Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 146

Pitcher Done, Batter Up – Episode 145

[‘The Return of the King’ Lee Leads Team to Victory with Season’s 2nd Home Run!]

[Braves Break Short Losing Streak and Start Revving Up Again!]

[‘Why Already?’ Mets Lament Missed Sweep Opportunity!]

Lee Jung-woo’s return was perfect and dramatic. A single swing and his second home run of the season. A beautiful three-run shot that brought the game to the Braves. And an end to the three-game losing streak.

It was the return that fans had hoped for, so the reactions of those watching were immense. For better or for worse.

[‘Worst Choice’ Lee’s Return Was Premature…]

[Braves Only Wanted Victory; Mancini’s Contract Extension Ambitions to Blame.]

[‘Nice Guy Manager?’ Jung-woo Lee Clashed with Manager Right Before Substitution!]

[‘Inverse Relationship Between Skill and Character’ Lee Following in the Footsteps of an Arrogant Rookie?]

Articles were written as soon as Lee Jung-woo left the dugout, and they were published as soon as the game ended.

Some criticized his quick return with sharp words. The biggest target was Mancini, who approved the substitution.

Especially the scene of Lee Jung-woo and Mancini in the dugout right before the at-bat, which looked like a heated confrontation on screen. Critics of the Braves didn’t hesitate to call Mancini a heartless man who didn’t care about the players’ well-being or a moron who couldn’t control the team.

The reaction was so great that the reporter interviewing Lee Jung-woo, who was named the MVP after the second game of the series, asked him about it directly.

“…These kinds of comments are currently circulating on the internet. What are your thoughts?”

“Well, that’s interesting. I guess there are a lot of creative people in America.”

Lee Jung-woo simply shrugged. It wasn’t an unexpected reaction. There were many ‘losers’ who were jealous of the successful Braves. It was natural to expect negative comments in some form.

But neither Lee Jung-woo nor Mancini cared about such reactions.

In the end, the most important thing was the club’s fans.

-Lee is back! Holy shit! Lee is back! Holy shit! Lee is back! Holy…

-What the f*ck? Some crazy bastard said Lee wouldn’t be normal! What a load of bullsh*t!

-Lee came out. He swung. And it even led to a home run? And the team even won? What? Am I dead and in heaven right now?

They were going crazy.

The Braves fans who watched the game were incredibly, no, beyond words, shocked.

It was surprising that Lee Jung-woo came out so suddenly, and he even hit a home run as soon as he came out. It became the game-winning hit. There was nothing better than this, so the Braves fans ignored the noise from all directions and just shouted that the king had returned, maintaining their own way.

-It’s not a return, it’s more like Lee played a game.

-To be honest, calling it a return after not playing for five games is a bit much…

-Shut up. Just enjoy it without adding anything.

-Is this the Braves? It smells like the New York sewers. Are these the Mets or Phillies idiots?

-The length of time doesn’t matter. I just missed Lee that much!

Of course, there were quite a few people who said that such a reaction was absurd. It wasn’t like he was on the injured list for 15, 30, or 60 days. It was a bit funny to say it was a return after only missing five games.

But the fans didn’t care about such trivial things.

They were just happy that Lee Jung-woo, who hadn’t even shown his face, was back. And that, at least internally in the game, he looked no different from before.

-The Mets bastards were so happy after winning the first game by luck, but now they’ll realize the reality.

-Honestly, it’s weird that they were so happy after winning against our 6th starter with their 1st starter.

-Sweep? You’re funny. You guys are losing. If Lee had come out one game earlier, you would have been swept.

The Braves fans, who had been somewhat sensitive since the incident, were once again elated. And they had a little more greed.

-Seeing him come out as a substitute today, he must be okay, right?

-Mancini said that Lee himself wanted to. That his will was strong.

-He looked fine in the interview? Just like usual.

-Didn’t you see him threatening Mancini during the game earlier? Just seeing that, you can tell he wants to play.

-Then maybe he’ll start tomorrow? Even if he doesn’t start, I hope he comes out as a substitute from the 5th inning at least…

After seeing Lee Jung-woo in good condition, they now wanted to see him play, not just see his face.

It was a bit greedy to express such a desire and even hope for a start, but the Braves and Lee Jung-woo fulfilled that desire this time as well.

####

“It’s quiet today?”

“They were making a fuss and then got hit hard, so it’s natural for them to quiet down. It’s nice to hear.”

Citi Field, where the final game of the series was scheduled to be held, was quiet. Just the day before, the Mets fans were causing a commotion just with Lee Jung-woo’s face. Today, they were either ignoring him on purpose or glaring at him fiercely as if they were about to stab him, but overall, it was calm.

Pleased with that, the players who were warming up had satisfied expressions.

Even if the insults weren’t directed at them, not many people, unless they were psychos, felt comfortable with the insults being hurled at their teammates.

“Ah, I concentrate better when it’s noisy. Yesterday was perfect, why are they like this today? Lee, go over there and flip them off once.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean there weren’t any who preferred the noise. Ian Field, who had been beaming since Lee Jung-woo’s appearance as a pinch hitter the day before, scanned the stands with a slightly dissatisfied look.

Perhaps his gaze was unpleasant, some spectators raised their middle fingers or booed, just as he had wanted Lee Jung-woo to do, and only then did he nod his head as if satisfied.

“By the way, you’re playing today, right? You were fine yesterday, so you’re definitely playing, right? Right?”

“Well, the manager hasn’t specifically told me anything.”

“Really? Then you should threaten the manager like you did yesterday. Then you might get to start? Clarkson isn’t bad, but I’d rather have you behind me. How about it?”

After lightly glaring at Ian Field, who was spouting nonsense, Lee Jung-woo, who had resumed warming up, smacked his lips at the gazes directed at him. Most of them were just quiet. Some gazes felt strange. Some gazes felt like they were hiding something.

Occasionally, when their eyes met, they would grin, showing their yellow teeth, making that feeling even stronger.

‘What, did they secretly smuggle in something like a panel? Filled with curses.’

Lee Jung-woo tilted his head at the incomprehensible sight, but soon tried to ignore it.

And when he had almost finished warming up, Lee Jung-woo was able to hear the words he had been hoping for from the manager.

“You called?”

“Today… are you okay?”

“If you’re talking about starting, I’m ready anytime. As you saw yesterday, I’m fine.”

“Originally, I was planning to schedule your return for a home game. You’d be more comfortable there.”

“That’s good too, but I want to express my gratitude to the fans as soon as possible.”

“Haha, the fans should know that.”

Mancini was lost in thought. He seemed to be constantly wondering if his choice was right. Yesterday, he had faith in Lee Jung-woo’s strong will. But he wasn’t sure if that was right either.

A hostile territory filled with nothing but animosity. If there was even a slight gap in his mind, it could open up and the wound could get worse.

“I want to play. I’m not injured, and my condition and hitting feel are all good, so it’s even harder to sit on the bench.”

Lee Jung-woo confronted Mancini with only sincerity, hoping for his decision.

“Hoo… I still don’t know if I’m doing the right thing. I might regret it someday… Lee, get ready to play. Let’s break the Mets’ spirit.”

“I’ll show you the results so that no one blames you, Manager.”

Lee Jung-woo smiled brightly. And Mancini felt a little less worried at his smile. Until the game started.

####

“Those f*cking bastards… they think we’re pushovers?”

“How pathetic did we look for him to start?”

When the starting lineup was announced, the Mets fans couldn’t hold back their curses. Jung-Woo, Lee, firmly planted in the shortstop, 2nd batter position. This empty name made them feel unpleasant.

While most of the home fans were spewing curses, some of the spectators sitting on the third base side, which was clearly visible from the left batting box, exchanged glances.

“Let’s give him a good lesson.”

“This is something that lowlifes like the Phillies would do… but today is different. Let’s fix that arrogant brat’s habits.”

While the secret conversation was going on, Lee Jung-woo was once again giving a passionate speech. This time, it was Derek.

“Lee, I know your will is strong. But you’re being too impatient right now.”

“Derek, you know that’s not the case, right? I’m fine, okay? It’s more uncomfortable to be treated like a patient.”

“There’s still plenty of time, endless time. You can play for at least 10 years, maybe even 20 years.”

“I want to focus on the present, Derek. It’s already been decided, so let’s just do well. Like always.”

Lee Jung-woo, who comforted Derek, who couldn’t hide his worries, was simply armed with anticipation for today’s game. The home run the day before hadn’t completely quenched his thirst. The remaining regrets were still full inside him.

‘I barely got to play, so I have to give them confidence. I’m going to tear the Mets apart.’

Lee Jung-woo scanned the ground with burning eyes, and then walked out of the dugout as the vanguard of this game with Derek, who was shaking his head.

“Okay, now that you’re out, let’s turn things upside down. That’ll be better for you. Judging from your current state.”

“Please take care of me today too, Captain.”

“I’ll get on base no matter what, so try to hit a two-run home run this time.”

Then, after leaving Lee Jung-woo in the on-deck circle, Derek went up to the plate and focused on the pitcher with a serious face, as if he had never worried.

Today’s Mets starting pitcher was a pitcher who was newly acquired through a trade during the off-season. The Mets, shaken by the Braves’ strengthening of their power, gave up some minor league prospects and brought him in. At least so far, he was worth it.

‘Dustin Bryson, I don’t remember well, but I remember he only played in the American League throughout his career… this must be one of the butterfly effects.’

Lee Jung-woo also lightly checked his swing in the on-deck circle, trying to recall the opposing pitcher in his memory as much as possible. First of all, he’s good. He’s definitely not an ace or a 1st or 2nd starter, but he’s good enough to be in the core of the starting lineup no matter which team he goes to.

In fact, he was a good pitcher in the data provided by the scouting team. But Lee Jung-woo, who had already broken through good pitchers and even great pitchers, wasn’t very impressed.

He just saw him as prey for this game.

‘He picked well. He said he would only get on base, was he serious? Okay, since he’s doing that much for me, I have to keep my word too.’

The match was progressing in Derek’s favor. He continued to pick balls with good eyes, driving the pitcher crazy. The pitcher, who didn’t seem to have his sights set, kept throwing ambiguous balls. He barely managed to get one strike on the 4th pitch. But then he threw a ball, eventually giving up a walk and putting the first runner on base.

Lee Jung-woo, who slightly bowed his head to Derek, who was applauding him as he walked to first base, slowly entered the plate.

“Gulp.”

The gaze directed at him. The eyes full of hostility stuck to him sticky, but the sound of swallowing saliva, which he swallowed without realizing it due to tension, felt even louder to Lee Jung-woo. The pitcher maintained a poker face, but the hand scratching his mustache reflected his inner annoyance.

‘Hmm?’

That’s when he came to the plate.

Lee Jung-woo twitched his eyes.

Spectators in the direction of 3rd base, which is visible next to the pitcher. About less than ten spectators sitting there were moving busily. They were wearing hoods as if they had matched their uniforms.

‘What are they, children of darkness?’

Lee Jung-woo chuckled at the ridiculous sight, but the real action started after that. Because the group was holding cameras in both hands.

The camera lens was aimed at Lee Jung-woo, and although the flash didn’t go off, the shape was clearly visible.

“Oh, oh?”

“What are those bastards doing!”

“Don’t you have any manners! What are you doing! You trash Mets!”

The scene was caught on the stadium camera and appeared on the scoreboard, and the Braves players and a small number of visiting fans who saw the screen or discovered it in advance burst into anger. In particular, manager Mancini was barely being stopped by a few coaches.

The intention was obvious.

Such blatant behavior embarrassed even the Mets on the same side. The quiet stadium suddenly became noisy.

“Wow, that’s amazing. Is this Philadelphia instead of New York?”

“…Just ignore them.”

When Lee Jung-woo, who soon realized, asked the catcher, he lowered his head slightly and muttered in a low voice, as if he didn’t expect them to do such a thing.

‘Were they in a hurry? Well, it’s the best opportunity, so they must be embarrassed since they were singing about sweeping us.’

Lee Jung-woo narrowed his eyes.

It was probably a few extreme fans crossing the line. If they were trying to shake him with just that kind of behavior, it wouldn’t work. In the first place, there would have to be some kind of impact from the incident to have an effect. But that wasn’t the case for him.

“Are you okay?”

“If I pay attention to things like that, I can’t play the game. I’m fine.”

“…Measures will be taken soon, so don’t worry too much and focus on the game.”

The referee, who asked about his intentions, nodded briefly and looked at the Mets battery as if urging them. The pitcher, who sighed briefly, threw the first pitch. This time too, it was a ball. But it was a little different from the previous at-bat.

If the previous at-bat was just a matter of not being able to adjust the sights.

This time, it was just a mistake.

‘It’s not a bait ball. It seems like he lost his control because the stadium became noisy.’

Lee Jung-woo held back the corners of his mouth from rising. The actions of the senseless enthusiastic fans shook the Mets, not himself. He was rather grateful to them.

‘Thanks to them, I got a free count, so let’s wait and see.’

Under that judgment, Lee Jung-woo held back his swing. Then the pitcher’s control mistakes continued.

Balls that kept going far out of the zone. It seemed like he was going to give up a straight walk. Lee Jung-woo twisted his bat at the three consecutive balls.

He could just hold back this time too and aim for a walk.

But now seemed like the best chance for Lee Jung-woo.

‘If I were the pitcher, I would definitely put one in the zone.’

If he was a little more daring, he could just throw it right in the middle. It would be easier to adjust the sights from there.

‘And…’

Lee Jung-woo inhaled. And exhaled in time with the pitcher’s movement. That’s how he projected his power.

‘The opponent is that kind too.’

A ball that was slightly off to the outside. Lee Jung-woo chased the ball with his eyes and pushed the bat straight out.

It was a light swing. But even the weight wasn’t light. Because it was his 3rd home run of the season.

Lee Jung-woo, who had finished the last follow-through perfectly, showed off his bat flip again today.

If the bat flip the day before was an expression of joy.

Today, the intention was clear.