Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 211

Pitcher Over, Batter Begins – Episode 210

[‘New History’ Jungwoo Lee, Etches Name on All First-Half Records Related to Batters.]

[Jungwoo Lee, Establishes Top 1-2 Records in All First-Half Categories Including Batting Average, On-Base Percentage, Slugging Percentage, RBIs, and Hits!]

After the first half concluded, the accolades for Lee Jungwoo, who not only achieved first place in almost all batting categories but also completely rewrote the league’s history, were endless.

Occasionally, his impact was shown by photoshopping Lee Jungwoo’s picture into images of legendary players from the past, the very distant past of the dead-ball era [an era in baseball history characterized by low-scoring games and an emphasis on base-running, bunting, and fielding] or the early days of live-ball [the era after the dead-ball era, characterized by higher scoring games and more emphasis on hitting].

Among those photos, the one that was most talked about was a composite image that seemed to starkly contrast him with a hero tainted by drugs.

[‘Symbol of a New Era’ Jungwoo Lee, Drives Out the Face of an Era Stained by Ugly Drugs.]

-…? Didn’t he drive him out? His on-base percentage and slugging percentage should be second all-time, right? And he’s nine home runs short.

-Bonds is a roider [a player who uses steroids], so isn’t Lee practically number one?

-The records haven’t been deleted, so strictly speaking, no. But I think the same way you do.

-But aren’t Bonds and Lee from completely different eras? There’s a 30-year difference. Shouldn’t we compare him to Trout or Yakunya?

-The time gap is large, but they’ve been compared a lot throughout the season because of the drug controversy. Their playing styles are also similar. I think it’s appropriate.

The article, titled with a composite photo featuring Bonds’ shadowed face on the left, like a dark night, and Lee Jungwoo’s face on the right, as if bathed in sunlight, garnered attention despite coming from a source that could hardly be called a legitimate media outlet. The quality was good due to skillful photoshopping, and it delivered a heavy impact because of the dramatic contrast.

The article content was merely a paste-up of Lee Jungwoo’s performance and the various first-half records he achieved, just like any other. Yet, that insignificant, third-rate article perhaps best expressed how Major League fans currently viewed Lee Jungwoo.

Like the fallen hero of the steroid era, which was one of the most popular in league history, the thought was that Lee Jungwoo would now lead the era, driving the league and baseball’s popularity.

Because there was so much interest, media outlets, judging that ordinary articles and mundane game photos wouldn’t attract attention, drew people’s attention with various composite photos and the like.

As the buzz grew, so did the anticipation for the All-Star Game.

A historic player’s first All-Star appearance, plus the Home Run Derby. Since he’s a player who has set great records, he’ll surely show something big at the All-Star Game.

In particular, the Home Run Derby, where he was now participating as a player, was even more interesting because of the stark contrast with last year when he was on the mound as a batting practice pitcher.

[Lee Jungwoo, 4th Korean Major Leaguer in History to Participate in All-Star Game!]

[‘Monster’s Home Run Derby’ NL, Arthur Hunter (LAD), Vincent Harding (SFG), Jungwoo Lee (ATL), Joey Fredman (ATL), to Participate.]

[‘True Futures Game?’ Jungwoo Lee (ATL), Adam Straight (BOS), and Other New Faces Named to All-Star Roster…]

[Lee Jungwoo to Participate in Home Run Derby! ‘Goal is to Set New Record?’]

[‘Dramatic Change’ Last Year, Lee Jungwoo Stood on the Mound as a Pitcher, Partnering with a Teammate, Now He Steps Up to the Plate as a Batter!]

What people were most curious about was simple.

-How many do you think Lee will hit?

-Well, it would be best if he hit as many as Joey did last year. It would be nice if he just won.

-If it’s Joey from last year, he’ll get to the finals and hit 25 to win? Then our Braves will have the 5th most home runs in a single round. Yakunya-Joey-Lee lololol.

-If that’s the case, then there’s a story to it. Actually, I wish he’d hit as many home runs as he did this season and break another record here.

Last year, as a pitcher, Lee Jungwoo helped his partner Joey win, so fans hoped that Lee would take that glory this year.

Joey, who is participating together, might be a little sad. However, unlike last year, there were several difficulties this year.

-The biggest problem to winning is Hunter. He didn’t come out last year, but he’s participating this year. He’s already won twice, right? I think he’s going to hit like crazy this year too…

-Harding is also a problem. He’s hit 24 already, which is less than Lee and Hunter.

-So, have Harding or Hunter ever hit 4 consecutive home runs? A home run cycle? Lee is better at concentrating his power, so he’s definitely going to win.

There was Hunter, who didn’t come out last year, and Harding, whose home run pace is pretty good this season. Nevertheless, fans believed in Lee Jungwoo’s ability to hit home runs consistently and, when he got a feel for it, to unleash a terrifying barrage.

As they waited for the All-Star Game with such anticipation, there was one thought that Major League fans, each with their own ideas, shared.

-By the way, can the American All-Stars even compete? We seem too strong this year?

-Let’s mess them up properly this time. Hey, Junior League, be prepared. We’ll show you what the real league is like. Don’t wet your pants.

-Ha, just because Hunter is missing, why do they look so weak?

-It’s not that Hunter is missing, it’s that the Braves’ potential has exploded. The Red Sox and Rangers are also quite fierce… but they won’t be able to compete this year.

-Look at the National League lineup. It’s vomit-inducing from 1st to 7th. To exaggerate a bit, they’ll score 20 more points.

Basically, the American League’s defeat in this year’s All-Star Game was almost certain. As such, after the first half, in which numerous records were set, the league briefly entered a lull. Nevertheless, people’s interest in baseball continued to burn.

####

“Wow~ I thought we were screwed again this year. But thanks to you, Lee, we’ll somehow get to see it this time.”

The Braves players who were confirmed to participate in the All-Star Game immediately headed to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, where the All-Star Game was being held.

Because of his tremendous performance, quite a few players went on the trip, including Roy Pennington, who was chosen as Lee Jungwoo’s Home Run Derby partner.

As a bullpen pitcher with a small All-Star roster spot, Pennington had been a decent A-class middle relief pitcher throughout his career. Nevertheless, he had no All-Star Game experience.

Therefore, he seemed to be feeling new emotions, glancing around with an awkward expression before suddenly asking Lee Jungwoo.

“But why me? I can understand that you considered Mason, who is your best friend, or the 2nd and 3rd starters sitting over there, since they have to participate in the All-Star Game. But what about Stuart or Christensen? There’s also Holsey.”

“I just had a good feeling.”

Lee Jungwoo brushed off his question, but an awkward smile lingered on his lips. It wasn’t a reason he would like if he heard it.

‘If I said I picked him because he was the protagonist of the first home run I hit against a major leaguer, he’d probably be sulking for days.’

When he switched to being a batter last year and was invited to spring training, Lee Jungwoo hit a home run against Roy Pennington in an internal evaluation game.

Although it was an evaluation game that wasn’t even a practice game, and Pennington obviously wasn’t at 100%, it was still the first home run Lee Jungwoo achieved against a major leaguer.

To bring that energy to the Home Run Derby, Lee Jungwoo picked Roy Pennington. The person in question, unaware of anything, was just smiling.

Lee Jungwoo felt a pang of conscience at that sight, but he ignored it and scrolled through his phone, finding a rather interesting article.

‘Adam Straight, the Breaking Ball Master, is finally making a name for himself.’

Adam Straight. Even as he assimilated into life after regression, and the memories of before regression gradually faded, it was a name that couldn’t help but be clear.

He was such a great player, and he had several connections with him even after the regression.

‘He did debut last year. As an expanded roster. But did he get into the All-Star Game in his second year?’

Lee Jungwoo shook his head, forcibly rummaging through vague memories. It certainly wasn’t like that before the regression. So this was also an aftereffect of his regression.

‘It’s amazing. Even if it changes little by little, the guy who’s going to make it will eventually make it. Even more steeply than before.’

Lee Jungwoo recalled the face of Adam Straight that he remembered. The relatively clear memories of meeting in the minor leagues and practice games and the faint memories of roaring while sweeping numerous awards, including the Cy Young [an award given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball], intersected.

Lee Jungwoo, alternating between the two images with a large gap, soon smiled when he saw the comments on the article. The word “dramatic change” really hit home.

[‘Rookies’ Great Leap Forward’ Along with Jungwoo Lee, Adam Straight Too! Showdown Between Rookies Representing the Two Leagues!]

-It’s ridiculous. Even if it’s Boston media. How can they link Lee and him?

-I’m really angry the more I think about it. A rookie is an All-Star? Aren’t the Boston bastards going too far? There’s a limit to how much you can vote.

-No matter how much you like your own kid, you’re pushing a guy who’s in the ROY [Rookie of the Year] season into the All-Star Game.

-Don’t be ridiculous. Why are you only making a fuss about Adam when you’re not saying anything about Lee, who is also in his second year?

-Are he and Lee the same? Their debut times are different. And he’s just the best of the kids. He’s not on the same level as Lee.

‘The world has gotten so much better. I’m even hearing these kinds of things.’

It was funny that the great Adam Straight was being treated as a latecomer following Lee Jungwoo, but people were saying that they weren’t even on the same level.

It was even newer because it was something he couldn’t even imagine in the past. And on the other hand, he was looking forward to it.

‘If something had an impact, it would have been getting hit by a home run by me in the practice game. Either his pride was hurt and he awakened, or he was determined to do better. Let’s compete one more time. He’s already a monster, but how much more of a monster has he become?’

“Why? You’re grinning. Did you see something fun? Is it something lewd?”

“No, just…”

“Oh? Ah~ Adam Straight? I heard he’s been doing pretty well in the American League these days. How can they compare you to him? It’s insulting. But still, it’s crazy to go to the All-Star Game in your rookie season.”

“It’s not that, I’m just looking forward to it. If he does well, we’ll meet at the All-Star Game. I’m curious to see how well he’ll do.”

“What?”

Lee Jungwoo smiled, looking forward to seeing the 모습 [Korean word for appearance or figure] of a pitcher he once admired, who had become stronger than himself at the same time. But he didn’t know.

“Mason, I think Lee is really angry.”

“Why?”

“He’s so insulted that he’s going to devour the Red Sox rookie?”

“That Adam guy? He does well sometimes, but that’s too bad. The media kept linking him to Lee… and he got targeted by Lee.”

“Anyway, the media is the one that kills rookies? They’re stimulating a perfectly fine kid for no reason, so he can’t help but be angry.”

That pure competitiveness, in the eyes of others, just looked like a monster who was upset about being compared to a distant guy, trying to devour a growing sprout.

####

Arriving in Kansas City, the Braves players entered the hotel assigned to the All-Star players and scattered. Those who brought their families were dragged out of their hotel rooms by their children or wives, like tourists. Those who were single, like Lee Jungwoo, either relieved the fatigue of the long flight at the hotel or headed to the stadium to watch the Futures Game.

Lee Jungwoo was the latter.

“Are you going to watch the kids’ game? Why don’t you just rest? You’re going to be in the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game.”

“I’m just going to watch for a while. I’m also going to fill my stomach around here.”

“You know that major leaguers can’t eat just anything, right? Eat well with dignity.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll wear a tuxedo, put on a napkin, and cut it with a knife even when I eat a hamburger.”

Leaving Pennington behind, who was jokingly talking about maintaining dignity, which the club occasionally instructed as a kind of moral education but was virtually ineffective, he headed to Kauffman Stadium, where the Futures Game was in full swing, with players with similar purposes.

“Here it is. Haha, Lee really seems to like baseball. You must be tired, but you’re even watching the Futures Game.”

“It’s fun to watch sometimes. Thank you for the guide.”

‘It’s good to be a major leaguer. There are separate seats for players.’

Lee Jungwoo, who was seated with the enthusiastic guidance of the stadium staff who quickly received his autograph, looked down at the ground. Players playing in the game. As much as they could be called prospective All-Stars, there were quite a few familiar faces. Their play was as excellent as their future name value.

‘Desmond also participated. Well, he’s one of our team’s leading prospects. Ah, is that player still in the minors? I didn’t know because it’s the American League. Hmm, is he already in the minors? I remember him being younger.’

Lee Jungwoo, observing the play of familiar players, including Desmond, who he had worked with until recently, and overlapping them with the 모습 he remembered, soon tilted his head at the sudden applause and cheers that erupted at the timing of the change of attack and defense.

“Wow!”

[Haha, Jungwoo Lee, this season’s All-Star, is in the audience.]

[The players playing in this game will lead the league with Lee in the future. He is proudly showing his face as the leader of the new era.]

Somehow the camera caught it properly, and Lee Jungwoo’s face was on the screen. People cheered at the sight. The main eventer of this All-Star Game had suddenly shown his face. The game, which was gradually heating up, suddenly subsided, and Lee Jungwoo once again realized his popularity. He suddenly looked down at the ground.

‘Everyone’s looking at me. Even the pitchers.’

Future All-Stars. Most of the players who would raise careers worth snorting at were looking up at him. The players, who followed the cheers of the people, the applause, and only rolled their eyes while changing offense and defense, looked at him one by one.

Envy, respect, jealousy, and other complex emotions were mixed up in it, but one of them was felt very clearly.

‘Is this what it feels like? To be admired by someone.’

That they were admiring him.

Like the commentator who called him the leader of the new era, Lee Jungwoo was an object of admiration for young players. He appeared like a comet in an instant, swept through the league like a storm, and eventually climbed to the top faster than anyone else, capturing people’s hearts as a superstar.

Dozens, so many people were sending him the same eyes that he had seen from his juniors in high school baseball before he was injured. Feeling that gaze, Lee Jungwoo thought.

‘Let’s try to maintain it until the end this time. That kind of gaze.’

The best position he had reached early. The exhilaration and the admiration of the people it gave him were more pleasing than he thought.