Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 352

#351. I Lack Confidence. Confidence to Lose.

Seattle’s first regular season division title in 29 years, a 25-game winning streak that will go down in Major League history, and a Major League record for most home runs, just one short of 80—all these achievements were instantly overshadowed by Han Su-hyeok’s surprise announcement: “I am the owner of the Mariners and the Warriors.”

Goldman Sachs Vice President Min Tae-hyun, who took the stand at the press conference in Han Su-hyeok’s stead, stated, “We initiated the acquisition process when the Mariners’ shares became available on the market midway through this season. Currently, he is the largest shareholder of the Seattle Mariners, possessing 35% of the total shares and approximately 65% of the voting rights, including those acquired from the Ropelles family, the second-largest shareholder.”

Another surprise followed the first: Han Su-hyeok revealed, “In addition to the Seattle Mariners, I am also the owner of the Seoul Warriors in the KBO League [Korean Baseball Organization].”

When a legal expert was asked if there were any issues with an active player owning a professional team, they responded, “After reviewing the latest regulations of Major League Baseball and the KBO, we have confirmed that there are no conflicts. This holds true unless Han Su-hyeok transfers to another team within Major League Baseball or the KBO while still holding shares in the Mariners.”

Regarding how a rookie with the lowest salary managed to secure the acquisition funds, Han Su-hyeok’s agent, Min Tae-hyun, explained, “I cannot disclose the specifics, but he has generated substantial profits through investments. Please understand that much. I will withhold further details to protect my client’s privacy.”

The baseball world and business analysts were taken aback by Han Su-hyeok’s unexpected announcement, while baseball fans reacted with enthusiasm. Seattle fans exclaimed, “Han Su-hyeok owns our team? That means he won’t leave for another team, right? This is the best news of the year!”

Seoul Warriors fans commented, “Now Han Su-hyeok’s decisions make sense. That explains why he gave up Major League Baseball to stay in Korea, and why he valued the Warriors so highly.”

Han Su-hyeok, in a phone interview with Korean media, stated, “If I ever return to Korea, it will naturally be to the Warriors.” This statement was met with enthusiastic cheers from Warriors fans.

“Oppa [term used by younger women to address older brothers or close male friends], did you know that you’ve been the number one trending search term for two days straight?” Yerim asked.

“Really?” I replied.

“Yeah. I have a question, though. Why did you suddenly announce it? I thought you were planning to keep it a secret until you retired?”

“Hmm.”

There wasn’t a particular reason, to be honest.

As I’d considered before, I could have gone on without revealing it until retirement.

But I wanted to be honest.

I realized something along the way.

The more I tried to conceal the truth, the more of a barrier it created between me and the people around me.

So, I revealed one of the biggest secrets I had to the world.

As expected, the reaction was immense.

The commotion quickly died down in the United States, where there had been several instances of players owning professional teams. However, the situation was quite different in Korea.

As soon as I opened the internet, news about me flooded the screen, and I received countless messages from my former teammates on the Warriors.

They ranged from complaints about why I had kept it hidden to requests to ensure their salaries were taken care of next season.

Hmm.

Well, I’m willing to match their salaries as long as they perform well.

Anyway, while the uproar caused by my surprise announcement gradually subsided, the long Major League regular season finally came to a complete end.

Seattle’s final record stood at 113 wins and 49 losses, a winning percentage of 0.697.

It was the best overall record in the American League, surpassing the New York Yankees, who led the League’s Eastern Division, by 0.015.

After the season concluded, during the week or so leading up to the Wild Card Game, I meticulously assessed my physical condition with Jacob.

“One thing is certain,” Jacob said.

“Hmm? What is it, Jacob?” I asked.

“If I worked at NASA, I would kidnap you and dissect you. Damn, how can a body that has played a full season as a two-way player be so intact?”

Of course, not everything was perfect.

Compared to the start of the season, my weight and muscle mass had decreased, slightly reducing my overall power. I was also cautioned against making any excessive movements, given the accumulated fatigue throughout my body.

But those were the realities I had to accept as long as I played baseball.

You can’t always be in peak condition for a game.

And it’s not just me whose physical condition isn’t perfect; it’s also my teammates and the players on the opposing teams I’ll be facing.

Ultimately, the one who best compensates for those shortcomings will be the one who emerges victorious.

“Damn, a rookie’s house is bigger than mine,” Ryan exclaimed.

“That’s because you haven’t really settled in Seattle yet… Hey, Ryan, don’t touch that,” I warned.

“Why? What is it? I’m really curious. What is it that you don’t want me to see?”

“Damn, I suddenly feel sorry for myself. So, this is what it’s like to be an owner? Hey, Han, just give me a hint. Where do I need to invest to make this kind of money?”

Even after it was revealed that I owned Seattle, my fellow players didn’t seem too fazed, as one might expect from citizens of the land of freedom and equality.

They were more surprised than anything, but they reacted as if it were something that could happen.

Well, the United States is a country where retired players buy baseball team shares, or basketball legends suddenly decide to buy baseball teams.

Anyway,

The evening before the Wild Card Game, I hosted a dinner with my teammates that I had been postponing.

At my house.

It was actually at the manager’s request.

He suggested that, as a leader of the team, I should demonstrate generosity even off the field, and I had no choice but to agree. I also needed to reciprocate Ryan’s previous invitation.

I called the guys who acted like teenagers off the field, fed them dinner, and we discussed the postseason. Before I knew it, night had fallen.

After finally sending back the guys who were rambling about sleeping at my house, it was just Yerim and me again.

Without this kid, without any other family or support in the United States, I wouldn’t have even considered an event like today.

No, beyond that, my life itself would have been very bleak.

What can I say…

Now that I’ve experienced this sense of stability and comfort, I never want to return to the old days.

I hope these moments last forever.

Working hard at baseball, coming home to a house where someone is waiting, and eating dinner together—

Just these ordinary daily routines.

“I can handle it alone, Oppa. Go and rest,” Yerim said.

“Don’t be ridiculous. How can you clean up all this mess by yourself?” I countered.

“It’s okay…”

After finishing all the cleaning after the energetic guys had left, Yerim and I sat side by side on the sofa again.

I was browsing through YouTube channels aimlessly when I noticed a familiar face.

“KBC [Korean Broadcasting System] is doing a Major League special, Oppa,” Yerim pointed out.

“Oh, it’s Commissioner Go. Let’s see what he has to say.”

* * *

Despite its status as a public broadcaster, KBC had been struggling in the sports arena due to competition from specialized channels and internet media.

However, with the emergence of Go Dong-sik, who idolized Han Su-hyeok, and Han Su-hyeok’s performance and entry into the United States, which far exceeded expectations, KBC urgently decided to broadcast all of Han Su-hyeok’s games for a year.

With these events aligning, KBC has now become the undisputed leader in baseball broadcasting in Korea, unmatched by any other media outlet.

Go Dong-sik, the commentator at the center of it all, thought to himself.

There was only one thing he could do for the broadcasting station that trusted and supported him, for his career, and for Han Su-hyeok, who had made this glorious position possible today.

That was to enhance his expertise.

He resumed studying baseball theory, which he had neglected for some time, and delved deeply into Major League Baseball, where his knowledge was relatively weak.

As a result, in just one year, Go Dong-sik was reborn as a true Major League expert, recognized by Major League fans in Korea.

Commentator Go Dong-sik and announcer Park Cheol-min, who had been working together for the past few years, sat in front of the microphone.

“Hello, Commissioner. Let’s get straight to the point, shall we? Tomorrow, October 4th, local time, the 2030 Major League Postseason begins. It feels like just yesterday that I came to the United States on assignment, but here we are.”

“That’s right. It’s been a season filled with significant events.”

“Well, we’ll save the Han Su-hyeok story for last, as there’s so much to discuss. First, could you briefly explain the Major League Postseason that begins tomorrow?”

“Certainly. In Major League Baseball, a total of 12 teams, 6 from each league, will participate in the Postseason. Specifically, the three division-winning teams from the American League West, Central, and East Divisions, along with the three teams with the highest winning percentages excluding those division winners, will advance to the Postseason. The same process applies to the National League, resulting in six teams.”

“To summarize… the Seattle Mariners, as the winning team in the American League West Division and the team with the best overall record, are seeded #1. The New York Yankees, the winning team in the East Division, are seeded #2. The Chicago White Sox, the winning team in the Central Division, are seeded #3. The Boston Red Sox, with the highest winning percentage among non-division winners, are seeded #4. The Oakland Athletics are #5, and finally, the LA Angels are seeded #6. Notably, three teams from the West Division have advanced to the fall baseball season.”

“That’s correct. Turning to the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals, the winning team in the Central Division, are seeded #1. The LA Dodgers, the winning team in the West Division, are #2. The Philadelphia Phillies, the winning team in the East Division, are #3. The Atlanta Braves are #4, the Chicago Cubs are #5, and the San Francisco Giants are #6, completing the six teams that have advanced.”

“We’ll provide a clear summary for our viewers. Here is the 2030 season Major League Postseason bracket.”

American League

Wild Card Game

Game 1. Chicago White Sox VS LA Angels

Game 2. Boston Red Sox VS Oakland Athletics

Division Series

Winner of Game 1 VS New York Yankees

Winner of Game 2 VS Seattle Mariners

National League

Wild Card Game

Game 1. Philadelphia Phillies VS San Francisco Giants

Game 2. Atlanta Braves VS Chicago Cubs

Division Series

Winner of Game 1 VS LA Dodgers

Winner of Game 2 VS St. Louis Cardinals

“It’s quite complex with a total of 12 teams advancing, isn’t it? To simplify it from the Seattle Mariners’ perspective, you can anticipate facing either Boston or Oakland in the Division Series.”

“Okay. Let’s examine the strengths of the Seattle Mariners, who secured their first division title in 29 years and advanced to the postseason for the first time in 8 years. Starting with the pitching staff, Ryan Thibodeau stands out, having pitched an impressive 233 innings and recording 19 wins, 5 losses, an ERA of 2.07, a WHIP of 1.09, and a WAR of 7.8. Ah, of course, I’m excluding Han Su-hyeok.”

“Haha, yes. He was a bit inconsistent at the beginning of the season, but he found his rhythm from mid-season and ultimately achieved Cy Young Award-caliber stats. If it weren’t for Han Su-hyeok, this player would have been the undisputed frontrunner for the American League Cy Young.”

“That’s right. Additionally, there’s Mike Warren, the 3rd starter who recorded 13 wins and 7 losses with an ERA of 3.85; Hayashi Rentaro, who reliably filled the role of the 4th starter; and Adam Murphy, who joined the team late in the bullpen and recorded an ERA of 2.11, 4 wins, 1 loss, and 20 saves.”

“Overall, the Seattle Mariners’ pitching staff is incredibly solid from the 1st starter to the 4th starter. They boast the formidable duo of Han Su-hyeok and Ryan Thibodeau, who are top-tier pitchers in the league, and their 3rd and 4th starters are also excellent. The closer is reliable as well. He’s somewhat fatigued due to his age and stamina, but Adam Murphy, who can shut down an inning, is holding strong.”

“The main concern is the middle relief, isn’t it?”

“Yes, when the 4-starter system is in place during the postseason, Demon Anderson, the 5th starter, will join the middle relief… but it still seems inadequate. They possess speed and power, but lack overall experience. Therefore, from Seattle’s perspective, the starting pitchers need to pitch as deep into the game as possible. Conversely, teams facing Seattle will try everything to increase the pitch count of the starting pitchers.”

“Okay. Let’s move on to the hitters. The most striking aspect is that six hitters, from Derek Fleming at number 1 to Antonio Garcia at number 6, have recorded more than 20 home runs. Furthermore, Bruce Matthews and Liam Landman, who primarily bat at number 7 and 8, have also hit double-digit home runs. It’s truly a powerful lineup.”

“That’s right. They hit the most home runs in the entire league, indeed, among all 30 Major League teams, making them a true home run-hitting team. Of course, Han Su-hyeok’s contribution was significant. However, there are two hitters I’m particularly watching in this postseason: Derek Fleming and Ty Johnson, who bat before and after Han Su-hyeok.”

“Derek Fleming’s stats for this season are… a batting average of 0.355, an on-base percentage of 0.390, a slugging percentage of 0.550, 20 home runs, 37 stolen bases, and a WAR of 6.51. His home run total is slightly lower compared to last season, but it was clearly a career-best season.”

“Yes, it was truly remarkable. In the late season, when Ty Johnson was sidelined due to injury, he moved right behind Han Su-hyeok and helped to alleviate the pressure in various ways. With Ty Johnson expected to return in the postseason, he is expected to return to his position and lead the Mariners’ offense.”

“Ty Johnson also had a fantastic season, didn’t he? A batting average of 0.357, an on-base percentage of 0.488, a slugging percentage of 0.652, 47 home runs, 135 RBIs, and a WAR of 8.9… He had a season close to his career high, even surpassing some of his career stats.”

“That’s right. Regardless of what anyone says, Ty Johnson was a crucial component of the Mariners’ offense this season. There was some talk of him declining at the beginning of the season, but he became an even more formidable player by making slight adjustments to his hitting mechanics.”

“Well… there’s one truly important story left to discuss.”

“Han Su-hyeok.”

“That’s right, you’ve been waiting patiently. Please tell us about Han Su-hyeok.”

“Um, it’s so incredible that I don’t know where to begin. First, let’s look at Han Su-hyeok the pitcher. This season, Han Su-hyeok started a total of 27 games and pitched 206 innings. As a two-way player, he has slightly fewer innings than Ryan Thibodeau, right? But this is just the beginning. His ERA is 0.52, the best in Major League history; his WHIP of 0.59 is also the best; and he has struck out an astounding 335 batters. His WAR is an incredible 12.2.”

“To be honest, these stats seem unreal.”

“That’s right. Just consider this: as long as Han Su-hyeok is pitching, Seattle is unlikely to lose. Now, let’s examine his hitting performance. This is equally impressive. He missed some games due to disciplinary action and stamina management, but since he primarily batted in the number 2 spot, he had numerous at-bats. He had a total of 654 plate appearances, 515 at-bats, 217 hits, 79 home runs, and 172 RBIs. He leads the league in home runs, has a batting average of 0.421, second only to Rogers Hornsby in 1924, and a slugging percentage of 1.019 and an OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging] of 1.550, both of which are the highest in history. Consequently, his WAR as a hitter is also 18.1, the highest ever, and his total WAR for pitching and hitting is a staggering 30.3. In short, it’s a record that seems impossible for humans to achieve.”

“Haha, this is… I’m at a loss for words.”

“Well, this could be frightening news for the team facing Seattle, but may I share my thoughts?”

“Please do, Commissioner.”

“I had a brief phone conversation with Han Su-hyeok yesterday, and he told me something. He said he lacked confidence.”

“Confidence?”

“He said he had no confidence to lose, hahaha. Major League fans, no, all baseball fans who admire Han Su-hyeok, there’s no need to overthink it. Since he said that, it will undoubtedly come true. We can simply relax in front of the TV and witness the miracle that Han Su-hyeok is about to perform…”