team needed a new leader now.

Lee Dae-jun, feeling a little lighter, moved to the dugout.

And Han Soo-hyuk opened his mouth.

“As you all know, I’ve faced some American and Japanese guys in the WBC [World Baseball Classic].”

Lee Chang-mo responded to his first words.

“That’s right.”

“I had this thought. Um, is this all there is to the best in the world, or something?”

“What? Hahaha, the American guys would be horrified to hear that.”

“Whether they do or not, anyway, what I want to say is this.”

“Okay, tell me.”

Han Soo-hyuk made eye contact with each of the players. And he slowly continued.

“We are strong. And I have no intention of giving the championship trophy to Incheon at all.”

“…….”

The players’ expressions changed in a complex way at Han Soo-hyuk’s unexpected and confident declaration.

It could be dismissed as a bit of excessive confidence, but when they realized that it was none other than Han Soo-hyuk who said it, they nodded their heads without realizing it.

The tension that had been enveloping the entire team faded a little.

And with the next word, a concrete picture of victory began to be drawn in the minds of the Warriors players.

“Today, I’m going to do everything I can. Whatever it takes to win, I’ll really do anything. So rest assured. We will not lose.”

In some ways, it was nonsense.

No matter how good Han Soo-hyuk was, he couldn’t lead every game to victory.

He wasn’t even the starting pitcher today. His influence on the game was limited to the plate.

But Han Soo-hyuk continued to speak as if he didn’t care about such things.

“Seo Hyung-joo.”

“Huh? Oh, why?”

“Forget about trying to look cool. Forget about the desire to show the audience flashy plays.”

“Suddenly?”

“You may not know it, but you, who are faithful to the basics, are the best center fielder in the 10 clubs. Don’t forget that. And Ahn Chi-wook.”

“Oh, oh, yeah, Soo-hyuk.”

“Hitting the ball as fast and hard as possible is a given. But what is your mission as the number 2 hitter today?”

“Getting on base……?”

“That’s right. The Incheon guys will take full advantage of your habit of swinging the bat aggressively from the first pitch. Don’t rush. Never, you just have to think about that one thing. And then Deok-soo hyung.”

“Tell me.”

“There’s no need to reduce your swing just because a few well-hit balls didn’t go over. There’s no hitter in this league stronger than you. I hope you do what you can do.”

“Okay. I know what you mean.”

“Chang-mo hyungnim [term of respect].”

“Yeah, Soo-hyuk.”

“I think your skills have already returned to what they were before you went to the United States. Everyone else thinks so too, besides me. I hope you realize that too.”

“…….”

“Soo-hak hyung.”

“Oh, yeah. Tell me. I’m ready.”

“You’re the fastest right fielder in the 10 clubs.”

“Hehe, yeah. I know what you mean.”

“Jin-seok hyung.”

“Do you have something to say to me too?”

“You’re probably the strongest after Deok-soo hyung. I’ll wear out the Incheon pitchers, so aim for a mistake. Wouldn’t there be a mistake in one of your at-bats?”

“Mistake, yeah, mistake… mistake… okay. Received.”

“Min-seok hyung.”

“Yeah?”

“I think you should be number 1 instead of that Seo Hyung-joo.”

“Hehe, thanks.”

“Lastly, Sang-jin hyung.”

“I took out a notebook to write down. Now, tell me.”

“The pitcher I hate to face the most is you, hyung.”

“That’s really the best compliment. Thank you. Let’s finish today’s game quickly and watch the World Series together.”

“Sounds good.”

“Hey, why aren’t you saying anything to me?”

Han Soo-hyuk smiled at Walter’s words and replied.

“Walter.”

“Damn it, it’s like receiving a bow while lying down, yeah, is that the Korean expression? Anyway, that’s how I feel. So, tell me. What advice are you going to give me? Let’s hear the advice of the best player in the world.”

“Advice? I don’t think you need any.”

“Um?”

“Did you prepare your catcher’s mitt?”

“Mitt? You don’t mean…….”

“Yes, if the team takes the lead, I’ll be on the mound right away. Get ready to catch my ball.”

It was the moment when something heavy that had been pressing down on the hearts of the Warriors players was lifted.