Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 246

End of Pitchers, Start of Batters – 245

‘I felt like I was dying just yesterday, but now that I’m sitting and watching, it’s a bit boring.’

Sitting on the dugout bench, Lee Jung-woo blankly watched the field. His body felt stiff, so he got up and wandered around the dugout.

“It’s already crowded and noisy in the dugout. Why are you wandering around, Lee?”

“I just feel uneasy.”

It would be fine if it was just boredom, but what really bothered Lee Jung-woo was a strange sense of guilt. The team was suffering a one-sided defeat against the worst team in the division, and he was comfortably watching the game from the dugout bench. This made him feel uncomfortable for some reason.

“Sit down, sit down. After playing as hard as you have for two years, you can lie down on the bench and watch the game.”

Ian Field forced him to sit down. Lee Jung-woo reluctantly sat down again, but he kept shaking one leg, constantly expressing his inner thoughts.

‘Strangely, things don’t go well whenever we meet the Nationals.’

Six innings and five runs allowed. He reliably pitched his innings, so it wasn’t bad, but it felt a bit lacking compared to his usual performance. It was strange that the whole team seemed to struggle whenever they met the Nationals.

In reality, the Braves were achieving tremendous results, enough to break the record for most wins of all time. They were more than just neighborhood bullies to other division teams. But their head-to-head record against the Nationals, who were far below them, languishing at the bottom of the standings, was even.

As a joke, there were quite a few posts on the internet that portrayed the Braves and the Nationals as fierce rivals.

‘But it’s still too early to tell. We just need to catch one break, just one… without giving up any more runs. The follow-up pitcher is key.’

Lee Jung-woo glanced at Manager Mancini. If he wanted to secure the victory now, the top priority would be to bring in the main bullpen pitchers to freeze the score, but unfortunately, it didn’t seem like that would happen today.

‘It’s a perfect game for it. The roster already includes a lot of backups. And since we’re losing, it’s perfect for using the newly called-up players to get some experience.’

Whether it was such a judgment, Roy Pennington, Warren Stevens, and Ollie McCutchen, the Braves’ prized main relief pitchers, were still in the dugout. They hadn’t gone to the bullpen.

On the other hand, some faces were missing. One of them was Toby Maxon, who had a unique relationship with Lee Jung-woo, as mentioned earlier.

‘BA [Baseball America prospect ranking] 46th. It wasn’t like that last year, so his performance this year must have improved that much. How much better has he gotten?’

Lee Jung-woo recalled Toby Maxon as he remembered him: a fastball with an average of 93-94 mph and a top speed of 97 mph, a decent changeup, and a pretty powerful power curve. It was a three-pitch mix, but the composition of the pitches was good.

The fastball, with its good speed and decent power, was a great foundation. The changeup was enough to get a strike, and the power curve was a powerful finisher that could end the game.

‘Considering that, his record wasn’t good when he was a starter. His ERA [Earned Run Average] was in the 5s even in Double-A [Minor League Baseball, second tier]. He improved a bit after being demoted to the bullpen.’

A player with decent skills as well as a good physique, but a chicken-hearted player who didn’t match his appearance. So, despite having decent control, he stumbled over his own feet.

Such a player had suddenly made it to the 40-man roster. There must have been tremendous growth, mentally or skillfully.

‘I’m curious. If I had known this would happen, I would have gotten some information. But even though we’re on the same team, I don’t know anything.’

Lee Jung-woo was disappointed, but that disappointment was soon resolved. The Braves’ new pitcher appeared, opening the bullpen door.

[Ah, the replacement pitcher… it’s a rookie. Toby Maxon, a 26-year-old rookie pitcher who joined the team on the 40-man roster this time. He was born in October, so he will be 27 years old when the postseason starts. His position is middle relief, and he was ranked 46th in the prospect rankings announced by Baseball America.]

[Yes, his record is great. The fact that a middle relief pitcher is ranked 46th in the prospect rankings is amazing.]

[He was originally a starter, but he switched to a swingman last year, and he has often appeared as a setup man this season. Since then, he has been on the rise. There are often pitchers like that, right? Players who break out after switching from starter to bullpen.]

Toby Maxon. The large man trudged onto the mound.

‘Oh, I didn’t expect it, but really his first call-up game? Well, it’s not a bad opponent. Even though they gave up 5 runs, the Nationals’ lineup isn’t strong enough to break a pitcher’s mentality.’

Once again, the spectators tilted their heads with puzzled expressions at the new face. They whispered to their companions.

“Did the Braves have a player like that?”

“Do you know who he is?”

“He’s got a good build! That’s right! A pitcher should be that big to throw the ball well.”

“Show us what you’ve got! Make it fun!”

“That’s him! The one who made it into the Top 50 in the BA prospect rankings this time.”

“Prospect ranking? Then he must be good? But why haven’t I heard of him before?”

“Know what’s going on with the team. Are you even a fan?”

Lee Jung-woo, who had gotten up from his seat again and leaned on the dugout railing, felt a little guilty at the sound of the spectators chattering above.

He wasn’t a fan, but a player, and he didn’t know what was going on. Lee Jung-woo cleared his throat, but soon the clearing turned into a coughing fit.

“What’s his record like? Is he a starter?”

“He’s a relief pitcher. He’s a swingman, but he’s also been a setup man or closer. As I recall, he had an ERA of 1 in Double-A, and almost two strikeouts per inning? He had almost the same record after being called up to Triple-A [Minor League Baseball, highest tier]. Oh, and his WHIP [Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched] is in the 0s. Or was it in the early 1s?”

‘Wow.’

Wow, if that person’s words were true, that was all that could be said. Judging by this season’s record alone, he deserved to be ranked in the top 20, or even the top 10, in the prospect rankings, not 46th.

If the bullpen was weak, it wouldn’t be strange if he was used as a starter right away.

‘He’s gotten better, of course, since he’s come to the majors… but if that’s true, it’s not just an awakening? Was he originally suited to be a relief pitcher?’

Lee Jung-woo, who had heard shocking information, watched the field with a little more focus, and soon he was able to confirm the reality of that information.

“Strike!”

“Strike!”

“Strike!”

[Toby Maxon! The rookie is putting on a hot strikeout show in a boring game! Two consecutive three-pitch strikeouts! He came on in the top of the 7th with one out and finished the inning with just six pitches!]

[His curveball is really… artistic. The angle of the break is large, and the speed is quite fast. You can’t hit a curveball like that even if you know it’s coming.]

[Toby Maxon, a player who has blossomed on a new path, has perfectly completed his big league debut!]

An inning that disappeared in an instant.

The pitching ended quickly because the intervals were fast and the pitching was fearless, but that level of impact was enough to excite the spectators, no matter how short the time was.

“That’s right! That’s it!”

“Awesome! Keep doing that! You’re next after Stevens!”

“You’re the next generation closer! The next closer! No, you can even be a starter!”

The spectators, who were enthusiastic about the powerful strikeout show, whistled and applauded the pitcher, and the players seemed to be surprised as well. Only the players who had come up from the minors with the expanded roster nodded as if they were used to it, which made the two reactions even more contrasting.

‘He definitely fixed his chicken heart… No, he’s not just fixed it, he’s become a Big Ball [confident]. All six pitches were inside the strike zone.’

And Lee Jung-woo was also impressed. He threw the ball with such guts that he couldn’t even remember when he was chicken-hearted.

Of course, most of it was the catcher and the bench’s lead, but in the past, he had thrown weakly with doubt, so the level was different.

‘His speed has increased by about 1 mph, and his curveball has become sharper. This…’

“He’s going to settle in faster than you, isn’t he?”

“I told you, he’s good. He’s not the way you remember him,” Desmond Leach, who was also leaning on the railing, grumbled with a slightly sullen expression. Lee Jung-woo smiled at the sight and greeted the returning pitcher.

“Wow~ you’re something! Hey, Roy! You’re screwed! He seems to be twice as good as you!”

“Go to hell, Peterson. But you did well. You were confident, why are you so hesitant in front of us?”

“These kids are really scary these days. Lee popped out last year, is it him this year?”

“Hey, no matter what, he’s not as good as Lee. He’s really good, though.”

Toby Maxon was already surrounded by other players. There were also fielders who had returned together, and veteran players approached to praise the rookie who had successfully completed his debut stage.

Lee Jung-woo, who squeezed through those people, smiled at Toby Maxon, who was rolling his eyes, not knowing what to do, with the toughness he had shown on the mound just a moment ago.

“Toby, you did well?”

“Ah… Lee. Oh, it’s all thanks to you. The advice you gave me-”

Lee Jung-woo, who smiled at Toby Maxon, who was stuttering a little, unable to control his overwhelming emotions, stretched out his hand and patted his thick waist once.

“Let’s go for a long time. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

“Ah- yeah! I have to go for a long time! Just keep doing what I’ve been doing!”

Only then did Toby smile brightly, and the surrounding players made playful expressions and exclaimed in admiration.

“Wow~ Lee, you’re kind of cool? You’re showing some senior vibes?”

“That’s right, Lee, you’re the senior. You’re much younger, but there’s a difference between a rookie and a second-year player. How much has Lee eaten at Truist [Truist Park, Atlanta Braves stadium]?”

“Hey, Derek. I think it’s time to hand over the captain’s seat to Lee? He’s completely the captain. What do you think?”

“I guess so. He seems better than me, so if he signs an extension, I can hand over the armband right away?”

Lee Jung-woo, who carefully escorted Toby Maxon, who was rolling his eyes again at the playful veterans, turned around and looked at the field.

After seeing the pleasant debut of someone he had a connection with, the emotions he had felt during this game became a little stronger.

“Let’s go long. I heard you’ve been playing as a swingman a lot? Now that it’s like this, throw one more inning today. If possible, it’s good to get your first win in your debut game, right?”

“Is it possible…? My first win in the majors….”

Until now, he had been frustrated watching them lose.

Now, he just wanted to win the game.

“It’s possible. It’ll be a bit numb. The one hit by a rookie is always more painful.”

When Lee Jung-woo was called up last year, his hit knocked out the Phillies. So it wouldn’t be much different this time.

“And… I’m here, right?”

He was confident that he could recreate that moment.

####

Perhaps because the atmosphere was revived by the cool strikeout show, the tension of the spectators, which had risen a little more, also affected the batters. In the bottom of the 7th, the Braves followed by one point from a 5-1, 4-point deficit.

[It’s only one point. But it can be seen as a valuable point.]

[Yes, it’s a score that breaks the flow again in a situation where it’s hard to score.]

There was still a 3-point difference, and considering the sluggish pace of the batters so far, it was a bit insufficient to completely bring the victory, but it was important to have fueled the fire of pursuit a little more.

If they could just keep the fire alive.

[Toby Maxon! The rookie pitcher’s great pitching was also effective in the top of the 8th! Another strikeout!]

[Although the lineup is not a strong team, they are veteran hitters in the big leagues, but at this moment, they are helpless. He erased the inning again by getting two strikeouts this inning as well.]

Toby Maxon, who took the mound in the top of the 8th and, as Lee Jung-woo said, did just as he had been doing, getting two strikeouts and inducing a ground ball, shouted as if roaring and handed the mound over to the opponent.

The time had come.

[The Braves added another point in the bottom of the 8th! Now the score is 5-3! But the Nationals’ crisis continues! This… is a little dangerous. This timing is probably….]

[The leadoff hitter started with a hit, and it continues. They’re really gaining momentum. It’s time for a player to appear who will end this momentum. A player who only needs one at-bat.]

Bottom of the 8th.

The Braves’ attack, which started from the 4th batter, did not record an out until the 7th batter went to the plate. The 4th, 5th, and 6th batters all got on base. They also scored one point.

The faces of the away fans, who had been feeling a little strange about the sudden victory, became even more stiff.

“Hey- we can’t lose like this, right?”

“Even if we have to lower our winning percentage, losing by a come-from-behind defeat is a bit different!”

“I have a bad feeling-”

They always wanted the team to win, but they knew that a loss might be necessary now, so they weren’t just happy about the victory. If they really had to take a loss like this, it was a different story.

Because it’s a matter of pride.

Even if it’s the worst team, even if it’s a tanking season, the team that mostly rotated lost to the team that mostly came out as starters? Even after winning well until the second half, they lost by a come-from-behind defeat?

Even the worst team in the division has pride, and there is dignity. This kind of defeat was not acceptable under any circumstances.

“Ah… he’s coming out….”

“Why did you give him a chance….”

“It’s okay, he’s a pushover against us.”

“Is he really a pushover? He’s not as good as the Mets or the Phillies, but his head-to-head record against us is no joke…”

7th batter. Originally, it would have been the at-bat of the Triple-A backup shortstop who was playing instead of Lee Jung-woo to give him a break.

But now, the one coming to the plate is not the AAAA [players who are good at the Triple-A level but not quite good enough for the Major League] leaguer who is still faint in his memory, but a face that is now too familiar to Major League fans.

Those who know that long and heavy bat now know it. It was also a well-known story that Nike, which was stamping its feet because it had postponed all business to the off-season, was envious of the other company’s mark on that player’s shoes.

[Pinch hitter! Jung! Woo! Lee!]

The stadium announcer’s loud call. The stadium, which had been lukewarm until just now, was now so noisy that it felt like it was vibrating.

This was the scene that everyone in this stadium wanted and expected.

“Damn it.”

“Did you think he wouldn’t come out?”

“…”

Lee Jung-woo spoke to the catcher, who greeted him with swearing, but unfortunately, it wasn’t trash talk, but just a sigh from within, so there was no answer.

‘He’s cold, he’s cold. Our fans are too hot, that’s the problem.’

The cold home plate and the stands full of heat were like Texas in the middle of summer and Chicago in the middle of winter, with extreme temperature differences.

‘That pitcher, I heard he used to be a catcher? That’s why he’s good at ball distribution. Even though he’s a relief pitcher, his pitching style is more about building up the count step by step, sacrificing a few pitches, rather than saving pitches by throwing powerfully. It could just be the catcher or the bench’s lead.’

A type that is difficult to deal with as you face him. Until now, that advantage has not been well revealed. All the previous batters hit on the first pitch, or the second pitch.

That’s why he had fewer pitches than he had faced batters, so he probably had plenty of energy left.

‘I don’t really dislike head-to-head battles, but there’s nothing particularly good about it.’

From the pitcher’s point of view, since the opponent is the opponent, he will probably pour all his remaining energy into trying to make it difficult.

Lee Jung-woo, who made eye contact with the pitcher, smiled faintly and nodded, and below his neck, every muscle in his body that filled the batter’s box wriggled.

‘And there’s an easy answer, and I can solve it. There’s no need to choose a difficult path. By myself….’

The pitcher, who had hesitated several times, finally made up his mind, took a pitching form with clear eyes, and since it would be a home run in all likelihood, he didn’t think it was worth thinking about the first base runner, and wound up greatly and threw the first pitch.

‘If you’re confident in your batting.’

The first pitch that comes flying. It’s slow. It was a little slower than the fastballs he threw when watching the battles with other batters.

Probably a breaking ball. The judgment was quick. He knows how to throw a curveball and a circle changeup, so excluding the curveball that he wouldn’t throw, then the remaining option is after all-

“Heup-”

One circle.

The straight swing that goes forward like a well-thrown fastball is very simple and easy to continue.

But the power was not just the visible extent, as everyone already knew.

The moment the feeling of the ball is transmitted to the hand holding the bat, the power of the wrist is released, and the bat is used as a fishing net to catch the ball.

The ball that moved along the trajectory of the bat soon performed its second mission after completing the final follow-through.

[Lee! A strong hit on the first pitch! Pulled it straight- Amidst the unusual sound of the hit! The ball stretches out! It stretches endlessly!]

If the first mission is to fly towards home plate according to the pitcher’s intention. On the other hand, the second is naturally to fly according to the batter’s heart.

The batted ball was fired, and the heart that Lee Jung-woo put into the swing and the ball was only victory. For that goal, victory, the destination that the batted ball took as its purpose was naturally.

[Over the right fence! A three-run home run! His 45th home run of the season came at this timing!]

[Really- what should I say… At the most important moment, he came to the most important at-bat, and in the end, he created the most perfect batted ball.]

Beyond the huge fence that stretched out.

The batted ball that flew over the right fence and landed in the stands made the hearts of those who ran to catch it burn, and Lee Jung-woo, who was running lightly on the base, also burned the hearts of the Nationals who were staring blankly at him.

The rookie pitcher’s first win and Lee Jung-woo’s 45th home run. The two things that happened in an instant filled the value of the game tickets that the home fans had felt a little wasteful until just now.