Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 230

As Lee Jung-woo had confidently predicted, the enraged crowd remained stunned until the end of the game, sitting in bewildered silence.

[He connects! The same trajectory as before! It sails past the center fielder and over the center fence! A three-run homer! Jung-woo Lee hits his 39th home run of the season in quick succession!]

Just as their anger began to resurface, another home run occurred. Inspired by Lee Jung-woo’s performance and the subdued crowd, the other Braves batters also started hitting with renewed vigor.

Citizens Bank Park, which had been chilly moments before, now felt intensely hot, radiating solely from the Braves’ performance, fitting for an August game.

[The Phillies are completely losing it. They’re giving up about two runs every inning; it’s no wonder they’re disoriented!]

[Still, the Phillies managed to score two runs in the fourth inning, attempting a late rally, but it’s not enough. It’s not enough to catch up with the Braves right now.]

Perhaps the heat invigorated the momentarily frozen Phillies players, as they managed to score some runs in response.

However, whether it was because they started later than the Braves or because their focus was disrupted by the early home run in the first inning, they couldn’t keep pace with the Braves’ scoring.

In this chaotic game, Lee Jung-woo delivered the final blow.

[Top of the 5th. Lee’s third at-bat of the game. He hit a three-run homer in his last at-bat, recording back-to-back home runs. He’s really showcasing incredible batting prowess.]

[He’s already a great player, but on days like today, when he’s in top form, he elevates his game to another level. And the Phillies continue to fall victim to it.]

[They’ve already given up multiple home runs, so the Phillies desperately need to stop him here. Everyone is focused on this at-bat.]

Walking to the plate, Lee Jung-woo felt the weight of the atmosphere directed at him. Two at-bats, two hits, two home runs, five RBIs. Despite putting up incredible stats, the gazes directed at him were more subdued than ever. Unlike before, when they would shower him with insults even for lesser achievements, now only occasional curses or hisses reached his ears.

‘When anger exceeds its limit, it turns to apathy.’

To describe the spectators’ feelings towards Lee Jung-woo, it would be something like, ‘Just do whatever you want, you bastard.’ They desperately wanted victory and placed unspoken pressure on their players, but the score in the top of the 7th was 11 to 3. And Lee Jung-woo, the player they loved to hate, had already hit two home runs.

So, their reaction wasn’t the fiery anger they had displayed earlier but simple resignation. The Phillies fans, exhausted to the point of being unable to muster anger, just wanted the game to end as quickly as possible.

‘The fans are one thing, but the Phillies players are completely demoralized too. Well, they came out determined, but they were overwhelmed from the start.’

Like the home crowd, the Phillies players were also on the verge of giving up. The new pitcher who came to the mound simply stared blankly at the catcher with a dejected expression.

“…Damn bastard.”

As Lee Jung-woo stepped up to the plate again, the catcher muttered a low curse without even looking at him. Lee Jung-woo didn’t bother to provoke him or try to get under his skin.

He doesn’t shy away from trash talk, but he doesn’t have the cruel habit of kicking someone when they’re already down. Besides, there was no need to gain an advantage through trash talk today.

‘Whatever you throw, I’ll hit it within reason. So, the choice is yours.’

His condition was at its peak. The power, which had been slightly lacking until this series, was now surging, resulting in long hits even with minimal effort. Simply put, today was a day where anything seemed possible.

On days like this, it’s more effective to focus solely on the game and defeat the opponent fairly, rather than engaging in pointless arguments.

‘Right-handed. The fastball speed is probably averaging 94 miles per hour. The highest is 96 miles per hour? The quality is average. The breaking balls are probably just a curve and a changeup. Three-pitch mix, but essentially two-pitch for me. The control is good, but not outstanding. Anyway, since they’ve already lost all pride, are they just going to walk me?’

The pitcher on the mound was a decent middle reliever, the kind of player who is valuable to any team because he doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.

[It must be frustrating for the pitcher. He can’t confidently throw his breaking ball, the curve, almost by force.]

[It’s a common experience for pitchers in the National League when they face Lee. It’s nothing new, but he’s truly an amazing player. He’s at the level of effectively eliminating a pitcher’s pitch.]

However, in this at-bat, the ‘curveball ban’ was in effect, making him a slightly less effective pitcher. His fastball wasn’t exceptional, and his changeup wasn’t deceptive enough to fool the batter.

Still, against another batter, he might have managed with just those pitches, but unfortunately, he was facing Lee Jung-woo today.

‘Inside, high. Fastball.’

Bang-

He easily overpowered the ordinary major league middle reliever.

They had considered an intentional walk, but the Phillies battery boldly threw the first pitch, trying to salvage some pride. The ball, thrown with that intention, never reached the catcher’s mitt.

The moment it was hit, everyone knew it was gone. An explosive shot cut through the air. Lee Jung-woo, without hesitation, tossed his bat aside and leisurely rounded the bases.

He had hit a home run around the same time yesterday, but unlike then, when he sprinted because it was an inside-the-park home run, he now walked casually, taking the time to observe the stadium, something he hadn’t done before the game.

[Jung-woo Lee connects on the first pitch for a solo home run! Three consecutive home runs! He raises his season home run count to 37, 38, and 39 in one game without a break, and now he only needs one more home run to reach 40! Lee is once again destroying Citizens Bank Park! No, silencing it!]

[Yes… well, it was such an effortless home run that there’s nothing to say. And at this rate, he might even hit four home runs in one game, or even complete a home run cycle again.]

[Yes, it’s difficult, but he only needs a grand slam.]

Since it was a solo home run, there were no runners on base, so Lee Jung-woo walked back to the dugout. Meanwhile, many spectators rose from their seats and headed for the stadium exits.

They wore a bitter expression, a stark contrast to their worried and slightly fearful demeanor before the game.

The only similarity was that, like at the beginning, they left in silence. However, the reasons for the two silences were entirely different.

“Ha, it really ended peacefully. No, it wasn’t just peaceful; it ended very quietly.”

“It’s not over yet. There are more games left. Well, I’m glad it was safe too.”

“You make Park angry, and then you calm him down. What are you, a trainer?”

Watching the scene from the dugout, the Braves players felt a mix of strange emotions. They stared at Lee Jung-woo, who had quickly returned to replenish his fluids, as if they were dumbfounded.

Although the second game was much quieter than expected, the Phillies didn’t gain anything. The only consolation was that they avoided the humiliation of a home run cycle, as the Mariners had experienced.

[He’s walking again in this at-bat. An automatic intentional walk, so this will likely be his last at-bat. Unfortunately, Jung-woo Lee will have to settle for three home runs.]

[It’s like bunting against a pitcher who’s in the middle of a perfect game. He’s on a three-game home run streak, and this is also a challenge to a record. Of course, it’s not wise to always challenge a strong hitter. There will be a lot of discussion after the game.]

[In fact, the Phillies will face a lot of criticism for today’s miserable defeat.]

After that, Lee Jung-woo recorded 5 at-bats, 3 hits, 3 home runs, and 2 walks because the Phillies implemented a strict strategy of automatic intentional walks. So, the Phillies managed to prevent consecutive home runs and a potential home run cycle, but that was all they could salvage from this game.

####

[In the end, the Braves won the third game as well, completing a series sweep against the Phillies. The empty seats throughout the stadium perfectly reflect the disappointment of the Phillies supporters.]

There were no more expectations. There was no more faith. Perhaps due to the aftermath of the previous day, the empty seats in the stands, far more numerous than usual, weighed heavily on the Phillies players.

It would have been better if they had left midway through the game like yesterday, but the empty seats from the beginning indicated that people hadn’t even bothered to come in the first place.

As far as the Braves were concerned, the fans’ lack of expectations was like rubbing salt into the Phillies’ already festering wounds.

[Lee Jung-woo didn’t hit a home run today, but he still had a good game, right?]

[Yes, his defense was perfect as always, and he had a solid performance at the plate with 5 at-bats, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 3 walks, and 2 stolen bases. Lee Jung-woo has been in excellent hitting condition throughout the series. Perhaps due to his outstanding performance the day before, the Phillies didn’t challenge him directly, preventing him from adding more hits or home runs. Still, it was a good performance.]

Unlike the disheartened Phillies, the Korean commentators, who were naturally pleased with the Braves’ series sweep and Lee Jung-woo’s performance, which earned him the series MVP and recognition as the best performer among all major league games played around the same time, couldn’t help but smile brightly.

The series ended with one side experiencing despair and the other side celebrating, and of course, there were repercussions.

[Braves Sweep! Phillies Suffer Shocking 13-Game Losing Streak to Braves!]

[‘Can’t Beat the Braves!’ Philadelphia Phillies, What’s the Problem?]

[‘Philadelphia Phillies Lost in Sportsmanship, Performance, and Results.’]

[‘Misjudgment in the First Game. Pettiness in the Second Game. Incompetence in the Third Game.’ Phillies, a Total Mess Against the Braves!]

[‘The Phillies’ Slaughter Machine Worked Again.’ Jung-woo Lee, a Great Performance in the Series with 14 At-Bats, 9 Hits, 7 RBIs, 5 Walks, 4 Home Runs, and 2 Stolen Bases!]

[Jung-woo Lee Silences the Noisy Citizens Bank Park.]

It’s rare for a major league baseball team to lose 13 consecutive games to a rival team in the same division during a single season.

Baseball is a sport where wins and losses are common. Even the team with the highest winning percentage in the league only achieves around 60% or, at most, 70%. Losing all 13 games to one team, even intentionally, is difficult.

If the Phillies were a tanking team at the bottom of the division, it would be understandable. However, the Phillies were second in the Eastern Division and competitive in the wild card race, making the shock, or rather, the ridicule, even greater.

[‘King of Philadelphia?’ Jung-woo Lee, Who Has Consistently Dominated Philadelphia Since His Debut!]

[‘America’s First Capital is Occupied by a New King’ Citizens Bank Park, Which Has Virtually Become the Braves’ Second Home Stadium,]

-He is the king. Looking at his record there, you can’t argue even if he becomes the king. He must be a very cruel tyrant from the perspective of Phillies fans.

-Jung-woo Lee. The first king of the Atlanta-Philadelphia dual empire. He is known as a wise ruler in Atlanta and a ruthless tyrant who repeatedly exploits in Philadelphia.

-Good drawing. That’s George III, right? The Phillies players are being trampled by Lee below, and the soldiers in the back are the other Braves players.

-It only contains very accurate facts. That’s the reality. The other players are players, but the Phillies themselves are being trampled by Lee. The pitchers are on the bats, and the hitters are on the gloves.

-It’s not George III. It’s Jung-woo I.

-The word ‘1st’… does that mean that there will be a 2nd someday?

-Does that mean that Lee will get married and have a son, and that son will join the Braves again and destroy Philadelphia again? That would be a happy thing. Maybe this kind of king is better than I thought?

The unfortunate relationship between Lee Jung-woo and the Phillies, who have been consistently dominating the Phillies’ home since his debut, was enough to spark people’s imaginations.

Given that Philadelphia was the birthplace of the American Declaration of Independence and a former capital of the United States, Lee Jung-woo was depicted as George III wearing a white wig, the other Braves players were portrayed as British redcoats, and the Phillies players were depicted as exploited citizens.

As a playful cartoon, it was drawn comically, but it perfectly captured the Phillies’ perspective on Lee Jung-woo and the Braves.

Ridicule of the Phillies continued through various cartoons and other mediums. Usually, the Philiigans [Philadelphia Hooligans, a term for passionate Phillies fans] would have reacted more aggressively, but their unusual calm only fueled further mockery.

Mets fans, strangely, found comfort in the Phillies’ misery.

-What should the Phillies really do? They get destroyed every time they meet the Braves.

-Looking at the Phillies, I think we’re doing better. Well, it’s all the same.

-Are you a Mets fan? I’m saying this as a Braves fan. You guys are doing much better than the Phillies. You won at least one game.

-Thank you very much. I don’t know what to do, you X bastard.

-The Braves have a total of 23 wins just by beating the Phillies and the Mets. Aren’t these guys the real ‘ace’ of the Braves this season? They give you 23 wins.

Of course, from the perspective of the Braves or other team fans, the Mets and the Phillies were equally pathetic.

Thus, the Phillies series ended with expectations, anger, and ultimately, shock and fear. The Braves fans, quickly losing interest due to the consistent victories, turned their attention to other matters.

-Now there’s only one left until 40 home runs. There’s one home run and five stolen bases left until 40-40 [40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season].

-Huh, now there are fewer stolen bases… what is it? The season is still a long way off.

-There’s no need to worry about stolen bases. If there are no runners in front of you, you can just steal them as you please. If you’re in a hurry, you can temporarily switch the batting order with Derek and go out as number 1.

-Lee, let’s get 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases and end the MVP race early. No, but if a shortstop gets 40-40, shouldn’t you just give it in advance without having to see it?

-It’s a bit much to give it in advance, but they’ll put Lee’s name on the MVP trophy in advance.

-Sigh, it’s a bit annoying that the next one is a trip to San Francisco. Lee hit a home run there too. I believe it.

Now, the Braves fans were focused on the 40 home runs that were just one away and the 40-40 milestone. They were so close, their eyes were already on San Francisco, where the team’s private plane was headed.