Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 29

28. 2027 Regular Season Opening Game

‘Stop! Stop! I was wrong. I’ll never mess with your friends again.’

‘Too late.’

Slap!

A burly boy in a middle school uniform slapped the person in front of him across the face.

A thug with tattoos on his arms was hit by that lid-sized palm and passed out on the spot.

He was the last one.

The guy, known as the worst bully in Chungnam [a province in South Korea], collapsed from a middle schooler’s slap, and the remaining punks holding box cutters screamed and scattered in all directions.

‘Deoksu, are you okay?’

‘I’m okay.’

‘You’re bleeding from your head?’

‘This kind of thing gets better if you put some spit on it. Don’t worry.’

I didn’t think things would get this big.

The boy, who was only in the second grade of middle school, unintentionally ended up taking down all the high school bullies in the Chungnam Seosan area.

It wasn’t intentional.

Jang Deoksu was already 188cm tall and weighed 100kg in the second grade of middle school, earning him the nickname ‘Giant’.

His only guardian, his grandmother, strictly taught him so that her grandson would not fall into the path of darkness, and Jang Deoksu was well aware that his strength was different from other friends.

That’s why he tried not to get angry at anything. He instinctively knew that if he got angry or hit someone, they could get seriously hurt.

But the leash that had been firmly tied was loosened in an instant.

His grandmother, who had raised him in place of his parents, suddenly collapsed and was hospitalized.

At that time, when Jang Deoksu’s mood was at its worst, he witnessed a junior who usually followed him being robbed of money by high school bullies.

He slapped those guys once each and retrieved the stolen money.

Then those guys brought other bullies with them.

He beat them up again.

But it was no use. Like cockroaches, they kept coming even after being caught. They even lunged at him with weapons in their hands.

Eventually, when those guys came near Jang Deoksu’s school and harassed other students, Jang Deoksu couldn’t stand it any longer and went outside the school.

He beat up all the guys who were blocking the way to school and causing trouble, and even the guy who was said to be the worst bully in Chungnam, who could be called their leader. There was nothing that could stop Jang Deoksu, whose seal had been broken.

The guilt of hitting someone else for the first time, and the inexplicable sense of joy, mingled together and made Jang Deoksu’s heart complicated.

As Jang Deoksu struggled to shake off that unfamiliar feeling, a friend shouted and ran towards him from afar.

‘Deoksu! Deoksu! There’s a call from the hospital!’

He ran to the hospital, half out of his mind.

There, his grandmother, on her deathbed, was waiting for Jang Deoksu.

Live kindly, don’t hit others, and endure.

Those were the last words his grandmother left behind. It was her last request, fearing that her grandson, who would be left alone, might step into the world of darkness.

“Sunbae-nim [term used to address senior classmates or colleagues]? Deoksu Sunbae-nim?”

“···Huh?”

“Ah, I thought you had your earphones in because you weren’t answering. The coach is looking for you.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks, Suhyuk.”

How out of it was I?

The recollection of the past that started last night while putting up with Hwang Sungmin’s abuse continues to haunt him even during this morning’s training.

Han Suhyuk, the admirable and kind junior who just woke him up, returned to the ground with a light step.

He’s an amazing guy the more you look at him. When I think about how much stronger this team has become since that guy joined, I can’t help but laugh.

His skills are great, but he’s also a very kind and considerate junior. He pretends to be blunt on the outside, but his eyes are full of affection when he looks at other teammates.

When I think about it, he looks a lot like that younger brother who used to follow me around.

Huh.

Suhyuk would hate it if he heard that. Because that guy is definitely not someone who would get his money stolen.

“Hey, Jang! You’re here. Here’s the opening game analysis data. Review it first and then talk to me again.”

“Yes, thank you. Coach.”

“Good. You’ll probably be playing at least 3 innings as a relief pitcher, so you must be familiar with the opposing hitters’ data.”

The analysis data of the opposing team was handed to Jang Deoksu, who was scheduled to play in the upcoming opening game.

Rustle, rustle

But for some reason, he can’t concentrate today, and useless old things keep swirling in his head.

Jang Deoksu, who had put down the material he was reading, closed his eyes and recalled what happened then.

After his grandmother passed away, the parents of the bullies came and made things difficult for him, but the circumstances in which those guys assaulted middle school students with weapons were too clear.

In addition, among the parents of the children Jang Deoksu saved, there were many who had power in the local community. Those people stepped in and silenced the bullies’ parents.

After everything was settled, Jang Deoksu, who was taken care of by the elders in the neighborhood, was recommended to join the baseball team by his school teacher and became a catcher.

Although he started a little later than others, his baseball team life was pretty good.

He also received a scholarship. Professional teams also paid attention to his physique and talent.

More than anything else, baseball was a pretty good way to repay the elders who took care of him.

He went on to high school, was drafted by a professional team, and then joined the Sangmu team [military sports team in South Korea], following a fairly smooth course. There was some negative feedback that he was too big to be a catcher, but he overcame it with his natural flexibility.

After joining the pros, he became a perennial backup because he was pushed out by the mainstream Hwang Sungmin faction, but Jang Deoksu still loved baseball so much.

He loved the position of catcher, who had to protect our team’s players and home plate.

But sometimes, when a physical collision is about to occur with another player, or when a grumpy senior tries to touch his body.

Jang Deoksu shrinks back without even realizing it. He instinctively protects his body.

His grandmother’s last words not to punch recklessly, the guilt he felt from hitting the bullies, and the joy he felt without realizing it, all became tangled up and became a kind of trauma.

That’s right.

The fact that he could hurt someone else with just a little too much force was a huge shackle and stress for Jang Deoksu.

In fact, his steel-like body and strength were a great advantage for a catcher who had to protect home plate, but Jang Deoksu had not yet realized that fact.

“Jang, have you seen the data? Then shall we review it together?”

“Of course, Coach.”

That’s why Jang Deoksu is holding back today.

Sometimes, when he sees guys like Hwang Sungmin, the eerie desire hidden deep inside him to just beat them to a pulp rises up, but.

He is enduring and enduring.

But.

The premonition that the day his patience runs out is not far off makes Jang Deoksu uneasy.

* * *

Every year in November, the winning team of the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] is decided.

And then begins the stove league [off-season discussions and negotiations], spring camp, exhibition games…

After a time as long and boring as a history class, the regular season that baseball fans have been waiting for finally begins in April when flowers bloom.

For baseball fans who live to cheer for or curse their team every day, the regular season opening game is the biggest festival of the year.

– Baseball fans! You’ve waited a long time! The 10 professional baseball teams, who have honed their skills during the past exhibition games, will finally clash in the regular season. Today, the 2027 KBO League will have its opening game simultaneously in 5 stadiums across the country!

– Ah! The weather is really nice today. The breeze is cool, and the game schedule has been changed a bit as the WBC [World Baseball Classic] tournament this year has been decided for August. Thanks to that, we will be playing the opening game at night. It’s a perfect evening for baseball.

– I agree. Commissioner, today’s game at Jamsil [stadium in Seoul] will be between the last-place Seoul Warriors and the 8th-place Busan Titans from last season. Before the game starts, could you tell us what aspects fans should focus on the most?

– Yes, I don’t think I need to explain about the Warriors.

– Han Suhyuk

– Yes, that’s right. It’s no exaggeration to say that the Warriors’ ranking this season depends on the performance of super rookie Han Suhyuk, who proved in the past exhibition games that he is a candidate for MVP [Most Valuable Player], not Rookie of the Year.

– He was really amazing, wasn’t he? He recorded the highest scores in all batting categories in the exhibition games. Some say it’s beginner’s luck, but what do you think, Commissioner?

– Beginner’s luck?

The commentator who received the question snorted and replied.

– If there is someone who says that, it must be one of two things.

– If it’s one of two things?

– Either a fan of the Warriors’ rival team…

– Aha

– Or someone who has never watched the exhibition game broadcast and only saw the game results online.

– You’re sure of yourself.

– Of course. It’s already been 45 years since professional baseball started in Korea. But I can say with certainty that no rookie in history has shown the same performance as Han Suhyuk. There’s a saying, ‘There is no player greater than the team.’

– Yes, that’s a very famous saying.

– But maybe we’ll see a player greater than the team this year.

– Haha, that could be a very dangerous statement to hear. Viewers, please understand that Han Suhyuk has that much potential.

– No, that’s not what I meant…

– We’ll be right back after a short commercial.

The commentator’s radical remarks, who has been praising Han Suhyuk endlessly through his personal YouTube channel in addition to commentating on professional baseball games, were suppressed by the announcer in the middle.

Then the chat window started to burn.

﹂Let’s be honest. If there’s anyone who thinks that Han Suhyuk didn’t go to the major league because he couldn’t, raise your hand.

﹂There are no such fools.

﹂You must have been one.

﹂Hey, honestly, if it’s Han Suhyuk’s level, he would be the MVP in his first season even if he went to the major league.

﹂ㅋㅋㅋ [Korean internet slang for ‘lol’], not even Rookie of the Year, but MVP. You’re getting ahead of yourself.

﹂It’s not enough to contain Han Suhyuk’s huge skills with just the Rookie of the Year.

﹂What’s certain is that Park Seonghoon, who kept Han Suhyuk in the KBO, should be designated as a person of national merit.

﹂What the hell are you talking about…

After the commercial, the camera showed the commentary box again.

The announcer, who asked the commentator to refrain from making unreasonable remarks, shook his head and continued.

– Well, let’s talk about Han Suhyuk that much, and Commissioner, it seems that the Warriors’ starting lineup today is slightly different from the exhibition games?

– Hmm hmm. Yes, here is the lineup that the Warriors have put out today.

1st batter, 2nd baseman Lee Changmo

2nd batter, shortstop Han Suhyuk

3rd batter, 1st baseman Jo Sungoh

4th batter, right fielder Max Walker

5th batter, 3rd baseman Ahn Chiwook

6th batter, left fielder Kim Suhak

7th batter, center fielder Choi Minseok

8th batter, catcher Jang Deoksu

9th batter, designated hitter Yoo Incheol

Starting pitcher Ryan Stark

– Choi Minseok, who transferred from the Magicians, is in 7th place, and… Jang Deoksu is in the catcher position instead of Hwang Sungmin?

– Yes, it seems that starting catcher Hwang Sungmin felt a little discomfort in his little toe during practice. So Jang Deoksu seems to be starting instead. Captain Jo Sungoh is in the 3rd spot to support Han Suhyuk, who is in the 2nd batting order.

The broadcast chat window became noisy again at the commentator’s words.

﹂He hurt his toe during practice? Bullshit. He must have twisted it doing something useless.

﹂I feel so relieved that that bastard is out of the starting lineup. An 8-year catcher who can’t even catch a forkball properly ㅋㅋㅋ

﹂A bastard who hit .200 and got a 3 billion FA [Free Agent] contract as a defensive catcher…

﹂A bastard whose hobby is to miss the forkball and glare at the pitcher…

﹂A bastard who was just left alone because he couldn’t be sold…

The fans were rather welcoming of Hwang Sungmin’s absence.

The announcer, who nodded his head without realizing it, turned his gaze to the ground.

At that moment, the tone of his voice suddenly rose sharply as he discovered something.

– Ah! Singer Min Yerin, who is in charge of the first pitch today, is coming up to the mound. Player Lee Mansik, who was in charge of the first pitch guidance, has his mouth wide open?

– Something big will happen if he keeps doing that. Player Lee Mansik! His wife is watching from home!

– It’s a bit of a dangerous scene, but I can understand how he feels. Isn’t Min Yerin a big fan of the Warriors, who was once called the goddess of Jamsil Baseball Stadium?

– Yes, she left the baseball scene for a while for various reasons, but she’s back this time, right? At the opening game of the exhibition game, she also held a surprise event to give away her debut album CD to all visitors. Ah, the Warriors’ PR team says that there will be a congratulatory performance and time to spend with the cheerleaders after the first pitch today.

– Oh! Those who came to the baseball stadium today will be able to see Min Yerin’s stage for free.

– Yes, one thing that’s a pity is that the central display of the electronic display board, which the city of Seoul replaced with great effort a while ago, doesn’t seem to be ready yet. It’s a problem that you can’t see the play highlights, but it’s a real pity that you can’t see Min Yerin’s face in large size.

– Oh dear, I can hear the sighs of the male fans who came to the baseball stadium.

A singer named Min Yerin, wearing a Warriors uniform and a hat pulled down low, waved to the audience and went up to the mound.

Everyone in the baseball stadium’s eyes were focused on her.

The singer that Seonghoon hyung [older brother or male friend] mentioned is that woman. A Warriors fanatic.

Looking to the side, Ahn Chiwook was drooling as he looked at Min Yerin.

“Ahn Chiwook.”

“···Uh, uh, why?”

“Is that woman that famous?”

“What? You don’t know Min Yerin?”

“I don’t know.”

“···It’s a pity. How can a man who spent his teenage years in Korea not know Min Yerin-nim [honorific suffix]?”

“Stop talking nonsense, anyway, people really like her.”

“Of course. This is a performance you can’t see even if you pay for it. Don’t just stand there, stand up and watch it together. Don’t regret it later.”

Well… I’m not really interested in celebrities now or then, but this guy is a twenty-year-old who is full of energy.

Looking at Min Yerin standing on the mound and greeting the audience, I suddenly thought of the past.

The female singer who was regularly invited to sing the American national anthem at the opening game of the Big League [Major League Baseball] every year.

I reluctantly pretended to know her because she was so friendly, but after that, she kept following me around the stadium and bothering me.

What is she doing now? Was she already a successful pop star at this time?

Still, she followed me around for a year, and she was the only one who cried for me when I collapsed with a shoulder injury and my return to the ground was uncertain.

What was her name? Ellie… no, was it Kelly? No, Emily…

Hmm.

···Damn it, I can’t even remember the name of someone I’ve seen for over a year.

I honestly don’t even remember her face, but.

If she was hurt by what happened then.

I want to tell her once.

I just didn’t have enough time back then, and I was too emotionally dry to do anything with other people.

That’s all it was.

“Wow!”

I suddenly came back to my senses at the shouts of the audience.

I wondered what was going on and looked at the ground, and the singer named Min Yerin was bowing deeply to the audience on the mound.

Her well-dressed white home uniform was covered in dirt, but she didn’t seem to care. She must really like the Warriors.

Pfft.

Suddenly, I burst out laughing.

Why are there so many people in this world who are crazy about baseball?

Well, if you’re talking about being crazy about baseball, is there anyone on this planet who is as crazy as I am?

I’ve been rolling around in the baseball scene for 15 years, and I’ve achieved everything I can.

As if that wasn’t enough, I’m repeating the same thing again in Korea this time.

Okay.

People are already saying that the Warriors will be in last place again anyway.

I have to show those people.

How far a guy who is really crazy about baseball can go once he makes up his mind.

* * *