Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 215

Pitcher done, batter up – 214

[The splitter! The invincible splitter! It’s finally been hit over!]

[He hit it cleanly. As if he was waiting for it, he braced himself and swung. He must have been confident since it’s considered the best pitch… but in the end, his splitter was just another splitter to Lee.]

Christian Gomez’s splitter. The name is synonymous with ‘magic pitch,’ at least in the American League right now. Every American League batter has struck out swinging at that pitch at least once. His opponents’ batting average against it was almost as good as that of National League pitchers.

That pitch was hammered. And so easily. As if it was nothing. The shock it sent through the American League fanbase was considerable.

“Wait, that was a splitter, right?”

“The break on that thing… I heard Lee hits well, but… *this* well?”

“Man… if you can hit a splitter like that out of the park, what are you even supposed to throw?”

“Have National League pitchers been dealing with guys like that all this time?”

“Honestly, I thought Lee was good just because the National League’s level was low… but he’s just as good here.”

Exclamations of astonishment poured out. Even though it was the All-Star Game, many of the spectators were Royals supporters since it was held in Kansas City, so their shock was amplified.

As with almost every team, Christian Gomez had thoroughly dominated the Royals every time he pitched against them. They were already on edge, and Lee Jungwoo just added fuel to the fire.

‘It’s not a regular season game anyway, so there’s no need to be cautious.’

It’s an exhibition game for the fans. Lee Jungwoo decided that meeting expectations was more important than playing it safe. So he let it fly. The bat, that is.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“That’s it! That’s the one!”

“This young kid knows how to put on a show!”

Following the already-sailing ball, the bat spiraled through the air and crashed to the ground, causing the already-deafening cheers to explode even louder.

Especially since it had only been a few months since he and Arthur Hunter had shaken up the league with their bat flips. People were even more thrilled by his simple showmanship.

Lee Jungwoo was someone who quietly, yet consistently, stirred things up with bat flips and emphatic home run celebrations, so there were many fans who were looking forward to it.

The shock morphed into astonishment, then into a frenzy. The stadium shook, and all the spectators acted as if they had suddenly become Braves fans. They were fanatics.

‘With this kind of reaction, it’s definitely worth doing a bat flip. Doesn’t seem like anyone’s taking it badly.’

And the other players’ reactions weren’t bad either. No, they were great. Christian Gomez, a pitcher known for his sportsmanship, just chuckled even after giving up a home run and witnessing a bat flip from a junior player much younger than him.

Arthur Hunter, who was watching from the on-deck circle, responded with an excited face and enthusiastic applause, as if he was the one who had hit the home run. The National League bench was all smiles at the situation, pleased that they had landed a solid blow.

AL All-Star players also just brushed it off as the exuberance of a young player, perhaps due to the relaxed nature of the All-Star Game, which was more of a playful event.

“Thanks for taking Gomez deep. I heard you have great power? Just our style.”

“I returned the favor. Hamilton, you should hit one in the league. Your ERA is too high right now, isn’t it?”

“Hehehe, just thinking about it makes me feel good.”

Ernest Hamilton of the Yankees, who was playing third base, bumped fists with Lee Jungwoo as he passed by, with a satisfied expression, as if he felt good that the ace of the same division’s rival team had been taken deep.

‘Well, if we’re the public enemy over here, then the Red Sox must be the public enemy over there. Especially for the Yankees.’

In such a friendly atmosphere, Lee Jungwoo, who had stepped on home base, gave a high five to Harding, who had arrived earlier, and then to Arthur Hunter, who was heading to the plate.

“Nice home run.”

“It was easy thanks to Harding.”

“You really showed them. Hehehe, the American League guys looked like they were tripping, didn’t they? You really gave them a good one.”

“Weren’t you on that side until last year, Arthur?”

“I’m on this side now, aren’t I? You, along with your good friend who arrived earlier, are considered one of the representative trio. I’m on this side now.”

Lee Jungwoo chuckled at Arthur Hunter, who was acting like a National League superfan full of pride as if he was the originator, even though he was an American League player until last year. He was soon greeted with enthusiastic cheers from other teammates in the dugout.

“Aren’t you going a bit overboard from the start? You won the Home Run Derby yesterday, are you planning to take the All-Star MVP too?”

“This guy is really going to sweep all the MVPs this year, isn’t he? Are you very happy?”

“You greedy bastard.”

Lee Jungwoo, who was playfully pummeled, felt his head spin from the considerable aftershock, befitting an All-Star.

“It’s the same whether I’m on the team or here, I get hit after hitting a home run.”

“Once all the old guys here retire, no one will be able to touch you, so just get hit hard until then. And you dared to do something cute in front of your seniors. How could we *not* like it? Bat flips, you don’t even hesitate anymore?”

“It’s a festival for the fans. It’s okay to be a clown for one day, right?”

Derek shook his head at Lee Jungwoo’s words, as if he couldn’t stop him. But he didn’t hide his satisfied smile. It was the right answer.

“Oh, by the way, when is that guy you wanted to see coming up? The Red Sox rookie.”

“Well, I’d like to meet him when I’m at bat, if possible.”

“Judging by the feeling, the manager will probably allow you up to three at-bats, so wait and see.”

####

The All-Star Game, which had been turned into a frenzy from the first inning, continued with a one-sided massacre.

Christian Gomez, who gave up an additional run by allowing consecutive hits to Arthur Hunter and Joey, barely managed to contain the damage and prevent further runs.

Mason didn’t even have that much luck.

[Swing! Strikeout! Mason Looper! Records KKK!]

Mason cleanly erased the first inning with three consecutive strikeouts. The AL hitters were helpless. The key point was, again, the vortex fastball.

[The modified two-seamer is working perfectly. All three winning shots were modified two-seamers.]

The modified two-seamer, which was familiar to the NL, who had faced it throughout the season, was too unfamiliar to the AL hitters, who were experiencing it for the first time. All they could do was flail at the mutant pitch that was subtly different from the trajectory of a normal fastball.

The applause for Mason, who finished the inning so easily, unlike his competitor Christian Gomez, was quite intense, even if it wasn’t as loud as Lee Jungwoo’s earlier ovation.

“You guys had an internal war in the Home Run Derby yesterday, are you competing for the MVP today too?”

“This is better. They need to feel how frustrating the Braves are.”

“Keep it up, Mason! Destroy them. Just like you did to us.”

“He was a real pain in the ass when he was an enemy, but now that he’s an ally, that weird two-seamer is so pretty.”

Ironically, the NL All-Star hitters showed a more intense reaction than the fans or spectators. They felt relieved that they were making the guys next door taste the bizarre two-seamer that they had been throwing at them all season.

The All-Star Game, which started with such different atmospheres, continued in a way that the NL seemed to be crushing the AL, as predicted by the media and experts.

[Swing! He hit it! Another hit! The batting order has already gone around once in the second inning! The National League is really showing tremendous power as expected!]

The AL wasn’t bad either. They couldn’t be bad since they’re All-Stars in the first place. Although the AL was helplessly overwhelmed in the first inning, they eventually broke through Mason like All-Stars. And they continued to score points afterwards.

But being consistent wasn’t enough. Because the entire lineup of the National League was teeming with monsters.

[Harding hit it- it goes over! A two-run home run with 2 RBIs!]

[Jungwoo Lee! Does it go over! Back-to-back! Ah- ah- ah! It hit the fence- while the right fielder fumbled for a moment- to 3rd base! Jungwoo Lee hits a triple!]

[Arthur Hunter! Hits the fence! Lee walks home! Another double!]

First of all, the 2-3-4 hitters from Harding to Lee Jungwoo to Hunter were too strong. Other hitters also unleashed a merciless barrage, sending balls all over the field.

The scoreboard continued to change without a moment’s rest. The spectators were so tired of cheering that they slumped down and took heavy breaths.

As the game, which was like a slugfest, but closer to a massacre, reached its midpoint, both team managers began to prepare for substitutions. The pitchers, who had been changed several times, passed the baton to the next person again.

“Lee seems to be playing continuously?”

“Harding is still there too. It looks like those two are playing four at-bats?”

“Both of them look like they could be MVP, so that much consideration is okay, right?”

However, the players who had a chance to win the MVP were given a little more opportunity thanks to the manager’s consideration. There was little resistance.

‘One more at-bat. It was a little disappointing I’m finally meeting him.’

Lee Jungwoo, who had already completed the maximum of three at-bats due to the fast turnover of the batting order, finally faced the player he had been waiting for in his fourth at-bat.

‘The ace of the Boston Dynasty. Adam Strait.’

[The pitcher is being replaced? Adam Strait, the Red Sox’s rising star, takes the mound.]

[He’s a very talented pitcher. You can tell just by the fact that he’s competing for Rookie of the Year and has even made it to the All-Star Game.]

[He debuted last September, performed well in the regular season, and carried that momentum into the postseason this year.]

[Among Red Sox fans, they say Jungwoo Lee is the one to watch for hitters, and Adam Strait for pitchers.]

[Haha, we’ll see who comes out on top.]

Lee Jungwoo watched the pitcher confidently stride to the mound. The stadium atmosphere was electric.

As if proving the saying that you can see fans of both the Cubs and Red Sox at any Major League stadium, quite a few people in the stands were wearing Red Sox uniforms. They cheered enthusiastically for their rising star, eager to make up for their ace’s somewhat disappointing performance earlier.

‘Once in the minors, once in spring training, and now finally, the majors. I’m meeting him sooner than I expected. I thought it would be in an interleague game or even the World Series.’

There’s no need to compare it to before my regression [referring to a return to an earlier, less developed state]; his and Lee Jungwoo’s positions have shifted dramatically. When they first met, Lee Jungwoo was a newly converted minor league hitter, while Adam was a highly touted genius that baseball fans were closely watching.

In the spring training game where they met again, they were both top prospects expected to shine by their respective teams. And I won that encounter.

And now, the tables have turned from our first meeting. Adam has captivated fans as a phenomenal rookie, but Lee Jungwoo has already reached the pinnacle.

‘Not bad. Being the top dog against Adam Strait.’

Lee Jungwoo intended to maintain his position at the top. Until he retired and remained etched in people’s memories, just as he had been doing.

He knew he possessed the power to do so.

####

The lineup had undergone a complete overhaul. It went without saying that the pitchers were being rotated quickly. However, only two players, Lee Jungwoo and Harding, remained in their positions. And the fans were eager to see more of them.

“Let’s settle the score properly! Both have one home run and two hits.”

“Is he facing Hunter yesterday and Harding today?”

Lee Jungwoo and Vincent Harding had both recorded 3 hits, 1 home run, and 2 RBIs in their 3 at-bats. The crowd was clamoring to see how their rivalry would conclude.

Of course, Lee Jungwoo held a slight advantage, having also captured attention with his exceptional defense. But at least in this kind of exhibition, fans weren’t particularly concerned with defense.

They simply wanted a clear-cut, easily understandable outcome. And the moment of truth they had been waiting for had arrived.

[The umpire declares play, top of the 6th inning, the batting order starts from number 1. The National League is leading by a large margin of 10 to 5.]

[It’s looking like an inevitable result.]

The National League already held a significant lead. However, with most of the players having been substituted, victory wasn’t guaranteed.

In that situation, the new leadoff hitter, who replaced Derrick, stepped up to the plate, and the National League fans hoped that a hit parade would commence once again, just as it had before. But the result was unexpected.

[Strike! Strikeout! Adam Strait dominates the first batter with a powerful pitch!]

[Ah, incredibly precise control. He painted the corner perfectly. It was a fantastic pitch, making it hard to believe it’s his first All-Star Game appearance.]

A strikeout. The at-bat concluded far too easily for a veteran All-Star hitter facing a young pitcher still in his rookie season.

The Red Sox fans, who were already cheering enthusiastically, erupted in even louder cheers. Lee Jungwoo, who had been observing the game quietly, nodded.

‘Velocity, power, movement. Everything has improved faster than I anticipated. He’s definitely not performing like a typical rookie. Is he already at the level he’ll be at after he’s been on track for a while?’

It made sense. That’s why he was already in the All-Star Game. The variable known as Lee Jungwoo had awakened him a little earlier than expected.

Having realized that, Lee Jungwoo watched Harding approach the plate. In the future he knew, Harding and Strait had nearly identical records against each other. But even Harding, known for his power, had never managed to hit a home run against him.

‘I’ll get a sense of his true level by watching this at-bat.’

“Harding! Let’s get that MVP!”

“Yeah, yeah, it would be better for you to win it than Lee, who’s only here for the first time this year, right?”

“Show them the power of a seasoned player!”

Most people naturally favored Harding. The fans wanted him to get a hit off the rookie and solidify his MVP chances, but as soon as the first pitch came in, those expectations and predictions began to waver.

‘101 miles per hour. That’s insane. A two-seamer [a type of fastball that moves slightly] with a wicked trajectory and incredible velocity. The power behind it is impressive too. It’s exactly as I remembered it.’

The two-seamer that powerfully darted inside was enough to elicit gasps from the spectators. As if he had been holding back his power when facing the first batter, both the velocity and power were now extraordinary.

The fact that he boldly threw an inside pitch against a great hitter like Vincent Harding also revealed his courage.

[He’s confident, very confident. He’s showing no fear and challenging Harding directly.]

[Many pitchers are intimidated by the name Vincent Harding, but Adam Strait is confidently facing him head-on.]

In the ensuing at-bat, people were impressed by Adam Strait’s refusal to back down against a big name like Harding. The two players quickly exchanged blows and steadily worked the count.

And with the count at two and two, Lee Jungwoo focused his eyes intently.

‘It all comes down to timing. He has a variety of finishing pitches. I wonder…’

At the crucial moment, with everyone on the edge of their seats, the pitcher, having summoned all his strength, made his choice.

“Strike out!”

[Ah – it’s a truly devastating curveball. It’s a trajectory commonly called 12-to-6 [referring to the direction the ball breaks, like the hands on a clock]. It was a beautifully executed curveball.]

[If a pitcher throws something like that, you should honestly just accept the strikeout. That’s the only reasonable thing to do. Vincent Harding had an opportunity to solidify his MVP chances, but he unfortunately walks away.]

The overwhelming curveball he had been boasting since his minor league days. While everyone was impressed, Lee Jungwoo simply nodded. At least the curveball didn’t evoke any strong emotions in him.

‘The curve has improved too. Almost as I remembered it. But, it doesn’t matter anyway.’

No matter who the opponent is, the curveball is not a significant threat to the current Lee Jungwoo. Having finished his observation, Lee Jungwoo immediately walked to the plate. Harding slightly opened his mouth.

“I’ll take care of the curve, so don’t worry about it. You can focus on the two-seamer. The cutter [a type of fastball with a slight horizontal break] is the real problem. It breaks a little more than the usual trajectory.”

“Good work.”

“Congratulations on the MVP.”

Perhaps sensing something in Lee Jungwoo’s confident demeanor, Harding nodded slightly and walked away, congratulating him on the MVP without regret. Lee Jungwoo chuckled and looked toward the mound. Adam Strait was also looking at him.

‘He’s brimming with competitive spirit. This is an honor. Was I really the catalyst for this?’

A burning gaze. Stronger than what he directed at the previous batters, even stronger than the fighting spirit he displayed when facing Harding. He was aware of it. The player named Lee Jungwoo. Lee Jungwoo smiled slightly again and stepped into the batter’s box.

Lee Jungwoo readjusted his pleasantly good mood. He took his batting stance. Then, the pitcher, taking a deep breath, glared at him intensely and threw the first pitch.

‘Two-seamer. The highest velocity again. The power is also immense. It’s different. Completely different from the videos, spring training, and the minors.’

It was amazing when viewed from the side, but the ball looked decidedly different when viewed from the plate.

“That’s right! That’s it!”

“Take that guy down too!”

“Hehehe, you’re taking the MVP! Beat up those National League bastards!”

The Red Sox fans were still cheering. It was natural. He got ahead in the count by placing the fastball right in the middle of the strike zone against the most dangerous hitter.

It was a situation where he was starting to gain momentum. In that atmosphere, Lee Jungwoo calmly observed the ball.

‘Fastball, if I were to compare it by feel, is it about Ilya Danilov’s level? No, it’s a little less than that. But the feeling is similar.’

A two-seamer with excellent velocity and power. And the cutter that came next was also potent. The two consecutive changeups, although they didn’t induce a swing, dropped with different trajectories and were enough to deceive the hitter.

‘He’s holding back the curve. There’s a high chance he won’t use it.’

Lee Jungwoo calmly took a breath. Perhaps it was the same situation as Harding earlier. Two and two. He had a finishing pitch left. Lee Jungwoo glanced at him, but all he sensed was a strong competitive spirit and a desire to win. Those two emotions are prominent, but he’s also using them as a mask to conceal his true intentions.

Lee Jungwoo took a long breath, then bounced his body once, tapping the ground with the end of his bat. He nodded. A routine that any National League fan would recognize. Naturally, the people who caught it were excited.

[Ah, Lee is doing his routine now. Does that mean he’s figured something out?]

[It seems to be a kind of psychological warfare. But because it’s Lee, he might have actually caught the timing.]

“Hit a home run!”

“That’s right! You have to properly show that X-like routine to the junior league bastards! How X-like it is!”

It was a situation where the fans of other teams who had been victimized by it were even more delighted. Lee Jungwoo glared at the pitcher, and the poker face remained intact.

‘At least until now, he’s the Adam Strait I knew. Not at his peak yet. But it’ll be similar to that. But if that’s really the case…’

He gripped the bat tightly. As he settled into his stance, after a long deliberation, the pitcher shook his head a few times before making a choice. And he delivered the pitch with a long windup.

‘I can win this easily. So, if this is all he’s got.’

As Harding had warned, he threw the cutter, which broke a little more sharply than usual, exactly as predicted.

Watching the endlessly stretching ball, Lee Jungwoo was certain.

‘There is no Boston Dynasty in this world.’

He was confident he could usurp the dynasty.