Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 23

#22. Exhibition Game (1)

For baseball fans who either celebrate or lament each day’s game results, the off-season, stretching from November to February, can feel like an eternity.

Having patiently waited through that long stretch, baseball fans are now eagerly anticipating the opening of the 2027 season’s exhibition games.

– Hello, baseball fans! After a long winter, baseball is back! I’m announcer Lee Tae-il, broadcasting live from Jamsil Baseball Stadium for the opening of the exhibition games on March 13, 2027. Beside me is commentator Kang Tae-gu.

– Glad to be here. I’m Kang Tae-gu.

– Commentator, even though it’s just an exhibition game, Jamsil Baseball Stadium is nearly sold out today. You can feel the excitement from the stands even up here in the broadcast booth.

– That’s right. There are approximately 23,000 people in attendance. I think there’s a lot of anticipation to see the Warriors and Titans, both of whom have undergone significant changes since last season. Also, the limited-edition debut album signed by Min Ye-rin, given to all attendees, certainly helped draw a crowd, wouldn’t you say?

– Haha, I saw that blowing up on social media last night. Min Ye-rin’s debut album is practically priceless these days, isn’t it? I heard they rushed production just for today’s event? It seems Min Ye-rin, being such a huge Warriors fan, really pulled out all the stops.

– Indeed. I barely managed to snag one on my way in. My son told me not to even bother coming home without it.

– Sounds like you’re lucky to still have a home to go back to! By the way, commentator, could you briefly outline the key changes that the Seoul Warriors and Busan Titans have made during the recent off-season?

– Certainly. The Busan Titans successfully addressed their weaknesses by acquiring two external free agents. They also re-signed all three of their foreign players who performed well last season. Barring any major injuries, they’re looking very strong this season.

– Hmm… Are we really expecting that much? Someone in the chat room is asking if you’d bet your commentator job on that statement.

– Haha, that sounds like a terrible idea. I have a family to feed! Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass on that bet. Let’s just say that this year’s Titans will be a different team.

﹂Loser) Seriously, I’ve been hearing that for 20 years. “They’ll be different this year!”

﹂Loser) Different how? They’ll just find new and creative ways to lose.

﹂Loser) We brought in two free agents, but I’m still jealous of those Warriors…

﹂War) How about we give you those two free agents, and you give us Han Su-hyeok?

﹂Loser) Really? Deal.

﹂War) Just kidding.

﹂Loser) You’re crazy.

The announcer, glancing at the real-time viewer chat and chuckling, continued.

– Actually, the Seoul Warriors were the real headliners of the off-season, weren’t they? From the club’s sale to player trades and acquisitions, it was quite a show.

– That’s right. The Warriors’ parent company was replaced immediately after last season. The club’s ownership changed from Ogang Group to Iconic Partners.

– There was a lot of buzz surrounding that, wasn’t there?

– Yes, but let’s leave that in the past… The aftermath is what’s really important.

– Han Su-hyeok.

– Exactly. The acquisition of Han Su-hyeok completely reversed the negative sentiment among Warriors fans who were initially against the new ownership. In fact, it was such a monumental event that I don’t think the entire league has ever been this excited about a single player joining since the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] was founded.

– Well, you clearly have a lot to say about Han Su-hyeok, so let’s delve into that as we watch him play today. Besides him, are there any other noteworthy points about the Warriors?

– Hmm, looking at the Warriors’ roster changes this season, Han Jin-woo, who was their closer [relief pitcher specializing in the final inning] until last season, was traded to the Busan Titans. Additionally, the Warriors’ new general manager, Park Jae-cheol, has announced that he plans to trade Hwang Seong-min and Song Gi-tae as well.

– General Manager Park Jae-cheol is sitting right below the broadcast booth. What’s he doing? Ah, he seems to be having a serious conversation with a baseball fan sitting next to him. By the way, commentator, there’s been a lot of talk about the Warriors’ trades. What are your thoughts on this?

– Ahem.

The commentator looked at the announcer with a troubled expression.

How could he publicly say that the Warriors absolutely needed to get rid of those two notorious troublemakers in order to move forward?

Commentator Kang Tae-gu, brushing off the question with a dry cough, continued.

– Besides that, Ryan Stark and Brooks Parker, the two pitchers who performed well last season, have both successfully re-signed. The foreign hitter has been replaced with a player named Max Walker.

– The unfortunate thing is that the Warriors, who needed external reinforcements more than any other team, failed to acquire any free agents in the market last season, right?

At the announcer’s words, the Warriors’ chat room erupted.

﹂You fangirls who just jumped on the bandwagon because of Han Su-hyeok, do you even know this?

﹂Know what?

﹂This Warriors team has lost over 20 players as free agents in the past 45 years, but they’ve only signed a free agent once.

﹂Damn, no way. Can a team that terrible even exist?

﹂But there’s also Lee Chang-mo.

﹂You mean the guy that all nine clubs passed on, and we picked him up for practically nothing?

﹂Let’s just count him as a free agent…

﹂Forget it, I don’t think there’s another team like this.

﹂It’s as unbelievable as the Busan Titans and Seoul Magicians never winning a single championship in the 20th century.

﹂So, I never expect us to sign an external free agent, even though the parent company has changed.

﹂Anyway, the more you learn about this team, the more shocking it gets. Just wait and see.

It was surprising, but it was true.

The Seoul Warriors, one of the league’s original teams, had only acquired a true external free agent once in their long 45-year history. They were so frugal with their spending that even the word “stingy” seemed too generous.

Of course, they did pick up Lee Chang-mo, who was considered a lost cause after failing in the major leagues, for next to nothing, but it would be a stretch to call that a proper free agent acquisition.

The Warriors’ long-suffering fans, accustomed to this kind of environment, weren’t at all disappointed that there were no external free agent signings last season.

Instead, they were completely focused on Han Su-hyeok, the savior who had arrived to rescue this cursed team for the first time in ages, and were eagerly anticipating his performance.

﹂My cousin works for the Warriors’ front office…

﹂I remember your IQ. Don’t even start if you’re going to spout nonsense.

﹂Just listen. He said Han Su-hyeok was throwing 165 km/h [~102.5 mph] in training camp.

﹂Oh, I think I heard that too.

﹂He’s not just throwing 165 km/h, he’s actually pitching?

﹂But he also hit about one home run per game in practice games.

﹂Even as a hitter, he’s incredible.

﹂Anyway, he’s the real deal. He’s a lock for Rookie of the Year this season.

﹂Rookie of the Year before the season even starts??

* * *

The starting lineup that manager Lee Dae-jun put out for the opening exhibition game against the Busan Titans was so unconventional that even I, who have been around the baseball scene for a long time, was a little surprised.

Today’s starting lineup was as follows:

1st: Second Baseman Lee Chang-mo

2nd: Shortstop Han Su-hyeok

3rd: First Baseman Jo Seong-oh

4th: Right Fielder Max Walker

5th: Third Baseman Ahn Chi-wook

6th: Left Fielder Kim Su-hak

7th: Designated Hitter Song Gi-tae

8th: Catcher Hwang Seong-min

9th: Center Fielder Jeong Gi-ho

Starting Pitcher: Ryan Stark.

First of all, veteran Jeong Gi-ho, who had been the leadoff hitter until last season, was dropped down to ninth.

It seems he must have done something to disrupt team chemistry during practice games in training camp.

After that, manager Lee Dae-jun’s gaze towards Jeong Gi-ho noticeably cooled.

Lee Chang-mo took his place as the leadoff hitter.

Considering his skills in his prime, he’s one of the most skilled hitters on this team.

Yeah, his mobility has decreased a lot, but if there’s a hitter who fits the leadoff spot best on this team, it’s definitely him.

Hmm.

Anyway, I ended up playing shortstop and batting second.

Manager Lee Dae-jun has been talking about a strong second batter strategy in several interviews, so it seems like it’s part of that plan.

Personally, I prefer this batting order. The more at-bats I get, the more home runs I can hit.

Before the game, a reporter asked if I felt pressured being placed so high in the batting order as a rookie.

“I’m a little nervous, but I’ll approach the game with the mindset of working hard.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you so much for your answer, Han Su-hyeok. I look forward to a great game today.”

That’s a lie.

Nervous? Please.

To make me nervous, it would have to be at least the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 7 of the World Series with two outs and the last batter up.

The rest of the batting order is pretty much as I expected.

It’s a bit surprising that Ahn Chi-wook, who was almost relegated to the minor leagues, was placed in the 5th spot instead of lower in the order, but well, aggressively developing him isn’t a bad idea either.

Just then, Ryan Stark, who was starting pitcher for today’s exhibition game opener, tapped my arm as he passed by.

“Friend.”

“Hey, Ryan.”

“It seems like there are a lot of right-handed hitters on the opposing team today.”

“That’s right.”

“You understand what I mean, right?”

“Of course.”

“Good, after the game, I’ll take you to a pizza place I just discovered.”

I was curious about what kind of place Ryan, who is particularly obsessed with pizza, had found this time, but that’s not what’s important right now.

Lots of right-handed hitters, huh…

He must mean that a lot of balls will be coming my way, so he’s trusting me to handle them, or something like that?

Hmm.

By the way, there are so many spectators today.

Is the free CD being given to all attendees the one that Seong-hoon mentioned last time, the one by that female singer?

I don’t know who she is, but she’s got a really cool personality.

20,000 CDs, that’s a lot of money.

I should thank her if I see her later.

* * *

Manager Lee Dae-jun, who had put out an unconventional lineup with Lee Chang-mo at 1st (second base), Han Su-hyeok at 2nd (shortstop), and Ahn Chi-wook at 5th (third base), stared at the field with heavy eyes.

How many calls did he receive last night from the team’s veterans?

He had to listen to all sorts of complaints, such as Han Su-hyeok’s build being too big for a shortstop, so Song Gi-tae would be a better starting shortstop; Hwang Seong-min being the only veteran catcher on the team, so he should be cherished even though he was sluggish last season; and who the heck was this nobody Ahn Chi-wook.

‘Yes, yes, thank you for your kind opinions.’

Of course, Lee Dae-jun had no intention of incorporating any of those veterans’ words into the lineup.

Park Seong-hoon’s decision to appoint Lee Dae-jun, one of the legends of this team, as manager was a truly excellent choice.

Although he was forced to retire at the end of his active career due to being pushed out by the mainstream faction within the team, at least his reputation as the Warriors’ greatest hitter of all time remains intact.

No matter how much influence the veterans have, it will be difficult for them to pressure Lee Dae-jun without a legitimate reason.

What Lee Dae-jun is worried about now is not the pressure from those old-timers, but who leaked the lineup list he had carefully prepared the night before to the outside.

The few remaining Korean coaches on the team, the defense coach? The quality control coach who came up from the minor leagues? Or someone among the front office staff?

I don’t know. There are too many suspects that come to mind.

Catching the culprit is a matter for later.

For now, I need to request the installation of a safe in the manager’s office to prevent this from happening again.

As Lee Dae-jun sorted out his thoughts about the internal spy, his eyes turned to the players on the field.

The players who would be starting today were slowly warming up.

‘Thump, thump.’

Suddenly, his heart started pounding like crazy when he thought that his first game as manager was about to begin.

His hands and feet were shaking, and his head was even feeling dazed.

He hadn’t realized before that becoming a professional baseball manager was such a strain on the heart.

He turned his gaze towards the particularly blue sky today.

Looking at the fluffy clouds, he suddenly remembered the old manager who had mentored him during his active career.

How did that person, who was old and had underlying illnesses, endure this kind of pressure?

‘Are you comfortable up there? Please watch over your disciple’s first game well, Manager.’

Anyone who heard it would mistake that the old manager who had guided Lee Dae-jun had passed away, but in fact, he had retired and was appointed as a KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] advisor and was doing well.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.

The throbbing of his heart is getting more and more intense. Like it’s about to explode.

The way to relieve this crazy tension and vague fear.

Manager Lee Dae-jun finally came up with the solution.

‘Su-hyeok is… where…’

Manager Lee Dae-jun, who was trembling as if he was about to collapse at any moment, fixed his gaze on Han Su-hyeok, who was doing light running in the far outfield.

The spectators, who had filled the stadium to near capacity despite it being an exhibition game, were focusing their attention on Han Su-hyeok.

The super rookie was warming up with an arrogant expression, completely unconcerned about being the center of attention from those spectators.

The key player who will determine the Warriors’ performance this season and the cheat code-like existence that Manager Lee Dae-jun trusts one hundred percent.

Focusing his gaze on Han Su-hyeok for about 10 seconds, his wildly shaking mind and body began to stabilize rapidly.

“Hoo…”

Within the given conditions, he had trained the players to the best of his ability, and he had devised the best possible lineup now.

Since taking over this team, he has reorganized the team to the best of his ability, with no shame in the slightest.

Nevertheless, the disadvantage in objective strength was unavoidable.

Although the opposing team, the Titans, finished in 8th place last season, their squad depth is incomparable to that of the Warriors.

Nevertheless, Manager Lee Dae-jun has not yet given up hope.

Doesn’t he have a hidden card that can reverse all those unfavorable situations at once?

He turned his gaze to Han Su-hyeok once again. The agony that had been tormenting him slowly began to dissipate.

After a while, Manager Lee Dae-jun, who finally succeeded in shedding all the agony in his heart, clenched both fists and watched the start of the game.

* * *