Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 274

Villain of the Mound – Episode 274

From the opening game, Ha-seong captivated everyone.

[Jeong Ha-seong just hit a triple this inning, and now he only needs a home run to complete the cycle.]

[It’s called hitting for the cycle in baseball. I never imagined a player would come so close to achieving it in the opening game.]

[And he’s a starting pitcher! It’s definitely the first time a starting pitcher has been this close to a cycle in the opening game.]

[Haha! It seems like Jeong Ha-seong is always setting unprecedented records.]

Since there was no precedent in Major League history, his records were often the first of their kind.

[More than anything, Jeong Ha-seong isn’t just aiming for a cycle; he’s also pitching a perfect game.]

[If he achieves both, he might set an unbreakable record that will stand forever.]

An unbreakable record.

Everyone dreams of it at least once.

A record that ensures your name is remembered forever.

If he were to achieve a perfect game and hit for the cycle simultaneously, the chances of that record ever being broken were incredibly slim.

Especially considering it was the opening game, the possibility of it being surpassed was even more remote.

In this high-stakes situation, Ha-seong returned to the mound for the top of the 8th inning.

[Jeong Ha-seong only needs 6 more outs to achieve a legendary feat!]

[Now that we’ve come this far! I hope he seals the deal in spectacular fashion!]

[I feel the same way! Jeong Ha-seong winds up!!]

“Hmph!!”

Whoosh-!!

Thwack!!

“Foul!!”

[First pitch foul! The speed is clocked at 101 miles per hour!!]

The batter grimaced after making contact.

‘Even after throwing over 100 pitches, he’s still throwing with this much power.’

The hand gripping the bat throbbed.

That meant the ball had tremendous force.

‘Where does he get that kind of stamina?’

Even a great pitcher is still human.

After throwing 100 pitches, stamina naturally declines.

But Ha-seong showed no signs of fatigue.

‘Damn it… how am I supposed to hit against him?’

The most frustrating thing about facing Ha-seong was the lack of any apparent weakness.

If his stamina was waning, you could try to exploit that.

But even as the game progressed, his stamina remained high, and his control was impeccable, making it difficult to find an opening.

‘I can’t keep complaining.’

This is a game.

Even if the opponent is pitching lights out, you have to find a way to get on base.

The problem was that Ha-seong wasn’t giving him anything.

Thwack!!

“Foul!”

The second pitch was a high-speed slider that caught the edge of the bat.

Another foul, and the count was turning against him.

Ha-seong’s next pitch was decisive.

“Hmph!!”

Whoosh-!!

Swoosh!!

A slow changeup, a stark contrast to his previous pitches.

The batter swung weakly, completely fooled.

Thud!

The ball nestled into the catcher’s mitt, and the umpire signaled.

“Swing! Strike out!!”

[Strikeout!! Jeong Ha-seong records his 18th strikeout of the game!]

[Ah~ a perfectly executed change of pace. A fastball that blazes in at 100 mph, a slider in the 90s, and then a changeup in the late 70s.

He varied his speeds perfectly, keeping the batter completely off balance.]

It wasn’t just about changing speeds.

His location was also perfect, deceiving the batter’s eye.

‘Two outs left.’

Ha-seong, focused and determined, set out to get the final outs.

* * *

Ha-seong, after retiring the next two batters, glanced towards the batter’s box.

‘If I don’t get another at-bat this inning, I won’t have another chance.’

Ha-seong was also keenly aware of the potential cycle.

As he always believed, records should be pursued when they’re within reach.

The problem was that if he didn’t get a chance this inning, the game would likely end.

Since the Yankees were an offensive powerhouse, the game would end unless Ha-seong gave up 3 or more runs in the top of the 9th inning.

Considering Ha-seong’s ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of runs allowed per game], it was highly unlikely he’d give up 3 runs in a single game.

That’s why this inning was essentially his last chance.

‘Well, from here on out, it’s out of my hands. Unless my teammates suddenly find their hitting groove and string together some hits.’

He couldn’t control his teammates’ batting.

Ha-seong was the type to not waste energy on things he couldn’t influence.

So, he lowered his expectations and watched his teammates bat.

But then…

Thwack-!!

[He got a hit! A single that drops in front of the left fielder!]

[The Yankees’ leadoff hitter is on base!]

Thud!

“Ball! Base on balls!!”

[Walk! The Yankees get another runner on base!]

Although they were getting on base, Ha-seong still didn’t get his hopes up.

‘At least 3 more people need to get on base for my turn to come.’

It was a long shot.

It was still too early to celebrate.

Thwack!!

[He got a hit! The runner on second scores easily, and now there are runners on second and third!]

[The Rangers’ rookie pitcher is getting shelled.]

[Shouldn’t they change the pitcher?]

[The Rangers don’t seem to have any intention of doing so. The score difference has widened, and more importantly, Jeong Ha-seong is on the mound.]

[It might be better to focus on tomorrow.]

[That’s right. With Jeong Ha-seong pitching, a 4-point lead is practically insurmountable.]

Normally, a 4-point deficit is considered manageable.

However, the Rangers decided against a pitching change, effectively conceding the game.

It was a calculated decision.

Scoring against Ha-seong was incredibly difficult.

Instead, they opted to save their arms and aim to win the opening game series tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Yankees’ lineup continued to batter the Rangers.

Thwack!!

[Another well-hit ball! The Yankees are getting on base at will!]

As a result, the batting order was turning over, bringing Ha-seong closer to the plate.

‘Is this really happening?’

It was as if fate was pushing him to achieve the record.

‘They’ve not only set the table, but they’ve also put the spoon in my hand, loaded it with food, and are shoving it into my mouth.’

Ha-seong stood up and grabbed his bat.

‘I can’t refuse this.’

The opportunity to achieve a historic feat had arrived.

* * *

[Jeong Ha-seong steps up to the plate with two outs and runners on 1st and 3rd.]

[He has a golden opportunity. This inning is virtually his last chance to complete the cycle.]

[If he hits a home run here, Jeong Ha-seong will set another Major League first.]

[I don’t know where this player’s limits are. He set so many records last year, and he’s still breaking them.]

[It’s unbelievable, but it’s reality. There’s a reason why Jeong Ha-seong is nicknamed the Record Breaker in the United States.]

Ha-seong, at the plate, focused on the pitcher.

‘He’s being developed as a starting pitcher, so he has decent stamina.’

Despite getting hit hard, the quality of his pitches hadn’t diminished.

He could have lost his composure, but the pitcher seemed to be relishing the challenge.

‘He’s either a masochist, or he’s smart enough to understand the dugout’s strategy.’

It was probably the latter.

If that’s the case, he wouldn’t be easily intimidated.

And that was immediately apparent with the first pitch.

Boom-!!

“Strike!!”

[First pitch strike! Geitch’s heavy four-seam fastball, which had been getting hit hard, catches the inside corner!]

[The pitch was clocked at 95 miles per hour, his fastest of the day.]

Justin Geitch was a rookie who debuted in the Major League last year.

This year, he was a promising player who earned the opportunity to start on Opening Day.

And that potential was about to be tested against Ha-seong, arguably the toughest opponent in the league.

‘If I can get Ha-seong out, I’ll become the most talked-about player in the Major League.’

Ha-seong’s reputation was immense.

He was a player who had surpassed even Barry Bonds in his prime, before the steroid allegations.

‘I’m going to strike him out.’

Geitch put everything he had into the next pitch from the set position.

Whoosh-!!

This time, it was a sharp slider.

Ha-seong checked his swing, barely holding back.

Swoosh-!!

Thwack!!

The bat connected with the ball, anticipating its break.

Ha-seong watched the fly ball soar through the air and tossed his bat aside.

‘He’s a good player, but his desire to strike me out is too obvious.’

To get him out, he had to challenge him in the strike zone, and all Ha-seong had to do was capitalize.

‘With this…….’

Ha-seong watched the ball clear the fence and began his trot around the bases.

‘I have become the first man.’

2012 season.

Ha-seong, who signed a massive contract, silenced all doubters with a home run.

Along with a historic first.

[Jeong Ha-seong hits a three-run home run!! He completes the cycle in the opening game!!]

* * *

Top of the 9th inning.

Ha-seong returned to the mound and faced three more batters.

“Hmph!!”

Whoosh-!!

Boom!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Jeong Ha-seong strikes out the first batter!!]

Ha-seong, after recording his 19th strikeout with a three-pitch sequence, dispatched the second batter with a cutter.

Swish!!

Crack!!

[The bat shatters, and the ball flies back to Jeong Ha-seong! He catches it and throws to 1st base!]

Thud!

“Out!!”

[Two outs!]

Only one out remained.

Ha-seong prepared his final pitch.

Boom-!

“Strike!!”

[The first pitch, a 99-mile fastball, is right on the money!]

Thwack!!

“Foul!!”

[He fouls off the second pitch, a 100-mile fastball! Jeong Ha-seong has a favorable count with two strikes!]

[Only one out stands between him and history!]

Ha-seong went into his windup, ready to make history.

“Hmph!!”

The ball exploded from his hand and zoomed towards the batter.

Boom!!

“Strike!! Batter out!!”

[Strikeout! Jeong Ha-seong pitches a perfect game for the 3rd consecutive year!! The 20th strikeout was clocked at 102 miles per hour!!]

[Jeong Ha-seong is making headlines in his first year after signing a huge contract!!]

[He dominates the Major League in the 2012 season!!]

It was the moment when all doubts about him vanished.

* * *

Hot summer.

The Major League suspended the season immediately after the All-Star Game, before the second half could begin.

The reason was the London Olympics.

And Ha-seong left the United States and headed to London.

Numerous media outlets covered his arrival in London on his private jet.

In particular, Korea was ecstatic about his decision to join the national team for the first time.

[The best player in history! Jeong Ha-seong joins the national team!!]

[Jeong Ha-seong joins the team aiming for a gold medal at the London Olympics!!]

Korea was buzzing with excitement over Ha-seong’s participation.

The world’s media showed tremendous interest, making the Korean national team the favorite to win gold.

This attention naturally attracted those who sought attention.

Nakamura of Japan, who had been taking shots at Ha-seong before, didn’t miss this opportunity.

“Jeong Ha-seong is Thanos! Our Japanese national team will be the Avengers to defeat that Thanos!”

Nakamura, upon arriving in London, compared Ha-seong to the villain Thanos from the recently released Avengers movie.

And the media jumped on this interesting narrative.

[Japan’s ace Nakamura declares, “We are the Avengers of Baseball, we will defeat the villain Jeong Ha-seong!”]

Ha-seong made an incredulous face when he saw the article.

“He’s completely lost it.”

But he liked one thing.

“Villain… not bad.”

Ha-seong’s first national team game was fast approaching.