Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 390

#389. The King’s Companion

In the first inning, the Seoul Warriors exploded for five runs, highlighted by Han Su-hyeok’s two-run home run, and followed by the entire batting order going through a complete cycle.

Rafael Rodriguez, the Incheon Rangers’ prized major league-caliber foreign pitcher, was yanked off the mound before even recording a single out. Manager Nakamura Tomoyaki’s face flushed crimson with frustration.

Nakamura Tomoyaki was a seasoned veteran, a manager who had tasted championship glory with both the Orix Buffaloes and the Seibu Lions in Japan.

His move to South Korea to lead a professional baseball team was driven by Incheon’s relentless pursuit and generous offer.

Since the 2010s, sabermetrics [data-driven baseball analytics] had been steadily gaining traction in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization].

The Incheon Rangers were at the forefront of this advanced baseball movement, meticulously collecting and analyzing data from every single play.

This approach had fueled a dynasty for the Incheon Rangers from the late 2000s to the mid-2010s. However, they experienced a period of decline as other teams caught up and embraced data-driven strategies.

The most decisive factor in their decline was the emergence of Han Su-hyeok.

After his debut in 2027, the Warriors ushered in a new era in the KBO. Incheon, once hailed as the strongest team in Korean baseball, was relegated to perpetual second place, and eventually even to third, entering a dark age.

This was an unacceptable outcome for Incheon’s parent company, which boasted the largest financial resources in the country.

It was then that the group chairman issued a directive.

While the entire league was embracing data baseball, the front office, influenced by the team owner’s meddling (who, despite his interest in baseball, lacked deep understanding of the game), made a swift decision to buck the trend, believing that a contrarian approach might yield better results.

[2040, What Korean Baseball Needs is Grit and Fighting Spirit, Incheon Rangers: “Newly appointed Manager Nakamura Tomoyaki is the most suitable leader for the mental baseball that Incheon is pursuing.”]

[Who is Nakamura Tomoyaki? A former pitcher who stood at the center of the anti-Yomiuri [Yomiuri Giants, a dominant and often resented team in Japanese baseball] forces as a starting pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers in the 1980s. Representative work: ‘The more you use a pitcher’s shoulder, the stronger it becomes,’ etc.]

In conclusion, Manager Nakamura’s appointment wasn’t entirely without merit.

Although criticized as outdated and behind the times, it served as a wake-up call for Korean professional baseball players, particularly the Incheon players, who were often perceived as arrogant and complacent.

He ordered pitchers scheduled to start the next day to throw bullpen sessions all day long. He gathered fielders who committed errors and subjected them to grueling fungo [a baseball drill where a coach hits balls to fielders] drills after the game.

As these practices continued, one effect became undeniable.

The eyes of the Incheon players began to burn with resentment and determination.

Of course, the situation was far from ideal.

The Rangers’ team record placed them in third place, trailing the Warriors and Titans at the end of the first half of the season.

Nakamura Tomoyaki pondered.

The club’s expectation was a championship. No one remembers second or third place.

Although the first-place Warriors possessed a monster that seemed unstoppable,

It’s manageable. Even a monster can’t start every game.

Even if they lose the game he pitches, they can win the remaining two games and secure the series victory. And if they consistently accumulate such victories, they will eventually surpass them.

The ace, Rafael Rodriguez, whom Incheon was fielding today, was a phenomenal pitcher with a KBO career that rivaled the best foreign pitchers the Warriors had ever boasted.

Conversely, it was fourth starter Cheon Sang-jin’s turn to pitch for the Warriors. A powerless, aging veteran in his forties, past his prime.

That’s why Nakamura Tomoyaki was determined to win today’s game. He was resolved to win at all costs and seize this three-game series.

But,

Thwack!

Down 5-0, still no outs and a runner on first,

Another deafening crack echoed through the stadium. The moment the monster casually tossed his bat aside with an indifferent expression,

“Baka-yaro!” [Japanese for “You idiot!”]

A curse word escaped Manager No’s lips before he could even register it.

There, the monster who had single-handedly ruined his plans was leisurely rounding the bases as if on a stroll.

He had hoped today would be different. He believed that if they lost a game where their ace faced off against a fourth starter, there would be no excuses.

But he had miscalculated.

The ace he trusted had been pulled from the mound without recording a single out, and in the meantime, he was shamelessly gaping at the monster.

Moreover.

Shouldn’t the bench members, eager to turn the game around, be burning with enthusiasm? Instead, they were avoiding his gaze and looking around cautiously.

“Chikusho…….” [Japanese for “Damn it…”]

Suddenly, blood rushed to his head, and he felt a wave of dizziness.

The chief physician’s earnest request flashed through his mind. He should avoid stress and carefully manage his blood pressure.

“Haa…….”

Nakamura Tomoyaki, barely containing his rising anger, opened the door at the back of the dugout and disappeared.

The bewildered coaches exchanged glances, looking towards the Japanese interpreter for answers, but he was equally clueless.

Thwack!

While the Incheon Rangers were thrown into disarray by their manager’s sudden departure, the Warriors’ batters continued their relentless assault.

Hitting, hitting, hitting, and hitting again, relentlessly pounding their fallen opponent,

[28-1, Seoul Warriors Sets KBO Record for Most Points in a Game and Largest Margin of Victory]

[4 Home Runs, 7 RBIs Han Su-hyeok, 2 Home Runs, 4 RBIs Derek Fleming, 1 Home Run, 5 RBIs Ahn Chi-wook, 3 Hits, 3 RBIs Choi Jae-min, etc. Warriors Starting Hitters All Record Hits and All Score]

[Incheon Rangers Foreign Pitcher Rafael Rodriguez, Who Was Taken Off the Mound After Giving Up Five Runs in the First Inning: “God Has Sent a Punishment to Humanity.” Nonsense, What Does He Mean?]

* * *

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard!”

“Yes, Ms. Min Ye-rin, you’ve worked hard too. Then, see you at the main performance next week.”

“Okay, ah! There, the grass, please be careful of the grass!”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“You must protect the grass at all costs. Do you know what I mean, Director?”

Warriors Field, a retractable dome stadium built with a staggering construction fund of over 1 trillion won [approximately $850 million USD].

Including maintenance costs, the annual operating expense alone exceeds 10 billion won [approximately $8.5 million USD]. Frankly speaking, it’s a mammoth-sized stadium that the KBO level can barely sustain, but the Warriors club, which operates it, didn’t feel any particular burden.

The amount paid to the city of Seoul for the use of the existing Jamsil Baseball Stadium was close to 9 billion won [approximately $7.6 million USD], and above all, it was because the club owner, Han Su-hyeok, had allocated a separate budget for the operation of the dome stadium.

Warriors Field, which opens and closes its retractable roof on a whim, with the electricity bill costing the annual salary of an average office worker each time, thrives thanks to its wealthy owner.

Financially, there was nothing to be desired, but when the Warriors first established this stadium, they had promised the city of Seoul that they would lease it for cultural events.

And next week, as part of that agreement, Min Ye-rin’s comeback concert will be held here.

“Okay, everyone, be as careful as possible with the grass when removing the equipment!”

“Yes, sir!”

The staff, who had received a special request from Min Ye-rin, carefully began to dismantle the equipment they had installed for the concert rehearsal.

Anyway, it will only be used on days when there are no home games, and new grass will be transplanted after the concert.

‘I don’t want to be a nuisance. Oh, I wanted to do it somewhere else because of that.’

Min Ye-rin’s comeback concert, after focusing solely on album work and following Han Su-hyeok for the past three years while suspending her activities.

She had considered holding the concert elsewhere to avoid inconveniencing the Warriors, but there was no other venue that could guarantee an event regardless of weather and accommodate nearly 50,000 spectators.

“Then I’ll really go in!”

“Be careful going.”

After the staff and equipment were all cleared, and while her manager was briefly away handling the cleanup,

Min Ye-rin cautiously approached the dugout and leaned against the bench where Han Su-hyeok usually sat, a happy smile gracing her lips.

The pleasant early summer sunlight streamed through the open roof, and a cool breeze wafted through the gaps.

“Lululululu~”

Min Ye-rin, humming to herself and tapping her feet unconsciously, reminisced about the past few months.

Han Su-hyeok, who had been feeling a bit jaded with his baseball career in the major leagues for some time.

Min Ye-rin, who had prepared alternative plans before anyone else, even before he himself realized it.

The reason Min Ye-rin was able to suggest returning to Korea when the word “retirement” escaped Han Su-hyeok’s lips was because she had always been one step ahead, anticipating his needs.

She had been slightly hesitant.

Perhaps Han Su-hyeok genuinely needed a break. Although he was too young to retire, he had been working tirelessly, putting in twice the effort of other players as both a pitcher and a hitter.

But Min Ye-rin wasn’t ready to let go of baseball player Han Su-hyeok just yet.

And she couldn’t be certain that Han Su-hyeok, after leaving the field, would truly find happiness.

That’s why she recommended returning to Korea, and Han Su-hyeok had agreed.

The decision to return to Korea was made in an instant.

Frankly, it was a very wise choice.

The smile that had been absent from Han Su-hyeok’s face for a while had returned.

He was able to look after CEO Park Seong-hoon’s health, which he had been worrying about so much while in the United States.

And he was able to reunite and play with his seniors, juniors, and peers, fulfilling a promise to play on the same team again someday.

It was a small price to pay for giving up the major leagues, the world’s biggest stage, and the immense wealth and fame that came with it.

‘It’s enough if oppa [Korean term for “older brother” used by females to address older males, often used affectionately] is happy, right?’

Anyway, they had plenty of money.

Han Su-hyeok’s personal wealth was substantial, but even if he went bankrupt, Min Ye-rin wouldn’t be concerned. She was confident she could provide for Han Su-hyeok for the rest of his life.

It had been over 10 years since they started dating.

It wasn’t a short relationship, but Min Ye-rin’s heart still fluttered whenever she saw Han Su-hyeok.

Perhaps it was because he was a professional baseball player who spent more than half the year away from home, or perhaps it was because she herself was confined to the studio when her activities started.

These two young lovers were constantly renewing their affection and longing for each other.

The only thing Min Ye-rin couldn’t understand.

Sometimes, very rarely,

Han Su-hyeok would look at her with a strange expression.

Whenever that happened, Min Ye-rin’s intuition told her that Han Su-hyeok was looking at someone else through her.

Who could it be? Could it be the woman Han Su-hyeok had been searching for a long time ago?

Sometimes she wanted to ask him about her feelings, driven by rising curiosity, but Min Ye-rin decided against it.

Even if there was another meaning hidden in those eyes, even if he was still keeping a secret from her,

At least one thing was certain.

She loved Han Su-hyeok, and Han Su-hyeok loved her too.

Only one thing mattered to Min Ye-rin, and that was it.

“Ah, look at my mind.”

Min Ye-rin, jolted out of her reverie, jumped up from the bench and pulled out her smartphone.

It was time for the Warriors, who were on the road in Incheon, and Han Su-hyeok’s pitching game to begin.

– Bang!

– Strike!

– Amazing! Han Su-hyeok strikes out three consecutive batters in the first inning! A perfect pitching performance with no wasted movements!

Fortunately, she wasn’t too late, and the Warriors’ defense in the first inning had just ended.

Han Su-hyeok, having flawlessly retired the three batters, was playfully poking Ahn Chi-wook’s belly with a mischievous grin.

A satisfied smile spread across Min Ye-rin’s face as she watched him.

Yes, I think I can be really sure now.

That returning to Korea for Han Su-hyeok was truly the right decision.

“Okay, then it’s my turn now. Let’s cheer up, Min Ye-rin! Let’s go!”

Min Ye-rin, after shouting a powerful pep talk to herself, turned towards the exit. Her manager, having finished the cleanup, was hurrying towards her in the distance.

The early summer sunlight that had been streaming through the open roof had already transformed into a warm sunset, painting every corner of the stadium in golden hues.

Min Ye-rin, bathed in the sunset’s glow, walked forward, step by step.