Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 145

Villain on the Mound - 145

Villain on the Mound – Episode 145

In baseball, the most difficult record for a pitcher to achieve is undoubtedly a perfect game. This means allowing no hits or walks.

Furthermore, any errors that allow a player to reach base also ruin a perfect game.

In other words, the moment someone reaches first base, the chance for a perfect game is over.

The next most difficult record is a no-hitter.

[The definition of a no-hitter differs slightly between Korean and American baseball. In Korea, the pitcher must be the winning pitcher and complete the entire game to be credited with a no-hitter.]

[Is it different in the US?]

[Yes. It’s recognized even if the pitcher loses, as long as no hits are allowed. And even if the pitcher is replaced, it’s still recognized as a no-hitter if the subsequent pitchers don’t allow any hits.]

[Oh… so, it’s recognized as a team no-hitter?]

[That’s right. This is different from Korea, where it’s an unofficial record unless one pitcher completes it.]

The Major League has hundreds of no-hitter records.

The reason there are so many is due to the slightly more lenient rules compared to Korea.

[But I don’t think there are many individual no-hitters like Jung Ha-sung’s.]

[That’s right. It’s as difficult as a perfect game, so many pitchers fail to achieve it.]

[Jung Ha-sung already achieved a perfect game this season. If he achieves a no-hitter in today’s game, he will have achieved both a perfect game and a no-hitter in one season!]

It was an unbelievable prospect.

Ha-sung was only 21 years old, and it had only been a little over two years since his Major League debut.

Yet, this young pitcher was on the verge of achieving both a perfect game and a no-hitter in a single season.

Fans couldn’t help but be astonished by Ha-sung’s performance.

-Is this even real?

-Wow… even if this was in a comic book, it would be considered unrealistic.

-The game balance is completely broken!

-How far is he planning to go?

-If he plays like this for just five years, he’ll accumulate legendary stats.

-Looking at his early performance, he’s surpassing Tim Lincecum [a former MLB pitcher known for his dominant early career].

-He’s even better than Lincecum.

-There’s a reason why they call him the right-handed Randy Johnson [a Hall of Fame pitcher known for his intimidating presence and fastball].

While the fans were sharing their reactions, Ha-sung came off the mound in the 8th inning, having allowed no hits, and rested on the bench.

‘Just one inning left.’

If he could get three more outs, he would achieve a no-hitter.

Another achievement would be etched in Major League history.

Ha-sung had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away.

‘Seize the opportunity when it comes.’

Ha-sung focused intently and waited for the final inning.

* * *

With a 2-0 lead, Ha-sung returned to the mound in the 9th inning.

“Hmph!”

Whoosh-!

Thwack!!

[He hit it! A high fly ball! The center fielder settles under it and makes the catch! One out!]

[The velocity has dropped to 96 mph, but the batter’s bat was still pushed back by the lively ball.]

The pitch count had already exceeded 100.

Naturally, the velocity had to drop.

However, the batters’ bats were being pushed back, indicating that the spin was still effective.

[Jung Ha-sung cleanly gets the first out and faces the second batter.]

Ha-sung, who also handled the second batter with a ground ball to the second baseman, stepped off the mound to catch his breath.

“Hoo….”

As the camera focused on Ha-sung sighing, the announcer said with a worried tone.

[I’m worried about Jung Ha-sung’s stamina.]

[That’s right. With the second out, his pitch count is exactly 110. If it were his usual pitch count, this inning would be his last, but it looks like he’ll have to throw more today.]

A record was within reach.

Unless it was broken, Ha-sung wouldn’t be taken out of the game.

However, there were also concerns.

[With the heatwave in full swing, isn’t there a possibility of physical problems occurring?]

[That’s right, but we have to see it as unavoidable in today’s game.]

He was challenging a great record – a no-hitter.

It was natural for stamina management to be a lower priority.

[Jung Ha-sung exchanges signs with catcher Trevor to face the third batter.]

[It wouldn’t be a bad idea to be cautious from here on out.]

With the pitch count increasing, a cautious approach wouldn’t be unwise.

With that in mind, Trevor signaled for a breaking ball.

‘This guy was fooled by the slider today, so let’s test him with the slider again.’

He was a batter who had swung and missed at the slider in both of his previous at-bats.

Knowing that, Trevor called for a slider.

However, Ha-sung shook his head and raised a finger.

‘Let’s go with the fastball.’

‘It’s dangerous here. If a hit comes out by mistake….’

Of course, the rest was just Trevor’s thoughts.

He was also quite aware of the no-hitter.

It was an important record for the pitcher, but as a catcher and teammate, he couldn’t help but be mindful of the no-hitter.

However, Ha-sung’s thoughts were different.

‘I’m going to overpower him here.’

When Ha-sung signaled for the fastball again, Trevor nodded.

Ignoring the pitcher’s wishes in the current situation wasn’t a good idea.

As Trevor nodded and held out his mitt, Ha-sung went into his windup.

[Jung Ha-sung winds up!]

“Hmph!”

Whoosh-!

Thwack!

“Strike!”

[A 98 mph fastball that powerfully hits the inside corner of the plate!]

[The liveliness feels even better than before. Excellent!]

[The control was also fantastic.]

It was a first pitch that slightly grazed the edge of the strike zone.

From the batter’s perspective, he would resent the umpire for calling it a strike.

‘To hit that, you’d have to commit to pulling the ball from the start.’

If you anticipate an outside pitch, you’re bound to be vulnerable to inside pitches.

In other words, it was such precise control that you could only hit the ball properly if you completely committed to one side of the plate.

‘Even with over 110 pitches, his control doesn’t waver at all.’

He was trying to exploit any weakness he could find.

But there was no such weakness to be seen.

‘To think a guy like this is 21 years old.’

He couldn’t even imagine what kind of pitcher he would become with more experience.

But there was no time to think about that now.

[Jung Ha-sung exchanges signs and throws the second pitch!]

Ha-sung’s pitching tempo was faster than usual.

There was no time for the batter to gather his thoughts.

“Hmph!”

Whoosh-!

Thwack!!

“Foul!!”

[He was barely able to get a piece of the ball that was dropping at the last moment! Two strikes!]

[This time, he perfectly throws off the batter’s timing by throwing a splitter!]

Ha-sung, who got the second strike, sent the sign himself.

With two strikes already, there were more options.

Nevertheless, Ha-sung chose a direct confrontation.

‘I could pitch around him, but….’

Trevor nodded.

Ha-sung’s stuff was electric this inning.

He didn’t want to mess with that.

As he held out his mitt, Ha-sung wound up and kicked his leg as if he had been waiting.

Thwack!

At the same time as stepping forward, he started to rotate and threw the third pitch.

“Hmph!”

Whoosh-!!

The ball, thrown with a shout, flew with fierce speed.

The location was right down the middle, high in the zone.

It was a dangerous pitch that could be crushed if hit squarely.

The batter had no reason to hesitate.

‘This time for sure!’

Whoosh-!!

The bat, swung with the determination to hit it, met the ball.

However, the ball, which he thought was his for the taking, didn’t drop and sailed easily over the bat.

Whoosh!!

Thwack!

“Swing! Strike out!!”

[It’s a strikeout! The batter’s bat flailed helplessly at Jung Ha-sung’s high fastball!]

[The last ball hit 100 mph again, completely overpowering the batter!]

[With this, Jung Ha-sung achieves his first career no-hitter! Truly amazing!!]

It was the moment Ha-sung’s no-hitter was complete.

* * *

[(Breaking News) Jung Ha-sung Achieves Perfect Game and No-Hitter in His Debut Season!]

[(Breaking News) Jung Ha-sung Achieves No-Hitter Against the Seattle Mariners with 9 Innings, 14 Strikeouts, 1 Walk, and No Runs Allowed!]

The news of Ha-sung’s no-hitter was broadcast in Korea as breaking news.

Naturally, this caused a huge reaction.

-Huh… what is this?

-Is this a misreport?

-He had a perfect game a few months ago, and now he’s thrown a no-hitter?

-Is this real?

-Crazy.

Fans who couldn’t watch Ha-sung’s game live expressed disbelief.

-I’m watching this live.

-Wow… amazing.

-I didn’t think he would actually do it.

-Jung Ha-sung is insane.

People who watched it in real-time posted their impressions, and the internet was flooded with stories about Ha-sung.

Of course, not everyone reacted positively.

-With these kinds of stats, isn’t he on drugs too?

-Agreed.

-How can he even throw a no-hitter?

-He needs to be drug tested too.

Sleeping anti-fans awoke and began to tear Ha-sung down.

In fact, these anti-fans had been resurfacing since the Rodrigo incident.

They questioned how Ha-sung knew about it and suggested he should be drug tested.

However, most people ignored it because it was a far-fetched argument.

But they didn’t give up and started to push for Ha-sung’s drug test again this time.

Ordinary fans didn’t pay attention to them.

They knew better than to give them attention, as it would only encourage them.

While such reactions were being posted on the internet, reporters were gathering in the media room at the Oakland home stadium.

“What’s this? Suddenly the media room.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Shouldn’t we be doing the interview in the clubhouse?”

“Is it because it’s a no-hitter that we’re doing it here specially?”

In the Major League, reporters are allowed to enter the clubhouse.

Therefore, it was common to interview players in the clubhouse immediately after the game to capture the raw emotion.

Of course, there was also an official press conference after the game, but that was a more formal event that was planned in advance.

Reporters preferred clubhouse interviews because they could capture the players’ unfiltered reactions.

Ha-sung had been a lively presence in the clubhouse, so the reporters were expecting a clubhouse interview this time as well.

However, the Oakland side blocked access to the clubhouse, so they couldn’t do the interview.

Reporters were puzzled because this had never happened before.

But Chris, the general manager, was even more dumbfounded than them.

“Are you really going to do that?”

“Yes.”

Watching Ha-sung answer calmly, Chris felt a headache coming on.

“You don’t have to go that far! Rodrigo is a problem that the league office will take care of anyway.”

“I was wondering if I should just leave it alone. But Rodrigo provoked me.”

“Provoked you?”

“He threatened to sue me for defamation. So I have to show him what kind of guy I am.”

Originally, Ha-sung was going to leave it to the league office this time as well.

But since Rodrigo had provoked him, he was going to teach him a lesson.

He was going to show him what happens when you mess with him.

General Manager Chris couldn’t stop Ha-sung anymore.

The other side had provoked him first, and if he stopped him any further, it might look like he wasn’t supporting Ha-sung.

In the end, Chris gave up trying to stop Ha-sung.

“Then what can I do to help?”

“Just watch.”

Leaving those words behind, Ha-sung went to the press conference.

As he appeared, the cameras flashed and the reporters began to buzz.

Ha-sung passed manager Tony and sat in his seat.

Soon, questions from reporters poured in.

“Jung Ha-sung! You’ve achieved a no-hitter, can you give us your thoughts!”

The first question started innocently enough.

But Ha-sung’s answer wasn’t about that question.

“Forget about my thoughts on the no-hitter.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s talk about Rodrigo.”

The reporters’ eyes widened at Ha-sung’s words.

To think he would bring up that story in this setting.

But Ha-sung’s bombshell didn’t end there.

“I heard that Ryan Braun [a former MLB player who was suspended for PED use] is also under suspicion of using drugs this time.”

The arrow was aimed at Ryan Braun.

And Ha-sung fired the final shot.

“Is this a kingdom of drugs? What on earth are the players’ union and the league office doing?!”

The reporters were stunned.

To think Ha-sung would come out like this.

‘Is he going to expose everyone?’

Villain On The Mound [EN]

Villain On The Mound [EN]

마운드의 빌런
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] He sacrificed everything for his team and the roaring fans, pouring his heart and soul onto the mound. But when a devastating injury forced his retirement, he was left with nothing but shattered dreams. Now, imagine a second chance. A chance to rewrite his destiny. This time, he's not playing for the team, the fans, or anyone else. This time, he's pitching for himself. Witness the rise of a Villain On The Mound.

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