Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 403

#402. Extra Story 2 – Birth

The Warriors’ 2041 season was anything but smooth. They simultaneously lost a veteran starting pitcher who had long guarded the mound, a second starter who was one of the team’s pillars, and a key hitter who had recorded historic stats in the third batting position.

They barely managed to fill the void left by the three. The average age of the starting players, excluding the second baseman and left fielder, was 33, which was a significant weakness for a long season.

Moreover, the Warriors endured their worst start ever when their oldest pitcher, Cheon Sang-jin, entering his 39th season, suffered an elbow injury in the season opener.

The 1st and 2nd starters, Han Su-hyeok and the foreign pitcher, were still strong, but the rest of the starting lineup and the relief pitchers, who were hardly reliable, held the team back.

As a result, when the first half ended, the Seoul Warriors barely managed to stay above .500, ranking 6th in the league.

But,

Thwack!

This team had him.

An extraordinary existence that had completely devastated Major League Baseball and Korean baseball—no, the entire world of baseball—

A player called the God of Baseball,

And a man who would soon become a father,

Han Su-hyeok.

Thwaaaaaack!

In the first half of the season, with Ahn Chi-wook absent, an overt series of intentional walks continued, and Han Su-hyeok’s on-base percentage exceeded .650.

All pitchers avoided facing Han Su-hyeok, and the phenomenon of more walks than hits occurred.

It was designated hitter Choi Jae-min who broke away from that situation.

He had become a perfect professional baseball player to the point where he no longer felt his disability, and he began to unleash a *myeongda* [a flurry of hits] in the second half.

When Choi Jae-min supported him along with Jang Deok-soo, the pitchers had no choice but to challenge Han Su-hyeok, and eventually, they were gloriously *sanhwa* [sacrificed themselves].

Along with Han Su-hyeok’s performance, the Warriors’ winning rate also rose rapidly. And finally, Cheon Sang-jin, who had been sidelined due to injury, returned to the team.

With Cheon Sang-jin’s return, the Warriors, who went on a 22-game winning streak, tied for the most consecutive wins in team history, rose to 2nd place behind the Seoul Magicians in the last week of September, and

Whoosh

Swish!

“Swing! Out!”

In the first game of the second week of October, Han Su-hyeok shut out the Magicians and finally rose to first place.

And then came the autumn baseball season.

The Daejeon Falcons, who tasted autumn baseball again, and the Busan Titans, the runner-up team from last season, faced off in the Wild Card Game.

The winner of that game, called the match of the century, was the Busan Titans.

[4th place Busan Titans defeat the Daejeon Falcons thanks to Park Jang-yeol’s performance of 3 runs in 9 innings, 1 home run, and 2 RBIs]

[Park Jang-yeol, who was selected as the MVP of the game, said, “I feel infinitely honored to be able to follow in the footsteps of my idol and mentor, Han Su-hyeok.” When asked if he thought he could beat the Warriors this year, he said, “Well, that’s a bit…” Titans fans furious]

The Busan Titans, who advanced to the semi-playoffs in that way, played a fierce game against the Incheon Rangers that went to the 5th game. And in the end, they defeated the Rangers with 3 wins and 2 losses and won the ticket to the playoffs.

[Last season’s runner-up Busan Titans face off against the Seoul Magicians for the right to advance to the Korean Series]

[Busan Titans, led by Park Jang-yeol, the only pitcher-hitter except for Han Su-hyeok VS Seoul Magicians, the hitting team that recorded a team batting average of .290]

The Busan Titans, who finished as runner-up in the 2040 season due to the Warriors’ overwhelming power, did not give up and did their best to make up for the team’s shortcomings.

Because the regular season ranking competition was so fierce this time, the season record remained in 4th place, but the overall power was evaluated to be much stronger than last season.

Those Titans defeated the Magicians again after a close game that went to the 5th game.

[Park Jang-yeol, who took the mound in the 9th inning of the last game of the playoffs and was responsible for the team’s last inning, said, “The manager said, ‘We’ve come this far, what can we do?’ I felt the same way, so I was able to stand on the mound without hesitation.”]

Some called it *seonsu hoksa* [player exploitation], and others called it *tuhon* [fighting spirit].

But the clear fact is that the Titans advanced to the Korean Series for the second year in a row thanks to Park Jang-yeol’s sacrifice.

But,

The reality was *naeonghok* [cold and harsh].

The Titans, who were shut out in the first game of the Korean Series due to Han Su-hyeok’s overwhelming pitching, also gave up the following 2nd and 3rd games in vain.

Nevertheless, the citizens of Busan did not stop cheering for the Titans.

They were happy enough that the team that had *jjikdeon 78889878* [a team known for consistently losing] had advanced to the Korean Series for two years in a row.

The citizens of Busan filled Sajik Stadium to cheer for the team on the brink.

In the last 4th game, where the team’s fate was at stake,

The team’s ace, Park Jang-yeol, who made this moment possible, took the mound.

He had gold-rimmed glasses without lenses on his face.

The Busan fans were once again enthusiastic about his appearance, which reminded them of someone.

But that was it.

That’s what the Titans fans could laugh about.

The moment the curve that left the fingertips of the glasses ace drew a *meotjin* [splendid] angle and entered the catcher’s mitt,

The pitcher who threw that ball grabbed his shoulder and collapsed.

And the Titans *paemang* [were defeated].

[The Korean Series ends *singgeopge* [anticlimactically] again, ending with the Seoul Warriors’ 4-game winning streak]

[Korean Series MVP Han Su-hyeok, “I’m happy with the team’s victory, but I’m more worried about my junior’s injury. Is Park Jang-yeol okay?” asks reporters]

[Titans ace Park Jang-yeol, who collapsed on the mound in the 1st inning, was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder as a result of the examination, *seonsu saengmyeong wiheom* [career-threatening injury]]

[Furious Titans fans gather in front of Sajik Stadium and start a collective protest]

[*Tusudeul-ui hoksa* [Pitchers’ exploitation] continues in the 2040s, is there a way to stop it?]

[Han Su-hyeok, a player and owner of the Seoul Warriors, “If the Titans request it, I will ask the world’s leading authority linked to the Mariners to treat Park Jang-yeol.”]

[Busan Titans dismisses, “Thank you for your kindness, but we’ll take care of our own business.” Furious Titans fans throw eggs at the club office]

With so many things happening, the 2041 KBO League finally came to an end.

The Seoul Warriors, who won the championship for the second year in a row since Han Su-hyeok’s return,

Another someone on that team was preparing for the end.

* * *

“Hyung [older brother/senior], are you really not going to have a retirement game?”

“Yeah, I don’t need it. It’s *minpe* [a nuisance] to take up a spot on the roster for no reason, and I hit a home run in the last Korean Series, so that’s enough. That’s a great retirement game.”

“If I had known that, I would have announced it to the fans then…….”

“No, it’s no use saying such things, it’ll only make the kids and the fans *dwisungseong* [uneasy].”

“I’m *seounhaeyo* [disappointed], Hyung.”

Jang Deok-soo, who heard Han Su-hyeok say that he was *seounhada* [disappointed] for the first time in his life, stared at him with wide eyes.

Strangely, he felt good. To feel good at a junior’s words at this moment when he was determined to take off his uniform,

It was truly a *moreul il* [unfathomable thing].

“Su-hyeok-ah.”

“Yes, Deok-soo Hyung.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For taking my side back then.”

“Side? When… Ah, back then?”

“Yeah, if you hadn’t been there when Hwang Seong-min *seonbae* [senior] was *goerophil* [bullying] me, I wouldn’t have had this moment today.”

“I didn’t take your side. Honestly, I said things I shouldn’t have said to you back then.”

“No, I was *jeongsini beonjjeok deureotjanheo* [I snapped out of it] when I heard that. If it weren’t for you, I would still be putting up with those guys and just *kkuk chamgo sarasseulgyeo* [just enduring it all]. Thank you. Thanks to you, I had fun playing baseball.”

“…….”

Han Su-hyeok couldn’t say anything to Jang Deok-soo’s *damdamhan* [calm] confession.

The fact that another colleague was about to leave his side made him *uljeok* [gloomy].

Unlike other *seonbae* [seniors] who chose the path of coach after retiring as an active player, Jang Deok-soo chose to leave the baseball world completely and return to his hometown.

As the team’s starting catcher, as a first baseman and *jupo* [main hitter] as he got older, and as the most reliable colleague when a bench clearing occurred,

Jang Deok-soo, who had guarded the Seoul Warriors for the past 20 years, left the ground without a retirement game.

Seoul Warriors NO 18. Jang Deok-soo (40)

18 seasons in total

Batting average 0.278

On-base percentage 0.355

Slugging percentage 0.558 (2nd all-time)

OPS 0.913 (13th all-time)

1,975 hits (19th all-time)

394 home runs (2nd all-time)

1,290 RBIs (8th all-time)

815 walks (17th all-time)

1,305 strikeouts (11th all-time)

* * *

“Then let’s go with FA [Free Agent] *yeongip* [acquisition] for the first baseman… Let’s give the rookies another chance for the third baseman… Um, Su-hyeok-ah.”

“…….”

“Su-hyeok, Han Su-hyeok?”

“Oh, Hyung. Sorry. What did you just say?”

“Hehe, you’re human after all. You’re not concentrating at all, are you?”

“No, it’s not exactly that…….”

“That’s why I said I’ll just do it myself, so why did you bother to hold a meeting? Hey, just go now. It’s a holiday today anyway. What’s with this *cheongseung* [pathetic behavior] for you and me?”

“No, we have to deal with the fire that’s fallen on our feet right away because of the FA contract. Anyway, Hyung, no, the front office thinks we should fill Deok-soo Hyung’s spot with FA, right? But that guy is an outfielder?”

“It can’t be helped. There’s not a single professional 1st baseman among the FA *maemul* [available players] right now. When you were in the States, he played 1st base occasionally and his record was better than I thought.”

“Really? Um, let’s see. The detailed indicators are…….”

“Hey, just put that down and go quickly. I’m doing this because it’s your money, but honestly, I’m uncomfortable.”

“It’s not about the money, we have to be *jeongsin basseok charyeoyaji* [mentally sharp] to fill the *ppajyeonagan jeollyeok* [lost power]. Jun-yeong Hyung, Maru, and Chi-wook left last year, and now Deok-soo Hyung is leaving too. If this were America, I’d just buy them all with money, but there’s no *maemul* [available players] even if I try to spend money.”

“Well, even Seattle faltered for a while and then immediately returned to normal. The market is definitely bigger over there.”

“Of course. If you don’t care about *gaseongbi* [cost-effectiveness], it’s easy to reinforce the *seonsudan* [team roster] with money over there.”

“Then what about the Yankees? They spend money every time and haven’t won a championship in over 20 years?”

“Those are just *meongcheongideul* [idiots], anyway… uh?”

“Why?”

“Hyung! I’ll go first. I’ll do the rest later… No, anyway, Hyung knows what I want, so please process it with *jeongyeol* [delegated authority].”

“What? Did you get a call? Now? Right away?”

“Yeah, I’m going.”

“Hey, don’t run! You’ll get hurt! I have a car waiting outside, so just get in and go. It’s only 5 minutes away anyway.”

“Oh, thanks! I’ll call you later!”

“Okay, congratulations in advance. I’ll clean up here and go right away!”

Han Su-hyeok, who hurriedly got up from his seat, left the club office and headed for the parking lot. There, a car prepared in advance by Park Seong-hoon was waiting.

“I’ll take you.”

“Yes, please.”

The car carrying Han Su-hyeok hurriedly departed.

The hospital is located 5 minutes away from the club office.

Han Su-hyeok, who got out of the car, entered with quick steps.

The lobby was buzzing as he, the most famous sports player and *jaebeol* [tycoon] in Korea, appeared. Someone tried to hand him a *sainji* [autograph paper], but put it away when they saw Han Su-hyeok’s urgent expression.

Han Su-hyeok, who disappeared through the crowd, arrived somewhere.

A nurse who was waiting outside greeted him with a bright smile.

“You came just in time, didn’t you?”

“Has it started?”

“Yes, just now.”

“Is Ye-rin okay?”

“Of course. There’s nothing wrong with her. Everything is perfect, so don’t worry too much and wait.”

“Thank you.”

Han Su-hyeok, who *sseureonaerin gaseum* [relieved his anxiety], sat down on a chair in the hospital hallway.

It was a moment he had been waiting for so much, and it was also a moment he was so worried about.

Please, let nothing happen, let everyone be safe.

“Hey, Su-hyeok-ah! Are you okay? Is it still going on?”

“Han *seobang* [term for son-in-law]! How’s Ye-rin?”

After a while, Park Seong-hoon, who had rushed over after finishing work, and Min Tae-hyun, Min Ye-rin’s father and Han Su-hyeok’s *jangin* [father-in-law], ran to his side.

Time passed.

And after a while,

Click

“Han Su-hyeok *seonsu* [player], no, Father, come in here.”

“Yes? Me?”

Nod

The nurse, with a pleasant smile, gestured to Han Su-hyeok, and Han Su-hyeok, who put on the gown and gloves she handed him, went inside.

There,

In a small delivery room,

A miracle,

A miracle bigger than *hoegwi* [regression/reincarnation] was waiting for him.

“Wah!”

“Oppa [term of endearment for older brother/boyfriend]…….”

“Ye-rin-ah, you had a hard time.”

“No, I’m okay. This is nothing, hehe.”

“You worked hard. Really.”

“More than that, please hold our baby, our prince, quickly.”

“Huh? Uh…….”

The nurse carefully handed over the baby.

Han Su-hyeok, who received the baby, smiled without realizing it.

That was probably the biggest smile in his life after *hoegwi* [regression/reincarnation]—no, in his entire life.

“He looks just like Oppa. Ah, and a little late, but Oppa.”

“Uh…….”

“Merry Christmas, we both received the biggest gift of our lives.”

Suddenly, *hambaknun* [large, fluffy snowflakes] began to pour down from the sky, which had been clear until just now.

Couples and families who came out on the streets for Christmas Eve looked up at the snow falling from the sky with happy expressions.

One year ago, a prince was born to the God of Baseball and the pop star who became one like a Christmas miracle.

That was a miracle more precious than anything else in the world, something that Han Su-hyeok couldn’t trade for hitting 80 home runs and recording an ERA in the 0s.