Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 192

#191. Just One Game with Him

As of the 2027 season, the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) had approximately 600 officially registered players across both the first and second teams.

Han Su-hyeok had risen to the top among those many players.

The only thing was, he was just a rookie in his second year since his debut.

Players in positions junior to him, like Choi Ma-ru, might feel more at ease, but his peers and seniors couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions.

A peer or junior who reaches the top immediately after debuting.

It’s not just in baseball; in any group, such a person is bound to be met with envy and jealousy.

That’s why Go Dong-shik was genuinely curious about Seo Hyeong-ju’s feelings.

A teammate and friend from the same draft class, and a duo often linked as the 1st and 2nd hitters in the lineup.

In a way, he was the player closest to Han Su-hyeok.

What did he really think about Han Su-hyeok?

Go Dong-shik had met Seo Hyeong-ju today to discuss the Olympic team selection, but he thought clearing this up first was the right approach.

Seo Hyeong-ju fell into deep thought at Go Dong-shik’s question.

It wasn’t exactly a new question.

Many reporters had asked him that question before.

But Seo Hyeong-ju had never given a proper answer.

Was it because of an inferiority complex?

Well, maybe at first, but not later on, he thought.

He just hadn’t had the chance.

The chance to reveal his true feelings about that amazing teammate who he was always being compared to.

He had a feeling that today might be that day.

After a long period of contemplation, Seo Hyeong-ju slowly opened his mouth.

“I…”

* * *

“Hey, Seo Hyeong-ju.”

“What, you monster?”

“What did you say during the interview earlier that made that guy keep asking me how close we are privately?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t say anything.”

“Hmm.”

“Forget it, just focus on throwing the ball properly. Go set some records. Shoo!”

“Something’s fishy.”

Han Su-hyeok, who was the starting pitcher for the first game of the three-game series against Suwon, shrugged his shoulders and walked towards the bullpen.

Han Su-hyeok, who hit 61 home runs last season and broke the single-season Asian home run record, was challenging new records again this year.

First, what fans wanted most was to break the Major League home run record of 73.

Considering the number of games and the fact that opposing pitchers were terrified and tried to avoid pitching to Han Su-hyeok, it was a nearly impossible challenge, but fans were still sincerely hoping that Han Su-hyeok would break that record.

And there was another record.

The consecutive scoreless innings record.

Han Su-hyeok, who recorded 50 consecutive scoreless innings in the 2027 regular season, surpassing the Korean record.

He was now challenging the American record of 60 innings and the Japanese record of 64.1 consecutive scoreless innings.

Considering that the American record was set in 1989 and the Japanese record in 1958, it goes without saying how difficult that challenge was.

A pitcher’s ability, concentration, and the help of the team’s defense.

All of that has to come together to make that record possible, and it was now right in front of him.

Han Su-hyeok, who had recorded 55 consecutive scoreless innings, including 50 innings in the last regular season and 5 innings in the first game this year, was challenging the 60-inning record set by Orel Hershiser of the LA Dodgers in 1988 today.

* * *

“Damn it…”

“Do those guys have a vendetta against us? They always schedule the game at important moments.”

“If we don’t score by the 5th inning, it’s a tie for the American record?”

“Yeah, the silver lining is that even if he pitches a 9-inning shutout, he’ll still be 0.1 innings short of the Japanese record.”

“…That’s so comforting, you bastard.”

It goes without saying that the Suwon team was the most nervous about Han Su-hyeok’s record challenge.

Suwon, who had a relatively stable start with 3 wins and 2 losses in the first five games of the opening week.

Han Su-hyeok stood in their way again.

Come to think of it, Suwon had been relentlessly tormented by Han Su-hyeok since Choi Kyung-jae was around.

So much so that Jeong Dae-han even bought him ribs and asked him to take it easy, but it’s as if that heartless guy doesn’t have a human heart, and he seems to try even harder whenever he meets Suwon.

As the team atmosphere became chaotic, the Suwon manager clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.

“Okay, everyone, listen up. Why do you think records don’t get broken for decades? It’s because they’re so hard to break that they remain as records. Han Su-hyeok? He’s a monster, I know. But it’s about time he gets hit. Even if it’s 170 km/h [~106 mph], it’s possible to respond if you know it’s coming. Okay, our team’s ace is going out there today too. It’s going to be a one-point game. We’re going to take him down somehow. Can you do it?”

“Yes…”

“Can you do it?”

“Yes.”

“Louder!”

“Yes!”

“Good, let’s get started then. Anyone who gets an RBI [Runs Batted In] against Han Su-hyeok today will be exempt from all training on rest days for the next month. Do you want to spend the holidays with your family? Do you want to go on a date with your girlfriend? Good, then go out there and hit. Knock that guy’s ball away!”

The manager offered a pretty tempting carrot, but none of the Suwon players cheered.

‘If it were that easy, someone would have done it already.’

Before the game even started, a deep sense of defeat towards Han Su-hyeok had already taken root in the hearts of the Suwon players.

The game started in that state.

1. Center Fielder Seo Hyeong-ju

2. Left Fielder Choi Min-seok

3. First Baseman Jo Seong-oh

4. Right Fielder Walter Smith

5. Third Baseman Min Ju-hyeon

6. Pitcher Han Su-hyeok

7. Catcher Jang Deok-su

8. Second Baseman Lee Chang-mo

9. Shortstop Choi Jin-cheol

Rafael Diaz, a foreign player who rejoined Suwon this year after last season, got through the 1st inning safely against the Warriors’ powerful lineup.

When he gave up a hit to Seo Hyeong-ju, and walks to Jo Seong-oh and Walter Smith, I thought we were going to get crushed again, but fortunately, Min Ju-hyeon’s well-hit ball became a double play, resulting in three outs.

Han Su-hyeok, who was in the on-deck circle, clicked his tongue with a look of regret, and the pitcher who happened to make eye contact with him had a seizure, but fortunately, he quickly regained his senses.

Anyway, after the top of the 1st inning passed, Han Su-hyeok went to the mound in the bottom of the 1st.

“Waaaah!”

“Seo Hyeong-ju! Walter! Choi Min-seok!”

“Please! I beg you! I don’t want to go to the Han River! This way, please!”

“Coin bros [people who stand to profit], shut up! Throw it this way!”

As Han Su-hyeok started his practice pitches, the spectators in the outfield suddenly started chanting the names of the Warriors outfielders.

Even the Suwon fans sitting behind the right fielder.

“Why are those people like that?”

“They’re hoping they might catch the ball that sets the consecutive scoreless innings record.”

“Ah, they’re asking him to throw it to them now? The ball that set the new record?”

“Yeah.”

“Crazy… Do they think that’s possible?”

“Well, the person who picked up the home run ball last year made 1 billion won [~760,000 USD].”

“I guess… In a way, it’s another lottery.”

The stadium maintenance worker who picked up the home run ball in the last game of last season instantly made 1 billion won.

Of course, Han Su-hyeok willingly offered such a large sum of money because he had money piling up anyway, and he was grateful that they brought him something that was obviously valuable and offered to return it.

“Waaaah!”

“Please! Please! Fan service is a basic requirement for baseball players!”

“Please! God! Buddha! Whoever it is, I hope the ball flies this way!”

Some spectators seemed to have a slightly different idea.

They were hoping that the moment Han Su-hyeok recorded 60 consecutive scoreless innings, the American record, the ball would become an outfield fly, and the outfielder who caught the ball would throw it to the spectators as fan service as usual.

“Are those guys stupid? Do they really think the outfielders would throw such an important ball into the stands?”

“Leave them alone, when you’re desperate, you’ll try anything. Don’t we buy lottery tickets every week hoping to win? It’s just in case.”

“Yeah, when you think about it, it seems like only the factories that make bug-catching nets are making money.”

“That’s true.”

Since the second half of last season, after Han Su-hyeok surpassed 50 home runs, the bug-catching net units that appeared were now sweeping the baseball stadium from the opening game, regardless of the time.

It’s because of the expectation that if they catch a ball related to Han Su-hyeok, it might be worth money later.

Like someone said, maybe only the factories that make bug-catching nets are excited.

Anyway, in that atmosphere, Han Su-hyeok threw the first ball.

Whoosh

Boom

“Strike!”

“Waaaah!”

“Just strike out and get out of here!”

“Let’s do it quickly!”

The first-pitch 170 km/h fastball, which has now become Han Su-hyeok’s signature.

As that ball, which completely shatters the opposing team’s will at the start of the game, came in, the voices of the bug-catching net units began to grow even louder.

Extremely enthusiastic away fans who followed the Warriors all the way to Suwon, and bug-catching net units who unconditionally wished for Han Su-hyeok’s record achievement, regardless of team support.

Jeong Dae-han muttered to himself without realizing it, watching the home fans who were stuck in between and unable to move.

“Damn it… I really can’t do this.”

* * *

[Next news. In the game between the Seoul Warriors and the Suwon Commanders held today, Han Su-hyeok recorded 6 scoreless innings, surpassing the existing Major League record of 60 consecutive scoreless innings. As a result, Han Su-hyeok will break the world record if he blocks 3 and 2/3 innings in the next game.]

The Warriors’ second team dormitory located in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Not only simple second-team players, but also rookie-level players who went up to the first team but haven’t found their own homes yet, or developmental players who haven’t registered as official professional players.

There was one slightly unique player living in this place where so many different players gathered.

A player who was watching sports news with the TV volume completely turned down and only subtitles.

He was Choi Jae-min from Seongjin High School, who recently passed the Warriors’ developmental player test.

This boy, who was ultimately ignored in the rookie draft he had hoped for, and failed the developmental player tests in Busan and Daejeon, was eventually in a situation where he had to give up baseball.

Then, he met Han Su-hyeok and Jang Deok-su, who came out for community service, and discovered a way to become a professional baseball player from him, a very slim one, but currently the only path allowed to him.

‘Bet everything on hitting. If they ask why a guy who can’t run or field is on the roster, make sure they say there’s no better pinch hitter than him on our team.’

Looking back now, it was a truly extreme piece of advice. It was literally all or nothing.

But Choi Jae-min, who was driven to the edge of a cliff, accepted Han Su-hyeok’s advice and was eventually able to pass the Warriors’ developmental player test.

Of course, being a developmental player for a professional team is not such a glorious position.

The weakest of the weak, receiving only the minimum salary without a signing bonus, and of course, not even registered with the KBO, so no rights can be guaranteed as a professional baseball player.

Clench

Nevertheless, Choi Jae-min felt like he had everything in the world.

If you exclude the hearing problem and the resulting inconvenience in running and fielding, Choi Jae-min was a pretty useful hitter.

A well-developed balance between the lower and upper body, an unusually strong waist strength compared to others, and a batting form that knows how to make the most of it.

The balance is not yet perfect because he hurriedly built his body according to Han Su-hyeok’s advice, but in this developmental player test, Choi Jae-min hit 2 balls with his bat, and sent both of those balls over the fence.

He showed some problems in contact and plate discipline, but once he hit it, it went over.

The foreign manager of the second team, who saw potential in Choi Jae-min and had no prejudice against the players, passed him, and the club even hired a sign language interpreter to help him with his professional challenge.

‘Su-hyeok hyung [older brother/close male friend]…….’

At first, I didn’t know.

Why this luck came to him.

The fact that he, who had been judged unqualified for running and fielding, became a developmental player for the Warriors just because he hit a few home runs, and that the club even hired a sign language interpreter for just one such developmental player.

It was only after a long time that he realized.

That Han Su-hyeok’s help was somehow involved in his luck.

Now, Han Su-hyeok has become the most respected baseball player in the world and the benefactor of his life to Choi Jae-min.

Someday I have to repay that favor.

But it’s impossible right now.

In his current state of being just a developmental player, he is only a burden to Han Su-hyeok, let alone help.

That’s why Choi Jae-min is working hard to the death.

Even if other colleagues look at him with expressions that they can’t understand at all, even if they sneer at him for insisting on playing baseball with such a body, even if someone ignores and looks down on him because of his disability,

It doesn’t matter. That’s not what’s important.

‘I’ll be there soon, hyung.’

The only meaning and hope left in Choi Jae-min’s life is to play in a game with Han Su-hyeok, even for a very short time, only that.