Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 98

Mound Villain – Episode 98

Ha-sung’s appearance became a huge topic.

“He’s gotten bigger?”

“He was big before, but now it seems like he’s twice as big as then.”

“How can such a change happen in just a few months?”

Building up your body isn’t easy.

Especially for Asians, there are genetic limitations. Occasionally, some people overcome those limitations.

‘Ha-sung has a physique that transcends the typical Asian, but this level of growth is unexpected.’

Baek Jun-ki was one of the reporters who rated Ha-sung the highest.

But he didn’t expect this change in Ha-sung.

He wondered how Ha-sung’s changes, which so easily exceeded expectations, would manifest in actual combat.

“Jung Ha-sung! Is it true that you’re transitioning to a starting pitcher?!”

At that moment, a reporter shouted a question at Ha-sung.

Ha-sung, who was entering the hotel, stopped and nodded while looking at the reporters.

“I think you want me to confirm the facts again, so let me be clear. I will be playing as a starter this season.”

“Oh-!”

“Does the team feel the same way as Jung Ha-sung?”

“If the player wants to do it, would they oppose it? More than anything, if I play as a starter, it will be more helpful to the team than when I was a closer.”

“But isn’t it uncertain whether you’ll perform as well as you did as a closer?”

Ha-sung looked at the reporter who said that.

“Last year, when I joined the major league, people doubted me. But what was the result? I won both the ROY [Rookie of the Year] and the Cy Young Award at the same time.”

Ha-sung’s voice was full of confidence.

“It’s the same this year. People are expressing concerns about my transition to a starter. Why?! Because they can’t do it themselves.”

The corners of Ha-sung’s lips turned up.

“Just watch. When this season is over, see if I become a bluffer spouting nonsense, or if the world will be surprised once again.”

Flashes went off incessantly at Ha-sung’s declaration, which was like a declaration of war.

* * *

[Jung Ha-sung Chooses Change!]

[Jung Ha-sung Joins Spring Camp, Shouting for Transition to Starter!]

[Jung Ha-sung Bulked Up More Than Last Year!]

[Jung Ha-sung Says They are Concerned About Him Because They Can’t Do It!!]

[Athletics Also Allowed It? Will Jung Ha-sung’s Transition to Starter Be Successful!!]

Ha-sung’s joining the spring camp was a huge topic in itself.

Fans felt refreshed by his remarks, but many were still pouring out their concerns.

-He’s as confident as ever.

-Wow… I saw the picture, and his body is amazing.

-How do you make this kind of body?

-He definitely wasn’t like this when he left Korea.

-Bulking up was a complete success?

-Isn’t he using drugs?

-Then he would have been caught already lol [laughing out loud]

-I hope he transitions to a starter and dominates the league.

-Jung Ha-sung, let’s go-!!

Expectations for Ha-sung were the main focus.

But.

-Confidence is good, but isn’t this too much arrogance?

-He’s getting ahead of himself too much?

-There are many kids who have fallen like this.

-And he should also be careful of the sophomore jinx [a decline in performance after a successful rookie season].

-Other teams must have finished their research on Ha-sung, but he’s too confident lol

-I’ll bet on him collapsing this year.

-Why did he build up his body like a bodybuilder?

-Will he be able to throw the ball properly because he’s clumsy?

Many opinions raised concerns.

In addition, experts fueled the fire.

[Commentator Kim Byung-tae said in an interview with the media, “Jung Ha-sung is not a bodybuilder! He bulked up his body too much!”]

[Experts unanimously say, “Jung Ha-sung’s bulk-up will affect his pitching!”]

The experts’ pointed out were all related to bulking up.

Ha-sung’s muscle gain was such a dramatic change. That’s why many experts were expressing the opinion that there would be a problem with the precise pitching mechanism.

These opinions fueled the claims of anti-fans who were plastering negative posts.

-Wait and see? Jung Ha-sung will fall this season.

Amid conflicting reactions.

Spring camp began.

* * *

This season.

The Oakland Athletics were composed of the same coaching staff as before.

Coaches in each field continued under the leadership of manager Tony.

Therefore, there were no major changes, but the team became more diverse than before.

This is thanks to the financial leeway that came with advancing to the postseason in 2009.

In addition, the team’s finances improved as fans returned.

It meant that the team could be made more abundant.

‘Various players are coming to this camp. Among them, there are quite a few who can be used as immediate assets.’

Chris, who arrived at the bullpen, checked the physical condition of the pitchers.

The biggest problem for the Athletics in the 2009 season was the starting lineup.

‘Because the starting pitchers are weak, the game often gets dragged on because they collapse in the beginning. If the mound holds up, we can lead an equal game instead of being dragged along.’

If an equal game continues, it will eventually move on to the bullpen battle.

The Athletics’ bullpen had the strongest power in the league.

Some even said that the Athletics were able to advance to the playoffs because of the bullpen’s strength.

‘There’s a hole in the bullpen because Ha-sung is gone, but in terms of calculations, Bailey can offset it to some extent.’

Bailey performed well in his debut season.

His ability as a closer was unknown, but if he could perform as well as he did as a setup man, he would be able to succeed as a closer.

In fact, the sabermetrics [statistical analysis of baseball] figures suggested that.

‘The problem is Ha-sung.’

Will Ha-sung, who chose to switch to a starter, be successful?

No one knows.

He could fail completely, or he could show another miracle.

‘Today is the day to show that possibility.’

The battery [pitcher and catcher] joins the spring camp earlier than the position players.

In fact, it is to check the physical condition of the pitchers in advance.

The reason why general manager Chris came to the bullpen himself today was to see the starting pitchers.

Among them, he was giving the greatest weight to Ha-sung’s pitching.

“Hello?”

At that time, Ha-sung passed by and greeted Chris.

His yawning appearance was definitely showing a different sense of intimidation than before.

‘He’s bigger, but unlike last year, he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry.’

Ha-sung definitely showed an impressive appearance at the spring camp ahead of the 2009 season.

But for some reason, I felt impatient.

The reason could be easily inferred.

This is because he has not yet secured a place on the major league roster.

If things go wrong during the camp, he may be demoted, and he can be demoted to the minor league at any time during the season.

But this year was not.

‘Ha-sung is a player with excellent marketability as well as skill. No matter how much authority the club has, he has become a player who cannot be easily demoted.’

It meant that Ha-sung himself knew that fact well.

If Ha-sung fails to transition to a starter, it will be a clear loss for the club.

But Ha-sung cannot be demoted to the minor league.

‘We have to give him an opportunity similar to that of an A-class FA [free agent] player.’

That was a big burden for general manager Chris.

That’s why he desperately wanted Ha-sung to succeed.

Squeak-!

Ha-sung, who opened the door to the bullpen and entered, warmed up lightly.

Today was the first bullpen pitching, so the media was controlled.

No one was in this place except for the Athletics’ players and coaching staff.

‘Everyone is just looking at me.’

Everyone except the players throwing the ball was watching Ha-sung.

That was inevitable.

Everyone is looking forward to seeing what changes the best closer last season will show.

‘Guys, this is just the first bullpen pitching. How dramatic do you want me to throw the ball?’

Before entering the season, pitchers gradually raise their physical condition through several stages.

The first pitching in the bullpen was of no more value than checking the condition.

‘Let’s go lightly.’

Ha-sung knew that well.

But he also had questions.

‘Will my body balance be good if I throw now?’

He borrowed a baseball field in Hawaii and did some light pitching several times.

But it wasn’t in its current state.

It meant that Ha-sung himself did not know what kind of ball he could throw when he threw it in perfect condition.

‘We need to check the balance of the body.’

Before leaving Hawaii.

The trainers who were with the camp all said the same thing.

(Balance is the most important thing.)

(If the body’s balance is broken due to increased muscle mass, you must focus on catching it.)

(Diet is important, but balance should be prioritized.)

Recalling the advice of the four people, Ha-sung stood on the makeshift mound.

As he stood, pitching coach Ted approached.

“As you know, today’s pitching is a condition check. There’s no need to go all out.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s finish within 20 pitches.”

It’s not even the level of pitching.

It was just to check the physical condition.

There was no reason to throw it long, and there was no need to test it.

‘What will it be like?’

Ha-sung, who put rosin [a sticky substance used by pitchers for grip] on his hands, stepped on the pitcher’s plate.

“Hoo…”

He took a deep breath and concentrated.

Then, unlike before, the surrounding scenery instantly turned dark.

‘Huh?’

Ha-sung was embarrassed by the sudden phenomenon.

At that moment, the darkness cleared and the surrounding scenery came into view again.

“What’s wrong?”

Manager Tony asked if he sensed that Ha-sung’s behavior was strange.

“No, I was just reminiscing after standing for a long time.”

“That guy too. You can go lightly, so don’t overdo it.”

“I understand.”

He nodded and took his stance again.

‘As soon as I closed my eyes, the surrounding scenery turned dark. Does that mean my concentration has improved?’

That was possible.

While training in Hawaii, Ha-sung felt that he was concentrating on training faster and faster.

‘It would be nice if the same phenomenon happened in real life?’

If he could increase his concentration momentarily, he could respond to the situation.

Increasing concentration means that much more stamina is consumed.

‘Let’s increase our concentration here for now.’

The moment he made up his mind and looked at the pitcher’s mitt.

The surrounding scenery was submerged in darkness, and all that was visible was the pitcher’s mitt.

This time, he wasn’t embarrassed and kicked lightly.

‘Focus on the movement of the muscles.’

At the same time as the kicking, the movement of the muscles in the lower body began to be felt.

Not only muscles, but also joints and blood movement.

He felt like his body was under his control.

‘I can feel the power accumulating.’

It was an indescribable feeling.

He had never felt anything like this in his previous life.

To feel the power accumulating according to the movement?

He was embarrassed, but Ha-sung did not stop pitching.

Ha-sung, who had accumulated power with kicking, stretched out his legs for the stride.

‘Even if the legs move, the center of the body remains behind. We must concentrate our strength until the very end.’

Recalling the pitching mechanism, Ha-sung concentrated his strength.

As he stepped forward and turned his pelvis, he then rotated his upper body.

The rotation of the upper and lower body was organically connected, creating a path, and a truck loaded with power ran fiercely on that path.

‘Faster…!’

He added rotational force to the truck carrying the force to charge more force.

The moment the truck that ran like that ran to the fingertips.

Finally, he released his strength and hit the ball.

Swaeaaek-!!

The ball that left his hand instantly broke through the distance with the catcher and was embedded in the mitt.

Ppeoeok-!!

“Oh oh.”

“Not bad?”

“Very good.”

The coaching staff nodded at the same time after seeing the ball.

The ball itself was not very fast.

The speed gun read 88 miles.

It was a slow speed considering Ha-sung’s average speed. But considering that it was the first pitch, it wasn’t bad.

However, Ha-sung was not satisfied.

‘The power was dispersed.’

The moment he caught the ball at the end.

He felt the power being dispersed.

He wouldn’t have felt it before.

But because his concentration was extremely high, he could clearly feel it.

‘We need to fix the balance.’

The assignment has been set.