Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 245

#244. Ready to Accept

One of the most difficult adjustments for players transitioning from Korean or Japanese baseball to Major League Baseball is the relentless schedule and lack of scheduled rest days.

Once the season begins, games are played daily until the regular season concludes. While the front office attempts to incorporate travel days or rest days whenever feasible, these are contingent on schedule availability.

What happens if a game is canceled due to rain or other unforeseen circumstances?

Generally, games proceed unless the rain is torrential. In the rare event of unplayable conditions, a double-header is scheduled for the following day.

Even more rarely, if the game cannot be played the next day either?

It’s been a while since this has occurred, but theoretically, Major League Baseball could schedule a triple-header to ensure the season concludes on time. This would involve playing three consecutive games in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

This contrasts sharply with the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], where teams rest every Monday, and games are often canceled even with light rain.

Nevertheless, unavoidable circumstances do arise even in Major League Baseball.

A torrential downpour, accompanied by thunder and lightning, swept through Boston, leading to the postponement of the second game between the Mariners and the Red Sox until the following day.

A dimly lit bar in downtown Boston.

Ty Johnson, who had hit the game-winning home run in the previous game, shook off the raindrops and slumped into a seat.

“Damn it, how can they call off a baseball game for this rain? At this point, wouldn’t it be better to just tear down that old stadium and build a dome?”

“I agree. But the last time I suggested that to a Boston fan, they almost burned my bar down.”

“I know, why did you even come all the way here to run a bar instead of staying in St. Louis?”

“What can I do? My wife wanted it. Hehe, and this place is pretty good too. Besides, the gun control is stricter here, so I don’t have to worry about getting a bullet in my head while I’m working.”

“Yeah… St. Louis, damn it, how is it that the situation in that neighborhood just keeps getting worse?”

“Well, it’s not just that neighborhood. But isn’t it better than San Francisco? Anyway, we both left that life behind, so there’s no need to dwell on it.”

“Anyway, Johnny, have you thought about my offer? The one I made last time.”

“Offer? Ah, a personal instructor? Tsk, I told you, I’m at an age where I need to settle down. The days of flying around are over. Sitting in this bar with no customers, reminiscing about the old days, suits me just fine.”

“Johnny.”

“Don’t call me by my name, just spit it out. Besides, what’s a player doing here before a double-header? You should be having a beer at the hotel bar and getting some sleep.”

“Damn it, did you even watch my game yesterday?”

“Game? Ah, yeah, I caught some of it. Damn it, you can’t do business here unless you show the Boston games. I’m starting to feel attached to these Boston guys.”

“Good. Then I want to ask Johnny Jenkins, the former hitting coach who knows me better than anyone. Do you think my response was appropriate?”

Johnny, who had coached Ty Johnson since his rookie year and was in charge of hitting instruction for St. Louis until last season, looked at his former student with mixed emotions.

Having witnessed his journey from the minor leagues to becoming one of the best hitters in the game, he found it hard to believe that Ty was nearing the end of his career.

He had quit his job as a hitting coach, declined Ty’s offer to be a personal instructor, and moved to his wife’s hometown of Boston to run a bar. Perhaps this was his last chance to help his student.

After a moment of contemplation, Johnny replied calmly.

“Ty.”

“Tell me.”

“Okay, I taught you to never shy away from responsibility at the plate, and that to become the best star, the pillar of the team, you have to learn to solve problems yourself.”

“I’ve never forgotten those words.”

“I know. You’ve always been the best, and St. Louis has remained a strong team thanks to Ty Johnson. But, Ty…”

“Damn it, I’m ready for anything, so skip the long introduction. I’m not a twenty-year-old kid who gets upset at every little thing anymore.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Simply put, as an old friend, I still think you’re the best hitter in America, no, the world. You’ve earned that respect, you deserve it. So, I’m going to say this: move to a team where you can still be the best.”

“That means… I can’t be the best if I’m in Seattle, right?”

“That’s right. So, what I’m saying is as your friend… If I were Seattle’s hitting coach, I would tell Han Su-hyeok this: Never pass the responsibility on to other players, solve everything yourself. Always strive to be the best.”

“You used to say that to me.”

“That’s right, and I’d come back to you and ask you this: You need to help the player who will become the best hitter of this era. From now on, that will be your new role.”

Ty Johnson fell silent at Johnny Jenkins’ words.

The highlight reel of the game between Seattle and Boston from the previous day played on the bar’s TV, and Ty Johnson stared at his barely touched beer, lost in thought.

After a long pause, Ty Johnson downed his beer in one gulp and stood up.

“Damn it, this beer is too bitter. Change the supplier. No wonder you don’t have any customers.”

“No, our beer is great. What’s bitter and terrible is probably your mood right now.”

“If you really think this is great, you should probably close up shop.”

“Hehe, I’ll keep that in mind. Anyway, did my advice help you at all?”

“Well, it’s still hard to completely accept… But I knew this moment would come someday. So, I’ll have to see for myself if that guy Han Su-hyeok is really ready to carry that weight instead of me.”

“Don’t be too hard on him.”

“Be too hard on him? Ha! He’s not the kind of guy who’s going to just take it. He’ll probably punch me in the jaw if I mess with him. And he’ll say, ‘Ty, you’re just excited right now. So, take this punch and come to your senses.’ Damn it, just thinking about it is terrible. I only remember you catching me when I was twenty-three and making me swing until I threw up, but that guy is 대체 [daeche – Korean for ‘something else entirely’].”

“Hehe, he sounds like a great guy just from hearing about him. Bring him to the bar sometime.”

“Okay. He doesn’t even drink, but if you invite him, he’ll probably come. Okay, Johnny. I’m leaving. I’ll say it again, change the beer. This place will go bankrupt if you keep serving this.”

Ty Johnson left the bar and walked slowly towards the hotel.

He had been advised by his mentor, who used to urge him to be a lion and lead the pack, to step back and support the new leader.

Initially, he felt nothing but bitterness, like that awful beer.

But when he arrived at the hotel and saw Han Su-hyeok and the other young players practicing their swings outside, he felt a strange surge of emotion.

He was reminded of a senior player who had been especially kind to him, always taking his side.

That veteran always smiled and encouraged him, content with playing a supporting role despite having a career that couldn’t compare to Ty’s.

Now, Ty thought, he could understand that veteran’s mindset.

He felt ready to accept that his time had come.

“Oh, Ty, you’re already here?”

“Chuck.”

“Yes?”

“Instead of just swinging, do it right, even if it’s just once. Your chin is too high.”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

“And Derek.”

“Yes, Ty.”

“Keep your swing compact, but follow through properly. With that swing, it’ll be hard to get the ball past the infield.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good, and Han.”

“What is it, Ty?”

“…Damn it, there’s no point in saying anything to a guy who has better stats than me. Forget it, just do whatever you want.”

“Hmm, you’ve been drinking, Ty. You’re saying things you normally wouldn’t.”

“Damn it, forget it. Just drop it and do whatever you want.”

Behind Ty, who grumbled as he entered the hotel, the sound of bats hitting balls resumed.

At that moment, Ty Johnson, once hailed as the best hitter in the world, realized that his era was ending and a new one was beginning.

And he realized he was ready to accept it without resistance.

* * *

[Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox split the second and third games of the season in a double-header, each winning one game]

[Han Su-hyeok added one home run in the second game of the double-header, still leading the home run category with 17 home runs this season]

[Boston Red Sox manager, whose series record fell to 1 win and 2 losses, “Although we lost, I don’t want to blame our players. The lineup of Han Su-hyeok and Ty Johnson is the most formidable opponent I’ve ever faced.”]

[The first game of the season between the Seattle Mariners and the Boston Red Sox, in which Han Su-hyeok started, broke the record for the highest regular season viewership once again]

[Seattle Mariners fans, who have never advanced to the World Series in 53 years since their founding, “The time has finally come. We’re going to the World Series this year.”]

[Yankees and Red Sox fans “We admit they’re stronger than before, but the Mariners in the World Series? That’s a joke” A war of words with Seattle fans on the internet]

└I think I heard something strange this morning. Yeah, maybe my dog told me. He said Seattle is aiming to advance to the World Series

└I think I know which team’s fan you are without saying it. Judging by that arrogant tone, you’re probably a Yankees fan, right? That washed-up team that hasn’t been to the World Series in 21 years

└Shut up, Red Sox. Say one more word and I’ll kill you

└It’s okay that you lost to Texas and Detroit in the championship, but those morons from Houston beat you up three times in a row, and you’re still just talking

└You son of a bitch, Houston at that time was…

└Yeah, they weren’t a mess like they are now. Houston was pretty strong back then. I admit it. Just like Seattle this season

└Wait, you son of a bitch, you’re not a Red Sox fan, you’re a Mariners fan?

└Yeah, you moron. Listen carefully. We’re going to the World Series this season. We’re going to beat up all the idiots in the Eastern District. So get ready to go on vacation in the fall. You won’t be watching baseball.