The Mound’s Villain – Episode 54
The Mound’s Villain 54
[It’s been a month since the Major League season opened. Let’s take some time to compare and analyze each team’s performance during April.]
[Currently, the hottest team in the American League has to be the Oakland Athletics.]
[That’s right. The Athletics recorded 15 wins and 9 losses in 24 games during April, placing them second in the league.]
[It’s a shame they lost the league lead to the Red Sox, who went on a winning streak at the end of April.]
[But it’s amazing that they’ve achieved this kind of result after letting go of key players and bringing in players through trades.]
The Athletics adopted a small-market approach [a strategy focusing on developing talent rather than buying expensive players] ahead of this season.
They let go of expensive players and brought in immediate reinforcements through trades.
However, concerns were raised as the starting lineup mostly consisted of rookies.
But looking at their April performance alone, those concerns were unfounded.
[The Athletics’ performance is thanks to Giambi and Holliday’s great performances in the lineup, right?]
[That’s right. It was effective to bring back Giambi, who can be called a franchise star, and boldly bring in Holliday, who will become a free agent next season, while giving up rookies to lead the lineup.]
[It feels like General Manager Chris’s Moneyball theory [a sabermetric approach to baseball management] is working once again.]
[That’s true, just looking at April.]
[Then, if we were to select an MVP [Most Valuable Player] for April from the Athletics, who would you pick?]
The commentator paused for a moment before continuing.
[It’s definitely Jung Ha-sung.]
Ha-sung’s profile appeared on the screen.
[Jung Ha-sung, who debuted in the Major League last year, is 19 years old in American age. This is his first year playing full-time. Nevertheless, Jung Ha-sung has recorded 1 win and 11 saves in April alone.
His save success rate is 100 percent.]
[He only needs 15 more saves to break the Major League record for the most saves in the first half of the season, which is 26 saves.]
The Major League record for the most saves in the first half of the season was set by Jonathan Papelbon in the 2006 season.
From the 2006 season, he showed tremendous power, recording 35, 37, and 41 saves, and is currently active as the Red Sox’s fixed closer.
[If he continues his current momentum, I think Jung Ha-sung will break Papelbon’s record for the most saves in the first half of the season.]
[Personally, I think he can aim not only for the rookie record for the most saves in the first half but also for the all-time record for the most saves.]
[Let’s check the all-time record for the most saves in the first half here.]
As the screen changed, familiar names appeared.
[The first place is Francisco Rodriguez’s 38 saves in 2008.]
[At this time, Rodriguez recorded 62 saves in his full-time season, setting the Major League record for the most saves of all time.]
[If Jung Ha-sung breaks the first-half record, he can also challenge the all-time record for the most saves.]
[That’s what we can say.]
[Second place is John Smoltz’s 34 saves in 2003, and third place is Danny Graves with 33.]
[In order for Jung Ha-sung to challenge the all-time record, he needs to record more than 8 saves every month until July 14th.]
More than 8 saves every month.
He recorded 11 in April, so it may seem easy.
However, there were many variables as there were days when he couldn’t play depending on the team’s situation.
[There are quite a few variables, but from the current point of view, I think he can challenge the all-time records.]
[If there are variables, it would be the team’s situation or physical problems, right?]
[Yes. Since it’s his first full-time year, his season performance will depend on how they manage Jung Ha-sung’s physical condition.]
[Still, it’s definitely a record-breaking performance so far.]
[That’s right. He is almost certain to win the Rookie of the Month award for April, and even if his performance drops a little from this, he can aim to participate in the All-Star Game if he maintains his pace to some extent.]
Praise for Ha-sung continued.
Ha-sung was gaining recognition not only in Korea but also in the United States, receiving focused attention from the media.
And May began, and good news arrived.
[Oakland Athletics’ Jung Ha-sung wins the Rookie of the Month award for April!]
He won his first Rookie of the Month award since his Major League debut.
* * *
Ha-sung’s performance brought one concern to the Athletics.
‘We have resources left in the bullpen [the area where relief pitchers warm up].’
The bullpen had many good pitchers.
Currently, the Athletics’ winning formula was set.
‘If the starter blocks until the 6th inning, we can win if it leads to Wertz in the 7th, Bailey in the 8th, and Ha-sung in the 9th.’
Michael Wertz was acquired through a trade this season.
They had Ha-sung as a card, but they recruited him because there were many variables as a rookie.
Wertz was pitching well as expected.
The problem is that Ha-sung is pitching even better than him.
‘Craig and Ziegler are also doing well, so there are too many guys who are pitching too well.’
There were too many pitchers in the bullpen that they could trust and use.
Of course, it was a good thing, but it could be a concern for the Athletics, who lacked players.
‘Should we turn one of the bullpen pitchers into a starter? The most likely candidate is Bailey.’
At 25 years old this year, he was pitching the best after Ha-sung, based on his current performance alone.
If there was no Ha-sung, it wouldn’t be strange to have him as the closer.
However, he was serving as a setup man [a relief pitcher who pitches before the closer] because there was a definite closer card called Ha-sung.
‘His speed is a little slow, but he played as a starter in the minor leagues, so there won’t be any major problems even if he switches.’
Chris thought of several possibilities.
From converting a bullpen pitcher to a starter to acquiring a starting pitcher through a trade.
Perhaps because of the team’s performance of 2nd in the league and 1st in the division in April, Chris’s enthusiasm was hotter than ever.
“General Manager.”
“Hmm? What’s going on?”
“We have announced the bobblehead event schedule for May.”
“Ah, yes. When is Jung Ha-sung’s bobblehead event?”
“It’s scheduled for the 10th.”
“Good. Prepare so that other events can proceed without any setbacks.”
“Yes.”
The number of spectators was increasing.
Not satisfied with this, Chris was preparing various events to generate more revenue.
* * *
Ha-sung’s performance continued in May.
Crack!!
“Keuk……!”
[The bat is broken! The batted ball is flying high, but it doesn’t leave the infield. The first baseman takes his position and catches it safely.]
“Out!”
[The third out count goes up, and Jung Ha-sung records his 12th save!]
[It’s already his 12th consecutive save. It’s really amazing!]
12 consecutive saves.
The rookie consecutive save record was 20 saves by Jonathan Papelbon.
He was only 8 away from this record.
[With today’s save, Jung Ha-sung solidifies his position as the save leader!]
Since the beginning of the season, there has been fierce competition for the save record.
The competitors were Rivera and Brian.
Rivera had not yet added to the 10 saves he recorded in April.
This was because the Yankees could not go to the 9th inning with a save situation.
In the meantime, Brian had accumulated 10 saves.
The gap between the two players in second place was only 2.
It could be overturned at any time.
* * *
‘The start is perfect itself.’
Ha-sung accessed the Major League website and checked his performance.
“My potential was greater when I was younger than I expected.”
In his past life, Ha-sung had a time bomb on his shoulder.
That bomb prevented Ha-sung from unleashing all of his potential.
‘This time it’s different. I can pitch completely without injuries.’
Above all, Ha-sung knew how to unlock his potential.
That’s how he prepared for the 2009 season.
He was able to throw the ball as he thought, and his speed was good.
Above all, he was able to plant the ball where he wanted.
‘I’ll be fine if I keep going like this in May too.’
His goal in May was also the Rookie of the Month.
He was going to receive it for two consecutive months to firmly establish his position.
Ha-sung clenched his fist and waited for the next game.
* * *
The Major League is a league where the best in the world gather.
It was natural that the best would gather in a place that was one of the largest sports businesses in the world.
This did not only mean players.
Tap-!!
[He hit it!! A clean hit that splits the gap between third base and shortstop! Jung Ha-sung gives up his first hit since the home run he gave up to Michael Young!]
The best gathering meant that players, coaches, and power analysts gathered.
In addition, the best equipment was introduced, and the synergy of these things was strong.
‘The timing was a little late, but he accurately matched the trajectory of the ball.’
Ha-sung felt it by looking at the batter’s batting.
He was perfectly aiming for his fastball and hitting it.
Originally, Ha-sung’s ball is difficult to time.
First of all, the speed of the ball is fast.
A ball approaching 100 miles is not something that can be easily seen in the Major League.
‘It doesn’t make sense for a batter to see and hit these balls. They predict and hit.’
It is a speed that exceeds human reaction speed.
It doesn’t make sense to see and hit the ball.
Then how do you hit a ball over 100 miles?
It is possible because they predict that the ball will come and start the swing first.
Afterwards, they predict the trajectory and change the swing to hit the ball.
‘The reason why the batters haven’t hit my ball so far is because the trajectory of the ball is different.’
But this time, he even matched the trajectory and hit it.
That’s why he was able to make a hit even though the timing was late.
[Jung Ha-sung’s four-seam fastball has an average RPM [revolutions per minute] of 2542. This is the highest RPM in the Major League. The higher the RPM, the less the ball drops.]
The less it drops means that the ball falls less.
In the past, the rising fastball had the same effect as the ball rising, which was due to the rotation of the ball.
This phenomenon is called the Magnus effect [the force exerted on a spinning object moving through a fluid] and has been scientifically proven.
‘Did he adapt to that and change his swing?’
The possibility was enough.
Just because the ball doesn’t drop much doesn’t mean it doesn’t drop at all.
‘I’ll know if I face this guy.’
Ha-sung threw an initial slider against the second batter.
The batter’s bat did not turn on the ball flowing from the center to the outside.
Thud!
“Strike!!”
The umpire’s hand went up.
‘Is he giving up on breaking balls?’
That was also a possibility.
He sent a signal to check and threw the second ball.
Swae-ek-!
It was a slider again.
It was a ball coming into the zone from the body.
Whoong!!
The batter’s bat turned sharply.
Tap-!!
[He hit it!!]
The well-hit ball flew to the outfield.
The left fielder retreated to the fence on a somewhat deep course.
[Ah-! It’s big!]
It was a ball that seemed like it would go over.
But it lost power at the last minute and went into the left fielder’s glove in front of the fence.
[Caught in front of the fence! It was a really close ball!]
[The batter caught the exact timing by throwing sliders for both the first and second balls.]
[Is it because the ball that the leadoff hitter hit was a fastball?]
[That’s also a possibility. The batters’ bats are sharp today.]
Usually, Ha-sung turned the batters around with overwhelming force.
But today, it felt like the batters’ bats were sharper.
And that was true.
‘These guys have figured out my ball to some extent.’
Ha-sung’s gaze turned to the opposing team’s dugout.
The Seattle Mariners’ bench was moving busily, and it seemed that they were instructing the batter who would be heading to the on-deck circle.
‘If these guys have analyzed my ball, then other clubs must have figured it out to some extent as well.’
Ha-sung has been playing in the Major League since September of last year.
It wouldn’t be strange if it had been analyzed.
Above all, Ha-sung’s ball distribution was somewhat monotonous.
Because his control and movement were so good, he was able to overwhelm the batter even with a monotonous pattern.
‘Well, analysis is always something you get.’
Being analyzed doesn’t mean you’re being attacked.
If analysis was everything, the Major League would always have to be a hitter’s paradise.
‘Anyway, it’s a crisis right now.’
The Seattle batters were lightly hitting his ball.
To get out of this crisis, he had to take out something different from usual.
‘I’ll throw it after a long time.’
Ha-sung took the ball thrown by Trevor and put it in his glove.
And he turned the ball around and gripped it differently than before.