Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 148

Mound Villain – Episode 148

Ha-sung smiled as he read the article.

“Things are rolling along nicely.”

Ha-sung was the source of the article.

However, he didn’t directly provide the source to the reporter.

“If even one person knows what I told them, there’s a high chance it will eventually spread to the world.”

There are no eternal secrets in the world.

Ha-sung thoroughly believed this.

But the internet is different.

“It’s impossible to pinpoint. Countless stories appear and disappear like rumors. If I post it there anonymously, no one can trace it back to me.”

He posted it under the guise of anonymity.

There was no way to find him.

Of course, it might be theoretically possible, but practically, it was impossible.

The important thing was that Rodrigo was cornered by this one blow.

“He knew the team couldn’t fire him because of the massive compensation. That’s why he could act so brazenly. But he didn’t realize that it could backfire on him.”

The reason the team couldn’t fire Rodrigo was because of the enormous compensation he was owed.

Conversely, in order for Rodrigo to sue the media, he would have to consider the potential for massive damages against him.

“The moment it’s revealed that he took drugs, a defamation lawsuit based on false information won’t hold up.”

Moreover, the United States valued freedom of expression more than Korea.

Suing the media was against that cultural trend.

Therefore, there was no guarantee that Rodrigo could win even if it went to actual litigation.

“That’s why the media can create articles based on internet information. After the initial article about Ryan Braun, Rodrigo didn’t take any action, so follow-up reports came out.”

Rodrigo was increasingly cornered.

And these articles eventually moved things along.

[Mariano Rivera undergoes a doping test!]

Rivera, one of the veteran players of the Yankees, had undergone a doping test.

“This guy is also great at fan service. Plus, he’s like the spiritual pillar of the Yankees.”

Mariano Rivera stepping up was a shocking event.

Many players had voluntarily taken doping tests, but none of the Yankees players had done so until now.

They couldn’t step up because their teammate, Rodrigo, was involved.

But now the situation was different.

“There’s no need to protect a guy who sold out his teammates first.”

And this was just the beginning.

* * *

[The number of players participating in voluntary doping tests increases dramatically!]

[Rodrigo, who sold out his teammates! Still refuses to interview with the media!]

[Rodrigo doesn’t even show up at the stadium! Complaints erupt within the Yankees team!]

[An ad in the New York Times calls Rodrigo a disgrace to the Yankees!]

Public sentiment towards Rodrigo in the United States hit rock bottom.

Players were taking doping tests without exception, and the number of tests was unprecedented.

And in this situation, something unexpected happened.

[Cesar Puello of the New York Mets confesses to doping through the team!]

[The first case where a player reveals it himself!]

A player had confessed to doping first.

Since there had never been such a case before, it became a huge topic.

Reporters looked for Cesar Puello, and the team held a press conference for him.

Cesar Puello stood in front of the camera and calmly told his story.

[I succumbed to the temptation due to the pressure of performance. I apologize to the fans who were disappointed.]

Cesar Puello’s confession surprisingly gained the sympathy of fans.

-Still, he reveals it himself.

-Shouldn’t we give him some consideration in this case?

-Isn’t he confessing out of fear, anticipating that he’ll get caught anyway?

-He’s just another drug addict.

-Still, it’s better to confess first.

-He’s better than Rodrigo.

-Rodrigo, that bastard, is holed up and doesn’t come out?

-I agree.

The public opinion leaned towards being better than Rodrigo.

In this climate, the head office [MLB headquarters] held a meeting.

It was a meeting to decide on Cesar Puello’s sanctions.

“Cesar confessed to doping himself, so we need to consider the circumstances.”

“But isn’t the reason he confessed because he was worried that his doping would eventually be discovered, given the current trend?”

“Of course, there are those aspects, but if we impose sanctions in the same way as before, we cannot send a message to other players.”

“What message are you talking about?”

“The message that they can receive credit for self-reporting.”

“Are you saying we should give credit?”

“We should consider the circumstances. If we do that, we can quickly resolve this situation.”

The head office was also troubled by this Bio Genesis scandal [a real-life doping scandal in MLB].

Their wish was to deal with it as soon as possible.

In this situation, the players’ voluntary doping tests were like a gift from heaven.

“As expected, players who are suspected of doping are voluntarily taking doping tests, and the first one has confessed. We must clearly convey the message to the remaining players.”

“But it can be abused later.”

“If we leave a bad precedent, problems can arise.”

What the head office was worried about was setting a precedent.

If they eased the sanctions because they voluntarily reported, they could bring up precedents in similar cases in the future.

If that happened, it could be a problem, so they were reluctant to set a precedent.

However, the argument for easing was strong.

“Even if a precedent is set, we can stipulate that this is a special case. And after that, we need to strengthen the sanctions against doping.”

“Isn’t that not up to us? The union has to agree, but if they oppose it, there’s no answer.”

The head office cannot unilaterally amend the regulations.

In particular, it took time for the CBA [Collective Bargaining Agreement] to open.

If a consensus was not formed with the union, it was meaningless for the head office to ease the sanctions.

It was then.

Knock knock-!

An employee hurriedly entered after knocking.

“The union has issued a statement!”

“A statement?”

“It’s a statement that they will collect the opinions of the players regarding this doping test.”

A change was happening.

* * *

Ha-sung checked the email he received.

The content was long, but to summarize it briefly, it was a confirmation of whether or not to voluntarily participate in the doping test.

“Asking for opinions means that the union knows that this matter will not just pass by.”

The Bio Genesis scandal was becoming quite serious.

Not only players and fans, but also government officials were expressing concern about this matter.

In particular, Barack Obama, the first black president, expressed direct disappointment with Rodrigo in an interview with reporters.

As he was one of the players representing the black community, Obama had no choice but to pay attention.

Since even the President of the United States mentioned it, the union could not just stand by and watch.

“Selling out his teammates was the biggest problem.”

Francisco Cervelli is a player belonging to the same New York Yankees.

There was no reason for his teammates to continue to protect Rodrigo, who had even sold out his teammates.

Rodrigo was increasingly cornered.

But even now, he was not taking any action.

“It must be because the head office is still hesitant.”

If an agreement was not reached between the head office and the union, there was no way to enforce this test.

“The problem is that the current commissioner doesn’t think much about drugs.”

Commissioner Bud Selig was clearly a man who had achieved a great deal.

But he also had aspects that could be criticized.

That was that he was passive about the drug problem.

“He only focused on the league’s success, so he didn’t care much about drugs. That continued to be the target of criticism even after he stepped down as commissioner.”

There was another reason.

That was that he favored the Milwaukee Brewers.

“He defended Ryan Braun and cherished Sammy Sosa very much. That’s why he didn’t properly proceed with the work when drug allegations broke out.”

He might not actively step up this time either.

If that happened, negotiations between the head office and the union could be sluggish.

“What I can expect is that he suspended Ryan Braun at the end of his term. I have to expect that.”

Bud Selig was embroiled in drug scandals several times while serving as commissioner for a long time.

Was he tired of it?

Bud Selig suspended Ryan Braun in the Bio Genesis scandal that broke out at the end of his term.

Considering his actions so far, it was an unexpected choice, so officials had no choice but to be very surprised.

“Hmm.”

Ha-sung was lost in thought about what to do.

* * *

The major league was buzzing.

Of course, Commissioner Bud Selig had no choice but to pay attention to this matter.

“Why can’t these guys play baseball without doping?!”

Bud Selig burst into anger in his office.

“It doesn’t seem like this scandal will subside easily.”

“What should I do?”

“The union and players are directly taking doping tests, so it seems good for the head office to keep pace with that.”

“The Brewers?”

“Yes?”

“I’m saying, are there any Brewers players involved in this scandal?”

At Bud Selig’s words, the inspector sighed inwardly.

‘The Brewers’ favoritism is still there.’

He was the owner of the Brewers, so it couldn’t be helped, but he openly favored them, so he had nothing to say.

“I know that there are no players other than Ryan Braun.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Yes. So far, the only Brewers player among the names that Anthony has mentioned is Ryan.”

Bud Selig was relieved that there were no players belonging to the Milwaukee Brewers involved.

But that thought didn’t last long.

“Okay. Then, consult with the union side and try to resolve the whole thing.”

“What about Rodrigo?”

“It would be good to deal with that guy first. Discuss changing the regulations altogether.”

“I understand.”

The direction of the head office was decided.

* * *

Alex Rodrigo was pacing anxiously around his luxurious mansion.

“Damn it!”

Then, unable to overcome his anxiety, he spat out a profanity.

The women in the mansion were startled by Rodrigo’s profanity and looked at him.

But those women did not register in Rodrigo’s mind.

“Damn bastards, why are they suddenly stepping up and making a fuss?”

What Rodrigo was angry about was that the Yankees team was taking doping tests.

He was embarrassed because it was something he had never expected.

Then Rodrigo’s phone rang.

It was his lawyer, Jameson.

“Hey, it’s me. How’s it going?”

[It’s a disaster. The working-level staff from the head office and the association have contacted each other.]

“What? Why are they?”

[It seems like they’re thinking of changing the regulations regarding doping. Moreover, they said they would discuss your sanctions.]

“What? How can they do that?!”

[There has never been such a case before, so we are also caught off guard. To think that the regulations would be amended even though the CBA is not approaching.]

“Damn it! How much money do I give you guys, and that’s your answer?!”

[I’m sorry……]

“Is ‘I’m sorry’ everything?!”

[I have nothing to say. It seems like you’ll have to take the test.]

“You son of a bitch!!”

Smash!!

The smartphone that Rodrigo threw shattered.

His face, cornered, was dyed black.