Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 350

#349. Bench Clearing Contribution

“Mr. President, what is all this…?”

“Hmm, Daniel, it seems you didn’t know either.”

“Not at all. No, really, I’m so surprised I don’t even know where to begin.”

“I agree. I think this is the most surprised I’ve been in all my time in this industry.”

“I heard there was going to be a surprise announcement, but I never imagined… Oh my God!”

Seattle Mariners’ president’s office, just before the final game to conclude the regular season.

Daniel and the president in charge of the Mariners’ operations stared at each other, dumbfounded.

“It seems they took some time to review league regulations and whatnot on their end.”

“…It’s a surprise announcement, indeed. I think the fans will be very surprised.”

“They will be. Especially since it’s about him, of all people.”

* * *

Han Su-hyeok, who woke up early and returned from a walk with Min Ye-rin, was reviewing data on the Rays pitcher they would face today, with Min Ye-rin’s head resting on his lap, as the ESPN national broadcast of the Seattle Mariners versus Tampa Bay Rays season finale approached.

Yesterday’s victory extended Seattle’s Major League regular season winning streak to 24 games, and Han Su-hyeok’s latest home run made him the first player in the Big Leagues to hit 78 home runs.

Regardless of today’s game outcome, the Seattle Mariners and Han Su-hyeok had already secured the American League’s top overall record, meaning the number one seed in the Division Series [the first round of the playoffs].

The last remaining goals for them were a 25-game winning streak for the season and reaching the seemingly impossible 80-home run mark.

“Ye-rin, what time is it?”

“It’s 9:10, oppa [a Korean term for ‘older brother’ used by females, also used to address a boyfriend or close male friend], You can lie down a little longer.”

“I see. Oh, Ye-rin.”

“Yes?”

“Should I just retire?”

“Pfft!”

Min Ye-rin spat out the green tea she was drinking at Han Su-hyeok’s unexpected words.

“R-r-retire?”

“I’m just kidding. Why are you so surprised? More importantly… I need to clean this up. Ugh…”

Han Su-hyeok, whose face was half-covered in green tea, got up and headed to the bathroom.

However, Min Ye-rin’s face remained pale.

Even though he said it was a joke,

she sensed some sincerity hidden in his words.

Retirement, baseball without Han Su-hyeok.

She had never even considered it. No, it was something she didn’t even want to think about.

The baseball Min Ye-rin knew was Han Su-hyeok himself.

But,

“Is oppa having a hard time…?”

Three years in Korea, and then another year in America,

Min Ye-rin knew better than anyone how much he had achieved and how much he had sacrificed for it.

Han Su-hyeok, who managed himself almost like a monk for the sake of pitching and hitting, was so thorough in his self-care that even those who scoffed at baseball as a mere leisure activity were taken aback.

Having lived that way for four years, it was no wonder he was exhausted.

“Ye-rin, now that you’re up, should we have breakfast? We need to get ready to go to the stadium.”

“Oppa.”

“Hmm?”

“If it’s too hard, you can stop. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life.”

Min Ye-rin is one of only three people who know that Han Su-hyeok is the owner of the Seoul Warriors and the largest shareholder of the Seattle Mariners.

So, this wasn’t just about money.

Min Ye-rin was simply expressing her willingness to do anything to make Han Su-hyeok more comfortable.

* * *

Heh.

Han Su-hyeok thought as he heard those words.

To be honest, it was a mix of 1% sincerity and 99% joking.

It is hard.

Others may think it’s been four years, but he’s actually a veteran who has spent 20 years in the pros.

On days like today, when the sun is particularly warm,

on days when the breeze blowing through the window is so lovely,

on days when he enjoys the breeze and sunlight with his loved one on his lap,

he sometimes feels like giving up everything and staying like this.

It was just that he was with the person he felt most comfortable and cherished in the world, so he casually let those feelings slip.

But,

“Ye-rin.”

“Yes?”

“You said before that I look the coolest when I’m playing baseball, right? That coming to the stadium to watch my games is the most fun thing in the world.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right. I did say that. But that was…”

“That’s enough. That’s all I need. Don’t worry too much about something I said offhand. You keep trying to find hidden meanings in everything I say, and that’s a really bad habit. Don’t do it. Instead, let’s eat quickly. I’m hungry.”

“Oppa…”

“You have to leave early today for the pre-game event, too. Eat a good meal.”

The momentary wavering in Min Ye-rin’s heart, caused by Han Su-hyeok’s unexpected words, was instantly calmed by the warm words he spoke.

Min Ye-rin thought.

Is it okay to be this happy?

If they could live just like today,

what would it matter whether he played baseball or not?

Having grown up alone with her busy father since she was young, and having longed for someone’s love and attention,

Min Ye-rin, who had hardly had any personal time due to her career as a singer after she came of age.

She, too, was as lonely as Han Su-hyeok.

That’s why the emotions she was feeling now were so precious.

It was the moment when a lonely child, who had been trapped in her own life for a long time, was finally learning what happiness was.

* * *

“Damn it, what’s going on? Tickets for the last game of the season, with a 25-game winning streak on the line, are only $10? And parking is free?”

“That’s not all. They say that Min Ye-rin’s performance we just saw is worth at least $500.”

“They must be crazy. The owner must be completely out of his mind, drunk on the winning streak.”

“Hehe, who cares? We get to see a performance and a game for cheap, just enjoy it.”

“I’m just worried they’ll start talking nonsense about financial difficulties again, like they did at the beginning of the season. It would be better to just sell the tickets at a high price.”

“That’s true. But don’t worry. I heard that the finances have become quite stable since the ownership group changed.”

“Hmm, I don’t trust it, but what can you do? Oh, by the way, what’s the surprise announcement after today’s game?”

“I don’t know, my cousin works in the team’s PR department, and even he doesn’t know.”

Min Ye-rin’s celebratory performance, commemorating the final game of the season, had ended, and the field was being prepared.

Numerous fans had gathered to watch the final game of the team that had won the American League’s top overall record this season, and to watch Han Su-hyeok hit another home run.

Amidst the various conversations among them, manager Benjamin was encouraging the players who would be playing in the final game in the Mariners’ clubhouse.

“Some of you might be thinking this: ‘Even if we lose today, we’ve already clinched the division title and the American League’s number one seed, so there’s no need to waste energy and we can just take it easy.'”

“Not at all! Manager! There’s no idiot like that among us. Right, Ryan?”

“Yeah. Seeing you say that makes me think there isn’t. Derek.”

“Haha.”

“Good, I’m glad there doesn’t seem to be any idiot like that on my team. Now, at this point, I only have one thing to say. We’ve been the best all season, and we’ll continue to strive to be the best in the upcoming postseason. Each of you may have various thoughts, but let’s just think about one thing today. Let’s show the best fans, who have gathered to see the best team, a game they won’t be ashamed of.”

“Yes, sir! Manager!”

“Good, here’s the starting lineup for today. If the score difference widens, we’ll actively substitute players to maintain their game sense. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not in the starting lineup, and be ready to go out at any time. Now, everyone together, go! Mariners!”

“Mariners!”

The manager, who had boosted the players’ morale, left the clubhouse, and the names of the players who would be starting in today’s game were posted in his place.

1st 3B Han Su-hyeok

2nd CF Derek Fleming

3rd RF Chuck Clark

4th DH Antonio Garcia

5th LF Jim Brown

6th 1B Rafael Osuna

7th C Bruce Matthews

8th 2B Liam Landman

9th SS Josh Oliver

Pitcher Jonah Burrow

Han Su-hyeok was in the leadoff spot, and with Rafael in the first baseman position instead of Ty Johnson, the lineup included all of the Mariners’ key starters.

The Seattle Mariners, led by Jonah Burrow, who had mainly played in the middle relief this season, finally began the final game of the 2030 season.

* * *

Dalvin Schwartz, Jake Howard, and Jonah Burrow, who had been the Mariners’ 2nd, 3rd, and 4th starters behind Ryan Thibeau last season, gave up their starting positions to newcomers, including Han Su-hyeok, this season and dedicated themselves to the team as middle relievers.

To be honest, it was a mess until the middle of the season.

The three pitchers who had been pushed to middle relief had difficulty adapting to their new roles, which soon led to instability in Seattle’s bullpen.

It was only after Carlton Bell, who was brought in from the Marlins, settled in as a long reliever, and Adam Murphy joined just before the start of the second half, that things began to improve little by little.

“Play!”

Jonah Burrow, a young pitcher who had shown disappointing growth in many ways compared to when he was first called up to the Big Leagues.

His 99-mile fastball, filled with a desperate determination to rejoin the starting lineup next season, flew deep inside the Rays’ leadoff hitter.

Paang!

“Strike!”

Although not as much as Ryan or Han Su-hyeok, Jonah Burrow’s pitch quality is among the best in Seattle.

Bruce, who caught his sincere pitch, spoke to the batter without realizing it.

“How was that? A really great pitch, right?”

“I’m not in the mood to chat, so shut up.”

“Whoa, what’s wrong? I was just asking lightly.”

“If your team’s third baseman knew what our catcher was saying, you wouldn’t be saying that.”

“Hmm.”

Bruce, who knew that Han Su-hyeok usually intimidated opposing catchers, stopped talking at that point and focused on the game.

Thinking about it, it’s really funny.

That a young player, only in his fourth year as a pro and even a rookie in his first year in the Big Leagues, is intimidating experienced veteran catchers from opposing teams.

Bruce, who took his eyes off the batter, sent a sign to the pitcher for the next pitch.

‘One more time, same course.’

Nod.

When working with a pitcher like Jonah Burrow, who lacks control compared to his speed and pitch quality, it’s necessary to pick up the tempo a little.

If you think too long, or ask for a pitch that the pitcher can’t handle, you could end up self-destructing.

Trust the pitcher, trust the pitch he throws,

quickly and boldly.

Thwack!

“Ugh!”

Of course, accidents can happen unintentionally, like now.

“Well, it wasn’t intentional, but I’ll apologize on his behalf, friend. It looks like the ball slipped out of his hand.”

“Damn it, a mistake?”

“Hey, friend. Just in case, you’re not going to run at the pitcher, are you? If you feel like doing that, look over there at third base. Yeah, there. Han is looking over here with a serious expression, right? So, hurry up and go to first base. It’s just your butt that got hit.”

“…You bastards.”

The Rays batter, who was hit in the butt by the ball, limped to first base with a grimace.

And when Han Su-hyeok, who was at third base, went up to the mound and said a few words, Jonah Burrow’s complexion quickly returned to normal.

At that moment, Bruce thought again.

He wondered if they should add an item to the sabermetrics [advanced baseball statistics] calculation for team contribution based on bench-clearing ability [the ability to intimidate the opposing team and protect teammates].