Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 277

End of Pitcher, Start of Batter – Episode 276

[The 9th inning ends anticlimactically, and the game is over. With this, the Braves take a 3-0 lead, leaving them just one step away from the World Series.]

[It’s truly a nightmare series for the Dodgers. Their only chance to reach the World Series is a reverse sweep…]

[Yes, but it’s not impossible, so the Dodgers can’t give up on the series just yet. You never know what will happen in baseball until the very end.]

As the game ended and the Braves’ 3 wins and the Dodgers’ 3 losses were confirmed, dark clouds seemed to gather over Dodger Stadium, even though the weather was clearly sunny.

The faces of the gloomy fans didn’t hold much hope, despite the commentators’ encouraging words.

They had been crushed too badly to expect anything. They had witnessed a scene they couldn’t believe even after seeing it with their own eyes.

“A hit for the cycle…”

“Seriously, what were they thinking when they played? How could they allow something like that to happen at Dodger Stadium?”

“Damn it… I can already see the Giants mocking us, even though they were eliminated first.”

“If we lose tomorrow too, we’ll be even worse than the Giants. At least they had some good performances!”

The dissatisfaction that had been building up throughout the series turned into disappointment with the team, which had been miserably defeated even at home.

Unlike the Dodgers fans, who were filled with anger and gloom, the Braves fans, who had painted one side of Dodger Stadium red, were simply gleeful.

“How about it, Sanders? Was the plane ticket worth it? I told you, you just needed to listen to me!”

“Yeah, yeah, McCloy, you’re always right, just stop it.”

“How frustrated would I have been if I had watched this at home? Haha, Lee hitting for the cycle… even in the Championship Series!”

“Ah~ I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight. I’ll keep thinking about it.”

The visiting fans, not caring about the glares from the home fans, simply expressed their joy and left the stands with happy hearts. It was a perfect game, so there was no reason to linger in the stadium.

After the shocking Game 3, or rather, even before it ended, the media exploded.

Yes, literally exploded.

[Jungwoo Lee Hits for the Cycle Against the Dodgers in the Championship Series!]

[Lee Jungwoo Records a Cycling Hit with 6 Plate Appearances, 5 At-Bats, 4 Hits, 1 Walk, 1 Home Run, and 4 RBIs!]

[Lee Jungwoo of the Atlanta Braves Showcases Asian Power with a Cycling Hit at the Center of American Baseball!]

It goes without saying that Korea, the United States, and Japan, where there is a high level of interest in Lee Jungwoo, were not the only ones covering the story. Almost all countries related to baseball poured out special reports.

It wasn’t just rare; it was nearly unprecedented.

In the case of a hit for the cycle in the postseason, Brock Holt had done it once in 2018 when he was with the Boston Red Sox.

But that was in the Division Series, so Lee Jungwoo’s achievement was the first in the Championship Series, and the media also intentionally highlighted this fact.

Because the title of “first” is a little more stimulating and eye-catching than “second in history.”

No, even if they didn’t emphasize it, the achievement was enough to attract attention.

It literally meant that one batter did everything he could do in one game.

Even when looking at the entire season, such records are rare, but the fact that it was recorded in a single tournament game is amazing.

Anyone who likes baseball couldn’t help but talk about what happened this time.

[Boston Red Sox Defeat Rangers 10-2 in Game 3, Series Score 2-1]

Despite the Red Sox beating the Rangers in the ALCS [American League Championship Series] on the other side, the attention towards them was limited to the Boston area media.

[‘Man of Records’ Jungwoo Lee, First Hit for the Cycle in Championship Series!]

[The Most Amazing Moment Among All Hits for the Cycle in History!]

[Lee Jungwoo, Having the Most Powerful Postseason in History, What is His Final Destination?]

As a result, the overuse of cheesy modifiers was already familiar.

Also, if you hit for the cycle in the postseason, you deserve to hear these words, so people just nodded and joined in the praise, even with the media’s hype.

The Braves fans were, of course, in ecstasy.

In the midst of everyone’s excitement, the Dodgers had to swallow their tears alone.

Zero wins and three losses. They were now just one loss away from a humiliating sweep and failure to advance to the World Series.

Also, since they were the ones who suffered the hit for the cycle that people were so happy about, it was difficult to participate in this enthusiastic atmosphere from the beginning.

[Dodgers on the Brink. Can They Show the Strength of Last Year Again? The Only Remaining Possibility is a Reverse Sweep!]

[Humiliation at Dodger Stadium! Dodgers Getting Crushed More Harshly Than Their Mocked Rivals?]

Thus, the third game ended amidst one team’s tears and everyone’s cheers, and even though they were frustrated with the reality in front of them, the Dodgers did not stop fighting.

-I don’t even expect the World Series anymore. Just win one game, just one game.

-Looking at the performance, the World Series is already out of the question. From the moment we suffered the hit for the cycle, it was too late to even save face. So, just win one game.

-Just lose more impressively than the Giants. I think that’s enough now.

Even in defeat, the Dodgers wanted to fare better than the Giants.

And that obsession, that venom, exerted its power in the fourth game.

####

[Now, Game 4, which will determine the Dodgers’ elimination and the Braves’ advancement to the World Series, begins.]

[The Braves are sending out their fourth starter, Christensen, as they did during the season. On the other hand, the Dodgers are bringing Aidan Styles, who pitched in Game 1, as their starter for Game 4.]

[It’s a common occurrence. In the postseason, that is. Whether that choice is right is another matter.]

The Braves, facing Game 4, sent out their fourth starter, Christensen, in a textbook manner. The Dodgers, on the other hand, burned with determination by bringing Aidan Styles forward.

The reaction wasn’t good, though.

“It might be the last game, so using the ace isn’t a big deal… but I’m worried because it’s Aidan.”

“Don’t tell me he’s going to get crushed by Lee again today?”

“I can’t say no… He gets crushed every time he meets him. Why would today be any different?”

“Aidan is a really good pitcher. Why is he so unstable in the postseason?”

It was understandable to use the ace since it was a game that would determine the team’s postseason elimination. The problem was that the ace was Aidan Styles.

Clearly, Aidan Styles is the Dodgers’ reliable ace and number one starter, but the fans’ hearts, with the afterimage of Game 1 still lingering, were filled with worry.

[Now, the game finally begins. Derek Hunt, the Braves’ leadoff hitter, steps up to the plate.]

[The battle against him is always burdensome for the pitcher. He himself is a first-class hitter, but if you let him get on base, bigger problems will come.]

[Yes, the batter behind him is quite something.]

And so began Game 4. Since it was still the Dodgers’ home, the game started with the Braves’ attack. The home fans looked down at the field with uneasy anticipation.

Never let Derek get on base. That was the lesson that the National League teams learned through the regular season.

Why? Because the moment you let him get on base, there’s a high probability that the next guy will hit an extra-base hit, so it’s like starting with one point against you from the beginning.

“Strike out!”

The battle that began amidst uneasy tension ended with a refreshing strikeout. The fans, who were relieved by Aidan Styles’ pitching, who seemed to be in good condition, soon frowned again at the batter coming up, high-fiving Derek who had been struck out.

Because it’s the most tense moment.

Depending on his condition and batting sense in today’s game, the stadium fell silent, like a library, with the appearance of a batter who could practically determine the outcome of the game.

Well, only for the Dodgers fans.

“Yeeeeeaaaaah!”

“Let’s go for a home run today, too!”

“He’s a pushover, a pushover! He’s a pushover for you, Lee!”

“That bastard doesn’t know his place and came back to the mound, so teach him a lesson again! Show him he’s not even allowed near the mound!”

The Braves fans, who had gathered in quite large numbers again today, simply shouted because Lee Jung-woo had appeared, regardless of whether others were quiet or not.

Having already learned the previous day that giving them a look didn’t change anything, the home fans just tried to ignore them and looked anxiously at the mound.

Could Aidan Styles overcome the obstacle that is Lee Jung-woo?

Seeing him come up again after being so thoroughly defeated by Lee Jung-woo alone in Game 1, he might have some kind of clever plan up his sleeve.

No, he had better.

Otherwise, they’d lose again today.

With that thought in mind, they stared intently at the pitcher’s back, while Lee Jung-woo, walking up to the plate and seeing the pitcher’s face, felt at ease.

‘He’s made a decision.’

He could see the pitcher’s determination in his firm face.

And a moment later, the true nature of the choice made by that pitcher, by the Dodgers, was revealed.

[Oh… it’s an intentional walk?]

[Yes, it’s an automatic intentional walk.]

[Um… yes, I looked at Aidan Styles’ face and thought he might have some hidden trick… yes, it was an automatic intentional walk.]

“Huh?”

“What… what a letdown.”

Automatic intentional walk.

Following the umpire’s direction, which pointed to first base like a directional sign, Lee Jung-woo casually handed his bat to the batboy and trudged towards first base.

The resolve that he had glimpsed in Aidan Styles was a strong will to endure any shame.

Regardless of whether people ridiculed him, cursed him, or criticized him.

‘It’s a rational choice. There’s no need to bother with a batter you can’t handle.’

Unlike Lee Jung-woo, who had anticipated his fate and was relatively calm, the Braves fans, who had been shouting enthusiastically, booed. The Dodgers simply remained silent.

They knew it was a shameful choice, but it was also a decision they had secretly hoped for.

“…”

“Why are you making such a face? This kind of thing can happen.”

But accepting it was one thing, and having one’s pride hurt was another.

Even though the decision had already been made within the team, the first baseman couldn’t help but feel humiliated, and he clenched his teeth tightly.

It was an absurd scene where Lee Jung-woo ended up comforting him.

‘His pride must be incredibly hurt. It’s practically the Dodgers team surrendering to me. If he wasn’t upset, he wouldn’t be a professional.’

In a situation where a team has surrendered to a single player, it’s only natural for the members of that team to feel humiliated.

However, if they had chosen a disgraceful victory, that was something they had to accept as well, so Lee Jung-woo didn’t say anything more.

‘Looks like I won’t be at bat today. Should I try to increase my stolen bases? So it looks good when I check my stats later.’

Since he was so determined, it didn’t seem like he would be shaken by anything he did, so Lee Jung-woo took it easy and set his sights on what he could do. He soon stole second base, but the steal wasn’t recorded.

[It’s an uncontested steal. Yes, the defending team, the Dodgers, didn’t make any attempt to stop the steal, so the steal isn’t recorded.]

[It seems the Dodgers are planning to treat Lee as if he doesn’t exist today.]

‘Being blatantly ignored like this actually pisses me off. It feels like I’m being ostracized.’

He had run hard, but the opponent didn’t budge, which only made the person who stole the base feel awkward. Having grasped the level of determination the Dodgers possessed, Lee Jung-woo gave up.

It seemed they had no intention of giving Lee Jung-woo anything more than a walk today.

‘There will be some backlash, but they’ll have to deal with it.’

####

As the first victory of Game 4 was secured, the Dodgers cheered. Or were they cheering? It was actually a bit doubtful.

Because their expressions weren’t very bright.

An 8-4 victory. Aidan Styles, who started as the pitcher, showed his best pitching of this postseason with 6 innings and only allowed 2 runs.

Key hitter Arthur Hunter also led the game to victory by hitting 3 hits, including a two-run home run, and scoring 4 RBIs [Runs Batted In].

But no one was happy.

The cameras for broadcasting and the cameras around the necks of the reporters who had gathered to capture the postseason didn’t capture them either.

“Anyone would think we lost. Why is the atmosphere like this after winning like this?”

“It’s embarrassing. How embarrassing must it be.”

Clearly, the Dodgers had won, and their performance was quite good, but all the spotlight was on Lee Jung-woo, just like the previous day.

Even though he didn’t get any hits or RBIs in today’s game.

[The game is a victory for the Dodgers, but…]

[It can be said that this game best showed what kind of presence Lee is.]

[Yes, that’s right. He sets a postseason record for the most intentional walks in a single game with 4 walks and 1 run scored. Including the regular season, he ties Barry Bonds for first place in terms of 9 innings.]

[He attempted to steal three times, and all were successful, but the steals weren’t recorded either. What should we call this?]

A player who was forcibly deleted throughout Game 4, except for defense, despite appearing in the game.

Watching the player who still had the most screen time, the Dodgers bit their lips, and the Braves glared at those Dodgers.

The camera that had been pointed at him turned back to the Dodgers. Unlike when they looked at Lee Jung-woo, they looked at them with a very cold air.

“Wooooooo!”

“Dirty bastards!”

“The Phillies didn’t even do this!”

“I see very well what kind of team the Dodgers are! I saw it very well!”

Despite being the first victory in Game 4 and winning with twice as many points, there was no cheering or praise anywhere.

Only cold stares were shot at them.

Still, it would have been easier if this victory had been a stepping stone for a great comeback, but the goddess of victory did not tolerate a forced victory.

‘I was prepared, but it’s even more fucked up than I thought.’

For a slightly different reason, Lee Jung-woo, who was the main character again today following the previous day, was also very upset because he never thought they would really avoid him throughout the game, let alone treat him like he didn’t exist.

The Dodgers barely managed to win one game and avoid a sweep, but their future was not bright.