The Pitcher Just Hits Home Runs Well [EN]: Chapter 317

317. The Record-Breaking Machine (11)

0.404/0.451/0.808

And

0.413/0.461/0.862

To someone unfamiliar with baseball, the difference in these numbers might seem negligible. However, anyone with even a basic understanding of the sport can appreciate the significant gap between these two stat lines.

Based on OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging, a common metric for evaluating a hitter’s overall offensive contribution], 1.259 versus 1.323.

Both are incredible figures, but while the former might represent the peak of human capability, the latter is simply unparalleled. In KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] history, an OPS exceeding 1.2 has only been achieved twice, and an OPS above 1.3 has never been recorded.

Looking at Major League records, only Babe Ruth, the legendary “Sultan of Swat,” and Barry Bonds, the controversial home run king of the steroid era, have surpassed an OPS of 1.3. For context, if we include the Negro League records, which MLB recently recognized to honor Black players, two more names are added: Chino Smith and Josh Gibson.

“So, do you understand why I’m emphasizing these incredible numbers?”

“Yes, I understand. You’re saying that Choi Su-won’s stats have seen a dramatic increase in just one game. But the season isn’t even halfway over, so isn’t it a little premature to draw conclusions?”

“Yes, of course. Personally, I believe there’s a good chance his performance will dip as the summer heat intensifies and fatigue sets in. But that’s just speculation. The key point is that we’re currently witnessing a potentially historic season. To put it in modern terms, missing out on watching Choi Su-won right now would be a huge regret. We might be living in the same era as arguably the greatest baseball player of all time.”

[MLB Expert John Sterling: ‘Choi Su-won is the Greatest Player in Baseball History’]

[Only Two in MLB History!! Is Choi Su-won Writing a New Chapter in Baseball History?]

[Choi Su-won, Already a Lock for MVP Before Half the Season is Over? A Look at the Local Media’s Reaction!!]

─AL East Pride: John Sterling, an MLB expert? That’s a joke. He’s just a shill who kisses up to the Yankees. They’re the ones paying his bills, after all. And MVP? It’s only been three months, he’s jumping the gun.

─No.0: Did a Boston fan [derogatory term for Boston Red Sox fan] arrive?

─AL East Pride: Boston fan? I’m not a Red Sox fan.

─No.0: Oh my, Boston fan, you’re so eager. You’re going to get your soul crushed starting the day after tomorrow anyway, so why are you here so early?

─AL East Pride: I’m a Toronto fan? I’ve been a Blue Jays fan since I lived in Canada 20 years ago.

─ChoiKangSuwon: Yeah, next.

─DTDIsScience: Koreans, please support Choi Su-won.

─GeopoLeeJuHyuk: A 4-homer game. Choi Su-won, you’ve finally reached the ‘same level’ as Lee Ju-hyuk.

─MarinesWin?ㅋ: KBO fans, please pray for Choi Su-won’s success in the majors.

─SajikYagada: No matter what you guys say, Choi Su-won will return to Busan [his hometown]. Definitely…

─No.0: Su-won seems to be in bad shape lately. He’s saving his energy to beat up Boston, lol. Boston must be sweating bullets right now.

─AL East Pride: Yeah, just a one-day fluke. And when you come down from that dogshit Coors Field, your condition goes to hell.

─No.0: You’re a Boston fan, aren’t you.

***

Coors Field, Game 3 of the series.

At opposite ends of the dugout, the team’s two aces sat with contrasting expressions. One looked utterly defeated, while the other seemed on top of the world.

‘Wait, even considering it’s Coors Field [known for its hitter-friendly environment due to the altitude], allowing 4 runs in 7 innings isn’t something to be so proud of, is it?’

But hey, if he’s happy, I wasn’t going to criticize him.

“How’s your condition today? Still 100%?”

“I don’t know. I think I’m just compatible with Coors Field. I feel like I want to take Coors Field with me.”

“Don’t even think about it. You’re a two-way player. You have to think about your pitching too.”

“Ah, right…”

I sat in the dugout and chatted with Volpe about trivial things.

The team’s atmosphere, with the exception of Domingo, was incredibly energetic. Even though it’s Coors, a 21-run game is rare, something you might see once every few years. I even had seven at-bats, which says a lot, considering I’m the number two hitter. And it wasn’t even extra innings.

Well, it was beneficial for me.

The requirement is 502 plate appearances, and frankly, even if I play all the remaining games without injury, I’ll still be a little short. Maybe I’ll appreciate these extra at-bats at the end of the season.

[New York Yankees vs. Colorado Rockies!! Colorado Rockies vs. New York Yankees, the third game of the series!! Live from Coors Field!!]

[The Yankees delivered a huge blow to the Rockies with an incredible score yesterday. Can the Rockies recover and retaliate today? The game is underway!!]

-Bang!!!

Anthony Volpe casually tossed his bat and headed to first base.

Even after swinging so powerfully yesterday, he maintained control, which is typical of Anthony.

[Choi Su-won steps up to the plate!! Wow, this player is simply incredible.]

[7 plate appearances, 6 at-bats, 4 hits, 4 home runs, 1 walk. These are unbelievable stats. But you know what’s really funny?]

[What is it? Is it that this player was considered to be in a slight slump until the last game, despite being on a hitting streak?]

[Ah, yes. Of course, that’s also true, but I understood his performance yesterday while watching him get 4 hits and 4 home runs. I felt like even his groundout and flyout were impressive plays.]

I let two pitches pass.

Two consecutive balls.

Yesterday, towards the end, the pitchers were acting like this. I could have taken a walk, but after hitting 4 home runs, I suddenly had a thought.

‘Has anyone ever hit 5 home runs in a Major League game?’

As far as I remember, no one has.

The consecutive home run record is probably 4. Before I hit 7 consecutive home runs in the KBO, the world record was 5 consecutive home runs set by a Japanese player in the NPB [Nippon Professional Baseball League]. So, I got a little greedy, but I ended up with a flyout and a groundout.

So today, I’m just going to take a walk if they give me one…

-Thwack!!!

[He hit it!! Choi Su-won!! He pulled a 93-mile cutter that was thrown inside!! A high fly ball!! It’s going, going!! Going, going, gone!!]

[Home run!! It’s a home run!! Choi Su-won’s 27th home run of the season, soaring over the fence!! And a 55-game hitting streak!!! This is truly an absurd pace.]

[Choi Su-won!! With this home run, his monthly batting average has exceeded .400 again. From .353 to .404 in just two games. His slugging percentage alone is 0.930, almost reaching the insane figure of 0.950 he showed in April.]

[He’s a player who leaves you speechless except for saying he’s amazing.]

I wasn’t really planning on being greedy, but they just served it up to me. It’s impolite to refuse such a gift.

2:0.

I was chatting with Volpe and returning to the dugout when I noticed that the aura in the left corner was even gloomier than usual.

‘Why don’t I get any run support…? Why?!’

He didn’t say it out loud, but Domingo’s message was very clear to me. I subtly avoided his gaze and lightly bumped bodies with the other guys who were welcoming me.

“Good start, huh?”

“The end has to be even better.”

“What’s the league record for team score in a game? Let’s set a record today?”

“Probably around 30 points?”

“30 points?”

Angel, who had asked about the league record with enthusiasm, froze for a moment with a look that said, ‘Ah, that’s a bit much.’ Certainly, 30 points is a lot. Even with no runners left on base, the batting order would have to cycle through 7 times.

“Why not give it a try? We batted 7 times yesterday, didn’t we?”

“Then we’re going to have a 4-hour game today?”

“Ah, but that’s a bit long. We have a game tomorrow, so we need to manage our condition.”

A mood that doesn’t consider defeat.

It might be complacency, but this heightened atmosphere wasn’t bad. You have to ride the momentum when it’s hot.

-Thwack!!!

And with Tyler Wade’s back-to-back home run, the score quickly became 3:0.

The Yankees’ hitters started swinging their bats with excitement.

***

-Thwack!!!

“Ah, please… No. Seriously!!”

The ball sailed over the fence.

Is there no God or devil in this world?

No, let’s assume there’s no God or devil. Are the Colorado Rockies’ dugout all idiots? If a batter’s bat is on fire, they should avoid him and try to take the wind out of his sails. What are they thinking, giving him so much to hit?

So far, 3 at-bats, 3 hits, 2 home runs.

Before the series started, he had 22 home runs, but in just two games, he’s about to reach 30 home runs.

No, 30 home runs before July.

Does that even make sense?

Frustrated, he opened Reddit on his smartphone.

─Hey guys, if Choi Su-won gets traded to a National League team around the All-Star break, can he still receive the American League MVP?

─Would that even happen? Then Choi Su-won would win MVP in both leagues at the same time?

─If he hits .400 with 40 home runs in the first half, records a 65-game hitting streak, gets traded to the NL, and hits 23 more home runs in the second half to set a new single-season home run record, wouldn’t it be possible?

─No, you idiot. That’s physically impossible!!

─Impossible? Is hitting .400 with a 55-game hitting streak and 28 home runs in 55 games physically possible?

His chest felt even tighter.

He pounded on his smartphone in anger.

─You idiots!! That bastard is a Yankee!! The Yankees are playing us in the next series!! Does it make sense to talk about that bastard’s MVP right now?

─That’s right. The atmosphere is a bit strange, so I’ve been quiet, but why are you guys praising him?

─No, it’s not praise. It’s just the facts. And honestly, he’s a Yankee player, but he always thanks Ted Williams [a legendary Boston Red Sox player]. I don’t think he seems bad, except for being a Yankee?

─That’s the worst part!! Fucking Yankees!!!!!!

Top of the 5th inning.

The score is 13:6.

When Choi, who hit a home run in the top of the 5th, came up to bat again, he finally had to throw the smartphone he was holding.