Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 410

#409. Extra Story 9 – Two-Way VS Two-Way

[Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.]

These are the words left by the legendary boxer who gifted Han Su-hyeok with boxing trunks and a gown on costume day a long time ago.

Just like his words, the Oakland players definitely had a plausible plan for Han Su-hyeok.

Increase his pitch count as much as possible to tire him out, and if they get on base, throw a barrage of pickoff attempts to wear him down.

It sounded like a plausible plan at first glance.

If it had been possible.

Whoosh

“Swing! Out!”

They tried to draw walks [get on base by receiving four balls outside the strike zone] to increase his pitch count, but they failed due to Han Su-hyeok’s absurd pitching prowess.

Ttaaaaaaaak!

“Woooooooah!”

“Fucking! That’s it! I’ve been waiting for this!”

“You stupid Oakland bastards! How does it taste!”

Every hit turned into a home run instead of just a hit, and the pickoff play failed as well.

There was nothing humans could do against the god of baseball.

With Seattle leading by five points thanks to Han Su-hyeok’s three home runs and Seo Hyeong-ju’s timely hit, the top of the 9th inning, Oakland’s last chance to score, began.

Han Su-hyeok, who perfectly silenced the Oakland lineup with 92 pitches and 12 strikeouts today, is facing the last batter.

“Kill him! Crush that Oakland hick!”

“King of Seattle! No, God of Major League! Han Su-hyeok!”

The Seattle fans screamed their lungs out and stomped their feet, and the Oakland batter’s face turned pale, overwhelmed by their energy.

The moment the ball left Han Su-hyeok’s hand and the batter’s stiffened bat slashed through the air,

Whoosh

“Swing! Out!”

Everything was over.

The prepared celebratory fireworks went off, and the theme song that every baseball fan knows played throughout the stadium, with every broadcast camera in the stadium focused on Han Su-hyeok’s face.

A bright smile bloomed on the face of the 38-year-old pitcher who recorded a shutout [a game where a pitcher doesn’t allow the opposing team to score] in his first start since returning to the Big League, and the next day, that photo was plastered on the front pages of major American newspapers.

With the headline that the god of baseball had returned.

* * *

[Han Su-hyeok Records 9 Innings, No Runs Allowed, 13K Shutout, 3 Home Runs, 4 RBIs in Big League Return]

[Who mentioned his age in front of him? Han Su-hyeok’s full-power play was no different from 10 years ago. – Major League Baseball critic Darrell Stephen]

[Seattle Mariners’ Odds of Winning Increase from +1500 to +800]

[U.S. Sports Betting Company: “The team with the highest odds of winning at this point is the Yankees, who succeeded in signing David Blake to a long-term contract and acquired two FA [Free Agent] pitchers. However, the rankings may change depending on Han Su-hyeok’s performance in the future.”]

[108 mph fastball recorded in the top of the 1st inning, Han Su-hyeok: “I tried to throw it as hard as I could. To be honest, I thought it would come out a little faster.” Baseball fans in shock]

[The secret to maintaining his peak performance at the age of 38 is “My wife’s cooking? Taking walks with my son? I’m not kidding, I really think so. My family is my greatest strength.”]

[Han Su-hyeok, who was called the nightmare of the ground due to his merciless bench clearing [an event where players from both teams engage in a brawl], his appearance has changed drastically after marriage]

[PHOTO: Han Su-hyeok Takes a Walk in the Park with His Family]

└ Paparazzi, photographers, whatever, attached to Han Su-hyeok, I warn you. If you catch my eye, you’ll have a shotgun hole in your head.

└ Damn it, should we form a vigilante group or something? To be so easily exposed to paparazzi cameras.

└ No, as far as I know, there is already a sufficient security team in operation. Maybe that picture was taken by a regular person.

└ If so, it wouldn’t be a Seattle citizen.

└ Of course not. It must be a tourist from Oakland or New York. They’re trying to upset Han Su-hyeok.

└ That makes sense. Yeah, it’s definitely a spy sent from New York. Damn it, we have to catch and kill all those guys who speak with a New York accent.

Thud

“…So my SNS [Social Networking Service] is like this again because of that photo?”

“That’s right. Not only you, but the Yankees players’ SNS are all in a similar situation.”

“Those crazy bastards are really something. They’re more terrible than the Cubs or Red Sox guys, right?”

“Well, don’t worry about it and leave it alone. It’ll be quiet again in a few days.”

“Tsk…”

David Blake, who closed his smartphone, asked his agent with a sullen expression.

“How’s the Diego trade going? How far has it progressed?”

“Only the final decision is left. The Yankees are also in a state of emergency right now.”

“Hoo… good. Whatever happens, I think I’ll feel a little relieved when that guy joins us.”

Before the season started, or rather, right after Han Su-hyeok declared his return to the Big League,

David Blake, who was confident that he shouldn’t be compared to him, who was past his prime, was greatly shocked after watching Han Su-hyeok’s first start.

He was also walking the path of a two-way player, holding the position of the team’s first starting pitcher, shortstop, and center hitter,

He could tell just by looking. How amazing Han Su-hyeok’s play was.

Throwing a 108 mph fastball against the first batter to stiffen the opposing batters, and then pitching to get them out—no, damn it, he struck out 13, so can that be called pitching to get them out? Anyway, playing with the batters with minimal pitches,

A play that can be called the textbook of pitching, a fantastic pitch that anyone dreams of but no one dares to imitate.

And that’s not all.

A home run on the first pitch of his first at-bat, then another home run by hitting a ball that was running away in his second at-bat, and in his last at-bat, he lifted the changeup of a pitcher whose mentality had collapsed and hit it out of the stadium.

“I have to admit at least one thing.”

“Hmm?”

“…Han Su-hyeok is not a player who can be evaluated by age. Damn it, yeah. From now on, I’m going to erase how old he is from my head. As a player against a player, I’ll face him with all my strength. World Series championship, Gold Glove for shortstop, Silver Slugger [an award for best offensive player], MVP [Most Valuable Player], Cy Young [an award for best pitcher], I’m not going to give up a single one and take them all. Just watch, because I, David Blake, am serious.”

“That’s a great saying. Of course, you should. If only half of that plan is realized, your value will rise again. I’ll become richer too. Hehe, ah, wait a minute. I have a call.”

During the conversation, the agent received a call and said to David after a short call.

“Congratulations, David. The Diego acquisition has been decided.”

“Great. That’s the news I’ve been waiting for.”

David clenched his fist at the news that the league’s best catcher would be wearing a Yankees uniform through a trade.

The strongest card to use in the three-game series against Seattle, which is a month away, which will determine the direction of the two teams this season, and the direction of Han Su-hyeok and himself, was in his hand.

* * *

[New York Yankees Give Up Three Prospects to Get Diego Rosa from Cubs]

[Diego Rosa, the best catcher of this era who won the National League Catcher Gold Glove and Silver Slugger at the same time last season, wears a striped uniform.]

[Diego Rosa: “My goal is a World Series ring, so I was incredibly excited when the Yankees move was decided. I’m happy to play for the best prestigious club.”]

[Yankees’ New Star, Emperor of New York David Blake: “The last piece for winning the World Series has been completed. There is nothing that can stop the Yankees this season.”]

“Han, what are you looking at so intently?”

“Ah, Leonard. These guys are funny. Who decided he was the best catcher?”

“Huh? Who are you talking about… Ah, Diego? That guy is good. Yeah, he’s definitely a good catcher.”

“Compared to you?”

“Me? Ha, damn it. Even if I’m old, I’m still better than that guy……”

“That’s a relief. I was going to send you down to the minors and bring in another catcher if you were acting up.”

“Hehe, I knew that, so I tried acting a little. How about it, don’t you think I could switch to being a movie actor after retirement?”

Leonard Jones, who has been guarding Seattle’s home plate for over 10 years since Bruce Matthews left, is certain to be inducted into the Hall of Fame after retirement, and is mentioned along with legends such as Yadier Molina, Joe Mauer, and Jason Varitek, and will probably remain the best catcher in Seattle’s history.

Looking only at the current skills, Diego Rosa, who is having his prime, may be superior. But Leonard has a lot of championship experience and know-how that he doesn’t have.

That’s why if I had to choose one of the two players, my choice would be Leonard.

“Leonard.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t lose, friend.”

“Ha, that’s obvious.”

Hmm… he used to be quite humble, but did he get influenced by Hyeong-ju while I was away? Somehow, I can smell that guy in every line……

With the acquisition of the National League’s best catcher, the Yankees’ power has risen another level, and we recorded 3 wins and 1 loss in the opening 4-game series against Oakland. When that Desmond King guy was there, he at least pretended to resist, but everyone is young, so there’s no fun in stepping on them. Wait, what is that Desmond King guy doing?

Anyway, I feel this every time, but the Oakland guys are really good at raising players. The problem is that they sell them off without fail when they get a little bigger, but if I take my eyes off them for a moment, a rookie appears from somewhere and fills that spot.

If it weren’t for the clause that prohibits simultaneous ownership of two clubs in Major League Baseball, I would have bought it. Or should I scout all the personnel related to player development?

[Seattle Takes Winning Series with 3 Wins and 1 Loss Against Oakland, Also Leads with 2 Wins and 1 Loss in 3-Game Series Against Division Rival Texas Rangers]

[Texas Rangers, who declared win-now this season and made aggressive investments, sink due to Han Su-hyeok’s two home runs.]

[Manager Ryan Thibodeau: “The starting rotation will be operated on a 6-man rotation for the time being. Is it because of Han Su-hyeok? That’s right. He is the best pitcher, and as a manager, I have a duty to help such a best pitcher throw the ball in the best condition.”]

[Han Su-hyeok, who started in the first game against Oakland and the second game against Texas, recorded 2 wins, 25K [strikeouts], and 16 innings without allowing a run, Major League Baseball experts: “Did his skills rust while playing in the minor leagues? What idiot said that?”]

[Launch angle and speed almost the same as in his prime, BA [Baseball America] analysis team official: “If I had to point it out, his swing speed has dropped very slightly. But there is no problem at all in hitting the balls of existing Big League pitchers.”]

The season continued.

It’s a little disappointing that there are no fixed rest days like in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], but it seems like the time I spend with my family has actually increased. This is because Yerin, who declared a complete rest this year, takes Siwon’s hand and visits the stadium every day.

I have such a thought.

If I hadn’t met that kid, or if that kid hadn’t been my fan, if she hadn’t approached me first in the past when I didn’t know anything about relationships,

What would my life be like now?

“Oppa, today Siwon said.”

“Shh, you need to lower your voice a little more. I don’t think he’s asleep yet.”

“Really? No, I think he’s asleep? Anyway.”

“Yeah?”

“He said that at the stadium today. He clenched his little fist and said he wanted to be like his dad, and stuff like that.”

I thought this moment would come someday.

My son, whether he resembles me or Yerin, this guy who only watches baseball games every day since he was able to watch TV,

If he says he wants to play baseball someday,

What should I say?

What does baseball mean in my life? Can I recommend this difficult and arduous path to this child?

“I wish we had a little more time. It’s a little early to decide on a career already, right?”

“That’s right, that would be the right answer. But I have a feeling that Siwon will eventually become a baseball player.”

“……”

That’s how the month of April passed in an instant.

The rookies, who couldn’t get their act together at the beginning of the season, gradually adapted to the Big League, and the FAs brought in from outside adapted to the team, and we finished the last week of April with a winning percentage of 0.615, first place in the American League West Division.

And,

[Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees, American League’s Nemesis, Finally Meet]

[God of Baseball Han Su-hyeok VS Emperor of New York David Blake’s Starting Matchup]

[Average Ticket Price at Historic Showdown New York Yankee Stadium Approaches $750, Yet Fans Unable to Obtain Tickets are in Anguish]

[Baseball Fans Around the World Focus on the Two Teams’ Matchup That Could Determine the Direction of the American League This Season]

The day had come.