Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 210

Pitcher done, batter up -209

Stomp, stomp. One step at a time, calmly. Making sure not to miss a single base, each step deliberately planted. The fleeting, hollow breaths tickled his ears. With eyes full of emptiness, the Mets players watched Lee Jung-woo running the bases, but even that was drowned out by the thunderous applause and the standing ovation.

“Fucking hell, that’s fucking awesome!”

“Well done, you son of a bitch!”

“Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

“Aaaaaaaaaaah!”

“I saw it with my own eyes! I fucking saw it! Aren’t you fucking jealous!”

It wasn’t just the Braves fans who had traveled to the away game that were cheering.

Perhaps the powerful swing, the home run it created, had seduced even the home fans.

The people filling the stands all stood up and clapped their hands wildly. Some laughed hollowly, others flushed red, and still others gnashed their teeth. Their faces were all different, but they were all equally in awe at this moment.

Citi Field, still hostile territory where many hated and loathed Lee Jung-woo, but for this brief moment as he rounded the bases, it felt no different from his home stadium.

‘The stadium should be noisy like this.’

At that sight, Lee Jung-woo couldn’t hide the overflowing emotion and smiled, even as he tried to appear nonchalant. He quickly rounded the bases for those who had momentarily set aside their animosity for him, then swallowed hard at the sight of his teammates glaring at him with fierce expressions.

Especially the players in the on-deck circle, like Joy and Peterson, seemed determined to give him a rough welcome as he returned, already clenching their large fists. Lee Jung-woo paused for a moment when he saw that, but he obediently stepped on home plate.

And then.

“Uaaaaaaah!”

“What the hell are you! What are you!”

“Is this even allowed? Fucking changing your batting form, huh? Is it okay to reuse your ex-wife that you threw away like an old shoe!” [Referring to his old batting style]

“That was the best home run I’ve ever seen while playing baseball. The best. Absolutely the best!”

A merciless barrage followed.

Joy, who had to go up to bat, only bumped fists with Lee Jung-woo as he passed by, then smacked him hard on the back, but the others greeted him with violent gestures as if they were collectively lynching him. The sensation on his hand was a little more intense than usual, as if foreshadowing the impact to come.

####

Regarding the day when countless records were set, including his thirtieth home run and 30-30 [30 home runs and 30 stolen bases] in the first half of the season, and the most RBIs [Runs Batted In] in the first half, the reactions of various media outlets after the game were simple.

[‘A Moment to Be Remembered Forever’ Jung-woo Lee Delivers the Greatest Performance Ever.]

[Lee Jung-woo Puts the Finishing Touches on a Beautiful First Half That Will Last Forever. Season’s 30th Home Run!]

[‘Pride of Asia’ Lee Jung-woo Achieves Immortal Record in the Heart of America!]

It will be remembered forever.

Although the expressions were different, all the media outlets insisted on it, and like that saying, Lee Jung-woo’s home run scene was etched in people’s minds like a tattoo. But there was no need to go that far. Even if they didn’t remember it themselves, the data would remain forever thanks to the crazy number of articles coming out.

[Most Hits in the First Half Tied, Most RBIs in the First Half Renewed, 30-30 Achieved in the First Half. Jung-woo Lee Changes the History of the League!]

[Admiration Drawn from the Enemy, Jung-woo Lee Rewrites History with a Standing Ovation from the Opposing Team, the Mets.]

-Yeah, it’s not just changing it, it’s like rewriting the first half records.

-What the hell did he eat to grow up like that? If we bring in a Korean, will he do that much for us?

-As a long-time Rangers fan, I’ll give you some advice. Absolutely not. He’s just a special Korean. The guys who went through our team weren’t like that.

Lee Jung-woo’s photo, lying down in a ㄱ shape, was prominently displayed on the Major League Baseball homepage, but since so many article titles had already done so, it felt cliché to those who came later.

There was still one more game left in the 3rd match, but everyone was so enthusiastic that it didn’t seem to matter. They were thrilled with the new record and the coronation of the young emperor in hostile territory.

[Jung-woo Lee Installs the Last Piece of the First Half! 30-30 Club Before the All-Star Break!]

-Wasn’t the NL [National League] originally strong in pitching? Is this season particularly hitter-friendly? Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense…

-Strictly speaking, this season is moderately neutral. That’s why it’s even more absurd.

-I was originally going to call the Mets the shame of New York… Hmm- the more I look at it, the more I think pinstripes would suit him. He doesn’t grow a beard either.

-A shitty team that’s second in the division won’t go. Maybe our Red Sox, who are first in the same Eastern Division.

-Lee, if you’re honestly human, you have to come to our Rangers no matter what.

-Yeah, look at what your seniors did to us. You have to pay us back.

Because it was such a tremendous record, American League fans questioned the pitching and hitting balance of the National League. Fans of other teams who had been eyeing Lee Jung-woo were now drooling without even trying to hide it.

As he had consistently made his name known throughout the league, Lee Jung-woo had formed a national fandom that was not limited to the Braves, and gasps of astonishment rang out from all over the United States.

-That was a nostalgic swing. I fell in love with Lee after seeing that swing.

-Something’s tickling my heart. Seeing last year’s swing after a long time makes me feel a little strange. To make a home run with that.

-Yeah, that kind of cool swing is the real Lee! I always wanted to see it!

But on the contrary, the Braves fans showed a rather quiet reaction. No, it would be more accurate to say that they had no choice but to be quiet. They were too busy changing their soaked pants.

Most of the fans were immersed in the old swing they had seen after a long time, and their eyes were moist with the result it created. They were so moved that they couldn’t speak, and their reaction was quieter than expected. But soon, reality set in, and they lost their minds as expected. Very properly.

-I should have gone to see it in person. Fuckfuckfuckfuck.

-I need to send Lee a bill. I think I’ve thrown away about 50 pairs of pants because of Lee this season.

-Am I crazy? Is what I saw real? Actually, I’m still a bit dazed. I think I need to take a pill of the stimulant that my wife secretly hid to come to my senses.

-Does a player like this exist? And he’s even on our team? And he’s even young?

The sudden sense of reality swept over them, delivering a series of shocks, and their minds became increasingly confused as if they were being hit on the head with a hammer.

Dominating everything related to baseball, including numerous communities and articles, the Braves were ecstatic. And those who were a little more reserved remained in the fan community after the people left, indulging in happy fantasies.

-Without lying, even if he continues to put up this year’s first-half stats until he retires, wouldn’t he be a first-ballot Hall of Famer no matter what?

-That’s right, even that alone means he’s hitting 30 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 100 RBIs every year. It’s crazy.

-I’m really looking forward to it. How many championship rings will Lee take? I think he’ll win at least three times. In the Braves, of course.

A player who, in his second year, had already shown everything that other players could show. The things that the still young player would do until he retired, the career he would build, and the championships that the Braves would win with him fluttered in his mind.

-Even if we take into account that this season has some fluke, if he retires safely without any major injuries, wouldn’t he be in the top 3 shortstops of all time?

-That’s possible. He has to have longevity, and his aging curve shouldn’t be too severe… but there’s enough potential.

-Potential doesn’t matter. Because Lee can do it no matter what. What’s more important than that is that we have to keep such a player on the Braves.

-That’s right. Hey, Pratt. Take the money and run to Lee right now! Get a lifetime contract! Quickly!

-And while you’re at it, tear up his passport at the same time. So that Lee can’t go anywhere else. He must stay in Atlanta forever.

-Uh… what about his parents? He can’t even go back to Korea… Wouldn’t Lee be lonely?

-There’s plenty of land left over in Georgia, right? Build a city there, bring all the people Lee is close to, and then build a New Korea. How about that?

-Um, I understand your thoughts well. I’ll go report it to the FBI first.

The Braves fans smiled ecstatically, even as they deeply wished for it, because the beautiful future, which was exciting just to imagine, was by no means impossible.

Hopefully, he will accomplish such a great saga with the Braves until the very end.

In that way, Lee Jung-woo rushed to the end of the first half, giving shock to the league, astonishment to the people, and happiness to the fans.

####

“Ooooooh! Aaaaaah…”

“Uh- uuuuh! Ah…”

In the 3rd match, the last game of the first half, the audience repeated exclamations and sighs every time it was Lee Jung-woo’s turn to bat. Lee Jung-woo shook his head at the reactions filled with anticipation, wondering if another one would explode, if he could make 30 into 31.

‘No, I can understand our team’s fans, but why are the home fans like that?’

Whether they had assimilated with the away fans or not, even the home fans were like that, so the Mets players glared at Lee Jung-woo, grinding their teeth as if Lee Jung-woo had stolen the fans’ love. In fact, that was partly true.

‘Today, my condition is just average. Tsk, it’s only when it’s all over…’

Unlike the audience full of regret or the enraged reactions of the opposing team’s players, Lee Jung-woo’s performance today was just mediocre. His defense was always the Best of Best, but his batting also included a double and 2 hits, and even in the at-bats where he didn’t get on base, he didn’t strike out, but only recorded two unfortunate outfield flies that were caught in front of the fence.

In the case of dealing with fastballs, which had been a problem during the series, he hit a double off the relief pitcher’s 99-mph fastball with the bat he had been using, properly showing that he had returned to normal condition. Perhaps that’s why some spectators were unnecessarily hopeful.

He hit a home run even when he wasn’t in good shape. He looks moderately okay, so maybe he’ll hit two today.

‘If it were that easy, I would have hit 50 more home runs already.’

In that way, Lee Jung-woo, who made people’s hearts flutter until the very end, soon walked out on a walk in his fifth at-bat, ending his first half with a relatively mediocre record of 5 at-bats, 4 plate appearances, 2 hits, and 1 walk. The spectators, who had been expecting it until the end, smacked their lips and responded with applause that was a little weaker than the day before.

[Stevenson strikes out the last batter with a swing, ending the game 6-5! The Braves win the last game of the first half, achieving a sweep and finishing the best first half in history!]

[There are still many league games left, but this year’s Braves can only be described as the best. Especially, haha, Jung-woo Lee, who is somehow being beaten up by his teammates again today, is at the center of it. Perhaps the fans of the Braves and Lee can confidently say that if someone asks about the best first half in Major League history, it was the Braves and Jung-woo Lee of the 35th season.]

As the game ended, the Braves finished the most powerful first half in team history, sweeping the last series of the first half with the closing remarks of the commentators. Along with overwhelming records such as the most wins and the highest win rate before the All-Star break.

“Good job. It would be nice to get some rest if possible, but haha, it’s going to be tough for you and me. But even though there’s no rest, you can do well in the second half, right, Lee?”

“Honestly, it’s going to be hard to do as well as I have been, but I’ll maintain about half of it.”

“Oh… that would be great. Then, let’s do well at the All-Star Game too. If possible, we should win this year too. Not too much, just like the last Mariners game. Starting with the All-Star Game MVP, All-Star, regular season, World Series, and everything else with MVP attached. How about that?”

“It seems like the captain is much more greedy about my performance than I am.”

“It’s a perfect season. For you and the Braves. If you’re going to dream, you should dream big.”

In addition, Lee Jung-woo, the main engine of the rampaging Braves, also left behind crazy stats of 401 plate appearances, 331 at-bats, 146 hits, 70 walks, 30 home runs, 104 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, the most hits in the first half, the 2nd highest batting average in the first half in history after Ty Cobb, the 1st in the live ball era, and following the drug addict [referring to a player known for performance-enhancing drugs] who dominated 2004, the 2nd highest on-base percentage and slugging percentage in history, and a crazy record of 16.47 RC/27 [Runs Created per 27 outs] and 0.658 wOBA [weighted On-Base Average]. He finished his first half.

After that, as the best player who dominated the first half of the 35th season in name and reality.

He confidently entered the stage of stars.