Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 25

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 25

After Ha-sung’s appearance on the mound.

Articles about Ha-sung flooded the portal sites.

[Jung Ha-sung Makes MLB Debut!]

[Jung Ha-sung Pitches on First Day of Call-up!!]

[Local Broadcasters Refer to Jung Ha-sung as a Monster Rookie!!]

[1 Inning, No Runs Allowed! Successful Debut Game for Jung Ha-sung!!]

The top five articles in the overseas baseball section were all about Ha-sung.

Ha-sung’s articles garnered that much public attention.

There’s one reason.

– Wow~ It’s been a while since a Korean MLB player was born.

– How long has it been?

– Let’s start broadcasting!!

Early 2000s.

The consecutive emergence of Korean MLB players led to a significant increase in Major League Baseball fans in Korea.

The problem was that Korean MLB players, who had been disappearing since the mid-2000s, became nonexistent by the end of the decade.

There were players in the minor leagues, but only a few die-hard fans watched the minor leagues.

At least the Korean Express [referring to a famous Korean pitcher] was active, but even he had ups and downs, so fans wanted a new player to emerge.

In that situation, Ha-sung appeared, so it was natural for public attention to be focused on him.

Of course, it wasn’t all positive.

– Monster rookie after pitching for 1 inning, lol.

– Isn’t the local media just regional media?

– Ugh, those *giregi* (기자레기) [a derogatory term combining ‘reporter’ and ‘trash’] are so excited.

– You need to pitch well for a few years in the MLB to get an answer.

Fans who knew the characteristics of Major League Baseball well expressed negative opinions.

However, most of the comments were full of anticipation.

– He did well if he pitched like that in his debut game.

– Honestly, he seems to be the best of the Korean MLB players who have come out recently.

– When is Oakland’s next game?

– I want to watch this online.

– I don’t see any places broadcasting it on TV?

People wanted to see Ha-sung’s game in person.

But the broadcasting stations couldn’t move immediately.

“Jung Ha-sung’s debut game has become a hot topic.”

“He certainly pitched well, didn’t he? But it’s just one game, so we don’t know how long it will last.”

“That’s right. Besides, he’s a relief pitcher.”

A relief pitcher’s appearance is unpredictable.

If he were a closer, the broadcast schedule could be operated flexibly because the timing of his appearance was known.

However, the timing of a middle relief pitcher’s appearance is unknown.

Therefore, even if secured, the time to broadcast was ambiguous.

However, not all broadcasting stations thought that way.

“We can’t just sit still, can we? Let’s at least negotiate with Oakland.”

“Don’t we have to negotiate the broadcasting rights with the Major League Baseball headquarters, not Oakland?”

“Anyway, check it out quickly! At this point, the broadcasting rights fee will be low, so it shouldn’t be difficult to secure them!”

“Yes, I will check it out.”

The broadcasting station that moved quickly was the cable channel YBC.

Yang Hyun-soo, the sports director there, had liked baseball since a long time ago.

So he could instinctively tell.

‘Jung Ha-sung, that guy is definitely going to be big.’

If Jung Ha-sung grows more than he is now, the value of Major League Baseball broadcasting rights will jump.

Just like the Korean Express did in the old days.

‘He can be the hope of our YBC!’

* * *

It was a perfect debut game.

But it didn’t generate much buzz in the United States except for the Oakland area.

It was a natural thing.

Oakland was not a popular club nationwide.

The same goes for Seattle, their opponent.

In addition, both clubs were small markets in the United States, so it was difficult to attract attention.

There was no reason for a rookie who had only allowed no runs in 1 inning to become a hot topic in such a club.

But it caused quite a stir in Oakland.

[Did you know? A good rookie has appeared in our club for the first time in a long time. He was called up to the Major League in less than a year. And this guy throws a 98-mile ball. And the last hitter even broke his bat. Oh, who is it? It’s Jung Ha-sung from Korea.]

The local podcast tickled the ears of Oakland fans by delivering news about Ha-sung.

But Oakland fans didn’t move their heavy butts.

“They’re going to leave our area anyway. Why should we care?”

“These guys already seem to be wiggling their butts thinking about leaving for another place.”

The Athletics were considering relocating their home base as the owner changed.

However, they were taking a long time to make a big choice of relocating their home base.

The problem is that the affection of Oakland residents has decreased during that time.

So the Athletics’ finances faltered even more, and austerity could only be prolonged.

That’s why Chris chose rebuilding.

“Still, he’s a rookie who came out after a long time, so shall we go see the game?”

“Let’s go because we have tickets.”

“So what’s that guy’s name?”

But not all fans turned their backs.

Some fans still had some affection for the club.

Ha-sung’s appearance made them move to the stadium.

“They say it’s Jung Ha-sung.”

“That’s a unique name.”

“He said he came from Korea?”

“Korea? Where is that?”

Fans visited the stadium to see a player from a country they didn’t even know the name of.

* * *

The third game against Seattle.

The game was flowing into a slugfest.

Clang-!!

“Wow!!”

The few spectators who filled the stadium cheered.

[The 17th hit of the game has been made. Seattle gets a 1st and 2nd base chance with two outs.]

[Today’s game is really fun. Every pitcher who comes up is getting hit hard.]

For the audience, this kind of game is fun.

A slugfest is intuitive and easy to understand.

But from the manager’s point of view, it was bound to be a headache.

‘Damn it… I don’t think I can fill 1 inning?’

Tony checked the roster.

The pitcher who came up today was already the 5th.

The game was still in the 7th inning.

The problem was that the game had not yet tilted.

‘The score is 8 to 7. If we can get through this inning somehow, we’ll have a chance.’

The remaining innings were the 8th and 9th innings.

Both teams were saving their closers.

If necessary, the closer could be put on the mound from the 8th inning to lock down the game.

‘Should I put Barton up now?’

Barton is the Athletics’ closer.

He has been in charge of the back door since May, recording 31 saves and earning his keep.

‘No. If I put Barton up now, the 8th and 9th innings will be a problem. The only thing that guy can do is pitch with all his might for 40 pitches.’

40 pitches was barely enough to block 2 innings.

Especially in a tight score difference, the concentration of the hitters increases.

Hitters with increased concentration become difficult to deal with, and the number of pitches inevitably increases.

‘It’s important to get through this inning somehow.’

Only one out count needs to be raised.

Tony was expecting that.

But Ha-sung, who was warming up in the bullpen, knew that wouldn’t happen.

‘His mentality is shaken. He doesn’t have enough experience.’

Ha-sung read his condition by watching his colleague’s pitching on the mound.

‘The manager knows it, but he can’t make a substitution because he’s thinking about the future.’

The manager doesn’t just look at the present.

I had to look at the whole game and run it.

That’s why I had to be careful about replacing pitchers.

‘Tony’s managerial style is surprisingly conservative. It’s not bad to take a risk at times like this.’

Of course, Ha-sung knew.

That adventure is like flipping a coin.

If the result is good, he becomes a great manager, but if it is bad, he becomes a bad manager.

That’s why the position of leader was difficult.

‘Anyway, I might get a chance today.’

Currently, Ha-sung and Barton were the only two people warming up in the bullpen.

There were other pitchers, but Tony was preparing Ha-sung.

That means yesterday’s pitching was etched in his mind.

‘If I get a chance, I won’t miss it……!’

The moment I braced myself.

[Thud!!]

[Hit by pitch ball!!]

“Oh, my…….”

Through the monitor, I could see the batter walking to first base after being hit by the ball.

While looking at the batter walking with a subtle smile on his face, the bullpen phone rang.

Ring Ring Ring-!!

“Yes, yes.”

The bullpen coach looked at the two pitchers who were preparing while answering the phone.

And Ha-sung could know.

“Jung!”

That he was confirmed to pitch for the second day in a row.

* * *

[Manager Tony uses the pitcher substitution card here. What kind of pitcher card will he use here?]

[He has already used most of the cards he can use. It may be a bit of an adventure, but it looks best to put Barton up here.]

Then the camera showed the entrance to the bullpen.

The commentators who saw the player coming out of the door shouted in surprise.

[Ah-! He makes an unexpected choice. He puts Jung Ha-sung, who pitched yesterday, on the mound again!]

[He’s putting a rookie on the mound for the second day in a row. This is also a bold decision.]

It was a bold decision to put a rookie on the mound in a more difficult situation than yesterday.

[Is this the right choice?]

[There were two cards that manager Tony could choose here. He could put Barton up and put another pitcher on the mound later, or he could save Barton here.]

[He chose the latter.]

[Yes. Barton is a pitcher with clear limitations. His velocity drops from over 30 pitches. Above all, Barton is the best in Oakland at ending the game in the 9th inning.]

[The pressure that the closer feels is different.]

[Yes. He must have made the judgment that it would be better to put him up now than to tell the rookie to endure the pressure.]

A situation with runners on first and second with two outs.

And pitching in a save situation.

I don’t know which is the right choice to put on the mound in any situation.

But Tony chose the former.

‘If it’s the figure he showed yesterday, he can fully take responsibility for one out count.’

Tony expected Ha-sung to look like he did yesterday.

*Bbeoeok-*!! [sound of hitting mitt]

At that time, Ha-sung finished his practice pitching.

Tony approached Ha-sung, who had finished practicing, and said.

“I’m sorry for putting you on the mound in a difficult situation.”

“It doesn’t matter. I like having as many pitching opportunities as possible.”

Ha-sung was so indifferent that he couldn’t find any tension.

‘If it’s him…….’

Tony gained confidence from that appearance.

So I added a word.

“If possible, I don’t want to give up a single point. I want to cleanly block this inning and take the flow.”

Ha-sung stared blankly at Tony, rubbing rosin on his hands.

‘Did I put too much pressure on him?’

Tony was taken aback when he saw him not answering.

I was worried that Ha-sung might be feeling pressured.

But the answer that came out of Ha-sung’s mouth was unexpected.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Huh?”

“I have no intention of giving up points either. I’ll get one out count cleanly and go back.”

It was an answer full of confidence.

There are runners on first and second with two outs.

And the score is a one-point difference.

How many rookies can give that kind of answer in this situation?

Tony turned around and thought as he returned to the bench.

‘If that guy keeps his word, a ridiculous monster might be born.’

What kind of result will come out?

Tony watched the game with exciting eyes.

And that goes for the audience as well.

“You’re putting a rookie in this situation?”

“Is the manager crazy?”

“Hey-! That’s because you didn’t see him pitch yesterday. He was really great.”

“That’s right. That guy is unusual.”

“He’s just a rookie, right?”

“That’s right. Right now, you have to put Barton up and block the inning somehow!”

The audience’s opinions were also divided.

That’s how unconventional Barton’s decision was.

There is only one person who can solve these questions.

Ha-sung on the mound stepped on the pitcher’s plate.

[Jung Ha-sung exchanges signs with the catcher.]

[Seattle has also replaced the 3rd and 2nd base runners with fast runners to avoid missing this opportunity. You can aim for a comeback with just one hit.]

Ha-sung, who exchanged signs, straightened his upper body.

Soon after, he started pitching.

[Jung Ha-sung winds up!!]

With runners on first and second.

There was no reason to throw the ball from the set position.

Ha-sung, who wound up, stepped out with his legs following the kicking.

*Kwajik-*!! [sound of cleats digging into the mound]

The spikes were embedded in the mound.

*Hwik-*!! [sound of rotation]

The lower body rotated.

*Hwoong-*!! [sound of wind]

Following the pelvis, the upper body rotated and his arm came forward in a circle.

“Heup!!”

With a short scream.

*Sswaeaaeaeak-*!! [sound of ball cutting through the air]

Hit the ball.

The ball that left his hand cut through the wind and flew towards the mitt.

The speed and power were impeccable.

But the course was the problem.

It was a ball that was leaning towards the center, and the batter had no intention of missing it.

‘I got caught!!’

*Hwoong-*!! [sound of bat swinging]

The batter swung his bat without any hesitation.

The moment the trajectory of the ball and the trajectory of the bat were about to become perfectly one.

*Hwik-*!! [sound of ball curving]

The ball curved like a snake.

The batter was surprised by the ball coming to his body, but the ball had already made contact with the bat.

*Ttak-*!! [sound of ball hitting bat]

[He got hit wrong! The batted ball rolls weakly on the third base line! The third baseman dashes to catch the ball! And straight to first base!!]

*Peok*! [sound of ball hitting glove]

“Out!!”

[It’s out! Rookie Jung Ha-sung saves the team from crisis with one ball!!]

[Ah~ It was a really good sinker. Jung Ha-sung perfectly caught the batter with a sinker that he didn’t show yesterday!]

Only one ball was needed to save the team from crisis.

And this became a signal flare for Ha-sung’s performance.

* * *

[Jung Ha-sung, who pitched for the second day in a row! Save the team with one ball!]

[Jung Ha-sung Records First Hold in Major League Baseball!]

[Jung Ha-sung 1.1 Innings, No Runs Allowed, Perfect Pitching!]

Ha-sung’s articles were posted on portal sites for two days in a row.

But this was just the beginning.

*Bbeo-eok-*!! [sound of hitting mitt]

“Strike!! Batter out!!”

[Rookie Jung Ha-sung! Continues perfect pitching today!]

Ha-sung continued his scoreless streak in his third appearance.

And the media soon reported it.

[Jung Ha-sung Continues Scoreless in Third Appearance!]

[Already 3.1 Innings Scoreless Streak!!]

Ha-sung’s performance was like welcome rain to domestic Major League Baseball fans.

– Jung Ha-sung is crazy.

– What is he? Already 3.1 innings scoreless.

– 3.1 innings scoreless, 2 strikeouts, 0 hits or walks lol.

– They benched a kid like this in high school baseball?

– All domestic sports associations should close down.

– Except for the archery association.

People’s interest in Ha-sung was growing due to his performance.