Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 114

Mound Villain – Episode 114

Consecutive scoreless innings record.

This is a record of innings pitched by a pitcher without allowing any runs.

The top spot was held by LA Dodgers legend Orel Hershiser.

He set a new record in this category in 1988 with 59 scoreless innings.

Second place was Don Drysdale with 58 innings in 1968.

Third place was Walter Johnson, nicknamed “The Big Train,” with 55.2 innings in 1913.

[Jung Ha-sung is currently on a 42-inning scoreless streak and is once again challenging a Major League record.]

[That’s right. The next closest record is 7th place with 45 innings. If he pitches three more scoreless innings, he’ll add his name to the history books.]

[Isn’t the closest record 10th place?]

[Ah, there are a total of three pitchers who have recorded 45 consecutive scoreless innings in Major League Baseball.]

[Ah, so it’s tied for 7th place. Who are those three players?]

[Sal Maglie in 1950, Doc White in 1904, and the legendary Cy Young also recorded 45 innings in 1904.]

[So he’ll be standing shoulder to shoulder with a legendary pitcher.]

[That’s right. That’s why today’s game is so important.]

Ha-sung’s next start was scheduled for the second game against the Minnesota Twins.

[The Minnesota Twins have been on a really good run lately, haven’t they?]

[That’s right. They’re currently in first place in the American League Central Division, with a great record.]

[The hitter to watch out for is Joe Mauer, right?]

[Yes. Joe Mauer, who re-signed with the Twins for a whopping $184 million over eight years before his 10th season, is performing up to his salary.]

[Last season, he faced Jung Ha-sung a total of two times, but he didn’t get a hit.]

[Jung Ha-sung has the upper hand in their head-to-head record, but it’s important to be careful since they’re meeting as starters this time.]

[I see. I wonder if Jung Ha-sung will be able to continue his scoreless streak against the Minnesota Twins! Please look forward to this Wednesday!]

* * *

Ha-sung arrived at the stadium and focused on training as usual.

“Hoo! Hoo!!”

Ha-sung’s training routine hadn’t changed.

He starts with stretching, followed by cardio, and finishes with weight training and stretching.

The only difference was that the intensity had been lowered overall.

(If I train at the same intensity as now during the season, I could get injured. Even if I don’t get injured, my body will get tired, and I won’t be able to perform properly on the mound.)

He accepted the advice of the training staff and greatly reduced the intensity of his training.

The training intensity was enough to maintain his current condition, but to others, it was still a daunting amount and intensity.

“Hoo……”

Ha-sung was drenched in sweat after finishing all the training.

“Ha-sung, aren’t you overdoing it?”

“This is just taking it easy.”

“Huh… you’re really hard to figure out, both on the mound and off.”

Trevor, who was passing by, shook his head and began doing weighted squats with a barbell on his shoulders.

Ha-sung, who was watching him, said as he passed by.

“When you squat, spread your legs a little more so that your hip joint moves well.”

“Huh? But when I learned, they said it’s not good if the hip joint is too wide open?”

“That’s only if the purpose is to build big muscles. You’re a catcher who does a lot of sitting and standing, so it’s good to take a posture that allows your hip joint to move a lot even in normal times.”

General weight training and athlete-specific weight training are different.

The purpose of general weight training is to strengthen muscles in very small areas, but professional athletes have to strengthen various muscles.

So, of course, the training methods have to be different.

“If you sit comfortably with your legs spread as if you were catching, the muscles you use in real games will be naturally strengthened, which will be helpful.”

“That’s definitely true. Thanks.”

“I’ll support you, so give it a try.”

“Okay!”

Ha-sung supported Trevor from behind and helped him with his training for a while.

* * *

While Ha-sung was busy preparing for the game,

In Korea, the fallout from his performance was erupting.

[Assemblyman Lee Doo-yeon demands the Ministry of National Defense submit data on military service exemptions for arts and sports personnel!]

[Assemblyman Lee Doo-yeon declares that he will discuss whether military service exemption is appropriate for winning a gold medal at the Asian Games!]

[Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Kim said in a briefing, “We agree that it is easier for baseball to secure military service exemptions compared to other sports. We will discuss the military service exemption again!”]

The National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense began to review the related laws again.

The KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] also became anxious as the government began to move, not just the media talking about it.

“What on earth is going on? How did you proceed with the work to make the government step in?!”

“Public opinion is also very bad! National Assembly members are eager to attack to get votes!”

“What on earth is Director Lee Jin-cheol doing? Why did he handle the work that way?”

“Chairman! Say something if you have a mouth!”

The KBO conference room.

The president’s meeting, where the presidents of professional baseball teams were all gathered, was urgently convened.

It was very rare for a president’s meeting to be held during the season.

That meant that KBO was also taking the issue related to this military service exemption very seriously.

The technical committee chairman was also included in this meeting.

That would not be possible under normal circumstances.

The technical committee chairman was in a high position, but the presidents were in a higher position.

In their eyes, the technical committee chairman was just an employee.

“I’m sorry……”

And the chairman also bowed his head thoroughly from the position of the weak.

“Apologies are not necessary! What are you going to do about this?!”

“If the military service exemption law is changed by any chance! How are you going to take responsibility for the departure of players as a result?!”

The chairman wiped the cold sweat flowing down his face and answered with difficulty.

“We will do our best to ensure that the things that the presidents are worried about do not happen.”

“Haha, Chairman.”

“Yes, President.”

“I hope Director Lee Jin-cheol will show that he is taking responsibility on his own.”

The chairman swallowed hard at the president’s words.

The meaning of those words was not dismissal, but to show that he was taking responsibility by resigning.

“And I hope he will publicly apologize because the people have been hurt a lot.”

He also wanted a press conference.

Lee Jin-cheol was also his guy, so he hesitated for a moment, but there was no way now.

“I understand.”

“Well, presidents. Let’s move on from this and go play golf.”

“Ahem! Is this a problem that can be passed over like this?”

“That’s right. We will apply a penalty in the next round.”

“Haha! Of course. This is disadvantageous for me, but I can’t help it because it’s my employee’s mistake.”

The conference room was soon filled with laughter.

* * *

First game against the Minnesota Twins.

Ha-sung was watching the game from the dugout.

‘Joe Mauer, you’re still scary.’

The MVP of the first game was Joe Mauer.

He continued his outstanding performance by hitting 3 for 3.

It was the first game that showed why Minnesota, one of the small-market teams, spent money to acquire him.

‘But his slugging power has decreased a lot.’

While others were admiring Joe Mauer’s hitting skills,

Ha-sung was finding his weaknesses.

‘Joe Mauer received a lot of expectations, but he didn’t perform as well as his salary for various reasons, and that starts this year.’

I couldn’t remember the detailed results.

But one thing.

I remembered that Joe Mauer’s slugging power had decreased significantly.

‘There’s no need to be afraid of a head-on match.’

Currently, the media is saying that Ha-sung should be careful of Joe Mauer’s slugging power.

It was natural.

He was such a great slugger that he recorded 28 home runs and a slugging percentage of .587 in the 2009 season.

However, Ha-sung knew that his slugging power would decrease from this year, so it wasn’t a big concern.

‘Whatever it is, we lost today’s game too.’

At the end of the 8th inning, the Twins were leading the game 7 to 2.

‘With the team’s current batting, there’s no way to come back.’

It was as Ha-sung thought, who had given up hope.

The Athletics lost the first game without seizing the opportunity to come back.

* * *

By losing the game against the Twins, the Athletics’ gap with 4th place narrowed.

The fans showed a somewhat tired appearance at the Athletics’ batting line, which did not show any signs of rebounding.

“Ha… I’m sure the offense will be shut down again today, so it’s frustrating.”

“I don’t know what Chris is doing. He doesn’t bring in the right guys.”

“I agree. Ha-sung is pitching today, but how can we win without scoring?”

Despite these complaints, today’s game was almost sold out.

It was understandable.

It was the day when Major League’s rising star, Jung Ha-sung, was pitching.

‘It’s not sold out.’

But a shocking thing happened to Chris.

The Oakland residents have been selling out every time Ha-sung pitches.

But today’s game was not sold out.

‘Is the silence of the batting line starting to have an effect?’

Ha-sung’s performance was all-time.

It was no exaggeration to say that he was rewriting Major League history.

But since the batting line didn’t follow, the fans were slowly getting tired.

‘It’s not a big number yet, but it’s not good to have these empty seats. We have to find a way somehow.’

While his worries were deepening,

Chris’s gaze turned to the mound.

Bang!

“Waaaa!”

“His condition is the best today too!”

There, Ha-sung was practicing pitching.

‘He must be under the most stress in the current situation. The ball is no different from before.’

In this situation, most pitchers have no choice but to have their mentality shaken.

Especially if they are rookies, not veterans.

But Ha-sung didn’t show any of that.

‘He’s a mysterious guy.’

While looking at him, Chris was able to regain his composure.

Now, a second-year player is showing that kind of appearance, so he, who has been playing baseball for decades, couldn’t be shaken.

‘I’ll find a way somehow.’

While Chris was regaining his composure,

Tony, the manager, approached Ha-sung, who had finished practicing pitching.

“It’s a terrifying ball today too.”

“Thank you.”

“As you know, the team’s situation is not very good. If we lose today’s game, we will fall to 4th place.”

Originally, Tony’s personality is not the type to say these things.

Nevertheless, telling this story meant that he trusted and relied on Ha-sung that much.

“I’ll try to prevent that as much as possible.”

“Okay. I’ll trust you.”

Tony, who patted Ha-sung on the shoulder, went down the mound.

Ha-sung, who was left alone on the mound, put rosin on his hands and looked at the audience seats.

‘There are some empty seats here and there. Surely the fans are tired, and it’s time for them to lose interest.’

The situation was not good.

It was like being cornered in a dead end.

‘These are the moments when I can shine.’

Ha-sung rather enjoyed the moment now.

Now is the time when he can shine the most.

‘I’ll get all the spotlight.’

Ha-sung, who received the ball back, stepped on the pitcher’s plate.

The batter walked into the batter’s box, followed by the umpire’s hand going up.

“Play ball!!”

Ha-sung’s 6th start of the season began.