Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 408

#407. Extra Story 7 – Worship

└ Die! You moronic bastard! How dare you mess with me!

└ What? You think you’re better than Han Su-hyeok? Do you want a hole in your head?

└ A one-season wonder dares to look down on the god of baseball?

└ This idiot clearly has pasta instead of brains in his head.

└ Just a passing Boston fan, but anyone can see the Seattle guys are right.

└ You will pay for your blasphemy against the god with your death! You son of a bitch!

Tuk.

“…Fucking hell.”

“David, I told you to just close your social media. Why do you keep looking at it like you enjoy the pain?”

“Damn it, did I say anything wrong? Look at my stats from last season. Considering the league level difference, I was clearly better than Han Su-hyeok, wasn’t I? I just stated the facts.”

“I know, I know….”

David Blake, who joined the New York Yankees’ camp in Florida, 2,200 miles east of Phoenix where Seattle’s spring training camp is set up, is complaining to his agent.

Seeing David like that, his agent sighed deeply.

Strictly speaking, he wasn’t wrong.

Last season, David succeeded in two-way play [playing both pitcher and hitter], recording an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] of 1.61 with 16 wins as a pitcher and a batting average of 0.333 with 62 home runs as a hitter, while Han Su-hyeok had an ERA of 1.58 and 55 home runs in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization]. Considering the league difference, David’s stats were definitely better.

‘Ignoring the fact that he missed more than 30 games due to childcare, and also excluding the minor injuries that kept him from being in top condition.’

More than anything, when Han Su-hyeok was David’s age, he was a monster who recorded around 80 home runs and an ERA in the 0s every season.

But he couldn’t say those words out loud. What he needed now wasn’t facts, but soothing his precious client.

“Anyway, David, ignore social media and just think about your bright future. We won in the end. 12 years, 800 million dollars! Isn’t it amazing? You’ll be recorded as the highest-paid player in Major League history. Now, take your eyes off your smartphone, will you?”

“Tch… Okay, you’re right. I can’t ruin the mood because of social media on a good day like this. Alfred, thanks for your hard work. Take enough commission, my friend.”

“Great. That’s what I was waiting to hear, hehe.”

The long-term contract tug-of-war between David Blake and the New York Yankees during the recent stove league [off-season period for player trades and signings] eventually ended in David’s victory.

David Blake, now hailed as the emperor of New York, signed a 12-year, 800 million dollar deal, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s existing Major League record of 10 years, 700 million dollars.

He had been trying two-way play since his Big League debut, but he hadn’t achieved great results due to injuries and other reasons. Last season, he played a full season for the first time, recording an incredible ERA of 1.61, 16 wins, a batting average of 0.333, and 62 home runs.

Some say giving David, who has shown various problems in durability, a 12-year contract is a mistake, and that contract will drag the Yankees to hell.

But the Yankees had no choice. They had to take a risk to keep him, who had risen as the emperor of New York with not only his baseball skills but also his handsome looks and flamboyant personality.

Anyway, with this contract, David will be wearing the Yankees uniform for the new season, with the goal of winning the World Series for the third consecutive year.

“By the way, David, what are you going to do about the interview request from ESPN? I think we can handle it in writing since you’re training, but there are some sensitive questions mixed in.”

“Sensitive questions?”

“Everything else aside… there’s a question like this: ‘As a player and as a team, are you confident in beating Han Su-hyeok and the Seattle Mariners?’ Damn it, it’s a question that you’re bound to get cursed at no matter how you answer. Those bastards.”

“Alfred.”

“Yes, tell me, David.”

“Is there any need to worry? Just answer that I’m confident. If one side has to get cursed at anyway, it’s better to get cursed at by fans of other teams than our own. And……”

“Hmm?”

“I’m really confident in winning too. Damn it, no matter how good Han Su-hyeok is, he’s almost forty now. His era is over. Just watch, I’ll show you who the new era’s baseball emperor is.”

* * *

Before Han Su-hyeok joined, Seattle was the only one of the 30 Major League teams without a World Series title, a weak team that was always at the bottom.

But in the 10 years after Han Su-hyeok joined, Seattle wrote a history that no team in history could compare to, a history that even the Yankees, who were called the empire before modern baseball, could not surpass.

The Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers, who dominated the American League, were suppressed by the Mariners’ momentum and couldn’t do anything, and the National League teams on the other side often gave up, saying that even if they went to the World Series, the championship would be Seattle’s anyway.

Of course, nothing lasts forever.

In the 7 seasons after Han Su-hyeok returned to his home country,

The Mariners returned from the strongest team in history to an ordinary strong team.

They brought two more World Series trophies in the early days when his legacy was working, but that was the end. The Yankees, who started actively collecting players in the gap of Han Su-hyeok’s absence, and the traditional powerhouse Red Sox, were pushed back and couldn’t even advance to the World Series.

Seattle fans had to watch the Yankees lift the World Series trophy for the second year in a row with envious eyes. They couldn’t help but sigh at the decline of the team that was once the strongest in the American League, no, the Major League.

“Damn it, that’s great. To be able to see that guy again.”

“Oh, God. Glory to the Mariners!”

The Major League exhibition game started with the end of spring training.

Han Su-hyeok, who had not played in a single game during spring training, appeared in the last exhibition game held at Seattle’s home stadium.

Seattle fans who filled the stadium, and baseball fans who flocked from all over the United States to see the return of the legend with their own eyes, stared with wide eyes at somewhere.

His name engraved on the far away scoreboard,

No. 3 shortstop Han Su-hyeok.

That brilliantly shining name made the fans’ hearts burn.

“But shortstop… Is it even possible, no matter how good Han Su-hyeok is? He’s already 38 years old? Damn it, we should give him a more comfortable position, shouldn’t we?”

“I heard that Han Su-hyeok volunteered. That fucking Juan Diaz ran away to the Yankees… Haa, just thinking about it makes my head hurt again. Anyway, the starting shortstop left the team and there are no suitable resources in the minors… It seems like he’s trying to fill the weakest part of the team.”

”Damn it, that’s great. On the one hand, it’s a shame. It looks like he could play for a few more years, but it’s only for one year.“

“That’s not something we can do anything about. So let’s put aside unnecessary thoughts and enjoy this moment to the fullest. This moment that might be the last in our lives.”

* * *

“Han!”

“I told you not to shout.”

“Ah, I’m sorry! It’s not that, but I was wondering if you had any advice on my batting…….”

“Advice… Well, how about watching the ball a little more calmly?”

“Calmly… calmly… Indeed, the advice of the greatest player of all time is something different. Something really hits me. Thank you!”

Noah Martinez, who has been following me around and making noise since I first joined this team, is called the owner of a five-tool talent [a player who excels in hitting for average, hitting for power, running, fielding, and throwing] that comes out once every 10 years. He stepped into the batting box with a confident step.

Hmm… once every 10 years, that’s definitely right. The age difference between Derek Fleming, Seo Hyeong-ju, who can be said to be that guy’s role model, and that guy is about 10 years old.

Anyway,

The Mariners, who I returned to after 7 seasons, had changed a lot.

As the owner of the club, I have been receiving reports on the team even while playing in Korea, but it was very different to see it in documents or videos and to actually come inside and see it.

The Seattle Mariners, which I viewed as objectively as possible, putting aside the thought that it was my team…….

Hmm,

First of all, the catcher position where Leonard is holding on and the second base where Seo Hyeong-ju is guarding are quite competitive. The problem is that they are both in their late thirties, but if you use the backups well, there will be no problem in playing the season.

The left and right corner outfielders, who are guarded by veterans brought in by FA [Free Agency, allowing players to sign with any team], are not bad either. Both are a little lacking in power, but they are decent players who record a WRC [Weighted Runs Created, a comprehensive offensive statistic] of over 130 with a batting average of nearly 30%.

The problem is the remaining positions guarded by rookies.

The positions guarded by the guys who should be called young blood and should be called youngsters: 1st base, 3rd base, and center fielder.

Saying that we should look at the future rather than the present, yes, that’s a good word.

If this team is not a team that aims to win now, and if this season is not my last season.

Tch.

Bang!

“Out!”

While I was lost in thought, Noah, who was the leadoff hitter in today’s exhibition game, was out with a line drive to the shortstop.

The guy who had been so proud until just now was glancing at me and went into the dugout.

To be honest…….

It will take some time, but that guy will become the pillar of this team after I retire and after Seo Hyeong-ju leaves the ground. I don’t know what Noah Martinez was like in the past life, but the guy I see with my own eyes now was definitely a hitter with that much potential.

[No. 2 hitter second baseman Seo Hyeong-ju]

In a situation where there is one out and no runners, my friend and the captain of this team, Seo Hyeong-ju, entered the plate.

The guy who had the worst slump last season made many changes to his batting mechanism. He adjusted his form from a pulling upper swing to a pushing level swing, and being a little more patient at the plate was the new path he chose.

It can’t be helped. If a hitter who has aged and has a reduced ability to deal with fastballs wants to survive, that’s the only way.

Bang

“Foul!”

“Damn it!”

The ball just now is proof of that. He pulled the bland four-seam [a type of fastball] coming into the middle with all his might, but the timing was not right and it became a foul.

When did the guy who was flapping around trying to beat me somehow get so old?

The flow of time is fair to everyone.

It’s obvious, but I’ve aged too. Maybe that David Blake or Flake guy is right. Maybe I’m too old to compete with a 26-year-old youngster who is just running towards his prime.

But,

So what?

In the past life, I was the one who led the broken body that could not even be compared to now to the top, the one who did not let go of the baseball in any hardship,

I am Han Su-hyeok, who was allowed a second chance and now finally knows what baseball is.

Bang!

“Safe!”

My friend, who barely survived at first base after hitting a deep ground ball to the shortstop, looks at me panting.

My friend who is an average age of 38 years old and will lead the upper batting line of this team together as a keystone combo [the second baseman and shortstop, known for their defensive importance].

Smile

A smile came out without me knowing.

I am grateful that there is someone who can use the word friend without hesitation, that I can spend the last of my long baseball life with such a guy, and that I can compete once again with the youngster who is said to be the strongest player in the Major League at the moment.

I am truly grateful that the end of my baseball life, which I have devoted nearly 50 years to in the past life, can be so wonderful.

With such a grateful heart,

Whoosh

Matching the timing with the four-seam that seems to be about 97 miles, with all my might,

Taaaaaaak!

“Waaaaaaaaaa!”

Taking a walk around the diamond while listening to the cheers that are always refreshing to hear.

Passing the opposing team’s infielders who can’t even make eye contact properly,

Tuk

“Damn it, you monster! I barely got an infield hit. Do it again! This at-bat is invalid!”

Putting my hand on the shoulder of my friend who is still acting immaturely as if he is eating age backwards,

“Damn it! That’s right! I look forward to this season too, my friend!”

“Han! I’m sorry during the game… Do you have any thoughts on selling that bat to me at a high price… Ah! Manager! Say it with words! With words! Ah! It really hurts!”

While receiving the boisterous welcome of my teammates,

“Han Su-hyeok! Han Su-hyeok! Han Su-hyeok!”

“The god of baseball has returned! Worship everyone!”

“This season’s World Series champion is Seattle! You sons of bitches!”

Bowing my head to the audience I faced for the first time in 8 years,

I took one more step into the moment of history that will be the last chapter of my baseball life.

Into the moment of history that I will reminisce with my precious people in the distant future.