Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 402

“When I was about to enter the 5th grade, my father said this to me as I held a baseball for the first time. He said he would allow it since it was something I wanted to do, but cautioned me not to be too disappointed even if I gave up baseball someday and lived a normal life. He said the probability of an amateur player entering the pros was less than 10%, and the probability of securing a spot on the first team after entering the pros was less than 1%. I think my father was worried about the difficult path his young son would take.”

Lim Jun-young, the eternal ace who had relentlessly played for the past 26 seasons, stood before the fans again after the game, having pitched only one batter in the opening game of the 2041 KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] League season against the Busan Titans.

Today was the day Lim Jun-young, the eternal ace, would hang up his uniform after dedicating himself to the sport for the past 26 seasons.

“I have never forgotten my father’s words since then. That’s why I tried to love the sport of baseball rather than being obsessed with success. So that I wouldn’t regret whatever the outcome.”

The people gathered at Warriors Field, and the baseball fans who came to witness the end of his reign as the ace representing Korea for over 20 years, listened intently to Lim Jun-young’s words.

Some felt he should have played longer, while others believed he had already accomplished enough.

Nevertheless, a shared sense of regret permeated the air. The realization that they would no longer see the veteran pitcher who had consistently graced the mound at the start of each season, a fixture for 26 years, left baseball fans with a profound sense of loss.

“It was during my second year of high school. My school reached the finals of the Bonghwangdae Tournament [a prestigious high school baseball tournament in South Korea]. And in that final game, I delivered my worst performance, allowing 5 runs in 3 innings, and had to watch the team’s defeat. To be honest, I was contemplating quitting baseball at that time. Until my father, who came to pick me up, said those words.”

Lim Jun-young, while speaking about his deceased father, suddenly paused, seemingly overcome with emotion. He then removed his hat and covered his face.

Lim Jun-young’s hair, which he usually refrained from dyeing for fear of any negative impact on his physical condition, was neatly dyed black.

The spectators’ hearts ached at the sight. The hair color served as a stark reminder that Lim Jun-young was indeed leaving the mound.

“Son, to be honest, I didn’t know you would come this far. I thought you would give up soon. So I always scolded you not to neglect your studies. But today, seeing you pitch, I realized something. You are baseball player Lim Jun-young before you are my son. So son, don’t be disappointed. You are still young. If you don’t give up first, there will be many opportunities in the future. So now erase the word ‘failure’ from your mind. And throw with the determination to give it your all on the mound. Your mom and I will do everything we can for you.”

Lim Jun-young’s voice trembled. The longing for his deceased father, and the memories of those days that he could no longer relive, stirred his heart.

At that moment, tens of thousands of spectators filling Warriors Field rose to their feet.

And without uttering a word, they began to applaud him.

Lim Jun-young’s shoulders heaved, then gradually calmed down. The spectators then sat back down. A considerable amount of time had passed since the game concluded, but no one considered leaving the stadium.

“As I threw the ball with my father’s words echoing in my heart, so much time has passed. And now I am the age my father was then. It was a really long time, and on the other hand, it was a time that passed like an arrow. The reason I was able to play baseball until now is all thanks to you fans. Without you, I would have been just a person who could throw a 145g [approximately 5 ounces] leather ball a little faster. You transformed me, who was once nothing, into an ace. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Lim Jun-young! Lim Jun-young! Lim Jun-young!”

“Everyone, I really had a good time. Now I’m leaving the field, but the juniors who remain here, and the young players who are working hard to become professional baseball players at this moment, will fill the void. Some say that the future of Korean baseball is bleak. The shrinking amateur baseball infrastructure, lack of investment, and narrow domestic market… Yes, that’s all true. But even so, I believe in the dedicated juniors who only know baseball. I am sure that baseball will continue in this land because of them. I pay tribute to the sport of baseball that has united us all. Then I, Lim Jun-young, will step down. Thank you.”

Seoul Warriors NO.11 Lim Jun-young (45)

Total 26 seasons (1st all-time)

3,421 innings pitched (1st all-time)

ERA 2.94 (5th all-time)

275 wins (1st all-time)

2,851 strikeouts (1st all-time)

112 complete games (1st all-time)

41 shutouts (1st all-time)

158 losses (1st all-time)

Hits allowed…

On April 1, 2041, Lim Jun-young, who will be remembered as the eternal ace in the hearts of baseball fans, took off his uniform and ended his active career.

* * *

“Hyung [older brother or close male friend], you worked hard. Really.”

“Thanks, Su-hyeok. Thanks for the retirement game and for creating such a good opportunity.”

“What are you talking about? I’m more grateful. By the way, it’s really a big deal now. I’m already getting a headache thinking about playing the season without you, hyung.”

“Hehe, don’t exaggerate.”

“It’s not an exaggeration, it’s definitely not like the Major League. Once a vacancy occurs, it’s not easy to fill. It’s like no one wants to trade with us even if we try to trade.”

“Isn’t that because the perception that trading with us is always a loss has spread?”

“Hmm, anyway, hyung. When you go to the United States, take a good rest first. I’m not just saying it, you can really use hyung’s house comfortably. Ah, should I just give it to you as a retirement gift?”

“Hey, hey, hey, how can I just receive such a mansion even if I’m like that? It’s burdensome. I don’t like it.”

“Hyung-ju and Chi-wook, those bastards, are clamoring to put the house on the market whenever they open their mouths?”

“Those guys… hehe, your classmates always seem to have a good relationship.”

“It’s possible because I’m putting up with it. Anyway, hyung, I’ve told the club everything, so go and work hard. And you’re coming back here in two years.”

“Okay. Thanks, Su-hyeok. And…….”

“Have a good trip. Let’s say the rest of the greetings then.”

Lim Jun-young, who retired from active duty, headed to Seattle, USA with his family.

He will enjoy a well-deserved rest in the United States for about two months. And he will soon join the Seattle club to receive coaching training.

Han Su-hyeok, after saying goodbye to Lim Jun-young, headed to the house where Min Ye-rin was waiting.

“Oppa [older brother – term of endearment used by females]!”

“Don’t run. You’ll fall again.”

“Okay. I’ll be careful. Did you say goodbye to Lim Jun-young?”

“Yeah, I said goodbye in a hurry because I have to go to Seattle tomorrow.”

“Are you okay, Oppa [older brother – term of endearment used by females]?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Oppa, you have a hard time saying goodbye to people, especially Lim Jun-young, since you’ve been so close for so long…”

“No, what are you talking about? Didn’t you see me practically kick An Chi-wook and Choi Ma-ru out to the United States? I’m not one to dwell on things like that.”

Min Ye-rin chuckled at Han Su-hyeok’s jest.

She knew better than anyone that, contrary to his outward appearance, he was a sentimental person and not used to parting with others.

“Um, by the way, Oppa. Are you going to the club next Monday? Is there training?”

“There’s always training… why? What’s up? Is your father coming?”

“No, it’s not that, but there’s a place I’d like you to go with me…”

“Really? Okay. Then I’ll skip training that day.”

“Yes! Great!”

* * *

– Hey, Han Su-hyeok, I think I’m screwed.

“What’s wrong?”

– The batted balls aren’t going anywhere! I was doing okay until the exhibition games, but once the season started, the pitches the pitchers are throwing are completely different!

“Of course. What did I tell you? I said the exhibition games are just exhibition games, right?”

– …Can’t I break the contract now and go back to the Warriors?

“Do you think they’ll let you?”

– Right? Sigh…….

An Chi-wook, who recorded the best stats of his debut season last year with a batting average of 0.338, an on-base percentage of 0.399, a slugging percentage of 0.565, an OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging] of 0.964, 32 home runs, 121 RBIs, a wOBA [weighted On-Base Average] of 0.441, a wRC+ [weighted Runs Created Plus] of 173.5, and a WAR [Wins Above Replacement] of 7.99, eventually advanced to the Seattle Mariners through free agency.

When the third baseman representing Korea was released into the FA [Free Agency] market, not only domestic teams but also big league teams jumped into the recruitment battle.

However, no team could beat Seattle, which offered a whopping 4-year contract worth $75 million. Of course, An Chi-wook’s stance was that he would only leave the Warriors for Seattle.

An Chi-wook, who went to the United States, had a batting average in the .200s during the exhibition games, but he showed occasional long hits and decent defense, raising expectations for the new season.

He’s having some difficulties since the regular season started, but Han Su-hyeok thinks it’s just a temporary phenomenon. Han Su-hyeok believed that once he started adapting to the new environment, he would soon achieve the results he was expected to.

“An Chi-wook.”

– Uh, why? Are you going to give me some *kkultip* [Korean slang for ‘honey tip’ – a very useful piece of advice]?

“Do well. You know there’s no minor league refusal clause in your contract, right?”

– …….

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t do well, but if I hear that you’re not working hard, you’re going straight to Double-A. The money invested in you? I don’t really care about that. I can just buy another third baseman somewhere else, so think carefully.”

– Why do you always pick on me like I’m a rat…….

“Okay, what about the house? How’s the new house you moved into?”

– Everything’s great, but do I have to live in the same house as that *hyung-joo* [older brother/friend – term of endearment] bastard?

“Then find one separately with your own money. You’re complaining even though I’m giving you a house for free. Hey, you son of a bitch. Learn from Ma-ru. He keeps sending me messages thanking me for finding him a good house.”

Even though he said that, An Chi-wook was grateful that Seo Hyung-joo was on the same team and that he lived in the same house as him.

So this is just a grumble.

– That Hyung-joo bastard wakes me up every *saebyeok* [early dawn] and forces me to run. I’m the type who needs to sleep well in the morning to get my condition up. And he won’t let me eat snacks!

Or maybe it’s genuine.

Anyway, Han Su-hyeok’s best friends and classmates, Seo Hyung-joo and An Chi-wook, and his junior Choi Ma-ru have all left his side. And they are starting a new challenge on the big stage called the Big League.

Han Su-hyeok thought.

Isn’t this enough? Isn’t this a happy ending for everyone?

It was a strange feeling, both refreshing and bittersweet. Han Su-hyeok realized once again that he had become quite attached to his two classmates.

But then,

“Oppa! Can you leave now?”

“Huh? Yeah, I’ll be right out.”

At Min Ye-rin’s words, Han Su-hyeok put on his coat and quickly followed her out.

The two headed somewhere in a car driven by Min Ye-rin for the first time in a while.

The place the car arrived at was a hospital.

“Ye-rin, why are we here…”

“Just follow me.”

And after a while, a middle-aged female doctor with a kind smile looked at Han Su-hyeok and said this.