Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 246

Ha-sung’s comments sparked a major buzz.

-Just as expected from Jung Ha-sung!

-That was one heck of an interview.

-Who else would confidently predict hitting 70 or 80 home runs?

-What’s even more amazing is that he might actually pull it off.

-Agreed.

-He’s delivered on everything he’s said in interviews so far.

-And it’s true that the 60-home run ball isn’t all that valuable.

-Yeah, someone else already did it.

-If we had to put a value on it, it would be the first 60-home run ball recorded by a two-way player [a player who both pitches and bats effectively].

-True, but like Ha-sung said, its value will decrease if someone hits 70 or 80 home runs in the future.

-If that’s even possible.

-Ha-sung could do it, though, right?

-True enough.

-He’s kept all his promises so far.

Seventy home runs, eighty home runs.

In some ways, it sounds absurd.

The skill level of pitchers in modern baseball was increasing every day.

Conversely, the number of home runs by hitters had decreased.

The composition of the official baseball also played a role.

As a result, even seeing 50 home runs became a rarity.

But 70 home runs?

And even 80 home runs?

It’s a hard record to fathom.

But fans believed he could achieve it.

Things had changed from the past.

Previously, baseball fans would have dismissed it as impossible when Ha-sung mentioned it in an interview.

But now, they believed in Ha-sung.

The reason was simple.

-Ha-sung is the best player in history.

Ha-sung kept all his promises.

The fans who watched him knew it.

That he was the best player in Major League history.

* * *

Despite Ha-sung’s remarks, the 60-home run ball wasn’t returned.

The finder still wanted a higher price.

The Yankees organization announced that they would continue negotiations.

Whatever.

Ha-sung focused solely on the game.

And in the second game, he broke his own record.

Clang-!!

[He connects! A powerfully hit ball!! And Jung Ha-sung is……!]

The screen split in two, showing the ball soaring into the distance and Ha-sung tossing his bat.

[He throws his bat!! And at the same time, the ball lands in the outfield stands!!]

[Ah~ What a beautiful hit!]

[Jung Ha-sung, who hit his 60th home run in yesterday’s game! He breaks his career high in just one day, recording his 61st home run!]

[The crowd is going wild for his bat flip!!]

Ha-sung’s words quickly became reality.

-Jung Ha-sung devaluing the 60th home run ball in just one day, lol.

-He walks the talk.

-What a legend.

-Even though the 61st home run was hit, the value of the 60th home run doesn’t necessarily decrease.

-That’s also true. Balls with a ‘0’ on them are inherently valuable.

-The problem is that Ha-sung is making good on his word, lol.

-It might be impossible this year, but if he hits 70 or 80 home runs next year or the year after, the value of 60 home runs will decrease.

-The value of the record won’t decrease, but the value of the ball will.

-70 home runs? Who does he think he is, some kind of superhuman?

└I want to say that too, but I think Ha-sung can do it.

└└I think so too…

Records that defy common sense.

But it seemed like Ha-sung could achieve them.

Now, not just experts, but ordinary fans shared that perception.

And that was also the case for Tyler West, who owned the 60-home run ball.

“Why is that bastard already hitting his 61st home run?”

Tyler frowned while watching the game at home.

His friend Tom asked Tyler.

“Why are you so sensitive? You were thrilled about turning your life around until yesterday, weren’t you?”

“Turning my life around, my foot! Those guys only offered me $200,000.”

“Hey, $200,000 is five times your salary. That’s plenty.”

“Other guys got millions of dollars. And you’re telling me to take less than that? No way!”

“But it’s not like there are many items that fetched millions of dollars. The market has shrunk a lot recently, right? Babe Ruth’s memorabilia isn’t selling as well as it used to.”

Tom’s words were true.

It was true that baseball-related items were being auctioned in the United States.

But the market size was decreasing every day.

There were several reasons for this.

The important thing was that transactions weren’t happening for as much money as before.

“Are you jealous of my success?”

“It’s not that, I’m just saying to cash in on your luck while you can. $200,000 is still a lot.”

“No way! I’m going to get at least a million dollars.”

Tom shook his head at his friend’s greedy attitude.

‘He might end up with nothing.’

He was worried about his friend who was counting his chickens before they hatched.

But that was it.

‘Well, it’s his choice.’

As an adult, he makes his own choices.

And he accepts the consequences as well.

* * *

Late in the season.

It’s a time when the audience’s interest in the pennant race is waning.

Especially this year, when the teams advancing to the postseason were decided early, interest faded even faster.

[The final stretch of the pennant race. But each team is already preparing for next year!]

[Teams that have secured a spot in the postseason are starting to plan for next season!]

[Major League’s mid-to-lower tier teams are engaging in behind-the-scenes work for trades!]

Mid-to-lower tier teams were already preparing for next year.

They were putting prospects into the game and evaluating their potential.

Data already existed, but there was no better place to test them than in a real game.

The audience also valued the process more than the outcome of the game.

They focused on individual achievements.

In that respect, there was a factor that greatly increased the audience’s interest even at the end of this year.

Clang-!!

[He connects!!]

It was the presence of Jung Ha-sung.

[Jung Ha-sung records multiple hits in two consecutive games! He’s showing a tremendous hitting pace!]

[Jung Ha-sung is still swinging a hot bat despite the season coming to an end.]

Although the season was coming to an end, Ha-sung’s pursuit of records was not over.

[Jung Ha-sung has succeeded in challenging records that no hitter has ever achieved! In modern baseball, there is no longer a player who can be compared to him.]

[The only players who can be compared are Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson.]

Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson.

They were legendary pitchers who defined modern baseball.

The fact that they were the only ones who could be compared showed Ha-sung’s incredible performance.

[And as a hitter, he is also achieving top-class results in Major League Baseball.]

[He has already surpassed 60 home runs and is now on the verge of hitting his 62nd home run.]

[He is the third hitter to follow Babe Ruth and Roger Maris, who ushered in the live-ball era [an era in baseball history characterized by increased offensive output].]

[There are also players such as Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa, but their records are tainted because they were achieved through the use of performance-enhancing drugs.]

[Only three players have surpassed the true record of 60 home runs, and Roger Maris has hit the most home runs among them with 61 home runs.]

[If Jung Ha-sung breaks this record, he will be able to claim the top spot.]

Currently, the media is touting Ha-sung’s home run record as a legitimate achievement.

The reason was simple.

They had begun to create a hero.

The popularity of Major League Baseball was declining every day.

Before Ha-sung appeared, there was even talk of a crisis.

But with the arrival of Ha-sung, the narrative changed.

Fans who had lost interest in baseball returned to the stadium, and new fans came to see him.

A new era was dawning.

As a result, the media began to celebrate Ha-sung.

[7th inning, Jung Ha-sung steps up to the plate.]

[Jung Ha-sung, who is facing his fourth at-bat today, has a great opportunity after recording multiple hits early on.]

[With runners on first and second with one out. From the opponent’s perspective, they are facing the most dangerous player in the worst possible situation.]

[That’s right. Because he is Jung Ha-sung, who has top-tier clutch ability in Major League Baseball.]

If there are no runners on base, it’s difficult to challenge Ha-sung.

Even if they don’t have to challenge him, they could choose to walk him.

But not now.

[What if Jung Ha-sung is intentionally walked?]

[The problem is that the hitters behind him are formidable. Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, etc. The Yankees’ power hitters are waiting.]

[They are players you don’t want to face with the bases loaded.]

[Yes. Because such strong players are batting behind Jung Ha-sung, they can’t simply let him pass.]

Ha-sung’s home run pace was incredibly fast this season.

In the early and mid-stages, there were many instances where he was intentionally walked to avoid pitching to Ha-sung.

But that was only temporary.

[If they choose to intentionally walk him now, they will have to face other hitters with the bases loaded. No matter how dangerous Jung Ha-sung is, they don’t want to take that risk.]

[That’s right. Derek Jeter alone is batting .360 with the bases loaded this season.]

[Mark Teixeira is also a threat with the bases loaded, and if he connects, it’s likely going over the fence.]

A situation where a large number of runs can be scored and the momentum can shift dramatically.

In the end, they had no choice but to challenge Ha-sung.

‘We’re in for a tough inning.’

‘Even if we challenge him, there’s no need to pitch right down the middle.’

The Baltimore Orioles battery [the pitcher and catcher] exchanged signs and prepared to pitch.

‘Let’s test the outside corner.’

‘Okay.’

After deciding on the location, the pitcher threw the ball from the set position.

“Hup-!!”

Whoosh-!!

The ball left his hand and curved from outside to further outside.

He tried to tempt Ha-sung with a slider, but Ha-sung didn’t bite.

Thwack!

“Ball!”

[First pitch is a ball! He threw a slider to induce a swing, but Jung Ha-sung isn’t fooled!]

[Jung Ha-sung’s eye for the ball is among the best in the league. He’s not falling for those tricks!]

Ha-sung’s keen eye was well-known in Major League Baseball.

But it wasn’t just that.

‘It’s obvious they won’t come at me directly from the first pitch.’

The difference between him and others was his insight.

It was possible because he had experienced the diverse perspectives of pitchers through his two lives as a pitcher.

Combined with his sharp eye, he wouldn’t swing at ordinary pitches.

Thwack-!!

“Ball!”

[Three balls and one strike! There’s nowhere left to hide!]

It was driving the pitcher crazy.

Because the pitches they were throwing to gain an advantage weren’t working.

‘I have no choice…….’

‘I have to challenge him directly!’

If the count is unfavorable, there’s only one option left.

A direct challenge.

The pitcher, having decided on the location and pitch, threw the ball with all his might.

“Hup!!”

Whoosh-!!

The moment the ball left the pitcher’s hand.

Ha-sung started as if he had been waiting.

‘Such an obvious pitch…….’

Whoosh-!!

The swing that started from his lower body moved up to his upper body and turned the bat.

‘Don’t come at me!’

Clang-!!

With a resounding crack, the batted ball soared into the distance.

Ha-sung, watching the scene, tossed his bat and walked to first base.

[It’s gone!! Jung Ha-sung hits his 62nd home run!!]

It was the moment his 62nd home run of the season was hit.