Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 360

#359. The Name of Victory

[The American League Championship Series Game 3, a showcase featuring transfer student starters and the veteran closer from New York, concluded with a 4-3 victory for the Seattle Mariners.]

[The game’s defining moment? The clash between the Yankees’ closer, Justin Zavala, and the Mariners’ Han Su-hyeok in the top of the 9th inning.]

[Han Su-hyeok, who delivered the game-winning home run, commented: “I’m struggling to find my rhythm at the plate, and walks have become even more frequent in the postseason. But it’s not a problem. If I can’t get a hit, my teammates will step up. Today’s home run was a stroke of luck.” He is truly the best baseball player of this era, possessing both exceptional skill and remarkable humility.]

[Mike Warren, who seamlessly filled the role of the third starter in the Championship Series after his performance in the Division Series, stated: “Honestly, I felt like I could have thrown another 100 pitches, but I trusted Adam and left the mound. He’s the most dominant closer I know.”]

[Yankees veteran Adam Murphy, who secured consecutive saves in Championship Series Games 2 and 3, remarked: “It might be unfortunate for them, but I know the Yankees hitters better than almost anyone. We only need one more win. We’re going to the World Series, no question.”]

[Shaquille Leonard, who pitched well, allowing only 3 runs in 7 innings but not factoring into the decision, said: “I want to apologize for my previous reckless comments. Seattle is a team worthy of a championship, and I faced them with a competitive spirit. I regret that I couldn’t earn the win.”]

[Seattle Mariners manager Benjamin Reynolds, elated by the victory, announced: “Some suggest we should start Han Su-hyeok in the 4th game, but I have no intention of overworking him by shortening his rest. As planned, Hayashi Rentaro will start the 4th game. He’s a reliable pitcher who can perform his role effectively, just like he did during the regular season.”]

“Damn it, this is the worst.”

“What’s so bad when the team has won three games in a row? Are you crazy?”

“No, I mean, at this rate, we won’t get to see the team’s first World Series appearance at home, will we?”

“Hmm.”

“Why do they insist on playing the 3rd, 4th, and 5th games at the home stadium of the team with the second-highest win rate? Those damn league office guys.”

“That’s a good point. Okay, I’m going to go to the league office website and complain.”

Seattle’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd starters – Han Su-hyeok, Ryan Tibo, and Mike Warren – all delivered strong performances, leading to a three-game winning streak, sparking a wave of lighthearted complaints among Seattle fans.

The reason? If they wrapped up the Championship Series with a four-game sweep or four wins and one loss, the World Series celebration would be in New York, not Seattle.

Of course, most fans didn’t care where it happened, as long as they secured their first-ever World Series appearance.

Was it a cruel twist of fate, or was the pressure of the potential first-ever World Series appearance finally setting in?

The Seattle Mariners aimed for a four-game sweep with Hayashi Rentaro on the mound.

Even with Seattle leading 6-4 in the top of the 9th inning, everything seemed to be going according to plan. It felt like the 53-year-old curse was about to be broken, and they would finally reach the World Series stage.

But,

Clang!

The moment Lucas Anderson, the Yankees’ captain, covered in dirt from head to toe, connected with a powerful swing, that dream was pushed back a step.

Lucas Anderson’s walk-off three-run home run completely reversed the momentum of the game, which had been a grind from start to finish.

It was the moment when Seattle’s 31-game winning streak, which had stretched back to the end of the regular season, and Seattle’s closer Adam Murphy, who had been virtually unbeatable since the postseason began, faltered for the first time.

[No four consecutive losses! Yankees captain Lucas Anderson saves the team from elimination. Seattle Mariners VS New York Yankees Championship Game 4 ends with a dramatic 7-6 come-from-behind victory for the Yankees.]

[Mariners’ closer Adam Murphy, who had recorded 3 saves in the postseason with a 0 ERA, collapses after surrendering a walk-off home run.]

[Lucas Anderson, the hero of the victory, declared: “I didn’t want to show a complete collapse in front of the New York fans. The series isn’t over yet. Winning four straight after losing three is a tall order, but I don’t think it’s impossible. We are the Yankees.”]

[Mariners manager Benjamin Reynolds, devastated by the loss that prevented their first World Series appearance, stated: “We lost, but we didn’t do anything wrong. No pitcher can be perfect every game. Adam Murphy gave up a home run, but he will remain our team’s closer.”]

Seattle, which had been riding high on a winning streak, stumbled at a critical moment.

Concerns arose about the end of the 31-game winning streak and the persistence of the 53-year-old curse.

But,

Most Seattle fans, and even more baseball enthusiasts, remained confident that Seattle would advance to the World Series.

Whether Lucas Anderson’s home run had reignited the Yankees’ fighting spirit, whether Adam Murphy’s confidence had been shaken by the walk-off home run, or whether Seattle’s rookies, lacking World Series experience, would freeze under pressure, whatever the reason,

It didn’t matter at all.

[Seattle Mariners aiming for their first World Series appearance in 53 years since their founding VS New York Yankees dreaming of returning to the World Series stage in 21 years, Han Su-hyeok and Tyson Basham are scheduled to start Game 5 to determine their fate.]

The moment the starting pitchers for the next game were announced after the 4th game,

The hearts of the Seattle players and everyone who supported them were instantly at peace.

Starting pitcher: Han Su-hyeok.

At this point in Major League Baseball, that was a magic phrase that signified victory.

* * *

“Don’t lose! Don’t disgrace the pinstripe uniform, you bastards!”

“Tyson! You are the pride of New York! Stop them somehow!”

The desperate cries of New York fans, barely recovered from the brink of elimination in the Championship Series,

“We don’t need to go back to Seattle! Let’s decide it here!”

“Let’s go! Mariners! Let’s end it all today!”

“Han Su-hyeok! The best baseball player in the world!”

I don’t know how they managed it, but Seattle fans were occupying a significant portion of the third base stands, screaming their lungs out.

Looking at Yankee Stadium, which felt like it was about to explode at any moment, I recalled a day long ago.

When I wore this uniform and secured my first World Series appearance.

It’s still the case now, but it was even more challenging back then.

Leading a team that had been mired at the bottom of the standings to its first World Series appearance since its inception.

Moreover, at that time, my pitching career was gradually winding down, and my hitting skills hadn’t fully developed, leaving me in a somewhat unstable state.

The memory of achieving Seattle’s first World Series appearance at Yankee Stadium after a hard-fought game that went to the 7th game,

Even now, when I close my eyes, those memories flicker before my eyes as if they were real. I calmly compose myself and return to the present.

“Play!”

Tyson Basham, his face etched with a deep frown, stepped onto the mound to face Derek.

As always, whether the pitcher avoids pitching to me or not depends on Derek and Ty, the two hitters batting before and after me in the lineup.

Derek, fully aware of this fact, gritted his teeth and prepared to face Tyson.

Whatever the situation, finishing the job is always the hardest part.

We don’t need to look far; our team couldn’t finish it yesterday, failing to close out the game in the 4th game.

In that sense, today’s game was another opportunity to finish the job and determine the outcome of Seattle’s long journey this season.

Seattle’s leadoff hitter, Derek Fleming, stepped up to the plate.

The moment he hit the ball sharply through the 1st and 2nd base gap, I was finally certain that we would end this game today.

[Number 2 hitter, Han Su-hyeok]

Before the game, a reporter asked me if I felt burdened by starting as both a pitcher and a key hitter in such a high-stakes game.

Not at all.

That’s why I regressed, and I chose to work as both a pitcher and a hitter once again.

To end everything single-handedly,

To achieve a perfect victory that leaves no room for variables,

To earn a title that no baseball player has ever been allowed before,

To claim the title of a player greater than the team,

Clang

“Ball.”

Tyson Basham, who threw the ball far outside, shook his head.

Considering that one more loss would mean their elimination from the series, the probability of issuing an intentional walk to me in the first inning with no outs and a runner on first base was not very high.

If that guy or the Yankees dugout had the courage to do that, the Yankees would have had the highest win rate in the American League regular season this year, not us.

If they don’t want to give up a lot of runs from the first inning, they will eventually have to challenge me.

A pitch that can induce a double play, which is the best solution in a no-out, first-base situation, will be coming.

A reverse-spin ball aimed at my body, or a ball that breaks away, probably one of the two.

Nod

The time for deliberation was short.

I was certain that Tyson, who I had hit with a beanball [a pitch intentionally thrown at a batter] earlier this season, wouldn’t dare to throw a ball at my body.

Then the deciding pitch will be an outside ball.

Clang

“Ball.”

A ball that went far higher than the strike zone.

I simply let that ball go, confident that he chose it to maximize the effect of the deciding ball he’ll throw next time,

Press

Adjust the stance slightly to prepare for the outside ball, lengthen the bat reach by holding the grip as long as possible,

Prepare an upward swing optimized for flowing or falling balls.

Slide

Tyson Basham, after throwing several check balls to first base, finally seemed to have made up his mind and entered the pitching motion with a glint in his eyes.

And then it happened.

Whoosh

Claaaaaang!

– Ah! He crushed it! No need to watch this one! Han Su-hyeok, who connected with the changeup that fell to the outside, admires the ball as he drops his bat! The ball is flying far, far away! Home run! It’s a home run! A massive home run that lands deep in the middle of the right outfield stands! The Seattle Mariners take a two-point lead with Han Su-hyeok’s home run in the first inning! This is already his third home run in the Championship Series!

– The scary thing about Han Su-hyeok is this. He elevates and turns into a home run a ball that other players can’t even reach. Wow, this is skill, but also, his judgment of the pitchers’ mental state and his prediction of the next ball are truly works of art. Well, that’s understandable. Han Su-hyeok himself is the best hitter and also a great pitcher who will be remembered in history.

– This Yankee Stadium, packed with Yankees fans, is shaking as if it will collapse at any moment! Ah! That’s incredible! Look over there! Seattle fans chanting Han Su-hyeok’s name surrounded by many New Yorkers. They are fans as passionate as the team they support. By the way, is it okay? The eyes of the Yankees fans are intense. It seems like curses are already being exchanged back and forth.

– There’s nothing we can do. Think about it. It’s been 53 years since its founding. 53 years. There is a team in Korea that hasn’t won the championship for 38 years, but anyway, that team has won the championship once or twice. But Seattle hasn’t won any at all. They haven’t even been to the finals. Do you see the fans with gray hair in the Seattle cheering section over there? I don’t know the details, but they must have been fans who have been supporting this team since they were boys. So, do they have anything to show for it? If it were me, I would just…