Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 251

Mound's Villain

Thwack!

“Ball! Base on balls!!”

The fourth pitch nestled into the catcher’s mitt.

As expected, it was outside the strike zone.

[It’s a walk! The Rays intentionally walk Jung Ha-sung!]

[Ah~ This is truly an unexpected scenario.]

[With this, the Yankees successfully score an additional point, bringing the score to 2-0!]

The Rays’ decision was unconventional, shocking everyone watching.

An intentional walk with the bases loaded was almost unheard of.

However, looking back at Major League history, there were precedents.

[In fact, there have been intentional walks with the bases loaded before: Josh Hamilton in 2008, Barry Bonds in 1998, and four other times before 1955.]

[But this is the first time an intentional walk has been chosen in the postseason.]

[In the postseason, every point is crucial. Especially now, the Yankees need every additional point they can get.]

[It’s a choice to simply concede that needed point.]

[That’s right. This kind of decision can significantly impact team morale.]

[But couldn’t it also work out in their favor?]

[Yes. Jung Ha-sung’s hitting ability this season has been incredible. Even with the bases loaded, he’s capable of hitting a long one.]

[If things go wrong, he could even hit a grand slam.]

[If that happens, they could give up a minimum of two and a maximum of four points. So, they might be choosing to give up just one point instead.]

[How will this choice play out in today’s game? Derek Jeter steps up to the plate!]

Joe Maddon made a bold move.

It was a gamble.

No one knew what the outcome would be.

Even Joe Maddon, who rolled the dice, didn’t know.

‘I’ll take all the blame.’

Depending on the outcome, he could be ridiculed for life.

But Joe Maddon took that into account and rolled the dice.

‘Facing Ha-sung is the more foolish choice.’

The fear he instilled was overwhelming, even for a veteran manager like Joe Maddon.

* * *

Thwack!

“Out!!”

[It’s an out! The Rays end the inning without giving up any more runs with the bases loaded!]

For now, Joe Maddon’s choice worked.

By intentionally walking Ha-sung, they gave up a run, but they retired all subsequent batters with ground balls.

[The Yankees succeeded in scoring an additional point, but the result is somewhat disappointing, as they only scored one.]

It was a chance that started with the bases loaded and no outs.

But they only managed one run.

This left the Yankees feeling rather disappointed.

[One of baseball’s famous sayings is that opportunity follows crisis. Will the Rays, having overcome this crisis, be able to seize the opportunity? The Rays’ offense continues!]

The flow of baseball is unique.

It’s like watching a small life unfold in a short two hours.

After experiencing a crisis, an opportunity always arises.

The outcome of the game often depends on whether you seize that opportunity or not.

The players and coaching staff of both teams were well aware of this.

However, the Yankees weren’t nervous.

[Jung Ha-sung is back on the mound!]

The reason was Ha-sung’s presence.

[Jung Ha-sung, who showed fearsome hitting ability to the point of being intentionally walked with the bases loaded and one out! But his original position was pitcher!]

[That’s right. The Rays have overcome the crisis, but a huge wall awaits them.]

Because Ha-sung’s impact with the bat was so strong, his impact as a pitcher was somewhat overshadowed.

But Ha-sung also had a historic season as a pitcher this year.

He set a new all-time Major League record for strikeouts, and his win total was among the best in the live-ball era [the period after 1920 when changes to baseball rules and manufacturing led to higher offensive numbers].

In addition, he was certain to win his fourth consecutive Cy Young Award [an award given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball].

Bringing down such a player was very difficult.

Pow!!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[It’s a strikeout! He strikes out the first batter, suppressing the Rays’ will to rally!]

[It must be driving the Rays’ batters crazy. The game is entering the 7th inning, and they’re still facing a 100-mile-per-hour fastball.]

[It must be frustrating for the Rays’ players and the fans who support them. They’re afraid of a home run at the plate, and they can’t hit his pitches on the mound.]

[Joe Maddon’s ingenious move was successfully executed, but Jung Ha-sung remains steadfast on the mound. If they can’t bring him down, the Rays’ plan will be in vain!]

Joe Maddon bit his lip.

‘It’s going the way I wanted.’

Although it wasn’t the best-case scenario.

But the game unfolded according to the second-best scenario.

However, they were unable to attack Ha-sung on the mound.

‘This is something I can’t control. The players have to find a way to hit Ha-sung.’

It was a difficult task.

The 100-mile-per-hour fastball was controlled and pierced the strike zone with precision.

Pow!!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Jung Ha-sung strikes out two batters in a row!!]

Above all, Ha-sung had no hesitation.

He was able to perform because he was full of confidence in his pitches.

The pressure of the Division Series was not an obstacle for him.

‘Even great players feel pressure in the postseason…….’

The postseason is where a year’s worth of effort can collapse at once.

Above all, the enormous pressure that not only oneself but also the results of one’s teammates’ efforts may end in vain weighs down on the pitcher.

Especially the ace.

But Ha-sung didn’t seem to show that pressure.

‘He throws the ball so calmly…….’

Watching that, Joe Maddon knew.

That it might be difficult to bring down Ha-sung in today’s game.

Pow!!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Three batters in a row are struck out!! Jung Ha-sung cleanly erases the 7th inning with just nine pitches!!]

[Amazing! It’s an amazing pitch by Jung Ha-sung, breaking the Rays’ will to chase!!]

As if to prove it, Ha-sung struck out three batters in the 7th inning and left the mound.

* * *

The first game of the Division Series ended.

[The first game of the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays ended with a 3-0 shutout victory for the New York Yankees.]

[In this game, Jung Ha-sung showed off his monstrous power, recording two hits in two at-bats, including one home run, eight innings of no runs, and 18 strikeouts.]

[Jung Ha-sung was unanimously selected as the MVP of the first game of the Division Series, enjoying the honor of being the first Korean to be selected as the postseason MVP. Let’s watch Jung Ha-sung’s post-game interview together.]

The screen changed, and Ha-sung appeared, sitting at the press conference.

As Ha-sung leisurely drank water, a reporter asked a question.

[You showed great performance in today’s game, just like in the regular season. Weren’t you nervous?]

[It’s not even the World Series yet. There was no reason to be nervous.]

[Rays manager Joe Maddon intentionally walked Jung Ha-sung with the bases loaded. This was the first time since Barry Bonds and Josh Hamilton. What were your thoughts at the time?]

[Well, I thought it was the obvious choice.]

[If you say it’s the obvious choice……?]

[The manager’s job is to choose the best option from several. In that situation, competing with me was the most foolish choice.]

[Does that mean that if you had a head-on match with the bases loaded, you would have given up more runs?]

[My concentration was at its peak at the time. I think a home run was likely.]

It was tremendous confidence.

Because it wasn’t unfounded, the reporters silently published his remarks in their articles.

However, not all reporters had the same thoughts.

[You’ve only won the first game of the Division Series. Aren’t you too confident?]

[Well, you can think that way. Some reporters said similar things when I declared that I would be a two-way player.]

[Ahem…….]

[That’s right. It’s only the first game of the Division Series. So, let’s do the next interview after winning the World Series.]

With those words, Ha-sung got up from his seat.

Afterward, Ha-sung’s official position was announced through the media.

[Next MVP interview will be after winning the World Series!]

Postseason MVP interviews were customary.

However, breaking that custom and saying that he would only do interviews after winning the World Series caused a great stir.

[How far does his confidence go?!]

[Jung Ha-sung’s eyes are already on the World Series!]

[Jung Ha-sung has no respect for the opposing team!]

[Some fans express antipathy toward Jung Ha-sung’s interview!]

Again, some reporters latched onto Ha-sung’s interview.

But the internet public opinion was completely different.

-As expected, Jung Ha-sung!

-Ha-sung’s interview is refreshing.

-He doesn’t hesitate.

-If you can’t take Ha-sung to the World Series, you have to replace all the Yankees executives.

-I agree.

-With the current Yankees lineup, they must win the World Series.

-Unless Jung Ha-sung gets injured, winning is unconditional.

-It’s funny if you can’t win with this power.

-I understand Ha-sung’s position. If you do MVP interviews every time, you have to do interviews after every game.

-ㅋㅋㅋ That’s true.

The fans were now completely on Ha-sung’s side.

Ha-sung’s interview caused controversy, but that was no longer a big problem for the fans.

Rather, it became another attractive point of Ha-sung and appealed to the fans.

Above all, Ha-sung had the ability to turn these interviews into reality.

And this time, it happened again.

* * *

Clack-!!

[He hit it!!]

Division Series Game 2.

Ha-sung’s bat swung powerfully as he stepped up to the plate in the 6th inning.

[This hit is huge!!]

The batted ball drew a large arc and flew toward the outfield of Yankee Stadium.

[It’s going over!!]

And as the batted ball landed in the outfield stands, Ha-sung’s bat cut through the air.

[Jung Ha-sung hits a home run in the second game, following the first game!! The Yankees are leading the Rays by four points!!]

Ha-sung continued his dominant performance in the second game, just as he had in the first.

He showed Joe Maddon why he had avoided him in the first game, posting another incredible stat line: two hits in two at-bats, including one home run.

[Jung Ha-sung also MVP in the second game!]

[Jung Ha-sung refuses MVP interview as promised!]

[Major League Baseball Secretariat holds emergency meeting over unprecedented situation!]

[Unprecedented refusal of MVP interview! Will he be disciplined?!]

Major League Baseball also reacted to Ha-sung’s refusal to be interviewed.

But before they could reach a decision, Ha-sung continued his outstanding performance.

Clack!!

[Ah-! This is big!! It’s over!!]

He hit consecutive home runs in the third game, completely crushing the Rays’ hopes of a comeback.

And this acted as a decisive blow to end the Division Series.

[New York Yankees defeat Tampa Bay Rays in a 3-game sweep to advance to the Championship Series!!]

[Jung Ha-sung achieves home runs in three consecutive Division Series games!!]

[Jung Ha-sung sets new Major League record!]

[Rays manager Joe Maddon says, “The failure to attack Jung Ha-sung is the cause of the defeat!”]

Jung Ha-sung’s New York Yankees advanced to the Championship Series.

Villain On The Mound [EN]

Villain On The Mound [EN]

마운드의 빌런
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] He sacrificed everything for his team and the roaring fans, pouring his heart and soul onto the mound. But when a devastating injury forced his retirement, he was left with nothing but shattered dreams. Now, imagine a second chance. A chance to rewrite his destiny. This time, he's not playing for the team, the fans, or anyone else. This time, he's pitching for himself. Witness the rise of a Villain On The Mound.

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