Chapter 8

#7. Fundamentals

Most of the time, leaks of information that should never be revealed come from insiders.

Hyenas-like reporters who circle the team 24/7 looking for stories, and YouTubers who are ready to do anything for views.

There are countless ways for people dissatisfied with the internal situation to spread secrets.

<Anonymous source: "Han Suhyuk refuses to pitch." >

I have a rough idea of who it is, but the statement that I won't pitch has been made public through an anonymous team official.

“It’s probably the pitching coach, no, the head coach, or maybe the hitting coach.”

“Sigh, just look at the state of the team. Really.”

“Bro, smile. The reporters are watching.”

The next day, at the press conference for my signing, questions about the issue were concentrated.

Why did a promising player, who intended to challenge the Major League with a dual role, declare that he would only be a batter in Korean baseball?

Why, of course. To have a longer and more stable career.

“Mr. Han Suhyuk, is it true that you said you will absolutely not pitch?”

“It’s not ‘absolutely,’ but for the time being.”

“So, does that mean you could pitch in important moments?”

“If it’s Game 7 of the Korean Series, I’ll consider it.”

“...So you mean you won’t do it at all. I understand. Then, may I ask the team president, what position is Mr. Han Suhyuk expected to play this year?”

“I need to discuss it with the manager, but I plan to give Mr. Han Suhyuk a position that best utilizes his talent. He is a gem for our team.”

The president, having finished his answer, looked at me with honey dripping from his eyes.

Wow, this guy is really something. With this level of acting, he should just be an actor, not a team president.

“Mr. Han Suhyuk, let me ask you a fundamental question. Why did you give up on entering the Major League?”

“I wanted to play for the Warriors.”

“So, why did you want to play for the Warriors?”

“Because it’s the Warriors.”

“...”

I stared blankly at the reporter, giving a very obvious answer to an obvious question.

At that moment, my senior, Sung Hoon, who was poking me in the side, grabbed the microphone and answered for me.

Yeah, there have been a lot of strange rumors lately, like how the Warriors and I conspired to mess up the draft order. It’s better to clear things up now.

“May I answer, sir?”

“Yes, President. Please.”

“As you know, Mr. Han Suhyuk and I have a personal relationship as former and current teammates from elementary school, and a professional relationship as an agency representative and a client.”

“I am well aware of that.”

“It was a day when Mr. Han Suhyuk was about to sign with an American team. He told me he had a dream of wearing the Warriors uniform.”

“Hmm.”

“His words made my heart race. I, too, once dreamed of wearing the Warriors uniform. Though I can no longer return to the field due to my knee, I wondered if there was another way and decided to acquire the Warriors.”

“No, my question was about why Mr. Han Suhyuk chose the Warriors over the Major League...”

“Please, let me finish. So, I knelt before Mr. Han Suhyuk and begged him to come to the Warriors. He didn’t answer. Think about it. Is there a bigger dream for a baseball player than the Major League?”

“...That’s true.”

This guy, surprisingly, has some acting talent.

“In the end, I had to give up on Suhyuk. But a miracle happened. Everyone must have witnessed the scene. When I saw Mr. Han Suhyuk at the rookie draft, I realized he had come to save us, that he had made a big decision for the Warriors.”

Hmm, it’s starting to sound like a biography.

“Think about it for a moment, and you’ll see. The contract offer of $3.5 million from the Major League is three times what we offered.”

Well, even if I get a lot of money, it will eventually end up in my pocket, and I’ll just have to pay more taxes.

“Of course, 1 billion won is not a small amount. It’s a huge sum. But what was important to Mr. Han Suhyuk was not the money.”

I already have more than 50 times that amount in my account. Before the regression, it was even more.

Let’s keep listening.

“So, that’s it. Mr. Han Suhyuk chose the Warriors for the sake of pure baseball and his long-held dream. Is that a sufficient explanation?”

“...”

The reporters’ mouths closed simultaneously.

It was a grand story, but it had no substance. The only one who reacted was the president, who was on the verge of losing his job.

“Of course! A star player is different, isn’t he? Reporters, can I ask for a round of applause?”

‘Clap, clap...’

Thankfully, a few reporters, seeing the president’s pitiful expression, reluctantly clapped.

They’re good people. I should remember them.

But most of the reporters’ faces were full of dissatisfaction. They hadn’t heard the answers they wanted.

“Let’s summarize again. Mr. Han Suhyuk gave up the Major League and chose the Warriors because it’s the Warriors, and he won’t pitch no matter what?”

“...If the team reaches Game 7 of the Korean Series.”

“That means you won’t do it!”

Hmm, these people have a lot of preconceived notions. They think the Warriors can’t make it to the Korean Series no matter what?

* * *

<Han Suhyuk in Warriors uniform, showing a wide grin>

<When asked if he would pitch, “If it’s Game 7 of the Korean Series...” Is it a joke or serious?>

<Why did he choose Korean baseball over the Major League? Because the Warriors were there...>

<Every word ends with Warriors, Warriors, Han Suhyuk, and it turns out he’s a former Warriors youth member?>

＞Fundamentals

＞Wow, if he’s a former youth member, that’s impressive

＞It’s said that Han Suhyuk and President Park Sung Hoon were Warriors fans since elementary school and promised to make the Warriors champions

＞They must have made a pact even during lunch. Is Park Sung Hoon like Liu Bei and Han Suhyuk like Guan Yu?

＞At that time, the Warriors were a very strong team

＞But) It’s a scam for the kids. Han Suhyuk was lured in. Honestly, does he fit your team? This is organized crime

＞You guys are bad;;;

＞Still, isn’t it a bit much to make such a fuss over just a rookie signing? Can he be a starter as a batter right away?

＞Of course, he can. He can play any position comfortably

＞But, even so, you have to leave the catcher and shortstop positions to Hwang Seongmin and Song Gita, whose salaries are over 500 million won

＞Oh! They haven’t been traded yet?

＞The off-season hasn’t even started, so how could they be traded;;;

＞You’re so focused on Han Suhyuk that you think they’ve already been traded

＞Haha

＞Hey, by the way, why aren’t the people who used to bash Han Suhyuk around anymore?

＞There’s a rumor that they’re all meeting at the police station...

Public opinion aside, time began to flow quickly.

The first thing I did after signing the contract was to choose a new place to live.

“This floor was originally used as employee housing by a company, and all the residents moved out at the same time, so all three apartments are empty...”

“Let’s take this one.”

“Huh? Without even seeing the inside?”

“Yeah, it’s just an apartment. They’re all the same. It’s on the top floor, so there’s no noise from below, and the neighboring apartments are also empty. I’m tired. I just want to sign the contract right away.”

“...You, who are buying your first home, don’t seem to have any enthusiasm. Still, it’s an apartment in the heart of Jamsil.”

If I showed you the place I used to live, you’d be shocked. You’re just a commoner.

“Oh, and Jacob wants a different place, not this apartment?”

“He wants a villa near the hospital where his daughter is admitted.”

“Hmm, okay. I’ll arrange that.”

“Hey, but is he so important that you’re paying for his hospital bills and renting him a villa?”

“Of course. The timing of my pitching debut depends on how much Jacob can help.”

“...I’ll go and sign the villa contract right away. Got it. I’ll head to the office. Your luggage will be moved by the moving company, so don’t worry.”

“Yeah, I know. I need to go to the practice field right away.”

That’s how I got my first home in Korea.

A 32-pyeong apartment, spacious enough for one person, and even more.

I didn’t know before.

That this size would be enough.

That there’s no need to be obsessed with a big house or a nice car, and that there are far more important things in life.

In my 20s, full of youthful energy, I knew nothing about the wisdom of life.

“Hmm.”

Still, it’s really nice that the neighboring apartments are empty.

While staying at Sung Hoon’s place, the noise from the floor below was quite annoying.

I don’t know who will move in, but I think I can live comfortably for a while as I head to the practice field.

‘Thud, thud’

It took about 15 minutes to walk from my home to the practice field, a perfect distance to naturally warm up.

I don’t know what will happen when I become more famous, but the people in the heart of Jamsil seemed too busy to pay attention to a mere baseball player.

“Hey, Jacob.”

“Come on in. Did you walk here?”

“To warm up.”

“Good. There’s nothing better than a brisk walk for a warm-up. Let’s talk about the results of the last physical test.”

“Okay.”

I read the document Jacob handed me, filled with English, in one go.

“As expected. Endurance, recovery, and flexibility are good, but the strength values are low.”

“...Did you understand all of this?”

“Yes, this is nothing.”

“Good, as you said. Your growth period isn’t over, so your body balance is unstable. Your endurance and recovery are almost at the best level, but your strength is a bit lacking.”

“I’m not even 20 yet, Jacob.”

“Damn, it’s hard to believe you’re not even 20 with this physique. Are you really Asian?”

“Of course.”

“Anyway, from today, follow the training program I’ve created without missing a single day. Remember, the time, order, and number of repetitions must be precise. You must eat according to the diet I’ve planned. Got it?”

“Of course. I’m paying over $100,000 for your instructions, so I have to follow them.”

“Got it. Let’s start with perfecting your body balance before we start pitching. When will you start working at the team?”

“I don’t need to go until before the spring training.”

“No problem. Let’s start.”

That’s how my training with Jacob began.

I started building my body according to a training program designed specifically for me, from my muscles and tendons to my joints.

Instead of the ailing body of a man in his mid-30s, I now had a young and fresh new body.

It was good, but not something to be overly happy about.

The key was adapting to the new body.

Sometimes, I thought I was moving my body a certain way, but the reaction was much stronger than expected. Other times, I thought I had enough strength, but it turned out to be insufficient.

“Jacob, I think I should focus on being a batter next year.”

“Of course. If you try to be a dual player in this state, you’ll definitely get injured.”

“Okay. By the way, how is Annie? I want to visit, but it’s always too late.”

“She’s doing very well. Thanks to you.”

“That’s good. Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Thanks. I have to work harder since I’m receiving something. Trust me