Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 188

[Jung! Woo! Lee! A two-run home run, bringing the Braves right on the heels of the Athletics! His 18th of the season! The score is now 3 to 2! The Braves are closing the gap!]

After the booming home run call from the broadcaster, the splendid home run, and the triumphant base running, Lee Jung-woo entered the dugout to the cheers of his teammates. Meanwhile, the Athletics’ pitcher who remained on the mound was immediately replaced, practically dragged off to the dugout.

The coach rushed out and forcibly escorted the dejected pitcher away.

It was a natural reaction, a protective measure to prevent the team’s ace from further demoralization.

“Kyle! Kyle! Kyle!”

“Kyle! You did great! Leave the rest to us!”

“You killed it today! So what if he got a home run? It’s because Jung-woo’s damn good! Don’t sweat it!”

Even though the score was 3 to 2, Kyle had at least secured a quality start [pitching at least six innings and allowing three or fewer earned runs] and was in line for the win.

The spectators tried to boost the dampened atmosphere by cheering loudly and offering words of comfort. But those who understood baseball knew the truth.

Given the Athletics’ weak bullpen, even with a narrow lead, their chances of winning weren’t great.

And that their beloved Kyle Callaway would likely have a tough time adding to his win total.

[The Athletics bring in relief pitcher Kieran Walker.]

[His recent performance hasn’t been stellar, but he’s a player who can shine when he’s on.]

The noisy stadium quieted briefly with the pitching change, and the new pitcher took the mound. Watching him, Derek muttered,

“It’s rough on the bullpen guys. Even the cheap ones.”

It was a cynical remark, but Lee Jung-woo nodded silently in agreement.

Because, as the saying goes, the pitchers who followed would face a merciless onslaught.

“They’re all going to get hammered.”

Kyle Callaway, who had barely managed to contain the Braves’ offense, left the mound. As Derek and Lee Jung-woo predicted, the subsequent relief pitchers became sacrifices to the enraged Braves hitters.

[He hits it! Joey Fredman! Over- over- it’s gone! Back-to-back solo home run!]

The situation that followed was, simply put, a festival. More accurately, it was a thorough revenge and execution ceremony by the Braves hitters, whose pride had been wounded by the opposing ace.

Starting with Joey, who hit a back-to-back home run on the first pitch from the new pitcher, the batting order went around in the 7th inning. Lee Jung-woo also came to the plate for his fourth at-bat, his second of the 7th inning.

The result was a solid hit.

Lee Jung-woo didn’t miss the third pitcher’s offering, driving it into the outfield and contributing to the big inning.

[It’s a truly cruel inning for the Athletics. Starting with Lee’s two-run homer, Joey’s back-to-back shot, and the subsequent attack, the Braves score 7 runs in the top of the 7th!]

The score, which had been a three-point deficit, instantly transformed into a 9 to 3 lead. The Athletics couldn’t recover.

[The Braves shut down the game with effective bullpen management, and the Braves win the first game of the interleague matchup with a final score of 13 to 4!]

[It was a bizarre game. Who would have predicted this outcome at the start of the 7th inning?]

As the commentator noted, the game was strange and unexpected. What began as a tight pitching duel, followed by the Athletics taking an early lead, ultimately ended in a resounding victory for the Braves, with a dominant score of 13 to 4.

Considering they were shut out until the 7th inning, the Athletics were in shock.

####

[Braves, ‘Refreshing Late-Inning Surge’ Leads to 9-Point Win Against Athletics!]

[13 points in 3 innings. The Athletics’ bullpen is in serious trouble.]

[Jungwoo Lee, 6 at-bats, 5 on base, 3 hits, 1 walk, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, ‘Game Changer’]

[‘The Start of the Comeback’ Lee’s Home Run is Always Special!]

[Jungwoo Lee, Home Run in 2 Consecutive Games, Could He Be ‘Player of the Month’ in June?]

After the game, articles flooded the media. The player who had caused a major stir in the major leagues the day before immediately delivered an outstanding performance that everyone admired. It was a performance that would have been noteworthy even without the previous day’s events, so the synergy was significant. Although the Athletics controlled the game until the 7th inning, Lee Jung-woo, who turned the tide with a single home run, was hailed as the game changer.

-Lee is really… honestly, I love him so much, but sometimes he’s too scary. How can he be so good? Is this really our player? Braves? I still can’t believe it.

-The Braves’ comeback always starts with Lee’s home run. Just like today. So don’t be too scared, Bro.

Even Braves fans were stunned and impressed. Many admired how he handled the game with his usual calm demeanor, even after the controversy of the previous day.

And after hitting another home run, his 18th of the season in two consecutive games, some fans began to seriously consider what had previously been just a wish.

[‘Home Run Pace Shows No Signs of Slowing’ Lee, Aiming for 40 Home Runs?]

[‘Best Hitter with Speed’ This Season Lee Aims for 40-40!]

-The home run pace is insane. Already 18 in June?

-So that’s just the power of natural talent?

-Plus hard work.

-Is he really going to go for 40-40 [40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season] like this?

-I think he’ll definitely get 30-30. 40-40 is possible if he keeps playing well.

-There’s a real chance. He’s on track to hit more than 20 home runs in the first half. And he keeps stealing bases whenever he gets the chance, so if he focuses on it, he’ll reach 40 quickly.

-If he gets 40-40, is MVP [Most Valuable Player award] confirmed?

-Unless someone hits .400 or hits 70 home runs, it’s a lock. Unless a pitcher gets 25 wins and an ERA [Earned Run Average] in the 1-point range.

-Um, so unless it’s Koufax, Ted Williams, or Bonds on steroids, it’s guaranteed.

-That’s right. In other words, 40-40 means MVP is guaranteed.

Braves fans, who were content with 30-30 at the start of the season, now had their sights set on the possibility of 40-40, a feat achieved by only four players in Major League history. If they had said this about any other player, they would have been ridiculed. But with Lee Jung-woo, even fans of other teams admitted it was possible.

Amidst this excitement, an unexpected campaign emerged.

-What are you all doing? If you enjoyed the game, you have to pay the admission fee.

-I’m already paying enough admission fees. In the name of channel notification.

-Not that, you idiot, All-Star voting. It’s already a lock, but we should make Lee the overall number one in votes. Are you going to let Hunter and Harding beat him? Aren’t you going to catch up?

-I already voted, you idiot.

-Then I acknowledge you.

Some fans started encouraging All-Star voting as a way to “pay” for the great performance. In response, many posted screenshots confirming they had already voted. As a result, Lee Jung-woo’s voting rate steadily increased.

Lee Jung-woo, who played a major role in the game, received a lot of praise. On the other hand, the Athletics faced considerable ridicule.

-How are the Athletics even in 2nd place? Seriously, even a minor league team wouldn’t give up 13 points in 3 innings.

-Is this Major League? Am I seeing things wrong?

-You guys are embarrassing the American League.

-If you had lost a close game, I would understand because it’s the Braves, but you lost in such an ugly way.

They not only lost a game they almost won but also gave up 13 points in just 3 innings, resulting in a humiliating defeat.

There was no excuse for such a disgrace.

Especially since it was their home game and an interleague game with the designated hitter rule [allowing a player to bat in place of the pitcher], they were ridiculed for losing even with a perceived advantage. There was also sympathy for Kyle Callaway, who lost the victory he had earned. Of course, since he was the starting pitcher, there were also criticisms that he ruined the game with his own mistakes.

[Oakland Athletics Manager, ‘It Was a Shocking Game.’ ‘The Most Humiliating Moment in My Managerial Career’]

However, no amount of criticism could compare to the shock of the game itself. The Athletics were so stunned that their manager openly admitted it at the press conference.

In particular, the sight of Kyle Callaway, who had been a symbol of victory, staggering off the mound like a zombie, deeply affected Athletics fans. The aftereffects lingered into the subsequent games.

[Athletics, 7 to 1 Loss in Game 2, Complete Defeat to Braves!]

[Mason Looper, 7 Innings, 1 Run, 11 Ks (strikeouts), 3 BBs (walks)]

[Jungwoo Lee, 5 At-Bats, 3 Hits, 1 Walk, 1 Stolen Base]

[Braves Sweep Athletics!]

[Ian Field, 6 Innings, 2 Runs, 12 Ks, 4 BBs]

[Jungwoo Lee, 4 At-Bats, 4 On Base, 2 Hits, 2 RBIs (Runs Batted In).]

The two teams, who gave each other a victory and a defeat to remember, concluded the interleague series with the Athletics losing all subsequent games.

####

While the Braves were busy dominating the Athletics, the general manager’s office was also bustling with activity.

The moment when their long-planned project was about to come to fruition was approaching.

“Did you send all the merchandise to the team store?”

“Yes, we sent enough to each store to ensure there won’t be any shortages.”

“How about the snacks? Is the special menu finalized?”

“Yes, the recipe is complete, and the contract for the ingredients has been finalized. Now all we have to do is sell it.”

“Good, very good.”

President Pratt gave thorough instructions, as if driven by a personal vendetta. He felt he hadn’t provided enough support to Lee Jung-woo, so he was determined to make up for it by preparing everything meticulously.

He wanted to clearly demonstrate how much the club valued and appreciated Lee Jung-woo.

“In the end, we couldn’t find out which singer Lee likes? I wanted to scout that artist if possible. He doesn’t like any singers? What about Korean singers?”

“I asked Derek last time, and he said that he sometimes listens to music on the road, but mostly it’s classical music. Oh, he has a favorite composer: Mozart. Should we dig up his grave? It should be in Austria.”

As they delved into even the smallest details, it seemed excessive, but even trivial matters were important to President Pratt. The person in charge made an absurd face, but President Pratt was so focused that his eyes were bloodshot.

“Damn it, that doesn’t mean I can invite an orchestra…”

The employees around him looked at President Pratt, who was grumbling in annoyance, with a nonchalant expression. He had been like this since the project began.

Now, all front office employees knew that President Pratt went crazy whenever Lee Jung-woo’s name was mentioned.

So, they diligently worked to fulfill their boss’s ambition and dream.

“By the way, what does the secretariat say? Is the reaction positive? I know it’s been agreed upon.”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? They’re desperate to develop the Asian market right now, so they love it. That old man, Oldman [likely a reference to a high-ranking executive], will want to kiss my butt.”

President Pratt continued to ramble, but his words could be summarized as: ‘Pour all the time and money into it.’

President Pratt had rarely put in this much effort since becoming president of the Atlanta Braves.

Furthermore, he received positive feedback from the upper echelons, so there was no one to stop him, and the project proceeded smoothly with overwhelming support. With such perfect preparation, President Pratt smiled with satisfaction after checking everything one last time.

“I think almost everything is ready now?”

“Check thoroughly until the end to see if there’s anything missing, and if there’s nothing wrong, start promoting it in earnest. Atlanta, Korea, don’t save money and pour it all in.”

“Yes, yes, I’ve heard it so much that I’m about to get calluses on my ears. I’m going to spend all the money I want, so don’t worry.”

President Pratt, satisfied despite the marketing team leader’s grumbling, looked at the file folder on his desk with a happy expression.

[Atlanta Braves Korean Night]

“Hehehe, those LA bastards, what kind of Korean night is it when they don’t even have a proper Korean player? This side with Lee is the real deal.” He watched with anticipation.