The Genius Pitcher Dad Throws for His Daughter - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 102
#102.
Hyun Myung-su’s performance was outstanding.
It was cause for celebration, though I’ll admit I felt a twinge of anxiety.
‘What if I don’t get selected as the Player of the Game?’
The most promising way for me to earn points was being named Player of the Game. But today, Myung-su’s stats were so exceptional, and when he hit that home run, Jun-woo’s face captured so perfectly on the scoreboard was so endearing that everyone was amazed by it.
Yet despite all that, I was selected as the Player of the Game.
This was also the first time this year I met with Reporter Kim Ji-won.
“Congratulations on being named Player of the Game, Kang Ho-jin.”
“Thank you.”
“Today, Sajik Baseball Stadium was bustling with anticipation over the record achievement, but suddenly fell silent. The fans still remaining in the stands, those watching at home, and even I reporting from the scene were incredibly nervous. Were you aware of that tension?”
The reporter’s gaze toward me carried a warmth that was somehow peculiar.
Since she’d been considerate toward me before, I responded with equal kindness.
“To be honest, I was somewhat aware of it. However, thanks to our batters putting up a big score, I was able to pitch with peace of mind. I’d like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone.”
The interview continued with various light questions after that, and then came the final question.
“Three consecutive shutout victories in the KBO is a record held by our team legend and senior. Are you confident about it?”
At this question, the fans watching fell silent and waited only for my answer.
Everyone’s eyes gleamed with expectation, and as if repaying their trust and hopes, I declared:
“Yes, it’s definitely a record I want to challenge.”
Pleased with my answer, she positioned the microphone in front of her and concluded the interview with her closing remarks.
“This has been field reporter Kim Ji-won. We’re rooting for Kang Ho-jin’s challenge.”
And so the interview ended.
As everyone prepared to wrap up, the reporter approached me with a comment.
“You worked really hard out there.”
“You did as well, Reporter.”
She approached with a friendly smile.
Then her expression shifted to one tinged with regret and disappointment.
“You didn’t even contact me. I’m disappointed.”
Wondering what we’d have to contact each other about, I looked at her, and she spoke urgently.
“About Spring Training. When something like that happens, you should let me know in advance. Then I could cover it, share the news with fans, and wouldn’t that have been wonderful?”
“Ah, I see what you mean.”
“Yes, next time something like that comes up, please let me know. I was so disappointed when I heard about it later.”
Was she disappointed about missing the coverage? Or was this somewhat overt flirting?
I stepped back politely and responded.
“If I get another opportunity like that, I’ll contact you.”
“You have to.”
She extended her pinky finger, linked it with mine, and even sealed the promise before leaving.
I felt a strange sensation for a moment, then turned and headed toward the Locker Room.
It wasn’t my type anyway, and the thought that a married man with a daughter wouldn’t do such a thing cleared my mind of unnecessary thoughts.
Even if it were, I still had no such inclinations.
So right now, the only thing to do is focus on baseball.
That way, Ye-jin will wake up from her sleep as soon as possible.
* * *
The Dolphins’ momentum had undeniably ignited.
Following six consecutive wins came a seventh.
Kevin, who took the mound on Saturday, deliberately threw splitters.
The splitter traced a trajectory as if gently dodging the batter’s bat, falling mockingly against the Unicorns’ hitters.
Interspersed changeups completely stole their timing, while occasional four-seam fastballs amplified the splitter’s devastating effect.
The Dolphins’ batting lineup celebrated the home opening weekend by relentlessly pounding the ball, proving the strength of their core lineup by launching five home runs that day alone.
[Seven consecutive wins without defeat! How far will the Dolphins’ spring winds blow?!]
[The unstoppable Dolphins’ charge! Where will they go?!]
[First place with a 100% winning percentage! The Dolphins bring the unmistakable spirit of spring!]
Naturally, the community rejoiced and celebrated the winning streak.
– Go Dolphins!
– Winning streak incoming!
– This is baseball!
Starting from opening day, it’s been consecutive wins.
When Kang Ho-jin became the ace starter, it raised questions among fans, but he proved himself through his performance. Now Kim Se-jin is showing his peak form again, contributing to the winning streak.
The performances of these two domestic aces alone have united both longtime and new Dolphins fans.
Moreover, Choi Jin-ha has also shown respectable performances for a fifth starter.
And he’s gained quite a few fans. The way he plays with timing, his extremely rare head shakes on the mound, and his rapid pitching style create a refreshing appeal that has drawn new supporters.
And Kevin, now in his second year in the KBO, was solid as well.
Pitching after Kang Ho-jin, Kevin is a right-handed pitcher. Since Kang Ho-jin threw left-handed splitters the day before, watching batters unable to adapt to Kevin’s right-handed splitters and swing wildly created a deeply satisfying feeling.
Among such a strong rotation, there is exactly one concern.
Meck, the foreign mercenary pitcher and third starter.
From his first game, hitting five batters with wild pitches proved he had control issues, and he’s the pitcher who set the record of causing the season’s first bench-clearing incident in 27.
There was no way not to feel anxious, and naturally, there was no way not to worry.
The momentous Sunday game.
The game that would determine whether it was eight consecutive wins or not had begun.
“Play ball!”
With the umpire’s call, Meck’s first pitch followed.
Thwack—!
“Strike!”
The first pitch was an inside pitch.
However, unlike the borderline fastball aimed at the Buffaloes on the first day, this one curved more inward.
Had it moved just slightly more inside, it would have become an appetizing, easy pitch to hit.
And then came the second pitch.
This time, the sweeper danced.
A pitch that creates the illusion of flying toward the right-handed batter’s body, but knowing it’s a sweeper that traces a path sweeping in from the side, the batter swung, trusting it would enter the strike zone.
Crack—!
“Ugh….”
But the ball didn’t curve inward—instead, it released and struck the batter’s hip dead-on.
“Swing! Two!”
The problem was that despite hitting his body, the bat had made contact, so it was ruled a strike—and the batter, burning with pain and fury, glared at the Pitcher.
Then the Pitcher suddenly tucked his glove against his ribs, pressed his palms together in apology, and bowed his head.
As if to say he was sorry for the hit, that he hadn’t meant it.
Because of this, the batter—though his hip throbbed as if he’d been struck by a needle, or perhaps actually had been—couldn’t bring himself to rage.
Barely enduring the pain, the batter stepped into the Batter’s Box, and the Pitcher slowly wound up again.
“Hup!”
The batter jerked his body back in haste.
Again, he’d felt the illusion of the ball flying toward him, and it was an instinctive reaction born of caution.
But unfortunately, the ball cut cleanly through the Strike Zone.
“Strike! Batter out!”
A looking strikeout.
More precisely, a walking strikeout—and the batter’s face flushed crimson.
But he couldn’t rage, nor could he protest to anyone, so he simply bowed his head and returned to the Dugout.
Meanwhile, Meck tucked his glove against his ribs again, pressed his palms together, and bowed toward the batter.
The game continued, and the remaining two left-handed batters weakly retreated from the sweeper diving from outside to inside, allowing Meck to close out the inning with a double play.
“Hey, bro. Feeling a bit better now?”
Meck, his face still brimming with competitive fire and radiating momentum, asked Kang Ho-jin.
But his answer was resolute.
“NO, not yet. Tomorrow 108 times GO GO.”
Speaking dismissively, Kang Ho-jin headed toward the Bullpen, and Meck watching his receding figure grew slightly dejected.
And so Meck continued to take the Mound.
In the second inning, a hit batter occurred.
It came on a full count with two outs—a pitch that struck the batter’s body—and again he apologized with pressed palms.
The third inning passed without incident, but in the fourth, when two consecutive hit batters occurred, the sparse handful of Unicorns fans in the Third Base Stands booed.
Boooo!
Their cries were quickly drowned out.
“Meck! Meck! Meck!”
The crowd filling Sajik Baseball Stadium cheered for Meck, and with runners on first and second with one out, the left-handed batter fouled the sweeper, sending a grounder directly to the shortstop and inducing a double play to escape the inning.
Rather than roar in relief, Meck pressed his palms together again and bowed toward the batter he’d hit.
Because of this, the Unicorns Manager couldn’t protest, and Meck came off the field having held five innings scoreless.
But he’d left two inherited runners on base, and the very next pitch Jung Ji-hoon threw was hit for a single, surrendering a run in an instant.
Fortunately, he managed to record outs from the next batter onward and close the inning, but the Dolphins’ offense, which had been burning hot until then, cooled completely, and the game ended 1-0.
Thus the Dolphins, ending their seven-game winning streak to start the season, recorded their first loss.
* * *
With the winning streak broken, the team’s atmosphere deflated slightly.
Having performed so well, the shock hit twice as hard.
Watching the players from the bench, I felt the regret too, but how much more must those who played the game feel it? And Jung Ji-hoon, who’d allowed the run today, sat with his head bowed, looking the most frustrated of all.
Everyone gathered in the Locker Room when Manager Bong Jun-sik arrived.
“What’s this? Did the country collapse?”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the Manager at his joke.
“It’s just one loss. Before that, we had a seven-game winning streak.”
That’s right.
Our current record stands at seven wins and one loss—still leading the league.
“You’ve all worked hard from the season opener away game through the home opener. Rest well tomorrow, and I’ll see you on Tuesday. Take care of yourselves.”
Everyone acknowledged the Manager’s words, and one by one, they began preparing to head to their homes or lodgings.
Rather than heading up to Seoul on my rest day, I went to the Dormitory to give myself genuine rest.
My next appearance is Thursday.
A home game is scheduled against the Daejeon Phoenix.
And the opposing starting pitcher that day is Park Myung-hwan.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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