Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 247

Mound Villain – Episode 247

Mound Villain 247

The 62nd home run.

Ha-sung’s season, leaving behind an unprecedented record, came to an end.

The final score was astonishing.

[Jung Ha-sung hit his 66th home run in the last game of the season, marking the finale with 6 consecutive home runs.]

[6 consecutive home runs at the end of the season. He has left truly unbelievable stats.]

[The records Jung Ha-sung has set this season are insane. Let’s take a look together.]

The screen changed, and Ha-sung’s final stats appeared.

[27 wins, 0 losses, ERA 1.12. 412 strikeouts.]

First up were pitcher Jung Ha-sung’s stats.

[Jung Ha-sung started in 31 games, but he recorded 27 wins without a single loss.]

[I think the nickname ‘Mr. Perfect’ suits him best.]

[His ERA is a whopping 1.12! He recorded an ERA in the 1-point range as a starting pitcher, not a closer.]

[It’s hard to believe even when you see it with your own eyes.]

[In addition, he recorded 412 strikeouts, becoming the first player in history to record 400 strikeouts.]

The previous record was 383, set by Nolan Ryan.

He increased that by 30.

The other records were also either etched in Major League history or were the best records.

If Ha-sung had only pitched, listing these records would have taken up the entire program’s airtime.

But Ha-sung still had a lot left.

[Next are the stats for hitter Jung Ha-sung.]

The stats as a hitter, not a pitcher, filled the screen.

[Batting average 0.362, 211 hits, 66 home runs, 172 RBIs]

Looking at the main indicators alone, he was like a monster.

[I still doubt whether such stats can come out in reality.]

[The moment I saw it, it felt like I was looking at game records.]

[I agree. 66 home runs and 172 RBIs…….]

[On top of that, he hit 211 hits.]

[If you combine OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging) and slugging percentage, you can say he is the best hitter in modern baseball.]

[The most amazing thing is that this is an achievement in his first year as a two-way player, isn’t it?]

The panelists’ praise continued.

It was so much praise that it felt like my ears were itching, but Ha-sung’s performance was not enough even with such praise.

That’s how Ha-sung this season had no comparable player in Major League history.

[Jung Ha-sung has successfully finished the regular season, and now he has the postseason left.]

[Will the New York Yankees be able to lift the World Series trophy with Jung Ha-sung? The attention of baseball fans around the world is focused.]

[New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi has already nominated Jung Ha-sung as the starting pitcher for the first game of the Division Series.]

[I don’t know which team they will face, but the Yankees are likely to take Game 1.]

The Division Series opponent has not yet been decided.

But already, people were predicting the Yankees’ victory.

And this was not just some people’s opinion.

[Las Vegas bookmakers, overwhelming betting on the New York Yankees as the winner of the ALDS (American League Division Series) Game 1!]

[American bookmakers have no disagreement that the New York Yankees will win Game 1!]

[Major League experts predict that Ha-sung will win the first game of the Division Series by a landslide!]

Bookmakers as well as experts.

Everyone picked the Yankees to win Game 1 of the Division Series.

In this atmosphere, the Wild Card game proceeded.

And the Yankees’ Division Series opponent was decided.

[Tampa Bay Rays, who came up through the Wild Card race! Become the Yankees’ opponent!]

The Yankees’ opponent was the Tampa Bay Rays.

* * *

-Rays and Yankees, huh.

-I don’t even need to watch this.

-And I heard the Rays are putting Matt Moore as their Game 1 starter?

-Who is Matt Moore?

-A rookie who has only played one game as a big league starter.

-What? Are the Rays already giving up?

-No matter what, such a pitcher against Jung Ha-sung…….

-This could be a strategy.

-I agree. Since they can’t score against Ha-sung anyway, they are giving up Game 1.

-Does that mean they will go all out from Game 2?

-Still, giving up one game is a choice…….

-I think it will come back as poison?

-Whatever it is, the championship this season is the Yankees’.

-Jung Ha-sung, let’s go-!

The Tampa Bay Rays put forward a card called Matt Moore.

The fans were bewildered by the appearance of a newbie who had only played one game in the big leagues.

Experts also called it a foolish choice.

But only one person.

Ha-sung was not underestimating Matt Moore.

‘Although he doesn’t become a great player in the future, Matt Moore is a dangerous opponent at this time. Above all, he had the potential to surpass players like Bryce Harper in the prospect rankings.’

Bryce Harper grows into a player representing Major League Baseball.

He makes the best contract in history and makes his name known around the world.

A player with more potential than Bryce Harper?

You can see how promising Matt Moore was.

‘Of course, he doesn’t bloom…….’

Just because you have talent doesn’t mean you can make it bloom.

Someone’s flower never blooms and withers.

Matt Moore is that type.

Of course, he plays as a middle relief pitcher in his later years, but it’s a bit different from what was expected of him.

Anyway, that’s the future.

What’s important now is that Matt Moore will have unexpectedly good results in this appearance.

‘One thing that has changed is that his opponent has changed to the Yankees.’

Originally, the Tampa Bay Rays play the ALDS against the Texas Rangers.

In the world without Ha-sung, the Texas Rangers took first place in the American League overall win rate.

But it’s different here.

With Ha-sung’s joining, the New York Yankees took first place in the American League win rate and faced the Tampa Bay Rays, who had the Wild Card.

‘It won’t be easy to face our lineup.’

Matt Moore’s appearance did not change from history.

But the current New York Yankees were different.

Matt Moore has great potential, but it won’t be easy to face the Yankees.

‘Above all, I’m here too.’

The biggest change was the existence of Ha-sung.

His appearance, which began to reign as the best hitter in Major League Baseball, played a role in lowering the performance of pitchers overall this season.

Of course, his own performance skyrocketed, so the average was similar.

‘I’m going to get a ring this season [win the World Series].’

Jung Ha-sung, a man who seems to have everything in his hands.

But he still didn’t have a World Series championship ring.

To get it, Ha-sung renewed his determination once again.

* * *

ALDS Game 1.

New York Yankees VS Tampa Bay Rays.

[The game begins-!!]

The festival was held at Yankee Stadium.

Yankee Stadium was already filled with numerous baseball fans.

Most were Yankees fans, but Rays fans also came to the away game and took their seats.

In addition, many Koreans visited Yankee Stadium.

“Jung Ha-sung, let’s go!!”

“Ha-sung! You are our pride!!”

“I came to the United States today to see your game!”

“Long live Korea!!”

The Koreans, who flew to the distant American land to support Ha-sung, called out Ha-sung’s name until their voices were hoarse.

[Korean fans and Yankees fans who visited Yankee Stadium are chanting Jung Ha-sung’s name.]

[Jung Ha-sung is gaining popularity all over the world, beyond the United States and Korea. This level of cheers seems natural.]

[Jung Ha-sung has postseason experience as a closer, right?]

[That’s right. At the time, he perfectly locked down the back door as a guardian [referring to his role as a relief pitcher].]

[But Jung Ha-sung did not have a big impact on the game due to the nature of the closer.]

[Yes. But this year is different. The Division Series will be decided depending on what role he plays as a starting pitcher.]

The first game of the Division Series was held at Yankee Stadium, the home stadium of the New York Yankees.

As it is the home stadium, the Yankees start the attack.

In other words, the Yankees’ ace Ha-sung is on the mound.

[Jung Ha-sung on the mound is checking his condition through practice pitches.]

[In a pre-game interview, Jung Ha-sung drew great attention by saying that he did not attach great importance to the Division Series.]

[That’s a meaningful statement. He doesn’t attach great importance to the Division Series.]

[It can be interpreted as meaning that his goal is high.]

[Ha-sung’s eyes are already on the World Series after the Division Series.]

All the teams and players who advanced to the postseason were looking forward to the World Series.

But getting there is not easy.

‘There’s no time to hesitate here.’

Ha-sung did not hesitate.

As soon as the goal of winning the World Series was set, all the distractions in his head disappeared.

“Hoo…….”

“Play ball!!”

[The game begins!!]

The first game of the Division Series began with the umpire’s cry.

Ha-sung, who exchanged signs, went into the windup.

[Jung Ha-sung windup!]

Ha-sung, twisting his upper body with kicking, stepped forward while untwisting his body.

Kwajik!! [Sound effect for cleats digging into the ground]

The spikes pierced the mound and firmly held his lower body.

Not missing that moment, Ha-sung rotated his body.

Whirr-!!

Woong-!! [Sound effects for the build-up of rotational force]

The rotational force was transmitted to his arm, concentrating all his strength.

“Heup-!!” [Exertion sound]

The ball, which left his hand with a short scream, flew fiercely.

Swaaaaaaek-!! [Sound effect for a fastball]

The batter tried to swing the bat to match the timing, but Ha-sung’s ball was far beyond his expectations.

Bbeoeoooook-!! [Sound effect for the ball hitting the catcher’s mitt]

“Strike!!”

[First pitch strike! The ball accurately hits the outside low course! The speed is 100 miles!]

[Jung Ha-sung throws 100 miles from the first pitch even in the Division Series, and he doesn’t look nervous at all!]

[Now, the word tension doesn’t suit Jung Ha-sung.]

[I agree. No matter how big the stage is, Jung Ha-sung has composure and is throwing his ball.]

[That’s the biggest advantage!]

Ha-sung’s pitching began.

* * *

Bbeoeoooook-!! [Sound effect for the ball hitting the catcher’s mitt]

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Three-pitch strikeout!! He strikes out three batters from the first inning, showing an overwhelming performance even in the Division Series!]

[He’s showing what an ace of the New York Yankees looks like.]

1st inning.

Ha-sung easily turned away three batters and came down from the mound.

His teammates welcomed him with both hands as he returned to the dugout.

“Ha-sung! You look good today too?”

“Well, it’s not like it’s been a day or two, and now this is natural!”

“We only trust you on the mound today!”

Even in the elite team of the New York Yankees, Ha-sung’s presence was outstanding.

He was a teammate, but he was showing outstanding skills in Major League Baseball.

‘I don’t have to worry about Ha-sung after all.’

Manager Joe Girardi also put aside his worries about Ha-sung.

Of course, as a manager, he had taken measures to prepare for any possible situation.

But after watching the first inning, he could see that such worries were unnecessary.

‘Now I’m going to see a scene that I couldn’t see in Major League history.’

Ha-sung, who threw his glove in his place, grabbed the bat this time.