Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 72

71. Guard of Honor

I was reminded of the moment I pitched my first no-hitter.

It was my third year in the Big Leagues. The opposing team was the Boston Red Sox, the strongest team in the American League at the time.

To be honest, luck played a bigger role than skill that day.

Even though there were many well-hit balls until the 7th inning, they strangely went straight to the infielders, which laid the foundation for challenging the record.

As I entered the 8th inning, I openly declared my challenge to the great record.

‘Listen up, I won’t forgive anyone who misses a ball.’

Even with the threats of a youngster who wasn’t even thirty yet, the fielders nodded without saying a word.

At that time, I thought it was my position as a starting pitcher, or respect for the team’s top star.

But it wasn’t.

Looking back now, they were just considerate of the young pitcher who was about to achieve his first major record.

Anyway, I safely blocked the remaining two innings and achieved my first no-hitter.

Wait…….

Come to think of it, who was the catcher then?

Hmm.

Ah, I remember. That talkative old man.

He got old, took off his catcher’s mask, and was pushed to the outfield, and even spent more than half the year in the minors, but he kept nagging me whenever he saw me.

‘Baseball is not for money. You have to protect your honor as a player. A good pitcher should trust the catcher and throw the ball.’

At that time, I hated that sound so much that I dismissed it as the nagging of a has-been who couldn’t even get a proper foothold in the Big Leagues and ignored it.

Damn it, I should have at least thanked the catcher who achieved the no-hitter with me…….

“Play!”

Enough with the 잡념 [japnyum – distracting thoughts].

The pinch runner on second base and Yang Sun-woo on first base, two fast runners, were pressuring *sunbae* [senior/respected colleague] Lee Man-shik, twitching their bodies left and right.

But *sunbae* Lee Man-shik was not easily shaken. He seemed to be more focused on the battle with the batter at the plate than checking the runners.

As a pitcher, I can tell.

*Sunbae* didn’t care if the runner on second base came home. He was no longer considering giving up a point and having his no-hitter and shutout broken.

His only goal now was to catch the opposing team’s batter at the plate and bring victory to this team.

*Sunbae* Lee Man-shik, with a more serious expression than I had ever seen before, slowly entered the set position.

Thwack

“Ball.”

The first pitch our battery [pitcher and catcher] chose was an outside changeup. Lee Ho-young didn’t flinch at the ball falling down in the zone. Although his bat speed had decreased with age, his eye for selecting balls was still alive.

After taking a breath with a pick-off attempt to first base, *sunbae* Lee Man-shik carefully threw the second ball again.

Thwack

“Strike!”

This time, a fastball entering the highest part of the body.

It was the kind of ball that made the teammates, the bench, and the spectators watching it more nervous than the pitcher who threw it.

To make such a bold move against a batter who was strongest in that course during his prime.

I need to correct my thoughts about *sunbae* Lee Man-shik a little.

I thought he was just a pitcher with good stamina and a lot of experience, but he has a lot of guts. That kind of mentality will be quite powerful when we go to the fall baseball [playoffs].

Thwack

“Ball.”

*Sunbae* Lee Man-shik, who took another ball out, wiped the sweat flowing from his forehead once and then carefully took the pitching motion.

The pitching form, which was once close to a complete overhand, has now become a sidearm, but Lee Man-shik still has the weapon of 노련함 [Noryeonham – seasoned experience] that he didn’t have in his younger days.

But the bat of veteran Lee Ho-young, who once supported the Magicians team, was still there.

Crack!

“Huh!”

With a great 탄식 [tansik – sigh/groan] that I don’t know who came from, the batted ball flew 쭉쭉 [jjukjjuk – straight and far].

Left fielder *sunbae* Kim Su-hak started sprinting with his teeth clenched. But it was the kind of batted ball that anyone could see was hard to catch.

“Eek!”

*Sunbae* Kim Su-hak tried a diving catch with all his might towards the ball that was about to fall in an ambiguous place near the left foul line, just 5 meters in front of the outfield fence.

Whack!

“Agh!”

It was a situation where it seemed impossible for the glove to reach no matter how you looked at it.

But a miracle happened. The ball, which seemed to fall inside the foul line, suddenly started to spin and 휘기 [hwigireul – curve] towards the outside.

“Foul!”

“Huff, huff…….”

*Sunbae* Kim Su-hak, who had been sprinting with all his might, 그대로 머리를 박았다 [geudaero meorireul bakatta – planted his head] on the ground, panting.

Thank goodness.

It was a batted ball that would have been a 1-RBI double without even being able to use his hands if it had come inside the line. The fact that it became a foul with a spin at the end could only be said to have been helped by 하늘 [haneul – heaven].

“Lee Man-shik! Lee Man-shik! Lee Man-shik!”

“Cheer up! Man-shik!”

“You’re doing great! You’re doing great!”

It was then. *Sunbae* Lee Man-shik’s name was 연호 [yeonho – chanted] from the Warriors’ 관중석 [gwanjungseok – stands], which had been cheering without any special slogans until now.

They know it too.

What a pitcher needs most at this moment.

I could see *sunbae* Lee Man-shik raising his arm and 스윽 [seeuk – quickly] wiping away what I don’t know if it was sweat or tears.

Another chance that came like a miracle in a situation where I thought it was all over.

A chance that may be the last in his life for the 노장 [nojang – veteran] who endured this team’s 암흑기 [amheukgi – dark ages] alone.

Now it’s time for the ball that the pitcher can throw with the most confidence to appear.

Matching signs with the catcher, checking the batter’s eyes once, and entering the pitching motion.

Thwack

The ball left his fingertips.

At the moment, I felt like time had stopped, and the trajectory of the ball was clearly visible in my eyes.

‘Crazy!’

The ball he chose last, the ball he chose for his great record and the team’s sweep, was none other than a sinker.

The ball that he first learned at the last spring camp, asked me for advice, and then never threw in an actual game, flew fiercely towards the batter’s knee.

At that moment, I unknowingly started towards second base.

Because he is a 좌타자 [jwataja – left-handed hitter] who pulls almost every batted ball to the right, the first and second basemen have moved a lot to the right fielder’s side. Relatively, the space between the shortstop and second baseman was empty.

I don’t know why. I had a feeling that if the batter hit that sinker, the batted ball would fly towards second base.

Maybe my thoughts are wrong, but I just believed in my 예감 [yegam – hunch/intuition] and ran towards second base.

Crack!

With a strong 타격음 [tagyeogeum – sound of impact], a bullet-like batted ball flew towards second base.

A bullet-like batted ball that grazed the pitcher’s left side.

The first and second base runners started at the same time, and the eyes of 25,000 spectators are focused on one white baseball weighing only 145g.

At that moment, I was sure.

That my 예감 [yegam – hunch/intuition] was right.

While 돌진하는 맹렬하게 [doljinhaneun maengnyeolhage – rushing fiercely] following the batted ball, I could see the face of the flustered first base runner in the distance.

‘Why is the shortstop there?’ The runner’s face said so.

Thud

I forcibly 건져냈다 [geonjyeonaetda – scooped up] the batted ball that was bouncing right in front of second base and trying to 빠져나가 [ppajyeonaga – escape] to the outfield with my glove.

The important thing is from now on. If I lose my balance and fall here, everything is over.

My body, which I have refined with 피땀 [pittam – blood and sweat] for this moment, reacts quickly.

Immediately returning the center that had been leaning forward to the center, moving the waist so as not to fall due to the balance leaning downward, and 잡고 중심 [japgo jungsim – regaining balance] again once more.

Toss to second base.

“Out!”

*Sunbae* Lee Chang-mo, the second baseman who received the ball, back to first base.

“Out!”

“Wow!”

“Crazy!”

“He caught that! I thought it would 빠져나갈 무조건 [ppajyeonagal mujogeon – definitely escape]!”

“Han Su-hyeok!”

“It’s done! We won! It’s a no-hitter!”

“Lee Man-shik! Lee Man-shik! Man-shik! Congratulations!”

“Congratulations on the no-hitter!”

A huge 함성 [hamseong – shout/roar] was fired from the 관중석 [gwanjungseok – stands] all at once.

The eight fielders on the ground threw their gloves all at once and ran towards the pitcher.

All the players rushed out of the dugout in the distance and cheered. Manager Lee Dae-jun was wiping his eyes as if he was more 감격스러운 [gamgyeokseureoun – deeply moved].

Lee Ho-young of the Magicians, who hit a 병살타 [byeongsalta – double play] at the decisive moment, seemed to be thinking about something for a while, then took off his helmet and 꾸벅 숙였다 [kkubeok sugyeotda – bowed deeply] his head towards Lee Man-shik.

*Sunbae* Lee Man-shik, surrounded by his teammates, did not see the sight, but he will once again confirm the 경의 [gyeongui – respect] sent by the opposing player through TV someday.

The fireworks that Min Ye-rin had donated for such a day brightly lit up the night sky of Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

“I’m… I’m…….”

The team’s 최고참 [choegocham – most senior] pitcher, who had never even thought of a day like today, looked at the fans, forcibly holding back the tears that were welling up.

Perhaps today will be a day that the 노장 [nojang – veteran] will never forget in his life.

* * *

[Warriors Lee Man-shik records his first career no-hitter, sweeping rivals Magicians]

[3 walks, 3 strikeouts, 0 errors, the 철벽 수비 [cheolbyeok subi – solid defense] of the fielders helped his no-hitter]

[Shortstop Han Su-hyeok helps 최고참 [choegocham – most senior]’s great record with tremendous 수비 [subi – defense] at the last moment]

[Lee Man-shik receives 가드 오브 아너 [gadeu obeu ahneo – guard of honor] from hundreds of fans in front of the 선수단 전용 통로 [seonsudan jeonyong tongno – players-only passage]]

[Fireworks festival continued even after the game, and a festival 벌인 자발적으로 [beorin jabaljeogeuro – held spontaneously] by fans]

[Mr. A, who was waiting with a 피켓 [piket – picket sign], “I saw baseball for the first time, but it was really 감격적이었다 [gamgyeokjeogieotda – deeply moving]”]

[Internet portal search term 1st place ‘Lee Man-shik no-hitter’, 2nd place ‘Min Ye-rin new song’]

[Min Ye-rin, who announced the release of a new song through 개인 방송 [gaein bangsong – personal broadcast], the theme is for the veterans?]

After the game, many people gathered in front of the 선수단이 퇴근하는 통로 [seonsudani toegeunhaneun tongno – passage where the players leave].

In the hands of those people, there were 피켓들 [pikedeul – picket signs] that were slightly different, but 축하하는 [chukahaneun – congratulating] *sunbae* Lee Man-shik’s 대기록 달성 [daegirok dalseong – achieving a great record] 하나씩 들려 있었다 [hana씩 deullyeo isseotda – were held up].

Some of them were old fans who had been watching Lee Man-shik since his debut, and some were people who came to the baseball stadium for the first time at the request of Min Ye-rin.

But what does it mean to distinguish such things?

*Sunbae* Lee Man-shik bowed his head in front of the many people who had gathered to 축하하기 자신을 [chukahagi jasin-eul – congratulate him].

“Thank you. Thank you so much!”

“Congratulations!”

“Man-shik! Congratulations!”

When *sunbae* Lee Man-shik’s 인사 [insa – greeting] was over, the many people parted to the left and right and created a 통로 [tongno – passage].

*Sunbae* Lee Man-shik and the Warriors players walked through the 통로 [tongno – passage] created in that way.

Someone 쏘아 올렸고 폭죽 [ssoa ollyeotgo pokjuk – launched fireworks], and someone sang *sunbae* Lee Man-shik’s 응원곡 [eungwongok – cheer song] in a loud voice.

At that moment.

*Sunbae* Lee Man-shik finally 터뜨렸다 [teotteuryeotda – burst] the tears he had been holding back. And I couldn’t help but 울컥 [ulkkeok – feel a surge of emotion].

One of the important things for a team to move forward is the presence of reliable veterans.

If young energy centered on rookies leads the team from the front, the role of veterans who 밀어주는 묵묵히 [mireojuneun mukmukhi – silently support] from behind is also important.

In that respect, the Warriors now have trustworthy veterans in both 투타 [tuta – pitching and hitting] aspects.

The team’s 성적 [seongjeok – record], which 확고히 지킨 [hwakgohi jikin – firmly secured] 3rd place with 17 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw by sweeping the Magicians.

조성오 [Jo Sung-oh], the 최고참 타자 [choegocham taja – most senior hitter] who is recording a 호성적 [hoseongjeok – good record] of 3할대 타율에 [3halte ta율e – .300 batting average] 6 home runs and 28 RBIs.

In addition, veteran pitcher Lee Man-shik, who succeeded in lowering his ERA to the 3-point range by recording his first career no-hitter.

If the team members continue to 힘을 내준다면 [himeul naejundamyeon – give their strength] around the two of them, the Warriors will really be able to create the 기적 [gijeok – miracle] of 가을야구 [gaeul yagu – fall baseball/playoffs].

But the reason I’m 울컥 [ulkkeok – feeling a surge of emotion] right now wasn’t because of such calculations.

I was just 감격했을 뿐 [gamgyeokhaesseul ppun – just deeply moved] at being 함께하고 있다는 [hamkkehago itdaneun – being together] in the great moment that Lee Man-shik was 맞은 [majeun – experiencing].

Shortly after everything was 정리되고 [jeongnidoego – settled], when people were about to 돌아서려던 갈 길로 각자 [doraseoryeodeon gal gillo gakja – turn back to their own ways].

“Thank you all so much, thank you! It’s all thanks to you!”

*Sunbae* Lee Man-shik’s tears, which he had been 참았던 참고 [chamatdeon chamgo – holding back], 터져버렸다 [teojyeobeoryeotda – burst]. The 노장 [nojang – veteran], who is 달려가는 향해 중반 30대 [dallyeoganeun hyanghae jungban 30dae – running towards his mid-30s], began to 울기 펑펑 [ulgi peongpeong – cry profusely] like a child.

I thought while 두드려주며 선배’s 등을 [dudeuryeojumyeo sunbae’s deung-eul – patting *sunbae*’s back].

Maybe I will never forget this moment in my life either.