Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 411

#410. Extra Story 10 – Not Much Time Left

“Goddamn it… that irritating bastard.”

A long time ago, back in the 2030 season when Han Su-hyeok first set foot in the Major Leagues,

The New York Yankees were undeniably the strongest team representing the American League.

Having failed to win the World Series since 2009, the Yankees invested a massive budget for years to reclaim it. They built a starting pitching lineup led by Tyson Barsham and Shaquille Leonard, a solid closer in Justin Zavala, and a powerful batting lineup of Lucas Anderson, Zack Haynes, and Troy Buckley, all to challenge for the championship.

And they were destroyed.

The team, assembled at the cost of nearly $170 million in luxury tax, was mercilessly crushed by the Seattle Mariners led by Han Su-hyeok. In the process, their left-handed ace, Tyson Barsham, got into a fight with Han Su-hyeok and had his jaw broken. He himself clashed with the league office and almost had his business ruined by Han Su-hyeok’s backers.

For the next 10 years,

The Yankees’ dark age began. Due to Seattle, or rather, Han Su-hyeok’s long reign, the Yankees had to endure a decade of humiliation, unable to even pass the League Championship Series, let alone win the World Series. A full 10 years.

“Owner, let’s go. The game will start soon.”

“Good, it’s a real war.”

Johan Steinbrenner, the owner of the giant empire that is the New York Yankees, jumped up from his seat. His steps headed towards the VIP skybox prepared exclusively for him.

The Yankees, blocked by Han Su-hyeok from achieving anything, reorganized after he left and finally reached the top. They won two years in a row, in 2045 and 2046.

“David, how’s his condition?”

“He’s in perfect shape. You can look forward to it.”

“That’s a relief.”

Steinbrenner thought that the Yankees’ era was finally about to begin, but,

An unexpected bomb dropped. A nuclear bomb named Han Su-hyeok.

To stop that bomb, he activated an extension contract with David Blake for 12 years and an absurd $800 million. It was more than 20% higher than the originally expected terms, but he had no choice. David was the only card he had to counter the overpowered Han Su-hyeok.

And that’s not all. He also signed the two most expensive and reliable free agent pitchers on the market. He gave up three cherished prospects and even brought in the best catcher in the National League. All of that was to fight against Seattle led by Han Su-hyeok.

Big League experts all said the same thing. The Yankees’ power in the 2047 season would probably be the strongest ever. No team could beat the current Yankees.

But he wasn’t relieved at all. Steinbrenner knew what that monster Han Su-hyeok was capable of, what would happen once he moved.

Age? That’s a joke. Outwardly, he too brought up Han Su-hyeok’s age, but he knew better than anyone that age didn’t matter to a monster like that.

In any case, as the owner, he had done everything he could.

All that was left was to hope that the evil empire he had built would crush the Seattle Mariners led by Han Su-hyeok.

Johan Steinbrenner, who had taken over as the owner of the Yankees from his grandfather and father, turned his gaze to the field with heavy eyes.

David Blake, the emperor of New York who would receive an absurd annual salary of $66 million, was taking the mound.

* * *

“Play!”

The Yankee Stadium, the most expensive baseball stadium in the world, costing $1.5 billion to build in 2009, and over $4 billion based on the current value in 2047.

That stadium, a history and museum of baseball, was filled with 50,000 fans wearing pinstripe jerseys. Mariners fans, known to be more fanatical than Cubs or Red Sox fans, couldn’t even get tickets to enter.

With the one-sided support of those fans, David Blake began his battle against the first batter.

‘Noah Martinez, a versatile left-handed hitter with no particular weaknesses, though he is a rookie.’

A talented five-tool player who was called up to the Major Leagues through the expanded roster [when teams can add players to their roster] last September and immediately took over the team’s center field position.

The way to deal with such a hitter is very simple.

Power, overwhelming power.

With the speed revolution and the development of training techniques that began in the 2010s, pitchers were able to unleash 120% of their physical power. Of course, there were limits. After Han Su-hyeok, who returned to the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] in the 2040 season, threw a 110-mile, or 170 km/h, ball, no one has been able to break that barrier. That’s why everyone thought that the limit of a human’s throwing speed was 110 miles.

David, the emperor of New York, the best talent in Yankees history, and the successor to the two-way player following in Han Su-hyeok’s footsteps, also found the 110-mile wall high and insurmountable. He tried every possible method to increase his speed even a little, but there were limits.

Nevertheless, one thing was certain: before Han Su-hyeok’s return, the best fastball pitcher in Major League Baseball was David Blake.

Swish

A pitching form that was slightly lower than overhand, closer to three-quarters, was activated. His body, with the best conditions for a pitcher at 194cm and 105kg, began to move to catch the batter.

Whoosh

Thwack!

“Strike!”

“That’s it! That’s the one!”

“David! You magnificent bastard! Crush those Mariners bastards!”

David smiled contentedly as he looked at his speed displayed on the scoreboard.

105 miles, 168 km/h.

It wasn’t as fast as the 108 miles Han Su-hyeok had recorded recently, but it was close to his top speed, the best ball he could currently throw, and it pierced the strike zone.

Yes, this speed is enough. Whether it’s 105 miles or 108 miles, it’s just as difficult for the batter to deal with.

Speed isn’t the only thing that matters to a pitcher. Various other conditions combine to create the quality of a pitcher, and he is ahead in all the physical aspects of those conditions. No matter what anyone says, he was now starting his prime, and Han Su-hyeok was about to retire.

David, who was even more confident with his first pitch, threw his second ball.

Thwack!

“Strike!”

This time, a 103-mile fastball went into the lowest corner of the outside of the strike zone.

The reason why experts recognized David Blake as Han Su-hyeok’s successor was that control. He wasn’t just a stupid guy who threw fastballs, but he had the ability to put that ball in and out of the zone.

The rookie hitter, who was virtually spending his first season in the Big Leagues, gripped his bat tightly, and David’s decisive pitch flew towards that hitter.

Whoosh

“Swing! Out!”

Noah Martinez’s bat, swung with the determination to cut it off somehow, futilely cut through the air. It was a changeup. A 140 km/h changeup with a big drop that he couldn’t touch with the timing set for a 165 km/h fastball.

David, who struck out the first batter in three pitches, looked at the Seattle dugout with a satisfied smile. Han Su-hyeok, who was batting third today, was heading to the on-deck circle with an amused expression.

* * *

“Hey, Seo Hyeong-ju. Hold the bat short. Don’t think about hitting a home run.”

“…Is it that obvious?”

“This is no time to joke around. That guy’s got a really good ball.”

“Damn… If I were just a few years younger, I could have…….”

“Stop talking nonsense and just focus on getting on base. I’ll bring you in somehow.”

“…Okay, I don’t like it, but a monster has to deal with a monster. Just watch, I’ll get on base somehow.”

David Blake’s ball, as seen on the field, was much better than I thought.

The end of the ball is a little disappointing, perhaps because he is too conscious of the speed, and the release point of the fastball and changeup is subtly different, but… well… If that’s the case, it’s one of the best balls I’ve ever seen among the fastball pitchers.

Seo Hyeong-ju began to fight against such David.

Crack!

“Foul!”

Whack

“Ball!”

It’s a little cruel to say, but now that guy doesn’t have the power to hit David’s ball and make a long hit. The weight of time has taken away the power and mobility from the genius hitter Seo Hyeong-ju.

He may be upset that he gave up the lead-off spot to a young punk. The number two hitter is a very important position, but Seo Hyeong-ju has always insisted on the number one spot since his debut.

Crack!

“Foul!”

Nevertheless, the reason why I’m not worried about him is that even if you take away the power and mobility from Seo Hyeong-ju’s talent, there’s still a lot left.

For example, the eye for the ball that comes from long experience,

Whack

“Ball.”

The ability to make contact and get rid of balls that come into the ambiguous zone,

Crack

“Foul!”

“Fuck!”

And how to deal with a pitcher who is angry because things aren’t going his way.

Whack

“Ball. Base on balls. Batter to first base.”

David, who struck out the lead-off hitter in three pitches, eventually walked Seo Hyeong-ju. It was after a close battle that went to 10 pitches.

The tension of the pitcher, which had been tightly tightened since the start of the game, would also have been greatly loosened by this walk. Seo Hyeong-ju is a good hitter and the best lead-off…….

No, let’s not go any further. There’s no point in saying these things in front of that guy, it’ll only put unnecessary strength in his shoulders. This state is just right.

“Wooooooo-!”

“You goddamn bastard! Why did you come back!”

“Kill him! Kill that Han Su-hyeok!”

“Your era is over! You bastard! Go to hell!”

If I were to pick the people who hate me the most in the United States, it would probably be the Yankees fans. The Cardinals and Dodgers, who were repeatedly frustrated at the threshold of winning because of me, or the Athletics fans, who have been trampled on in the same district, also hate me quite a bit,

“David! You have to win! No matter who else, you must not get hit by Han Su-hyeok!”

“Win no matter what! Crush him!”

It would be incomparable to the hatred of the Yankees fans, who ruined the time that could have been the team’s golden age because of me, because of Seattle.

I stepped into the plate, listening to the jeers of 50,000 spectators.

“Hey, how’s the American League air? Do you like your new team?”

“…….”

“Hmm, you’re a taciturn friend. Good, that wouldn’t be bad either.”

I tried to talk to the catcher, who was said to be dividing the Major League with Leonard, but,

It seems that a bill has been proposed to ban conversations with me for catchers of all Major League teams. Seeing that none of the catchers I’ve met so far have even responded to me.

I wasn’t trying to pick a fight.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

“Play!”

I turned my attention away from the catcher, who seemed to have a heavy mouth, and turned my gaze to the mound.

A blond-haired white guy with a bunch of grandiose titles such as the Emperor of New York, the Successor of Two-Way, and the Strongest Player of the 2040s is glaring at me. I heard that the hottest actresses in Hollywood are doing all sorts of things to date that guy.

How many times have I played in the pros for nearly 36 years, including my past life, and faced those hot-blooded rookies who think they’re the best in the world?

It is the duty of a veteran to give those rookies a hard time and let them know the horrors of the world, and to give them an opportunity for self-reflection.

That’s why I’m aiming.

Firmly.

I enjoyed the ball he threw.

A fastball with a slightly dull end at a maximum of 105 miles, a pretty good changeup with a difference of about 15 miles from that fastball, and a slider that is impeccable as a third pitch.

A 25-year-old hot-blooded pitcher with the same form as the textbook of a right-handed fireball pitcher.

It’s obvious what kind of first pitch that guy will throw against me.

Fastball, there is no other option.

He’ll try to prove himself by throwing the fastest ball he can throw.

Swish

The guy who swept his flowing blond hair back slowly went into his pitching motion. Seo Hyeong-ju is still taking a long lead on first base, but he doesn’t even seem to care. He means that he wants to concentrate only on the game with me, whether I steal or not.

Following the powerful pitching form, the guy’s right arm swung vigorously. And following that arm swing, a white ball was fired at me. At the same time, my bat stretched forward vigorously.

Thwaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

“Cough!”

Well, to be honest…….

It’s pretty good… but surely this isn’t everything that guy has, is it?

I threw my bat to the side,

“Wooooooo!”

“You goddamn bastard! You son of a bitch!”

“Goddamn it! Goddamn it! Gooooooooddamn it!”

Against the background music of the jeers of 50,000 people,

Slowly, as slowly as I could, I circled the diamond.

“You monster!”

“I hit a home run because I thought it would be hard for you to run, so you should be grateful.”

“What are you talking about!”

I put my arm around my friend, who was happy as if he had hit a home run,

“Han! As expected! You are!”

“Damn it, yeah! Han! That’s it! That’s the taste I’ve forgotten for too long!”

I was greeted by my crazy teammates and coaches,

“Okay, I’ve hit one out of the park, so everyone try your best. That punk is just fast, he’s nothing special.”

“Yes, sir! Han!”

I slumped down in my designated seat in the dugout.

Watching the video of my batting just now being replayed on the electronic display, I finally realized it.

That there is not much time left for this,

That my baseball life is really heading towards the end.