Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 359

#358. Out-of-the-Park Home Run

“Ah! The game ends just like that. Trevor Nixon strikes out Aaron Decker, the Dodgers’ last batter, with a 101-mph fastball!”

“Well, this is unexpected. Of course, the Dodgers had some issues with their starting pitchers, but… no one, including me, imagined they would collapse so helplessly in the first two games.”

“Aaron Decker, who struck out with the last chance, oh, he looks really frustrated. He, who stood out as the best first baseman in the National League after Ty Johnson’s transfer to Seattle, stares blankly into the air with a miserable expression.”

“In terms of overall power, St. Louis and LA were expected to be evenly matched, but… in a short series, pitching is key. Ace Andrew Davis pitched 9 innings with 2 runs allowed, and today, their second starter, Jordan East, pitched 8 innings with 1 run allowed. St. Louis’s starting pitchers are really strong.”

“Overwhelming.”

“Yeah, overwhelming.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Aaron so worked up before?”

“Damn it, I wish they would put up more of a fight, whoever comes up. Are the Cardinals going to win four in a row like this?”

In the second game of the National League Championship Series, held the day after Seattle’s two-game winning streak, St. Louis won again, thanks to Jordan East’s great pitching and the hitters’ consistent performance.

The Seattle players, who gathered in front of the TV to watch the game, had stiff expressions.

They felt a strong sense of pressure that they had never felt before, even when they secured the regular season championship with a 25-game winning streak at the end, and even after the postseason began.

Among the players currently on the team, only Ty Johnson and Mike Warren had experience on the World Series stage.

The stage of dreams that even veteran Adam Murphy, who once served as the Yankees’ number one starter, had never set foot on, was gradually becoming a reality.

“…Damn it, no rest for me. I need to swing the bat one more time to face those crazy pitches.”

“Let’s go together.”

Tension rose among the players.

It was up to the veterans to calm them down.

“Hehe, you young punks. Are you finally feeling it? It’s okay. Don’t be too scared.”

“But Ty, look at that guy’s pitches. There’s a reason he’s the National League’s save leader.”

“That’s true. I know better than anyone how great Trevor’s pitches are. But haven’t you thought about it?”

“Thought about what?”

“What other teams think when they see that monster [referring to Han Su-hyeok].”

Ty Johnson’s finger pointed to Han Su-hyeok.

Only then did a faint sense of relief appear on the faces of the Seattle players.

“Hmm.”

“Yeah, definitely…….”

“Damn it, if I had to hit that guy’s pitches, I would have rather faked a stomachache and collapsed.”

Ty Johnson nodded with a satisfied expression as he looked at those players.

“If you understand what I’m saying, don’t be too nervous and just do what you always do. There’s no need to overdo it. First of all, what we need to think about isn’t the Cardinals. It’s the Yankees in front of us. Let’s take care of them one by one.”

That was right.

From tomorrow, Seattle would move to New York to play the Yankees in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th games.

The atmosphere of the team, which had won the regular season championship for the first time in their baseball lives and was on the verge of their first-ever World Series appearance, was once again tightened.

“Let’s make sure we win tomorrow’s game first, and think about the rest later.”

* * *

[New York Yankees’ Shakil Leonard, scheduled to start in the third game of the Championship Series, when asked if he regrets saying he was afraid of going to Seattle when he was traded, said, “Not at all. I’ll take this opportunity to show that the New York Yankees were right to choose me back then.”]

[Regarding rumors that Han Su-hyeok opposed his transfer to Seattle, “Well, he’s definitely a good pitcher and a great hitter. But there’s no rule that he has the best eye for players. I don’t know what he was thinking when he said that.”]

[Seattle fans, once again ignited by Shakil Leonard’s remarks, “He insulted our team and Han Su-hyeok at the same time. He should be grateful that the third game is at Yankee Stadium. If it were in Seattle, he wouldn’t have made it out of the stadium alive.”]

[Shakil Leonard, ahead of his start in the third game, has a war of words with Seattle fans on social media… Yankees general manager, “We have temporarily closed his social media to protect the player. It’s time to think with reason rather than emotion.”]

[Mike Warren VS Shakil Leonard’s starting match, which is bound to be compared in many ways, who will be the last one laughing?]

‘Damn it.’

Shakil Leonard, standing on the mound as the starting pitcher for the third game of the Championship Series between Seattle and New York at Yankee Stadium, cursed with a stiff expression.

Shakil was put on the trade market when his former team, Milwaukee, chose to tank [intentionally lose games to secure a higher draft pick].

Many teams approached him, but Seattle was the closest to acquiring him.

Seattle was looking for a strong third starter to back up Han Su-hyeok and Ryan Tibo.

Milwaukee was also satisfied with Seattle’s offer, and the trade was almost finalized, but…….

‘Your new team has been decided.’

‘Where is it? Am I going to Seattle?’

‘No, it’s New York. I hope this trade will be a new opportunity in your baseball career. Good luck, Shakil.’

Shakil Leonard, upon hearing the news of the trade to the Yankees, could not hide his complicated feelings.

In terms of market size and future salary negotiations, New York was obviously much better for players, but the team was too old and like a prison with all sides blocked.

A rigid hierarchy and discipline that did not fit the era of 2030 at all, and excessive attention and interference pouring in from all directions.

That was too big of a disadvantage for Shakil, who was more of a free spirit than anyone else.

However, Shakil, who did not have the right to refuse the trade, had no choice but to become a Yankee, and to control his resentment and rebuild his injured pride, he spewed venom at Seattle, who had rejected him.

“Play!”

In that sense, today was a game he could not afford to lose.

The problem was not just the Seattle team, but the starting pitcher he was facing was none other than Mike Warren.

An old knuckleballer [a pitcher who throws a knuckleball, a pitch with very little spin, causing it to move erratically] chosen by Seattle instead of him.

Shakil Leonard’s pride, who once dreamed of becoming the best pitcher in the major leagues beyond the National League, could never accept being compared to such an old pitcher.

Nod

The game started, and Seattle’s leadoff hitter Derek Fleming stepped into the batter’s box.

After exchanging several signs, Shakil Leonard slowly began his windup.

A dynamic pitching form that his father, a former minor leaguer, had developed himself and taught Shakil Leonard since he was a child, allowing him to throw fastballs exceeding 100 mph despite his small size as a pitcher.

Some warned that the form was too dangerous and could cause long-term injuries, and in fact, he showed signs of faltering in the second half of this season, with his speed and power declining here and there, but,

It doesn’t matter.

It was too late to regret something now.

Believing in his father, who taught him baseball and made him love baseball, and believing in his body,

He throws.

Putting everything he has left into it.

Paang

“Strike!”

The fastball that reached a maximum of 101 mph in the beginning of the season was no longer there.

But a 97 mph fastball was not bad either.

Derek just let the ball, which was fiercely cutting to the outside, pass by.

Some of the experts who viewed Shakil Leonard askance even used the expression ‘dead arm’ [a condition where a pitcher’s arm loses velocity and strength].

Well,

His father said that a pitcher’s arm is a consumable item, so eventually the end will come someday.

Being afraid of that and limiting himself is like buying a sports car that can run at 200 mph and driving at a constant speed, which is a stupid thing to do.

Paang

“Ball.”

Sometimes he thinks about it.

If a dead arm really comes, as someone said, and he can’t throw the ball,

Will he resent his father?

The father who made him, who was treated poorly by big league scouts because he was small, come this far?

No,

That doesn’t seem to be the case.

‘Damn it, Father. Now that it’s come to this, I’m going to go all the way.’

Shakil Leonard, who had regained his composure, threw the third ball with all his might.

And Derek’s bat swung powerfully.

Ttaaak!

The well-hit ball flew like an arrow between 1st and 2nd base.

But there was Greg Joseph, the Yankees’ 자랑하는 리그 최강의 2루수 [proud league’s best second baseman].

Teoek

“Out!”

“Good job! Greg! That’s it!”

“Let’s start over from the beginning! Crush those Seattle bastards!”

Shakil smiled pleasantly as he listened to the Yankees fans’ one-sided cheers.

The fear of injury that had been bothering him for some time disappeared somewhere.

Now there was only one thing left,

The desire to beat Seattle,

That was all that was left for him.

* * *

Shakil Leonard was not the only one who thought today’s game was special.

Mike Warren, who was inevitably compared to him against his will,

He gritted his teeth and blocked the Yankees’ hitters.

It wasn’t as good as the 9 innings and 1 run he recorded in the third game of the Division Series, but he did his part by blocking 7 and 2/3 innings with 3 runs.

“Good, well done. Mike.”

“Great pitching. Now leave it to your teammates.”

Bottom of the 8th inning, New York Yankees’ attack, with the two teams tied at 3-3.

When Mike Warren, who had gotten two outs well, allowed a double to Yankees’ star hitter Lucas Anderson, the Seattle manager immediately brought the next pitcher to the mound.

[Seattle Mariners pitcher Mike Warren ▶ Adam Murphy]

That’s how another pitcher who had a reason to risk his life in this game today came to the mound.

The 43-year-old veteran who refused the Yankees’ retirement offer, refused the opportunity to retire honorably as a one-club man, and challenged the active duty once again.

The former Yankees’ mainstay who was able to wear the Seattle uniform only after leaving the ground for half a year and sharpening his knife.

“Damn it, you can’t even boo, Adam! Why the hell are you there?”

Like someone’s cry, the Yankees fans’ feelings were indescribably complicated.

The veteran who had been protecting the Yankees’ mound for 20 years, and therefore could not help but feel attached to, was on the mound wearing the uniform of the championship opponent.

Adam Murphy was also in a complicated mood.

But he was a pro among pros who had not forgotten what he had to do.

“Play!”

Adam Murphy, who took off his hat and greeted his hometown fans politely, looked at Jack Haines, the Yankees’ third hitter, who was once his reliable teammate.

Nod

A pitcher and hitter who know each other so well after playing together for nearly 10 years.

A fierce battle of wits and a full count ensued.

The Yankees trying to score one more point by any means, and Seattle trying to block it and bet everything on the last attack in the top of the 9th inning.

The winner of this game, which was filled with the two teams’ determination and wishes, was

Ttaaak!

Teoek

“Out!”

It was Seattle.

The moment Jack Haines’s well-hit ball was about to pass like a bullet next to the 3rd base, Han Su-hyeok, who flew his body, handled the ball without a bounce.

“Aaaagh! God damn it! You bastard!”

“Kill him! Kill that bastard!”

“He caught that! That!”

The Yankees fans, who had a point stolen in front of their eyes, and the hitter who lost the winning RBI [Run Batted In], stared at Han Su-hyeok with a blank expression.

The Yankees’ ordeal did not end there.

Seattle’s last attack in the top of the 9th inning,

The Yankees manager, who knew better than anyone that it would be over if they were pushed back here, brought in Justin Zavala, the league’s best closer [a relief pitcher who specializes in pitching the final inning of a game], to the mound in a 3-3 tie.

Justin Zavala, who was called the guardian of the New York Yankees, recorded an ERA [Earned Run Average] of 1.40, WHIP [Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched] of 0.75, 1 win, 1 loss, and 45 saves this season.

That Justin met the first batter, Han Su-hyeok.

The Yankees dugout, which had been active, became quiet in an instant.

No more tactics were needed now.

A 3-3 tie, the last attack of the regular inning.

Now, all that was left was the fight between the pitcher, who was trying to catch the leadoff hitter by any means, and the hitter, who bet everything to end this game.

Nod

Justin Zavala’s fastball, which was rated as the highest after Han Su-hyeok’s ball in terms of pitch value, flew accurately towards the outside low course.

Justin’s fastball, which wriggled powerfully as if tearing through the air.

And,

Ttaaaaaak!

Han Su-hyeok’s bat, which had been walked in all previous at-bats today, was swung for the first time, and at that moment, everything was over.

A huge home run that went over the left outer wall of the stadium and fell out of the park.

Yankee Stadium fell silent.