Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 45

#44. KBO Explodes

Like most organizations, the power dynamics within the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], which governs Korean professional baseball, were complex. Very complex.

Politicians trying to exert influence at every opportunity, the owners of the ten clubs who were also heads of major corporations, baseball elders occupying key positions within the organization, the players’ association representing the athletes, and public opinion led by baseball fans all vied for control.

The KBO commissioner, who had to maintain balance amidst all of this, never had a peaceful day.

Especially when faced with situations like this, caused by the elders who controlled the core of the organization, against his will.

On Monday morning, a day off, the disciplinary measures for the players involved in the bench-clearing brawl were announced.

Then, a few Warriors fans started protesting.

So far, so good. The protest size was only a few dozen people, so if left alone, it would naturally dissolve.

But the moment a prominent figure named Min Ye-rin suddenly laid out a mat in front of the KBO building and started a one-person protest, everything changed.

Fans, galvanized by her weary appearance, flocked to her. Reporters and YouTubers, with their eyes gleaming for a scoop, and ordinary citizens drawn by the spectacle, all gathered.

It was a complete mess.

For a moment, the commissioner considered calling the police to disperse the protesters.

That would get rid of the Warriors fans gathered there.

But what next?

Should he go to that prominent figure, Min Ye-rin, who was holding a one-person protest, and yell at her to get lost?

In front of so many fans, citizens, reporters, and YouTubers?

The commissioner, a baseball man who had reached this position with great difficulty, absolutely did not want to take such a risk.

“Haa…”

“Commissioner, we need to make a decision quickly…”

“What do you want me to do? I’m just a figurehead. What can I do in this situation?”

“We need to do something. The public’s attention is focused on us too much. A politician might jump in to raise their profile. The National Assembly audit is coming up soon, Commissioner.”

“What does the National Assembly audit have to do with me? Have I committed a crime?”

“Have you already forgotten the baseball team manager who was dragged to the National Assembly audit? It doesn’t matter whether you’re guilty or not. That’s how politics works, Commissioner.”

“……”

The commissioner’s mouth shut tightly at the words of his only trusted confidant within the KBO.

He was right. There was already a lot of talk about how a baseball man with no background had taken the KBO commissioner position, which was usually filled by political appointees.

There were so many people vying for this position that they could circle the training ground twelve times.

‘No way!’

Suddenly, he imagined himself being dragged to the National Assembly audit and publicly excoriated in front of the congressmen.

Wiping away the cold sweat that was flowing down without him realizing it, the commissioner said to the secretary-general.

“Is there anything we can do? The disciplinary committee’s independence has been strengthened since this year, so there’s nothing I can do even if I wanted to.”

“There’s only one way, Commissioner. But we have to take risks to implement this method.”

“Risks? No, let’s hear what the method is first.”

“The elders on the disciplinary committee who supported Hwang Seong-min, no, the people who are always hindering us.”

“Yes, what do you want to do with those people?”

“I’ll quietly leak their list to Min Ye-rin’s side.”

“What?”

“But on the condition that we are never associated with it. If Min Ye-rin starts the fire, we can hide behind it and clean up the mess.”

“Hoo…”

“We can’t stop the huge wave that Min Ye-rin is causing anyway. Now that it’s come to this, let’s ride that wave.”

“Hmm…”

“And let’s get on the Han Su-hyeok train too. Considering his popularity these days, a 10-game suspension would be a huge blow to attendance.”

“Ooh…”

The commissioner’s eyes flashed for a moment.

If Min Ye-rin, who received the list, revealed its source, they could be in danger, but looking at the current situation, that would never happen.

The commissioner made his decision.

“Secretary-General, execute that plan immediately. As carefully and secretly as possible.”

“Yes, Commissioner.”

* * *

The cartel that has dominated Korean baseball for the past 45 years, since the founding of professional baseball, was being exposed.

The identities of the elders who had shielded their junior Hwang Seong-min in this incident were revealed to the world.

It was the result of a perfect alignment of interests between the new commissioner, who was trying to take control of the KBO, and Min Ye-rin.

Just one hour after the related articles were published, the KBO held an emergency press conference.

“Our KBO humbly accepts the solemn will of the people and has decided to use this opportunity to reform the organization’s operations more transparently.”

“Commissioner! Can we take that statement as meaning that you will be re-forming the disciplinary committee that has become a problem this time?”

“Yes, I think that’s the fastest and most certain way to clear the suspicions the KBO is currently receiving. I would like to thank the elders who have worked hard for a long time, and as soon as the press conference is over, we will reorganize the organization and reconsider the level of discipline.”

“One more question…”

After the press conference, the KBO announced the list of newly formed disciplinary committee members as if they had been waiting for it.

Not only the elders who had defended Hwang Seong-min, but also older figures who were entangled in various interests were all dismissed, and new faces replaced them.

The elders who were suddenly ousted from their positions protested, but it was useless. Public opinion had already turned its back on them.

The first thing the newly formed disciplinary committee did was to adjust the level of discipline for the recent bench-clearing incident.

It was hard to believe that all of this had happened in just one day off.

Everything was neatly settled.

I was expecting about 10 games, so 4 games is very satisfying. As for community service, I can just go teach kids after the season.

More importantly, Hwang Seong-min, that son of a bitch, is really finished now.

With the Magicians deciding to cut ties, he was immediately released and given a 150-game suspension.

It was a much heavier penalty than a suspension of eligibility, which could be lifted at any time.

Who would take a player who has caused problems several times and cannot be used for more than one season, especially with President Jeong Min-sik, who had been his backing, being kicked out of baseball?

Not only that.

Five years ago, two minor league players who had quit baseball because they were harassed by Hwang Seong-min wanted to sue him personally, so the club supported them with lawyers.

He now has to worry about his life, not just baseball.

I’m going to completely forget about that bastard now.

But Min Ye-rin, that woman is really…

This isn’t Hollywood, and I’ve never seen a celebrity who lives so freely and does whatever she wants.

That night, she quietly told me in front of my house.

‘Actually… I did leak that list on the internet.’

She had an incredibly bright expression for someone making such a confession.

‘What? So that rumor is true…?’

‘Shhh… I’m a woman who would do anything for the Warriors.’

‘What if you get sued for real?’

She smiled brightly and replied.

‘It’s okay. I worked my butt off as a singer to make money to live like this.’

Um.

I feel like I owe her a huge debt.

Our team needs to step up to repay her…

To do that, the key is to rebuild the team’s strength after losing three players, including me.

First, Senior Kim Su-hak, who threw a body check at Choi Dong-seok, has been suspended for 3 games and will not be able to play in the upcoming 3-game road trip against the Daejeon Falcons.

Senior Jo Seong-oh, who was hit by a beanball, has decided to skip the Daejeon road trip and adjust his condition in Seoul. Jacob has agreed to help with this.

And I will be suspended for the 3 games in Daejeon and the first game of the home series against Suwon. I thought about joining the minor league team for training, but I decided to join the road trip to boost the team’s morale.

Anyway, with me, Senior Jo Seong-oh, and Senior Kim Su-hak out.

The first game against Daejeon began.

* * *

At first, it seemed to be going okay.

Senior Lee Chang-mo, who has been showing noticeable aggression since the bench-clearing with the Magicians, had two hits in the 3-hole, and Senior Choi Min-seok, who was the lead-off hitter, also made it on base twice, doing his part.

However, the Daejeon Falcons’ starting pitcher thoroughly avoided our upper lineup, instead actively targeting the lower lineup, which was made up of backup and minor league players, and shut them down with just 2 points.

On the other hand, our team’s temporary starter, who was hastily called up from the minors, was battered by the Falcons’ hitters and was taken down early.

In fact, this is our team’s biggest weakness.

The difference in skill between the starters and backups, and the weak 4th and 5th starters.

This is all because of the scouting team’s scum who pick players based on school ties and regional connections, not skill. President Park Jae-cheol’s biggest concern was that there were no players to call up from the minors.

Thwack!

Thwaack!

Having suffered a crushing defeat in the first game, we returned to training before the second game.

I, who was not even allowed to enter the dugout during the game, was helping my teammates train in my training clothes instead of my uniform.

Then, one of the Falcons in the distance, wearing a Falcons uniform, looked at me.

Um, why does he look like he’s about to die?

Seo Hyeong-ju, who would have been drafted first overall instead of me if I had gone to the major leagues like before my regression.

The guy who was named to the starting lineup, alternating between second base and shortstop for the Daejeon Falcons as soon as he joined the team, is in a serious slump.

During the exhibition games, there were quite a few reporters who compared me and Seo Hyeong-ju.

What did they say? I was ahead in slugging power, and Seo Hyeong-ju was ahead in precision and mobility.

Of course, it was all proven to be nonsense as soon as the season started.

“Seo Hyeong-ju…”

During 16 games of the season, he had a batting average of .120, no home runs, and only 3 stolen bases.

If it weren’t for the title of first-round pick, he would have been stuck in the minors by now.

Seo Hyeong-ju stared at me with his eyes fixed on me.

Everyone is giving him a skeptical evaluation.

What did they say, the Falcons were completely fooled and wasted 500 million won on the contract?

There was also talk that he was not a talent that could work in the pros.

Um.

He’s really good.

I wonder if there’s a way to get him cheap.

He’s a first-rounder, so Daejeon won’t give up easily, right?

* * *

Seo Hyeong-ju, who was named to the 9th shortstop position again today, stared intently at Han Su-hyeok, who was in front of the visiting team’s dugout in the distance.

The guy who beat up his senior and got a 4-game suspension was smiling and talking to his teammates as if he was having fun.

Strangely, I can’t take my eyes off him.

“What are you doing! Seo Hyeong-ju! Get your head in the game!”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Tsk, these days, they’re all out of it. When I was a rookie, I couldn’t even breathe properly in front of my seniors…”

A 3-year senior who keeps bothering me since I joined this team is threatening me again.

He’s always saying that it wasn’t like this when he was a rookie, and that if I received 500 million won, I should earn my keep. He’s just full of hot air. I guess he’s just jealous that he was a lower-round pick.

I pretended to agree and left the spot.

‘Han Su-hyeok…’

Even in high school, right-handed hitters were called Han Su-hyeok, and left-handed hitters were called Seo Hyeong-ju, forming a rivalry.

Of course, that guy was always ahead of me because he was also a great pitcher, but I thought I was at least as good as him when it came to hitting.

The actual results were the same. While that guy recorded a batting average of .480, 25 home runs, 55 RBIs [Runs Batted In], and 8 stolen bases in 62 games in the high school league, I recorded a batting average of .410, 9 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases in 59 games.

In terms of defense, I was also considered more stable than Han Su-hyeok, moving between second base, shortstop, and even the outfield.

I secretly dreamed of going straight to the major leagues.

But the moment the American team that offered Han Su-hyeok $3.5 million offered me $150,000, I decided to give up on the major leagues.

I gave up on my dream of going to the major leagues and waited for the results of the rookie draft.

I thought I would be the star of the 2027 rookie draft without Han Su-hyeok.

I was worried about being drafted by the last-place Warriors, but I didn’t want to miss out on the glory of being the first overall pick.

But Han Su-hyeok stepped in front of me again. He suddenly appeared and stole the first overall pick, taking all the spotlight.

The Falcons drafted me instead of the Warriors.

Although I was a rookie, I immediately joined the spring camp due to the team’s lack of infield depth, and continued to start games, alternating between second base and shortstop, through the exhibition games.

But no one showed any interest in Seo Hyeong-ju. All the world’s attention was focused on Han Su-hyeok.

To be honest, I was devastated when that guy hit his 10th home run in just over a dozen games.

My rival, who had been almost within reach in high school, was already far away.

Maybe that’s why. I put too much strength into my body and kept making unreasonable plays.

I focused all my attention on improving my individual performance rather than the team. The teammates who came next to me felt like obstacles blocking my way. The more I did that, the more my form deteriorated.

As that happened repeatedly, the skeptical views on Seo Hyeong-ju began to gain strength.

As always, people started saying that the Falcons had wasted another first-round pick, and that he was never going to make it in the pros in the first place.

Seo Hyeong-ju, who had become a nuisance to Daejeon, stared at Han Su-hyeok in the distance with hollow eyes.

Before I knew it, the practice time given to the visiting team was over, and the Warriors players were packing up their equipment.

The Warriors players gathered around Han Su-hyeok.

An Chi-wook, who is the same age, Jo Seong-oh, who is the oldest member of the team, a foreign hitter and pitcher, and Choi Min-seok, who transferred from the Magicians.

Surrounded by several players, Han Su-hyeok smiled faintly and left the field.

What’s the difference between that guy and me?

Could I have become a better player if I had played in that kind of environment?

“Hoo…”

Seo Hyeong-ju’s head was filled with thoughts about Han Su-hyeok.

And at the same time, Han Su-hyeok’s head began to fill with thoughts about Seo Hyeong-ju.

‘Daejeon is President Park Jae-cheol’s turf… He said he can have a one-on-one meeting with the Falcons owner, right? If I can win over the owner directly without going through the front office, can’t I get him cheap? They won’t release a first-rounder, but it’s the Falcons, right?’

It was the kind of thought that would make Falcons fans grab their necks and fall backward.

* * *