Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 285

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 285 (End)

The Mound’s Villain Episode 285

One-man baseball.

It’s an absurd idea.

But there was only one person in the world who could make it possible.

That was himself.

Pow-!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Strikeout! Jung Ha-sung strikes out Matt Kemp with a 102-mph fastball that explodes into the mitt!]

[Jung Ha-sung is suddenly picking up the pace this inning.]

Ha-sung increased his speed.

To play one-man baseball, he couldn’t even accept help from the defense.

He had to handle everything himself, no matter what.

’12 outs left.’

After finishing the 5th inning and coming off the mound, Ha-sung immediately grabbed his helmet and checked the out count.

‘I’ll strike everyone out. I won’t accept help from the defense.’

Striking out all the Major League All-Stars was an almost impossible mission.

But Ha-sung steeled his resolve and stood in the on-deck circle.

‘Then we can win the game with a 1-point lead.’

Ha-sung was assuming that the Korean national team would not score any more runs.

That’s how bad the condition of the Korean national team players was today.

To be precise, they were too intimidated by the reputation of [Clayton] Kershaw [a dominant MLB pitcher].

Kershaw was a great pitcher, but he also made mistakes.

In fact, he made several mistakes in today’s game as well.

But the batters couldn’t capitalize on them.

It was difficult for them to hit Kershaw’s pitches because they were overwhelmed by his reputation and couldn’t swing properly.

‘And when Kershaw goes down, the strongest bullpen is waiting.’

The biggest strength of this American team was that they could use a swarm of pitchers.

The bullpen was full of pitchers who would be top-notch closers on any other team.

In fact, even players who were aces on their respective teams were waiting.

It was almost impossible for the current Korean national team batters to attack them.

In the end, Ha-sung’s prediction that it would be a 1-point game was likely to be correct.

‘I can’t let them score any runs, no matter what.’

The thought that he had to play perfect one-man baseball to win this game became firm.

* * *

6th inning.

Ha-sung, who took the mound again, faced Mark Teixeira, the leadoff hitter and first baseman.

[Originally, Joey Votto was the leading candidate to be selected, but Mark Teixeira is starting as the starter after being excluded from the list due to injury.]

[Joey Votto’s performance this season was unusual, so his selection for the national team was certain. It’s a shame.]

Joey Votto, who won the Gold Glove in the 2011 season and was performing at an MVP level this season, was left off the list.

This fact made Ha-sung’s shoulders lighter.

‘His one swing is scary, but…….’

Mark Teixeira’s slugging ability is terrifying.

He knew that well because he was a teammate.

And the weakness was the same.

‘If he doesn’t hit it, he’s just a strikeout!’

“Hup!!”

Whoosh-!!

Pow!!

“Strike!!”

[First pitch strike! Jung Ha-sung’s fastball clocks in at 103 mph, setting a new high for the game!]

[I was worried because he threw so many pitches. It was all for naught.]

Ha-sung had thrown more pitches than usual.

But his speed rose again, dispelling people’s anxiety.

Pow!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Strikeout! Jung Ha-sung strikes out all three batters this inning!]

[He’s definitely picking up the pace, with his top speed reaching 103 mph.]

Ha-sung, who struck out three batters, went down the mound.

Against such Ha-sung, the American national team made a change on the mound.

[The American national team is changing pitchers. Kershaw, who pitched perfectly with just one run allowed, is coming down and Justin Verlander is taking the mound!]

[Ah~ another Cy Young-caliber player is taking the mound!]

[If Jung Ha-sung hadn’t been there, this player would have won the American League Cy Young Award this season, right?]

[That’s right. Although he didn’t win the Cy Young Award because he was pushed back by Jung Ha-sung, he is Justin Verlander, who played at an MVP level in the league.]

Verlander’s appearance was a scene that clearly showed what the United States was thinking.

[This is a player deployment that shows the American national team’s determination not to allow any more runs!]

And this will soon became a reality.

Clang!!

[He hit it! But the batted ball soared high! It doesn’t leave the infield, and shortstop Derek Jeter handles it, ending the inning.]

[The Korean national team is not easily attacking the American mound.]

There was no disappointment because there were no expectations.

Ha-sung went back to the mound and took a breath.

‘9 outs left.’

In some ways, it was an easy number.

But looking at the player entering the plate, he realized that it was not easy.

[The American national team has begun to bring in pinch hitters in earnest!]

The rising star McCutchen was coming to the plate.

[McCutchen has a batting average of .374 and 22 home runs until just before the All-Star Game, and his OPS is a whopping 1.083.]

McCutchen was having a crazy season this year.

But there was someone who was performing even better than that.

Pow-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

That was Ha-sung.

McCutchen came to the plate, but he struck him out easily.

‘8 more to go.’

His concentration was still at its peak.

* * *

Ha-sung’s massacre began.

Pow-!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Strikeout! Jung Ha-sung is getting consecutive strikeouts, and the American national team can’t even get a single ball on the bat!]

[This is really amazing. To overwhelm the American national team, which is made up of Major League All-Stars, to this extent.]

There was something that the commentators were mistaken about.

Even if they were Major League All-Stars, Ha-sung was playing against them every day.

And he recorded an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] in the 0s and hit more than 60 home runs there.

In a word, he was playing like an All-Star among All-Stars.

If you ask him if he is overwhelming the American national team when he usually overwhelms Major League All-Stars, he has nothing to say.

‘3 more to go…….’

Ha-sung, who didn’t allow a single runner until the 8th inning, went down the mound.

Watching that, American national team manager Joe Girardi was shocked.

‘No matter how good Jung Ha-sung is, how can our players, who are made up of All-Stars, be so helpless…….’

As the person who directly manages Jung Ha-sung [likely in MLB], he knew very well that he was a scary player.

But Ha-sung, whom he met as an enemy general, was no different from fear.

‘We have to attack Ha-sung somehow. Then we win.’

Manager Joe Girardi had the same thought as Ha-sung.

Ha-sung was the only player on the Korean national team who could face the United States.

If they defeat him, the championship will be theirs.

‘But how……?’

Ha-sung’s pitch count was over 100.

Even so, he was throwing balls over 100 mph.

The possibility of his speed dropping was close to zero.

The same was true of his power.

The possibility that Ha-sung, who has monstrous stamina, would get the remaining three outs was increasing.

‘I didn’t know when I had a monster in my arms…….’

Manager Girardi smiled helplessly.

‘It’s so scary to be an enemy.’

* * *

[9th inning! Jung Ha-sung is back on the mound!]

[If he gets the remaining three outs in this inning, the Korean national team will win the gold medal!]

The crowd cheered for Ha-sung, who was on the mound.

In the midst of this, Ha-sung gave the sign himself.

‘Are you going to throw a fastball again this time?’

Lee Myung-soo sent the sign back.

He judged that consecutive fastballs were dangerous.

Then Ha-sung sighed and gestured.

[Ah~ didn’t the signs match? Jung Ha-sung is calling catcher Lee Myung-soo!]

Lee Myung-soo hurriedly visited the mound.

“Consecutive fastballs are dangerous. The opponent is a Major League All-Star! You might get hit this time!”

When Lee Myung-soo expressed his concerns, Ha-sung said quietly.

“I’m the one at the top of those Major League All-Stars. Just do as I say.”

“What? But it’s the 9th inning now! No matter how great you are, there are physical problems…….”

“I’ll take care of everything. So just accept it.”

Lee Myung-soo frowned at Ha-sung’s stubbornness.

He was also the best catcher in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], so he couldn’t tolerate Ha-sung’s attitude.

“No matter how good you are, if you talk like that…….”

“If we give up a run because I did what a great senior said, will you take responsibility?”

Lee Myung-soo closed his mouth.

“I will take responsibility for what I say. If we give up a run, I will take all the responsibility.”

“Hey. It’s taking too long. Come down.”

Then, when the umpire approached and gave a warning, Lee Myung-soo gritted his teeth and said.

“Don’t forget those words…….”

Ha-sung’s lips curled up as he watched Lee Myung-soo leave as if to say, ‘Just you wait and see.’

‘I’m just wasting time.’

There was no need to change the pitch at this point.

All he had to do was throw the best ball with the best concentration.

Lee Myung-soo didn’t know that was the best he could do in the current situation.

Ha-sung didn’t care at all.

From the moment he decided to play one-man baseball, he gave up on expecting his teammates.

That was the only way to win the game.

The final against the American national team, that is.

* * *

Ha-sung, who was left alone on the mound, raised his concentration again.

The sharp concentration that had been maintained was broken by Lee Myung-soo’s visit.

It was annoying, but he didn’t care.

‘All I have to do is think about the batter.’

When stamina decreases, concentration also decreases.

On top of that, external factors were added.

It was a dangerous moment.

But Ha-sung had the ability to easily overcome such variables.

“Hoo…….”

He took a deep breath and opened his eyes.

The scenery was plunged into darkness, and his gaze was only on the catcher’s mitt.

‘If you can hit it…….’

Whack-!!

‘Try to hit it!!’

Ha-sung, who entered the kicking after the windup, threw the ball.

Whoosh-!!

It was a sharp ball that penetrated the batter’s body.

He swung the bat, but it was difficult to keep up with the power and speed of the ball.

Pow!!

Whoosh!!

“Strike!”

[First pitch strike! The speed is 101 mph!]

[He’s still throwing a 101 mph fastball even though he’s thrown over 110 pitches in the 9th inning. Jung Ha-sung is a monster.]

[Jung Ha-sung is breaking the common sense of baseball that we’ve known!]

Ha-sung, who received the ball back, threw the second ball.

Pow!!

“Strike! Two!!”

[The second ball strongly pierces the low outside course! The speed is 102 mph!!]

The speed was rising.

Even in the 9th inning.

Moreover, Lee Myung-soo, who was receiving the ball directly, was stunned by the changed power of the ball from before.

‘He’s thrown over 100 pitches. The power has increased instead? Does that make sense?’

It was an unbelievable reality, but the pain felt in his gloved hand was telling him that it was real.

‘Damn bastard…….’

He didn’t have good manners, but there was nothing to criticize about his skills.

‘I’ll do as you want.’

This time, Lee Myung-soo sent a fastball sign before Ha-sung gave the sign.

But Ha-sung shook his head and gave the sign again.

‘Splitter [a type of fastball].’

‘……Damn it.’

They don’t match at all.

Lee Myung-soo, who nodded and accepted his sign, grabbed the position of the mitt again.

Ha-sung threw the ball toward Lee Myung-soo’s mitt.

“Hup!!”

Whoosh!!

This time, the bat turned sharply.

But the ball dropped sharply, avoiding the trajectory of the bat.

Thud!

“Swing! Strike out!!”

[Strikeout! Jung Ha-sung strikes out the first batter with three pitches!]

[Only two outs remain until the gold medal!]

The American national team tried to attack Ha-sung by using pinch hitters again.

But Ha-sung’s pitching was merciless.

Pow-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Consecutive strikeouts!! Jung Ha-sung records the second out count while recording his highest speed of 104 mph!]

[This is really amazing! Jung Ha-sung is renewing his highest speed in the 9th inning!]

[Only one out remains! I hope Jung Ha-sung finishes the game here!]

Winning two consecutive Olympic victories was just around the corner.

It was also Ha-sung’s first gold medal.

But he already had no such thoughts in his head.

‘No more…….’

He threw the ball with a windup.

Pow!

“Strike!!”

[A 104 mph fastball is deeply embedded in the body!]

[It’s such an intense ball that the batter has to pull his body away!]

Ha-sung, who received the ball back, immediately prepared the next ball.

‘There is no chance.’

Pow!!

“Strike! Two!!”

[The…… the speed has increased! 105 mph!!]

[I really can’t believe it…….]

Last moment.

His speed, which had been raised to full power, began to rise.

His concentration was also at its peak.

He couldn’t even see the catcher’s mitt anymore.

He was just standing alone in the dark space and entered the windup.

‘This is the end.’

Whack-!!

Ha-sung, who entered the kicking while twisting his body after the windup, concentrated all his strength.

And he released that power in an instant and threw the ball.

“Hap-!!”

Whoosh-!!

The ball, which left his hand, flew at a tremendous speed and was embedded in the mitt as it was.

“Strike batter out!!”

The game is over.

* * *

[The Korean national team won all the games at the London Olympics and succeeded in winning gold medals in two consecutive tournaments.]

[Jung Ha-sung, who joined the national team for the first time in his career, led the Korean national team to victory by recording 9 innings, no runs, and 18 strikeouts against the American national team, which was made up of Major League All-Stars.]

Various media outlets reported the news of the Korean national team’s gold medal.

In particular, Japan created a unique title by quoting Murakami’s remarks.

[Villain Jung Ha-sung’s Korean national team defeats Avengers America and wins the gold medal.]

In this way, Ha-sung won the gold medal along with military exemption.

* * *

10 years.

The years have passed, and even the mountains and rivers have changed.

But there was something that didn’t change.

[World Series Game 6. If Jung Ha-sung wins today’s game, he will win his 6th career championship ring.]

That was Jung Ha-sung.

Ha-sung, who was on the mound, was already in his 30s.

He was already in his 15th year of his Major League debut, and he had won 5 World Series championships, 14 Cy Young Awards [award for best pitcher], and 12 League MVPs [Most Valuable Player award].

[Jung Ha-sung, who changed the history of baseball, is back on the mound in the 9th inning.]

Ha-sung easily cooked up three batters on the mound.

Pow-!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Jung Ha-sung easily strikes out the first batter! He still throws a 100 mph fastball and shows an overwhelming performance.]

Clang!!

“Mine! Mine!!”

Thud!

“Out!”

[The center fielder catches the ball in his position, and the second out count goes up.]

[Only one out remains until Jung Ha-sung wins his 6th championship ring.]

Ha-sung threw the ball with a windup.

Whoosh-!!

The batter swung the bat as if he had been waiting for the ball to enter the center of the strike zone.

Whoosh!!

Whirr!

At that moment, the trajectory of the ball changed and hit the end of the batter’s bat.

Crack!!

[The bat is broken! The batted ball is right in front of the pitcher!]

Thud!

[Jung Ha-sung catches it easily and throws it to first base!]

Thud!

“Out!!”

[The third out count goes up! Jung Ha-sung leads the Yankees to another championship!!]

Ha-sung, who won his 6th World Series championship, enjoyed the joy with his teammates on the mound.

After the game.

Ha-sung stood in front of the reporters.

Mark Russell, the new manager of the Yankees, Brian, the general manager, Randy, the president, and Hal Steinbrenner, the owner, were also there.

When he thought it was strange that all the top executives of the club were there.

Ha-sung opened his mouth.

“I have a major announcement.”

Everyone’s attention was focused on the word ‘major announcement’.

“I’m retiring as of today.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Retiring?”

“Are you injured?”

“Suddenly retiring……!”

Questions poured in.

The reporters clearly showed their embarrassment.

When Ha-sung raised his hand, the reporters became quiet.

“I’ve achieved everything I can in baseball. I think it’s right to leave when I’ve built a tower of achievements that no one will ever be able to challenge.”

No one could refute.

While working as a two-way player, Ha-sung hit more than 50 home runs every year.

In addition, while recording more than 20 wins, he recorded a career 330 wins, 97 losses, and an ERA of 1.12.

As a batter, he recorded 0.334, 0.486, and 0.612, while recording 778 home runs, ranking first in Major League history in career home runs.

Ha-sung was the one who set two major records that no one would be able to achieve in modern baseball.

“It’s been fun.”

With a calm voice, Ha-sung announced his retirement.

* * *

His retirement news was on people’s lips for a while.

All sorts of rumors were formed, but Ha-sung no longer appeared in public, perhaps to distance himself from public attention.

Only his agent occasionally came out to the media to deliver the news.

As time passed, public interest in him naturally decreased.