Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 234

The one-day break ended, and the bustling clubhouse was filled with diverse sights. Some lightly joked with each other, others warmed up, and some seriously contemplated the next game. Each player prepared for the game in their own way, and Lee Jung-woo was among the second group.

“Okay, inhale and exhale.”

Following the physical trainer’s instructions, Lee Jung-woo took a long breath out, feeling the slight stiffness in his body dissipate.

Along with yoga and Pilates, it’s often perceived as exercise mainly for women, but it’s actually quite familiar to athletes in sports like baseball and soccer.

Flexibility is one of the top priorities in any sport.

Especially for a shortstop who frequently has to catch ground balls, flexibility to prevent injuries is even more crucial.

So, as Lee Jung-woo loosened his body with the physical trainer, someone soon approached him.

“Lee, how’s your body feeling today?”

The hitting coach cautiously approached and asked. Lee Jung-woo, who stopped twisting his body, wiped the slight sweat that had formed due to his efforts and said,

“It’s normal, I think. Not bad, just right. I’m grateful even for this much. I’ve had many days recently where my condition wasn’t good.”

“That’s true. I’m glad you feel okay. Well, the coaching staff discussed your batting order for today’s game.”

“Batting order?”

Lee Jung-woo tilted his head at the unexpected words, and the hitting coach spoke as carefully as possible, not wanting to upset him.

“Lee, how about batting first today? You know… you know how things are right now? What people are hoping for.”

“People, ah, right.”

Only then did Lee Jung-woo nod as if he understood. He only needed two more stolen bases to reach 40-40 [40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season]. The atmosphere outside was like a festival. In fact, when he went downtown to buy groceries or grab a meal, he saw many banners with his name on them.

Perhaps not wanting to put pressure on him, they didn’t mention it directly. But everyone he met had eyes full of anticipation, even if they didn’t say it.

‘It’s better for the team to wrap it up quickly when the hype is at its peak, rather than dragging it out. If I’m batting first, there won’t be any runners ahead, so it’ll be easier to steal.’

The idea was that if the record wasn’t achieved at the desired timing in this atmosphere, the excitement might fade. So, they wanted to give him as many opportunities as possible by placing him first in the batting order. Lee Jung-woo glanced at Derek.

A veteran and the clubhouse leader of the team. In a way, a second-year rookie was taking away that player’s batting order. He had even taken it once before. Originally, his batting order had been second until last year.

Of course, this was just a one-time thing limited to one game, or until he achieved the record, but Lee Jung-woo still felt a bit uneasy and watched him. Fortunately, Derek had already been informed, and he winked with a smile while warming up.

‘A bearded guy with kids winking…’

“If you don’t like it, you can just bat second. What do you want to do?”

Taking the long silence as a bad sign, the hitting coach quickly added, but Lee Jung-woo shook his head. There was no reason to refuse.

“If the captain is okay with it, I don’t mind. Everyone seems to really want the 40-40. It would be better to show it to them right away if possible.”

“Great, then I’ll adjust the batting order, so be aware of that. I’m counting on you today. If possible, get both in the first inning. Steal second and third.”

Lee Jung-woo watched the hitting coach leave after making a ridiculous request, as if relieved, and then resumed warming up. The physical trainer was subtly giving him a look.

“There’s one more set left. Are you going to stop now?”

“No, I have to finish it.”

For now, warming up was the priority. Two stolen bases, 40-40, regular season MVP, all of those required his body to be in top condition.

####

Moving from the clubhouse to the Truist Park locker room, the players involuntarily clicked their tongues. The stadium was already bustling.

People were already seated, others were looking for their seats, and some were still wandering around the stadium unable to find tickets. The voices of tens of thousands, perhaps more than usual, merged together and swept through the stadium like a grand wave.

“You’re in big trouble if you don’t perform today, aren’t you? The atmosphere is like—seriously, if someone throws a beanball [a pitch intentionally aimed at the batter’s head] at you today, they’ll all kill him.”

“Killing him would be a relief. If someone hits him in the head, the entire Marlins team won’t even find their bodies.”

“When will I ever get that kind of reaction? Some people play hundreds of games in the majors and don’t get this…”

“It’s simple. You can get this reaction if you also do 40-40, and play defense as well as him.”

“You’re saying it’s impossible.”

“You know that well.”

All of this noise was directed at one person. Only one person. Before, the shouts of Lee Jung-woo’s name were the loudest at home games, but they still cheered for the whole team. Today, people only had Lee Jung-woo in their minds.

The atmosphere was so grand that you could feel that sentiment strongly. Some veteran players subtly watched Lee Jung-woo.

It was an extremely heavy burden for a second-year rookie. If someone had a weak mentality—well, it’s rare for a major leaguer to have a weak mentality—or even just an average player, they would be crushed by the weight and unable to breathe.

“Don’t worry too much. They’re just doing that because they like you so much. Don’t feel pressured. You’ll do it eventually, so don’t feel like you have to do it today, okay?”

“There’s still over a month left. Even if I don’t do it today, I’ll get it eventually. No worries.”

“Okay, I’m glad to hear that. Let’s do well today. Christensen seems to have good stuff today. We have to get a win.”

“Of course. I’m counting on you today, Captain.”

However, Lee Jung-woo seemed more indifferent than expected, which seemed to reassure leaders like Derek and Joey. But in reality, Lee Jung-woo’s mind was more complicated than ever.

Lee Jung-woo walked out of the locker room and slowly looked around the field as usual, but unlike usual, the opposing team’s players didn’t catch his eye. He only filled his eyes with the black mass of spectators filling the stands like the tide filling a mudflat.

“Leeeeee!”

“Look over here! Here!”

“I love you! You’ll be in our hearts forever! That’s for sure!”

“Let’s become a legend! Let’s make today unforgettable! I came here to see that!”

Even though he tried to be indifferent as usual, he couldn’t help it when he entered the stadium and felt this incredible decibel level.

‘I’m getting used to being expected, but this is beyond imagination. In every way.’

The grandeur of Truist Park, filled with people, was so intense that you could feel each and every one of them. Their thoughts seemed to touch his skin.

Lee Jung-woo thought. When would he ever feel this atmosphere again other than today? Even if he hit 40-40 again next year, it wouldn’t be like this. It would have to be something like the 50-50 that everyone talks about, or the World Series, which is the wish of the Braves and all of Major League Baseball.

In other words, for the Braves fans, this moment felt like the World Series. Each of Lee Jung-woo’s steps was like a win in the World Series. The moment he realized that.

‘I have to endure it. This too. Steadfastly. Casually.’

Lee Jung-woo swallowed the breath that rose like vomit and became calm as usual. He tried to be calm.

‘There’s no way I can be.’

Lee Jung-woo shook his head, roughly exhaling the heavy breath that choked him. He understood. He understood why so many players had sometimes failed in the face of records. There was no way it would be easy to stay calm when this atmosphere was pecking at him.

He took a deep breath and looked down at the ground for a moment. The lush grass and the brown dirt visible between the blades. Lee Jung-woo stared blankly at it for a moment, then looked up again. This time, he saw worried faces.

“Is he not feeling well today?”

“Did we put too much pressure on him? Ugh, I told you to be quiet!”

“You were the loudest! Sorry, Lee! Don’t feel too pressured, just do what you always do! We’ll be happy even if you just play good defense!”

Seeing their beloved player suddenly stop and look at the ground, they felt a subtle sense of guilt and concern, as if they had done something wrong.

Perhaps that’s why the stadium became a little quieter and the faces of the people became calmer. Lee Jung-woo smiled when he saw that. This wasn’t what a baseball player, a major leaguer, should be doing.

‘I can’t let the fans worry. I’m supposed to be a major league franchise star.’

Lee Jung-woo took off his hat and bowed slightly. When he smiled and put his hat back on, the stadium, which had become quiet, was filled with a sound that was a little, no, more than twice as loud as before.

“Are you okay? You didn’t look so good.”

Lee Jung-woo, still smiling, nodded strongly at Derek’s question as he walked over to him, perhaps to check on him.

“Yes, I feel much better. A baseball stadium should be like this.”

“You’re not a normal guy, you know that? You looked like you were about to die a minute ago.”

“I can’t be normal if I’m a major leaguer.”

His heart was still pounding. His eyes were still piercingly sharp. His breath was still heavy. But that wasn’t all. It wasn’t pressure, but a sense of responsibility. That sense of responsibility covered his body like armor.

‘Two stolen bases, it’s nothing. I’ve done thirty-eight, what’s two? It’s ridiculous to be scared of just this. I’ll take care of it as soon as I get the chance.’

After shaking off the pressure, 40-40 was nothing. Nothing at all. He had already walked much further without even realizing it, and had come this far.

####

[The first game of the three-game series between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins is finally starting. The Braves have been causing a huge sensation this season and are enjoying tremendous popularity, but today it’s even more intense.]

[Yes, it’s because today is the day that Jung-woo Lee, who the Braves and their fans love so much, might achieve a new record. I can say for sure now. Tonight, Jung-woo Lee is challenging the 40-40 club for the first time in 29 years.]

[If you look at the starting roster, you can feel that the team is paying special attention. Lee usually plays as the second batter, but today Derek Hunt and he have switched batting orders, and he is positioned as the leadoff hitter.]

The game started, and the commentators blatantly shouted about the 40-40 challenge, causing those who were passing by the channel to stop and watch. There was no better word to keep people seated.

The record that José Canseco first achieved in Major League history, and that had frustrated many challengers since Barry Bonds, A-Rod [Alex Rodriguez], and Alfonso Soriano.

The fact that a player of this era, a player of a new era, would achieve it for the first time in 29 years made people’s ears perk up.

“Don’t overdo it. Always remember safety first, okay?”

“We haven’t even started the offense yet. Aren’t you worrying too much? It’s not like I’m a child left out in the open.”

“Weren’t you? You’re about the age of my son.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know well enough how wild Captain lived since he was young. To have a son who’s only about ten years younger… Amazing.”

Lee Jung-woo, responding with a joke to Derek’s final words of caution, went out to play defense. As if the heavens were looking out for him, no balls came his way.

“You know I deliberately guided the balls to the other side so you wouldn’t have to move as much, right? You better repay me when you achieve the record.”

“Oh, so you have that kind of ability? From now on, can I just watch quietly when you pitch?”

“Don’t even say such terrible things as a joke. Without you, my ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] would go up by at least 1.”

Lee Jung-woo, silencing the pitcher who was joking around with a fierce(?) threat, returned to the dugout, grabbed his bat, and suddenly scanned the field. The faces of the Marlins players, which he hadn’t had a chance to observe before the game while looking around the stadium, caught his eye.

‘They look relaxed. Or are they resigned?’

They were more relaxed than he thought. Maybe it was because the record wasn’t really related to them. The 40-40 club [40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season] wasn’t just about one game’s performance; it was more like the entire league had contributed, so it was hard to see it as a record due to any one person.

Or perhaps, like always, they were just overwhelmed by the historical moments Lee Jung-woo had been a part of and had simply given up.

‘Their faces are relaxed, but their eyes are alive. They have the look of trying to stop me, even if they have to collide with me.’

The second baseman and third baseman. Especially the second baseman’s eyes were a fierce, ashen color. It was as if he was saying that if Lee Jung-woo tried to steal a base in front of him today, turning him into a supporting character in a perpetually replayed video, he would simply kill him.

‘It’ll be hard to find a good time to steal. Even if they look like that, they’ll try to stop me somehow. Or maybe they won’t make any move at all? Trying to make it a non-challenge steal.’

If the defending team doesn’t attempt to stop it, it becomes a non-challenge steal and isn’t included in the stolen base record. From that perspective, that might be the most certain way to stop his record.

‘Would they be so petty…? They might. We’ve been beating them all season. It’s a possible scenario.’

Hoping that they would remember their sense of camaraderie or sportsmanship, Lee Jung-woo, having finished his preparations, was the first to walk out of the dugout.

Derek usually went out first, and he followed to the on-deck circle, so it felt a little awkward to have Derek behind him, but on the other hand, it wasn’t so bad.

Because he himself was the team’s first batter in this game.

[Bottom of the 1st inning, the Braves’ offense. The leadoff hitter is Jung-woo Lee, the leadoff hitter for today’s game. It feels awkward, but considering his on-base percentage, it strangely suits him.]

[Considering his slugging percentage, RBIs [Runs Batted In], and home runs, it’s also a completely unfitting position.]

A 40-home run hitter as the leadoff. It was a very awkward phrase. There wasn’t a baseball team that would put a player who hits 40 home runs in the leadoff spot. They would never do that because it would be a waste of runs. Of course, if it was a team with nothing else to look forward to besides that hitter, they might put him in the leadoff spot to give him one more at-bat. But at least the Braves weren’t that kind of team.

Thus, Lee Jung-woo as the leadoff hitter provided a small amusement to the spectators and viewers who were fixated on the 40-40 record. And his slightly awkward expression brought laughter.

[Lee stole the Giants’ base in an instant, showing off his quick speed in the last game. All of Major League Baseball is paying attention to whether we’ll see that kind of performance again today.]

[He’s a truly amazing player. Despite being a fielder with a not-so-small physique, he’s very agile. It’s especially difficult for a player who’s fast enough to steal 40 bases to hit 40 home runs. And in these days when a player who hits 40 home runs doesn’t necessarily need to steal 40 bases, it’s an even more valuable and rare record.]

As Lee Jung-woo walked to the plate, the commentators didn’t stop praising his stolen bases, as if trying to cater to the viewers’ tastes. They were also clearly emphasizing the rarity of this record. Although everyone already knew it was an amazing record, even without them saying so.

[Stealing bases was the method he found to deal with frequent intentional walks, and that start has eventually led him here. He’s shown tremendous ability in stealing bases as well.]

[Along with quick footwork, what’s most notable is his safe base running. If you watch him run, you can see that he minimizes impact as much as possible. In particular, he only attempts to steal bases at definite timings, so he can avoid high-risk tag plays and slides.]

In fact, what’s most important in stealing bases in this era is the front office’s opinion. Because it’s a play with a high risk of injury due to collisions with fielders, most teams hardly encourage stealing bases, as its value isn’t particularly high. Especially for power hitters.

[It’s fortunate that the results are good, but if Lee had been injured… there would have been enough talk about the front office not properly protecting the player.]

[In fact, he’s still getting negative feedback from sabermetricians [baseball statisticians]. It’s not that it’s completely worthless because his failure rate is low, but they say that the risks of having a slugger with an OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging, a measure of a batter’s overall offensive performance] of over 1 and 40 home runs in a season steal bases outweigh the benefits.]

Therefore, criticism naturally followed externally, and sabermetricians, who don’t particularly like stealing bases, were still shouting that he should stop immediately.

But they also agreed on one thing: Lee Jung-woo running and it leading to a record attempt had led to the most important thing in professional sports: success.

And Lee Jung-woo reminded them of that once again.

‘No information. Derek would usually tell me at least a little bit, but I’m the first batter today. It’s awkward. I don’t know the pitcher’s condition or the state of his pitches.’

The role of the vanguard, standing alone at the plate without any information, was more challenging than he thought. He had data from the scouting team, but not knowing the pitcher’s condition on the field was significant.

Therefore, Lee Jung-woo held a slightly shorter bat than usual, and he gripped it even shorter. After all, what the fans wanted today wasn’t a home run.

‘Let’s just see a few pitches first. All I need to do is get on base.’

Having steeled his resolve, Lee Jung-woo looked at the pitcher, and the pitcher, showing a poker face to the first batter, seemed to be seriously exchanging signs with the catcher while staring stiffly at home plate.

Would his condition be good or bad? Would it be a day where he was on fire, or not? How was his control? How was his power? Countless thoughts crossed his mind. And as if to resolve them, Lee Jung-woo unconsciously hit the first pitch that came flying.

[He hits it! To left-center! It goes past the shortstop, and the batter reaches first base! Jung-woo Lee gets a hit from the very first pitch!]

Lee Jung-woo, who had unconsciously hit a good pitch and reached first base, looked at the next batter, Derek, with a slightly apologetic expression. Unlike him, who usually tried to draw out the pitch count and show as many pitches as possible, he had swung and ran on the first pitch.

‘Well, all a table setter [a batter whose job is to get on base for other hitters] needs to do is get a hit and get on base. What more could you want?’

Forcing himself to think that way, Lee Jung-woo slyly looked at second base, and as if there was no point in him looking secretly, the heads of the spectators moved along with his gaze. Even the Marlins players did.

‘This is… everyone knows I’m going to steal. Is it even possible to steal in this situation?’

Stealing is originally an act of exploiting the timing of the opposing defense. It’s good to be fast, but no matter how good your speed is, if you can’t get the timing right, you’ll fail every time. In fact, Lee Jung-woo’s failure rate had skyrocketed after he was exposed as just a fast but empty shell before he realized the timing of stealing.

Therefore, now that everyone in the stadium, no, everyone watching the game, knew that he was going to run, it was the worst situation to steal.

‘Of course, the real master thieves would find a gap even in this situation… but that’s not me. In that case, I have no choice but to use my head somehow.’

Lee Jung-woo slowly increased his lead. Then, as expected, a pickoff throw followed like an arrow. As that was repeated several times, all sorts of jeers erupted from the stands.

“Boo!”

“What are you doing! Are you not playing baseball? Derek’s dozing off at home!”

“Hey, hey, if that’s the case, just give Derek a blanket! So he can lie down on the ground!”

“A pitcher should throw the ball to the catcher! You’ve thrown it to the first baseman more often now! Are you even a pitcher!”

It was natural to boo when a pickoff throw was thrown, but today, especially since they had come to see a stolen base, and he was desperately trying to stop it, there was nothing more to say.

All kinds of insults towards the pitcher rained down on the field, but even so, the pitcher stubbornly threw pickoff throws. Lee Jung-woo eventually sighed and stuck to the base, as if he wasn’t even thinking about the pitch count.

His uniform was already covered in dirt, so much so that it was hard to believe it was the bottom of the 1st inning, and as he nervously brushed off the dirt, the pitcher finally made eye contact with the catcher for perhaps the first time since Derek had come up to bat.

‘Here it comes.’

And that was the chance. The moment the pitcher threw the first pitch, Lee Jung-woo, who had been stuck to the base, immediately started running, and the pitcher, who had already released the ball at the first baseman’s exclamation and the catcher’s surprised eyes, involuntarily squeezed his eyes shut.

[Lee! Steal!]

“Wow!”

“Safe! Safe!”

The catcher, showing a mysterious movement of catching the ball at the same time as getting up, quickly threw the ball to second base. Lee Jung-woo, who came in at the same time as the ball, tightly grabbed second base. At the same time, the second baseman’s fierce hand struck down on his body.

“Out!”

“He’s safe!”

“He’s out! If you have a problem, don’t complain to the umpire and get lost!”

The umpire’s out call. The stadium was turned upside down, and as Lee Jung-woo shouted, the second baseman glared at him with a sneering expression.

Lee Jung-woo, glaring slightly at the second baseman, looked at the bench with full confidence. Then, Manager Mancini immediately ran out and stirred up the field. The spectators were already pressuring the second base umpire by sending Lee Jung-woo generous applause as if he was safe.

“Challenge!”

A challenge request. The base-running coach quietly approached Lee Jung-woo on the field, which had entered a lull as soon as it started.

“It’s definitely safe. I saw it. You were definitely faster. I could see it clearly even if I wasn’t right next to you, so don’t listen to what that beady-eyed bastard says. The call will definitely be overturned.”

“Yes, I thought I was faster too. The tag was fast, but my hand touched the base first.”

“Okay, then there’s only one thing left, so let’s play comfortably. Don’t feel too pressured.”

The base-running coach left, encouraging him. At the same time, as if the video review result had come out, the second base umpire frowned slightly.

“Safe.”

“What—it was out! I saw it myself!”

The result was safe. Perhaps embarrassed that he had almost made a bad call in an important game, the second base umpire ignored the second baseman who was protesting fiercely. The second baseman, exhausted on his own, grumbled lowly and took his position again.

A situation where they had given up a stolen base in an instant. Perhaps this wasn’t in the plan, the field was a little more bustling than before. Even though Manager Mancini had gone down.

The pitcher’s footwork, irritably tearing up the mound, as if he regretted throwing the pickoff throw now. The catcher’s voice, encouraging the pitcher and fielders. The second baseman hitting his chest with his glove as if it was his fault.

Lee Jung-woo, standing on second base and watching it, bit his lower lip slightly.

‘But you know.’

The umpire’s call of play. The pitcher, turning his head and looking behind him, hesitating whether to throw a pickoff throw, soon looked at home plate again at the urging of the catcher and umpire.

The pitcher threw the ball into the set position, strongly encouraged by the catcher as if to forget about the runner who had already passed. And Lee Jung-woo used that.

‘Are you just getting annoyed without any tension just because you gave up second base? Even though you had a runner who stole third base right behind him in the game right before this one.’

As the starting gun for a track race.