On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 209

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You did well.”

The pitching coach consoled Suarez, but Suarez only nodded once.

The home run just now was proof that Suarez’s pitching had lost its edge.

The relief pitcher [a pitcher who comes in to replace the starting pitcher] got the remaining batters out and ended the inning.

Lee Chang-hoon took the mound in the 7th inning, following the 6th.

Anxious Wolves batters swung aggressively at the predictable, slow pitches.

Lee Chang-hoon mixed changeups, sliders, and fastballs, inducing ground balls with nearly every hit.

7th inning, 8th inning, 9th inning.

The Wolves, whose pitching fell apart early, self-destructed by giving up additional runs, and Lee Chang-hoon held down the fort until the 9th inning.

An unexpected complete game victory.

Lee Chang-hoon smiled brightly.

* * *

“In the end, it’s stamina…”

Returning home, Song Seok-hyun reviewed today’s game before falling asleep.

Suarez and Lee Chang-hoon were similar types of pitchers.

Not particularly fast but with heavy pitches, precise control, and a solid three-pitch mix.

If one had to choose who was better, it would naturally be the foreign player, Suarez.

Pitching, control, and changeup movement all slightly favored Suarez.

Considering his natural stamina, Suarez’s ability to pitch deep into games was superior to Lee Chang-hoon’s.

The only real difference was stamina.

Suarez and Lee Chang-hoon were both effective until the early part of today’s game.

Suarez’s pitching was good, even though he gave up a home run.

The turning point was the 6th inning.

From the 6th inning onward, Suarez’s pitches started to get hit harder.

Lee Chang-hoon seemed to waver but ultimately finished the game.

Even a player with natural stamina is bound to run out of gas in the later half of the league season.

When Manager Ham Seong-hoon introduced a six-man rotation in the second half, it seemed excessive, but it ultimately paid off.

If Han Min-seok revived and Lee Chang-hoon’s pitching also bounced back, there would be no need to force a three-man rotation in the post-season; they could go with a four-man rotation of Fish, Mackenzie, Lee Chang-hoon, and Han Min-seok.

That means Jung Cheon-woon and Jung Jin-oh, the 5th and 6th starters, could be converted into long relievers [relief pitchers who can pitch multiple innings].

Currently, there are no orthodox sidearm pitchers [pitchers who throw with a low arm angle] in the Goat bullpen [the team’s relief pitchers].

Only one left-handed relief pitcher, Jung Hong-min.

If Jung Cheon-woon and Jung Jin-oh were to enter the bullpen, the depth of the bullpen, which was considered a weakness of the Goat, would be strengthened.

“Did he even think of this?”

Song Seok-hyun put down his pen.

Despite Manager Ham Seong-hoon’s recent good performance, public opinion regarded him as a lucky or benevolent leader.

There were even sarcastic remarks that he was more of a team manager than a baseball manager.

Some managers are capable of brilliant tactics, sharp pitcher changes, and inspired pinch-hitting decisions, but Ham Seong-hoon was a different kind of manager.

He was truly orthodox in his approach.

He develops promising players in the minor leagues and utilizes them in the major leagues according to their performance.

He gives rest to injured or tired players.

Starting pitchers and relief pitchers pitch long innings but are guaranteed rest days.

Looking at other teams, he realized how unusual this was.

Operating in such a straightforward manner was almost like sacrificing performance.

If Ham Seong-hoon had pushed the players harder in the second half of this year, they might have overtaken Pegasus and taken first place.

He traded for six pitchers alone.

Even if the starters falter, there are enough pitchers to rotate in the bullpen.

Moreover, Ham Seong-hoon is an interim manager.

He could have been greedy for a transfer to another team as a coach or manager by somehow achieving good results.

It was possible because Ham Seong-hoon relinquished his ambition for the manager position.

It was possible because the team’s owner didn’t interfere since the results were good even without excessive pressure.

One coincidence after another.

Song Seok-hyun picked up his pen again and wrote two letters.

Championship.

If coincidences keep piling up and luck persists, there’s only one explanation.

This year, the Goat is destined to win the championship.

Song Seok-hyun wrote two more letters under the word championship.

The two letters were, Dynasty.

* * *

“Ugh. One game, huh.”

Manager Ham Seong-hoon, who arrived at work before lunchtime, was staring at the computer monitor.

With yesterday’s victory, they were tied for first place with Pegasus.

Both Pegasus and Goat have their last regular season game today.

If both teams win, the team with more wins in the head-to-head record will advance.

This season, Pegasus has the advantage in the head-to-head record against the Goat.

The best-case scenario is that Goat wins and Pegasus loses.

Since Pegasus’s opponent is Scorpion, that’s certainly a possibility.

With yesterday’s victory, Goat gained momentum, and the Wolves exhausted their already depleted bullpen.

Although he tries to be objective, Manager Ham Seong-hoon saw today’s game as a 60/40 advantage for Goat.

If they can avoid giving up a big inning and things go smoothly, Goat should win.

The only concern is the opposing starter, Jang Gye-seong.

Since the Wolves are in a desperate situation, fighting for a playoff spot, it’s impossible to predict what kind of performance Jang Gye-seong will deliver.

“If things just go smoothly, just smoothly. Something always happens on days like this.”

* * *

The last game of the regular league.

The Wolves still had more remaining games, but today marked the end of the regular season for the Goat.

The outcome of today’s game would determine whether they were the sole leader of the league, tied for first place, or even in second place.

Even on normal days, Goat fans sell out Jamsil Stadium, eager to secure a playoff spot.

Today, scalpers were everywhere, and Goat fans even filled the Wolves’ stands.

“Goat!”

“Fighting! [a Korean expression of encouragement]”

“Gooooat!”

“Fightinggggg!”

From the start of the game, Goat fans were fired up.

Kim Jung-ryul sat on the bench, watching the fans waving flags and singing cheering songs.

“How long has it been since we’ve seen this kind of excitement.”

It was Yoo Seon-ho’s words that broke Kim Jung-ryul’s pleased smile.

“Anyone would think we’ve already won the championship.”

“Ah, hyung [older brother or close male friend]. Why do you always ruin my mood?”

“It’s not over yet. Don’t get sentimental already.”

“Eish. Seriously. You have no emotions. That’s why you don’t have a sister-in-law yet [a wife, from the perspective of her husband’s brother].”

“What? Sister-in-law? You little punk.”

Yoo Seon-ho grabbed Kim Jung-ryul by the neck.

Kim Jung-ryul struggled to escape, but Yoo Seon-ho’s strength was considerable.

“Ah, hyung! The kids are watching.”

“Then you should behave yourself in front of the kids.”

At that moment, pitching coach Yeon Woo-shik appeared and called Kim Jung-ryul over.

“Let go, let go, let go, hyung.”

When Yoo Seon-ho released Kim Jung-ryul, Yeon Woo-shik chuckled.

“You guys aren’t kids. Come with me for a second. I have something to tell you.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

The rise of a catcher

Clearing away the grime

A match between Jang Gye-seong, a left-handed ace who is expected to be a key player on the next national team, and Han Min-seok, a left-handed fireballer who is just as dominant against left-handed hitters as Randy Johnson was.

The quality of the starting pitchers alone made it a compelling game.

The Jamsil rivals, Goat and Wolves.

One team was fighting to secure the top spot in the league, and the other team was battling to secure a playoff berth.

A high-stakes showdown.

The game was intense from the very beginning.

Bang!

-Strike! Out!

“Lee Ji-sung didn’t even flinch.”

“Jang Gye-seong has really brought his A-game today. His average fastball speed is usually around 145km/h [approximately 90 mph], but today it reached 148km/h [approximately 92 mph] in the first inning. Jang Gye-seong’s usual top speed is just under 150km/h [approximately 93 mph].”

“The Wolves have nothing to lose. If they lose here, their playoff hopes are dashed.”

Seol Jin-il hit Jang Gye-seong’s first-pitch fastball and reached first base.

Kim In-hwan struck out on four pitches.

“Wow. This is crazy.”

Kim In-hwan shook his head as he returned to the bench.

“How is he looking today?”

In response to another player’s question, Kim In-hwan replied in one word.

“His pitches are insane today. It’s going to be a tough one.”

The confrontation between Jang Gye-seong and Song Seok-hyun.

Song Seok-hyun relaxed his shoulders and took shallow breaths.

He needed to relax his body but avoid becoming complacent.

The state where a little strength remains in the body, as if taking a nap, is when the greatest power can be unleashed.

Tuk.

Jang Gye-seong tossed the rosin bag on the ground in front of Song Seok-hyun.

Jang Gye-seong’s first pitch was an outside fastball.

Song Seok-hyun swung his bat with a plan.

Tang!

The ball hooked foul down the right field line.

“…….”

Song Seok-hyun licked his dry lips.

It was a well-located pitch on the outside corner, but he made good contact.

The timing was right, and the power transfer was good.

Despite a good swing, it was a foul that curved away.

It was fortunate that it didn’t go straight back behind the catcher, but he couldn’t help but be amused that he had been outmatched in terms of raw power for the first time in a while.

Tuk. Tuk.

Song Seok-hyun stretched his front leg and widened his stance.

Catcher Shin Min-ho swallowed hard.

Song Seok-hyun’s most dangerous trait is that his hitting accuracy is better than most contact hitters, even though he’s known for home runs.

His hitting accuracy is based on a compact, athletic swing.

A short stride, rotational hitting using hip turn, and a concise swing.

Even if he sacrifices some power, Song Seok-hyun, who can hit outside-the-park home runs even in Jamsil if he connects properly, has focused more on accuracy until now.

Now Song Seok-hyun widened his stride and raised his hitting position slightly.

Unlike usual, he’s signaling that he’s going for a long ball.

Jang Gye-seong is a three-pitch pitcher with a fastball, slider, and changeup.

The pitches that can be thrown to right-handed hitter Song Seok-hyun are the fastball, changeup, and a backdoor slider that he uses sparingly.

Jang Gye-seong’s changeup isn’t particularly sharp.

The fastball accounts for 80% of the pitches that Jang Gye-seong throws against right-handed hitters.

Jang Gye-seong has good deception, a fast fastball, and heavy pitching, making him a pitcher who can win 10 games even if he only throws fastballs, but the situation is different when the opponent is Song Seok-hyun.

Overpowering Song Seok-hyun, who has increased his intensity, with pure power?

His body trembled at the thought of the ball already clearing the Jamsil fence.

‘Fastball.’

It was Jang Gye-seong who signaled first.

Catcher Shin Min-ho signaled for an intentional walk.

The next hitter is left-handed hitter Yoo Seon-ho.

He’s easier to handle than Song Seok-hyun.

Swoosh.

Jang Gye-seong shook his head instead of agreeing.

After stretching his legs with all his might, he twisted his waist to transfer power to his arm.

The arm whips like a whip, and the ball is fired like a bullet.

The ball that left Jang Gye-seong’s hand pierced the outside corner of the strike zone.

Bang!

-Strike!

“Two strikes. Jang Gye-seong is going straight to a fastball duel against Song Seok-hyun.”

“152km/h [approximately 94 mph]. The speed gun readings vary from stadium to stadium, so there are slight differences in the top speed, but that’s about Jang Gye-seong’s maximum velocity.”

“Jang Gye-seong is fully showcasing his potential as the next national team ace.”

Song Seok-hyun loosened his shoulders once.

The ball is good, but the pitching form is also excellent.

It feels more than 5km/h [approximately 3 mph] faster.

If Korea’s best left-hander Jo Jin-hee has a style that comes down from above, Jang Gye-seong has a form that digs in as if a sidearmer is throwing.

It’s not for nothing that people say Jang Gye-seong is the next in line if Jo Jin-hee goes to the major leagues.

“Hoo.”

Song Seok-hyun took a deep breath and exhaled.

Jang Gye-seong did not hesitate.

As soon as he received the ball from the catcher, he went for another fastball.

Song Seok-hyun also pulled the ball with all his might.

“It’s up! Center fielder! Center fielder! The center fielder is running back! A towering fly ball! Did it fly too high? But it’s carrying! It’s carrying! It keeps carrying! The center fielder! The center fielder! The center fielder! Makes the catch! A ball caught right in front of the warning track! Song Seok-hyun’s towering fly ball ultimately failed to clear the wall of Jamsil!”

“The ball just flew too high. It’s hard to get it over the fence when it goes up like that.”

“But I think it’s the first time I’ve seen a ball that flew so high go so far. Was it only about 5cm [approximately 2 inches] short? If it had traveled just a little further, it would have been the highest ball to go over the fence.”

Jang Gye-seong walked off the mound without showing any emotion.