Villain on the Mound – Episode 242
[Jeong Ha-seong Achieves Season 24th Win with a Shutout!]
[Jeong Ha-seong Records 19 Strikeouts in a Single Game, Marking His 24th Win of the Season!]
[How Far Will Jeong Ha-seong’s Monstrous Performance Continue?]
[Ha-seong’s Performance Helps Yankees Defend First Place in the Division.]
[Yankees’ Dash for the Division Title is Smooth Sailing!]
Ha-seong secured his 24th win of the season.
He had approximately four more starts scheduled.
[If Jeong Ha-seong wins all four of his remaining starts, he will set a record of 28 wins in a season.]
[That’s right. This record has only been achieved nine times since 1920, when records began being classified under the live-ball era (an era characterized by more offensive play).]
[Considering that Lefty Grove achieved it twice, it’s a record only eight individuals have accomplished.]
[If we limit it to the period after World War II, isn’t it a record only one person has achieved?]
[That’s correct. Achieving this incredible record while also performing as a two-way player is truly unbelievable.]
Ha-seong’s milestones were being updated daily.
As a two-way player, he was etching a new chapter in Major League Baseball history, while simultaneously challenging pitching records.
His performance captivated media and fans worldwide.
His games were consistently sold out, both at home and on the road.
[All four games between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are sold out!]
[Ticket prices are skyrocketing!]
[Baseball fans flocking to Oriole Park at Camden Yards!]
[Korean tourists heading to Baltimore!]
The presence of Korean fans at away games had become a regular occurrence.
Tourists visiting the United States were intentionally structuring their trips around Ha-seong’s game schedule.
Some dedicated fans even followed the Yankees on their away game stretches to witness every one of his performances.
Ha-seong could have easily felt overwhelmed by this immense popularity.
But Ha-seong wasn’t the type to succumb to such pressure.
Thwack-!!
[He connects! A powerfully hit ball!!]
From the very first game against Baltimore, his bat was scorching.
[A double that sails over the center fielder’s head!]
[Jeong Ha-seong is in scoring position with an aggressive swing right from the first pitch!]
[It’s astonishing that he just pitched a shutout in his previous game, considering how excellent his condition appears to be.]
[It remains a mystery how this player is maintaining such peak performance.]
Even after securing his 24th win of the season, Ha-seong didn’t take a break.
He stepped up to the plate as a hitter, driving the team towards victory.
His performance significantly boosted the team’s morale.
‘Towards the end of the season, players naturally experience fatigue as their accumulated stamina depletes. Our players were no exception.’
Manager Girardi was acutely aware of the positive influence Ha-seong’s performance was having on the team.
‘Having a superstar on the team serves as a powerful motivator for the other players.’
Professional athletes possess a strong competitive drive.
Even within the same team, players are constantly striving to surpass those who excel.
A competitive spirit was an essential attribute for all elite players.
And the Yankees players all possessed that competitive spirit.
‘A competitive spirit is a potent catalyst for players.’
The stimulated players channeled their energy into heightened focus during the game.
Consequently, they maintained excellent concentration even late in the season, leading to improved performance.
‘That’s precisely why our team can maintain momentum even in the second half of the season.’
The acquisition of Ha-seong.
It was exerting a substantial influence on the Yankees, both visibly and behind the scenes.
* * *
[The New York Yankees and Jeong Ha-seong’s Relentless Pursuit of the Division Title!]
[Jeong Ha-seong Chasing 60 Home Runs, Reaching His 52nd Home Run of the Season!]
[Jeong Ha-seong Also Aiming for 200 Hits! Is He the God of Baseball?!]
Ha-seong’s records were being updated on a daily basis.
His performance was more than enough to command the full spotlight.
His popularity in the United States had already far exceeded that of other players.
Such widespread acclaim was only natural.
His unique two-way ability was a groundbreaking phenomenon, making it seem improbable that such a player would ever emerge again in Major League Baseball history.
Furthermore, his candid remarks resonated with fans, providing an outlet for their frustrations.
[Jeong Ha-seong, who was selected as the MVP in today’s game, delivered another unconventional response during the post-game interview. Let’s take a look.]
The screen transitioned, showcasing Ha-seong standing in the locker room.
[Jeong Ha-seong, you are moving closer to securing the division title this season. Can you share your ultimate goal for this season?]
[Of course, it’s to win the World Series and win the MVP (Most Valuable Player) and Cy Young awards (award for best pitcher) again.]
Ha-seong’s confident demeanor was unrestrained.
No player in Major League Baseball history has ever achieved the feat of winning the MVP and Cy Young awards in consecutive years.
To accomplish that would be, in essence, to rewrite history.
[Do you believe winning the World Series is a realistic possibility?]
[Whether it’s possible or not is irrelevant.]
[Then what holds significance?]
[Whether I believe it’s possible or not. And I firmly believe it is possible.]
It was a textbook response.
However, it was a statement that few would readily express in the media.
The reason was straightforward.
Words, once spoken, are difficult to retract.
Aware of this reality, players typically exercise caution in their pronouncements.
Yet, Ha-seong responded without hesitation.
[It was an interview reminiscent of Muhammad Ali’s pre-fight predictions, a legendary boxer from a bygone era.]
Muhammad Ali famously predicted his knockouts in interviews and then delivered on those promises in the ring.
And he consistently delivered.
The fans who witnessed this were ecstatic, and his popularity soared to unprecedented heights in boxing history.
Ha-seong evoked memories of such Ali.
While many were enthusiastic about Ha-seong’s persona, not everyone was pleased.
“That arrogant bastard! Win the MVP and Cy Young awards for two consecutive years in Major League Baseball?!”
One of those detractors was in a distant foreign country.
It was Nomura Hideki, who was emerging as the ace pitcher in Japan.
“He’s clearly underestimating my dream stage, Major League Baseball!”
For Nomura Hideki, reaching the pinnacle of Major League Baseball was his ultimate ambition and lifelong dream.
It was a goal he had cherished since his early years.
For him, Major League Baseball was a sacred realm and his sole focus.
“Easterners are inherently at a disadvantage compared to Westerners. That’s why there are so few Easterners who achieve prominence in Major League Baseball.”
At best, there are fewer than ten players who will be remembered as legends.
Nomura harbored a desire to make his mark there.
“I was determined to be the Easterner who would redefine the history of Major League Baseball.”
But that aspiration began to fade.
Regardless of the level of performance he delivered, there was no way he could create the same impact as an Easterner.
All because of one person.
Jeong Ha-seong.
“That bastard who stole my dream……!”
The feeling of loss stemming from the shattered dream transformed into resentment.
The full force of that anger was directed at Ha-seong.
“I’ll crush him at the Olympics.”
Ha-seong was unknowingly attracting animosity.
* * *
September 11th.
Thwack-!!
[He connects! That’s a hit by Jeong Ha-seong!! This is massive!!]
[Ah~ it’s gone!!]
[It clears the right field fence!! Jeong Ha-seong smashes his 53rd home run of the season!!]
He launched his 53rd home run of the season.
Simultaneously, the Yankees extended their lead over second place to seven games, solidifying their position to clinch first place in the division.
September 12th.
[Jeong Ha-seong takes the mound, aiming for his 25th win of the season.]
[To witness a Korean player vying for 25 wins in a season with my own eyes! I’m truly moved!]
[Jeong Ha-seong, who celebrated his 24th win with a shutout in his previous game, what kind of pitching will he showcase today?]
Ha-seong’s quest for his 25th win of the season commenced.
Wham-!!
“Strike!!”
[He unleashes his full power with a 100-mile fastball on the very first pitch!]
[Jeong Ha-seong doesn’t require a warm-up phase. He overwhelms the batter with a full-throttle pitch right from the start!]
Ha-seong possessed overwhelming velocity, even by Major League Baseball standards.
His pitching proved difficult to hit, even for fellow major leaguers.
Thwack-!!
[A mis-hit ball! It pops up high! The center fielder sprints forward and secures the catch with ease! The second out is recorded!]
His pursuit of his 25th win was underway.
* * *
Isabel visited Yankee Stadium after a considerable absence.
She glanced at Ha-seong’s pitching visible through the window, then turned her attention to the person she had arranged to meet.
“It’s been a while, Hank.”
“It’s been a long time indeed. This is the first time we’ve met like this since Sabathia’s contract, isn’t it?”
CC Sabathia.
He was the ace pitcher until Ha-seong joined the Yankees.
Although he had relinquished his ace status to Ha-seong, he remained a highly regarded pitcher in Major League Baseball.
“You’re a truly exceptional agent. You’re representing another remarkable player like this after Sabathia.”
“I have a knack for identifying talent in players. I believe that’s also true for you, Hank.”
Hank smiled.
Because he understood the underlying meaning in her words.
‘Since you possess a keen eye for players like me, you’re implying that I should present reasonable terms from the outset.’
The reason she visited Yankee Stadium today was, naturally, because of Ha-seong.
‘Ha-seong’s value is escalating daily. The Yankees can’t afford to delay any longer.’
Ha-seong’s value was continuously appreciating.
The challenge was that his value was rising without any apparent limit.
‘They need to secure him with a long-term contract as soon as possible.’
‘Delaying even a single day only serves to increase his value further.’
The two individuals, each with their own distinct perspectives, exchanged smiles.
Although they were concealing their true intentions, they both possessed a clear understanding.
Of each other’s desires.
That’s why a silent battle of wits was unfolding.
However, Hank had no intention of prolonging this contest.
“Jeong Ha-seong is an extraordinary player. He may very well become a player that will be difficult to replicate in Major League Baseball history.”
“I concur. He will become an unprecedented player. He will be remembered as the original Jeong Ha-seong, not a second Babe Ruth, as the media suggests.”
“That’s accurate. Major League Baseball is evolving because of him. Numerous prospects have begun to explore two-way play, and each team is engaging in serious discussions about the viability of two-way players.”
“He’s a truly remarkable player. He’s the player who has brought about change in this traditionally rigid Major League Baseball organization.”
“There’s only one place in Major League Baseball where such a player can truly thrive. That’s with the Yankees.”
“Well, he’s a player who’s making Major League Baseball history. There’s no compelling reason to remain in one place.”
Hank nodded.
“I agree. He should be with a team that fully appreciates his value.”
Isabel displayed a surprised expression.
To concede so readily.
“His value will continue to appreciate in the future. And that also applies to the Yankees team as well.”
Isabel could sense it.
This man wasn’t interested in a drawn-out negotiation.
“A team and a player that are both continuously growing. Then my belief is that they should be recognized with commensurate value.”
He’s offering the most favorable terms he can.
“The Yankees are committed to sharing their future with Jeong Ha-seong.”
That was the strongest card Hank had to play.