Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 305

#304. The Last Piece

After spending a long time at the plate, you naturally learn.

That once a home run is blocked, it’s hard to come by.

Ta-a-a-ak!

Conversely, once the dam breaks, they can come one after another, almost absurdly.

“There it goes again! It’s going! Uwaaa! It’s gone! He did it!”

“Number 51! It’s number 51! Damn, I should have sat in the outfield!”

“Han Su-hyeok! Fucking! We love you! Stay in Seattle forever!”

Seattle’s attack in the bottom of the 3rd, leading by one point at 2 to 1.

Liam Landman, who has now solidified his position as the starting second baseman, got on base with a walk.

Considering it was a two-out situation, he deliberately took a big swing.

And the batted ball landed at the very top of the right field stands of T-Mobile Park.

– Ah, Commissioner Go Dong-sik. It seems that the home run cannon, which had been slightly sluggish in the second half, is being reactivated. Han Su-hyeok, who hit his 50th and 51st home runs today, is confidently rounding the diamond.

– Haa… It’s amazing. Actually, that ball just now was in a course where a home run would never be possible under normal circumstances. Look at the video. It’s a perfectly controlled fastball on the outside low course. If he had just let it go, it probably would have been called a ball. But he swung at that ball and created a huge home run. Han Su-hyeok is really amazing.

– Well, now, people who were talking about Han Su-hyeok’s slump in the second half will have no choice but to shut their mouths.

– Slump? Ha! That’s crazy talk. One of the reasons I rate Han Su-hyeok so highly is his consistency. No matter how well a player performs, there are ups and downs, but that guy hardly has any. Look at this weekly batting average trend. The highest week is around 0.450, and even the lowest week is 0.390. And they call that a slump? Those crazy Yankees…

– Hmm, anyway, today is a really important game for Seattle, right?

– Yes, the gap between us and Oakland isn’t at a level where we can relax yet, and the pace of the Yankees, who are in first place in the East Division, and the White Sox, who are in first place in the Central Division, is too good lately. Considering we have to overtake one of them, we have no choice but to go all out in every game.

– The Yankees are one thing, but the Chicago White Sox in the Central Division are a bit unexpected. Who would have known that team would record a winning percentage of over 60%?

– They were lucky. Really lucky. Minnesota, Kansas City, and Detroit, which are in the same division, have virtually given up on the season, so they are racking up a lot of wins against teams in the same division.

– I see. Ah, as we speak, number 3, Ty Johnson, hit a double to left-center, creating another scoring opportunity.

– Good, if Ty Johnson, who was slightly sluggish in the second half, comes back to life like that, the pitchers will never be able to walk Han Su-hyeok. Seattle, they need to score one more point here. Considering that the opponent’s pitcher is Oakland’s ace, they need to make a move early.

* * *

“Chuck, don’t forget what I told you.”

“Yes, Coach.”

“Don’t worry about what’s happening in front of you. Just focus on your swing.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good, go out there.”

With Ty Johnson’s double, the Oakland bench called a timeout.

Taking advantage of the break, Chuck Clark, who received advice from the hitting coach, started walking towards the plate again.

The weight of being a team’s cleanup hitter, plus the pressure of having to stand in front of Han Su-hyeok and Ty Johnson, two of the league’s best hitters.

Experts and fans with a high understanding of baseball cite Chuck Clark’s presence as one of the factors driving Seattle’s rise this season.

If someone other than him were in the cleanup spot, there might have been more pitchers trying to avoid Han Su-hyeok and Ty Johnson.

It wasn’t just a matter of skill.

Han Su-hyeok, who gets on base at least once in every two at-bats.

Ty Johnson, who is about to have a career-high season.

Opposing pitchers avoid the league’s best 2nd and 3rd hitters and take their chances with the next hitter.

Manager Daniel chose Chuck Clark as the right person to overcome this tremendous psychological pressure, and he has faithfully fulfilled that role this season.

“Play!”

However, the problem was the sudden slump in hitting that came after participating in the All-Star Game.

Actually, it wasn’t even that bad.

But because the two hitters in front of him were so great, the pitchers who noticed Chuck Clark’s pace had dropped focused on him, which eventually led to Han Su-hyeok and Ty Johnson not being able to hit properly.

In short, because Chuck Clark at number 4 looked easy, they often didn’t give good balls to Han Su-hyeok at number 2 and Ty Johnson at number 3.

Swoosh

Paang

“Strike!”

He reviewed his hitting mechanics with the coach.

And found the cause.

Because the hitters in front of him were hitting such big balls, Chuck Clark’s swing was also getting bigger and bigger.

Chuck Clark, who has recorded 14 home runs and 88 RBIs in 107 games this season.

Just looking at the numbers, it may seem a bit lacking as the cleanup hitter for a team challenging for the World Series championship.

Even Chuck Clark, who was considered the best in the league in terms of mental fortitude, began to pay attention to such evaluations little by little, which eventually affected his hitting mechanics.

Swoosh

Paang

“Ball.”

Chuck Clark thought.

‘I’m not a genius. Therefore, comparing myself to the two monsters in front of me is making myself look pathetic.’

‘There’s no need to pay attention to what other people think.’

‘No matter what anyone says, I am the cleanup hitter for the Seattle Mariners.’

The manager said.

‘If there wasn’t a player named Chuck Clark, there wouldn’t be a combination of Han Su-hyeok at number 2 and Ty Johnson at number 3, and the Seattle lineup wouldn’t be considered the best in the league.’

Chuck Clark, who had been suffering from a bit of defeatism and psychological pressure without even realizing it, returned to his original self with that one word.

‘What I need to do now is…….’

I don’t have the long-hitting power of Han Su-hyeok or Ty Johnson.

But I have the advantage of being able to swing my way on base, no matter what the situation.

That’s what I should aim for.

Deu-deu-deuk

Adjusting the position of the grip, removing unnecessary force from the shoulder,

The moment the ball leaves the pitcher’s fingertips,

Lightly,

More lightly than ever,

Tta-ak!

“Got it! It’s through!”

“Run! Ty! You can do it!”

“Great hit! Chuck! You’re the best cleanup hitter after all!”

The strong ground ball hit by Chuck Clark rolled out to the outfield, avoiding the second baseman’s glove.

The 2-meter giant, Ty Johnson, who started with the sound of the hit, began sprinting with all his might.

“Uwaaaaa!”

“Nice!”

It can’t be compared to the huge home run hit by Han Su-hyeok, but with that hit, Seattle added another point and was able to take a 5-1 lead, a four-point difference.

Even in a game where Oakland’s ace was on the mound.

‘Good, this is the feeling.’

Remembering the pleasant excitement of stepping on first base after hitting a timely hit,

Chuck Clark raised his right arm towards the stands.

* * *

[American League West Division 1st and 2nd place teams clash, Seattle wins 7-3 thanks to Han Su-hyeok’s two home runs]

[Seattle widens the gap with 2nd place, declares all-out war for direct entry to the Division Series]

[Han Su-hyeok, who hit his 50th and 51st home runs of the season: “I need the help of my fellow hitters to create good hits. In that sense, I am grateful to my teammates, especially Chuck Clark, who played a great role today. He is the best cleanup hitter in the league.”]

[Mike Warren’s knuckleball is becoming more and more perfect, Dodgers fans: “May a curse be upon the general manager who sold such a good pitcher at a bargain price.”]

[The league’s strongest lineup, plus the awakening of 3rd starter Mike and the addition of 4th starter Hayashi, has further solidified the starting mound. Experts: “The middle relief and closer are unstable factors, but… the starting pitchers throw so long that their weaknesses are not highlighted.”]

[The trade deadline is a week away, will Seattle make any additional reinforcements?]

“Hmm.”

“General Manager, you were looking for me?”

“Yes, how is that going?”

“We have finished everything we can do on a primary level.”

“What’s the reaction?”

“To be honest, it’s lukewarm. It feels like they don’t have confidence.”

“As expected.”

“Yes, that’s right. Even if it were me…….”

“Look, if you’re going to say something stupid, stop there. We’re here to make the impossible possible.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Okay, anyway, this is the last card we have. Do your best until the end. Don’t just sit in the office and mess around with phone calls or emails, go to their house or do whatever it takes to persuade them. I’ll do what I can.”

“I understand. I’ll leave right away.”

“Get out.”

* * *

Seattle won the first game of the three-game series against Oakland, widening the gap between the two teams to five and a half games.

Therefore, the Seattle locker room should have been a little more relaxed than usual.

However, the players’ faces were filled with tension, not relaxation.

That was because of the very latest trade-related news that had just come out.

[New York Yankees, who have bet everything on winning the World Series, bring in Tampa Bay’s star hitter James Taylor for three prospects and cash.]

[New York Yankees: “We have filled the last piece for the championship. Now, no one can stop the Yankees.”]

[Tampa Bay, which is receiving strong protests from fans: “We express our respect for James’ hard work and wish him the best in becoming the best player in the future.”]

[Yankees manager Robert Wilson: “We welcome James’ joining. He will play an important role in the Yankees’ core batting lineup.”]

[Yankees’ 2nd, 3rd, and 4th batting lineup consisting of Lucas Anderson – James Taylor – Zack Haynes, experts: “The strongest combination that can compete with Seattle’s Han Su-hyeok – Ty Johnson – Chuck Clark” unanimously]

[Yankees, the team with the highest overall winning percentage in the American League, will do anything to win the World Series.]

“He really went. Ha, it’s ridiculous, really.”

“How much is their total salary with James Taylor included?”

“What’s certain is that they don’t care about luxury taxes [a tax on teams whose payroll exceeds a certain limit].”

“Is it fortunate that our schedule with them is over?”

James Taylor, Tampa Bay’s starting third baseman and one of the candidates for the next-generation best hitter, whose transfer to the Yankees had been rumored, has been officially announced.

For Seattle, who has been struggling with the Yankees all season, this was not good news.

“Okay, that’s enough. Let’s do what we have to do. Anyway, we’re stronger.”

“Hehe, well, that’s true. The Ty Johnson and Han Su-hyeok combination is much scarier than the Lucas Anderson and James Taylor combination.”

“Let’s focus on Oakland in front of us first, since we won’t have anything to do with them until the Division Series [the first round of the playoffs].”

The other players nodded at the words of the veterans, including Bruce, and returned to their lockers.

That was right.

Anyway, the regular season schedule with the Yankees this season is all over.

There’s no need to waste energy on a team that you won’t see until the fall baseball season.

If it were a normal player.

“Why do you have such a complicated look on your face?”

“Ah, Ty. Tell me everything you know about Adam Murphy.”

“Adam Murphy? Why that old man?”

“I think I’m going to meet him.”

Ty Johnson’s face was filled with curiosity at Han Su-hyeok’s sudden words.