Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 212

Time has a way of mellowing people, smoothing out the sharp edges.

Go Dong-sik, once an obscure player for the Warriors, had transformed from a reporter, YouTuber, and contract commentator known for his aggression and antagonism, into the broadcasting station’s sole official commentator.

He stuck by Han Su-hyeok, occasionally crossing the line and even drawing warnings from the Korea Communications Standards Commission, but he remained steadfast.

It was almost a given that he would support the Warriors, a perennial underdog due to their lack of backing from major corporations and the absence of star players, and to champion Han Su-hyeok.

Quite some time had indeed passed.

Go Dong-sik, who used to bristle at any approach, seeing everyone as an enemy, now possessed a more generous outlook, able to see the bigger picture.

This transformation was largely thanks to the Warriors’ performance: winning the regular season for three consecutive years (2027-2029), Han Su-hyeok’s three consecutive seasons batting over .400, and his tying of the American steroid user’s record of 73 home runs in a single season.

“Hello, this is KBC Sports’ invited guest. More fiercely than ever—ah, I’m sorry, let me rephrase that. The 2029 KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] League, which saw a more intense ranking competition than any season except for the Warriors’ dominant run, has finally concluded. Today, we’ve invited commentator Go Dong-sik to reflect on this exhilarating year. Commentator, it’s great to have you.”

“Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve been on air. Viewers, how have you been? This is Go Dong-sik.”

“Commentator, let’s start by looking at the data screen. Here are the final standings for this season’s KBO League.”

1st place: Seoul Warriors

2nd place: Incheon Rangers

3rd place: Seoul Magicians

4th place: Daejeon Falcons

5th place: Suwon Commanders

6th place: Changwon Raptors

7th place: Daegu Buffaloes

8th place: Gwangju Jaguars

9th place: Busan Titans

10th place: Seoul Fighters

“As you can see, the Seoul Warriors had a phenomenal year, finishing a staggering 15 games ahead of second place. We’ll discuss the winning team later, but it’s worth noting that the Magicians, who invested heavily in free agent acquisitions and foreign player reinforcements for two consecutive years, actually dropped one spot in the standings.”

“That’s right. What do you attribute that to, commentator?”

“Well… there could be many factors. But if I had to choose one, I’d say it was teamwork issues stemming from integrating too many new players too quickly. With Kim Seong-soo, who was always a central figure, having retired, I’ve heard reports of internal divisions within the team.”

“Oh dear… the fans must be disappointed. Anyway, aside from the Warriors, the Rangers, Magicians, Falcons, and Commanders have once again advanced to the postseason after a hard-fought race.”

“Yes, this marks the third year in a row that the same teams have shuffled positions and made it to the fall classic. It’s a bit disheartening, actually. I wish the bottom teams would show a little more fight… Ah, I almost forgot. Congratulations to the Busan Titans fans for avoiding last place.”

“Understood. Let’s talk about the postseason later and focus on the Warriors, who secured first place. Commentator, the team that ranked at the bottom for two consecutive years until 2026 has now won the regular season for three straight years (2027, 2028, and 2029). This year was particularly impressive. What’s the secret to their success?”

“You thought I was going to say Han Su-hyeok, didn’t you? Not this time. Of course, it’s undeniable that Han Su-hyeok has been evolving and leading the team for three seasons since his debut. In fact, without him, the Warriors wouldn’t be where they are today. You simply can’t find another player who bats .440, hits 73 home runs, and also wins 23 games as a pitcher.”

“Well, it almost feels redundant to keep praising him.”

“Exactly. So, I want to acknowledge the contributions of the other Warriors players who are often overshadowed by Han Su-hyeok—though, honestly, it’s almost unfair to say they’re overshadowed, given how exceptional Han Su-hyeok is. Nevertheless, I want to give credit where credit is due to the rest of the team.”

“Um… could you elaborate?”

The announcer pondered.

In the end, time heals all wounds. Even this unpredictable personality eventually found his equilibrium.

The studio cameras zoomed in on commentator Go Dong-sik.

“First, there’s Seo Hyeong-ju, who has become the league’s best leadoff hitter with a .430 on-base percentage and 60 stolen bases. Then there’s Ahn Chi-wook, who consistently hits around .300 with 20 home runs. Jo Seong-oh continues to drive in runs, recording double-digit home runs and 100 RBIs even in his late thirties. Walter Smith, the foreign player, has hit 50 home runs for two consecutive seasons. And the production from the bottom of the lineup, with Jang Deok-soo, Lee Chang-mo, and Choi Min-seok, is simply unbelievable for the KBO level.”

“The backup players were also excellent, right?”

“Yes, Kim Joo-ho, who joined from the Titans, performed well as a first base backup and right-handed pinch hitter. Yoo In-cheol, who completed his development in the minor leagues, also contributed significantly on both offense and defense. And I can’t forget Park Dong-seok, who played 80 innings as a backup catcher this year, and Choi Jae-min, who debuted in the second half and hit 5 home runs as a pinch hitter.”

“Great. Shall we move on to the pitchers?”

“Of course. First, there’s Lim Jun-yeong, who recorded 19 wins and 5 losses, and Cheon Sang-jin, who had 15 wins and 6 losses—a strong local starting duo. Add to that two of the league’s best foreign pitchers, plus a bullpen anchored by Kang Dong-ha, Lee Young-joo, Choi Ma-roo, Kim Doo-young, and Yang Gi-cheol, and you have a perfect pitching staff. There’s nothing to criticize.”

“Wow, we almost forgot one of the most important players, but it doesn’t feel like anything is missing. But viewers, it’s not over yet. Han Su-hyeok is still here.”

“That’s right. Han Su-hyeok, with a batting average of .441, an on-base percentage of .576, and a slugging percentage of 1.257—numbers that are almost unbelievable—tied the major league record of 73 home runs, and also boasts an ERA [Earned Run Average] of 0.28 with 23 wins. He truly is the crowning glory.”

“Commentator, what I found most impressive was that Han Su-hyeok didn’t pitch for about a month at the end of the season due to a finger injury, right?”

“That’s correct. He even had to sit out on defense and played as a designated hitter for about a month.”

“Yes, but what surprised me was that even with Han Su-hyeok only hitting… the Warriors didn’t seem weakened at all. In fact, they didn’t even have a noticeable gap in their performance.”

“That’s because Lim Jun-yeong is another ace on the mound, and Choi Ma-roo’s skills have improved significantly, making the overall team composition even stronger. The offensive power of the lineup has increased tremendously, and, above all, Yoo In-cheol has filled Han Su-hyeok’s void very well on both offense and defense.”

“Amazing. In conclusion, the Warriors have become a team that can contend for the championship even without Han Su-hyeok. It’s incredible. How could a team that had been at the bottom for years become so dominant?”

“Well, it all started with Han Su-hyeok joining the team, obviously. Now, let me recount what happened back then. It might take a while, so if you need to use the restroom, please do so quickly. Uh… it began at the 2027 rookie draft. Back then, Han Su-hyeok was……”

* * *

Thwack!

“Nice, nice!”

“In-cheol is on fire!”

“That guy is completely on a roll now!”

The Magicians, who brought in Lee Chan-ho, a player who could only contribute for one year, at a significant cost, continued to replace their foreign players with big-league caliber talent and filled both of their external free agent acquisition slots for two consecutive years.

But the reality was harsh.

The Magicians’ regular season ranking, which was 2nd last year, fell to 3rd.

There were various excuses, but the important thing was their ambition.

Anyway, they gritted their teeth and pushed forward, defeating Incheon and advancing to the Korean Series [Championship Series].

The two Seoul rival teams competed for the top spot for two consecutive years.

Expectations began to grow in the hearts of Magicians fans.

It was a natural progression.

To protect Han Su-hyeok, who suffered a finger injury at the end of the season, manager Lee Dae-jun was limiting his playing time.

He was excluded from the starting rotation and played as a left fielder or designated hitter instead of shortstop.

In the first game of the Korean Series, Lim Jun-yeong started instead of Han Su-hyeok, and Han Su-hyeok was named the 3rd designated hitter. Yoo In-cheol, a teammate, took his place at shortstop.

“Let’s go!”

“This is our year to win!”

The Magicians fans, full of enthusiasm, cheered for their team until their voices were hoarse.

But,

[Warriors’ Lim Jun-yeong 9 innings 8K complete game, Han Su-hyeok game-winning three-run home run, shortstop Yoo In-cheol 2-RBI timely hit, Seoul Warriors 9-0 complete victory over Magicians]

There was no miracle.

And in the following Game 2,

Left-hander Cheon Sang-jin took the mound, beating out two foreign pitchers. Jang Deok-soo, who complained of mild side pain in the previous day’s game, played as a designated hitter, and Park Dong-seok wore the catcher’s mask instead.

As in the previous day, Yoo In-cheol played shortstop, and Han Su-hyeok moved to left field. As a result, Choi Min-seok, who could be a starting center fielder and leadoff hitter on other teams, and Ahn Chi-wook, a .300 hitter with 20 home runs, were on the bench.

Literally an impenetrable force, Cheon Sang-jin’s pitches, honed by more experience this season, fooled the Magicians’ hitters.

[2029 Korean Series Game 2, Seoul Warriors win 2 consecutive games… Starter Cheon Sang-jin 7 innings 1K 1 run, Choi Ma-roo hold, Yang Gi-cheol perfect finish]

“Damn it, I really hate playing baseball like this.”

“Ah… I’m so frustrated.”

Cheon Sang-jin, often criticized for his unconventional style, exploited the Magicians’ hitters’ weaknesses and induced routine ground balls.

The solid infield defense of 1st base Jo Seong-oh, 2nd base Lee Chang-mo, shortstop Yoo In-cheol, and 3rd base Min Joo-hyun flawlessly handled the batted balls.

As the game remained tied at 1-1, the Warriors’ lineup exploded in the bottom of the 8th inning.

When Choi Min-seok, who came in as a pinch hitter in place of Lee Chang-mo, reached first base with a surprise bunt, manager Lee Dae-jun played another pinch hitter card.

Thwack!

“Wow!”

A massive double by pinch hitter Ahn Chi-wook that hit the top of the fence.

The Warriors took a 2-1 lead with Ahn Chi-wook’s timely hit, and when a left-handed pitcher came in to face Seo Hyeong-ju, manager Lee Dae-jun’s gaze shifted.

[Pinch hitter Choi Jae-min]

The boy who had been rejected by all professional teams and wandered the streets, yearning to step onto the professional stage even once, came out as a pinch hitter in a crucial moment in the second game of the Korean Series.

Last spring, Choi Jae-min, inspired by Antonio Garcia during spring training, gained nearly 100 kg and dramatically increased his power.

Manager Lee Dae-jun included him in the lineup as a left-handed pinch hitter, who had a batting average of .210 and 5 home runs as a pinch hitter in the second half of the season.

And Choi Jae-min lived up to that expectation.

Thwack!

A pinch-hit two-run home run that extended the precarious score of 2-1 to 4-1.

Choi Jae-min, after hitting the home run, barely managed to calm his trembling hands and feet as he rounded the bases.

Han Su-hyeok hugged him tightly as he stepped on home plate and returned to the dugout.

“Good job, my brother.”

Brother,

Tears that he had been holding back burst forth at that one simple word.

He, who had lived his life feeling alone, believing that no one in this world would help him, found friends and mentors when he joined the Warriors.

And he met someone who called him his brother.

‘Hyung [older brother], thank you. I will work harder for you. I will never forget this moment today.’

Choi Jae-min, who was signing, the interpreter who was translating, and the players who were listening,

All had tears in their eyes.

“Hey, I can’t handle this. Let’s finish the series quickly and take the younger guys out for something delicious. Choi Ma-roo! Can you do it? Go out there and quickly shut down the Magicians and come back in.”

“I’m also the youngest, captain.”

“Really? Ah, that’s right. I forgot because you’re so cheeky.”

As Jo Seong-oh joked, Choi Ma-roo took the mound in the top of the 9th inning instead of Yang Gi-cheol, who felt a slight issue with his ankle.

And he struck out the Magicians’ three batters in a row to end the game.

[Seoul Warriors, 2 consecutive wins in the Korean Series… The pitching was nearly impenetrable even without Han Su-hyeok]

[Choi Jae-min, who overcame hearing impairment to become a 育成 [developmental] player, a minor league player, and included in the Korean Series lineup, showed a human victory, blasting a crucial two-run home run in the 8th inning]

[Seoul Magicians players, driven to 2 consecutive losses, shaved their heads as a group to renew their determination]

The third game, in which second-year foreign player Eric Thompson started, was a slugfest.

A slugfest in which both teams exchanged a total of 25 hits until the bottom of the 8th inning, and it was none other than Jang Deok-soo who finished the game.

He, whose chronic knee injury had been alleviated by sharing the catcher’s duties with Park Dong-seok, hit a grand slam in the top of the 9th inning, leading the team to its third consecutive win in the Korean Series.

The giant, who had lost his parents and grandmother and all his family and wandered around not knowing where to go, and who had once been crushed by trashy seniors and unable to do anything, roared loudly and circled the diamond.

“Woo-hoo!”

[Seoul Warriors, 3 consecutive wins… Only 1 win left to win the Korean Series]

[If they win the championship this season, the Warriors will record V9 [Victory 9, their 9th championship] and jump to 2nd place in most championships, beating Daegu Buffaloes]

[Manager Lee Dae-jun, “Ryan Stark will start as scheduled for Game 4. I will not push Han Su-hyeok.”]

Ryan Stark was scheduled to start Game 4 of the Korean Series, which could secure the Warriors’ ninth championship in history.

This right-handed pitcher, already in his fourth year in Korea, had completely let go of his big league aspirations and decided to retire with the Warriors.

“Hey, friend. Damn it, my SNS [Social Networking Service] is a mess. If you’re going to play instead of Han Su-hyeok, throw it straight, or I’ll kill you.”

“Hehe, think of it all as affection, Ryan.”

“Okay, then I can expect a home run today instead, right?”

“Of course.”

He could have started if he pushed himself a little, but manager Lee Dae-jun, having already won 3 consecutive games, didn’t even allow Han Su-hyeok to enter the bullpen.

The Warriors had enough players to cover.

So Ryan started, and Han Su-hyeok started as the 2nd designated hitter.

Thwack!

And, as he promised Ryan, he hit a towering home run that soared to the top of the left field fence.

A grand slam that sealed the game in a 7-3 situation.

Boom!

The phrase V9 was prominently displayed on the electronic scoreboard, the fireworks that had been prepared in advance brightly illuminated the sky above Jamsil Stadium, and Min Ye-rin, unable to contain her excitement even though it was her third time, ran around the field screaming.

That’s how the Warriors won their ninth Korean Series championship in history.

And the very next morning, before the excitement had even subsided,

Someone rang the doorbell of Han Su-hyeok’s house, where he was fast asleep.

Ding-dong

It was none other than Park Seong-hoon who had come to visit.