Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 77

Mound Villain – Episode 77

With only eight games remaining in the season, Ha-sung found himself with another save opportunity.

[Jung Ha-sung takes the mound with the score at 7 to 4.]

The mound Ha-sung was stepping onto wasn’t in Oakland.

Today, he was pitching at Angel Stadium, the home of the Angels.

It was just a 30-minute drive from Koreatown in Los Angeles, where many Korean immigrants lived, and a large number of them had come to watch.

“Ha-sung!! Get a save today!!”

“I came all the way here to see you!!”

“Show them the power of Korea!!”

“Let’s go for a new record!!”

Ha-sung smiled, hearing the Korean cheers that filled the stadium.

‘I thought it was nothing special, but hearing it in person is something else.’

He had heard it occasionally in his previous life.

Players who play in foreign countries often say they feel energized when they hear cheers in Korean in unexpected places.

He hadn’t understood it when he only heard about it, but experiencing it firsthand was a different story.

An unknown force seemed to lighten the weight on his shoulders.

‘Maybe it’s because I rested. Either way, my condition is good today.’

Trevor, the catcher, sent him a sign as he lowered his upper body.

‘First pitch, fastball?’

‘Call it.’

Ha-sung nodded, and Trevor set the target.

With the plan decided, Ha-sung stepped onto the pitcher’s plate and began his windup.

[Jung Ha-sung! Windup!]

The smooth windup flowed into a kicking motion, twisting his body and raising his leg.

He charged his power with the kick, shifting his center of gravity forward.

Almost simultaneously, his stride, stepping forward, began with the rotation of his body.

Whoosh!!

The rotation of his lower body, hips, and upper body continued smoothly, and soon all the power was concentrated in his arm.

The moment his arm, swung like a whip, sliced through the air,

He grazed the ball’s seams with his fingertips.

“Hiss!!”

Screech-!!

[First pitch!]

The ball, with tremendous spin, rapidly closed the distance as it flew.

The batter swung his bat with all his might at the ball diving into the strike zone. But before his bat could even begin to turn, the ball was already nestled in the catcher’s mitt.

Thwack-!!

Whoosh!

Following that, the bat completed its swing powerlessly, and the umpire’s hand shot up.

“Swing! Strike!!”

[First pitch strike! The speed is……!!]

The speed displayed on the scoreboard showed a higher number than ever before.

[102 miles per hour!! Jung Ha-sung sets his highest speed once again!!]

It was the most perfect first pitch he’d ever thrown.

* * *

[Oakland Athletics’ Jung Ha-sung has achieved his 61st save of the season!]

All the major broadcasting stations reported on Ha-sung’s record.

[Jung Ha-sung, who debuted in the major league this season, is challenging a new record in the 130-year history of the major league!]

[Jung Ha-sung, who is likely to achieve a new major league record, recorded his 61st save of the season against the Angels……]

[In this game, which was attended by many Korean immigrants, he overwhelmed the opposing batters with an astonishing speed of 102 miles.]

[With only one save left until a new major league record, attention is focused on whether Jung Ha-sung will be able to achieve the record in this away game against the Angels!]

Ha-sung’s recognition in Korea was now nationwide.

They would know even if he was setting a new record in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], so there was no way they wouldn’t know about a new major league record.

On top of that, the public broadcasting news was broadcasting Ha-sung’s news every day, so it would be strange if they didn’t know.

“Ugh…… Uhehehe! Thanks to our son, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”

Thanks to his successful son, his father’s phone was constantly ringing.

The same was true for his mother.

In addition, fans living nearby sent fan letters and gifts to Ha-sung’s house, filling an entire room.

“Our son is the best! The best!”

Korea was experiencing “Jung Ha-sung fever.”

Everything he had done in the past had already faded from people’s minds.

The entire nation’s attention was focused on only one thing.

[When will Jung Ha-sung achieve the most saves record in the major league?!]

In that atmosphere, Ha-sung got another chance in the second game against the Angels.

* * *

[A slugfest is taking place in today’s game.]

[The score is 9 to 7, and the batters’ hitting is in full swing.]

9 to 7.

A total of 16 points had been scored by both teams.

Still, with the Athletics in the lead, Bailey came to the mound.

[Bailey is coming to the mound. In fact, Bailey is also having a great rookie season this year, isn’t he?]

[That’s right. If Jung Ha-sung wasn’t around, Bailey would have been a strong contender for the ROY (Rookie of the Year) award with such a great season.]

[I wonder if he can play the role of a stepping stone to Jung Ha-sung in today’s game as well! He’s facing the first batter!]

In the bullpen, Ha-sung warmed up while watching Bailey’s pitching.

‘Today’s game is strange. Can he pull through?’

The primary reason why a slugfest breaks out in a game is because the batters are in good form.

But that’s not the only reason.

Sometimes the game’s momentum simply favors a high-scoring affair.

‘And in these kinds of games, if you don’t stay focused, even pitchers who usually perform well can get rattled.’

That thought soon became a reality.

Clang-!!

“Wow!!”

[He hit it! A hit that splits the left-center field!! The batter is advancing to 2nd base!]

[Ah-! The ball was a little too hittable. It was an easy target for the batter!]

After giving up a hit to the first batter, Bailey quickly lost his composure.

Thwack-!!

“Ball! Base on balls!!”

[Ah~ What’s going on? Bailey issued a straight walk!]

[It’s the first time this has happened this season.]

[With the tying run on base, manager Tony is visiting the mound!]

The moment Tony left the dugout, the bullpen phone rang.

Ring-!

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

Sanchez, the bullpen coach, who hung up the phone, shouted at Ha-sung.

“Ha-sung! You might be going in. Get ready.”

“Early substitution?”

“They’re going to talk about it first, but there’s a high possibility. He couldn’t even get one out…….”

What will happen?

Then, manager Tony sent a hand signal to the bullpen.

Seeing that, Sanchez said.

“It’s time for you to go out.”

An early appearance was decided.

* * *

[Manager Tony is receiving the ball from Bailey here!]

[Is Bailey injured? He did give up a straight walk, but he’s choosing to substitute him right away.]

[In fact, from the Athletics’ point of view, who have secured first place in the division, each game is important, isn’t it?]

[Maybe manager Tony made the decision with Jung Ha-sung’s save record in mind.]

The commentator’s words rang true.

Tony approached Ha-sung, who had come to the mound and finished his practice pitches, and said.

“I’m making you pitch a little early, but I believe you can do it.”

“Of course. Thank you for your consideration.”

“Don’t think about that. Just focus on your pitching.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tony, returning to the dugout, glanced at Chris, the general manager, sitting in the stands.

Chris, meeting his eyes, nodded with a satisfied expression.

In fact, Ha-sung’s early appearance was Chris’s plan.

‘I’m glad we talked about it in advance. I didn’t think this situation would actually unfold.’

As Ha-sung approached the new record, Chris had discussed various scenarios with Catherine, the team’s statistician.

What came out of that meeting was a plan for what to do if Bailey faltered.

And now that situation had arrived.

‘If Ha-sung shuts them down here, he’ll get a save. It’s okay to give up about 1 point more…… but if he lets all the runners score…….’

The save opportunity would disappear.

Because he would be inheriting runners, there would be no problem with Ha-sung’s overall ERA [Earned Run Average], but it was a pity that the save would be lost.

‘If Ha-sung achieves a new save record, our team will inevitably be in the spotlight, even in the postseason. And that effect will last until next year.’

The postseason revenue accounts for a large portion of the club’s annual income.

In addition, Ha-sung’s record achievement was important from the club’s point of view as it could promote sales growth until the next season.

That’s why he was substituted early.

‘Let’s get to the new record in today’s game. Then there’s a possibility.’

Excluding today’s game, the Athletics would have only 6 games left.

If he gets a save even once more in those 6 games, Ha-sung will set a record of 63 saves, which has never been done before.

The moment he sets this record, there is no doubt that the Athletics’ sales will skyrocket.

Chris watched Ha-sung’s pitching while praying inwardly.

[An opportunity to get the most saves record in major league history, Jung Ha-sung will be on the mound from the 8th inning.]

[The challenge is that he has to get 6 outs.]

[I think Jung Ha-sung, based on what he’s shown us so far, will be able to do well. Jung Ha-sung, who has finished exchanging signs, throws the first pitch!]

Ha-sung pitched aggressively against the first batter.

Clang!!

“Foul!!”

The first pitch was a 97-mile fastball that jammed the batter.

After confirming that the batter’s timing was decent, Ha-sung changed things up on the second pitch.

Thud!

“Swing! Strike two!!”

He threw a changeup to disrupt the batter’s timing and induce a swing.

Ha-sung, with two strikes in an instant, glanced at the runners while rubbing rosin on his hands.

‘They might run if they get a chance.’

The runner on 2nd base had been replaced by a faster runner.

The Angels were also desperate.

Losing the game wasn’t a huge problem, but they didn’t want to be the ones who gave up the record.

[Jung Ha-sung, who has a favorable count with two strikes, exchanges signs with catcher Trevor.]

[He’s pitching in a different situation than usual, but Jung Ha-sung is still calm.]

[Isn’t that possible because he’s confident in his pitching?]

[That’s right. Confidence comes from skill.]

[Jung Ha-sung is preparing to throw the ball from the set position.]

Ha-sung, in the set position, checked the runners on 1st and 2nd base.

They were gesturing as if they were going to run, but Ha-sung quickly dismissed it.

‘There’s no reason for them to run in this situation. They’re just trying to get on my nerves.’

He focused solely on the batter and threw the 3rd pitch.

[3rd pitch!]

Screech-!!

The ball left his hand with fierce speed.

The batter swung his bat with all his might at the ball diving into the zone.

That moment.

Whoosh!!

The ball moved slightly and hit the bat near the handle.

Crack!!

[The bat is broken! The batted ball rolls weakly to the second baseman!! The second baseman fields it and tosses it to the shortstop!]

Thud!

“Out!!”

[The first out! And the ball goes to 1st base!!]

Thud!!

“Out!!”

[It’s a double play! Jung Ha-sung gets two outs in an instant!]

[Ah-! It was a perfect cutter!]

[The runner on 2nd base advanced to 3rd, but he didn’t score! Jung Ha-sung, with two outs!]

Ha-sung had overcome another crisis on his path to the new record.

* * *

Manager Tony’s choice was perfect.

[Jung Ha-sung, who saved the team from a crisis with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs in the 8th inning, is now only one out away from a new record after getting two outs in the 9th inning!]

Ha-sung was closing out the game, even though he had entered in the 8th inning.

On top of that, his new record was within reach.

In this situation, all the fans who came to Anaheim Stadium stood up and applauded and cheered.

[All the fans who came to the stadium are standing up and anticipating Jung Ha-sung’s historic record!]

[Even the Angels fans are standing!]

Ha-sung threw the 1st and 2nd pitches in a row in front of the energized crowd.

Thwack-!

“Strike!!”

[A 100-mile fastball that accurately hits the low outside corner!!]

Clang!!

“Foul!!”

[He hit a 93-mile cutter, but it goes foul! He quickly gets ahead in the count with two strikes!]

[I’m eager to see if he’ll end the game quickly.]

Ha-sung lowered his upper body and sent a sign to Trevor.

‘What? Are you sure you want to throw that?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Huh…….’

Trevor, seeing Ha-sung’s sign, looked surprised.

But he soon nodded and held out his mitt.

[Jung Ha-sung, who has finished exchanging signs! What kind of ball will he choose here……! Windup!!]

The ball that Ha-sung chose as the deciding pitch left his hand.

The batter swung his bat at the ball flying with fierce speed.

‘I can’t let it end like this……!’

He swung his bat with all his might, but the ball suddenly slowed down in the air.

‘Change…….’

He tried to stop the bat, but it was impossible to stop the bat that had already gained momentum.

In the end, the bat completely missed the ball, and the ball went into the mitt only after that.

‘Up……!’

Change of pace.

It was a ball that completely fooled the batter’s timing.

Thud!

“Swing! Out!! Game set!!”

[The game is over!!]

It was the moment Ha-sung’s 62nd save was recorded.