Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 327

#326. Comparison

[Who is the best hitter in the American League? A fierce two-way battle between Lucas Anderson of the New York Yankees VS Han Su-hyeok of the Seattle Mariners]

[Batting power that has become unrecognizable… Lucas on pace for his first 50 home runs of his career]

[Lucas Anderson, the best hitter leading the league’s strongest team, the New York Yankees, receives overwhelming support from Major League fans]

[New York Yankees fans say, “He is a true slugger who may only come around once every few decades and is the leader of the Yankees. We sincerely wish him to win the MVP.”]

“Ugh, damn it… Just stop it already.”

Lucas Anderson, the New York Yankees’ star hitter, captain, and top celebrity, sighed deeply as he looked at his smartphone.

Perhaps it was because it was the end of the season, or perhaps someone was pulling strings,

He felt like articles comparing him to Han Su-hyeok were increasing more and more.

New York local newspapers had no choice but to promote Yankees players, but recently, debates related to this kept happening online, turning his SNS into a battlefield.

“If you keep doing this, only I will suffer. Ugh, damn bastards.”

This season, Lucas Anderson is having the best season of his career, recording a stellar stat line of a .358 batting average, .435 on-base percentage, .649 slugging percentage, 48 home runs, 21 stolen bases, and 105 RBIs.

He has a record to be proud of as the Yankees’ franchise star and the central hitter of the American League’s top team.

But,

“Please don’t associate me with that monster.”

No matter what, the comparison target is too good.

Han Su-hyeok, who hit two home runs in yesterday’s game and is ranked fifth in single-season home runs with 64 home runs.

Lucas Anderson is someone who knows shame.

No matter how much he is having a career year, comparing him to Han Su-hyeok, that monster, doesn’t make sense.

It wasn’t just him.

James Taylor, who came from Tampa Bay and anchors the Yankees’ central batting line with Lucas, Jerry Wagner of the Boston Red Sox, who he hates to see, and even Ty Johnson, who is called a living legend, are nothing more than fireflies in front of the sun when compared to Han Su-hyeok.

“Damn it……”

Han Su-hyeok, who frustrates New York Yankees captain Lucas Anderson just by existing.

Such Han Su-hyeok was preparing for the third game against the Boston Red Sox.

* * *

“Hmm, so it’s okay to mix in fastballs when facing Jerry Wagner, right?”

“Yes, he anticipates pitches so much that adding that unexpectedness will help you win.”

“Okay, I understand what you mean.”

Han Su-hyeok, who finished talking with Mike Warren, the starting pitcher for today, returned to his seat in Seattle’s locker room ahead of the third game against Boston.

Seattle, which has played a total of 133 games as of yesterday, now has only 29 games left.

Han Su-hyeok had more than one or two tasks to complete during the remaining period.

He has to maintain his pace for a .400 batting average, and he also has to challenge the single-season home run record, which is now only 10 away.

He also has the task of minimizing runs allowed in the remaining 5 or 6 starts to maintain an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] in the 0.00 range.

But,

Unlike a player under such pressure, Han Su-hyeok’s expression was calm itself.

“Chuck, it would be better to watch the ball a little more when facing Bryan Bailey’s pitches.”

“Really? Okay. I’ll try.”

He also gave advice to Chuck Clark, who was grooming his hair in front of his locker,

“Bruce, what are you talking about with Jerry for so long?”

“Hehe, it’s nothing. We’re just having a battle of nerves between catchers.”

“Try not to talk to that guy. It’ll just drain your energy.”

“I know, but thanks for the advice, Han.”

He encouraged Bruce Matthews, who had been exhausted from facing Jerry Wagner in the past two games,

As Han Su-hyeok went around helping his teammates, the manager came in, posted the lineup card, and left.

1. Center Fielder Derek Fleming

2. Left Fielder Han Su-hyeok

3. First Baseman Ty Johnson

4. Right Fielder Chuck Clark

5. Designated Hitter Antonio Garcia

6. Catcher Bruce Matthews

7. Third Baseman Liam Landman

8. Second Baseman Lonnie Montalic

9. Shortstop Josh Oliver

Pitcher Mike Warren

The last game of the season began between the Seattle Mariners, who were trying to secure second place in the American League overall win rate and go straight to the Division Series, and the Boston Red Sox, who were aiming for first place in the Wild Card.

* * *

Many people ask,

American media, teammates, coaching staff, and even numerous acquaintances across the sea in Korea.

Isn’t it difficult and burdensome to challenge records?

Well,

To put it simply, not at all.

I’m someone who has already achieved everything, if not the most home runs or a .400 batting average.

In that sense, the pressure to achieve records is not a burden to me, but rather a pleasant awakening that reminds me of a spirit that can become slightly lazy.

There are exactly 29 games left, including today’s game.

Hitting more than 10 home runs during those remaining games, maintaining the current batting average, and maintaining an ERA in the 0.00 range in the expected 5 starts,

None of them are easy,

“Play!”

If I didn’t even have this much tension and pressure, I think my baseball life would have been quite boring.

Top of the 1st inning, Seattle’s attack,

With Derek, who was outstanding in yesterday’s game, retiring with a ground ball in front of the pitcher, it was my turn to bat.

“Hey, Han.”

“What.”

“I think you’re the best. Comparing you to Lucas is ridiculous.”

“Isn’t that because Lucas is a Yankee?”

“Of course, there’s that too. But even if you take that away, it’s the same.”

“Hmm, what about you then?”

“Me? Nah, I’m far from it.”

Jerry Wagner, who I think has one of the best talents in the entire Major League, shook his head and joked.

Looking only at batting stats, Jerry Wagner doesn’t even reach Lucas Anderson, let alone James Taylor on the same team.

However, this player named Jerry Wagner cannot be evaluated simply by batting indicators, nor can he be analyzed by indicators such as WAR [Wins Above Replacement, a comprehensive baseball statistic].

Yes, he is literally the leader of the team.

He is a player who can only be properly evaluated when a leadership item is added to sabermetrics [the empirical analysis of baseball]. someday.

Anyway, it was obvious what kind of ball that guy would choose in a situation with one out and no runners.

Paang

“Base on balls, batter to first base.”

“Hmm, isn’t this too obvious?”

“Sorry, I thought our pitcher would cry if he got hit with his 65th home run.”

“If Ty hits one, he’ll cry even louder.”

“I’ll try not to let that happen.”

He talks a lot, but he’s a hard guy to hate.

After glancing at Jerry Wagner, I walked to first base.

[Third batter, First Baseman Ty Johnson]

Ty Johnson, who played the biggest role in my decision to choose Seattle, is having a career year this season.

His physical abilities have declined and he has shown weaknesses in outside low courses, but he has overcome the crisis in his own way.

But no one knows how many more years he will be able to show his current skills.

1 year, 2 years? Or 3 years?

No matter how long it is, it won’t be more than 5 years.

Suddenly, I thought of Senior Jo Seong-oh, whom I left behind in Korea.

Two first basemen who have protected my back in Korea and the United States are slowly facing their twilight years.

There is only one thing I can do for those two people,

Thud

Swoosh

Paang

“Safe!”

“Damn it! Stealing with that size?”

“Stop it, you idiots! How much are you going to lose to that guy?”

Only to give them one more ring [championship] before they retire.

The pitcher, who failed to respond properly to the surprise steal attempt, looked at me with a blank expression.

If the opponent walks me, I will punish them with my feet.

My weight has increased and I’m not as fast as I was in Korea,

Just as home runs don’t come from strength alone, you can’t steal just because you’re fast.

No matter how much Jerry is the league’s best catcher and an experienced veteran,

Well, that veteran has to play until just before retirement and then come back and play for another 4 years to become me.

Hmm,

It sounds terrible now that I’ve said it.

“Play!”

With one out and a runner on first base changed to second base, Ty Johnson, freed from the burden of a double play, glared at the pitcher with a much lighter expression.

The pitcher and batter who spent all their splendid youth and are now preparing for the end in their own way.

Brian Bailey, the starting pitcher for Boston, threw a ball with all his might towards Ty Johnson, the Seattle star hitter.

A heavy ball containing Brian’s baseball life, and a powerful swing containing the pride of Ty Johnson, who will stand tall as the greatest hitter of all time.

Taak!

With a satisfying crack, the batted ball hit by Ty Johnson flew like a bullet towards the Green Monster [the nickname for the left field wall at Fenway Park in Boston].

The batted ball hit the upper part of the Green Monster and fell to the ground, and in the meantime, I was able to enter home with an almost leisurely walk.

Jerry Wagner of Boston, who lost the game, looked at me with a blank expression.

“See, I told you he could cry even louder if Ty hit one. Go to the mound quickly and hand the pitcher a handkerchief. People tend to cry more as they get older.”

* * *

Whoosh

Paang!

“Swing! Out!”

The Seattle Mariners scored the first point with Han Su-hyeok’s walk and steal, and Ty Johnson’s timely double.

Bottom of the 1st inning, Mike Warren, whose shoulders were lightened a little by the first run, continued his good pitching on the mound.

After striking out Zach Rogers and Matt Keough, Boston’s leading hitters, in a row, he glared at the next batter with a cautious expression.

[Third batter, Catcher Jerry Wagner]

Jerry Wagner, Boston’s leading hitter and captain, entered the plate with cheerful entrance music.

Compared to the batting indicators that are visible on the outside, the difficulty that pitchers feel is much greater, especially a strong hitter against aces, earning him the nickname “Ace Killer.”

At the beginning of the season, Mike Warren, who started against Boston not long after transferring to Seattle, allowed Jerry Wagner to go 3-for-4 and collapsed miserably.

Of course, at that time, his proficiency in knuckleballs had not yet reached its proper trajectory, and there were excuses that he had difficulties adapting to a new team.

“Play!”

Jerry Wagner’s swing, which followed the trajectory of the knuckleball he threw in an amazing way, is still vivid in his memory.

Han Su-hyeok said before today’s game.

Jerry Wagner is the best guess hitter among the hitters in the Major League today. Therefore, he may not be compatible with himself, who only throws knuckleballs.

It would be better to make some changes, whether it’s mixing in fastballs or something else.

If other players had said that, he would have just snorted, but he decided to actively accept the words of Han Su-hyeok, who is recording an ERA in the 0.00 range this season and is catching Jerry Wagner like a rat.

‘Outside knuckleball’

‘No, not that.’

‘Then?’

‘Center zone fastball.’

‘Really? Against this guy?’

Nod nod

Bruce paused for a moment at the thought of throwing a slow ball that barely exceeds 80 miles in the middle.

However, in the end, Mike did not change his mind, and the slow fastball that even amateur players could hit flew into the center of the zone.

Swoosh

Whoosh

“Swing!”

“Damn it, Bruce, are you doing this? You’re suddenly not throwing a knuckleball here?”

“I’m going to try to throw only 100-mile fastballs at you?”

“100 miles? Are you blind? Can’t you see the scoreboard over there? It’s 82 miles?”

“The last one was just a taste. Now, a real 100-mile fastball is coming. So try hitting it if you can.”

Bruce, who realized Mike’s intention, worked his mouth diligently, and Jerry Wagner, who shook his head a few times, took his batting stance again.

Mike threw the second ball at such Jerry.

Swoosh

Whoosh

“Swing!”

“Hehe… This time it’s a slow curve.”

“Oops, the signs were mixed up. What I asked for was a 100-mile fastball.”

In an instant, no ball, two strikes.

Bruce, who gained momentum, sent the final sign to Mike.

‘Let’s go right away. Another fastball.’

Nod

The battery [the pitcher and catcher], which had been working together for more than half a season and knew each other’s personalities and thoughts, decided on the final showdown without hesitation.

And,

The fastest ball he could throw, an 83-mile fastball, was fired from Mike Warren’s fingertips.

Jerry was sure that a knuckleball would come this time and started his swing, predicting the trajectory of the ball,

Whoosh

“Swing! Out!”

“Fuck!”

“Whoa, calm down. You don’t have to swear just because you struck out once.”

“Damn it……”

“Then let’s see you in the next at-bat, friend.”

Bruce, who glanced at Jerry Wagner, who was blushing and angry, stuck next to Mike, who was walking down from the mound.

“That was a great ball, Mike. Honestly, it made my heart drop.”

“Hehe, Han Su-hyeok, that friend. I think he’d be better off as a pitching coach.”