Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 167

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 167

Athletics vs. Red Sox.

This year’s Championship Series stood out for more than just the matchup between these two teams.

“Did you hear Jung Ha-sung provoked Beltre?”

“Beltre declared he’d hit a home run, right?”

“And Jung Ha-sung said he’d strike out Beltre in response.”

“Seriously, Jung Ha-sung is insane.”

The fans who came to the stadium were filled with anticipation.

Their excitement centered on whether Ha-sung or Beltre would keep their word.

Of course, there was also the possibility that neither would.

In that case, both players would become laughingstocks.

But what if even one of them succeeded?

[Is the world about to witness another Babe Ruth?]

A superstar would be born.

Babe Ruth’s story is the most famous example of a called shot.

While the truth is uncertain, on October 1, 1932, during Game 3 of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs, with the score tied 4-4, Babe Ruth pointed to the fence.

He then hit a home run, creating the legendary tale of the called shot.

There are various versions of this story, and its authenticity is debated.

However, even decades later, this anecdote remains the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Babe Ruth.

But this time, both players had made their declarations at a press conference, leaving a documented record.

If anyone achieved this, it would undoubtedly create a sensation surpassing Babe Ruth’s called shot.

* * *

[The game to determine the American League champion! The clash between Oakland and Boston begins! Oakland has, of course, put this player on the mound as their Game 1 starter!]

The camera focused on Ha-sung standing on the mound.

[The Korean pitcher who shocked Major League Baseball this season! Jung Ha-sung takes the mound!]

[Entering the postseason, many experts questioned Jung Ha-sung’s experience, but he erased those doubts with his performance in the Division Series.]

[He pitched comfortably, showing an untouchable presence just like in the regular season, right?]

[That’s right. The stage has now shifted to the Championship Series, but the question marks surrounding Jung Ha-sung have disappeared.]

Experts no longer talked about Ha-sung’s lack of experience.

They predicted he would pitch well and, at the very least, deliver a quality start.

People’s interest wasn’t just in whether Ha-sung would pitch well.

[Currently, many baseball fans are focused on whether Jung Ha-sung and Beltre can fulfill their promises, wouldn’t you agree?]

[Indeed, it can be said that both players have been reckless.]

[It’s not an easy promise to keep, is it?]

[No. Of course, Jung Ha-sung recorded the most strikeouts in Major League Baseball this season, but striking out a great hitter like Beltre in every at-bat is not easy.]

Experts argued that Ha-sung had made a reckless promise.

And they viewed Beltre in the same light.

[What do you think about Beltre’s promise to hit a home run against Jung Ha-sung?]

[That also seems quite difficult. Jung Ha-sung allowed only 7 home runs this season. Moreover, as he showed last season, he doesn’t easily get hit hard in big games.]

[That’s why there’s a prevailing opinion that both players will fail to keep their promises.]

[I agree.]

[What will be the outcome? Championship Series Game 1!]

“Play ball!!”

[It begins now!!]

The game started with the umpire’s call.

Ha-sung faced Victor, the Boston Red Sox’s leadoff hitter.

[Victor Martinez steps into the batter’s box. He had a great season, batting .320 with 149 hits and 20 home runs.]

[He has good contact ability and power, so he needs to be approached with caution.]

As with any game, the flow can be determined by how you handle the first batter in a big game.

Knowing this well, Ha-sung decided to come out strong from the first pitch.

‘Let’s go with the fastball.’

‘Okay.’

Trevor knew Ha-sung’s tendencies well and called for the pitch he wanted from the start.

Ha-sung nodded and stepped onto the pitcher’s plate.

“Hoo……!”

Ha-sung took a deep breath, focusing his concentration.

‘Go out with a bang from the first pitch.’

Having focused his concentration, he wound up and threw the first pitch.

“Heave-!!”

Whoosh-!

The ball, thrown with a shout, flew in quickly.

The course was inside, targeting the batter’s body.

The batter swung with all his might at the ball darting into the precarious location.

Whoosh-!!

The moment the batter’s bat and the ball’s trajectory aligned.

Crack-!!

With a crisp sound, the batted ball flew away quickly.

However, the ball curved and fell into the stands on the third base side.

“Foul!!”

[First pitch is foul! He predicted the course accurately, but the bat seems to have been pushed back slightly by the 99 mph fastball.]

[Jung Ha-sung’s ball has good movement today. We can look forward to great things.]

Ha-sung’s condition was at its best.

That was evident not only to him but also to those watching.

‘The feeling in my hand is great.’

Ha-sung smiled contentedly, preparing for the next pitch.

Watching Ha-sung, Tony, the manager, spoke with the pitching coach.

“Ha-sung is in good condition.”

“Well, it’s nothing new, but seeing him throw like that is reassuring.”

“Haha! That’s right.”

If we only had pitchers like Ha-sung, managing the mound would be easy.

But knowing that’s impossible, Tony watched Ha-sung with a satisfied smile.

However, not everyone was looking at him with satisfaction.

“That damn kid!”

“Looks like he’s in good condition again today?”

“Yeah, I wish he’d get a stomachache or something.”

The Red Sox dugout frowned as they watched Ha-sung’s pitch.

In particular, Beltre glared as if he were looking at an enemy.

‘His pitches are definitely good. But not good enough for him to be acting cocky with me.’

Beltre didn’t acknowledge Ha-sung.

To be precise, he was angrier about being provoked.

After all, what he had said were merely the words of experts.

It was just a comment for the reporters and fans.

To be caught up on that.

Unacceptable.

Crack-!!

“Wow!!”

It was then.

With a crisp sound, the batted ball split the gap between third base and shortstop.

[Jung Ha-sung, who struck out the first batter, has allowed a hit to Kevin, the second batter.]

[The course of the batted ball was good. The pitch wasn’t bad, so he just needs to keep pitching like that.]

Ha-sung wasn’t too concerned about giving up a hit.

Rather, his concentration increased after allowing the hit.

‘Concentrate… concentrate….’

The effect was tremendous.

Boom-!

“Strike!!”

[Jung Ha-sung throws a 101 mph pitch immediately after allowing a hit!]

[The spin rate of the ball also seems to have increased. The ball is coming in even more alive!]

Ha-sung’s pitches began to blaze even more.

As a result.

Boom-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Strikeout! Jung Ha-sung strikes out Dustin Pedroia, the third batter!]

[Ah~ truly amazing! To show even more concentration in his pitching after allowing a hit! Truly incredible!]

The second out count went up.

And the eyes of the fans who came to the stadium turned to the player in the on-deck circle.

[Two outs, runner on first! And this player steps into the batter’s box!]

The camera showed the large man walking to the batter’s box.

[The man who struggled in his first free agency but has been revived with the Red Sox! It’s Adrian Beltre!]

The two players finally faced each other.

* * *

The internet was buzzing.

-Jung Ha-sung VS Beltre Opening Soon!

-Who will win?

-Since it’s the first at-bat, wouldn’t Ha-sung win?

-It would be epic if he called a home run from the first at-bat lol

-Is that even possible?

-I’m betting on Ha-sung!

-Might as well just bet then lol

-Is betting open for this?

-Yeah, it is.

Betting sites in the United States opened bets on which of Ha-sung and Beltre’s promises would be successful.

It wasn’t just betting on the two outcomes; there was also an option for both to fail.

And the option with the most money bet on it was that both would fail.

[Everyone’s attention is focused on the showdown between these two players.]

[We’re nervous just watching; I wonder how nervous the players themselves are?]

[Indeed. What kind of results will the two players produce? Their first showdown begins!]

Ha-sung lowered his upper body and exchanged signs.

‘Let’s go with the fastball.’

He nodded at Trevor’s sign.

After deciding on the course, Ha-sung straightened his upper body and stepped onto the pitcher’s plate.

‘He’s not thinking of running.’

Ha-sung’s gaze turned over his shoulder.

The lead-off distance of the runner on first base wasn’t that long.

With two outs.

There was a risk of getting caught stealing if he tried to steal.

Plus, Beltre was at the plate.

There was no reason to make a reckless attempt when the Red Sox’s best hitter was up.

So, he had no intention of stealing at all.

Thanks to that, Ha-sung could focus solely on Beltre.

‘It’s not that I’m ignoring you…….’

Ha-sung exhaled.

‘I need a sacrifice to become a star beyond Major League Baseball.’

Beltre is a great hitter.

Ha-sung acknowledged that.

As a non-drug player, he had achieved truly great things.

That’s why he was perfect as a sacrifice.

‘If I catch you, my name will rise even higher.’

That’s why he provoked him.

It was a well-known fact that Beltre’s personality was hot-tempered.

When he used that, he really took the bait right away.

Thanks to that, things were easily resolved.

‘I’m going to win this game.’

Ha-sung steeled his mind and focused his concentration.

And the moment he calmed his breathing.

Swish-!

He threw the ball with a slide step.

“Heave!!”

Whoosh-!!

The ball flew towards Beltre’s low inside course.

The moment Beltre was about to get hit, his swing began.

Whoosh-!!

The moment his bat was about to hit the ball with a fierce speed.

The ball no longer dropped and passed over the bat.

Boom-!

“Swing! Strike!!”

[First pitch is a swing and a miss!]

[It was a four-seam fastball with a speed of up to 103 mph. You can feel Jung Ha-sung’s full power.]

[He’s showing that he’s definitely going to catch Beltre as much as he promised.]

Beltre adjusted his gloves and glared at Ha-sung.

‘He throws a good ball as much as he talks.’

It was an undeniable first pitch.

But that was separate from his anger.

‘I’m definitely going to hit it this time.’

Ha-sung threw the second pitch against Beltre, who was back at the plate.

“Heave!!”

Whoosh-!

The ball left Ha-sung’s hand and flew towards Beltre’s body.

‘I’m going to get hit!’

The moment Beltre’s balance was broken, conscious of the hit-by-pitch.

Swoosh!

The trajectory of the ball changed.

‘Sinker!’

Only then did he realize the pitch, but it was too late to react.

Boom-!

“Strike! Two!!”

The umpire’s hand went up without hesitation, and Beltre bit his lip.

[Two strikes! A powerful sinker that made Beltre flinch is caught in the mitt!]

[Jung Ha-sung doesn’t throw it often, but the power of his sinker is truly amazing.]

He gained a favorable count with two strikes.

And it became an unfavorable count for Beltre.

‘I have to avoid a strikeout.’

That thought dominated Beltre’s mind.

And Ha-sung on the mound read Beltre’s thoughts.

‘It’ll be a problem if a hitter like you gets scared already.’

Ha-sung stood on the mound again and sent a sign.

Trevor nodded without hesitation.

[Jung Ha-sung has gained a favorable count with two strikes! What will he throw for the third pitch?]

Ha-sung threw the third pitch with a slide step.

[He threw the third pitch!]

Whoosh-!!

The ball that left his hand flew in quickly.

The pitch was a four-seam fastball.

Beltre, whose mind was dominated by the thought that he couldn’t strike out, couldn’t react with a proper swing.

There was no way he could hit Ha-sung’s fastball, thrown with all his might with that mindset.

Whoosh-!!

Boom-!!

“Swing! Strike out!!”

[Strikeout!! Jung Ha-sung! Strikes out Beltre as promised!!]

The first strikeout was made.