Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 330

329. The Truth of Baseball

“See? Wasn’t I right?”

“You were right. God wasn’t far away after all.”

“Exactly. So, instead of getting frustrated that you can’t hear Buddha’s words, let’s believe in the baseball god who’s always with us.”

Seattle took the field for their first defensive inning after Han Su-hyeok’s leadoff home run, his 66th of the season, gave them an early one-run lead.

Leonard Jones, who had stabilized Hayashi Rentaro’s mentality, returned to his position with a cheerful smile.

He wasn’t just saying it. The opposite-field home run Han Su-hyeok had hit in the first inning was beyond words, a home run only Han Su-hyeok could hit.

“Play!”

During his time with Cleveland, Leonard had been called up to a tanking team [a team intentionally losing to secure better draft picks] and spent his days without a second thought. Now, he had come to Seattle and become the backup catcher for a championship contender.

With the starting catcher, Bruce, not even thirty yet, his prospects as a backup weren’t exactly bright, but

that was okay.

Maybe he would move to another team as a free agent after this season, or even if he didn’t, contributing to the team as a backup catcher and pinch-hitter wasn’t a bad option.

More than anything, he was still young, with plenty of time left.

If he could wear a championship ring while waiting to take over the starting catcher position, he was ready to wait as long as it took.

Leonard Jones was certain.

As long as Han Su-hyeok didn’t leave, his expectations wouldn’t be wrong.

‘Outside, low fastball.’

Nod.

Although he was the fourth starter, Hayashi Rentaro was actually a high-level left-handed pitcher who had been a second starter for his previous team, Milwaukee.

Even though he was a bit mentally fragile and tended to rely on religion or superstition when things didn’t go his way,

that was okay.

Because this team had ‘him.’

Just looking at him,

just thinking about being on the same team as him, was like having a charm that naturally calmed his mind and body.

Whoosh

Crack

“Ball.”

Although he lacked experience, Leonard Jones was a player who, in the original timeline, would develop into a top-tier catcher in the league.

The outside, low pitch, chosen after considering Hayashi’s mental state, current form, and the opposing batter’s tendencies, was called a ball.

Nevertheless, Leonard called for the same pitch again.

‘Same location, exactly the same.’

Nod.

Hayashi, filled with trust in his partner, nodded without hesitation, and a powerful fastball was unleashed from his dynamic, near-overhand pitching form.

Whoosh

Crack

“Ball.”

The batter’s bat, which had started to come around, stopped midway.

A swing wasn’t called, but a satisfied smile appeared on Leonard’s face.

The power of the pitch itself is excellent.

Considering Hayashi’s condition, dragging out the at-bat isn’t ideal.

He needed to finish the at-bat before his faith in Buddha—no, Han Su-hyeok—and the confidence derived from it, faded.

‘Inside forkball.’

Hayashi’s forkball, which had almost disappeared from Major League Baseball, had a slightly smaller break but a faster speed, making it move similarly to a splitter [a type of fastball with a sharp downward break].

Hayashi nodded without hesitation at the call to throw it inside, and soon a white ball emerged from his fingertips.

And the batter, caught off guard by the sudden inside pitch, instinctively swung his bat.

Clack!

The batted ball bounced erratically towards third base.

Even before the result was known,

both the pitcher who threw the ball and the batter who hit it,

wore expressions that seemed to foresee the outcome.

Thud

Whoosh

“Out!”

A flawless play by Han Su-hyeok at third base.

Han Su-hyeok, who had handled the erratically bouncing ball rolling towards him with his bare hand, said to Hayashi,

“Send them all my way. I’ll take care of them perfectly.”

“Oh…….”

It was the moment Hayashi’s faith deepened even further.

* * *

Looking only at the starting pitchers’ reputations, Baltimore seemed to have the advantage in today’s game.

However, thanks to Han Su-hyeok’s leadoff home run and Hayashi Rentaro’s inspired pitching, fueled by his faith in Han Su-hyeok, Seattle maintained a 1-0 lead.

And in the top of the third inning, Han Su-hyeok’s second at-bat arrived.

“That home run earlier was really something, wasn’t it?”

“I admit it. Honestly, it was one of the best home runs I’ve ever seen.”

“Don’t you want to see it again? Then throw it down the middle. I’ll send it back the same way.”

“That’s going to be difficult. Damn, I’m talking too much. Let’s start over.”

Although we exchanged some harsh words in the previous at-bat, I don’t dislike Frank Williams, Baltimore’s starting catcher.

Rather than someone who’s sly and scheming behind the scenes, I much prefer someone who clashes head-on like this.

Both the pitcher on the mound and this catcher,

if Baltimore were a stronger team, they would have shined even brighter.

If Jamal Montgomery hadn’t signed a long-term contract with Baltimore, I would have wanted to acquire him.

Even though our salary cap might be a little tight next year, well, I could just take the minimum salary and let go of one or two players in overlapping positions…….

That’s enough. It’s not time to be thinking about this yet.

Let’s focus on the game.

“Play!”

What happens when a pitcher who throws a powerful fastball inside to push right-handed hitters off the plate and generates strikeouts with an outside slider gives up a home run with that pitch?

What pitch will he throw next?

Whoosh

Crack

“Ball.”

“He’s not planning to walk me, is he? That would be disappointing.”

“Not at all. You don’t know Jamal. He’s burning with the desire to get you out right now.”

“Alright, I’ll trust you on that.”

“Suit yourself, but you’re going to be the one who suffers this time.”

“That wouldn’t be so bad either.”

After spending the whole last week dealing with pitchers who just threw balls [intentional walks], I’m actually glad to see this Baltimore battery’s [pitcher and catcher duo] aggressiveness.

No joke, I really want to bring these two over to our team.

We have a bit of a surplus at catcher, but we can sort that out somehow…….

Hmm, I should seriously consider it.

Jamal Montgomery, burning with fire as if flames were shooting from his eyes, just like Frank said, glared at me as he threw his second pitch.

That pitch was what I had been waiting for.

A slider that curled from outside the plate into the strike zone, right at a right-handed hitter’s body.

My bat, already waiting, swung powerfully at the ball.

Crack!

Realizing it was a home run the moment I hit it, I threw the bat behind me and said,

“Hey.”

“…Damn it, why.”

“I hope I can see you and that guy on our team someday.”

“What nonsense are you spouting now?”

“That’s all for now, see you later. Friend.”

* * *

[Season Home Runs 66 and 67 Explode Against the Baltimore Orioles, Will the 70 Home Run Era Return?]

[Han Su-hyeok Lands Solely in 3rd Place for Most Home Runs in a Single Major League Season: “I was impressed by the fighting spirit of the Orioles’ pitcher Jamal Montgomery and catcher Frank Williams. I won in the end, but they were really good players.” Humble Remarks]

[Baltimore Orioles’ Jamal Montgomery, Who Gave Up Season Home Runs 66 and 67: “Aren’t you disgraced that he set the record against you? Not at all. What’s really shameful is running away because you don’t want to give up a home run. I fought the best hitter of this era with all my might, and as a result, I lost. That’s all that happened today.”]

[Seattle Fans: “Jamal Montgomery is a very good starting pitcher, sixth in the league after our team’s starting lineup. I want to see him in a Seattle uniform next season.” Orioles Fans Collectively Protest]

[Seattle Mariners Win 5-3 Thanks to Han Su-hyeok’s Home Runs and Starting Pitcher Hayashi Rentaro’s Great Performance, Continuing a Pleasant 3-Game Winning Streak]

“Good job, champ. Do you need me to adjust your batting order to help you break the record?”

“I don’t need it just for the record. Maybe for the win, though.”

“That’s the answer I was hoping for. Got it. I’ll try to hold back enough.”

After finishing my conversation with the manager, I left the visiting team’s office and headed to the locker room.

Yesterday, I added two more home runs in one game, and now I only have seven home runs left until I break the new record.

Someone said.

If the expungement of records of drug users, which will be re-discussed this season, actually happens, you might become number one just by staying still,

So there’s no need to push yourself.

Well, that might be the case, but that’s not the picture I want.

Since I’m challenging the record anyway,

I want to completely smash those records stained with infamy with the power of my body alone and engrave my name there so that no one can dispute it.

In that sense, it’s worth considering stepping into the number one spot, as the manager said, but I don’t want to do that to the point of breaking the team’s balance.

To advance to the World Series, which is the wish of the players and fans of this team, we must not let our guard down until the end of the season.

I will still take the mound as a starting pitcher whenever my turn comes, and for that, I need to manage my stamina. It’s okay once or twice, but if I keep going out as the lead-off hitter, I’ll definitely get burned out.

As the end of the season approaches, I feel that my weight is gradually decreasing, and the strength I feel in my body is also weakening slightly.

But it doesn’t matter. I know better than anyone that I can’t always play in perfect condition.

“Hmm.”

“Huh? Did you just call me?”

“No, I was just thinking about something.”

When I cleared my throat, Ryan, who was next to me, stared at me with wide eyes.

By the way.

The thought of bringing Jamal Montgomery and Frank Williams, who are rotting away in Baltimore, came to my mind once again.

This season’s starting rotation of Ryan, me, Mike, Hayashi, and Deemon isn’t bad, but in my opinion, Deemon Anderson Jr. is more suited to being a closer who throws with all his might for short innings than a starter.

Adam Murphy, our current closer, is doing his part wonderfully, but considering his age, Deemon taking over that position in the long term would be the most realistic alternative.

If we could put Jamal in that empty starting spot…….

Hmm,

Not bad?

They wouldn’t readily release a pitcher with a long-term contract right away, but they might choose to tank [intentionally lose games to secure a better draft pick] as early as next year.

No, to be honest, there’s a high probability of that happening.

The Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays in the same division are doing so well, and Tampa Bay is surprisingly strong considering they don’t spend money.

In the case of catcher Frank Williams, there is no place for him right now, but he can also play first base, so he can be developed as a successor to Ty Johnson by making use of his hitting.

What is needed to make all this a reality?

A lot of money.

Okay, the key is how much money will be in my account by the end of this season.

“Alright, here’s today’s lineup.”

1. Center Fielder Derek Fleming

2. Left Fielder Han Su-hyeok

3. First Baseman Ty Johnson

4. Right Fielder Jim Brown

5. Designated Hitter Antonio Garcia

6. Catcher Bruce Matthews

7. Third Baseman Liam Landman

8. Second Baseman Lonnie Montalic

9. Shortstop Josh Oliver

Pitcher: Deemon Anderson Jr.

While I was thinking about other things, the manager came in and posted the lineup on the locker room wall.

Third baseman yesterday, left fielder today.

Just thinking about hitting, left field is definitely more comfortable.

It’s the manager’s consideration to let me play the game a little more comfortably so that I can set a new home run record as soon as possible.

Every time this happens, I want to set the record as soon as possible, but.

I know very well that it’s difficult.

There are no special methods or tricks in playing baseball.

You can only work hard, slowly, calmly, and build up one by one.

That is the greatest truth I have learned from playing baseball for a long time.