Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 307

#306. The Power of Time

‘Those damn bastards.’

When love turns to hate, creating a complex mix of emotions, we often call it ‘love-hate.’

So, can we describe Adam Murphy’s feelings—a one-club man who played for the New York Yankees for 22 years but was eventually forced to retire—as love-hate?

No, the emotion Adam harbored for the Yankees now was clear hatred.

Ty Johnson’s analysis of him was spot on.

On the surface, he acted nonchalant, pretending to be magnanimous as if it didn’t matter that he hadn’t won a decent title in over 20 years, packaging himself as someone who valued the team more than personal achievements, but,

in reality, he was a man full of ambition more than anyone else.

He was simply ashamed of not dominating the league like his predecessors, so he disguised himself as a generous person.

But one last ambition remained for him: a brilliant achievement that even those great predecessors hadn’t accomplished.

The most wins title for a pitcher in the Yankees.

The Yankees had produced countless hitters, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, Don Mattingly, Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, and so on,

but there wasn’t a player in the pitching department who could compare.

Whitey Ford, who played only for the New York Yankees for 16 years and recorded 236 wins, 106 losses, and an ERA of 2.75, was the most prominent name in pitching.

‘Just two more years, no, if I had just one more year…….’

Adam Murphy, who didn’t have Randy Johnson’s fastball, Greg Maddux’s control, or Pedro Martinez’s intimidation, had only one goal he could realistically aim for,

and that was the title of most wins as a Yankees pitcher.

His life with the Yankees for the past 22 years had been for that, and in fact, Adam had recorded 228 wins in 22 years, closing in on the record by only 8 wins.

He was confident that he could surpass Whitey Ford’s record in as little as a year or at most two years, as he thought.

But,

‘Adam, I’m sorry. We are preparing for a great challenge right now. We respect your career, but now is the time to think about the team first. Trade or retirement for a new start, either way is fine. However, you have to choose one of the two.’

Ahead of the 2030 season, the Yankees were focusing all their efforts on signing big players, including a long-term contract with their star hitter, Lucas Anderson.

As a result, the team’s payroll soared to staggering levels, and eventually, they began the process of clearing out older, high-paid players, including Adam Murphy.

Adam Murphy’s conclusion after agonizing for over a week after receiving the offer was this.

Since the club had declared that there was no place for him anyway, the title of most wins pitcher in the Yankees was out of the question.

Trade?

No need. No, it can’t be.

All that remained for Adam Murphy, who had been denied for 22 years, was anger towards the Yankees.

If he was traded to a mediocre team, there would be no way to vent that anger.

He had to go to a rival of the Yankees, at least a team that could stand in the way of the Yankees.

‘Please release me.’

‘Okay, I hope you have good luck in the future.’

That’s how Adam Murphy took off the uniform he had worn for 22 years.

A significant number of Yankees fans regretted Adam Murphy’s retirement, who had dedicated himself to the team, but it was soon buried by the news of successive free agent [FA] acquisitions.

Adam Murphy, who refused even a retirement ceremony and went into personal training, waited for the time of revival.

No, to be precise, he was waiting for an offer from a team that could give the Yankees a blow.

However, the clubs he had prioritized the most showed no interest in him.

There was no contact from Eastern Division teams like the Boston Red Sox, as well as traditional American League powerhouses like the Chicago White Sox or Oakland Athletics.

Then, he received a call from an unexpected team.

‘Please be our team’s closer.’

A young team with an average age of 26.5, a dynamic team with a more promising future than the present.

The Seattle Mariners, who are running at full strength, aiming for the first World Series appearance in the team’s history, leading the American League West in the 2030 season.

His heart was pounding at the fact that the team wanted him.

‘Okay. We are very satisfied with the test results. We formally offer you a contract.’

‘Wait a minute. Before I sign the contract, let me ask you one thing.’

‘Yes?’

‘I want to meet the captain of this team, Han Su-hyeok. I hope we can have a drink together, or if not, a dinner would be fine.’

Having completed all the tests for joining the team, Adam Murphy’s last request was to meet Han Su-hyeok.

He wanted to be sure.

He wanted to know if the player, who could be said to be the central axis of this team, had the will to destroy the Yankees.

To such Adam Murphy, Han Su-hyeok said.

That he would destroy those annoying, old-fashioned Yankees bastards.

It was a more than satisfactory answer.

That’s how Adam Murphy came to wear the Seattle Mariners uniform at the age of 43.

With hatred for the Yankees deep in his heart.

* * *

– Ah, Han Su-hyeok, who started as a left fielder, is moving to third base, and Kyle Shanahan is entering the left field position instead. Should we see this as a defense reinforcement?

– That’s right. Jonathan Owens, who came in as a defensive replacement last inning, also has a talent for defense, but he should be seen as a second baseman. In a situation where the runner for the reversal can come in even with a deep ground ball, the Seattle bench has no choice but to strengthen the infield defense.

– I see. In the top of the 9th inning, with the score tied 6-6, the visiting team Oakland Athletics’ attack continues. Commissioner Go Dong-sik, it’s a bit of a disappointing game. When Seattle was leading 6-4, I thought the game would end easily, but the closer was hit hard, and the game was messed up.

– Yes, Seattle’s instability in the back end is not a one- or two-day thing. From the second half, Jake Howard, Jonah Burrow, and recently Dalvin Schwartz, the pitchers who were Seattle’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th starters last season, are taking turns as closers, but none of them are showing a proper form. It was the same today. Delvin Schwartz, who came on in the 9th inning with a two-point lead, was hit hard and allowed the tie in an instant. They should have changed it here. The pitcher change timing was delayed, and another bases-loaded chance was created.

– It seems like I can hear manager Benjamin Reynolds’ sigh. Eventually, the pitching coach is coming up to the mound. Then we’ll see you again soon. This is T-Mobile Park in Seattle, USA, where the game between the visiting team Oakland Athletics and the home team Seattle Mariners is taking place.

“Coach, who are you going to bring up?”

“Um, bring up Adam. Let’s test whether the general manager’s eyes are accurate.”

Seattle, who was leading 6-4 until the bottom of the 8th inning, was hit hard by Delvin Schwartz, who went to the mound to finish, and Jonah Burrow, who came on next, gave up consecutive walks, allowing the tie in an instant at 6-6.

And in the ensuing bases-loaded situation with one out, Adam Murphy’s name was called from manager Benjamin’s mouth.

Such a manager’s intention was conveyed to him through the bullpen coach.

“Adam, your turn has come. Show me your skills.”

“Okay. I’m ready.”

[Home team pitcher change, Jonah Burrow out, number 22, Adam Murphy]

Most Seattle fans were lukewarm about signing a veteran pitcher who was 43 years old, even to the point that the pitcher would be the team’s closer.

Expectations for Adam, who throws a four-seam fastball that doesn’t even reach 90 miles per hour, which cannot find competitiveness in velocity and power—which can be said to be the first virtue of a closer—are bottoming out.

But,

There was one thing that those Seattle fans didn’t know.

That pitchers like Delvin Schwartz and Jonah Burrow, who were called the best in velocity and power among Seattle pitchers, had all failed to settle as closers,

Therefore, in order to become Seattle’s closer, something more special than velocity or power is needed.

“Damn it, old man. Are you really okay? Are you going to collapse from a heart attack while throwing the ball?”

“Hehe, Ty. Don’t worry. I think I’ll live longer than you.”

Adam Murphy, who lightly brushed off Ty Johnson’s words—which were hard to tell whether it was worry or a jab—spoke to the other fielders in a careful voice.

“Okay, friends. What we have to admit, we have to admit. I don’t have the ability to strike out batters right now. So you guys have to actively help me. If you do that, I’ll take responsibility for this game today.”

At Adam’s words, the infielders, including Han Su-hyeok, nodded.

And the game resumed.

“Play!”

In fact, although it is said in the present tense, even looking back on his heyday in the past, Adam Murphy was never a pitcher who struck out a lot of batters.

His identity was always a ground ball pitcher.

A pitcher who induces infield ground balls with a four-seam fastball with late movement and a two-seam fastball and sinker with even more pronounced reverse rotation, plus a changeup that comes in out of nowhere.

Adam Murphy protected the Yankees’ mound with those balls, and he was able to become a starting pitcher who won around 10 games every year for a long time of 22 years.

Anyway,

‘Outside low two-seam’

Nod.

The only way for such Adam Murphy to escape the crisis of a bases-loaded chance with one out is to somehow induce a ground ball and make a double play [two outs in one play], that’s all.

Adam, who nodded at Bruce’s sign, threw the first ball with a pitching form that was skillful to the point of being worn out.

*Whack!*

“Ball.”

A situation where a reversal can be made even with a deep infield ground ball or an outfield fly.

Oakland’s 5th hitter, who knows that fact well, grips his bat short and focused on contact.

It is the most difficult for pitchers who make a living with control, not velocity or power like Adam, to face hitters who focus on making contact like this.

Especially if the infield defense is unstable, the risk is even greater.

But it doesn’t matter.

Seattle’s infield defense, led by 1st baseman Ty Johnson, 2nd baseman Ronnie Montaric, shortstop Josh Oliver, and 3rd baseman Han Su-hyeok, is by far the strongest in the league.

One of the reasons Adam Murphy chose Seattle was this solid infield defense.

Adam Murphy, who completely let go of anxiety about defense, threw the second ball again.

*Whoosh!*

*Whack!*

“Strike!”

This time, a two-seam fastball that comes into the body high and with reverse rotation.

The batter flinched but eventually the bat did not come out.

The velocity of the two-seam fastball, which used to reach up to 92 miles per hour, has now dropped to 85 miles per hour.

Even if the control is slightly off, it will lead to an extra-base hit right away.

He remembered what Greg Maddux, the senior player he respected the most, had told him, although he was a player on another team a long time ago.

In order to become a truly courageous pitcher, you have to be able to put an 85-mile-per-hour four-seam fastball in the middle of the strike zone.

He laughed when he heard those words, but now that he thinks about it, it was really an amazing saying.

That’s right.

It is possible for a pitcher with a fast ball to believe in his ball and throw it in the middle of the strike zone.

But in order for a pitcher who is old and has lost strength in his shoulder to plant his ball—as old as himself—in the center of the strike zone, he needs a lot of courage.

Adam Murphy was sure.

That he now has that courage.

*Whack!*

“Strike!”

The batter was startled and couldn’t react at all when the old and unimpressive pitcher, who he thought would only run away, suddenly planted an 85-mile-per-hour four-seam fastball in the middle of the strike zone.

Ball count one ball, two strikes.

Adam Murphy, who has pitched more than 3,000 innings in the past 22 years, although he is far short of the great pitcher Cy Young, who has thrown 7,356 innings in his career.

He instinctively knew what kind of ball is the most efficient to throw in this moment.

‘Body side high four-seam’

Bruce’s face was contorted at Adam’s sign.

Even though the ball count is advantageous to the pitcher, he’s going to throw a body-side high ball to a powerful cleanup hitter, and that’s a terrible pitch that only comes out at a maximum of 85 miles per hour?

In Bruce’s mind, who was trying to shake his head, the coach’s request came to mind.

Just follow the pitcher’s lead for today’s game.

‘I don’t know either. Okay, old man. Do as you please.’

When the catcher sent a sign that he knew and the content was conveyed to the fielders through the pitchcom [electronic communication device], a deep smile bloomed on Adam Murphy’s lips.

The last game-deciding pitch soared from a set position that is simple to the point of being beautiful.

*Whoosh!*

A body-side high ball to induce a swing and miss, with no error from the sign.

He succeeded in catching the batter off guard, but unfortunately, it was not fast enough to completely suppress the batter.

The batter’s bat, who reacted instantaneously, reached out towards the ball.

But,

“Huh!”

The batter, who realized that the ball had completely left the strike zone during the swing, stopped the bat with all his strength.

The ball, which left the strike zone a long way, came into the mitt, and the batter, who stopped his swing in the middle, made a face that he thought was obviously a ball.

The umpire confirmed the check swing with the first base umpire.

The gazes of both teams’ players and fans, everyone’s, were focused on the first base umpire.

“Swing!”

“Fuck! What the hell are you talking about! Is that a swing?”

“Hey, watch your mouth. If you go any further, it’s a warning.”

“No, it has to be reasonable. Was that a swing just now?”

The batter, who was unfairly struck out with a swing call, protested fiercely, throwing off his helmet, and the Oakland manager, who was flushed with anger, jumped out and shouted.

But nothing changed.

Since video review is not applied to check swings, there was no way to reverse it no matter how unfair he was.

The protest from Oakland lengthened, and the game was temporarily suspended.

Seattle infielders, who gathered on the mound in the gap.

Han Su-hyeok asked Adam Murphy, with an amused expression.

“Was that honestly ambiguous just now?”

“That’s right, if some young punk other than me was standing on the mound, the swing call would not have been made.”

The authority of the umpire has been greatly reduced compared to the past with the introduction of the AI call and video review system.

But the area that must entirely follow the umpire’s judgment still remained, and most umpires could not help but pay attention to the player’s career whenever such a situation came up.

Baseball is, after all, a sport that people play, so to speak.

The reputation of Adam Murphy, who protected the starting mound of the best baseball team in America for a time of nearly 22 years, brought the weight of the judgment towards Seattle.

“That’s enough! If you do any more, you’ll all be ejected!”

“Fucking umpire!”

The Oakland manager and players, who were exhausted after a fierce protest, retreated to the dugout.

The difference between one out, bases loaded and two outs, bases loaded is big enough that it doesn’t need to be explained.

*Crack!*

“Out!”

A big hit that would have been a sacrifice fly if it was a one-out situation came out, but it was already too late.

The new closer of Seattle, who perfectly blocked the crisis of one out, bases loaded in the top of the 9th inning with a strikeout and an outfield fly, shouted loudly towards his teammates.

“The old man blocked it, so if you have any conscience, score some runs, young friends!”