Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 259

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 259

Championship Series, Game 5.

All baseball fans were focused.

[New York Yankees! To End the Series! Ha-Sung Jung Takes the Mound!]

[Man of the Postseason! Perfect Pitcher Ha-Sung Jung Pitches!]

Ha-Sung’s appearance in Game 5 made the hearts of all baseball fans race.

And all the gamblers’ bets for Game 5 went to the Yankees.

In this situation, Ha-Sung, who took the mound, showed his usual dominant form.

[First pitch!]

Whoosh-!!

Thwack!!

“Strike!!”

[The first pitch, a powerful fastball at 98 miles per hour, is hammered into the catcher’s mitt!]

The first-pitch strike had become his trademark.

The trust in him, stemming from his perfect performances, was immense.

And his presence brought despair to the opposing team.

‘Damn… I was hoping he’d be off his game today.’

‘Sigh… we’re going to lose again today.’

‘How is that guy in such peak condition every game?’

It was a sight that made them lose their will to fight.

And this led to unproductive at-bats.

Thwack-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Strikeout! Ha-Sung Jung finishes the first inning by striking out the third batter as well!]

[Ha-Sung Jung is still powerful, and the Rangers’ hitters are showing a lackluster performance.]

The hitters weren’t lackluster.

It was just that Ha-Sung looked too perfect, making it seem that way.

[Ha-Sung Jung’s pitching is perfect in itself today as well!]

Untouchable Ha-Sung.

He dominated the Championship Series.

* * *

[The New York Yankees have advanced to the 2011 Major League World Series.]

[Ha-Sung Jung was selected as the MVP in every game except Game 4, achieving the feat of becoming the Championship Series MVP.]

[Ha-Sung Jung sets a new Major League record even in the Championship Series!]

[Untouchable Ha-Sung Jung Dominates Major League Baseball!]

The New York Yankees advanced to the World Series.

The MVP went to Ha-Sung, as expected.

The record he left behind was, in a word, overwhelming.

Two wins, no losses, and an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] of zero.

He struck out a whopping 32 batters in 2 games, showing perfect pitching.

He left behind even more monstrous stats at the plate.

A batting average of .567.

He recorded monstrous stats, including 3 home runs and 7 walks.

It was hard to believe that these stats came from a situation where the Texas Rangers avoided a direct confrontation with him whenever possible.

It was natural that the media’s attention was focused on Ha-Sung, who had left such a record.

“Ha-Sung Jung, congratulations on the MVP. You have been awarded the MVP for the fourth time in the Championship Series, a first in Major League history.”

“Thank you. It’s a great honor. I wish I had won the MVP in every game if possible. It’s a shame.”

“Haha! I would have liked to see that too. It’s a shame.”

Ha-Sung was full of confidence even after the game.

Thanks to him, the reporters were able to get a lot of news material.

“Ha-Sung Jung has achieved everything in Major League Baseball, but there is still something he hasn’t achieved.”

“A World Series championship ring?”

“Yes, that’s right. You have a chance to get that ring this time. How does that make you feel? Aren’t you nervous, even as the untouchable Ha-Sung Jung?”

Ha-Sung raised both hands towards the reporter who asked the question.

The reporter wondered what this action meant.

Then Ha-Sung asked.

“I don’t have a ring yet. Which hand do you think it would look better on?”

The reporters’ hands moved busily, typing away at his words.

It was the moment when the headlines were decided that day.

[Ha-Sung Jung, Which Hand Would the Ring Look Better On?]

[Ha-Sung Jung Shows Confidence in Winning the World Series!]

[Ha-Sung Jung Expresses Great Confidence!]

Ha-Sung’s interview swept the world.

* * *

There were people who were smiling thanks to Ha-Sung, who was causing such a stir.

“Not only baseball fans around the world, but even those who are not interested in baseball are now searching for his name.”

“As our products are naturally exposed, our global sales are rapidly increasing.”

Vigor.

It was a brand with global recognition.

However, after signing an exclusive contract with Ha-Sung, they became the number one company in the industry in just four years, not just a brand with global recognition.

“He’s really a player who hits a home run beyond expectations.”

“I didn’t even expect this interview. To hold out his hand in response to a question about whether he was confident in winning the World Series.”

“I wonder where he got this idea.”

“And thanks to him giving the interview in front of the locker room, our company’s duffel bag behind him was naturally exposed.”

“The search volume for our products has increased on various social media and websites.”

Every action of Ha-Sung caused a big stir.

And the items he used drew worldwide attention.

It was a natural phenomenon.

He was now the most watched athlete in the world, beyond Major League Baseball.

“If we win the World Series, it will cause another huge surge in interest.”

“There are many opinions to release new products in preparation for that time.”

“We have to. Since it’s Ha-Sung’s first World Series win, we have to prepare something very special.”

Vigor, the number one sports industry company.

They were now moving as if they had become one with Ha-Sung.

And another place was moving busily.

It was the New York Yankees’ top management.

“Ha-Sung’s performance, which I thought would eventually plateau, is endlessly impressive.”

Hank’s younger brother, Hal Steinbrenner, nodded at his words.

“I actually thought you were crazy when you said you had to grab him by giving him shares in the Yankees.”

“Did you?”

“Of course. It’s unprecedented in Major League history. To give a player shares in the team instead of a salary……”

There were countless great players throughout Major League history.

But no one received shares in the team instead of a salary.

The value of the team was that absolute.

But Hank was trying to give shares in the team to a player.

As a co-owner, it was natural to be worried.

In fact, some of the shareholders expressed their opposition.

“But now all the people who opposed it have shut their mouths. That’s how great the impact he’s showing is.”

“It’s only been 4 years. The time it took to break all the records that existed in Major League Baseball. If you oppose making him a Yankee man forever, you’ll have to get rid of that shareholder.”

Getting rid of a shareholder was virtually impossible.

That’s how important Ha-Sung was.

“We have to prioritize Ha-Sung’s contract at the end of this season.”

“Of course, I know. As the best player in Major League Baseball… no, the world, we have to give him a contract that suits him.”

It was a moment when the Steinbrenner brothers’ minds met for the first time in a long time.

* * *

Ha-Sung took a break until the World Series.

He didn’t do any training and only focused on resting.

‘From the pennant race to the postseason. My body is exhausted from playing in every game.’

It was a situation he had experienced in his previous life.

That’s why he knew what to do in these moments.

‘What my body needs now is not training, but only rest. I have to prepare for the World Series through proper rest.’

Ha-Sung also knew that this World Series was important.

‘The current Yankees’ power is at a level where it wouldn’t be strange to win the World Series. Above all, my existence is playing a big role.’

Ha-Sung was playing the role of a special player in both pitching and hitting.

No, it was the best performance not only in the New York Yankees but also in Major League Baseball.

‘The hitting side is good, but being stable on the mound is more helpful for the team’s victory.’

There was a record of losing when he went out as a hitter in the Championship Series.

But there was no precedent for losing when he went out as a pitcher.

That’s how powerful Ha-Sung as a pitcher was.

‘If I win the World Series this time, there’s nothing more to achieve in my career.’

There were people who tried to find fault with Ha-Sung’s career.

In fact, Ha-Sung had already achieved most of what he could achieve, so finding fault with him in terms of his career was no different from being unfair.

But there were various people in this world, and some of them wanted to cut down Ha-Sung in any way possible.

The reason they were so insistent on finding fault was the World Series win.

‘What’s so great about a World Series ring…….’

Many legends retired without getting a World Series ring.

There were so many variables that winning the World Series was said to be determined by luck.

Ha-Sung couldn’t even guarantee a World Series win.

But he gained confidence while playing in the Championship Series.

‘If I go to the mound, I won’t lose even in the World Series.’

He felt it clearly in the Division Series and the Championship Series.

That confidence continued until now, ahead of the World Series.

‘I will definitely get the ring.’

The only gap in his career.

The most perfect opportunity to fill it had come.

* * *

The other team in the World Series was decided faster than expected.

[The St. Louis Cardinals are on the verge of advancing to the World Series!]

[If three outs are recorded in this inning, the Cardinals will advance to the World Series and compete with the New York Yankees for the championship ring.]

The St. Louis Cardinals were leading the series 3-2 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

It was already the 9th inning, and the Cardinals sent up closer Fernando Salas.

[Will the Cardinals’ young closer give them the ticket to the World Series! Facing the first batter!]

Ha-Sung watched the Cardinals’ situation while watching TV.

His agent, Isabel, who was next to him, put down the phone and asked.

“Will the Cardinals make it?”

“They will. They’re dangerous once they start gaining momentum.”

“Certainly, the Cardinals’ hitting felt several levels ahead of the Brewers’.”

“Including Pujols, David Freese, Allen Craig, and Matt Holliday. Everyone feels like they’ve awakened.”

“That’s why they’ve made it to the Championship Series despite the Cardinals’ collapsed pitching rotation this season.”

The St. Louis Cardinals’ start to this season was a mess.

The pitching rotation was ruined from the start, beginning with Adam Wainwright’s injury and season-ending.

Looking at the season record alone, they are not even in the middle of the league in pitching.

The fact that such a team has come up to the championship means that the lineup is that dangerous.

“Ha-Sung Jung should also be careful, right?”

“Of course, I’ll be careful. In the World Series, a moment’s carelessness will lead to defeat. But…….”

[The Cardinals have only one out left! If they get just one out, they will get the ticket to the World Series!]

Ha-Sung got up from his seat without watching the Cardinals’ last out.

“No one will be able to truly challenge me.”

Untouchable.

The time had come to show clearly why that nickname was given.

[Out!!]

[The last out count goes up! The St. Louis Cardinals advance to the World Series and fight for the ring with the New York Yankees!!]

New York Yankees VS St. Louis Cardinals.

The World Series lineup has been decided.