Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 254

Mound Villain – Episode 254

Clack-!!

“Foul!!”

[Foul ball on the 4th pitch!]

[I thought the first out of the Championship Series would quickly be a strikeout, especially after striking out the first two pitches. But Ian Kinsler is no pushover!]

At this time, Ian Kinsler was known as one of the best second basemen in Major League Baseball.

That meant he was outstanding defensively, but also offensively.

In fact, Ian’s offensive skills were what he was initially known for.

That’s why he was able to react to Ha-sung’s fastball.

‘He seems to be getting used to it.’

Watching Ian Kinsler’s swing, Ha-sung could tell he was adjusting to the fastball.

‘It feels like he’s getting closer to hitting the sweet spot. His bat speed couldn’t keep up at first, but now he’s catching up to some extent.’

If he sees the fastball two or three more times in this state, he will time it perfectly.

It could be seen as a crisis, but in fact, this was what Ha-sung intended.

‘The moment his eyes and senses get used to my fastball is when it’s time to bring out the real heat.’

Ha-sung signaled directly to the catcher.

When the catcher nodded in response, Ha-sung went into his windup.

[Jung Ha-sung, after exchanging signs, throws the 5th pitch!]

With the windup, Ha-sung stepped forward and threw the ball with all his might.

“Hmph-!!”

Whoosh-!

The ball, accompanied by a short burst of energy, zipped towards Ian Kinsler.

Ian’s eyes lit up at the sight of the fastball coming in again.

‘Another fastball!’

Was it because he was the first batter of the first inning?

Ha-sung was trying to overpower Ian with only fastballs.

The previous four pitches being all fastballs proved it.

‘Is he too confident in his pitches?! Even a fool would……!’

Whoosh-!!

Ian’s bat swung fiercely.

‘I can hit it……!’
The moment the bat was about to connect with the ball.

Swoosh!!

‘Where’d it go?!’

The ball seemed to vanish.

But Ian quickly anticipated the ball’s downward trajectory and lowered his stance.

Clack-!!

He managed to barely graze the ball as it dropped.

But that was a mistake.

[He hit it! But the ball, which bounced right in front of home plate, is rolling towards third base!]

[Ian is fast! This ball needs to be handled quickly!]

Ha-sung’s gaze turned to third base.

After Rodrigo’s retirement, Chavez was playing third base for the Yankees.

He didn’t have any particular strengths, but his defense wasn’t terrible.

But his lack of experience was a significant disadvantage.

And that weakness was revealed in this important game.

‘Why is he using his glove!’

Dashing forward was good.

But he caught the rolling ball with his glove instead of barehanding it.

By the time he turned to throw the ball to first base, Ian Kinsler had already reached the base.

* * *

The atmosphere turned heavy.

[Ian Kinsler is fast, but shouldn’t that ball have been an out?]

[Yes. It was a routine ground ball, and even considering Chavez’s arm strength, he should have gotten the out.]

[Chavez’s mistake was catching the ball with his glove instead of his bare hand, right?]

[That’s right. He should have barehanded that ball and thrown it to first base.]

It’s a defensive error.

When this kind of mistake happens, the pitcher’s mentality can be shaken.

Chavez knew that very well.

“I’m sorry.”

That’s why he approached the mound and apologized to Ha-sung while handing him the ball.

“Well, it happens. Don’t worry about it. It’s no big deal.”

Ha-sung lightly patted Chavez.

Chavez was a player who could be sent down to the minor leagues at any time.

He was being used because there were no other options for third base, not because he was irreplaceable.

He was the kind of player who could easily get intimidated in this situation.

Ha-sung, knowing that, didn’t scold him.

Above all, he wasn’t so sensitive as to get upset about every defensive error.

‘It was worse than this when I was in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization].’

The defensive errors in Major League Baseball were much better than those in the KBO.

Errors happened frequently there, and really creative errors were common.

Ha-sung’s mentality, who played in such a place, was surprisingly strong.

‘More than anything, I don’t deserve to be an ace if I get rattled by this.’

Ha-sung stood on the mound again.

[Jung Ha-sung, after allowing a runner on first base due to an error, faces the next batter for the first time in this postseason with a runner on base.]

[An error occurred, but there’s no reason to dwell on it.]

[That’s right. Trust your stuff and……!]

The commentator’s words continued.

Ha-sung, after exchanging signs, quickly threw the ball.

There was almost no pickoff attempt towards first base.

He threw the ball at a fast tempo.

[Jung Ha-sung throws the ball!]

Whoosh-!!

Thwack-!!

“Strike!!”

[Strike on the first pitch! Despite the runner on base, he still gets a favorable count with a powerful 100 mph fastball!]

[Jung Ha-sung throws such a powerful ball that it’s embarrassing that I was worried about him even for a moment! He’s really amazing!]

Ha-sung didn’t waver.

It’s just a hit.

Ha-sung’s mentality wasn’t so weak that he would be shaken by that.

But the ordeal of today’s game was just beginning.

* * *

Josh Hamilton.

A player who represents the present and future of the Texas Rangers.

Even before his debut, he had tremendous potential, being called the greatest talent in baseball history.

But due to various issues such as substance abuse, he couldn’t realize his talent.

Then, in the 2010 season.

In a word, his potential exploded and he dominated Major League Baseball.

If Ha-sung hadn’t been there, the American League MVP would have been his.

‘In actual history, Josh Hamilton won the 2010 season MVP. But my appearance prevented that.’

Is that why?

He, who had been performing at a decent level this season, was now performing similarly to his 2010 season.

‘Maybe he was stimulated by me.’

It’s a plausible theory.

Ha-sung’s performance was so great that it affected other players as well.

That’s why in the 2012 season, many players had better results than the previous year.

‘Anyway, I have to be careful.’

I knew Josh Hamilton’s future well.

He was playing at an MVP level at this time, but after that, his skills declined and he chose to retire somewhat early.

But Josh Hamilton at this time was a player who deserved the description ‘monster’.

‘Focus even more.’

Ha-sung focused and faced Josh Hamilton.

* * *

[Jung Ha-sung faces Josh Hamilton, the symbol of Texas.]

[Like last year, when he had a career-high season, Josh Hamilton has had a great record this season.]

[His advanced stats are even better than last year.]

[If Jung Ha-sung hadn’t declared that he would be a two-way player this season, the MVP would have been his.]

[What will he show against such a player? Jung Ha-sung throws the first pitch!]

With the windup, Ha-sung threw the ball.

“Hmph-!!”

Whoosh-!

The ball, which left his hand, flew towards the catcher’s mitt with erratic movement.

At that moment.

Whoosh-!!

Josh Hamilton’s bat swung with tremendous force.

Clack-!!

And he made solid contact.

[He hit it!!]

The well-hit ball soared towards the outfield.

It looked like it would clear the fence.

But the spin on the ball caused it to curve outside the foul pole.

“Foul!!”

[It’s a foul! A potential home run goes foul!]

[That’s a relief. I thought it was gone the moment it was hit.]

[Josh Hamilton! He’s still a dangerous hitter! He sent a terrifying shot on the first pitch!]

[His greatest strength, bat speed, allows him to react to Jung Ha-sung’s 100 mph fastball.]

Josh Hamilton’s bat speed was legendary.

His bat speed was so fast that he was among the league leaders in that category.

That’s why he was able to react to Ha-sung’s fastball.

[But it seems that he didn’t hit the center of the ball, so the ball spun and flew out of the foul line.]

It was an accurate assessment.

Josh Hamilton, knowing that, adjusted his approach slightly.

‘The movement on the ball has increased since the regular season. Is he throwing with everything he’s got from the start?’

Josh Hamilton and Ha-sung had faced each other many times during the regular season as well.

Ha-sung won every time, but they were always close games.

‘Or maybe he thinks this is *the* game.’

That’s the same for himself.

Whether he gets a hit here or not could determine the momentum of today’s game.

‘Just try to make solid contact.’

Somehow, he has to get more hits and get runners on base.

That was the way to attack Ha-sung at this point.

And Hamilton’s mindset created another opportunity.

Clack-!!

[He hits the 2nd pitch hard!!]

Ha-sung’s ball connected with Hamilton’s bat, which he swung with a simplified motion.

But the ball, which was hit too well, flew straight to the outfielder.

It was a ball that Granderson should have caught easily.

But he made a ridiculous mistake.

Thud!!

[Ah-! Granderson missed the ball that was hit right at him!]

[Ah~ what is he doing? Granderson is weak defensively, but how could he make such a mistake?]

[Meanwhile, Ian Kinsler advances to 3rd base, and Hamilton stops at 1st base!!]

[With consecutive errors, Jung Ha-sung has runners in scoring position!]

[The Yankees are making the worst mistakes at the worst time in this postseason.]

The Yankees’ defense had committed consecutive errors.

There was no problem with Ha-sung’s pitching at all.

Rather, he was pitching exceptionally well.

That’s why the errors were even more frustrating.

[Can Jung Ha-sung avoid getting rattled in this situation?]

[He certainly could be. But this is when he needs to maintain his composure even more.]

The caster and commentator spoke with worried voices.

The coaching staff was also concerned about him.

“Should I go out there?”

To the pitching coach’s question, Joe Girardi hesitated and shook his head.

“He hasn’t given up a run yet. Although the situation isn’t ideal, we need to trust our ace.”

“That’s true.”

Joe Girardi didn’t lose faith in Ha-sung.

No, rather, he strengthened his faith in him even more at this moment.

And Joe Girardi’s judgment was correct.

‘Two errors…….’

Ha-sung on the mound laughed in disbelief.

And soon he regained his composure.

‘It’s so lonely out here.’

The pitcher’s position was always a solitary one.

He had forgotten that for a while while performing on the stage called Major League Baseball.

‘This used to happen often in the past.’

It was the first time in Major League Baseball.

But he wasn’t shaken much because he had already experienced it.

‘I know how to deal with this.’

The method was simple.

‘I’ll solve it myself.’

He just couldn’t rely on the defense.