Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 250

End of Pitcher, Start of Batter – Episode 249

An overwhelming play that didn’t even elicit a sigh completely crushed the Angels’ spirit. They accepted defeat without much resistance.

Even the home fans seemed resigned to the loss, their faces not even flushed, as they silently left the stands, leaving people with much to ponder.

[Angels fans finally realize the reality? No reaction to Lee’s play, just silence…]

[(Video) Jungwoo Lee soars like an angel before everyone’s eyes! An overwhelming defensive play stealing an extra-base hit!]

[Lee Jungwoo, 5 plate appearances, 4 at-bats, 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 home run, ‘Only 4 more to 50 home runs!’]

Leaping high as if with wings, snatching the ball from the air. It was a familiar sight to people. Lee Jungwoo had shown it several times this season alone.

But for the Angels fans who witnessed it directly, still grasping at straws, it was a scene that couldn’t be expressed in such a way. It was a straight punch that resonated deeply.

Trout is already gone, and the best player who can show such plays is no longer with the Angels. The message was simple yet relentlessly pierced their hearts.

-I watched the game live, and it was amazing. I understand why he’s considered the best.

-It’s bitter, just somehow bitter. We used to have a player like that. We played together until recently.

-The Braves are lucky. A guy like that appears from their farm system. Ah, it’s not our place to say that.

-The style is different, the appearance is different, and the position is different. But strangely, he looks like Trout. Maybe we didn’t want a second Trout, but just wanted the best player to play for our team. Just using Trout as an excuse.

While the Angels fans were still unable to shake off their dazed feelings, the other side was simply in a festive mood. Another new title was added to the name Lee Jungwoo, just like it had been all season long.

[Jungwoo Lee, shoulder to shoulder with the Yankee Clipper of 98 years ago! Tied for 1st in home runs in a 22-year-old season with Joe DiMaggio!]

Tied for 1st in home runs in the same age season. The Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, who arrived 98 years ago, was also jointly ranked. But at this point, no one thought it would last long. At the current rate, even if his stamina drops at the end, he will hit at least one more before the end of the pennant race.

Watching Lee Jungwoo, who once again set a new record, the media couldn’t help but admire him, and as if to express it, they brought out the slightly overused modifier again, but only for the player Lee Jungwoo.

[Lee Jungwoo’s 35 home runs is the best 22-year-old season in Major League history!]

The best in history. From the middle of this season, the media started to mention the title that had virtually become a middle name, but unexpectedly, unlike before, the effect was less than expected.

-I’m getting tired of hearing ‘the best in history.’ Am I too full [satiated with the constant praise]?

-1 year later -> The best 23-year-old in history. Another year later -> The best 24-year-old in history! And so on…

-Does that pattern end with the best player in history?

-Babe Ruth is there, so it’s a bit difficult, isn’t it? In a symbolic sense.

-I’m more amazed by DiMaggio. He’s from about 100 years ago, but he played similarly to Lee?

-What? Now the priorities have been completely reversed?

-It’s not surprising that Lee sets a record anymore, but it’s more surprising that there are still records he hasn’t achieved.

The best 22-year-old in history, the most home runs in a 22-year-old season. Even though a new collection was added to the All-Time modifier that Lee Jungwoo had been collecting since his debut, the reaction was rather weak.

For fans who had heard similar modifiers countless times during this season, those words felt rather light.

Also, the fans who had become immune to such modifiers were already expecting something bigger, so they were not impressed.

-We don’t need other tags like 22 years old, 2nd year, or shortstop anymore. After the season ends, he’ll finish as the single-season All-Time No.1 anyway. Everything else is just a bonus.

-That’s right, looking at the current record, we’ve already passed the halfway point and are in front of the finish line.

-If I said that to another player, I would have said it was an exaggeration. But since it’s Lee, I have nothing to say.

As much as they wanted all other modifiers besides All-Time to be erased, Lee Jungwoo’s fans showed only a bland reaction despite the praise. On the other hand, the Angels fans showed a slightly more sensitive reaction to such modifiers.

-I remember Harper 20 years ago. He was really amazing back then. He even had a rivalry with Trout? It almost disappeared later. But Lee is even better than Harper back then…

-It even means that it’s embarrassing to bring up Harper at that time. Because legends like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams are coming out.

Exactly 20 years ago from now. Bryce Harper also captivated people with a great season at the age of twenty-two.

That was combined with his unique showmanship, and the media actively pushed him, so he was compared to Trout in the early and mid-career, forming a rivalry.

Of course, as the career gap widened severely afterward, it soon faded, but Lee Jungwoo, who had surpassed even Harper in those days, who was once called a rival, loomed even larger in the minds of Angels fans.

And in that atmosphere, a short interview appropriately poured gasoline on the fire.

[Mike Trout, ‘Baseball? Of course, I’m still enjoying watching it these days. Lee is especially impressive!’ ‘He is the greatest talent ever. It’s a pity that he’s not in Anaheim [home of the Angels] or Philadelphia [Trout’s hometown].’ ‘Of course, the Braves uniform also suits him very well. He’s great now, but I’m looking forward to the future.’]

Trout, who retired and is now only waiting for the Hall of Fame, happened to have an interview about Lee Jungwoo. The interview had a considerable impact on the Angels fans.

In fact, even though there were mentions of the Angels, which was his team, and Philadelphia, which is famous as his original fan base, it was simply an interview that felt like a retired legend shouting out to a new rising star.

I don’t know how they accepted it, but the Angels fans picked it up like a sacred word and showed a very clear reaction, unusually from their usual calm atmosphere.

-Trout is telling us to bring Lee! What the hell is the front office doing! Prepare quickly! Fill up the money bag in advance!

-If Trout said that much, it’s over. He’s giving us a hint to bring him no matter what.

-We have to bring him even if we sell all the players! FA [Free Agency]? Can’t we do that sooner? Commissioner, change the rules, you X!

Where did they throw away the bitterness they had a few hours ago? The Angels fans’ combat power was fully charged. In such a frenzied atmosphere, the second game approached.

####

The Angels Stadium, where the second game was held, was even quieter than the day before. The heat expressed through the Internet was insignificant.

[Unlike the previous day, the Angels took the lead first. The score is 3 to 0! They’re widening the gap a bit more. On the other hand, the Braves are a bit sluggish?]

[Yes, strangely, extra-base hits are not happening. However, there are still many innings left, so you never know.]

As if to soothe the defeat of the previous day, the game continued with the Angels’ strength from the beginning. Occasionally, when a score was raised, the quiet stadium buzzed slightly. Other than that, the game continued without much noise.

However, even in the midst of that, the only time the sound got louder was…

[Out! Unfortunately, he recorded a ground ball, and now two outs have been raised, and now Lee Jungwoo, the second batter, comes to the plate. He is recording 1 hit and 1 walk in 2 at-bats in this game.]

[A low applause rings in the quiet stadium.]

It was the moment Lee Jungwoo came out on the ground. Lee Jungwoo, who was walking to the plate, bit his lower lip tightly at the quiet applause pouring out for him.

‘Why did Trout do that interview? It’s an honor, but it’s damn burdensome.’

Despite the fact that he had subdued them with an amazing super catch, there was a strange madness in the eyes of today’s audience. If the previous day was like a strict professor, today it resembled the eyes of the Braves fans.

The familiar (?) feeling felt in a strange land sapped his strength, and perhaps because of that, the results at the plate were not very good due to a strange slump in hitting.

“Strike out!”

[A swing and a miss! Lee is striking out for the first time in a long time! Ah~ He was properly tricked. Lee is continuing his hitless game today.]

[Well, there are days like this. You can’t always do well.]

A clumsy swing and a miss. At the loud call of the umpire, Lee Jungwoo trudged out of the batter’s box, and the voices of the people grew louder.

Were they mocking him? Lee Jungwoo thought it would have been better if they had.

“What’s that swing! You’re an idiot! A trash like you is perfect here! Why? Because Trout will guide you himself!”

“You stupid bastard! Is it all over if you’re good at defense? Do you think it’s the end if you do well in one game? It’s obvious that the bubble will burst like Harper later! But we’ll accept you specially, so come over later!”

“Why? Do you like it here so much? Or do you like the uniform? You can’t come to your senses! If you’re going to be so happy, try wearing it once!”

‘Is this a mockery? Or is it an offer to recruit? I can’t understand unless you do only one of the two….’

Lee Jungwoo, who was returning to the dugout amidst the spectators who were spitting out words that seemed to be mixed with a lot of things, burst into a hollow laugh, and the embarrassment doubled because they closed their mouths again after he entered the dugout.

The fellow players who greeted him as he returned to the dugout were also laughing, as if they were dumbfounded, and some looked at Lee Jungwoo with an expression of ‘He did it again.’

“He’s bewitched, he’s bewitched. He’s properly bewitched even those picky old men who only know Trout.”

“It’s like this every time we play an away game. Lee, aren’t you slowly enjoying it? Seeing you keep making your vicious fans everywhere like this.”

“Lee, you’re going to be torn to pieces like this? Not to mention the other teams, even the Phillies are subtly watching like that while pretending not to. To satisfy all of that, one body won’t be enough, right?”

“Lee, ignore such evil words with one ear. The only uniform that suits you is the one you’re wearing now. Trout said that too, right? That uniform suits you well.”

Lee Jungwoo, who was even more disturbed by his colleagues who were laughing or seriously worried (?), shook his head violently, and I don’t know how they saw it again, but a sound came from the stands above the dugout.

“Yes, if you taste the power of the Angels, your head will be dizzy. Don’t try to shake it off, but accept it! Listen to the voice of your heart!”

“As expected… Lee is different. He even gets love calls from opposing team fans. Well, Trout even interviewed him himself. I have to work a little harder… No, no. Don’t be impatient, slowly, for a long time-”

“Maxon, please be quiet for a moment. I’m a little distracted right now.”

Lee Jungwoo, who was already distracted, earnestly asked Toby Maxon, who was adding one more thing to it, and sighed. In such a bizarre atmosphere, the game continued, and Lee Jungwoo, who was a little tired due to the home fans who were mentally attacking in a strange way. Nevertheless, he steadfastly created opportunities.

####

[He’s out. Base on balls. Lee Jungwoo adds another walk and walks to first base.]

Thanks to the fact that he gave strength to his two eyes, which seemed to be more reliable than his ambiguous hitting ability, Lee Jungwoo, who walked to first base, looked at the mound.

Even though it was the top of the 7th inning, the starting pitcher still looked fresh thanks to the Braves hitters who had been dying hard. Perhaps because he was on a roll, the ball was quite sharp.

‘If we want to score, we have to shake the pitcher first. If the bat is difficult, we have to move even with two legs.’

The score is now 4 to 0. Lee Jungwoo made a decision because he had to break down the pitcher quickly even now to win. He was fully prepared.

As the third hitter Joey came to the plate, all attention was directed there, and when the tension eased slightly due to that. Lee Jungwoo, who was watching, quickly started the moment the pitcher’s body moved.

[Okay, the first pitch – Ah! 2nd base steal! The catcher throws it – Safe! Lee’s steal of second base! Lee Jungwoo steals the base in an instant!]

[From the opposing team’s point of view, this is the problem. Even if he shows a slump in hitting, if he gets on base somehow, he is a player with the running ability to create more than an extra-base hit.]

An overwhelming speed that instantly penetrates between bases. Lee Jungwoo, who made a steal, took a slight breath, smiled slightly at the pitcher who was glancing at him over his shoulder, and then took his stance again.

‘He’s shaken. But it’s not enough.’

One jab. As he continues to raise steals while challenging 50-50, the opposing pitcher’s shock would be just that much, as he would have assumed this situation. Therefore, the follow-up hit was important.

Originally, a jab can only shine if the straight punch that supports it immediately afterward is strong.

‘One more time. It’s tricky, but it’s worth aiming for.’

Since he has succeeded in stealing third base quite often, the surprise is less than expected. So from now on, it was really purely a fight of timing and speed.

Since there was nothing more to hide, he continued to widen the lead and provoke the pitcher. The pitcher, who was worried about it, even threw a few check throws to second base, which he doesn’t usually do, and expressed his annoyance. When the count was frozen at one and two, some away fans sent jeering jeers.

Lee Jungwoo narrowed his eyes slightly as he saw the pitcher’s emotions with that.

‘This… the control is not good. Are you more nervous than I thought? Maybe if I do well….’

There was a gap. Very subtle, but if you do well, there is a gap that seems to be able to completely break down the wall itself.

‘I’m going to run anyway, it’s good if I get hit. If not, oh well.’

It may be irresponsible, but since it’s a win-win situation anyway, Lee Jungwoo glanced at the base coach, and the base coach who received the signal hesitated slightly, but soon nodded.

A moment of foot stomping. Lee Jungwoo twisted his ankles as if saying ‘I’m going to run’ outright, and the pitcher couldn’t take his eyes off it, but in the end, he looked straight ahead again at the falling pitch clock.

[Okay, it’s the 4th ball. Including the check throw, it’s the eighth ball.]

[At times like this, you have to be strong and throw the ball with the thought of giving up third base.]

A moment of waiting. The pitcher, who hesitated several times, moved his body as if he had made a decision. The moment he swung his arm in a set position, omitting the windup as before, Lee Jungwoo started a little earlier than usual.

Since he was already in motion, he couldn’t stop, and the pitcher’s head was facing forward, but his eyes followed the runner without realizing it.

A pitch that lost focus. The result was harsh.

[The catcher couldn’t catch it! Wild pitch!]

The ball flew over the catcher’s head. The catcher jumped up like a frog and tried to catch the ball by force, but he was short by about half a span, and he chased after the mercilessly passing ball, but that amount of time was enough.

For Lee Jungwoo.

“Turn! Turn!”

Following the coach’s instructions to step on third base and pass by, Lee Jungwoo ran to home, and the spectators jumped up from their seats at the sudden situation. Mixing in some heartfelt swear words.

“What the X.”

“What are you doing! Quickly- quickly!”

“You X shins!”

The runner’s steal. The pitcher’s wild pitch. And the eyes were spinning at the urgent situation leading to the home rush, and the catcher, who quickly recovered the ball that had flown back, threw the ball to the pitcher who was covering home, but the runner’s foot brushed past the base before that.

[Safe! Only with two legs! Mocking the pitcher! Lee Jungwoo is creating a score! With this! The Braves finally broke the 0 on the scoreboard! And the main character was Lee Jungwoo again!]

A shocking and terrifying score. The stadium became quiet, as did the super catch the day before, to the snowball that was too much for what was connected by one walk. However, a little different from that time. The difference was that this atmosphere did not last long.

Unlike yesterday, when the eyes of the spectators lost their light until the end and continued to be silent, after a little time, the two eyes burned scarily, and the quiet stadium was covered with tens of thousands of swear words. Only then did Lee Jungwoo smile with satisfaction.

‘Yeah, Trout’s interview and whatever, if you saw this, you should be purely pissed off. Now it feels like a normal baseball stadium.’