Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 286

End of Pitching, Start of Hitting – Episode 285 (286/287)

From the start, I had a bad feeling, and the crowd watching the wind-assisted home run couldn’t help but sigh. Some even grabbed the back of their necks, as if their blood pressure had spiked.

“That’s right! Lee, you’re doing great!”

“You’re the best! Destroy those bastards!”

In contrast, the visiting fans bravely shouted and rejoiced, even in the heart of enemy territory. Stadium security tightened their vigilance around them.

Admiring their courage, Lee Jung-woo, returning to home plate, waved slightly towards them and looked around the field.

‘Still intact. The crowd seems mentally deflated, but the players are the same.’

Dogs, cows, horses, chickens, and so on.

Unlike the audience, who were calling themselves all sorts of animals.

The Red Sox players were still serious. No, they seemed even more focused.

‘We’re fighting for the championship belt; they wouldn’t think their necks would easily break from just one setback.’

It seemed the game wouldn’t be as easy as I thought, but that wasn’t necessarily bad.

Seeing the opposing team’s desperation, I realized this was truly the final battle.

‘Good, let’s go all the way.’

Thanks to the opponent’s intensity, my mind, which had been a bit dazed by the sudden home run, was re-sharpened. I focused even more intently than before.

####

The game progressed quickly.

The Braves didn’t want to relinquish the lead they had taken, and the Red Sox didn’t want their season to end in vain.

The players from both teams clashed like angry wild dogs.

[Hit! It’s a hit! A timely RBI hit! The Red Sox are closing in by one point!]

[In situations like this, even one point is very precious.]

The Braves’ starting pitcher for Game 4 was their ace, Mason, who had troubled them in Game 1. But they attacked him more fiercely than expected, and in the bottom of the 2nd inning, they allowed a run.

After that, in the top of the 3rd inning, the Braves scored another point, making the score 3 to 1.

[Strike! Out! Mason Roper! He gave up a hit and erased the bottom of the 3rd inning!]

[Cliff Kramer! He’s throwing with all his might as if he won’t allow any more runs! The top of the 4th inning ends with a three-up, three-down!]

After that, the pitchers from both teams desperately threw the ball and desperately defended, so unlike the early scoring burst, the middle of the game flowed more calmly than expected.

In the top of the 5th inning, the Braves once again broke the stalemate.

The catalyst was Lee Jung-woo again.

‘Intense, intense.’

One out. After Derek, the lead runner, was out, Lee Jung-woo, who was up next, clicked his tongue at the sight of the Red Sox’s focused defense.

People stared at him relentlessly, as if he were a prime target, observing his every move.

I even thought about suing them for harassment, but ignoring it, he went to the plate and met the eyes of the pitcher, who was looking at him with even more intensity.

[Batter number 2, Jung-woo Lee, has 1 hit, 1 home run, and 2 RBIs in 2 at-bats in this game. He’s the main reason for their first run.]

[As always.]

Two eyes full of determination.

His will to not be easily defeated this time was palpable.

[Pitcher winds up!]

‘Fastball. Let’s just deflect it slightly.’

Light contact. Lee Jung-woo, who barely touched the ball with his bat, threw the bat away and ran out without feeling much impact in his hands.

The batted ball, which drifted slightly to the left, passed over the left fielder’s head, and by the time the left fielder, who failed to catch the ball initially, recovered it, he had already reached second base.

The pitcher’s mood soured, having allowed another hit despite his resolve. He was frustrated with Lee Jung-woo, who was slowly widening the lead again, just like in the first game.

‘Joey’s batting sense isn’t bad today either. Let’s draw as much attention as possible.’

His actions, deliberately positioning himself in the pitcher’s peripheral vision, made the pitcher pay close attention, even glancing at second base.

The catcher shouted at the pitcher to focus on the game in a textbook manner. But his eyes were also drawn to second base.

Since he had already been tricked once, he couldn’t easily ignore it, even while telling the pitcher to concentrate.

And that was the misstep.

[He hit it! Joey Freeman!]

The pitcher, who barely looked at the batter again but still had half of his concentration directed to second base, finally snapped back to reality at the sharp sound of the hit.

But it was already too late.

‘Enough.’

Lee Jung-woo happily trotted home at the sight of the batted ball hitting the Green Monster [the nickname for the 37-foot-high left-field wall at Fenway Park]. After that, they scored another point in the inning, and the score widened to 5 to 1.

[If this happens… it will be very difficult for the Red Sox.]

[Yes, considering the Braves’ starting pitcher today, this score is quite significant.]

A 4-point difference. Considering that today’s pitcher is Mason, it was a lead that would be difficult to overcome, and a sense of complacency began to creep into the players’ minds.

The World Series trophy flickered before their eyes. Lee Jung-woo also vaguely imagined the moment of victory.

The commentators also suggested that victory was leaning heavily towards the Braves. But as if to tell them to put such thoughts aside, the Red Sox’s counterattack began.

[Hit! It’s a hit! The Red Sox are closing in by one more point!]

Ironically, the atmosphere changed rapidly immediately after the Braves’ additional score.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, the Red Sox immediately responded with 2 points, narrowing the gap. The Braves also launched a counterattack.

Despite three hits during the inning, including one by Lee Jung-woo, the atmosphere rapidly cooled as they failed to score due to a double play and a subsequent strikeout.

‘This… if I make a mistake, it’s a bit dangerous. I have to stop the bleeding here.’

In the end, Lee Jung-woo, who didn’t return home and was stranded at third base, returned to the dugout with a bitter expression and scanned the field.

For some reason, he had a bad feeling.

The opponent’s momentum was rising, but conversely, their momentum was slowing down.

If they were caught here, the flow of the game itself could be handed over to the opponent.

“Originally, opportunity comes after a crisis! Let’s go for a comeback right away!”

“You’re doing well! Just a little more!”

Perhaps the audience sensed it too; they encouraged the players with positive reinforcement instead of criticism, even though they were still 2 points behind. The Braves raised their intensity again amidst the cheers heard here and there. But like the previous chase, the comeback was also faster than expected.

[It’s going! It’s going! To the left fence – to the left fence! It goes over! Huey Morris! He saves the Red Sox from the abyss!]

The sound of the bat connecting felt a little different from the home run in the first inning. At that time, the batter seemed a little unsure, but this time, it was a definite hit.

The crowd stood up at the massive home run that sailed over the Green Monster. An indescribable roar erupted, so loud that it hurt their ears.

The score was now 6 to 5.

In contrast to the Red Sox’s revived momentum, Lee Jung-woo unknowingly wiped his face, noticing the atmosphere of his teammates, which was on the verge of collapsing.

‘It’s not easy.’

As he had feared most, the Braves’ advantage, which they had held from the start of the game, was now shifting to the opponent.

####

“Come on, everyone, wake up! The game isn’t over yet! Are you not going to win? Do you want to hold the trophy at home?”

Immediately after the inning ended, Derek ran around the dugout, encouraging the players.

Thanks to his efforts, the atmosphere that had plummeted revived again. The will to retake the lead burned fiercely.

“Lee, can you hit one more?”

“I can do it easily.”

“Okay, I’ll try to get on base somehow, so you finish it off.”

In the top of the 7th inning, which they faced with renewed determination, the batting order started from number 7, and the first two batters were both retired with ground balls, creating two outs in an instant.

The desire to win that had risen again seemed to be extinguished, but

[Hit! It’s a hit! A clean hit that splits the left-center!]

Batter number 9, Schultz, who was playing right field today instead of Joey, who was the designated hitter, rekindled the fire.

[The batter stopped his swing, and the judgment is – Ball! Derek Hunt walks to first base again with a base on balls!]

After that, Derek also kept his word and walked to first base. The Braves fans felt as if their throats were getting parched.

‘Calmly. Just focus on tying the game.’

Ignoring the pitying looks, he arrived at the batter’s box. Lee Jung-woo adjusted his bat grip and prepared to hit.

The teammates who were already on base clenched their fists while looking at him.

Everyone was nervous.

But the time dragged on a bit.

‘Do they not agree?’

The pitcher didn’t throw the first pitch. The catcher also didn’t say anything special. There was no chatter that had been directed at him in the previous at-bat.

I had a bad feeling.

‘Could it be…’

The pitcher took his foot off the pitching plate. The catcher also got up from his seat. He glared as if telling him to get lost.

[Ah… the Red Sox are creating a full base by intentionally walking Lee.]

“Good job! This is better!”

“Since it’s two outs anyway, it’s right to take one out from a weaker guy.”

Even though a full base was created, the Red Sox fans seemed happy. Considering that Joey, the next batter, had shown a fairly good batting sense in this game, it was even more ironic.

But as much as Lee Jung-woo was a threat to the Red Sox, they nodded their heads, saying it was the right decision.

Lee Jung-woo exhaled, feeling empty after seeing that.

It was something he had experienced almost throughout the regular season, and he had faced it a lot from the Dodgers in the postseason. But it was still frustrating.

The fact that their choice was strategically sound made him even more annoyed.

[He hit it! A high fly ball! But – the center fielder catches it with his back to the fence. Three outs! The Red Sox still maintain the lead with a score of 6 to 5.]

The top of the 7th inning ended as it was.

The Red Sox fans, whose hearts had fluttered for a moment because it was a fairly deep hit, finally sighed in relief at the sight of the ball landing in the glove.

“You guys are nothing without that kid!”

“Is all you guys can do is rely on a young kid?”

Perhaps because their minds were at ease, the quiet stadium became noisy again. Taunting sounds were occasionally heard towards the Braves players returning to the dugout.

It was a word that touched their pride, so it would be unpleasant for them as players, but ridiculously, the people involved admitted it coolly.

“Of course, of course, we’re really good at relying on a young kid.”

“He’s also a Brave, but I don’t know why you keep trying to exclude him.”

“Lee, I’ll make a full base for you, so warm up. Let’s see if they’ll walk you even on a full base.”

Despite the disappointing moment, the Braves’ momentum was gradually reviving.

‘Somehow, create the best situation possible and set it up in front of Lee Jung-woo.’

The Braves’ own strategy, which they had personally felt and learned during the regular season, came to mind again thanks to the cleanly emptied head that had been complicated by the weight of the World Series.

“Just once. Once is enough.”

And Lee Jung-woo just nodded his head because he was familiar with it.

While not being able to swing the bat, he clenched it tightly so as not to lose the strength remaining in his hand.

####

The game was heading towards the end.

After the bottom of the 7th inning passed quickly. The famous song flowed through Fenway Park.

“Sweet Caroline~”

“Bap! Bap! Bah!”

“Good times never seemed so good.”

“So good! so good! so good!”

The audience shouted at the top of their lungs, hoping that this would be a song of victory. Perhaps that wish was being fulfilled. The Braves’ attack in the top of the 8th inning was thwarted a little more easily than in the previous inning.

[Strike out!]

Three up, three down. As the opponent’s attack was thwarted, excitement swirled around the stadium.

Since the opponent’s last attack was the bottom of the order, they felt a sense of relief that the first win was almost over.

[The center fielder caught it! Three outs! As the attack in the bottom of the 8th inning ends. The top of the 9th inning, which may be the Braves’ last in this game, begins.]

Although they didn’t score any additional points, the opposing batting line was 7, 8, and 9, so they felt a sense of relief for some reason.

Facing them, the Braves performed what they did best.

[Seventh batter, Michael Lipton. He has one hit in this game.]

[He’s not much of a hitter, but he occasionally shows a good hit, right?]

[One strike, one ball. The pitcher throws the third pitch – a bunt! Michael Lipton lays down a surprise bunt! The third baseman fields it and throws to first – Safe! He’s safe!]

First, seventh batter Michael Lipton reached first base with a surprise bunt, recording an infield hit.

Then Rollins, who came up next, swung at the first pitch, seemingly with his eyes closed, and got a hit.

As the situation unfolded, the cheerful atmosphere gradually subsided, and the faces that had been flushed red turned pale.

“No way… Ah, no way.”

“Right? This isn’t – this isn’t happening.”

Soon, ninth batter Schultz was out, and one out was recorded, but there was nothing more.

“Pitcher change!”

The Red Sox, having already faced three batters, immediately changed the pitcher to prevent the worst-case scenario.

[Derek Hunt! A clean hit that splits the left-center field!]

The result was Derek’s single to left field.

The left fielder ran in quickly and caught it, preventing the tying run, but few people were happy about just that.

Because it was really happening.

[Game 4 of the World Series held at Fenway Park! Top of the 9th inning, one out, bases loaded! Second batter, Jungwoo Lee! Steps up to the plate!]

[5 plate appearances, 4 at-bats, 3 hits, 1 walk, 1 home run. In the worst situation, the most dangerous batter has come up.]

The nightmare they had feared was coming true.

With each step towards the plate, thousands of eyes followed him.

Among the spectators, some occasionally showed symptoms of acute dyspnea [shortness of breath], and the pitcher’s face also paled in shock.

‘It’s here. Just one chance.’

In the silence where no one dared to open their mouths, Lee Jungwoo entered the batter’s box without bloodshed, and the catcher’s eyes shook violently as he looked at him.

It was a kind of zugzwang [a situation where any move will worsen the player’s position].

The current situation was.

Even if they allowed an equalizer by walking him, if Joey hit a long hit like in the previous inning, it would now be one out, so they would be reversed with a sacrifice fly.

But they didn’t have the courage to face him.

The pitcher sent a pitiful look to the bench, but they didn’t have a solution either, so there was no answer.

Except for Lee Jungwoo’s intensely glaring eyes.

“Ball.”

Even as they agonized, time continued to flow, and the time limit was exhausted, so a ball was automatically called. The pitcher, who finally came to his senses, took his stance, but he still couldn’t throw the ball.

In the end, the tearful pitcher threw a pitch that wasn’t a pitch, and the ball, thrown with all his might in a situation where one ball had already been called, cut through the air.

“Foul!”

[This is – almost a home run.]

[The batted ball goes outside the foul pole at the last moment.]

A destructive batting sound erupted, as if breaking even the last bit of courage.

‘The follow-through was slightly disrupted. That’s why it went off course. I need to readjust the angle as well. The impact is sufficient, but I need to hit it a little harder considering the distance.’

While the pitcher’s eyes lost their vitality, Lee Jungwoo buried his disappointment and readjusted his stance.

‘Come on.’

The excessively heightened concentration made his ears ring, and in the quiet silence, Lee Jungwoo looked at the pitcher.

The pitcher was trying to maintain a poker face, but he couldn’t hide the constantly changing gaze.

Sensing the anxiety within, Lee Jungwoo predicted the course.

‘If he’s going to compete, it’ll be outside. If he’s going to run away, it’ll be low.’

The pitcher took his stance.

Following that movement, Lee Jungwoo inhaled.

‘Fastball, the course is…’

The moment the hand leaving the glove released the ball, the seams were clearly visible. The grip holding it was also visible.

‘Low.’

He exhaled sharply.

Clearly, there was no sensation in the bat, but the ball was flying far away on its own.

The unique sound of a home run, “Ppaak-“, wasn’t heard, but he knew. The result of that.

Normally, he would have thrown the bat and walked to first base, but now he just wanted to keep watching the end of that batted ball.

Perhaps the others felt the same way. Everyone was watching the batted ball with the same expression.

How far will it go?

The ball, flying endlessly high into the sky like a plane taking off, gradually became fainter.

It was slightly obscured by the dazzling lights, but after a little time, it became clear again.

Because it had escaped the light of the lighting tower.

‘Ah…’

Lee Jungwoo, who had been blankly watching the ball, let out a soft exclamation.

He wanted to see the end of it.

But he couldn’t see it after all.

The ball that had passed the lights soon disappeared into the night sky.

[……!]

“……! …!”

Urged by the umpire’s gestures, Lee Jungwoo moved his steps intermittently, looking around like a country bumpkin who had come to the city.

People were looking at him. Judging from the movement of their mouths, it seemed like they were saying something, but strangely, he couldn’t hear them well.

The teammates in the dugout also seemed to be saying something, but his ears were still ringing.

“……Aaaaaah!”

“You crazy bastard! You lovely son of a bitch!”

“This – no, in the World Series! And even in someone else’s home turf -”

Passing each base. As he stepped on home base, his ears opened again.

So they were cheering.

Lee Jungwoo finally chuckled at the incomprehensible words of those who had arrived first.

He high-fived each of them and glanced around the stadium. Until just now, it had been full of curses, but now it was a little different.

“Yeah! I knew it would be like this, damn it!”

“Amazing! You son of a bitch!”

“It’s better to lose like this than to lose! I really like it! You bastard!”

“Damn 멋졌어! [meotjyeosseo – Korean for ‘You were awesome!’] You son of a bitch!”

They were still making dissatisfied expressions, but instead of spewing out curses filled with such feelings, the spectators stood up and applauded.

No, it was like they were cursing, but the nuance was just a little different.

A grand slam. A World Series comeback, an outside-the-park home run. If each of them were taken separately, curses full of anger would have erupted for sure.

But because they were all combined, they were just a little empty, and anger didn’t surge.

Although he wasn’t my player, nor my beloved player, nor a very likable player. But instead, he was a great player.

Lee Jungwoo, who had scanned the people sending applause to him with such a heart, slightly bowed his head. Perhaps it was because they liked his polite appearance, the applause continued until he returned to the dugout.

####

Even in the standing ovation that recognized him, Lee Jungwoo did what he had to do.

That was so hateful, yet on the other hand, it was pleasing.

Because losing to such a ruthless guy would be less regrettable.

‘Catch it and throw it to first base right away.’

Lee Jungwoo, who had carefully caught the rolling batted ball, threw the ball with a motion he had done thousands of times. Watching the slowly flying, or rather, the ball that seemed to be flying slowly, Lee Jungwoo thought.

‘It’s over.’

[Lee catches it and throws to first base-]

First baseman Peterson’s glove gently wrapped the ball. The runner forcibly stretched his foot, but the first base umpire’s hand was already raised.

[Out! The game! Ends with the Braves’ victory! And with a series score of 4 to 0! The Braves! Ascend to the throne of the World Series after 40 years!]

The last moment of re-reversal that the home fans had expected did not happen.

The winner of the World Series, that magnificent stage, was decided.

“Uwaaaaaaaa!”

“I, I’m in the World Series-”

“Lee! Come here! There are no more games now, so let’s lift you up just once!”

“Hold him gently, gently! He has to play next year too, so do it gently!”

Unlike the Red Sox, who were walking to the dugout, swallowing their defeat in their own way, either frustrated, desperate, or swallowing tears, the Braves players ran out onto the field instead.

Although this was Fenway Park, and they had trampled on their dreams. At least the winner of the World Series had the right to rejoice in victory anytime, anywhere.

The players who ran out rushed to Lee Jungwoo.

Lee Jungwoo, who was caught by them, also smiled brightly while being forcibly tossed into the air.

“The Braves – really won – won!”

“I – I’ll remember this forever! This moment – I’ll remember it forever!”

Watching it from the distant stands, the spectators who had followed them to the distant expedition gradually reddened their eyes, and quite a few people were actually wiping away tears beyond that level.

40 years. In front of the victory after such a long time, no matter how strong an adult was, they couldn’t control their emotions.

[2035! In the World Series! A new champion is born!]

After the colorful celebratory fireworks and joy that decorated the sky passed. The ground was quickly cleared, and when the huge World Series championship trophy entered the space emptied for the winner. Lee Jungwoo suddenly put his hand on his chest while looking at the sparkling trophy.

Is this the final victory? Is this how it feels to be the last winner?

He felt an emotion that couldn’t be expressed in words of joy. And the lingering feeling still remains. Honestly, his eyes were a little red too. But…

‘Why is it lacking.’

That thought was valid until the trophy reached his eyes.

A strange thirst still remained even when he saw the trophy.

“What are you doing? Grab it.”

“Where’s the captain?”

“I’ve already held it. That’s what’s good about being the captain. Haha, I guess winning the World Series is different. Seeing you so dazed, Lee.”

“Ah…”

“Come on, grab it quickly. It’s practically yours anyway.”

At Derek’s urging, Lee Jungwoo looked at the trophy without a word.

It looked quite big even in the photos. But seeing it in person, the size was definitely different.

As if telling the glory and weight of the stage called the World Series.

He hesitated for a moment. Can I hold it with this mindset? The thought that it’s still lacking lingers in my head, but if I hold this, will it be filled?

“We wonnnnnnnnn!”

“Lee, congratulations on the MVP Triple Crown! Keep up the good work in the future!”

“Lee! Lift it up quickly! And tell us you’ll do it again next time!”

“What’s next time! You have to win about ten times! Lee, you’re going to surpass Yogi Berra [a famous baseball player]! Of course, as a member of the Braves!”

When he hesitated without readily picking it up. The voices of fans were heard far away.

They were still there, cheering. And they were also shouting ‘More, more!’

Winning after 40 years. Their long-awaited wish has been fulfilled, so they must be extremely happy.

Only then did Lee Jungwoo realize.

‘Yeah, it’s natural to be lacking.’

Lee Jungwoo chuckled and picked up the trophy, and the hand that lifted the trophy at the urging of his teammates was quite confident, unlike the previous hesitation.

‘Because it’s just the beginning.’

Unlike its large appearance, the trophy was lighter than expected.

Enough to hold a few more.