Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 121

The Mound’s Villain – 121

Mound’s Villain 121

[Jung Ha-sung! Sets a New Major League Record!]

[Jung Ha-sung Records 62 Consecutive Innings of Shutout Pitching!]

[Jung Ha-sung Makes History! Eyes on a Second Consecutive Cy Young Award!]

[Where is His Limit? A Special Report on Jung Ha-sung!]

Articles about Ha-sung flooded the media.

Even though it was only the end of May, Ha-sung’s performance was so dominant that the Cy Young Award was already a hot topic.

Ha-sung entered June with a stellar record of 3 wins, 0 losses, and a 0.00 ERA in 9 games throughout May.

Ha-sung’s first appearance in June was an interleague game.

[The 2010 Interleague play has begun. KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) fans may be unfamiliar with this interleague concept. Could you briefly explain it?]

[Major League Baseball consists of the American League and the National League. Normally, teams in these two leagues don’t compete against each other during the regular season. However, from June to July, during interleague play, teams from both leagues face off.]

[In simple terms, it’s like an exchange series.]

Today’s game was held at Oracle Park, the home stadium of the San Francisco Giants.

[The rivalry between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics is always a great storyline, right?]

[That’s right. It’s a rivalry with a rich history. Their home cities are connected by the Bay Bridge. It’s even called the Bay Bridge Series, named after the bridge.]

While the commentators were sharing these insights,

Ha-sung was intently watching a player from the dugout.

‘Was that guy called up this year?’

The player he was observing was a young man wearing a catcher’s mask.

At that moment, Arnold approached Ha-sung and inquired,

“What are you looking at so intently?”

Instead of answering directly, Ha-sung gestured with his chin towards the catcher.

“Ah, Posey? The Giants seem to have high hopes for him. Like you, he debuted in the minors last year, and he’s already made it to the majors this year.”

“Impressive. He’s going to be even more impressive in the future.”

“You think so too?”

Who is Buster Posey?

One of the most iconic catchers of the 2010s.

As a franchise cornerstone for the Giants, he was an exceptional catcher from the very beginning, winning the Rookie of the Year (ROY) award upon his debut and consistently delivering outstanding performances.

Although injuries shortened his career, he established himself as a dominant catcher of his era.

“He’s a good hitter and a catcher.”

“Oh, if that’s your assessment, it won’t be an easy matchup?”

A showdown with Buster Posey.

Ha-sung smiled.

His competitive spirit ignited.

* * *

[The Athletics had a runner in scoring position in the first inning, but they failed to capitalize.]

[It’s a missed opportunity, but it’s still early in the game, so it’s not a major setback.]

[Jung Ha-sung is on the mound for the Athletics. He has set a new record by pitching 62 consecutive scoreless innings. It’s fascinating to see how far he can extend this streak.]

The camera focused on Ha-sung practicing his pitches on the mound.

Even in the United States, there was immense curiosity about the duration of his scoreless streak.

[Jung Ha-sung is now facing the Giants’ Buster Posey. He’s a highly touted rookie who joined the Giants this season and is batting first today.]

[Considering he’s a catcher, it’s an unconventional spot in the batting order, but it reflects Buster Posey’s exceptional hitting ability.]

[He had a phenomenal performance in the minor leagues last year, didn’t he?]

[To say he had no rivals would be an understatement. He’s continued his strong performance since his major league debut, living up to the Giants’ expectations.]

Buster Posey was a rare type of catcher who possessed surprising speed.

‘It must be because he’s still young. His speed diminished after the injury.’

Because he was such a prominent player, Ha-sung had access to scouting reports and data about him.

‘I need to be cautious.’

Ha-sung approached his at-bat against Posey with heightened awareness.

[Jung Ha-sung delivers the first pitch.]

“Strike!”

[A four-seam fastball that nips the outside corner at the knees, called a strike. The velocity was 100 miles per hour!]

[He’s effortlessly hitting 100 mph again today.]

[Every time I see it, I’m amazed.]

Ha-sung threw a slider on the second pitch, trying to entice Posey to swing.

Whack!

“Ball!”

[He holds up! Posey doesn’t bite on the slider!]

[Good eye. He’s a rookie, but his poise is remarkable.]

The count is one ball and one strike.

Trevor called for another four-seam fastball without hesitation.

‘He’s a rookie; he won’t be able to catch up to your fastball.’

Ha-sung had similar thoughts.

Even with experience in the minor leagues, it’s challenging to react to a 100-mph fastball.

It’s a different story if the pitcher has exceptional control and movement.

‘He’ll be a great hitter in the future, but he’s still a rookie.’

Ha-sung began his windup.

[He throws the third pitch!]

Whoosh-!

The ball, released with maximum effort, hurtled towards Posey.

Swoosh!!

Almost simultaneously, Posey unleashed his swing.

Clang!!

The bat connected squarely with the ball, sending it soaring.

The well-struck ball headed towards left field.

[Well-hit! It lands just inside the foul line!]

[Ah-! This is going to be an extra-base hit! The ball is traveling to the deepest part of left field!]

[Posey will easily reach second base.]

It was undoubtedly a double.

But then, Buster Posey made a daring decision.

Tap!

[Ah-! Posey! He accelerates past second base!]

Buster Posey was attempting to steal third base.

The Athletics’ left fielder, Ryan, caught off guard, made a late throw.

A close play.

Posey dove headfirst, reaching out to touch the base.

Whoosh-!

“Safe!!”

[Safe! Buster Posey steals his first triple against Jung Ha-sung!]

[Ah~ Left fielder Ryan made a somewhat casual play.]

[The throw was late, wasn’t it?]

[That’s right. Perhaps he underestimated Buster Posey’s speed because he’s a catcher, resulting in the delayed throw to third base.]

It was a risky play, but once the runner was on third, there was no turning back.

‘Well, this is baseball.’

Risky plays are part of the game.

Dwelling on every little thing would prevent you from playing properly.

Knowing this, Ha-sung calmly faced the next batter.

And when he threw the third pitch…

Crack-!!

[The ball is hit high into the air!!]

[Ah~ It looks like the runner on third will score.]

Thud!

[Caught! And Buster Posey is rushing towards home!]

Posey, having an easy time, clenched his fist as he reached home plate.

[Jung Ha-sung’s scoreless streak ends at 62 innings!]

[Well done! You’ve already set a new Major League record, so there’s no need to feel bad!]

[That’s right! It was a record that was bound to be broken someday!]

A starting pitcher couldn’t go the entire season without allowing a run.

Rather, it was a miracle that he had set a scoreless record for 62 innings.

Ha-sung didn’t dwell on it much either.

‘It’s a miracle I even got this far.’

In fact, he never dreamed he would achieve a 62-inning scoreless streak.

‘I don’t think these guys feel the same way, though.’

Ha-sung looked at manager Tony and Trevor, who came to the mound.

“Ha-sung, don’t worry too much.”

Trevor started with that consolation.

“Yeah. You’ve already set a Major League record. There’s no need to worry about it being broken here.”

Even Tony.

They were busy consoling him.

He knew why they were acting like this.

There were many cases where players achieving great records would suddenly falter when those records were broken.

‘Achieving a record means the player’s concentration is that much higher.’

The goal disappears, and concentration breaks down in an instant.

That’s why sudden declines in performance often occur.

But that was only in general cases.

“You don’t have to worry too much. I figured it was a record that would be broken eventually.”

“Re… Really?”

“That’s right. The season is still long! So, there’s nothing to worry about!”

Until the end, the two reassured Ha-sung and left the mound.

Left alone, Ha-sung rubbed rosin [a sticky substance used by pitchers for grip] on his hands and glared at the next batter.

‘As the manager said, the season is long. If I falter because of giving up one run, I don’t deserve to be an ace.’

Ha-sung, standing on the pitcher’s plate, lowered his upper body and exchanged signs with Trevor.

[Jung Ha-sung allows his first run of the season! What kind of pitching will he show now? They’ve exchanged signs!]

Ha-sung heightened his concentration.

“Hoo…….”

As he exhaled, the surrounding scenery seemed to darken.

Ha-sung, having regained his previous level of focus, wound up and threw the ball.

[He throws!]

Whoosh-!!

The ball, leaving his hand, hurtled towards the batter with fierce speed.

‘Got him!’

The batter swung the bat with all his might.

The pitch thrown immediately after a record is broken would be the one he is most confident in.

The batter thought so and swung, aiming for a fastball.

But.

Poof!

The ball seemed to stop in mid-air, perfectly throwing off the batter’s swing and timing.

Whoosh!

Thwack!

“Swing! Strike!”

[The batter swings and misses the first-pitch changeup!]

[Ah~ Jung Ha-sung! He cleverly chose a changeup.]

[Everyone was expecting him to throw a fastball, of course.]

[It’s natural to use your best pitch in a moment of crisis. There’s nothing strange about thinking that way. But Jung Ha-sung went one step further and caught him off guard.]

[You’re saying he predicted that the batter would be expecting a fastball and threw a changeup.]

[That’s right!]

[He’s showing calm pitching even in this moment.]

[You have to be even more calm in times like this. You can really feel that Jung Ha-sung is a pitcher to the bone.]

Amidst the commentators’ praise.

Ha-sung threw the second pitch.

Whoosh-!!

Pow!

“Strike! Two!!”

[This time, a 101-mph fastball blazes past the batter!]

[A 101-mph fastball after a changeup! From the batter’s perspective, it must have felt like 101 miles, or even 107 miles or more.]

[You’re saying that the perceived speed would have felt even faster because he had just seen a slow ball?]

[Exactly!]

[Jung Ha-sung continues to pitch calmly even after his record was broken! What kind of ball will he throw for the third pitch? He winds up and throws!]

The ball, leaving Ha-sung’s hand, flew towards the batter.

The batter flinched and leaned back, instinctively pulling away from the ball flying towards him.

At that moment.

The ball drew a large arc, passed through the strike zone, and went straight into the catcher’s mitt.

Pow!

“Strike! Batter Out!!”

The batter traced the trajectory of the ball with his bat, looking bewildered.

“Damn…… How am I supposed to hit that?”

And he muttered something inaudible on the broadcast and returned to the dugout, shaking his head.

[Jung Ha-sung gets the first out with a three-pitch strikeout after giving up a run! Amazing!]

[He perfectly controlled the batter with a combination of changeups, fastballs, and sliders that he mainly throws!]

[The ball distribution was excellent, but wasn’t the slider he threw at the end really something?]

[If a slider comes in with that kind of trajectory, the batter can’t help but think it’s going to hit him!]

[Although the record has been broken, Jung Ha-sung’s untouchable pitching continues!]

The end of the 62-inning scoreless streak.

But Ha-sung didn’t waver.

As if it didn’t matter, Ha-sung continued his strong pitching.