Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 71

Mound Villain – Episode 71

Before this season, Chris had focused on strengthening the batting lineup.

Therefore, as the season approached, he was worried about the pitching mound.

‘I can’t believe Matt and Giambi, who I was expecting so much from, aren’t performing as well as I’d hoped.’

Especially, Matt’s slump was a major shock.

‘He’s not producing enough to justify his salary.’

Matt’s salary was $12.5 million.

On the other hand, his WAR [Wins Above Replacement, a baseball statistic] was only 3.0.

Of course, that’s not a low number.

However, considering Matt had recorded WARs of 5.4 and 6.0 in the past two years, it was a disappointing performance.

‘We can’t afford that kind of expenditure.’

They needed to conserve the remaining salary to reduce expenses.

‘I have to hope the new guys perform well.’

With this trade, the Athletics acquired two immediately usable, starting-caliber hitters and a promising prospect.

They had no choice but to hope they would perform well.

* * *

Second half of the season.

The main thing Korean baseball fans were interested in was:

[Can Jung Ha-sung break the Major League’s all-time saves record?]

All-time saves record.

A rookie who had just debuted in the Major League was on the verge of breaking a major record like saves, so people’s expectations were focused on him.

[Jung Ha-sung achieved 45 saves by July! Only 17 more to tie the Major League record!]

[Whether he achieves it or not seems to depend on the Athletics’ performance for the rest of the season!]

[The Oakland Athletics, Jung Ha-sung’s team, traded Matt Holliday and Giambi to reinforce their lineup!]

[The Athletics have reinforced their batting lineup. Will Jung Ha-sung be guaranteed save opportunities?]

Analytical articles poured out regarding Ha-sung’s save record.

Most of them focused on the Oakland Athletics.

In other words, public opinion was focused on the save opportunities Ha-sung would receive depending on his team’s performance, not on Ha-sung’s ability to convert those opportunities.

That’s because Ha-sung had a 100% save success rate so far.

He had been getting saves whenever he was given the opportunity.

-Basically, if he gets the save opportunity, isn’t he guaranteed to break the record?

-That’s right.

-The problem is the Athletics.

-Aren’t they going to collapse in the second half?

-Very possible with so many rookies.

-Honestly, the Athletics’ batting lineup is the problem.

-Agreed.

The Athletics’ batting lineup was a known weakness, even to casual fans.

The reason the Athletics were able to maintain first place in the division was largely due to the strength of their pitching staff.

In particular, the bullpen was strong, so even if they only scored 2-3 runs, they could manage if the starter had a quality start [a start in which a pitcher lasts at least six innings and allows three or fewer earned runs].

Thanks to this, they were maintaining the top spot in the division, but it was precarious.

“Hoo…”

[Jung Ha-sung takes the mound with a comfortable score of 7 to 3.]

[Actually, it’s not a very comfortable score, but it feels very comfortable for Jung Ha-sung.]

[Haha! That’s right.]

Ha-sung, backed by a 4-run lead, faced three batters in a row.

Clang!!

[Mishit! Shortstop fields it and throws to first!]

Thud!

“Out!!”

The first batter was out on a changeup after 6 pitches.

Clang!!

[Shortstop jumps to catch!! But the ball slightly passes over his head!! It’s a hit!]

The second batter got a hit that passed just over the shortstop’s head.

If the shortstop’s jump timing had been a little earlier, he might have caught it, but Ha-sung didn’t seem too concerned.

Clang-!

[High fly ball! Center fielder catches it almost in place! The runner on first can’t advance. Two outs!!]

Two outs with a runner on first.

Ha-sung’s pitching wasn’t as dominant as it had been in the first half.

[Today, Jung Ha-sung’s pitches seem to be making good contact with the batters’ bats.]

[That’s right. I think the power is a little weaker than usual. But it’s okay since there are no solid hits yet.]

There were no solid hits.

But the ball was hitting the bat.

Normally, Ha-sung’s pitches were so powerful that batters struggled to even make contact.

Considering that, today was definitely different.

Katherine, who was watching, asked Chris.

“Is he in bad condition?”

“If he were in bad condition, he would have been hit hard already. That’s not it.”

“But today, the ball is hitting the batters’ bats.”

“That’s definitely true. But solid hits aren’t being made. The hit he allowed was also a mishit.”

That was definitely the case.

If he were in bad condition, that hit would have been a long one.

“Then why?”

A question arose.

He’s not in bad condition, but solid hits aren’t being made?

There must be a reason.

Chris silently looked at Ha-sung and pondered the reason.

Clang-!!

“Wow!”

“That was a good hit!!”

The fourth batter also hit the 4th pitch hard.

But this time too, the ball didn’t fly far.

The right fielder ran forward and caught the ball, and the game ended.

“He succeeded in getting a save with no runs allowed today too.”

“It feels like he’s pitching to contact.”

“Pardon?”

“Pull Ha-sung’s data by score difference, based on how he’s pitching.”

“By score difference? You mean Jung Ha-sung’s data in situations with 1-run, 2-run, and 3-run leads?”

“Yes.”

Chris sensed something.

* * *

Ha-sung, who secured his 46th save of the season, sighed in the locker room.

“Ugh… I’m tired.”

“What, why are you so tired? You only gave up one hit.”

“I just am. By the way, Trevor, you seem to be in bad shape these days?”

“Huh?”

Trevor flinched.

“Is it that obvious?”

“A little? Is something wrong?”

“Ha… Actually, I’m worried about my girlfriend these days.”

Ha-sung’s expression twisted.

“Hey, that expression is too harsh, isn’t it?”

“A pro’s performance is affected by his girlfriend? Is that why your batting has been terrible lately?”

“Damn it! That’s why I didn’t want to say anything.”

“Haa… So what is it?”

“Never mind, man.”

Ha-sung chuckled at Trevor’s sulky words.

Trevor was 27 years old, older than Ha-sung, but he seemed like a child to Ha-sung.

“Okay, okay, tell me. What’s the problem with your girlfriend?”

“Hey, I’m older than you.”

“Haha, okay. Have you eaten?”

“I’m going to go eat now.”

“Have you ever had Korean food?”

“Korean food? I’ve had barbecue a few times.”

“There’s something better than that. Let’s go together. I’ll treat you today.”

“Ooh~”

Ha-sung turned around at Trevor’s tempted look.

Then he saw a familiar face.

“Bailey, let’s grab a bite together too.”

“Huh? Sure.”

And so, the three of them left the clubhouse.

* * *

Chris sat in his office and checked the data.

“This is Jung Ha-sung’s data by situation this season. As you can see, there are some surprising points.”

“Surprising points?”

“The probability of getting a hit changes depending on the score difference.”

“Does it increase?”

“…Yes. Did you already know?”

“I was expecting it to some extent. What else?”

Chris asked, reviewing the data.

“The probability of the ball hitting the bat also increases overall. And the ratio of changeups and breaking balls also increases.”

“Does that mean he’s reducing the proportion of fastballs?”

“Yes. It’s clearly revealed in the data.”

That was definitely the case.

The data organized by Katherine clearly showed what kind of ball Ha-sung was throwing depending on the situation.

“He’s adjusting his pace depending on the score.”

“Is he pitching with less power?”

“Rather than that, he’s reducing the proportion of fastballs, which can be more taxing on his body.”

In the past, people thought breaking balls damaged the body.

But recent research results are showing a completely different story.

“Research results are increasingly showing that the faster pitchers throw, the more damage they inflict on their bodies. Looking at the actual data, there are many cases where fastball pitchers break down early.”

“So, Jung Ha-sung is thinking about that and reducing the proportion of fastballs depending on the situation?”

Chris nodded.

“That’s highly likely at the moment. However, it’s not certain. There’s still not enough data.”

“It’s true that he started getting hit more often in the second half.”

Ha-sung has only played in 6 games since the second half started.

It was still difficult to draw definitive conclusions from the data.

‘Wait, if he started adjusting his pace from the second half, is it perhaps to conserve stamina?’

The possibility was high enough.

But there was a part that bothered him about believing it so readily.

‘A rookie is doing that?’

That Ha-sung was a rookie.

Could a rookie who had just debuted in the big leagues play while thinking about conserving stamina?

‘There hasn’t been a rookie like that so far.’

He had seen countless rookies.

Some of them had outstanding talent.

When those players were spotted, they were called up and developed as quickly as possible.

That was Chris’s way of leading the small-market Athletics.

But so far, no player had ever conserved stamina on their own.

‘What the hell is Ha-sung? This rookie doesn’t seem like a rookie at all…’

The more he thought about Ha-sung, the more his head hurt.

Chris silently stared at the monitor displaying the data.

* * *

3-game series against the LA Dodgers.

Ha-sung, who got a save in the first game, was watching the second game from the bullpen.

Clang-!!

With a satisfying crack, the ball shot out to the outfield like a clothesline.

With the ball hitting the fence on one bounce, Trevor reached second base.

“Wow… Trevor is really on fire today.”

Bailey, who was watching the play, exclaimed.

“He was sluggish yesterday, but he’s definitely hitting well today.”

“Is it thanks to the Samgyetang [Korean ginseng chicken soup], he ate yesterday?”

“There’s no way. He’s just in good form because he worked up a sweat.”

Samgyetang is a health food, but it’s not a steroid.

There was no way it would cause such a dramatic change just by eating it once.

‘He must be feeling a little better because he got his worries off his chest yesterday.’

While eating yesterday, Trevor had opened up about his relationship concerns.

As expected, the best place to have such conversations is over a meal.

“Did things work out with his girlfriend?”

“I don’t know. Well, if he buys her a gift when he goes back, wouldn’t things work out?”

The reason Trevor was worried was because his girlfriend had brought up the topic of marriage.

Trevor hadn’t answered right away and had seemed caught off guard.

‘That’s the worst response. It’s not a rejection or an acceptance, just an awkward reaction.’

Trevor’s salary was enough to start a family.

Of course, having enough money and being ready to start a family are separate issues.

‘Marriage…’

Ha-sung hadn’t gotten married even before his regression.

During his active career, he was immersed in baseball, and after retirement, he was busy trying to make a living.

It’s not that he didn’t meet women, but none of those relationships led to marriage.

‘That stewardess was nice, though.’

A stewardess he met after getting her contact information.

He met her a few days later, had a light drink, and spent time with her at a hotel, but he didn’t particularly think of her as a marriage prospect.

‘What am I thinking about? I’m only 20 years old now.’

Ha-sung was 20 years old in Korean age [East Asian age reckoning].

In the United States, he was still a fresh 19-year-old.

‘Let’s enjoy this youth and slowly look for a relationship.’

In his previous life, he was immersed only in baseball.

Because of that, he missed out on things other people experienced.

After retirement, he had to prepare for a completely different life.

‘Those were days I regretted later. Let’s enjoy life this time.’

Maintaining his current performance and having enough fun.

That was Ha-sung’s goal for this season.

Clang!!

“Wow!!”

At that moment, with a resounding crack that echoed through the stadium, Trevor, who was on second base, sprinted home.

‘I guess I won’t have to pitch today.’

The score was widening.