Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 235

#234. Knuckleball Pitcher

Predicting the future of an athlete is incredibly difficult.

Beyond basic skills and physical attributes, there are so many factors to consider, such as the athlete’s character, family environment, interpersonal relationships, work ethic, and risk of injury.

Someone once said:

A scout for a professional sports team is merely a gambler with slightly better skills.

But here, there was one person on this planet who could actually predict someone’s future.

“Who? Shaquille Leonard? He’s a no-go.”

“He’s a no-go? Why?”

“At most, he’s got a year, or if he’s unlucky, his shoulder might explode tomorrow.”

Han Su-hyeok, summoned to the manager’s office, replied with a nonchalant expression.

Daniel couldn’t understand this situation at all.

Of course, there had been negative views about Shaquille Leonard’s long-term prospects for a while.

A right-handed orthodox pitcher who throws fastballs exceeding 100 miles per hour, despite being somewhat small for a pitcher.

That’s why there were concerns when Milwaukee made a big decision to give Shaquille Leonard a contract worth an average of $20 million per year.

However, he single-handedly carried Milwaukee’s pitching rotation for two years after signing the long-term contract, successfully proving both his durability and skill.

If Milwaukee hadn’t been plagued with multiple misfortunes,

And if Milwaukee had chosen to challenge for the postseason instead of tanking [intentionally losing games to secure a higher draft pick],

A pitcher like Shaquille would never have been on the market.

“Um, Han Su-hyeok… Of course, I have some doubts about his pitching form and durability, but saying he might explode tomorrow seems a bit of an overstatement, don’t you think?”

“Daniel.”

“Yes, Han Su-hyeok.”

“That guy, does he still have his father as his personal trainer?”

“Trainer? Yes, yes, I heard he’s back with his father starting this year.”

“His father messed with his pitching form during spring training.”

“Ah, yes, he did. But there’s hardly any difference…….”

“Then it’s certain. He was able to stay relatively healthy for the past two years because he was away from his father’s influence, but now that that man has touched him again, he’ll never last long. Of course, we could bring him to our team and include a condition in the contract to cut ties with his father, but… it’ll probably cause a lot of trouble one way or another, right?”

“So, what Han Su-hyeok is saying is that as long as Shaquille Leonard’s father is around, an injury is bound to happen?”

“That’s right. Of course, it might not. But if you’re asking for my opinion, that’s what I think.”

“Hmm.”

Daniel’s face clouded with concern at Han Su-hyeok’s words.

The young ace from Milwaukee, whom he wanted to bring in at any cost, even if it meant losing his position as general manager, was a ticking time bomb?

While the general manager was lost in thought, the manager stepped in and asked Han Su-hyeok.

“Then, Champion, let me ask you one more thing. What do you think about Mike Warren?”

“Mike Warren? Are you talking about the Dodgers’ Mike Warren?”

“That’s right.”

“Well, that guy is currently… um, how long has he been throwing knuckleballs?”

“Since the middle of last season, so about half a season?”

“Hmm, that’s why the Dodgers are… Anyway, Benjamin.”

“Yes, go on.”

“First of all, Mike Warren is a very good player. If we sign him to our team, he will definitely contribute. If I had to choose between Shaquille and Mike, I would definitely choose Mike.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, it seems we’ve heard everything we need to hear, so go out and prepare for the game. Your condition is good, right?”

“Couldn’t be better.”

“That’s a relief. Then I’ll see you on the field.”

Han Su-hyeok nodded as if he understood the manager’s words and left the manager’s office.

Benjamin and Daniel looked at each other.

Daniel was the first to speak.

“Benjamin.”

“Yes.”

“Judging by your expression, you trust Han Su-hyeok’s words 100%.”

“That’s right. He has the most accurate eye I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how he has such insight at such a young age.”

“Good.”

“Yes?”

“After all, only God knows the future. No matter how hard ordinary people like us try, fate is ultimately predetermined…….”

“Predetermined……?”

“Then let’s trust him. Not the God in the distant heavens, but the God of baseball who is with us now.”

“Hoo… that’s quite a fine saying. The God of baseball.”

“I’ve thought so ever since Han Su-hyeok played in Korea.”

“Well, either way, as a manager, I welcome whoever comes. That’s good. I was thinking of making some changes to the starting lineup anyway.”

“Yes, then I’ll return to Seattle. I hope I can bring you good news in a few days.”

Thus, the future of Mike Warren, who was destined to teach Han Su-hyeok the knuckleball in his original life,

And who would play as the only knuckleball starting pitcher even in the major leagues until the age of forty-four, was decided.

* * *

On the evening of the first game between Seattle and Oakland, which ended with a one-point victory for Oakland, 5 to 4, a small change was taking place not far from there in LA.

“You were looking for me, General Manager.”

“Yes, Mike. How’s your condition? Is your shoulder okay?”

“Of course. As I said before, there are no problems. But what’s going on?”

“Um.”

“…Is it a trade?”

“I regret having to say this to you. I won’t forget your contributions to the Dodgers over the years. But it seems we can’t continue together anymore.”

At the general manager’s words, the old pitcher’s head drooped down.

He had grown up in this farm system and dedicated himself to the Dodgers for a long time, 17 years.

Even if not as much as a certain Dodgers manager who said that blue blood flowed in his veins, Mike Warren thought that this team would be his first and last.

But reality was so harsh.

Both the front office, which had to let go of a player, and the player, who had been told that he was no longer needed,

It was an inevitable moment of mutual pain.

What he regretted even more was that he still thought he could do something for the Dodgers.

When he went up to the operating table for the second time, he thought his career was over, but after two years of preparation, he finally returned as a knuckleball pitcher.

Frankly speaking, the results last season were not very good.

In the second half of the season, he started in five games and had an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] close to 6.

But he was confident that this season would be different.

He finally realized what a knuckleball was through spring training and exhibition games.

But now it’s all meaningless. His fate has already been decided.

Having barely sorted out his thoughts, Mike nodded and stood up from his seat.

“I understand. It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. That’s baseball.”

“Good, we’ll do our best to help you move teams without any inconvenience.”

“Thank you. Now, tell me. Where am I going?”

“It’s not far from here. Thomas will help you, so you can leave for Oakland right away.”

“Oakland? They’re taking me there?”

“No, not Oakland, but the team that’s playing against them will be your new workplace.”

* * *

The starting pitcher for the second game between Seattle and Oakland, which Han Su-hyeok was originally scheduled to pitch, was changed abruptly last night.

“Alright, everyone. Pay attention. You all know who this guy is, right? Mike Warren, who has become our player starting today. He’s joining the team and starting right away, so everyone please help him out a lot, and Ryan, as the captain, help this guy adapt to the team… Damn it, he has too much experience to say that. Okay, everyone can introduce themselves on their own, but the important thing is that we have to win today. Got it?”

“Yes! Boss!”

“I like that voice. Then I’ll see you all later.”

Seattle’s pitching rotation, which was originally operated in the order of ace Ryan, second starter Dimon, third starter Dalvin, fourth starter Jonah, fifth starter Jake, and sixth starter Han Su-hyeok, entered a readjustment phase with the addition of Mike Warren.

Han Su-hyeok, who had finished adapting to the big league stage by playing in the 6th starter spot, moved to the 2nd starter spot right behind Ryan, and 4th starter Jonah Burrow and 5th starter Jake, who had been struggling since the opening of the season, moved to the middle relief. Instead, Mike Warren, who joined today, took the 5th starter spot.

The new 5-man starting system consisting of Ryan Thibodeau, Han Su-hyeok, Dimon Anderson Jr., Dalvin Schwartz, and Mike Warren began to operate.

This trade became an opportunity for Seattle to once again declare win-now [a strategy where a team focuses on winning immediately rather than building for the future].

Of course, they had declared win-now a few years ago and finished 4th for two consecutive years, but the situation was a little different from then.

Back then, Ryan was the only big name in Seattle, but now Han Su-hyeok, Ty Johnson, and veteran pitcher Mike Warren have joined him.

A thirty-six-year-old pitcher who has recorded 139 career wins in 17 years with the Dodgers.

Seattle gave up two low-round rookies who seemed difficult to use in the big leagues and brought in this pitcher instead.

There are still 2 years left on the contract worth an average of 3 million dollars per year, but the Dodgers have agreed to subsidize 1 million dollars, so if he performs to some extent, Seattle will be able to gain a considerable profit.

Of course, if it fails, they will be criticized for bringing in an old man who can only throw knuckleballs.

“Mike, long time no see. It’s been about 5 years, right?”

“Ryan, it’s good to see a familiar face. Yes, that’s right. I saw you when I last went to the All-Star game, so it must have been 5 years ago.”

“I see. By the way, you’re starting as soon as you put on the new uniform. Aren’t you feeling pressured?”

“No, I was already preparing to start today in the Dodgers anyway. No problem.”

“Good. Then you’ll have to say hello to the new battery [pitcher and catcher duo], right? Bruce, come over here.”

In fact, one of the reasons Seattle was able to choose Mike Warren was thanks to the presence of starting catcher Bruce Matthews.

There aren’t many catchers who can properly catch a knuckleball.

Especially in this era where it’s hard to find knuckleball pitchers like now.

In the Dodgers, a catcher who came up from the minor leagues was in charge of Mike’s exclusive catcher.

A half-baked catcher who recorded a batting average of 0.078 last season, a catcher who couldn’t hit at all.

Initially, the Dodgers were willing to send Mike Warren and that catcher as a set if they paid a little extra.

But Seattle refused.

Putting a catcher who can’t hit at all on the roster is a serious waste, and starting catcher Bruce Matthews had experience as a battery with a knuckleball pitcher in college.

Anyway, if you’re going to have a knuckleball pitcher start for a season, you have to be prepared for some trial and error. Seattle is ready for that.

“Hey, Mike. Have we met before?”

“Yes, in the interleague [games between teams from different leagues] last season… um, that’s right. I think I struck you out?”

“Damn, I still get dizzy when I think about that time. I have to catch that ball, right?”

“Please take care of me. Friend, if you can’t catch my ball, I might be sent straight to the minors [lower-level professional baseball leagues].”

“Don’t worry. It’s been a while, but I’ve caught so many knuckleballs that I’m sick of them for 2 years in college.”

“Good. Thank you.”

After that, several players who knew Mike came over and exchanged light greetings and went back.

Among them, Ty Johnson was the most pleased with Mike’s joining.

He had been feeling a sense of shame that there were no players in the team who were similar in age to him, so he sincerely welcomed Mike.

As so many players welcomed his joining, Mike also began to regain his energy.

The sense of shame that he had been abandoned by the team he had been with for 17 years gradually faded.

The last player to approach Mike was none other than Han Su-hyeok.