Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 258

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 258

Ha-sung’s performance this season was overwhelming.

So, they thought that stopping Ha-sung would be the same as stopping the Yankees.

But the result was not what they expected.

[You completely shut down Jung Ha-sung in today’s game, but ultimately lost. What are your thoughts?]

The media naturally aimed their arrows at the Texas manager.

He didn’t dodge the arrows.

[The players executed my strategy well. The reason we lost the game is my misjudgment of focusing solely on Jung Ha-sung and not seeing the Yankees as a whole.]

He didn’t evade responsibility.

That image left a deep impression on Texas fans.

– Honestly, this is the only way to stop Jung Ha-sung.

– Still, weren’t those intentional walks too much?

– No matter how scary Jung Ha-sung is, this isn’t baseball.

– They should face him head-on.

– Still, it’s a relief he didn’t try to avoid responsibility.

– What will happen in the next game?

– It will be the last game of the Championship Series.

– Ha-sung will probably come out.

Championship Series Game 5.

The game was played with the series score at 3 to 1.

If the Yankees win here, they will advance to the World Series.

From the Yankees’ perspective, ending the series and resting early was the best-case scenario.

Naturally, this opinion came up during the staff meeting.

“It’s best to bring Ha-sung up and end the series.”

“I agree.”

“The National League side is going to at least Game 6. If we can end the series in Game 5, we can rest two days longer based on calculations.”

Rest is important in the postseason.

The players were already exhausted from playing the regular season.

In that situation, rest was like a ray of sunshine on parched land.

The coaching staff, well aware of this, wanted to end the series as early as possible.

But Joe Girardi was thinking about the other side as well.

“The problem is that Ha-sung also has to start in Game 1 of the World Series.”

“Hmm….”

“That’s true.”

They had already decided that Ha-sung would be the starter for Game 1 of the World Series.

No, no Yankees pitcher could replace Ha-sung as the opening game starter for the World Series.

That’s how much Ha-sung represented the Yankees.

“Then, how about asking Ha-sung?”

“Hoo… Of course, he’ll say he’ll pitch tomorrow and in Game 1 of the World Series.”

“That’s true too.”

Ha-sung wasn’t the type of player to just skip his turn to pitch.

If the coaching staff asked, he would try to get on the mound at any time.

Knowing that, Joe Girardi didn’t ask for Ha-sung’s opinion.

But in this situation, he had no choice.

“I’ll have to call Ha-sung in.”

He had to hear his opinion.

A moment later.

Ha-sung entered the conference room.

Joe Girardi asked him for his opinion.

The answer was as expected.

“If I finish the game tomorrow and get plenty of rest, there won’t be any problem recovering my stamina by Game 1 of the World Series.”

“I expected you to say that, but are you really okay?”

“I have no intention of pitching if my condition isn’t good. I’m fine enough, so don’t worry and use me as a starter in tomorrow’s game.”

Joe Girardi nodded at Ha-sung’s answer.

“Okay.”

Championship Series Game 5.

Following Game 1, Ha-sung’s second appearance was decided.

* * *

Ha-sung’s second appearance in the Championship Series.

For Texas Rangers fans, it was the worst news.

– Ah~ It’s Jung Ha-sung here…….

– We have to get one win somehow.

– Isn’t this just a surrender?

– We’re doomed…….

– Looks like this year’s postseason ends here…….

They were already in despair.

On the other hand, Yankees fans cheered.

– It’s an obvious choice!

– Let’s end the series here!

– It’s better to prepare for the World Series as soon as possible!

– If Ha-sung comes up, we can watch comfortably.

– Let’s go-!

Experts also sided with the Yankees on Jung Ha-sung’s appearance.

[The Yankees have put Jung Ha-sung on the mound to end the series.]

[Jung Ha-sung has yet to give up a run in this postseason. He is dominating the postseason with his perfect pitching.]

[Jung Ha-sung will win the Cy Young Award and even the MVP when the season ends. The fact that he’s coming up means they’re going to end the series.]

[Now, the important thing is how Texas will make a good showing to the end.]

The atmosphere was already that the series was over.

This atmosphere stimulated the Texas Rangers players.

“Damn it! Everyone here and there is saying we’ve lost.”

“That means Jung Ha-sung is that scary.”

“Still, the game hasn’t even started yet!”

“That’s true.”

“We can’t just be ignored like this and end it!”

“I feel the same way.”

“You never know until the game starts.”

The atmosphere of the Texas players was hotter than ever.

External stimulation was enough to ignite their competitive spirit.

That’s how the two teams finished preparing for Game 5.

* * *

Top of the 1st inning of Game 5.

The Yankees failed to mount any significant offense and ended the inning.

The difference from before was that the Rangers chose to face Jung Ha-sung head-on.

[It seems that the Rangers’ intentional walk strategy from earlier is over.]

[Yes. Today, they chose to face Jung Ha-sung head-on, turning him into a fly ball to center field.]

Ha-sung, who was retired with a ground ball in his first at-bat, immediately began preparing to take the mound.

[Jung Ha-sung takes the mound in the bottom of the 1st inning, the Rangers’ attack.]

[It seems the Yankees are planning to end the Championship Series by putting up their ace.]

[Isn’t it almost certain that the National League Championship will go to Game 7?]

[That’s right. It’s a close game.]

[If the Yankees win against the Rangers today and end the Championship Series, they will be able to get enough rest until the World Series.]

[That’s right. That’s why the Yankees put Jung Ha-sung on the mound.]

[Conversely, the Rangers have to win today’s game and somehow drag it to Game 7.]

[If that happens, the Rangers will be more advantageous.]

[Is it because they’ve already used the Jung Ha-sung card?]

[That’s right. Jung Ha-sung is a player who can give you a sure win. The fact that they used such a player will be a huge loss for the Yankees.]

There were risks for the Yankees as well.

The risk was that they had to win today’s game since they had used the Ha-sung card.

If they lost, it would be like losing a sure win card.

Anyway, it wasn’t a bigger risk than the Rangers.

Above all, as long as Ha-sung was on the mound, there was a high probability that he would block the opposing lineup until at least the 6th inning.

‘It’s practically 100%.’

Ha-sung hasn’t given up a single run in the postseason.

He could give up a run in this game, but the chances were low.

‘The problem is that our lineup has to attack the Rangers.’

Joe Girardi looked at the opposing dugout.

The Rangers also seemed determined to do their best today, sending Cliff Lee as their starting pitcher, with other starting pitchers waiting in the bullpen.

‘They’re going to use all their cards if necessary.’

There were several risks in putting in a starting pitcher in the middle.

The biggest risk was that the number of cards they could use in the next game would be reduced.

But the Rangers were prepared for that.

A desperate move.

They were even willing to give up the next game to win today’s game.

‘It’s not easy to face those who have nothing to lose.’

Joe Girardi judged that today’s game would not be easy.

Just as worries were starting to creep in.

Thwaaaack-!!

A loud noise echoed.

“Strike!!”

And watching the umpire’s hand go up, the worries that had been creeping in disappeared in an instant.

‘Trust Ha-sung.’

It’s a game with the best player in Major League Baseball.

If you’re worried even in this situation, other managers will be angry.

That’s how great the trust Ha-sung gives is.

Thwaaaack-!

“Strike! Two!!”

And Ha-sung continued his good pitching as if repaying that trust.

* * *

Ha-sung’s good pitching has now become commonplace.

And Ha-sung was showing good pitching in every game as if responding to those expectations.

Thwaaaack-!

“Strike! Batter out!”

[Jung Ha-sung adds his 11th strikeout of the game today! He has shut down the Rangers’ tenacious lineup until the 6th inning!]

[The Rangers players’ tenacity is also great today, but they are not able to exert much strength in front of Jung Ha-sung’s fastball.]

The Rangers lineup was different from usual.

They clung to Ha-sung to the end to harass him.

Thanks to that, even though it was the 6th inning, Ha-sung’s pitch count was already close to 90.

[Jung Ha-sung is likely to be replaced in the 7th inning.]

Originally, it was common for Ha-sung to pitch beyond the 7th inning and into the 8th inning.

And the Yankees dugout was also preparing the bullpen, expecting that to happen.

But today was different.

[Since the Rangers players are in a desperate situation, Jung Ha-sung is not easily winning.]

Ha-sung wasn’t a player who avoided competition.

No, he was trying to end the game quickly.

But every time, the batters touched Ha-sung’s ball and made him throw even one more pitch.

They knew it well too.

“If Ha-sung stays on the mound, our chances of scoring will decrease.”

“We have to get him down somehow and get a chance to attack.”

Ha-sung’s pitching, which even fellow major leaguers feared.

They increased his pitch count in any way possible, with the intention of making a difference after he was taken down.

Above all, if Ha-sung was taken off the starting lineup, there was a high probability that the batter would also be replaced.

That’s how it’s been so far.

But today, Ha-sung was also different.

“Ha-sung, I’m thinking of replacing you in the next inning. What do you think?”

“I can pitch for one more inning.”

“Hmm, you don’t have to overdo it.”

“I want to finish it with my own hands.”

“If that’s what you want, I’ll let you take care of the next inning.”

Manager Joe Girardi respected Ha-sung’s opinion.

Even if he was a veteran manager in Major League Baseball, he couldn’t ignore the opinion of the best player in the current Major League.

Ha-sung grabbed Joe Girardi, who was about to turn around.

“And even if I go down from the mound today, I want to continue standing in the batter’s box.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I want to continue as a designated hitter.”

Originally, Ha-sung would also be replaced in the batter’s box when he pitched as a starter.

He thought that would help him physically.

But Ha-sung was trying to change that routine today.

A sudden change in routine could be fatal to a player.

Ha-sung made this choice for one reason, even though he knew that.

“I want to end the Championship with today’s game and prepare for the World Series.”

It was because he wanted to secure a spot in the World Series.

And that was the same for Joe Girardi.

“Okay. Let’s prepare that way.”

Championship Series Game 5.

Now the game was heading towards its climax.