Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 240

Pitcher Over, Batter Up – Episode 239

[‘NLCS Preview?’, Regular Season Final Showdown Between Likely Postseason Contenders!]

[A Decisive Match to Decorate the End of Summer! Lee Jung-woo VS Arthur Hunter]

The Dodgers and Braves’ game was layered with storylines. The Braves, having already clinched their division title, were guaranteed a postseason berth. The Dodgers, while not yet assured of winning their division, were also widely expected to advance to the postseason, barring any unforeseen collapses in September.

Thus, this final regular-season series between the two teams—both almost certain to reach the postseason and potentially meet in the National League Championship Series (NLCS)—felt like a tantalizing preview.

Adding to the intrigue was the head-to-head matchup between Arthur Hunter and Lee Jung-woo, currently ranked 1st and 3rd in home runs in the National League.

[‘MVP? Lee Should Get It. Isn’t It Obvious?’ Arthur Hunter Virtually Concedes MVP Race?]

[‘It Would Feel a Bit Uncomfortable If I Received It This Season.’ Arthur Hunter Shows Respect for Lee!]

-It’s less about respect and more about reality. Frankly, unless Arthur Hunter suddenly hits 20 more home runs, the MVP award is out of reach.

-From Arthur’s perspective, did he sabotage his career for nothing? If he had stayed in the American League (AL), he would have easily been a top MVP contender again this year.

-That’s right. He should have stayed with the Tigers! What a bonehead!

-Why are you blaming Hunter when your team couldn’t afford him? You should have opened your wallets if you’re so upset.

-Harding is probably even more annoyed than Hunter. He was the undisputed king of the league, and now two rivals have emerged simultaneously.

However, the fact that the regular season MVP race concluded much earlier than anticipated dampened the excitement compared to previous matchups.

The league secretariat had heavily promoted the three-way MVP battle between Lee Jung-woo, Arthur Hunter, and Vincent Harding, which initially boosted the NL’s popularity this season, but that buzz faded prematurely.

Lee Jung-woo, initially considered the underdog, or rather, a forced inclusion in the conversation, suddenly shifted into overdrive, leaving his competitors in the dust.

-It’s basically settled. The shortstop with the best defense is also a batting machine, and his only weakness was home runs, but now he’s 3rd in the league? That says everything.

-Hunter… I was hoping for an MVP, but it’s over for him this year. After seeing Lee achieve a 40-40 season [40 home runs and 40 stolen bases], I’ve lost all hope. Even as a reporter, I’d vote for Lee.

-Hunter or Harding fans should just pray that this season is Lee’s peak. That his prime arrived early. Otherwise… they can kiss the MVP goodbye.

-It’s not just Harding or Hunter who have a problem; all the NL pitchers should be praying.

Since the shortstop achieved 40-40, the regular season MVP became a foregone conclusion, a secondary reward rather than the ultimate prize. This disappointed the league secretariat and the commissioner.

In fact, as one netizen joked, some pitchers were clutching rosaries or chanting sutras every morning, praying to their respective deities.

‘Please, let this madman’s rampage be limited to this season, this year only.’

Thus, the two teams’ matchup garnered significant attention, similar to their past encounters, but the final game in August arrived with a slightly more subdued atmosphere than before.

####

‘Championship Series Rematch. That’s what they often called it.’

Whenever the Braves and Dodgers faced off in this season’s pennant race, the media consistently used that label. They were the two teams that had clashed in last year’s NLCS, and their continued success made the comparison unavoidable.

‘It’s not a label Jin particularly enjoys, though. It’s rather irritating.’

The Braves players weren’t particularly fond of that designation. After all, the Braves had suffered a disappointing defeat in last year’s NLCS, failing to reach the World Series.

So, Lee Jung-woo and the players preferred to think of it as a preview instead.

‘It’s not impossible. We might actually meet again in the Championship Series, or the Dodgers might stumble at the end and miss out on winning the division, entering as a wild card and facing us in the Division Series.’

As long as the final magic number [the number of wins needed to clinch a playoff spot] remains, anything is possible in sports, so it wasn’t entirely out of the question. Therefore, the Dodgers were undoubtedly a rival team that they might face again in the postseason. If possible, they wanted to secure a victory in this final regular-season game against them.

‘If possible, it’s good to dent their confidence beforehand, right?’

The Dodgers seemed to be thinking along the same lines. Dodger Stadium was unusually quiet, and Arthur Hunter, who usually initiated friendly banter, only exchanged a brief nod with Lee Jung-woo, who was walking around the field.

The tension was palpable, as if it were a postseason game. The spectators, naturally hoping for a Dodgers victory, filled their seats one by one. Lee Jung-woo, continuing his stroll around the field, suddenly felt a cold dampness on his face.

‘Rain?’

Lee Jung-woo, wiping away the water droplets, tilted his head slightly. Looking up at the sky, he noticed some ominous dark clouds. Even though it was a daytime game, the stadium felt dim.

‘It’s been cloudy, but is it really raining? Well, it’s LA, so it probably won’t rain much. The forecast didn’t mention rain either.’

However, it was only a drizzle, and since LA was known for its dry climate, Lee Jung-woo dismissed it and continued his pre-game routine before returning to the dugout. He had completed his preparations, so it was time to focus on the game.

Back in the locker room. Since they were starting with the attack as the away team, the batters were fiddling with their bats, some hugging them tightly and kissing the ends while muttering prayers.

“Oh? Are you sweating? You’re a little damp?”

“Ah, I noticed it’s drizzling outside. Not much, just a light sprinkle? It’ll probably stop soon.”

“Aren’t you worried about catching a cold? No, looking at the weather, you probably won’t. But just in case, change into some dry clothes.”

“It’s not that bad. But the grass might be a bit slick, so be careful when fielding. You might slip.”

“Okay, I’ll be careful. Let’s play well today. We’re up to bat first. You know what happens after I get on base, right?”

“A two-run homer? That thing our fans call your home run mechanism? It seems like even the captain is starting to sound like the fans, or is that just my imagination?”

“Hahahaha. Why? Isn’t it true that it often happens that way?”

Lee Jung-woo, joining the conversation, responded to Derek, who was looking puzzled, and then grabbed the bat he would be using today.

‘Even though it’s just a little bit, it’s raining and a bit humid, so it’s better to swing with a little more force than usual. The ball might not travel as far due to the humidity.’

Lee Jung-woo, after leaving the dugout and taking a few practice swings to gauge his feel, focused his attention.

The groundskeepers, who had been debating whether to cover the field with the tarp because the rain had stopped, were gone, and the Dodgers players now occupied the field. Lee Jung-woo, watching the umpire who seemed to be signaling the start of the game, recited his final mantra.

‘Slowly, don’t rush. Stay calm.’

Words he always repeated. As soon as he finished mentally preparing himself, a thunderous voice echoed across the field, as if on cue.

“Play ball!”

####

Unfortunately, the two-run home run in the first inning that most Braves fans, and even captain Derek, firmly believed in did not materialize in this game either.

“Catch it! Catch it! Throw it home!”

“Safe!”

[Ah, the Braves score a run in the first inning! This, this, the feeling is good today, right? It’s a bit different from the last series.]

[It’s a textbook scoring sequence. Derek’s good speed and Lee’s long hit lead to a run.]

However, it was somewhat similar. Lee Jung-woo drove in Derek, who had reached base, with a powerful hit. However, he couldn’t score himself.

Then, with Joey’s clean outfield fly, the Braves scored 2 points in the top of the first inning and started the game on a high note, further darkening the mood of the Dodgers fans, who were still anxious about winning the division with the Giants close behind.

It wasn’t quite dark clouds overhead, but rather gray clouds heavy with moisture.

[He hit it! The ball is soaring! It didn’t go over the fence! Gary Winters! Unfortunately, he didn’t add a home run, but another run is added!]

[The Braves are scoring consistently. The Dodgers are also chasing hard, but the Braves keep pulling away just when they seem to be catching up.]

After that, the Braves scored in the 4th, 6th, and 7th innings, adding 5 points and extending their lead to 7. The Dodgers also continued to fight back, as if to appease the home fans.

The weather had a significant impact on the game. The rain stopped midway through, but the waterlogged ball seemed to be carrying further than expected due to the increased humidity.

As a result, the game became a slugfest, and Arthur Hunter put the finishing touch on that atmosphere.

[He hit it! Arthur Hunter! To the right field fence – it’s over the right field fence!]

“Waaaaaaa!”

“Yeeeeeeee! This is King Arthur! Forget the MVP? We don’t need it! You’re the best home run king anyway!”

[Arthur Hunter! Two-run home run! He narrows the score against the Braves to 1 point! Season total: 48! He might reach his career high in home runs this season! Thanks to that, the score is now 7 to 5! Bottom of the 8th, the Dodgers are within 2 points!]

[Lee’s incredible performance has overshadowed it a bit, but Arthur Hunter’s impact this season is also remarkable. In any other season, in any other league, he would have easily won the MVP.]

[Still, he’s almost certain to win the home run title, but anyway, it would be bad luck. It’s more than just the score.]

Perhaps fueled by the exciting game, the cheers of the home fans grew louder even though their team was losing, and as if responding to those cheers, the raindrops that had soaked the ground finally caused a mishap.

“Joey!”

“I had it – Fuck! Sorry! I’m really sorry!”

[Ah, a costly error at this crucial moment! Joey Fredman slipped and couldn’t make the catch! The batter advances to second base! This – the Braves need to be careful, right?]

[I don’t know if you can tell on the screen, but the ground is quite wet right now, making it slippery. It seems like he missed a ball that he would have caught normally.]

[Now, this is an opportunity for the Dodgers. If they score one more point here, the gap will narrow to 1 point, and if a home run comes out, they will tie the score.]

An opportunity seized due to an error. As a team with the potential to aim for the division championship, the Dodgers did not miss the chance and added one more point at the end. With the score now close, the crowd cheered, and Joey, who had made the error, sighed in apology.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. The ground is like this, it can happen. And we’re still leading. Just maintain it. No, let’s get more.”

Comforting Joey, the Braves players maintained their focus. And in the top of the 8th, the Braves created another opportunity to shake off the Dodgers’ pursuit. And completing it was, once again…

[Jungwoo Lee, this is his fifth at-bat in this game, right? 3 hits in 4 at-bats, 1 walk. He’s recording 1 RBI [Run Batted In, a statistic for runs scored due to a player’s hit], showing a slightly disappointing hit.]

[Actually, it’s a good record, but considering Lee’s stats this season, it’s a bit disappointing.]

It was Lee Jungwoo.

####

After the first run in the top of the 1st, the audience teased Lee Jungwoo, who had been somewhat quiet throughout the game, only adding one walk, as if to mock him.

“Is that really the MVP?”

“You’re the MVP? Nah, I don’t think so!”

“Look at Arthur! That’s what an MVP should be!”

“King of Atlanta? Your king is terribly incompetent. Our king is a wise ruler.”

They were comparing him to Arthur Hunter, who was having a good game with a home run, but it was actually out of anxiety.

Because the Dodgers had seen him hit a home run in these situations quite often. Especially with runners on first and third with two outs, even though there was only one out left, the bases were quite loaded, so they were even more worried.

‘Is it because I can’t see the ball well today? Strangely, my timing is late.’

Lee Jungwoo, who came to the plate thinking this, clicked his tongue. Strangely, he couldn’t pick the pitches well. Maybe it was because of the rain that was lightly falling and stopping intermittently.

‘It’s not raining heavily, it’s ridiculous to blame it on that. Let’s not have any stray thoughts.’

Shaking his head vigorously as if to shake off these 잡념 [japnyum – stray thoughts], Lee Jungwoo calmed his mind. Everyone else was hitting well, so it was ridiculous to make excuses.

‘When I think about it, it’s funny. I’m not the type to play with my eyes, but just because I can’t see one ball… I hit well even last year when my eye for pitches was worse. Did I get too much grease in my belly [become complacent]?’

Lee Jungwoo, who felt it was ridiculous that he was being picky now, even though he had done well last year when he was swinging blindly because his eye for pitches wasn’t very good, took a batting stance with a light heart. Perhaps sensing something from that, the Dodgers’ setup man, who had come up to freeze the score gap, narrowed his brows.

‘A 1-point difference. It’s a bit 불안하다 [booran하다 – uneasy] to only score one point in this situation. They’ve 제대로 [jedaelo – properly] caught the flow, too.’

He scanned the ground from the batter’s box. The outlook wasn’t very bright, but he could clearly see where he needed to aim. Lee Jungwoo aimed at that spot and gripped his bat tightly. He calmly pictured the ball in his head and looked for an opportunity.

“Strike!”

“Ball!”

“Ball!”

“Strike!”

“Foul!”

“Foul!”

The 6 pitches passed in an instant. Perhaps annoyed that he was dragging out time with one batter when there were already runners on base, the pitcher swung his shoulder unnecessarily. He wondered if he had lost some strength, but Lee Jungwoo, who barely cut off the ball that flew in soon after, could confirm that he hadn’t.

‘I can’t send it far with a normal hit. He still has a lot of strength left. He’s not even a long reliever… He’s faced five batters in the rain and he’s still fine.’

Lee Jungwoo, newly impressed by the pitcher’s stamina, forcibly suppressed the 잡념 [japnyum – stray thoughts] that was about to rise again, refocused, and swallowed 침을 [chimeul – saliva] as his vision seemed to be gradually 확대되는 [hwakdaedoeneun – magnifying].

‘Slider? Or two-seam? I’ll decide on one. It’s two-seam again this time. The course might be low.’

Choosing the pitch type and course, Lee Jungwoo desperately calmed his 파르르 떨리는 [pareureu tteollineun – trembling] hands and faced forward in a firm stance. He filled his eyes with the pitcher’s windup and traced the trajectory in his head.

‘Two-seam!’

A desperate shout. A swing with clenched teeth. Perhaps it was a 찍기 [jjikgi – a hit where the ball is struck downward] hit, as a heavy 손맛 [sonmat – feeling in the hand] tingled up, and the moisture that had been slightly 묻었던 [mudeotdeon – dampened] on the bat scattered in all directions from the impact.

‘This isn’t going over.’

“Runnnnnnnnn!”

A thunderous roar. Lee Jungwoo, who threw his bat away haphazardly, shouted loudly, and the runners also started running. While running quickly, all three of them had their eyes on the batted ball.

The batted ball, shot like a bullet along the foul line because it was pulled all the way. The right fielder followed it to the end, but the batted ball was so fast that it barely brushed past him.

It stayed fair. Rollins, who was the runner on 3rd base, entered home in the blink of an eye, and Derek, who was the runner on 1st base, had already passed 3rd base when the right fielder caught the ball.

[Hit! Hit! 3rd base runner scores! 1st base runner also scores! The batter is up to 3rd base! Jungwoo Lee! A sweeping triple in the top of the 9th! Scores 2 RBIs!]

[He’s that kind of player. Yes, he’s that kind of player. He’s a player you can never let your guard down against. Just when you think he’s faltering, he suddenly scores points, he’s that kind of player.]

[It’s still too early to say, but this might be a KO punch for the Dodgers. The score, which had been chased to within 1 point, is now 3 points again! The Braves once again! Once again! Shakes off the Dodgers’ pursuit!]

A hit created as if to not allow more than a chase. The mocking spectators shut their mouths, and even Arthur Hunter, who had hit a home run in the previous inning’s attack, shook his head.

Yes, it was a KO punch, just like the announcer said. The final blow that crushed the will to chase one more time.

[Out at 1st base! The Dodgers fail to come back, and the score is 9 to 6. The Braves win Game 1!]

[It was a fierce game reminiscent of the postseason, so the home fans seem even more disappointed.]

The Braves took the victory after a fierce battle, and as if to celebrate them, it started pouring again soon after. Or maybe it was telling them in advance about the hardships of the next day.

####

Having won Game 1 and started the series in a good mood, Dodger Stadium, which welcomed people again the next day, was very dark even for an afternoon game. Following the previous day, today was also full of dark clouds. Even darker than yesterday.

“Huh? It’s still raining? Didn’t the weather forecast say it would rain for a while and then stop?”

“What, it seems to be raining even more than yesterday?”

“It’s been a while since it rained this much. It’s really hard to see rain in LA, right?”

“It’ll probably stop soon. Ah, we have to win today no matter what. Hey! Braves, you X새끼들아 [X saekki들아 – a Korean curse word, literally ‘son of a bitch’]! You’ve already clinched the division championship! We haven’t! Read the room!”

Raindrops falling a little more than 부슬부슬 [buseulbuseul – drizzling]. The stadium became a little noisy, and those who had brought raincoats in advance because it had rained the day before put them on themselves or their children. And as if to praise that choice, the raindrops continued to thicken. Contrary to the usually dry climate.

“Lee! Just come in today! You’ll catch a cold!”

“Ah, yes! I’m going!”

Lee Jungwoo, who was about to go out to the ground, returned to the dugout at the coach’s voice calling him, and at the same time, the 모습 [moseup – sight] of the stadium staff busily 꺼내는 [kkeonaeneun – taking out] the tarpaulin caught his eye.

And he became a little 불안해졌다 [booranhaejyeotda – uneasy].

‘It rained a little yesterday, but it’s worse today. This… maybe not? Nah, it can’t be in LA.’

Perhaps thinking similarly, the players in the dugout had stiff faces and clicked their tongues as if they were annoyed, but likewise, no one was assuming the worst-case scenario.

“Somehow this season was going by easily. This 난리 [nanri – chaos] is happening around the end of August.”

“It’s a 소나기 [sonagi – shower], a 소나기 [sonagi – shower]. It’s LA, right? How much can it rain even if it rains? It’s almost a complete desert. It’ll rain a little and stop.”

“Well, it was like that yesterday, too. Ah, the ground will just get dirtier.”

“Ah, it’s really 엿 같은 [yeot gateun – like taffy, meaning sticky or unpleasant] to defend when it rains… I almost died yesterday because it was slippery? Look at Joey, he was doing slapstick he’d never done before. I wonder if it’s my turn today.”

“Is it 엿 같은 [yeot gateun – like taffy, meaning sticky or unpleasant] for 포핀 [Popein – a player’s name]? It becomes 엿 같은 [yeot gateun – like taffy, meaning sticky or unpleasant] for Lee, who’s cleaning up after you. No, he’d probably catch the batted ball even if he slipped. Like a skating 선수 [seonsu – athlete].”

Because the climate itself is close to dry, the annual rainfall is not very high, and at best, only a 소나기 [sonagi – shower] pours down and stops, the players only shared simple jokes, but the 말수 [malsu – number of words] became 적어졌다 [jeogeojyeotda – fewer] as the raindrops became thicker and thicker. They started to think, 설마 [seolma – no way]?

The tarpaulin, which the stadium staff 펼쳐놓은 [pyeolchyeonoeun – spread out] with awkward 손놀림 [sonnollim – hand movements] because they hadn’t used it much, was 열심히 받아주고 [yeolsimhi badajugo – diligently receiving] the rain, but the game hadn’t started, and the 대기 지시 [daegi jisi – standby order] only got longer and longer.

As time continued to pass, a 묘한 긴장감 [myohan ginjanggam – strange tension] flowed in the dugout, and the same was true for the opponent, as the Dodgers’ dugout also became quite 부산스러워졌다 [busanseureowojyeotda – bustling].

“Manager.”

“30 more minutes of 대기 [daegi – standby]… and if it gets thicker from here, it’s a 우천취소 [ucheonchwiso – rainout].”

“If it’s canceled today…”

“It’s a 더블헤더 [deobeulhede – doubleheader] tomorrow. It’s the last matchup of this season, and we’re in the East and they’re in the West, so the 사무국 [samuguk – league office] will try to finish the schedule if possible.”

더블헤더 [deobeulhede – doubleheader]. The players’ faces stiffened at that word, and some stared intently at the 새카만 [saekaman – pitch-black] sky, as if shouting for it to stop. But 야속하게도 [yasokhageodo – unforgivingly], the thick raindrops that didn’t fit the climate continued to pour. With a slight rumble of thunder.

“No, a 우천취소 [ucheonchwiso – rainout] in LA! I’d understand if this 지랄 [jiral – nonsense] was happening somewhere else! Why is a town that doesn’t usually rain like this!”

The 목소리 [moksori – voice] that 외친 [oechin – shouted] in despair at the rain that was pouring like crazy even though the annual rainfall wasn’t very high may have 대변해줬 [daebyeonhaejwot – represented] everyone’s 마음 [maeum – feelings]. Even the 마음 [maeum – feelings] of the LA Dodgers players, who were 어이가 없을 [eoiga eopseul – dumbfounded] 마찬가지로 [machangajiro – similarly].

더블헤더 [deobeulhede – doubleheader]. 지옥 [jiok – hell] was 점점 더 다가오고 있었다 [jeomjeom deo dagaogo isseotda – gradually approaching].