Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 331

330. Season’s 68th

– The game is slightly delayed due to a pigeon that landed on the outfield. While we wait, let’s discuss this player. Dave, can you share Han Su-hyeok’s batting stats? He boasts a .428 batting average, a .530 on-base percentage, a 1.045 slugging percentage, and a staggering 1.575 OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging]. And he’s hit a whopping 67 home runs! At this rate, he’s not only going to break the single-season home run record, but he’s also poised to shatter records for batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS that have stood for over 100 years.

– Absolutely. And that’s not all. As a pitcher, he’s also likely to break records for ERA [Earned Run Average] and WHIP [Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched]. Frankly, it’s an unbelievable performance. But you know what? I want to focus on something beyond this player’s stats.

– What’s that? His face? His popularity?

– Haha, no. That’s impressive too, but I want to talk about his durability. It’s simple. Think about Shohei Ohtani, who faced early retirement due to injuries. In his five seasons in Japan and eight in the United States, totaling 13 seasons, he only pitched enough innings to qualify for the ERA title in five seasons. He only had enough at-bats to qualify for the batting title four times. This means he had durability issues almost every year from his debut to his retirement.

– Yes, that’s definitely true. And it’s undeniable that Ohtani was almost the only ‘successful two-way player’ until Han Su-hyeok appeared.

– Exactly. But look at Han Su-hyeok. He’s played three seasons in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] and almost one season in the Major League, for a total of four seasons, and he’s had enough at-bats to qualify for the batting title in all of them, right? As a pitcher, he’s pitched enough innings to qualify for the ERA title every year except his debut season, when he started as a two-way player a little late. In short, he has unbelievable, superhuman durability. I think that’s Han Su-hyeok’s greatest asset.

– I agree. When you consider Giancarlo Stanton, who was considered to have the greatest power in baseball history, or Aaron Judge, who followed him, they couldn’t withstand their 6-foot-6 or 7-inch frames and suffered injuries every year, leading to early retirement, right? Han Su-hyeok is a little smaller, but he’s still a big guy, and it’s remarkable that he can display such incredible athleticism.

– That’s a great point. That’s why there’s a rumor that Jacob Turner, the personal trainer who made Han Su-hyeok who he is today, might not be from Earth. Haha, I actually know that guy a bit. He’s just a normal guy who loves his daughter and likes to drink—well, I guess I can’t call him normal anymore. Anyway, as far as species go, he’s definitely a human from Earth.

– Rumor has it that the New York Yankees offered that trainer an annual salary of $2 million, but they didn’t even get a meeting before he turned them down.

– Of course. It’s not widely known, but their relationship started before Han Su-hyeok even debuted. Since then, Han Su-hyeok has been paying for Jacob’s daughter’s hospital bills. They’re connected by that kind of bond, so $2 million? No way. It’ll be hard to break them apart with money.

– We’re getting off track. Anyway, Han Su-hyeok, who is having a sensational debut season, will be at bat soon. Well, it might be too much for ordinary people like us to truly evaluate Han Su-hyeok. Let’s just watch and see how far this player can go.

* * *

“Play!”

The field was cleared, and the game finally began.

Derrick Fleming, Seattle’s leadoff hitter, spoke to Baltimore’s catcher, Frank Williams.

“Hey, Frank. Anything exciting happen overnight?”

“Well, considering Jamal’s social media blew up with posts criticizing me for stupidly going head-to-head and giving up two home runs, not really.”

“Hehe, you had a rough night. Good job.”

“Damn it, if you’re going to say that, hurry up and strike out and get your butt back to the dugout.”

“I can’t do that. Anyway, I was surprised yesterday. It was the first time I’d ever heard Han Su-hyeok praise a player from another team. He was saying it in the dugout too. He said you and Jamal are very good players.”

“…Not a moron who gave up two home runs?”

“Yeah, hehe. He even said he wanted to play with you guys. I heard you can play first base too? You can come to our team next season.”

“Hmm, I can’t trade myself, but…”

“Okay, okay, guys. It’s good that the atmosphere is friendly, but let’s talk about that after the game and play baseball.”

“Okay. I’m in.”

An unusually friendly atmosphere developed between the batter and the catcher.

Until Jose Beltre, Baltimore’s starting pitcher, threw the first pitch that almost hit Derrick Fleming.

Whoosh

Bang

“Ball.”

“Damn it, are you kidding me?”

“Sorry, that guy’s usually a slow starter. It takes him a while to get his control. You might want to back away a little in case he hits you.”

If Jamal Adams, Baltimore’s ace who started yesterday, is a right-handed pitcher with a fastball, Jose Beltre, the second starter on the mound today, is a left-handed pitcher who relies on control and a variety of pitches rather than speed.

For such a pitcher to have control issues.

As Derrick scoffed, Jose Beltre’s second pitch flew toward Derrick.

Whoosh

Bang

“Strike!”

The pitch, almost identical to the first but within the AI judging system’s zone, was called a strike, and Derrick, who had unknowingly backed away slightly, bit his lower lip and stepped back into the batter’s box.

I can’t back down.

The reason Han Su-hyeok was able to hit two home runs yesterday was because he didn’t back down in the battle against the pitcher’s inside pitches.

Derrick, who had gained a small realization while watching from the dugout, waited for the next pitch with a tense expression.

Whoosh

Crack

“Foul!”

As expected, an outside fastball came flying in as if he had been waiting for it.

The reason Jose Beltre is Baltimore’s second starter is because, despite his not-so-fast speed, he has the guts and control to boldly throw the ball into the zone he’s aiming for.

One ball, two strikes.

The count quickly became unfavorable.

Derrick, anticipating another inside pitch, widened his stance slightly and waited for the next pitch, but,

Whoosh

Bang

“Strike! Out!”

He struck out without being able to do anything against the exquisite fastball that dug into the outside low corner.

Seattle’s leadoff hitter, overwhelmed, retreated to the dugout, and now it was Han Su-hyeok’s turn.

“Oooooooo!”

“Finally! Here! Over here!”

“I flew five hours to see you! Don’t disappoint me!”

As Han Su-hyeok, who hit two home runs yesterday and was ranked third in the most home runs in a single season, stepped into the batter’s box, tremendous cheers erupted from all over the stands.

Road fans who flew from the West to the East to support Seattle, and baseball fans from all over the country who gathered to catch his home run ball,

Even some Baltimore fans were holding butterfly nets and watching Han Su-hyeok’s every move.

Baseball fans who are enthusiastic about every play, and a superstar who hits home runs every day for those fans.

It was a scene that proved that the popularity of Major League Baseball, which had been gradually pushed out of the mainstream by the popularity of other professional sports, was reviving.

“Good luck today, friend.”

“Damn it, I’m going to strike you out and show you.”

“That’s not bad either. Either way, let’s play a game that won’t disappoint those fans.”

Han Su-hyeok, after a light conversation with the catcher, glared at the pitcher with a calm expression.

The atmosphere in the noisy stadium quickly quieted down.

The eyes of the breathless baseball fans were focused on the pitcher’s fingertips and on Han Su-hyeok.

The pitcher, determined to get Han Su-hyeok out, gritted his teeth and threw the ball with all his might. It was a ball that he put all his strength into, so much so that the mouthpiece he was biting made a cracking sound.

And Han Su-hyeok lifted that ball as it was.

Crack!

A huge hit that you could tell was a home run the moment it was hit.

The moment the distant dot that had been flying away finally landed in the third floor of the left-center field stands of Camden Yards,

“Waaaaaaaaa!”

“Damn it! That’s it!”

“You’re the best! Han! Your name will go down in history!”

Season’s 68th home run,

A small smile appeared on Han Su-hyeok’s lips.

* * *

[Han Su-hyeok’s 68th home run of the season, 5th starter Dimon Anderson Jr.’s great pitching with 2 runs in 7 innings… Seattle Mariners beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 and continue their winning streak]

[Only two left until Mark McGwire’s 70 home runs in 2nd place, and five until Barry Bonds’ 73 home runs in 1st place, Han Su-hyeok is continuing his incredible home run pace]

[Baltimore pitcher Jose Beltre, who gave up the 68th home run, “The pitch that Han Su-hyeok hit a home run on was a pitch that I can confidently say was the most perfect in my pitching career. I was more impressed than upset that I gave up a home run. He’s a really great player.”]

[Who is the fan who caught Han Su-hyeok’s 68th home run ball? Roy Sullivan (65), a baseball fan from Texas who came to Baltimore on a trip, “I’m more happy to have shared a historical moment than to have caught a home run ball. I plan to follow all of Han Su-hyeok’s remaining games, even if it means spending all of my pension.”]

[Han Su-hyeok’s name is spreading beyond Major League Baseball to the entire United States. Han Su-hyeok, a young man in his early twenties, is overwhelmingly ranked first in terms of awareness and popularity among all professional sports players in the United States]

[Han Su-hyeok’s Seattle joining process is being re-examined. General Manager Daniel Mitchell: “I spent three years trying to bring him in.”]

[Seattle fans who have the strongest home run hitter and ace in history at the same time: “Every day is so much fun. I’m sad that the season is coming to an end.”]

Seattle, who had won consecutive games against Baltimore, suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat in the last game of the series, despite Ryan Tebeau’s outstanding pitching.

Han Su-hyeok, who had 2 hits and 2 RBIs in 5 at-bats without recording a home run, and Ty Johnson, who added a home run after a long time, fought hard but could not overcome the momentum of the Baltimore players, who were determined not to lose three games in a row.

Nevertheless, none of the Seattle fans blamed the players.

Whether they lose or win, it’s always an acceptable game, and perhaps that’s Seattle’s greatest strength this season.

After finishing the last three-game series of the season against Baltimore, the Seattle team headed to Cleveland to finish this 17-game road trip.