Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 221

Villain of the Mound – Episode 221

Home Run Derby Winner.

What I had only imagined actually happened.

-Holy crap, this is insane.

-Is this real? In his first year doing both pitching and batting?

-Wow~ Not just winning, but setting a new Major League record, lol.

-I can’t believe it even though I saw it with my own eyes.

-Jung Ha-sung is on another level.

-Wasn’t there a Japanese guy who provoked someone like him?

-He didn’t know his place, lol.

-What will he show us in the All-Star game tomorrow?

The Home Run Derby garnered a lot of attention.

That attention soon led to the All-Star Game.

The one receiving the most attention was, of course, Jung Ha-sung.

The night after the Home Run Derby, all the media around the world highlighted his performance.

[Oakland Athletics’ Jung Ha-sung sets a new Home Run Derby record.]

[Jung Ha-sung’s record is amazing, but this Home Run Derby was the most thrilling game in history.]

[In the past, weren’t the games often slow because players were waiting for the perfect pitch?]

[That’s right. But this year’s Home Run Derby had a fast tempo as players continued to swing aggressively.]

[Also, the average number of home runs was 15, the highest ever recorded.]

The screen showed highlights from today’s Home Run Derby.

[The biggest reason this Home Run Derby was possible was the influence of Jung Ha-sung, who stepped up as the leadoff hitter.]

[Jung Ha-sung led the flow with aggressive batting from start to finish.]

[That’s right. Thanks to him, the online reaction is very positive.]

This year’s Home Run Derby attracted not only existing baseball fans but also new fans.

The biggest reason was Ha-sung.

Two-way player.

No player in Major League history had ever successfully done this.

But he was doing it perfectly, and even participated in the Home Run Derby, so it was enough to attract people’s attention.

In addition, the tempo of the Home Run Derby was faster and more exciting than ever before.

Naturally, there was a large influx of new fans.

The Major League Baseball Secretariat was also aware of this phenomenon.

“Here are the national viewership ratings for today’s Home Run Derby. In the beginning, the viewership ratings were similar to those of past Home Run Derbies, but in the second round, the average viewership rating increased by 4 percent.”

“That’s a great number.”

Commissioner Bud Selig was impressed as he received the data.

“We’ve used many methods to increase interest in the All-Star Game, but in reality, they’ve all failed.”

“Rather than failures, they were just not significant…….”

“That’s what I call a failure.”

“Ahem…….”

“But one player has completely solved that problem. He also shows us what we need to do in the future.”

Ha-sung’s performance this time was truly amazing.

Not only did he set a new record, but he also brought in new fans.

And one more thing.

“We should change the rules of the Home Run Derby starting next year.”

“Yes? How……?”

“We need to create exciting games like this year. For example, instead of an out count system, we should limit the time.”

“A time limit system?”

“Yes. That way, the players can’t just wait, so they’ll continue to bat aggressively.”

“Hmm…… That’s definitely true. I’ll discuss it with the staff.”

“And we should offer practical prize money to ignite the players’ competitive spirit.”

Until now, the Home Run Derby was just part of an event.

As a result, there was nothing to spark the players’ competitive spirit.

This time, Ha-sung ignited the spark, but something practical was needed as a reward.

“One million dollars would be good. Make sure to budget for it starting next year.”

“We will proceed with the discussion.”

As the subordinate left, Bud Selig looked at the TV installed in the office.

It was constantly broadcasting stories about Ha-sung and this Home Run Derby.

‘I was wondering how to create new interest. He’s showing the way.’

Ha-sung didn’t just set a new record in this Home Run Derby.

He gave a hint on how to attract new fans and focus people’s attention.

“He’s really an amazing player.”

Without even realizing it, Ha-sung was changing Major League Baseball.

* * *

Ha-sung had never been excluded from the All-Star Game since his debut in Major League Baseball.

He was that popular, and his skills were also supportive.

But he had never received as much attention from the public and the media as he did this year.

‘It really feels like a wall is being made of people.’

Ha-sung, who got out of the car, clicked his tongue as he looked at the fans gathered on the path to the stadium.

“Jung Ha-sung!!”

“Please take a picture with me!”

“Please sign here!”

“My child is your fan!”

The number was easily in the thousands.

Guards were blocking them, but there were concerns about safety accidents.

Not only fans but also camera reporters and paparazzi were mixed in, taking pictures of his every move.

‘Not bad.’

It was a situation that could overwhelm someone just by looking at it.

But not for Ha-sung.

Rather, he liked this attention.

‘I guess I was born to be an attention seeker, but so what? People are originally a species that lives on attention.’

Ha-sung enjoyed the situation and approached the fans.

“Kyaaaa!”

“It’s Ha-sung!!”

“Can you sign here?”

As Ha-sung approached, blonde beauty fans screamed.

As if he was used to such reactions, Ha-sung smiled and picked up the pen she was holding out.

With that, Ha-sung’s fan service began.

He signed autographs, took pictures with fans, and enjoyed skinship [physical contact, like high-fives or hugs].

Thanks to that, the guards suffered, but Ha-sung didn’t care much.

‘This is what they do anyway.’

Ha-sung’s fan service quickly spread around the world through Facebook and Twitter.

-I took a picture with Jung Ha-sung.

-Jung Ha-sung’s fan service is really cool.

-He hugs and shakes hands with the kids. He was really cool!

-Jung Ha-sung, who approaches fans even when the guards stop him, is the best!

-I have to come see Ha-sung again!

Each reaction gathered and quickly created public opinion.

* * *

The All-Star Game brings together the best stars.

Therefore, all of them are bound to be in the spotlight.

But this year was different.

“Jung Ha-sung! Please say a word about setting a new Major League record at yesterday’s Home Run Derby!”

“The Home Run Derby recorded the highest viewership ratings ever! Some say it’s thanks to Jung Ha-sung’s performance. What do you think?”

“You are the first player in Major League history to participate in both pitching and batting! How do you feel right now?”

All the focus was on Ha-sung.

As he was the most popular player in Major League Baseball, it was only natural.

Ha-sung skillfully conducted the interview and waited for the game.

The All-Star Game is an exhibition game.

But that doesn’t mean you can just throw it roughly.

‘There’s nothing that can cause as much of an issue as leaving the first record in Major League Baseball.’

He had already set a new Major League record the day before.

But that wasn’t the end.

Depending on what kind of performance he puts on in the All-Star Game main game, he could set another record.

For example, leaving meaningful records as both a starting pitcher and a third batter.

‘To do that, I need to get my condition up.’

The Home Run Derby was a physically demanding event for Ha-sung.

It was natural to lose stamina after hitting nearly 50 home runs in a short period of time.

Of course, that didn’t mean he was going to whine.

‘I’m only pitching for one inning anyway. And I won’t be playing every game as a batter.’

All the Major League superstars participate in the All-Star Game.

Naturally, everyone should be given a chance to participate.

As a result, it is common for even starting pitchers to pitch only one inning.

If you think about it, you can throw up to 2 innings at most.

In addition, there was little possibility that physical problems would arise as he was going out as a designated hitter.

‘I’ll make it my show again this time.’

Ha-sung was burning with motivation.

* * *

This was the second time Ha-sung was starting in the All-Star Game, following last year.

He had performed well last year, so no one doubted his performance this year.

[Oakland Athletics’ Jung Ha-sung takes the mound as the starting pitcher.]

[A Korean player is starting in the All-Star Game for the second year in a row. I never dreamed that something like this would happen.]

[Jung Ha-sung, who is doing things that I couldn’t even imagine, the best hitters in the National League are entering the plate to face him!]

The first batter was Jose Reyes.

He was showing off his outstanding batting ability, recording the highest batting average in the National League this season.

[Jose Reyes enters the plate.]

[Jose, who is maintaining a batting average of .340 at the end of the first half, is a player who focuses more on accuracy than power, with only 2 home runs.]

He was a hitter type that is rare in Major League Baseball.

But it wasn’t a big problem for Ha-sung.

‘No matter how good the accuracy is…….’

Ha-sung exchanged signs with American League All-Star catcher Alex.

The first pitch was, of course, Ha-sung’s most confident four-seam fastball [a type of pitch in baseball known for its speed].

‘I just need to overwhelm him with power!’

Ha-sung, who entered the winding up and then the kicking, rotated his waist and threw the first pitch.

“Gasp!!”

Whoosh-!!

The ball that left his hand sharply penetrated Jose Reyes’ body.

Before Jose could react, his ball passed over home plate and was embedded in the mitt.

Pow-!!

“Strike!!”

[First pitch strike! The speed was 101 miles!]

[Jung Ha-sung throws a ball close to his top speed from the first pitch! He’s really amazing!]

Ha-sung’s third All-Star Game has begun.

* * *

[Jung Ha-sung! This year, he is turning around All-Star hitters with an overwhelming performance!]

The image of Ha-sung throwing the ball was being shown on a huge TV.

A smile was drawn on the lips of Hank Steinbrenner, who was watching it.

“He’s still a perfect star.”

All-Star Game where superstars gather.

A star player who overwhelms even the many superstars gathered there.

He was already becoming a star beyond the sport.

He stood in the same position as Michael Jordan in basketball and Messi in soccer.

That’s why I definitely wanted to get it.

Buzz-!

At that time, Hank’s smartphone rang.

Hank, who saw the name of the other party revealed through the screen, answered the phone without hesitation.

[This is Luis.]

“Yes. Tell me.”

[It seems that this is no longer an issue to be postponed, so I am contacting you like this.]

My heart was pounding.

Because I knew what Luis’s words meant.

[Let’s proceed with the trade.]

I finally got it in my hand.

* * *

The first All-Star Game he entered as a two-way player.

Ha-sung showed an overwhelming performance as expected.

[Oakland Athletics’ Jung Ha-sung recorded 2 innings of no-hit, 6 strikeouts as the starting pitcher in the All-Star Game, and at the same time, he showed off his energy by participating as the 3rd batter and recording 2 hits and 1 home run in 2 at-bats.]

It was overwhelming pitching and batting.

There was no player who could stop him even in the All-Star Game where superstars gathered.

The spotlight was focused on him, who showed off his power in both pitching and batting.

But this spotlight was buried in a few hours.

Because of one article.

[(Breaking news) Jung Ha-sung traded to the New York Yankees!!]

It was an article about Ha-sung’s trade.