Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 238

“Oppa! Over here!”

After losing the first game of the home series against the Dodgers due to the poor performance of their fourth starter, Dalvin Schwartz, Seattle prepared for a counterattack today with knuckleball pitcher Mike Warren.

It had been barely a week since he changed his uniform, and now he was facing his former team.

Perhaps because of this, Mike Warren, with complicated feelings, was focusing solely on preparing for the game without saying a word.

Meanwhile, Han Su-hyeok, who had added two hits in the previous game as the third baseman and second batter, was meeting Min Ye-rin in front of the stadium.

“Whew, I’m glad. I’m not too late, am I?”

“It’s okay. I told you, you could take your time.”

“No, it must be hard for you to come out again after the team training started. Anyway, here!”

Min Ye-rin took out something she had been holding to her chest and handed it to Han Su-hyeok.

It was a watch to give to the catcher who had created the perfect game with him during the last Yankees game.

“You got it faster than I thought. Doesn’t it usually take a long time to get this even if you pre-order it? Hmm, what’s your secret, like last time? You don’t happen to have a pile of Rolex watches at home, do you?”

Min Ye-rin flinched involuntarily at Han Su-hyeok’s joke.

‘How did he know!’

As Min Ye-rin, who had already secured a sufficient supply of watches because she didn’t know when he would record a perfect game, felt like she had been hit right on the mark.

However, there was no need to tell him the truth and make Han Su-hyeok uncomfortable.

Min Ye-rin’s wish was that he would leave everything to her and just focus on playing baseball.

‘Gasp… is this what they call being a supportive girlfriend!’

Barely suppressing the sudden thought, Min Ye-rin changed the subject.

“Ah, and Oppa, about that *unni* [older sister or female friend]… I’m sorry… there’s still no news.”

“She’s not an *unni*. She’s younger than us, I told you. And it’s okay. I didn’t think you’d find her in a day or two. You can take your time. More importantly, Ye-rin-ah.”

“Yes?”

“About that ‘Oppa’ thing. I was going to just let it slide, but I guess I can’t. No matter how much of a birthday difference there is, it’s really awkward to hear someone my age call me ‘Oppa’ [term used by younger women to address older men they are close to].”

Min Ye-rin’s expression suddenly turned gloomy at Han Su-hyeok’s words.

“Oppa…….”

“I told you not to call me Oppa.”

“Heeing… I’m sorry.”

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

“I raised my profile age by one year.”

“What?”

“When I came to Korea from studying in the States to start music, I thought people would look down on me if someone so young was writing and composing… so I changed my age…….”

“Hey, what are you saying……. No, more importantly, why are you telling me this now…….”
Han Su-hyeok, who had been stammering for a moment at the unexpected words, suddenly hardened his expression.

Because a very important fact came to his mind.

“Wait! So, were you a minor when I first met you?”

Han Su-hyeok, now serious, desperately racked his brain to remember something.

From the short hug after the Korean Series victory to the LA trip they took alone, and the various things that had happened with Min Ye-rin since then, flashed through his mind in turn.

‘Could I be in trouble with the law… no, that’s next year…….’

Han Su-hyeok, who had been pondering something for a long time, let out a deep sigh.

“You raised your age… I’ve heard of celebrities lowering their age, um, anyway, I understand. I feel more comfortable knowing you were really my *dongsaeng* [younger sister or female friend].”

“I’m sorry… for deceiving you.”

“No, it’s okay. It’s not a big deal. Anyway, Ye-rin-ah, thank you so much for the watch. I’ll send you the money right after the game. Enjoy watching the game today.”

Min Ye-rin stared blankly at Han Su-hyeok as he disappeared into the stadium.

There are times when she feels upset that he still keeps his distance from her, but she is trying not to be sad because she knows that he is doing his best for her in his own way.

Believing that someday, as time passes, he will take her hand first.

‘First… let’s find that woman quickly. I feel like I have to.’

Min Ye-rin was slowly moving towards the answer.

* * *

“Bruce.”

“Oh, what’s up?”

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

“What do you think? It’s a souvenir.”

Bruce accepted the small case that Han Su-hyeok handed him.

And a moment later, an exclamation burst from his mouth.

“Goodness… this is really expensive, isn’t it? Hey, Han. Are you sure it’s okay? Can a rookie give gifts like this so easily?”

“It’s okay. I have a lot of money too.”

“Really? Well, I heard you were a superstar in Korea. Anyway, thank you so much. This is a model I really wanted. Damn, now that I think about it, this is the first time I’ve received a watch after pitching a perfect game.”

“Are you saying that for me to hear?”

Ryan, who happened to be passing by, playfully tapped Bruce on the head as he passed.

They had debuted together in Seattle and had been a battery for a long time, but Ryan had not yet recorded a perfect game.

“By the way, Bruce.”

“Hmm? Ah, wait a minute, let me put this away first. Goodness, this is too expensive to keep in the locker.”

Bruce, who had been making a fuss for a while, followed Han Su-hyeok to the corner of the locker room.

Han Su-hyeok asked Bruce.

“How’s Mike’s condition?”

“Condition? Hmm, well. It seems similar to last time. He seemed full of motivation until yesterday. Today, he seems a bit calmer. I guess he’s feeling complicated about facing his former team?”

“Bruce.”

“Huh?”

“When you’re leading today, try to speed up the game as much as possible. As much as you can.”

“Game speed? Hmm, I don’t know why, but okay, I got it. By the way, are you thinking of throwing a knuckleball again next time? If so, tell me in advance. I thought I was going to die last time.”

“No, I’m not going to throw it. Anyway, keep that in mind. Quickly, as quickly as possible. Speed it up so much that the pitcher has a hard time keeping up. Then there will be good results.”

* * *

When you’ve been in an organization for a long time, you naturally form connections.

For example, like Dodgers’ franchise star Aaron Decker, who came to our dugout before today’s game to greet Mike Warren.

The problem is that these long-standing connections are not always positive.

Emotions such as goodwill, dissatisfaction, or hostility towards someone tend to intensify over time.

In the top of the first inning, Mike Warren gave up one hit and one walk but managed to finish the inning thanks to shortstop Josh Oliver’s great defense.

And then, in the bottom of the first inning, Seattle’s attack.

With Derek out on a fly ball to the third baseman, it was my turn.

I stepped into the plate without thinking, but a thick, coarse voice that made me feel bad just hearing it flowed into my ears.

It was Tegan Burkhead, the Dodgers’ starting catcher, who had to give up his position to another catcher every time Mike pitched because he couldn’t catch the knuckleball properly last season.

“Hey, is your team short on starting pitchers? Seeing you put an old man on the mound who can’t even raise his shoulder when it rains, I can tell.”

If the target of that sarcasm was another player, I might have just ignored it. I’m not a nanny, and I don’t need to take care of every single one of our team’s players.

However, if it’s about Mike Warren, someone I feel a sense of indebtedness to, the situation is different.

“I don’t think someone who couldn’t even catch the ball properly and gave up the home plate to a .070 hitter should be talking, right?”

“What?”

“If you’re going to talk about other people’s age, worry about your shitty mitt first. You moronic bastard. If you spout your mouth off one more time, I’ll smash your head in.”

“Whoa, whoa, hold on. That’s enough. I can’t stand by if the atmosphere gets any more hostile.”

“…Damn son of a bitch, just you wait.”

The immediate intervention of the umpire calmed the tense atmosphere in an instant.

The sound of the catcher’s snorting breath is so loud that it’s deafening.

Last season, the Dodgers had the strongest power in the league, but this catcher was at least more than half responsible for them losing to St. Louis in the championship.

A catcher, who should be more cold-blooded and calm than anyone else, can’t even control his own emotions properly, so the Dodgers’ mound is said to be weak in big games like the playoffs.

In that respect, trading Mike Warren was a big mistake by the Dodgers’ front office.

To let go of a veteran who would have done his part in big games for years with a salary subsidy, if you give him a little time.

Well, it’s a grateful thing for us who benefited from it.

“Play!”

Anyway, since the catcher is so excited, it’s obvious where the first pitch will come.

The probability of a high, threatening pitch near the body is at least 80%.

However, there is one variable, and that is the guy on the mound.

Dodgers’ ace Joshua Kalou.

A Cy Young winner three years ago and an 18-game winner last season, LA Dodgers’ number one starter.

It may be natural that the bookmakers predicted the Dodgers’ unilateral advantage in today’s game.

It’s a starting match between a 36-year-old knuckleball pitcher who was battered in his first game after being released from his former team and an ace who won 18 games last season.

Anyway, that’s that, and I know more about that pitcher than anyone else.

The beard he grew to hide his weakness, and the large tattoos on both hands that he engraved to look even a little stronger.

He pretends to be manly to hide his timid nature and lives his life, but I know very well that he is a coward.

How do I know?

Because I still vividly remember the time I punched him a few times for trying to hit me without any fear, and he ran to the outfield while calling for his mom.

Of course, that hasn’t happened yet.

Hmm,

A combination of a grumpy starting catcher and a sensitive, fearful ace…….

In my opinion, I am convinced that the Dodgers’ World Series victory will become increasingly distant unless one of these two guys retires or is traded.

Anyway,

Looking at the pitcher’s face, who keeps shaking his head on the mound, I am beginning to feel confident in my guess.

The angry catcher must be demanding that he throw the ball at my head, and that timid ace must be refusing.

In this case, there is a very high probability that a mediocre ball will come.

If you’re just standing there blankly, you’ll have no choice but to watch it, but if you prepare in advance, you can hit a big ball.

Adjust the position of the grip in preparation for a high ball, and match the fast ball, one, two, three,

Swoosh

Thwaaaaaack!

A high ball near the body that was far from hitting my head, but far from the zone, hit the bat properly.

There was no need to check the batted ball, but I stood there leaning on the bat like a cane for a long time, admiring the batted ball.

The moment the batted ball, drawing an arc, fell on the top of the left field stands of T-Mobile Park,

“Waaaaaaaaa!”

“Fucking! Damn it! Awesome! Han! Great home run!”

“It’s so refreshing! Yeah! Kill those Smurfs!”

After confirming the cheers of the crowd, I threw the bat over my shoulder and slowly walked towards first base.

“Damn son of a…….”

The catcher mumbled something behind me, but I ignored it neatly.

I walked around first base to second base, and then to third base again.

Every Dodgers infielder I met glared at me as if they were about to pounce on me right away, but not a single one of them actually ran at me.

I’ve felt it before, but they’re like young masters who grew up well in rich families.

I gave those guys a light sneer and finally arrived at home plate.

Kooong

The moment I raised my right foot high and slammed it down on the home plate, the catcher’s gaze turned to me.

I said to the guy whose face was flushed as if it was about to explode.

“What’s important in baseball is not age, but skill, you moronic bastard. Are you upset? Then bring it on. I’ll take it all, baseball or fists.”