Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 173

Mound Villain – Episode 173

Mound Villain 173

It was 2009, my first full year in the Major League.

As a closer, Ha-sung set a new Major League record, leading the team to the Championship Series.

Despite many concerns, Ha-sung had an excellent postseason as a rookie.

However, the team failed to advance to the World Series due to Alex Rodrigo’s performance and the collapse of Oakland’s pitching.

And a year has passed.

[Jeong Ha-sung’s Oakland! Advances to the World Series!]

[Oakland to face the San Francisco Giants in the World Series!]

[Jeong Ha-sung’s showdown with San Francisco Giants’ ace Tim Lincecum confirmed!]

[Ace vs. Ace!]

[Gamblers pick Jeong Ha-sung’s Oakland to win Game 1!]

Ha-sung transitioned to a starter and led the team to the World Series.

It was fitting to say that Ha-sung carried the team on his back.

[Jeong Ha-sung, who was considered the best starting pitcher in the pennant race, faced many concerns due to it being his first postseason as a starter. However, Jeong Ha-sung proved why he was the best starting pitcher in the pennant race, securing wins in Game 1 of the Division Series, Game 1 of the Championship Series, and Game 4.]

[He didn’t just win; he dominated the opposing lineup in all three games, recording shutouts.]

[The performance against the Red Sox was particularly noteworthy.]

[His gesture to silence the booing fans in the heart of enemy territory was remarkable.]

Ha-sung’s performance became a major topic in the United States.

But what was even more surprising was what happened after the game.

[This was reported locally in the United States. Despite his on-field demeanor, Jeong Ha-sung willingly signed autographs for Boston Red Sox fans after the game.]

[Is that so?]

[Yes. Photos taken by paparazzi were released, causing a sensation in the United States.]

The performance is merely a performance.

The public opinion shifted as photos of Ha-sung signing autographs were released.

Thanks to this, some of the criticisms against Ha-sung quietly disappeared.

[Now, only the World Series remains. Locally, there’s a prevailing sentiment favoring San Francisco over Oakland.]

[While Jeong Ha-sung is seen as superior in the ace matchup, the problem lies in the batting lineup.]

[San Francisco’s lineup is overwhelming Oakland’s, and with Arnold’s official statement that he’s unlikely to play in the World Series due to injury, the scales are tipping.]

After the Championship Series, Oakland faced adversity.

Arnold’s injury was more serious than expected, making it difficult for him to play in the World Series.

It wasn’t just a simple bruise; there was a fracture in the bone, making it impossible to play.

[The absence of Arnold, a key player in the batting lineup, is a significant blow to Oakland.]

[That’s right.]

[It will be a difficult World Series for Oakland.]

Oakland’s prospects were bleak.

That’s why Game 1 was even more critical.

[Game 1, Oakland vs. San Francisco. Look forward to the starting matchup between Jeong Ha-sung and Tim Lincecum.]

The World Series was just around the corner.

* * *

Ahead of the World Series, Ha-sung’s parents arrived at San Francisco International Airport.

They had flown from Korea to the United States to see their son Ha-sung pitch in the World Series.

A man came to greet them.

“Hello, I’m Jimmy Kim from Oakland, working with Jeong Ha-sung.”

After exchanging greetings with Jimmy Kim, his parents got into the car he brought and headed to the hotel.

His mother asked Jimmy, who was driving.

“How is Ha-sung doing?”

“He’s doing very well. He’s so good at English that I, who was originally assigned as his interpreter, am almost unnecessary.”

“Is Ha-sung that good at English?”

Jimmy smiled at his father’s question and said.

“He’s really good. He has no problem communicating with the team members at all. I thought he would have been educated since he was young. Is that right?”

“No. We didn’t really educate him specifically.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He was so busy with sports since he was young that he neglected other studies a bit.”

“Wow… To be that good despite that. It’s amazing.”

Jimmy Kim originally interviewed with the Athletics as Ha-sung’s interpreter.

However, after realizing that Ha-sung didn’t need an interpreter, he took on other tasks for the Athletics, helping Ha-sung whenever he needed it.

He was like a personal assistant.

That’s why he came to pick up his parents today at Ha-sung’s request.

Originally, Ha-sung was supposed to come, but he canceled because he knew it would be chaotic if he showed up at the airport.

As they shared various stories,

The car arrived at the hotel where Ha-sung was staying.

Following Jimmy Kim’s guidance, they took the elevator up and arrived at Ha-sung’s room.

“Were you tired from the trip?”

“It was very comfortable.”

“I’ve been on a plane a few times, but it’s my first time in first class, and I didn’t know it was this comfortable.”

His parents came to the United States with the first-class tickets that Ha-sung had sent them.

It was Ha-sung’s way of showing consideration for his parents, who had to take a long-distance flight.

At first, his parents objected, saying it was too expensive, but once they got on, they looked very comfortable.

Ha-sung conveyed his gratitude to Jimmy and spent time with his parents.

“So, you’re pitching in Game 1 of the World Series in two days?”

“Yes. I’ve arranged seats on the dugout side for that day, so you can watch the game from there.”

“Our son is pitching in the World Series…”

His father had a moved expression.

The World Series.

It was a stage where only the chosen ones could stand, even in the Major League, the pinnacle of baseball.

No matter how great you were, you couldn’t reach the World Series stage if you were unlucky.

But Ha-sung was going to be on the mound in the World Series in just two years, and as the Game 1 starter.

As parents, they couldn’t help but be moved.

“It’s not just about getting there.”

“Huh?”

“I will definitely win.”

His father nodded at Ha-sung’s determination.

“Of course! He’s our son.”

“We’ll cheer hard too!”

Ha-sung smiled at his mother’s clenched fist.

Ha-sung was very happy to see his parents after a long time.

* * *

The next day.

Ahead of the World Series, Ha-sung stood before reporters with Tony, the manager.

Like the Championship Series, the reporters expected Ha-sung’s big mouth to activate.

But the reporters’ expectations were shattered.

“The World Series stage is no different. I go up and pitch. And I win. That’s all.”

It was too simple of an answer.

Clearly, this was significant, but it wasn’t what the reporters wanted.

“Aren’t you going to make any promises this time?”

“Are you not going to make promises like you did during the Championship Series, saying you’ll strike someone out?”

“Please say something refreshing.”

What the reporters wanted was Ha-sung’s bold predictions.

Since it caused a huge sensation in the Championship Series, they expected the same performance in the World Series.

But Ha-sung didn’t.

“I don’t think the World Series will be that easy.”

“So, are you saying the Championship Series was easy?”

“I don’t think we need to take the story that far.”

The reporter who asked the question was about to open his mouth again.

Ha-sung made the first move.

“This tournament is the first game my parents have come to see from far away in Korea. As such, I plan to show them a winning performance.”

It was a somewhat disappointing answer.

But it was a declaration of victory, so the reporters were satisfied with this much.

At that time, a young pitcher sitting in the San Francisco section grabbed the microphone.

“Ah, I would like to apologize to Jeong Ha-sung’s parents.”

The reporters’ attention turned to the pitcher.

Major League players were generally muscular and large.

As it was a place where a lot of money gathered, the physicality was unmatched compared to any other sport.

In particular, it was generally believed that starting pitchers should have good physicality for durability.

But the long-haired pitcher had a boyish appearance and a small build.

He didn’t even look like a Major League starting pitcher.

“Lincecum, what do you mean by that?”

But this man’s name…

Tim Lincecum was a famous Major League pitcher that everyone respected.

With that small build, he threw a fastball with a top speed of 100 mph, as well as a two-seam fastball, splitter, and curveball.

He debuted in the Major League in ’07 and won the National League Cy Young Award in ’08 and ’09 consecutively.

This season, he also had decent stats, with 16 wins, 10 losses, a 3.43 ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance], and 231 strikeouts.

In particular, he was showing great momentum, including a 14-strikeout shutout in the Division Series and a win against Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay in the Championship Series ace matchup.

In response to the reporter’s question, Lincecum replied with his signature smile.

“Game 1 will be a victory for our San Francisco. So, Ha-sung’s parents will not see their son’s victory on the first day they watch his game. It will be a disappointing day.”

The reporters’ hands became busy with Lincecum’s comment.

It was a bold statement that felt precarious.

The reporters watched with bated breath to see if Ha-sung would just let those words slide.

At that moment, Ha-sung grabbed the microphone and opened his mouth.

“I don’t think there will be any regrets. We will win, and my parents will see their son perform greatly.”

The atmosphere in the media room began to heat up with the two players’ war of words.

The reporters sensed that this tournament would not end easily, with the two pitchers engaging in psychological warfare even before the game.

* * *

In Korea, tremendous interest was focused on this World Series.

[Jeong Ha-sung’s World Series appearance is just one day away.]

[Will the first Korean Major League World Series winning pitcher be born?]

[The key is whether the Athletics’ lineup will explode.]

[There’s no need to worry about Jeong Ha-sung! The problem is the Athletics’ lineup!]

[The Athletics are missing Arnold, who is injured. Who will help Jeong Ha-sung?]

Ahead of Ha-sung’s appearance, various media outlets organized related programs to analyze the World Series.

Interest in Ha-sung’s World Series was so high that even public broadcasters aired special programs.

[Jeong Ha-sung will be at bat in Game 1 of this World Series?]

[Yes. Since the World Series is between two teams from different leagues, the designated hitter rule is different. Therefore, the rules of the league to which the home team belongs are followed.]

[Jeong Ha-sung’s batting data is limited, but he showed a good performance this season, didn’t he?]

[That’s right. In particular, the bat flip that came with his first home run was praised for creating a fresh breeze in the Major League.]

[I remember. At the time, a bench-clearing brawl occurred because of the bat flip, right?]

[That’s probably because the Major League has a different culture.]

[If Jeong Ha-sung hits a home run in the World Series, it will also be a rare record.]

[Haha! It’s like a dream, but I hope it does.]

There have been many Korean Major Leaguers so far.

But there was not much connection with the World Series.

There were few players who stepped on the World Series stage, with only one player winning a ring.

There were almost no players who left records as starting pitchers and hitters.

Therefore, if Ha-sung leaves records as a starting pitcher and hitter, it will be the first time in Korean history.

[Please look forward to what kind of record Jeong Ha-sung will leave in Game 1 of the World Series!]