Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 322

#321. Don’t Talk Nonsense

In the early 2020s, Aaron Judge was the captain and main hitter leading the Yankees, and was expected to break the single-season home run record, a record tarnished by steroid use.

Aaron Judge’s popularity and the expectations surrounding him peaked in 2022 when he hit 62 home runs.

Excluding steroid users like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa, it was effectively the highest single-season record in Major League history.

Not only New York but also American baseball fans as a whole cheered for him.

They urged him to hit just a little more, to completely erase the dishonorable record’s stain on baseball.

However,

Aaron Judge’s massive physique, standing at 6’7″ (201cm) and weighing nearly 286 lbs (130kg), led to frequent injuries, and he eventually had to end his career much sooner than expected.

Thus, Major League fans’ desire for a new, untainted home run record had to lie dormant for a while.

Until Han Su-hyeok appeared.

[Seattle Mariners’ Han Su-hyeok Ties for 8th Place in Single-Season Home Runs with 61 Home Runs, Alongside Roger Maris in 1961]

[Home Run Off a One-Bounce Pitch Reminiscent of Monster Vladimir Guerrero, Han Su-hyeok: “I didn’t think a better pitch would come in, so I just swung. I’m glad it led to a good result.”]

[The Protagonist of the 61st Home Run Ball? Seattle Fan Thomas Frank (15): “My father said it looks like I can afford my college tuition. It’s all thanks to Han Su-hyeok. Our whole family will pray for him.”]

[Seattle Mariners Official: “Both the 60th and 61st Home Run Balls Were Purchased for a Fair Price and Will Be Displayed in the Team Museum.”]

[Han Su-hyeok’s Opening Home Run, and Backup Catcher Leonard Jones’ Unexpected 2-RBI Hit, Seattle Mariners Defeat Chicago White Sox 3-2 and Continue Winning Streak]

[Han Su-hyeok’s Great Performance Both at Bat and on the Mound, Complete Game with 2 Runs Allowed in 9 Innings, Securing His 17th Win of the Season and Taking the Sole Lead in the American League for Most Wins]

[Seattle Mariners Manager Benjamin Reynolds: “I Express My Deep Respect to Han Su-hyeok for His Tremendous Contribution Both Hitting and Pitching. Tomorrow’s Game Is Also Important, but We Have Decided to Give Him a Day Off. I Apologize to the Fans Who Want to See Han Su-hyeok Play, but It Is a Necessary Measure for the Rest of the Season.”]

[News of Han Su-hyeok’s Absence Causes a Flood of Ticket Cancellations for the 4th Game Between Seattle VS Chicago, What Is the Impact of a Superstar on the League’s Popularity?]

* * *

After securing 3 wins in the 4-game series against the Chicago White Sox, manager Benjamin Reynolds judged that the fierce competition had significantly impacted the players’ stamina.

Therefore, he made the decision to exclude several key players who needed fatigue management, including Han Su-hyeok, Ty Johnson, and Josh Oliver, from the final 4th game.

Nevertheless, thanks to the strong performance of starting pitcher Mike Warren and the efforts of the backup players, they continued a tight game until the 9th inning with a 4-4 score, but Jona Burrow, who came on in the top of the 9th, allowed a two-run home run to the opposing team’s 3rd batter, Hector Martinez, ending their winning streak.

However, the team atmosphere itself was not bad.

They maintained their position as the 2nd highest winning percentage in the American League, and the backup players who were put into the game in place of the starters showed performances no less than the starters, creating a pleasant sense of tension throughout the team.

With that, Seattle, having finished their successful 19-game home stand, began preparing to go on the road again.

With interleague games and canceled games that had not been completed in the first half of the season lined up, Seattle was guaranteed a less grueling travel schedule.

Han Su-hyeok and some other players, who had taken a complete rest without even appearing as pinch hitters in the previous day’s game, essentially had two days of rest.

– We will prepare a chartered plane so you can leave as soon as the broadcast ends. You can come on that.

“Okay. Thank you, Daniel.”

– You’re welcome, please request anything you need at any time. We are ready to do anything.

While other players left for Cincinnati on a private plane, Han Su-hyeok remained alone in Seattle.

There was nothing particularly wrong.

He had simply taken the time off to appear on America’s top talk show, *The Jimmy Fallon Show*, at the request of NBC.

Han Su-hyeok, who this season is on track to break all pitching and hitting records in Major League Baseball, was a natural fit for *The Jimmy Fallon Show*, which only features the most prominent figures in the United States.

One interesting thing was that Han Su-hyeok was not the only one who received an invitation to the talk show.

“Oppa [Korean term for ‘older brother’ used by a female], just trust me.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ll cut off any weird questions, so you don’t have to worry about a~~~nything.”

“Hmm.”

For some reason, NBC invited Min Ye-rin along with Han Su-hyeok.

Han Su-hyeok, who has emerged as the best star in Major League Baseball, and pop star Min Ye-rin, who is gaining considerable popularity in the United States beyond Korea, as a couple, naturally attracted a lot of attention.

However, little information was known to the outside world.

The Seattle club and several people who wanted to protect Han Su-hyeok had set up multiple layers of protection.

Rumor has it that the NBC official who succeeded in casting the two this time will be included in the internal promotion list, so Han Su-hyeok and Min Ye-rin’s appearance on the show was a hot topic in itself.

“Anyway, just trust me, Oppa.”

“Hmm.”

Min Ye-rin wanted to help Han Su-hyeok as much as possible, leveraging her background as a broadcaster, her major.

Han Su-hyeok looked at her with amusement.

In fact, this is not the first time Han Su-hyeok has appeared on *The Jimmy Fallon Show*.

He has appeared on all the big-name programs, including *The Jimmy Fallon Show*, *The James Corden Show*, and *Good Morning America*.

Of course, before the regression [referring to his time-traveling experience].

“I’ve done some broadcasting too.”

“Yes? Nah, what kind of broadcasting would Oppa do? I know everything.”

“Hmm, it’s true.”

Looking back, he had made many appearances, but it was a past he didn’t particularly want to remember.

He accepted the broadcast appearance to increase his value, but all he could remember was getting agitated by the host’s questions and going on a rampage.

*Why don’t you meet women? Do you have any special sexual preferences? What’s the reason for punching people so often? Do you have any plans to enter the UFC?* and so on.

The face of the host, who was only trying to exploit the 출연자 [Korean term for ‘guest’ or ‘performer’]’s personal life for the sake of ratings, completely unrelated to baseball, comes to mind.

After almost punching one of them in the face, Han Su-hyeok did not respond to any more appearance requests from the broadcasting station.

But,

“I told you to trust me? This is my job. Hehe.”

Han Su-hyeok smiled pleasantly without realizing it when he saw Min Ye-rin looking at him, twisting her hair.

Thinking that he would be able to handle the broadcast without getting angry this time.

The two set off for the public booth hall specially prepared in Seattle for this filming.

* * *

“That’s nonsense that doesn’t need to be heard anymore.”

“Yes?”

“Are other players holding you back from setting records? That’s the dumbest nonsense I’ve ever heard.”

Jimmy Fallon, the host of America’s top talk show named after himself, blushed.

In fact, it wasn’t a big deal.

It was just a comment to lightly amuse viewers and audience members, asking if he was being hindered from setting home run records because of hitters who were nothing special except for Ty Johnson.

Han Su-hyeok suddenly cut off those words.

It was a very humiliating moment for Jimmy Fallon, who prided himself on being the host of America’s top talk show.

However, reminding himself that this was an opportunity that had been prepared after a long wait, he exercised patience and continued with the next comment.

“Hmm, okay. I admit that my words caused some misunderstanding. Then shall we move on to a lighter story? I know you have a very deep relationship with Min Ye-rin, who is here next to you. Are you dating with marriage in mind? Or are you just casually enjoying each other?”

*Is this an American joke, or is he picking a fight?*

There was no need to think deeply. It was about him and Min Ye-rin, nothing else.

“The level of the questions is really pathetic. I took the time out of my busy schedule to come here, but is this all you have to ask?”

“Yes?”

Min Ye-rin, who was slightly upset but tried to bear with it for their sake, stopped Han Su-hyeok with a pale face.

But once Han Su-hyeok started talking, he didn’t stop there.

“This is your last chance. If you spout nonsense one more time, today’s recording will end here.”

“Huh, what is this… Okay. Then I’ll ask you the question you want. I’ll ask you directly. Do you respect the 73 home runs recorded by Barry Bonds in 2001? And are you confident you can break it?”

“Respect? No, I don’t respect it. Confident I can break it? As long as the pitchers don’t avoid the match.”

“Does that statement deny the 154-year history of Major League Baseball? Don’t you have too little understanding and consideration for other team pitchers who are trying to have a careful match for victory?”

In fact, he didn’t intend to go this far. However, somewhat aggressive comments came out of the mouth of Jimmy Fallon, who had never been pushed back in a battle of nerves with 출연자 [Korean term for ‘guest’ or ‘performer’] while hosting a talk show.

His pride as the best talk show and the best host on America’s top broadcasting station clouded his judgment.

Everything ended with that one word.

“What the hell are you talking about, annoying me? Yerin, get up. Let’s go. I just wasted my time.”

“You’ll regret ending the recording like this. Player Han Su-hyeok.”

“Don’t talk nonsense and listen carefully. I respect and admire my teammates more than anyone else. They are good teammates and fighters who are doing their best to win the World Series with me, and I have deep respect for pitchers who are ready to challenge hitters. Not the idiots who run away as soon as they make eye contact, but the real pitchers. That’s enough. Let’s go, Yerin.”

Han Su-hyeok jumped up from his seat. Following him, Min Ye-rin, with a cold face, got up and said to the PD [Production Director] in charge standing far away.

“This year’s NBC Christmas performance is canceled. No, I will never participate in any program conducted by NBC in the future. Let’s go, Oppa.”

The PD, hearing Min Ye-rin’s words, turned pale and chased after her.

The audience members who watched all the scenes buzzed, and Jimmy Fallon, embarrassed by the unexpected situation, wiped the sweat flowing on his forehead and said to the audience members.

“Geez, he’s quite an impatient and aggressive person. It seems we’ve invited the wrong guest today. Don’t you think so, everyone?”

* * *

Jimmy Fallon and NBC, who were wondering whether to discard the messed-up recording or broadcast it, decided to broadcast the content as it was after much deliberation. Of course, after cleverly editing it so that the host’s fault would not be revealed.

But that was the worst mistake they ever made.

“Jo, what the hell are those things babbling about now?”

“It’s nonsense that doesn’t even need to be heard, young master.”

“First, take out all our ads that go in there, and start the acquisition work right away. Tell NBC, if that nonsense guy shows his face on TV one more time, we’ll dissolve the broadcasting station as soon as we acquire it.”

“I will take action immediately.”

“I’m already nervous because of Su-hyeok hyung [Korean term for ‘older brother’ used by a male]’s record, so pay more attention so that those gnats don’t stick around.”

“I understand.”

While NBC Broadcasting was in the biggest crisis since its founding due to the talk show host’s stupid actions, Seattle, with Han Su-hyeok joining, began another long road trip.

Seattle performed well in the interleague games against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, and the remaining games against Toronto, recording 5 wins and 3 losses.

Season record 84 wins and 47 losses, winning percentage 0.641. It was still a good record, ranking second in the American League overall winning percentage after the Yankees.

Han Su-hyeok’s efforts also continued.

As a pitcher, he started the second game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and recorded 7 innings and 1 run allowed.

Although he failed to add to his wins due to the sluggishness of the lineup, no one could blame a pitcher who had started 22 times this season, throwing 169 innings, recording 17 wins, and an average ERA of 0.59 [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance].

Rather, if there was a slight problem, it was on the hitting side.

Han Su-hyeok’s bat, which had been hitting home runs and was about to break records, faltered for a while.

In fact, it was difficult to say that he was in a slump.

If you evaluate a hitter who recorded a batting average of 0.398, an on-base percentage of 0.455, and 6 RBIs during that period as sluggish, it would be difficult to find a hitter who is not sluggish in the league.

However,

“Damn it! I have to hit it tomorrow!”

“There are 31 games left! It’s enough, you can do it!”

“I followed you all the way here from Seattle, so cheer up! Han Su-hyeok!”

The problem, if any, was that not a single home run came out during that period.

There was no special reason.

The pitchers who didn’t want to be victims of the record achievement didn’t give him good pitches, and Han Su-hyeok just focused on hitting those bad pitches to make hits for the team’s victory.

Anyway,

As Han Su-hyeok’s home run number did not increase from 61, baseball fans poured abuse at Jimmy Fallon, who was fired from his position as host after a recent conflict with Han Su-hyeok.

“It’s all because of that son of a bitch. He stirred up Han Su-hyeok’s temper by saying useless things.”

“Damn bastard, extremely rude bastard. The best thing NBC has done this year is to drag him out of that position.”

“Damn it, anyway, he’ll definitely hit a home run tomorrow, right?”

“Of course, he’s faltering for a while, but he’ll soon get back on his feet. And he’ll be recorded as the greatest home run hitter in baseball history. We’re going to see that historical site now.”

“Okay, although I bought this crappy butterfly net for $50, it’s nothing if I can see his home run.”

Baseball fans from various teams, wearing uniforms from different teams, who could be called an allied force, headed to the baseball stadium to watch Han Su-hyeok’s game.

In their hands, they each held a butterfly net handmade and sold by Taylor Murphy, a quirky nerd living in Seattle.

While everyone was focused on Han Su-hyeok’s home run record, the team Seattle was facing was none other than the Boston Red Sox.

The eyes of American baseball fans were focused on Fenway Park, the home stadium of the Red Sox.