Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 143

Mound Villain – Episode 143

The secretariat held an emergency meeting.

“Is it true that Alex Rodrigo used drugs?”

Commissioner Bud Selig’s words prompted one of the staff members present at the meeting to respond.

“It’s still just an allegation.”

“But the allegation was made by Jung Ha-sung.”

The drug allegation that Jung Ha-sung brought up was sweeping through the entire Major League.

“What about Anthony Bonnie?”

“We’ve secured him. We also received a pledge to testify, but the problem is Alex Rodrigo.”

“Why?”

“He’s already started playing the media. He’s saying that this allegation is a conspiracy theory and that Jung Ha-sung, who brought it up, did it out of jealousy.”

“Doesn’t it end if you get him tested?”

“That’s the thing, he’s refusing.”

“What?”

Major League’s doping tests are conducted in two ways.

There’s a full inspection that tests all players, and a random inspection that targets some players.

The former tests all players before the season starts, and the latter randomly selects players for testing during the season.

If you refuse this test, the secretariat can impose sanctions.

And Rodrigo is refusing to do that.

“We’ll have to impose sanctions.”

“The problem is that if there is no direct evidence of drug use, the level of sanctions will be somewhat weakened.”

This is Rodrigo’s second time facing such allegations, and if it’s confirmed, the level of sanctions will be much stronger than before.

On the other hand, sanctions due to refusal are weaker than that, so Rodrigo is refusing the test.

“What about a forced test?”

“Impossible.”

“There’s also the issue of human rights, and it infringes on the player’s autonomy.”

“Above all, there’s no way to force a test.”

“Damn it…….”

Rodrigo’s strategy was giving the secretariat a headache.

“What about the union?”

“There’s no particular reaction yet.”

“Hoo……. First, keep contacting Rodrigo and try to persuade him. And check if you can secure other evidence through Anthony.”

“Understood.”

It seemed like it would be a long fight.

* * *

The Yankees excluded Rodrigo from the starting lineup.

On the surface, it was for health reasons, but everyone knew that wasn’t the case.

It wasn’t just excluding him from the starting lineup but also keeping him away from the team, effectively distancing him from the media.

As Rodrigo disappeared from the media, all sorts of speculative reports poured out.

[Alex Rodrigo Vanishes!]

[Rodrigo’s Disappearance Amidst Drug Allegations, Did He Eventually Turn to Drugs Again?]

[The Nuclear Bomb Dropped by Jung Ha-sung! How Far Will the Aftermath Reach?]

[Alex Rodrigo Refuses Secretariat’s Doping Test!]

Rodrigo got annoyed while reading the articles and threw his smartphone down.

Crash!

Even smashing his smartphone didn’t calm his anger.

“Damn bastard! How dare you utter such nonsense in front of me?!”

Rodrigo’s anger wasn’t because his drug use was exposed.

He was angry that Jung Ha-sung looked him straight in the eye and talked about it.

“Does he know who I am……!”

Rodrigo was someone who considered himself a great player.

He was a type of person with excessive narcissism, so he couldn’t tolerate people who belittled his achievements.

Ha-sung not only did that but also exposed it.

“Are you going to let it go like this?”

At that time, a woman approached and asked Rodrigo.

Rodrigo smirked at the woman’s question. She had a figure reminiscent of a model and a sexy face.

“Of course not. I’ll make sure he knows how wrong he was to mess with me.”

“How?”

“Anyway, there’s no direct evidence that I doped. The drugs that entered my body will all be flushed out within a few days.”

“But Anthony was caught, right?”

“Hehe, even if he testifies, it can’t all be direct testimony. Above all, I only gave him cash, so I can’t get caught.”

Rodrigo had already been caught doping once.

That’s why he was more careful, and he had studied how to get out of it if he was caught.

Above all, he had a huge team of lawyers.

They were already working to prove his innocence.

“I’ll definitely get revenge.”

Rodrigo had no intention of just letting this go.

He was going to retaliate for this incident in any way possible.

Rodrigo said to himself as if making a pledge and approached the woman.

* * *

General Manager Chris had a meeting with Ha-sung.

“What on earth were you thinking when you brought that up?”

“Why? Did I do something wrong?”

“Hoo……. It’s not wrong, but you should have at least consulted me.”

“Was there anything to consult about? It’s clear that he used drugs, and the person who did it was right next to him.”

“That’s true, but…… the problem is that Rodrigo is denying it.”

“Denying it?”

“Yes. He’s even refusing the secretariat’s doping test and claiming he’s innocent.”

Ha-sung’s face contorted.

“Does the secretariat believe that?”

“They don’t believe it, but there’s no way to prove it.”

“There’s no way?”

“It’s difficult to forcibly draw blood and run a test.”

“What about Anthony? He can provide ledgers or even direct testimony, right?”

“Anthony also said he would cooperate with the secretariat, but the problem is that there is no direct evidence of that. There’s no evidence that the most important thing – money – changed hands.”

Ha-sung’s face contorted.

“Are you saying punishment is impossible?”

“It’s possible. But it’s more likely that sanctions will be imposed in a different way than doping detection.”

Doping detection was the most certain way for Rodrigo to receive proper punishment.

Most of the strongest penalties in Major League Baseball come from doping.

The first detection doesn’t result in a very strong penalty, but it can lead to expulsion as it accumulates.

This is Rodrigo’s second detection.

The sanctions Rodrigo would receive in that case are beyond imagination.

‘I think he was suspended for a year.’

“What are you thinking about?”

“It’s nothing. So, there’s a possibility that Rodrigo’s punishment will be weakened.”

“It’s not a possibility, it will be. The players’ union will also try to protect him.”

The players’ union is an organization that works for the rights of players.

Then how do they operate?

It was simple.

It was a structure that revolved around the players’ salaries.

The higher the salary, the more money they paid to the union, and the union ran on that income.

The Major League Baseball Players Association is considered the best in the world.

As much as the players receive a lot of money, their income was also high. On top of that, they manage the players’ pensions, so the money they handle was enormous.

‘They can’t just leave Rodrigo alone.’

Rodrigo is the best player in Major League Baseball.

It wasn’t just his reputation, but his salary was also the highest in Major League Baseball.

What would happen if he was suddenly expelled?

Of course, the union’s income would take a direct hit.

That’s why they have been defending Rodrigo under the pretext of protecting the rights of players.

Ha-sung sighed at Chris’s words that it wouldn’t be much different this time.

“I’ll have to wait and see what happens.”

“That’s the right answer. Please consult me in advance if something like this happens again next time.”

“Understood.”

Ha-sung nodded at Chris’s words and got up from his seat.

‘The secretariat isn’t stupid either, and they’ll blow this up properly.’

It was time to watch how they moved.

* * *

The secretariat moved quickly.

They were contacting Rodrigo and listening to the opinions of experts, including the union.

In particular, they focused on consultation with the union.

“The union must step up this time. Please help persuade Rodrigo to take the doping test.”

“Players have the right to refuse. If they refuse a doping test, you can impose sanctions accordingly.”

“Rodrigo has already been caught once. Isn’t he deliberately avoiding the test because the punishment will be stronger if he’s caught a second time?”

“That’s speculation. Rodrigo and his lawyers are currently claiming innocence.”

“Of course they would, wouldn’t they?”

“What do you mean of course? You have to bring clear evidence for Rodrigo to be convinced and admit it, right?”

Damon was the representative from the secretariat.

He was defending Rodrigo’s position and refusing the secretariat’s demands.

In fact, the secretariat found this attitude of the union frustrating.

But considering that the union was created to protect the rights of players, their attitude was natural.

“There’s Anthony’s testimony! And his notebook also shows when and where Rodrigo got the injections.”

“That’s just his one-sided claim. Unless clear evidence is presented, you cannot directly prove that Rodrigo injected the drugs.”

“Haa…….”

Gary, an employee of the secretariat, sighed and pressed the button on the recorder to stop it.

“Damon, tell me honestly. Why are you protecting Rodrigo so much?”

“I’m not protecting him, that’s just the way it is.”

“Anthony’s testimony alone can prove his charges.”

“If Rodrigo is sanctioned based solely on his testimony, it’s a violation of the rules.”

The Major League Baseball’s drug regulations stated that direct evidence must be presented to be applied.

In other words, Rodrigo could not be given a doping penalty based solely on Anthony’s testimony.

“Fans are already disappointed. Old fans are disappointed by this situation, and some are leaving. It means that the foundation of Major League Baseball is shaking.”

What the secretariat was deciding was the departure of fans.

Even without that, overall revenues, such as viewership and ticket sales, have been declining significantly recently.

On the other hand, the salaries of players were only rising without knowing the ceiling, so the profit margins of the clubs were decreasing.

It was said that it was so difficult to run the club as it was.

In that situation, the secretariat had no choice but to be embarrassed because another incident that would cause fans to leave occurred.

“Above all, fans’ trust in players is hitting rock bottom because of this incident.”

Sports are established when they are fair.

They think they start on a fair stage with their own efforts.

However, if a negative issue such as drugs arises, the part that is a fair stage is damaged.

If distrust arises from such basic parts, fans could leave baseball altogether.

That’s why the secretariat had no choice but to be very sensitive to these parts.

And they believed that the union would be too.

But Damon’s attitude was consistent.

“Fans will come to the stadium whenever a superstar comes out anyway, just like they did in the 90s. A superstar like Rodrigo should be on the ground.”

Gary frowned as he watched him defend Rodrigo with even far-fetched logic.

“Why are you protecting Rodrigo so much?”

“Our union exists for the players. In legal terms, we are like lawyers. Is it strange for a lawyer to defend?”

“Profit……!”

“It seems like we’re still on parallel lines. Let’s discuss it again next time.”

Damon got up from his seat and left the conference room.

Gary’s face was distorted with anger as he was seen through the closing door.

Whether he did or not, Damon walked down the hallway and took out his phone and pressed someone’s number.

“Oh, it’s me. It just ended. I’ve made it clear, so there’s no way to be forced out.”

[Really? What does the secretariat say?]

“What can they say? I told them according to the rules, so they have to keep it even if they feel wronged.”

[Hehe, that’s right. Thanks for your hard work. When are you coming to New York?]