Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 47

#46. Junyeong, Are You Watching?

To be honest, the reason I chose Seattle as my first team and Cleveland after gaining FA [Free Agency, allowing a player to sign with any team] qualification was all about the money.

I had only one thing to say to the teams approaching me for a contract.

Show me the money.

In my position, there was no reason to have any affection for a baseball team in a foreign country.

I just played the game for my stats and the money that came with it.

But the fans of the team that recruited me seemed to think a little differently.

No matter how lacking I was in loyalty to the team, and even if it was obvious that I was playing for personal glory rather than the team’s success, it was hard to hate a player who pitched complete games and hit home runs like it was nothing.

Maybe that’s why.

Fans wanted to believe that I had affection for the team, and they portrayed me, who was struggling with poor personal performance, as an ace who was worried about the team’s future.

Well…

That’s all in the past. And I don’t think I need to feel sorry now.

Whatever the case, Seattle, which I joined, succeeded in advancing to the World Series for the first time since its founding, and Cleveland even lifted the World Series trophy for the first time in 89 years.

Anyway, since the team itself was weak, I always had to take the mound with the weight of an ace on my shoulders. At least until I quit pitching due to injury.

So I know very well.

That living as an ace is really difficult.

When the team is on a winning streak, you have to continue it so that the streak is not broken, and conversely, when the team is in a losing streak, you have to break the vicious cycle in the middle.

If the ace falters, the whole team falters.

You can’t rank the nine players on the field, but from the perspective of someone who has experienced both pitching and hitting, I think the pitcher is the main character on the field.

In that sense, Choi Kyung-jae, the ace of Suwon, was no longer in a position to be the main character on this field.

“Out!”

Choi Kyung-jae, whose mentality completely collapsed after my home run, was completely cornered, allowing consecutive home runs to Max Walker and senior Cho Sung-oh.

Back-to-back-to-back home runs. If we hit one more home run here, we could force the opposing team’s ace to be taken out early.

But Ahn Chi-wook’s well-hit ball was caught by the Suwon right fielder’s sliding catch.

“How can you not hit a ball from a pitcher whose mentality is broken?”

“…Just you wait. I will.”

Lee Man-shik, a veteran pitcher preparing for the defensive inning, smiled faintly as he watched Han Su-hyeok and Ahn Chi-wook bickering.

After those rookies joined the team, which he thought was completely finished, so many things had changed.

There’s nothing to say about Han Su-hyeok.

Overwhelming talent that I have never seen even a similar guy in more than 20 years of playing baseball since elementary school.

At first, I thought he was not like a rookie.

It was absurd that a rookie who had just joined the team was acting like a veteran who had been rolling in this field for more than 10 years, and I felt a little bad about the way he naturally looked down on other seniors, even though he was the age of my nephew.

But what’s the use of that?

In this field, skill is age and class.

I realized after losing all 4 games without Han Su-hyeok.

That I can no longer imagine the Warriors team without that guy.

That I have come to the point where my heart is pounding and my hands and feet are trembling if Han Su-hyeok’s name is not written in the 3rd shortstop position.

“At least play defense properly. Ahn Chi-wook.”

“…I’ll show you what the basics of third base defense are.”

The guy named Ahn Chi-wook, who follows him around, is also cute.

He was quite a mess when I first saw him at spring camp.

According to the scouting report, he was supposed to be a left-handed hitter who could produce hits between 1st and 2nd base with precise hitting, but he was making the coaches grab the back of their necks with his ridiculous hero swing.

Then, he followed his classmate Han Su-hyeok around and changed a lot.

Little by little, his swing became simpler, and now he has become the player with the prettiest swing form in the team.

Come to think of it, it’s not just that guy who has changed.

Senior Cho Sung-oh, who cut off all drinking parties and gatherings and started running again like a rookie, Lee Chang-mo, who is loosening his ankles with a firm expression on second base, and even the outfielders who seem to be on better terms since the last bench clearing.

Everyone has changed.

Lee Man-shik knew very well that Han Su-hyeok was at the center of such change.

Sometimes there are players like that.

An irregular existence that makes the surroundings boil just by its existence.

‘Junyeong, are you watching? The team you were thinking of is here now.’

Lee Man-shik spoke to Lim Jun-yeong, the young ace who used to play with him on this team, in his heart.

Some people might mistake Lim Jun-yeong for being dead, but he just moved to Incheon after obtaining FA qualification.

‘If Su-hyeok had joined the team a few years earlier, or if Ohgang Group had given up on this team a little earlier… then Junyeong would have’

I remember when the young aces Lim Jun-yeong, Hwang Seong-min, Song Ki-tae, and Han Jin-woo, who had been protecting this team with him a few years ago, all obtained FA at the same time.

The players in the team and the fans all thought that they would never let go of Lim Jun-yeong.

That’s because he was the only ace who recorded an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] of 2 in the Warriors, who recorded the lowest ranking at the time, and he himself repeatedly expressed his intention to stay in the Warriors.

But at the team’s year-end party that year, when the team recorded the lowest ranking.

The moment I saw Hwang Seong-min, Song Ki-tae, and Han Jin-woo flattering the owner and dancing to idol group dances, I realized that something was wrong.

And the moment I saw the owner not saying a word to Lim Jun-yeong, the best pitcher in the team, I felt dizzy.

‘Senior, I…’

‘That’s enough, Junyeong. You should escape from this 거지 같은 [Geoji gateun – slang for ‘beggarly’ or ‘shitty’] team. Do your best in Incheon.’

‘But…’

That’s how the young ace, who was prepared to give everything to this Warriors, left for Incheon in vain.

The league’s best pitcher, who was driving himself every day to rebuild the Warriors dynasty, was transferred as if he was being kicked out by others.

That’s when.

Lee Man-shik lost interest in this sport called baseball.

I just played passively to make a living, like other colleagues, to maintain a livelihood.

‘Junyeong, if you were here, you would have really liked watching those guys.’

Lee Man-shik raised his head and looked at the sky above Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

The passing cumulus clouds gathered together and looked like Lim Jun-yeong’s face.

I’ll say it again, Lim Jun-yeong is not dead. He just moved to another team.

* * *

Suwon Commanders (Away) VS Seoul Warriors (Home)

Score 0:3

Pitcher Choi Kyung-jae

Bottom of the 3rd inning – Seoul Warriors attack

Two outs

3rd batter Han Su-hyeok

1st pitch ball

2nd pitch ball

3rd pitch foul

4th pitch foul

5th pitch hit

Home run to the left-center field (distance: 135M)

﹂엌 [Korean slang expressing surprise or disbelief] It exploded again! Consecutive home runs!

﹂커) [Abbreviation for ‘community’] Shit… Why another high ball there…

﹂커) Choi Kyung-jae, you crazy bastard! Just give a walk!

﹂키야… [Expression of amazement or admiration] It flies far away

﹂Ah, my heart is at peace~

﹂Yeah, this is baseball

﹂Now I shouldn’t watch baseball if Su-hyeok is missing

﹂But what if there’s another fight or injury? No matter what, there will be days when he’s missing during the season…

﹂Carpe diem [Seize the day]

﹂What is that?

﹂Enjoy the present

4th batter Max Walker

1st pitch hit

Double to the right-center field

﹂ㅋㅋㅋ [Korean equivalent of ‘lol’] Choi Kyung-jae seems to have completely lost his mind

﹂He keeps getting hit by throwing only high balls today. Why is he like that?

﹂커) Don’t curse our ace, we’ll do it even if you curse ㅠㅠ [Korean emoticon for crying]

﹂커) Shit, I had a bad feeling since he kept shaking his head at the low ball sign earlier

﹂Considering how much we’ve been 털린 [Teollin – slang for ‘getting ripped off’ or ‘dominated’] by Choi Kyung-jae, this is not enough

﹂I think they’re going to change the pitcher?

Pitching coach goes to the mound

Pitcher change

﹂엌 ㅋㅋㅋ Choi Kyung-jae can’t even last 3 innings and goes down

﹂꺼억~ [Sound of a satisfied burp] The sweet potato I ate during the day is finally digested

﹂I think this is the first time I’ve seen Choi Kyung-jae being taken out early?

﹂ㅋㅋㅋ Yerin noona [Older sister or female friend] is crying again. I think this time it’s tears of emotion

﹂That noona didn’t even show her face at the stadium while Han Su-hyeok was missing…

﹂Our goddess needs to see and live with only good things to maintain her beauty

﹂That’s right, the game without Han Su-hyeok was 개끔찍 [Gae-kkeumjjik – slang for ‘utterly terrible’] even thinking about it now

﹂Ah, everything becomes peaceful when Han Su-hyeok comes back. My heart, and the 좆 같은 [Jot gateun – slang for ‘fucking’] Warriors baseball

* * *

“Aigo [Expression of surprise or concern], isn’t our Su-hyeok hot? Should I turn on the air conditioner? Sit here first. Here’s a drink too.”

“Thank you, manager.”

“Yeah, your right knee looked a little uncomfortable when you were defending just now, is there any problem?”

“No, there was some dirt dug up there, so I told the umpire as I came in.”

‘Ah, dirt. Okay, that’s a relief. But just in case, let’s have your knee checked after the game.’

“I will.”

“Good, okay. Rest there until your turn comes around. Move your seat if the air conditioner seems too strong.”

The sight of a baseball manager, who values 不動心 [Budongsim – Immovable Mind, a stoic virtue] and silence as the greatest virtues, calling a first-year rookie to sit right next to him and even taking out a drink from the refrigerator is not a common sight.

Perhaps in a normal team, the veterans would complain to the manager, or they might call me out separately and say something. Maybe someone might even leak to the media that the dugout atmosphere is 개판 [Gae-pan – slang for ‘dogshit’ or ‘a mess’].

But the amazing thing about this team is that even if all the guys who were ruining the team atmosphere were kicked out, no one cares about this.

It’s not just because the target is me. Manager Lee Dae-jun often gives this kind of special treatment to players who did well on that day.

An atmosphere where it is natural for a player who did well to be praised and a player who did not do well to be encouraged.

The top person in the dugout, who is called a boss but actually feels like a brother.

Perhaps the reason why this atmosphere was formed is that the trash that had been accumulated over the past few years was cleaned up at once and started from scratch. The fact that most of the coaches in this team are foreigners also seems to play a part.

Anyway, personally, I think positively about this atmosphere.

For the Warriors, who are trying to move forward by gathering the strength of players who have been a little alienated from the center without a single star player, this kind of friendly leadership is more suitable than charisma or weight.

Of course, the situation will change a little later as the number of players with high name value gradually increases.

“Okay, let’s score a little more. Let’s go!”

After Suwon’s ace Choi Kyung-jae was taken out early in the 3rd inning, our team scored three more points against the changed middle relief, making it 7 to 0.

Although senior Lee Man-shik was hit with a solo home run in the top of the 6th inning and went down from the mound, we are still 크게 [Keuge – greatly] ahead by six points with 7 to 1.

I, who was 물러난 [Mulleonan – retreated or out] with a ground ball in the third at-bat, will be in the batter’s box as the lead batter in this inning.

This time, I spoke to the catcher who had been joking with me throughout today’s game.

“You’re really going to give me a fastball this time, right?”

But Suwon’s catcher Jeong Dae-han didn’t react at all.

Um, is he angry?

There’s no need to keep rambling when there’s no answer.

I don’t want to fight again from the first game back from suspension.

I should just shut up and play baseball hard today.

But then Jeong Dae-han said in a voice that seemed really upset.

“…Kyung-jae is in a lot of pain.”

“Yes?”

“Our Kyung-jae is in pain because you hit him too much.”

The moment that came out of Jeong Dae-han’s mouth, I almost burst out laughing.

No way, am I hearing this wrong?

To say this to the opposing team’s batter, regardless of seniority.

I felt it from the first at-bat, but it could be that he thinks of me that comfortably, or that this catcher Jeong Dae-han is a more interesting person than I thought.

This is the first time I’ve wanted to get close to a player from another team.

“Play!”

The start of the game was declared from the umpire’s mouth.

Suwon’s middle relief, who came up from the minor league today, looked 영 틀려 [Yeong teullyeo – completely different] from the start, with his face pale before throwing the ball.

Could it be because Jeong Dae-han’s words are still in my head?

Unnecessary words popped out of my mouth without me knowing.

“Is that pitcher okay?”

“…He’s older than you.”

“Yes, I know. I’m just worried.”

This is the first time I’ve talked so much with an opposing player since I started playing in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization].

I didn’t know when I was living with my mouth shut, but once it starts, it doesn’t stop.

Maybe the old habit of exchanging rough 욕 [Yok – curse words] with the Yankee guys when I was in the batter’s box has come back to life.

Of course, the conversation we’re having now is closer to friendship than 욕.

Maybe I’m the only one who thinks that way.

“Ball.”

A ball that goes incredibly wide to the outside. An absurd wild pitch that the catcher gives up on following.

Um.

Come to think of it, if we go to the fall baseball, we will definitely meet Suwon once.

Since I 터뜨린 [Teotteurin – burst or ruined] the ace’s mentality, should I give him a little more damage?

It wouldn’t make sense for me to say this if I was just a rookie.

What does it matter?

Since the 착한 후배 [Chakhan hubae – kind junior] cosplay has already gone over the water the moment I 두들겨 패는 [Dudeulgyeo paeneun – beat up] Hwang Seong-min.

I’ll just live as a 공적 [Gongjeok – public enemy] of the 9 teams who are 존나 [Jonna – very/extremely] good at baseball and 싸가지없는 [Ssagaji eomneun – rude/ill-mannered].

“Senior.”

“Why?”

“You know that our owner and I are close, right?”

“…So?”

“The owner wants to bring Choi Kyung-jae no matter what when he becomes a FA this year. Please tell him.”

“What?”

따아악! [Sound of a bat hitting a ball cleanly]

Instead of answering, I swung the bat with all my might. A hit that cleanly penetrates next to the second baseman.

After running to first base and handing the 보호대 [Bohodae – protective gear] and gloves to the base coach, I turned my gaze back to Jeong Dae-han.

He was looking at me with an expression as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have.

Of course, everything I just said is nonsense.

It’s just trash talk to shake up Choi Kyung-jae a little in advance, who we’ll meet again next time.

How much will that pitcher’s salary be?

Suwon will try to catch him no matter what, so at least 4 years 10 billion? Maybe 12 billion?

He’s a good pitcher, but my personal opinion is that he’s not worth that much money.

Maybe Ryu Han-gyeol from Daejeon or Lim Jun-yeong from Incheon.

“Su-hyeok! Han Su-hyeok!”

“Su-hyeok-nim [Nim – honorific suffix]!”

“You’re the best! I really live because of you!”

“씨발 [Sibal – Korean curse word], don’t ever fight again next time! No, don’t get hit either!”

Fans with their faces buried in the safety net, the closest to the first base stands, are shouting at me.

The thoughts about Choi Kyung-jae disappeared as if they were swept away by the sound.

A man shouting at me with a son who looks about five years old on his shoulders, young women wearing Warriors jerseys, middle-aged fans with gray hair.

And Min Ye-rin, who is crying while rubbing her face without knowing that there are safety net marks on her face.

It’s not even a home run, it’s just a hit, but why are those people sending me such great cheers?

Without me knowing, I turned my body towards those people and raised my hand.

“Woaaaaa!”

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

“Don’t get hurt! Don’t fight either! Don’t get hit either!”

“You’re the best!”

Once again, a huge shout echoes. It was so loud that the Suwon players and umpires, who didn’t know the situation on the first base side, looked up in surprise.

The moment I was about to wave my hand again towards those people, I hesitated at the thought that suddenly came to my mind.

Damn it.

Have I ever responded to the cheers of Seattle or Cleveland fans like this before?

Besides shouting and punching on my own, have I ever responded to the cheers of the audience even once?

“Hey, champion, what’s wrong? You don’t look good, is there anything uncomfortable?”

“No, coach. I’m okay.”

The first base coach asks with a worried look because my expression is strange.

I answered that I was okay, but I don’t think I’m okay.

No matter how much I think about it, I can’t remember.

It’s nothing, I just can’t remember if I’ve ever sincerely responded to the cheers of the fans.

Suddenly I felt really bad.

I can’t do this.