A Genius Pitcher Hides 170 KM - Chapter 259



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#259. You’ll find out soon enough.

– Oh, as expected, there’s an intentional walk. Jonathan Owens, the 7th batter, walks and the base is filled. With one out and runners on first and second, first-year catcher Leonard Jones, who changed into the Seattle uniform today, appears at the plate.

– Yes, the Cubs immediately ordered an intentional walk, as the situation with one out and a runner on second was created with a surprise bunt and a sacrifice bunt. Considering that the score was tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 9th, it seems like an inevitable choice.

– So, in this case, Han Su-hyeok’s victory today will be in the hands of number 8 Leonard Jones. Can you briefly explain what kind of player he is?

– Of course. As I said before the game started, he was a first-year player in the major leagues who was wearing the Cleveland uniform until yesterday. With a batting average of 0.198 this season, it’s hard to see him as a strong hitter. He also lacks experience. However, since there is no catcher on the Seattle bench right now, it’s difficult to use a pinch hitter. This player has to finish it off somehow.

– Or… wouldn’t it be okay to pass the opportunity to the next batter? If you force the ball too hard, you might end up with a double play?

– No, look at Kevin McCloud’s batting average today, who was the 9th batter. It’s 0.195, right? He’s so damn good… … Well, honestly, he’s a pinch runner and a great defender. But since the starting center fielder is out, he’s the one who’s coming in. This is why Seattle can’t really hit, even with stars like Han Su-hyeok, Ty Johnson, and Ryan Tebow. They lack backups and pinch hitters.

– I see. Thank you for the commentary. I guess that means we have to make this at-bat a success. Oh, the Cubs bench is asking for time. Then we’ll watch a commercial and come back. This is T-Mobile Park.

* * *

The guy who had been running around like an unleashed beagle all game today is now staring at the bat with his mouth shut.

“Hey, Leonard. Just relax and do your swing.”

“Yes? Yes, yes! Understood, Coach!”

“I’m a manager, not a coach.”

“Ahh! Nenet! Boss! I’m sorry!”

Even if you are a naturally beagle-like player, it is natural to feel nervous when you are given the opportunity to play as the starting catcher in your first game after transferring and even finish the game with your own hands.

It’s a bit annoying to confuse the manager with the coach.

anyway,

If you let him go up to bat like that, it’s obvious he’ll just swing and miss three times.

Fortunately, the Cubs asked for time first, giving us some free time.

He called the guy over to his side with ice on his shoulder.

“Leonard, come here.”

“Han! Oh, my idol, my partner, yes, do you have any advice for me? Feel free to tell me. I will follow you unconditionally.”

He looks at me with his eyes sparkling like someone who has been pushed to the edge of a cliff and has just found a rope.

In fact, not only me, but no one in the world has the ability to make a hitter with a batting average of less than .200 hit 100% of the time.

I’m just trying to do what I can to continue the team’s winning streak and to achieve my own victory.

“Leonard, your batting average this season is .198. Considering the batting average of that pitcher on the mound, I’d say you have less than a 10% chance of getting a hit.”

“Right. To be honest, I’m not sure. Dude, what should I do?”

“Listen carefully. There is only one way in this situation. Set a specific course and pitch and aim for the first pitch. If that strategy fails, you will eventually strike out. What do you want to do?”

No more words were needed.

Leonard Jones’ head nodded madly up and down.

“Okay. I think Chris Garrett has at least a 35% chance of throwing a low fastball inside for the first pitch. Doesn’t the data say it’s more likely to be outside? Yeah, against a good hitter. But you’re not one of those guys. Kid, so if you trust me, just take it. Step back a little so the catcher doesn’t notice. Open your stance a little, and try to hit the ball to second base with your shoulders as relaxed as possible. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Lower body, step back about half a step, open your stance, adjust your grip position, okay, I got it! I think I know what to do now. Thanks.”

“Go ahead. If this trick fails, then I won’t be able to do anything. So let’s pray to God.”

“Of course. No matter what happens, I won’t blame you. Fucking hell! Seattle is a really great team. I’m glad I came here.”

Leonard Jones steps up to the plate, his breath coming out of his nose.

It’s quite interesting to see the younger version of one of the greatest catchers in the major leagues and the captain of Cleveland, as I remember.

Now I’ve done everything I can do. No matter what the outcome is, I just have to accept it.

If by any chance this inning’s attack fails, our team, which has a relatively weak backdoor, will be at a disadvantage.

That’s just how baseball is. It’s a sport where if you don’t seize the moment, you’re bound to lose the game.

but,

Taaah!

The word defeat that had been floating around in my head was immediately erased.

“Aaaah! Got it! I did it! I did it! Han!”

Leonard Jones, who just hit the first pitch for a great walk-off hit, runs toward me with his nose running.

Players running towards him with a can of soda poured water on his head and left him lying on the ground.

The safety net collapsed due to the excited crowd, and fans rushed onto the field, embracing Seattle players and singing their chants.

“Han! Come here! Damn it! Come here!”

Jim Brown, unusually excited, shouted at me.

I hesitated for a moment because it seemed like an adult was interfering with the children’s play area, but then I thought to myself that sometimes this kind of thing is okay and walked towards the place.

“Fucking! Seattle! Go! Go! Go!”

With today’s win, Seattle now has a season record of 29 wins and 17 losses, a winning percentage of 0.622.

And they are still in first place in the American League West.

One of the things I had originally planned to do when I got to the big leagues,

Seattle’s first-ever World Series appearance may come a little sooner than expected.

* * *

Taaah!

“Ugh!”

“Stop! Stop! An Chi-wook! Don’t you want to come to your senses?”

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“sorry.”

“Okay, everyone take a break for now. Eat some food, take a shower, and meet again in the afternoon.”

“yes!”

It was a game-less Monday, but the Warriors’ practice facility was filled with the excitement of the players.

More than 40 days into the season, the Warriors are now in second place, trailing the Magicians for first place.

Considering that the Busan Titans are right behind them, two and a half games behind, they could fall to third place if they make a difference.

Of course, there were many excuses.

Ace Im Jun-young was out of the rotation twice due to a nail injury, and Chun Sang-jin, who was hit in the shin by a pitch, has been in poor form in recent games, possibly due to the aftereffects.

But the most serious problem is the poor performance of Ahn Chi-wook, the starting third baseman and key hitter.

He was evaluated as having improved his defensive skills that were shaky at the beginning of his debut, and as his batting potential exploded, he could expect a batting average of .300 and 20 home runs every year… … .

“Chiuk, let me see you for a moment. Should I go to the seminar room?”

“Yes, Seong-o hyung.”

Although it is still early in the season, his batting average is in the low .200s and he has only hit one home run.

Hitting is one thing, but the fact that he hasn’t been able to focus on defense lately means that there’s definitely a problem somewhere.

Jo Seong-oh, who had been closely monitoring Ahn Chi-wook’s condition recently, finally arranged a time to talk with him.

“Sit over here. Make yourself comfortable.”

Seong-Oh Cho, who signed a 4+1 year contract with the club, was considering playing as a player this season or until next season and then transitioning to a playing coach.

After giving up the first baseman position to Min Joo-hyun, he is mainly playing as a designated hitter, and on days when Jang Deok-su is playing as a designated hitter, he is often seen guarding the bench.

Still, Jo Seong-oh remained the Warriors’ center of gravity as their captain.

Above all, it was clear that Jo Seong-oh was the best captain because the players trusted and followed him.

“Coffee is a bit much, would you like a cup of tea?”

“Yes, Seong-oh hyung. Thank you.”

“I appreciate it, but I’m worried that I might have called you to talk when it must have been difficult.”

A veteran player who is 38 years old this year, he is practically a coach within the team.

Jo Seong-oh spoke to Ahn Chi-wook in a warm voice.

“Chiuk-ah.”

“Yes, brother.”

“It’s already been four years since I last saw you.”

A lot has changed in this team, which was full of despair, with the addition of these three guys: Han Su-hyeok, Ahn Chi-wook, and Seo Hyeong-ju.

The three rookies who brought a second heyday to the Warriors are now in their fourth year as pros, one of them went to the United States, and the other two stayed in Korea and are reigning as the best players in the league.

“Chiuk-ah. I’ll just get straight to the point. What’s bothering you?”

“Huh? Oh, no, that’s… … .”

“Don’t even think about lying. Do I only see you for a day or two? And you’re the type that your worries show on your face. So tell me. What is it? I don’t think it’s just because of baseball. Am I right?”

“ha…….”

If the person sitting in front of me was a manager or a coach, I would never have opened my mouth.

But to Ahn Chi-wook, no, to the young players of the Warriors, Jo Seong-oh was a senior, a captain, and an older brother.

A brother who might be closer to me than my real brother.

After much thought, Ahn Chi-wook finally seemed to have made up his mind and revealed his true feelings.

The reason why he hasn’t been able to focus on baseball lately came out of his mouth.

“Sigh, I’m sorry. I couldn’t do my job properly due to personal reasons, so there’s no room for excuses, brother.”

“So to sum it up… Your parents are having a hard time these days, right? Because it seems like a resort and casino will be built around their farmland?”

“Yes, not long ago, you said that since that area was managed as a scenic conservation area by Jeju Island, they wouldn’t issue a resort permit and that I shouldn’t worry… I don’t know. I don’t know if Jeju Island gave the permit or if Chinese kids come every day with money and harass them to sell the land, and you don’t know what to do. I’m so upset, hyung.”

“ha…….”

At Ahn Chi-wook’s words, Jo Seong-oh sighed deeply and looked into space.

This wasn’t a problem that could be solved by stepping in on one’s own.

It’s disgusting that the Chinese are trying to drive out farmers and build resorts and casinos on their land, but what can a baseball player do about it if it’s done within the bounds of the law?

At that moment, I was about to say that it would be better to take my parents to a safer place.

Something came to Jo Seong-oh’s mind.

A comment he made in passing when I was talking to Han Su-hyeok on the phone a while ago.

When I combined those words with the current situation, a picture formed in my head.

Jo Seong-oh, who realized something, burst into laughter without realizing it.

“Haha, this is really it. Chiuk-ah.”

“Yes, brother.”

“You really need to treat Soo-hyuk well when he comes back later. Take good care of the house you’re using now, clean it well, and don’t let the dishes pile up all the time and not separate the trash. If you use it like that, the house will fall apart quickly.”

“yes?”

“You punk, I think that problem will be solved soon, but, well, it’s not something I should talk about, I guess it’ll just come out naturally.”

“What do you mean, brother?”

“You’ll probably find out sooner or later. So just wake up and focus on baseball. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

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