Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 72

Mount Villain – Episode 72

As August arrived, the Rookie of the Year (ROY) award began to garner significant attention in the United States.

[Athletics’ Jung Ha-sung is a strong candidate for the American League ROY.]

[There’s no room for disagreement.]

[In fact, even if the season ended now, Jung Ha-sung would likely win the ROY.]

The experts unanimously agreed.

And that was the correct assessment.

-There’s no one else deserving of it other than Jung Ha-sung.

-Isn’t the real question whether he’ll win the Cy Young Award, not the ROY?

-That’s right.

-How many times has someone won both the ROY and Cy Young in the same year?

-Only once.

-In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela received both the ROY and Cy Young.

-So, it’s potentially only the second time in nearly three decades that it might happen?

-The main challenge is whether he can outperform Zack Greinke to win it.

Opinions were divided among the fans as well.

The most common topic of discussion was, of course, the Cy Young Award.

Meanwhile, Ha-sung secured his 49th save, moving closer to setting a new record.

[Jung Ha-sung added his 49th save in today’s game. At his current pace, isn’t it only a matter of time before he breaks the major league record for saves in a season?]

[That’s right. The Athletics have 50 games left, so if he appears in just 14 of those games, he could break the major league record.]

In Korea, every time Ha-sung achieved a save, news outlets brought in panels to report on the details.

‘Jung Ha-sung is such a 효자 (hyoja) [a devoted and filial son], a 효자 (hyoja)!’

From the broadcasting station’s perspective, Ha-sung was a guaranteed ratings magnet.

Whenever they reported on his news, the viewership ratings soared.

Above all, the viewers’ interest was very high, so the response on the message boards was also very enthusiastic.

[Currently, isn’t Jung Ha-sung’s ROY award considered a foregone conclusion in the United States?]

[In fact, in the American League, the only rookie who can be compared to Jung Ha-sung is Andrew Bailey from the same team. The problem is that Bailey’s performance is far below Jung Ha-sung’s.]

In the original timeline, Andrew Bailey would win the ROY.

But with Ha-sung’s presence, that history is changing.

[Then, what about the Cy Young Award?]

The caster asked, following the pre-determined script.

The panelist wore a troubled expression.

It wasn’t an act.

The caster’s questions were fixed, but the panelist’s answers were not.

In other words, they had to research and formulate their own answers.

[It’s a difficult question. I’ve thought about it a lot. First of all, the possibility isn’t zero.]

As the panelist gestured, the data he had prepared appeared on the monitor.

[Looking back at major league history, there have been quite a few closers who have received the Cy Young Award.]

[More than I thought?]

[Yes. A total of 9 closers have received the Cy Young Award, and most recently, Éric Gagné received it in 2003.]

[Isn’t Gagné the player who was caught using performance-enhancing drugs through the Mitchell Report?]

[That’s right. In 2003, while playing for the LA Dodgers, he recorded an overwhelming performance with 55 saves, an ERA (Earned Run Average) of 1.2, and a WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) of 0.692, winning the Cy Young Award.]

Mr. Game Over.

That was Éric Gagné’s nickname.

Along with Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, he was a closer who represented Major League Baseball.

But his prime was short-lived.

After 2004 and 45 saves, he didn’t show any remarkable performance in the major leagues.

In addition, he was listed in the Mitchell Report and his career declined sharply.

[So, are you saying that if Jung Ha-sung achieves 55 saves, he can win the Cy Young Award?]

[The possibility is high. Let’s look at the game record of Jason Schmidt, who was a strong contender for the Cy Young Award along with Éric Gagné at the time.]

Jason Schmidt’s performance appeared on the screen.

[At the time, Jason Schmidt recorded an overwhelming performance with 17 wins and 5 losses, and an ERA of 2.34. In addition, he recorded a crazy WHIP of 0.953.]

[That’s a really great record.]

At the time, 30-year-old Jason Schmidt was having a career-best season.

Experts paid close attention to which of the two pitchers, Jason and Eric, would receive the Cy Young Award.

[The Cy Young Award for the two pitchers, who were neck and neck, was eventually given to Éric Gagné, who had a sensational season.]

[How does it compare to Zack Greinke now?]

[Zack Greinke is also performing well so far, but it’s slightly below Jason’s performance at the time.]

[Then what about Jung Ha-sung and Éric Gagné?]

[Looking at the detailed stats alone, Jung Ha-sung is on top. One factor is that Éric Gagné had a consecutive save record at the time.]

[Consecutive save record?]

[Yes. The reason why Éric Gagné was able to generate such a sensational response at the time was because he had been achieving a consecutive save record since July 2002.]

Considering various factors, Ha-sung also had advantageous aspects.

On the other hand, there was a high possibility that Zack Greinke would surpass him.

[Above all, Major League Baseball is a very conservative organization. Since they started selecting winners in 1956, a total of 93 players had won awards by 2008, but only 9 of them are closers.]

[That’s a very small number.]

[That’s the same as saying that they are giving more weight to starting pitchers.]

[In order for Jung Ha-sung to receive the Cy Young Award as a closer, he has to overcome this bias in Major League Baseball.]

[That’s right.]

[Thank you for the valuable information. We’ll conclude with today’s save highlights of Jung Ha-sung.]

* * *

Ha-sung also came across the article.

‘Cy Young Award…….’

He had never considered it.

‘I thought I could win Rookie of the Year, but the Cy Young Award in my debut year?’

Above all, winning both ROY and Cy Young at the same time?

It was something that only one person in history had accomplished.

He couldn’t imagine himself doing that.

‘Still, only one person in history has done it…….’

Ha-sung smiled as he looked at the article on his smartphone.

‘If I succeed, I’ll feel amazing, right? And my value will skyrocket.’

The second ROY-CY simultaneous winner in history.

If he succeeds, he will receive a huge amount of money not only in Korea but also in the United States.

“Hehe, I should be greedy for something like this.”

More than ever, a burning passion blazed in Ha-sung’s eyes.

* * *

The opportunity for his 50th save of the season came sooner than expected.

“Ha-sung! It looks like you’ll have to pitch in today’s game.”

In the long-awaited home game, a tight score of 4 to 3 continued until the 7th inning.

“Yessir!”

With a strong response, Ha-sung went up to the bullpen mound.

Bailey, the setup man, was already warming up next to him.

“Hup!”

뻐어억! [Sound of a baseball hitting a mitt]

Bailey’s ball was embedded in the mitt, emitting a tremendous sound.

“Ha-sung, how does my ball look today?”

“Very good. The ball still has life at the end today, doesn’t it?”

“Right?”

Was it because he was praised by Ha-sung?

Bailey’s expression became much lighter.

The ball he threw afterwards made an even better sound as it was caught in the mitt.

‘Ha-sung is gradually taking control of the bullpen.’

Watching the scene, bullpen coach Sanchez could feel Ha-sung’s influence growing.

‘Well, with that guy’s performance, age doesn’t matter.’

49 saves.

Not only that, but the 49 consecutive save record continued.

The major league’s most saves record in a season is 55 saves, so if the season continues like this, that record will also be broken.

뻐어어억-!! [Louder sound of a baseball hitting a mitt]

“N…… Nice ball!!”

When Ha-sung started practicing pitching, a different sound than before echoed in the bullpen.

It was such a powerful ball that the bullpen catcher who received the ball flinched.

Watching that, Sanchez shook his head.

‘He’s really a monster.’

* * *

[The Athletics, maintaining a score of 4 to 3, Jung Ha-sung takes the mound in the top of the 9th inning.]

[Recently, American fans have given Jung Ha-sung an interesting nickname.]

[What nickname is it?]

[They’re calling him ‘The End’.]

[The End? Does that mean the game is over?]

[That’s right. In the past, Gagné was called Mr. Game Over, so Jung Ha-sung, who is performing as well as him, has been given the nickname ‘The End’.]

The End.

That was the word that American fans used to refer to Ha-sung recently.

Some called him HS, but the most commonly used nickname was The End.

[Will The End, Jung Ha-sung, be able to end the game? He faces the first batter on the mound.]

Numerous spectators focused to watch Ha-sung’s pitching.

Chris was also among them.

“We’ll be able to see if the manager’s prediction is correct in today’s game.”

Chris nodded at Catherine’s words.

“If he’s been adjusting his pace when the score difference has widened to conserve stamina, he’ll be pitching at full strength in today’s game.”

“Then the proportion of fastballs will increase.”

“That’s right.”

We’ll soon know if Chris’s prediction is correct.

At that time, Ha-sung threw the first ball with a wind-up.

“Hup!!”

쐐애애액-!! [Sound of a fastball]

뻐어억!! [Sound of a baseball hitting a mitt]

“Strike!!”

[First pitch strike! A fastball that strongly challenges the batter! The speed is…… 97 miles per hour!]

[He threw a great pitch, establishing control from the very first throw.]

Ha-sung, who received the ball back, applied rosin to his hand and returned to the mound.

‘Should I go with a breaking ball for the second pitch?’

Ha-sung shook his head at Trevor’s sign.

‘Then another fastball?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Then let’s aim outside.’

Ha-sung, who immediately nodded, began his wind-up.

‘In a 1-point situation, it’s important to eliminate variables altogether.’

As Chris predicted, Ha-sung was adjusting his pace according to the score situation.

“Hup!!”

쐐애애애액-! [Sound of a fastball]

딱!! [Sound of a baseball being hit]

“Foul!!”

[A pitch that cuts to the low outside corner! The batter made contact, but the batted ball goes foul!]

The reason for adjusting the pace was simple.

It’s because of stamina.

‘It’s my first time playing a full major league season. My stamina isn’t yet at a level where I can fully perform for a whole season.’

He was able to adapt to the heat of the United States to some extent.

But the major league schedule was grueling.

They travel on private planes so they can move comfortably, but that in itself puts a strain on the body.

In addition, Ha-sung’s number of appearances was high for a closer.

Because of that, he could feel his stamina decreasing.

[Throwing the 3rd ball!]

쐐애애액-! [Sound of a fastball]

후웅!! [Sound of a swing]

뻐어억! [Sound of a baseball hitting a mitt]

“Swing! Out!”

[Strikeout!! Jung Ha-sung strikes out the batter with a high-speed slider and records the first out! Only 2 outs remain until his 50th save of the season!]

So, starting with the All-Star Game, he made some changes to his pitching style.

When the score difference widened, he reduced the proportion of fastballs and threw pitches that the batter could potentially hit.

Thanks to that, the WHIP increased a little, but it wasn’t a significant problem.

‘If it’s a major league-level defense, it’s enough to support me. It wasn’t a big problem even if I gave up 1 point.’

It’s easy to say.

But putting it into practice wasn’t easy.

Pitchers get stressed about giving up runs.

It’s an instinctive aversion.

It was a great thing to be able to endure that and throw the right pitch.

‘Well, it could be because I got hit so much before the regression.’

He felt good because the things he had experienced before the regression were helpful.

It made him think that he hadn’t lived his life in vain.