Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 273

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 273

The first practice game was a success.

The problem was that Ha-seong didn’t pitch after that.

[Jeong Ha-seong Disappears from Practice Games!]

[Jeong Ha-seong Injury Suspicions?]

[Rumors of Injury Surfacing Locally!]

[Major League Experts: It Seems Jeong Ha-seong is Injured!]

Rumors started circulating because Ha-seong didn’t appear in practice games.

Of course, there was a rebuttal to this.

“Jeong Ha-seong is not pitching according to his schedule. This is a routine to show the best performance in the opening game, so please understand.”

A Yankees official stood before the reporters and explained the situation.

However, no one believed this explanation.

[Yankees Official: No Problem with Jeong Ha-seong! But Avoids Detailed Explanation!]

[A Player Not Playing to Show the Best Performance? The Yankees’ Explanation Doesn’t Make Sense!]

[Why Isn’t Jeong Ha-seong Appearing?]

The media, like hyenas smelling blood, poured out sensational articles about Ha-seong.

The most representative was, of course, his salary.

[Jeong Ha-seong, Receiving Three Times the Average Major League Salary: A Strike Atmosphere from the First Year?]

[The Yankees’ Investment Will End in Failure! Will the Major League Expert’s Words Come True?]

The reporters, with a large piece of bait after a long time, poured out their clickbait articles.

Some did fact-checking for the sake of their duty as reporters, but they were a very small minority.

Most reporters were anxious about the views they would get right away and were busy tearing down Ha-seong.

In the meantime, Ha-seong only participated in individual and team training, and the suspicions grew.

No, to be exact, Ha-seong did make a statement through the club.

[There is no injury. I am adjusting my condition for the opening game.]

Although this fact was revealed, it was often buried in the messy articles poured out by reporters.

As public opinion was boiling, the practice games ended, and the opening game was just around the corner.

And one official announcement was made.

[New York Yankees to Start Jeong Ha-seong as Starting Pitcher and 3rd Batter in the Opening Game Against the Texas Rangers!]

[The 43 Million Dollar Man! Jeong Ha-seong to Start in the Opening Game!]

[All Seats Sold Out at Yankee Stadium!! The Return of the Ace the Fans Have Been Waiting For!]

A statement that silenced the trash reporters at once was released.

* * *

The Major League opening game was special.

It was the starting line to begin a season and a place to give fans expectations for the new season.

Therefore, most teams went to the opening game with the best possible lineup, as long as the situation allowed.

The Texas Rangers also wanted to do so, but their power drain in the stove league [off-season trading period] was significant.

[The Texas Rangers Have Chosen Colby Lewis as Their Opening Game Starting Card.]

[Lewis, who played as an ace for 10 seasons, became an ordinary pitcher in the 11th season.

The Rangers’ mound situation is not good enough to send out such a player.]

[Is that why they were trying to target Jeong Ha-seong?]

[That’s right. But the Yankees gave Jeong Ha-seong a huge contract early on, so they couldn’t even try to poach him.]

The Rangers lost many starting-level players, including C.J. Wilson, to the Angels in the stove league.

They did recruit Japanese super ace Darvish Yu, but it was burdensome to put him in the opening game.

So, the card they chose was a rather unexpected one called Colby Lewis.

– The Rangers gave up on the game with Ha-seong.

– Isn’t this like saying they’ll give up the opening game and start?

– I agree lol

– Unless Colby Lewis is at his prime level. With last year’s performance, it’s impossible.

– It seems impossible even at his prime level.

– Yankees secure 1 win!

The fans watching the game were expecting the Yankees to win easily.

The gap in power was that severe.

[Ace Jeong Ha-seong is on the mound for the Yankees.]

[Jeong Ha-seong, considered the best player in modern baseball, is recognized for his value by receiving the highest salary in Major League Baseball.]

[Now, all that’s left is to win the fight against himself, right?]

[That’s right. Jeong Ha-seong is a player who no longer needs to fight against others. He just needs to focus on defeating himself.]

[I think that’s the most difficult problem.]

[I agree. He had such a great season last year that it’s questionable whether he can perform better than that.]

Last season, Ha-seong played so well that he would be remembered in the history of modern baseball.

And he made a big contract, making the world buzz.

The problem is that the big contract created people with animosity.

They tried to cut down Ha-seong with various arguments.

So far, their arguments have not worked, but if Ha-seong’s performance drops even a little, they could gain strength.

Ha-seong’s salary was so high that his performance had to be good.

[What kind of performance will Jeong Ha-seong show in this pressure-filled situation! The 2012 Major League Baseball opening game begins!]

“Play ball!!”

The game started with the umpire’s shout.

* * *

On the mound, Ha-seong was already in a state of concentration.

The word ‘burden’ did not exist in his head.

‘Let’s go with a flashy fastball.’

He was only focused on the catcher’s lead and how to throw the ball.

Unlike what others thought, he didn’t worry about having to throw well because he was getting a high salary.

Whoosh-!!

The only reason he could be so free from burden was his absolute belief in his ability.

[1st pitch!]

Swaeeeeek-!!

Bang!!

“Strike!!”

[Sharply pierces the outside low course! The umpire’s hand goes up, and Jeong Ha-seong’s ball, opening the 2012 season, is clocked at 100 miles per hour!!]

In a way, it was something he had to do.

But everyone knew how difficult this was.

Living in the world, trust in oneself tends to decrease for various reasons.

Sometimes by others.

Sometimes by one’s own will, self-belief gradually disappears.

But Ha-seong didn’t have that.

“Hup!!”

Swaeeeeek!!

Clack!!

“Foul!!”

[2nd pitch hits the batter, but the ball goes backward! Foul!]

[The speed of the second ball was clocked at 101 miles per hour.]

[Jeong Ha-seong is raising his pace from the beginning and throwing fastballs like his trademark.]

The reason Ha-seong could have such a firm belief in himself was his overwhelming amount of training.

Systematic and overwhelming training tempered him and naturally gave him faith in himself.

Thorough preparation became a strong basis for believing in himself.

Thanks to that, his mentality was stronger than ever.

[Jeong Ha-seong throws the 3rd pitch!!]

The last game of the World Series.

In the first inning, Ha-seong struck out all the batters with three pitches.

The spectators who remembered that held their breath and watched the 3rd pitch thrown by Ha-seong.

“Hup!!”

The ball, thrown with a short shout, crossed the space in an instant and stuck in the mitt.

Bang-!!

A moment of silence flowed with the roar.

And soon, the umpire punched his fist and made the call.

“Strike!! Batter Out!!”

[Strikeout with three pitches!! Jeong Ha-seong handles the first batter with 3 pitches!! A scene reminiscent of Game 6 of the World Series!!]

[Jeong Ha-seong’s season has begun!!]

The spectators cheered all at once, announcing the start of the 2012 season.

* * *

It was overwhelming.

Bang-!!

“Strike!! Batter Out!!”

[Strikeout! Jeong Ha-seong’s strikeouts increase to 15 with another strikeout in the 7th inning!]

[Jeong Ha-seong is doing his part in the new season! Ah~ He’s really awesome!!]

Seven innings, no runs, 15 strikeouts, 0 walks.

Ha-seong, who came down from the mound without allowing a single hit or a single walk, immediately prepared to enter the batter’s box.

[In the bottom of the 7th inning, Yankees’ leadoff hitter Brett Gardner comes to the plate!]

[Since Jeong Ha-seong is the next batter, it would be a great opportunity if Gardner gets a hit here.]

[It’s a comfortable situation with a score of 3 to 0, but it’s better to get even one more lead, right?]

[That’s right. It will be a valuable point that can reduce Jeong Ha-seong’s burden.]

What Gardner wanted at the plate was to get on base.

And Gardner, like a veteran, made it with his skillful eye for pitches.

Thud!!

“Ball! Base on balls!!”

[Walk! Gardner endures the falling curve and walks after a full count battle!!]

[Very good!! There’s nothing more scary than a batter on base in front of Jeong Ha-seong!]

As Ha-seong entered the plate, Yankee Stadium was buzzing.

“Ha! Seong! Ha! Seong!!”

“Hit one out of here!!”

“Let’s hit a home run this time!!”

What the fans wanted was Ha-seong’s long hit.

[Jeong Ha-seong, who has already hit a single and a double in the previous two at-bats, is showing a very good batting sense from the opening game.]

As Ha-seong, who had already made two hits, stood at the plate, the Rangers’ dugout became busy.

[The Rangers are showing their will to stop Jeong Ha-seong here by replacing the pitcher.]

[Since it’s the opening game, they’re showing a willingness to compete rather than avoid it.]

If they were thinking of avoiding the match, they wouldn’t have to change the pitcher.

They could just intentionally walk him and then change the pitcher.

The pitcher was changed, and Ha-seong stood at the plate again.

And as expected, the first pitch of the changed pitcher came out aggressively.

Bang-!!

“Strike!!”

[Strongly pierces the strike zone on the first pitch! The Rangers choose an aggressive match even against Jeong Ha-seong!]

[It remains to be seen whether this will be beneficial or detrimental.]

Ha-seong calmly watched the changed pitcher’s pitches, checking his style and today’s condition.

Thud!!

“Ball!”

[Ball! Jeong Ha-seong makes the count two balls and two strikes with a good eye for pitches!]

[He’s watching the ball very calmly.]

After watching up to the 4th pitch, it was now a favorable count for Ha-seong.

‘Now is the time to make a move.’

As Ha-seong thought, the Rangers’ bench signaled to make a move.

On the other hand, the Yankees’ dugout looked calm.

Manager Girardi didn’t send any tactics or actions.

All he did was one thing.

‘I believe in Ha-seong.’

It was to send faith in Ha-seong.

And Ha-seong.

“Hup!!”

Swaeeeeek!!

[Threw the 5th pitch!!]

Whooong!!

Clack!!

[He hit it!! A well-hit ball!!]

[The ball that passed the right fielder’s height bounces once and rolls out of the foul line!! In the meantime, first base runner Gardner turns second and goes to third! Jeong Ha-seong also runs to second!!]

[The right fielder has now caught the ball! And throws it straight home!!]

Gardner was fast, but before turning third base, the right fielder threw the ball aiming for home.

The ball that flew directly stuck in the catcher’s mitt.

The moment Gardner threw his body and stole the base.

Chwaaaat-!!

Thud!

“Safe! Safe!!”

[Safe!! And the catcher stops trying to throw the ball to 3rd base!! Jeong Ha-seong is already standing on 3rd base!!]

[Jeong Ha-seong’s triple explodes here!!]

Ha-seong, who hit a triple following a single and a double, raised his fist on 3rd base.