The Genius Pitcher Dad Throws for His Daughter - Chapter 45

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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 45
#45.
I left the hotel early.
There was game preparation to attend to, and the Manager had summoned me unexpectedly.
Passing through the Away Locker Room, I made my way to where the Manager was waiting, and he greeted me warmly.
“You’re here? How’s your condition?”
“Excellent. I believe I can throw a solid 65 pitches today.”
Actually, no.
To be precise, today it feels like I’ll manage 68 pitches. After sleeping and waking, I’ve gained an additional point of stamina. So now I can throw 67 pitches, and considering the game duration, one more should be possible.
“The reason I called you here is that I reviewed the combined data from Kim Deok-hwan’s analysis and the data you compiled separately. To be honest, I was quite impressed.”
The Manager spoke with a vacant gaze, looking between me and the tablet.
There were various things said, but the conclusion boiled down to this.
Kim Deok-hwan’s data is substantial. Thanks to it, Choi Jin-ha delivered an incredible pitching performance yesterday, and it’s been proven that the methods I devised in consultation with my senior pitchers for utilizing that data have been highly effective. As a result, Kim Deok-hwan has been separately classified within the team to collect data.
That seems to be the summary.
“And….”
The Manager hesitated, his words trailing off.
As I waited patiently, he seemed to make a decision, took a breath, and carefully broached the subject.
“Your parents are coming today, correct?”
“Yes, the Front Office arranged good seats for them.”
“I hope you’ll put on a good performance.”
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
“Not your best—do it well.”
It sounded like a typical remark, but I could sense a subtle shift in the atmosphere. And I understood what that meant.
“The Chairman is coming, isn’t he.”
“Yes. I’m telling you beforehand because it might feel like pressure, but… everyone already knows that it was the Chairman who helped with your daughter’s treatment, so I’m mentioning this as an opportunity for you to express your gratitude.”
“Thank you.”
I cannot pitch today as I normally do.
I must perform beyond my usual standard.
I opened my status window and took a quick look, and I saw something.
Remaining Points: 1
It seems I’ll need to use this.
* * *
After finishing my meeting with the Manager, I found myself in a conference room.
“Congratulations on escaping the youngest position, Deok-hwan.”
“Th-thank you. And thank you again.”
I wondered why he was thanking me twice.
But before I could dwell on it, our nerd explained that his superior had been difficult to work with, and now not only was information being sent directly to him, bypassing his superior entirely, but his superior was even passing data to him—a ridiculous situation had formed.
So he’d been mildly relieving the stress he’d accumulated, and apparently the pleasure from it had him feeling so refreshed that he was burning with enthusiasm, saying he’d pass along any analyzed data immediately during the game.
“I’m the one who should be grateful.”
As I was exchanging these pleasantries, Kang Do-bin, the Pitching Coach, and the Battery Coach entered.
As usual, I was building up strategies one by one using the materials Deok-hwan provided while designing pitches with Kang Do-bin, when I heard a voice from beside me.
“They said those guys study like that every night these days, right?”
“Tough bastards… Back in our day, we didn’t have that kind of information, but I never expected them to analyze things in such meticulous detail.”
“You can see why Choi Jin-ha has changed so noticeably.”
“Phew… Even if I were pitching now, I think my ERA would’ve dropped by at least 3 points.”
“Come on, Senior, you’re not that bad. Maybe you’d have cut it by 1 point?”
“What did you just say?!”
I simply smiled at the two of them bickering.
Well, it’s true that back when the Coach was pitching—at least 20 years ago—this level of detailed analysis wasn’t possible.
But considering he was a great senior who survived through sheer grit and determination, it’s actually remarkable.
“I think you’re even more impressive, Coach. You went up on that Mound without any information and held the line steadfastly.”
I offered some flattery, and a smile appeared on his face.
Once again, Kang Do-bin, Deok-hwan, and I built up the pitching design together.
By the time we’d created five full batting orders, the Coaches looked tired unlike before, while Deok-hwan’s expression had finally shifted to one of satisfaction.
Buzz.
My phone vibrated, and I stood up from my seat.
“I’m going to visit my Parents for a moment.”
“Sure. Be careful on your way.”
And so I went to meet my Parents after a long time.
* * *
Kang Chul-soo and Kim Young-hee exchanged glances filled with longing as they visited Jamsil Baseball Stadium for the first time in ages.
Memories from their days of courtship came flooding back.
For the two of them, born and raised in Busan, baseball was the reason they first entered Seoul.
Their first meeting was at Sajik Baseball Stadium.
He had simply come to the stadium alone, and she happened to be sitting next to him; they naturally struck up a conversation and became lovers.
For such a Busan country couple to make an away trip to Seoul was nothing special.
“Did we come here for our 100-day anniversary?”
“We did.”
As the couple recalled that time from over 20 years ago, they felt as though they’d returned to those days.
Back then, they wore uniforms of different players they each supported, so the numbers and names on their backs differed, but today they were the same.
Jersey number 12.
Kang Ho-jin.
The uniforms visible on the couple’s backs drew surprised and envious reactions from those around them.
Kang Ho-jin’s uniform is currently sold out.
At the Front Office’s earnest request, the factory is churning them out frantically, but since other players’ uniforms must be produced simultaneously, supply still falls short.
Because of this, few people wore Kang Ho-jin’s uniform, and among them, a uniform bearing the players’ signatures stood out unmistakably.
As the couple reminisced about their long-ago memories and shared a roll of kimbap they’d bought from a nearby vendor, it happened.
“Father, Mother.”
From a distance, at the sound of their son’s voice, the couple’s eyes turned toward him.
In that moment, tears welled up in Kim Young-hee’s eyes.
Just a few months ago, my son had a face that looked like he was withering away. Especially for my daughter—no, for her, seeing my grandson lying in the Hospital Room, the image of my son visiting back then remained vivid, making the contrast all the more striking.
His face had brightened considerably, and recently, it seemed he’d been eating well, his cheeks even slightly fuller. I was simply relieved that my son appeared to be doing well. Yet even amid all this, he still hadn’t abandoned hope, his clear and transparent gaze proving it—he was truly admirable.
A fan’s cry rang out, recognizing Kang Ho-jin.
“Oh! It’s Kang Ho-jin!”
“Then you must be Kang Ho-jin’s parents?”
“No wonder there’s an autograph on the uniform.”
“Wow! I’m jealous.”
“Kang Ho-jin, fighting!”
“Father! Mother! Thank you!”
With the fans’ voices mixed with cheers, the couple naturally bowed their heads to reciprocate, and as they passed through the fans toward their son, he embraced them warmly.
“Welcome.”
“Mm, mm.”
“Yes.”
Kang Chul-soo seemed slightly awkward and cleared his throat, while Kim Young-hee simply enjoyed being embraced by her son.
I wanted to chat leisurely after such a long time, but knowing my son had to prepare for the game, it was time I had to reluctantly let him go.
“By the way, Ye-jin is doing well. The organization said a staff member will take her place.”
“Yes, I heard.”
“Don’t get hurt. Even if you lose, it’s fine—just don’t get hurt.”
“Nope! We still have to win!”
Unlike Kim Young-hee, who was only worried about her son, Kang Chul-soo insisted they had to win.
At that, Kang Ho-jin smiled and replied.
“I won’t get hurt, I won’t overdo it, and I’ll work hard and win.”
With that, Kang Ho-jin headed into the stadium.
Instead, a team staff member guided the couple through the Baseball Stadium and handed them an abundance of food.
“Please enjoy the game. And if you need anything, feel free to contact us anytime.”
The staff member left with a polite greeting.
Only when his voice was no longer audible did Kang Chul-soo speak.
“I’ve never seen a good game…”
“H-honey!”
It was what the staff member had said, but since Kang Chul-soo couldn’t agree with it, that’s what came out—and Kim Young-hee was startled.
And beside them, a fan preparing to watch the game muttered under his breath.
‘They say everything adults say is right… it really is.’
A joke and sincere observation at once.
* * *
“Phew…”
Before the game started, I did one final review on the tablet in the Locker Room.
If it were before, this would be the time to look at the fans from the Dugout and center myself, but strangely, today feels like something’s missing.
Perhaps that’s why I’ve become a bit sharp, and since earlier, no one has been around me.
Even Kevin, who usually got along with everyone and dragged the Interpreter around, was keeping his distance.
Honestly, I don’t even understand why I’m like this.
No, I think I understand now.
It’s because things are different from before I returned to the past and now.
Back then, I only thought of my Daughter and threw the ball, so I didn’t even have time to think about playing with my Parents. Moreover, my Parents seemed to have lost almost all will to live after my Daughter died, and my Father even quit baseball altogether.
When I think of that time, I feel sorry—deeply sorry.
I could tell that I was ashamed and embarrassed by who I was before returning to the past.
I could feel someone approaching me, and I could see them plop down right across from me.
“What’s wrong? Nervous?”
It was Kim Se-jin, my Senior Pitcher, speaking to me with a smile.
Without even waiting for my answer, he simply smiled and continued talking to me.
“This is your first time throwing in front of your Parents, right? Is that why you’re a bit sharp?”
“Yes….”
I debated whether to mention that the Chairman was also here, but I decided against it.
There was no need to bring that up.
“Brings back memories. When my Parents first came to Sajik Baseball Stadium, I was incredibly nervous too.”
He shared the story from back then, and I found myself simply listening.
He said that back then he was very young, just twenty-one when he officially entered the starting rotation, so he was overwhelmed. Thanks to the team’s consideration, his Parents got to watch comfortably and went home satisfied. Though he regretfully didn’t become the winning pitcher that day.
“Well, whatever I say will probably just be nagging and won’t really sink in… but if I had to say one thing, it’s this.”
As I looked at him, he showed me an even wider smile and spoke.
“The Dolphins right now are strong.”
At those words, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yes, Senior Pitcher.”
I understood why Kim Se-jin was the leader of the pitching squad and a veteran.
With just a few words, he changed my mood and transformed the atmosphere of the Locker Room.
“Alright then, shall we go? And everyone, Ho-jin’s Parents are here today, so let’s go out there with the mindset that we absolutely have to win. Got it?”
“Hey, Senior Pitcher. Isn’t that something I should be saying as captain?”
When Kim Se-jin said that, Lee Ki-ha, our captain, protested as if his line had been stolen, and everyone burst out laughing.
In that atmosphere, we headed from the Locker Room to the Dugout.
Roooaaaar!
Looking out at the Ground of Jamsil Baseball Stadium where the roar of countless fans echoed, I pressed down firmly.
– Points have been consumed.
Let’s see what we can do.

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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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