Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 219

The Villain on the Mound – Episode 219

As June drew to a close, the lineup for the All-Star Game became clear.

[Jung Ha-sung Heads Straight to the All-Star Game with the Most Votes in Major League History!]

[Batter Jung Ha-sung to Appear at the Plate in the Major League All-Star Game!]

[Jung Ha-sung Also Scheduled to Participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby!]

[Jung Ha-sung, as a Starting Pitcher and Batter at the Plate, What Records Will He Leave at the All-Star Game?]

Ha-sung’s participation in the All-Star Game was officially confirmed.

As expected, he would be participating in the game in multiple roles, both as a pitcher and a batter.

Ha-sung was already proving himself as a top-tier talent in both pitching and hitting in the Major League.

Fans eagerly anticipated his performance at the All-Star Game, a showcase of the sport’s best.

The 2011 All-Star Game was generating more buzz than ever before.

This year, the All-Star Game was held at Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Chase Field was notorious as a “pitcher’s graveyard” [a stadium known for being hitter-friendly due to its dimensions and climate], so fans had particularly high expectations for the Home Run Derby.

And as the days passed, the All-Star Game drew nearer.

* * *

This All-Star Game was attracting unprecedented attention.

Tickets for Chase Field were, unsurprisingly, completely sold out.

Those who couldn’t snag tickets still flocked to Arizona to soak up the All-Star Game atmosphere from outside the stadium.

As a result, Arizona’s hotels and restaurants were packed with visitors.

The All-Star Game was the main draw, but Jung Ha-sung was the star attraction.

[Numerous fans are gathering in Arizona to see Jung Ha-sung, who will be participating in the All-Star Game as a dual threat for the first time in Major League history.]

[Jung Ha-sung is scheduled to participate in the Home Run Derby, the event before the Minor League All-Star Game.]

[The Home Run Derby will feature superstars such as Prince Fielder, Jose Bautista, David Ortiz, and Adrian Gonzalez, along with Jung Ha-sung.]

The Home Run Derby lineup boasted some of the hottest hitters in Major League Baseball.

It was remarkable to see Ha-sung’s name among them.

However, a closer look at the stats revealed that his inclusion was well-deserved.

[Even at the end of the first half, Jung Ha-sung is leading the Major League in nearly every major offensive category.]

[Local experts are predicting that Jung Ha-sung has a strong chance of winning the Home Run Derby.]

[Local bookmakers are also favoring Jung Ha-sung to win the Home Run Derby.]

Leading up to the Home Run Derby, many were predicting Ha-sung’s victory.

This alone spoke volumes about his incredible performance.

Consequently, Ha-sung became the media’s primary target.

“It’s Jung Ha-sung!”

As he entered Chase Field, reporters swarmed him like a tidal wave.

“Jung Ha-sung! What’s your goal for this Home Run Derby?”

“You’re asking the obvious. It’s to win.”

“Ooh-!”

The reporters reacted with excitement to Ha-sung’s confident response.

But not everyone was impressed.

“You’re competing against the best hitters in Major League Baseball. Winning won’t be easy, will it?”

“Is there a hitter in Major League Baseball who has hit more home runs than me right now?”

Ha-sung’s retort was spot on.

Currently, Ha-sung leads the entire Major League in home runs.

If you were talking about the best hitter this season, it was undeniably Ha-sung.

No matter how accomplished other hitters were, they all trailed behind Ha-sung this season.

Ha-sung accurately highlighted this fact.

The reporter, having been put in his place, quickly fell silent.

Ha-sung answered questions from other reporters, deflecting some of the intense attention.

In this way, the spotlight remained firmly fixed on Ha-sung as the Home Run Derby approached.

* * *

The official name of the Minor League All-Star Game is the Futures Game.

It was an All-Star Game for minor league players, but it attracted attention as a showcase for each team’s top prospects.

Furthermore, the Major League’s Home Run Derby was scheduled around the game to maximize viewership.

The Home Run Derby was popular not only in the United States but also in Korea because it featured the Major League’s biggest sluggers.

Even with its popularity, the majority of viewers were typically those with a strong interest in Major League Baseball.

But this time, things were different.

[Jung Ha-sung is stepping up to the plate as the first batter!]

As Ha-sung appeared on TV, online communities in Korea exploded with excitement.

-It’s Ha-sung!

-Wow~ I never thought I’d see a Korean in the Home Run Derby.

-I thought he was crazy when he said he was going to be a two-way player. Now he’s in the Home Run Derby.

-Did you see the interview yesterday?

-Which one?

-The one where he answered, “Is there a hitter in Major League Baseball who has hit more home runs than me right now?”

-That video is trending, and the reporter who asked the question was left speechless, lol.

-Ha-sung’s confidence is truly amazing.

-Is he just confident? He backs up that confidence with his performance, lol.

-Agreed.

Baseball fans were actively sharing and discussing Ha-sung’s interview.

And today, the audience extended far beyond just baseball fans.

-Classes are suspended thanks to Jung Ha-sung.

-Our school too, lol.

-They canceled class and are broadcasting the game.

-So sweet~

-I can’t believe I’m openly watching the broadcast at work.

-Our boss turned it on too, lol.

-Our executive director told us to watch it?

-Is South Korea at a standstill today because of Ha-sung?

Even ordinary office workers and students were tuning in.

Regardless of school or work, people gathered in front of their TVs to watch Ha-sung’s Home Run Derby.

Broadcasting stations were ecstatic at this unprecedented level of engagement.

“We’ve exceeded 70 percent in simultaneous viewership!!”

70 percent.

A dream number.

It was difficult to achieve such a figure even in the past, let alone now, with the internet’s rapid development and the growing dominance of platforms like YouTube.

‘The last time viewership exceeded 70 percent was during the 2002 World Cup…….’

The 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.

Korea achieved the improbable feat of reaching the semi-finals.

At the time, supporting the World Cup became a nationwide phenomenon.

Schools, workplaces, and countless other locations became hubs for cheering, with group viewings wherever a TV was available.

Naturally, viewership skyrocketed.

After the round of 16, it surpassed 70 percent, and broadcasting stations celebrated wildly.

That was the first time a sports broadcast had exceeded 70 percent viewership since the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.

It highlighted the public’s intense interest in Ha-sung.

[Jack, a close friend of Jung Ha-sung, takes the mound as his batting practice pitcher.]

Jack stood on the mound, ready to pitch batting practice.

In the Home Run Derby, the batting practice pitcher held a unique significance.

Some participants chose their father or a mentor to stand on the mound.

Ha-sung also considered his options for a while before ultimately asking Jack.

‘Since Jack is a natural catcher, his control is solid, and his speed is just right.’

Practicality was the main reason for choosing Jack.

Ha-sung had already gauged Jack’s pitching ability during their casual practice sessions.

Jack possessed adequate control and a speed that was ideal for hitting, making him a perfect batting practice pitcher.

“Whew-! I’m getting nervous.”

“You should be nervous. If you don’t throw well, my Home Run Derby performance will be a disaster.”

“What?! Hey! Your friend is nervous, and instead of easing the tension, you’re putting even more pressure on me?”

“It’s the truth, what can I say? I’m counting on you.”

Ha-sung knew Jack’s personality inside and out.

He wasn’t the type to crumble under pressure.

On the contrary, he thrived when challenged.

“But here’s a tip: don’t put too much spin on the ball.”

“Spin?”

“Yeah. The speed isn’t crucial, but excessive spin makes it harder to hit it far.”

“Okay. I’ll do my best.”

What’s the most important aspect of batting practice pitching?

Several factors come into play.

Delivering the ball to an easily hittable location is one, and maintaining an appropriate speed is also essential.

However, the most critical element is minimizing the ball’s spin.

‘The quality of a pitch largely depends on its spin. Even at the same speed, a ball with better spin feels heavier to hit.’

Currently, Jack primarily plays as a first baseman, not a catcher.

However, throughout his baseball career, he spent more time as a catcher than as a first baseman.

Naturally, he possessed a natural feel for throwing.

That’s why Jack would fully grasp Ha-sung’s advice.

‘Above all, our practice sessions went well.’

In fact, Ha-sung chose Jack because he consistently hit Jack’s pitches well during practice.

Ha-sung had been searching for a suitable partner ever since he decided to participate in the Home Run Derby.

Initially, he planned to have the team’s regular batting practice pitcher throw to him.

The chemistry was decent, but nothing exceptional.

However, after witnessing Jack’s pitching, he changed his mind.

‘I can’t believe the guy who throws the ball I want is someone I know so well.’

Having played as a pitcher for many years, Ha-sung could tell.

If Jack hadn’t become a major leaguer, he would have become a legendary batting practice pitcher.

‘Is that even a thing?’

The thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Ha-sung shook his head, dismissing the unnecessary thoughts, and stepped into the batter’s box.

“Waaaaaah-!!”

Standing in the batter’s box amidst the deafening cheers of the crowd, Ha-sung assumed his batting stance.

[The 2011 season All-Star Game Home Run Derby is about to begin!!]

It was the dawn of the historic first Home Run Derby.

* * *

The question mark surrounding Ha-sung, who declared himself a two-way player, had vanished.

With him dominating as the best hitter in the major leagues at the end of the first half, no one dared to question his abilities.

That’s why expectations for the Home Run Derby were sky-high.

-Ha-sung is up.

-Jack is the batting practice pitcher.

-I’m a little worried since he’s not a professional batting practice pitcher?

-Well, who cares? They must have great chemistry.

-It’s starting!

Reactions poured in real-time on comment sections and community sites as people watched the broadcast.

[Clang-!!]

[He connected with the first pitch! A solid hit!]

[Ah~ It’s gone!!]

Ha-sung swung at the very first pitch.

The towering fly ball looked like a home run to everyone watching.

As expected, the first pitch sailed over the fence and landed in the stands.

-Nice~ A home run right off the bat.

-He seems to be in good form today?

-How many home runs do they usually hit in the Home Run Derby?

-You need to hit around 10 in the first round.

-If you hit about 20 in total, you can consider it a win.

In the early 2010s.

Hitting more than 10 home runs in the Home Run Derby was uncommon.

Even last year, in 2010, the most home runs hit in the first round was 13, recorded by Corey Hart of Milwaukee.

[Clang!!]

[He did it again! Jung Ha-sung hits consecutive home runs!]

[He’s already at 2. The pace is excellent!]

Ha-sung picked up the pace, hitting consecutive home runs.

-Consecutive home runs are insane.

-But surprisingly, there aren’t that many home runs in the Home Run Derby?

-Yeah, you can’t just hit a lot just because you’re trying to.

[Clang!!]

[He sent it over again!!]

-The pace is crazy.

-At this rate, won’t he hit more than 20?

-It’s not that easy.

-But didn’t Josh Hamilton hit 28 in the first round in 2008?

-Hitting a lot in the first round isn’t everything.

-I agree. Hamilton burned himself out in the first round, and Justin Morneau ended up winning.

[Clang!!!]

[Jung Ha-sung hits consecutive home runs! He’s already at 4 home runs!!]

Ha-sung’s momentum showed no signs of slowing down.

Like a home run-producing machine, he launched balls over the fence one after another.

-Already 4?

-Is he going to break records today?

The atmosphere was becoming electric.