Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 149

Mound Villain – Episode 149

The public sentiment was shifting.

[Labor-Management Agreement on Bio-Genesis Scandal in Progress!]

[Rodrigo’s Brand Value Plummets!]

[How Long Will He Remain in Hiding?]

[Major League Superstar’s Downfall?]

[Major League Fans Unanimously Call for Rodrigo’s Records to Be Officially Erased!]

Fans were turning their backs on Rodrigo.

Even the Yankees fans who had once defended him were doing the same.

Rodrigo frowned as he read the articles.

“Why, of all things…”

Why did things turn out this way?

Where did it all go wrong?

Rodrigo was confused about how to process the current situation.

And soon, he moved past confusion and began to rationalize.

“I don’t care if the fans turn their backs on me. When I get back to the game, my salary and contract will be the same anyway.”

Even if the fans abandoned him, he could still earn a tremendous income.

The contract was proceeding normally, and there was no way to terminate it.

If all that money came in, he wouldn’t have to worry about money for the rest of his life.

“Damn bastards. They were just a means to make money anyway. What does it matter if they turn their backs now?”

He was in the middle of rationalizing when his newly purchased smartphone rang loudly.

He checked the number and answered the phone.

“Oh! Jameson, do you have some good news?”

[I’m sorry.]

Jameson’s voice on the other end of the line was heavier than ever.

“What is it this time?!”

Rodrigo’s voice was filled with annoyance.

Recently, whenever this guy called, it was always with bad news.

That’s why he told him not to call unless he had good news.

But here he was again, calling with bad news.

He was getting annoyed.

[I had no choice but to contact you.]

“So, what is it?!”

[The companies that signed contracts with you have requested termination of those contracts.]

“What? Which ones?”

[I told you, the companies. All of them.]

“All of them? All the places I signed with have requested termination?!”

[I said ‘requested,’ but the certified letters they sent include a statement that they will proceed with a lawsuit if the contracts are not terminated.]

“A lawsuit?! The contract period hasn’t even ended yet. If they want to terminate, I should be the one suing!”

He had hired a lawyer, but Rodrigo knew the basics.

He had naturally learned these things while making various contracts over the years.

Based on that common sense, it didn’t make sense for them to talk about a lawsuit.

But Jameson’s answer was the complete opposite.

[Their contracts include a clause that if your popularity declines or something happens that could damage your reputation as a player, you will have to pay a penalty.]

“What are you talking about? Damage my reputation? I’m still the best player in the Major League!”

[But you’re not the superstar you used to be.]

“What?! You son of a bitch! Is that something you say to a friend?!”

[I’m sorry, but our firm has decided not to work with you anymore.]

“That doesn’t make sense! My contract with you is still valid!”

[The firm has determined that you won’t be able to pay us the money you owe.]

“What does that…”

[Besides, there’s no way you can win this lawsuit. We don’t need to take on a case like that and tarnish our law firm’s name.]

“Ugh…!”

[It’s going to be a tough road, but good luck. Oh, and don’t forget to pay the fees by today. We’ll send you the receipt soon.]

The call ended there.

Rodrigo stared blankly at the disconnected phone, then threw his smartphone again.

Smash!!

Because he was the best infielder in the Major League, he threw it with all his might, and the smartphone was destroyed beyond recognition.

And his roar echoed through the mansion.

“Damn it!!!”

* * *

Rodrigo’s downfall had begun.

[Rolex Enters Procedures to Terminate Contract with Alex Rodrigo!]

[Ferrari Cancels Support for Alex Rodrigo!]

[Vigor Terminates Sponsorship Deal with Alex Rodrigo!]

[The Last of a Superstar Abandoned by Corporations, What Will Become of Alex Rodrigo?]

All the media were writing articles about his downfall and were eager to post articles mocking him.

Fans also welcomed Rodrigo’s downfall.

-Finally getting what he deserves.

-I heard it’s not just the end of the sponsorship deal, but they’re also claiming damages?

-Wow… how much will he have to cough up if all those companies proceed with damage suits?

-But doesn’t he get a crazy salary?

-He’ll probably have to pay it all back in damages.

-But he’s not even playing. Do they still have to pay him his salary?

-It depends on the contract?

Fans were expressing curiosity about how Rodrigo’s salary was being handled.

And the reporters didn’t miss this demand.

[New York Yankees Not Paying Alex Rodrigo’s Salary!]

[Alex Rodrigo, Virtually Unemployed!]

[In Addition to Sponsorship Deals, He Was Not Even Receiving His Salary!]

Major League salaries are paid in two installments per month.

The problem was that Rodrigo was currently absent from the team without permission.

In this case, the team didn’t have to pay Rodrigo’s salary.

Therefore, the bi-weekly salary was not being paid.

To be precise, the salary that was supposed to be paid this time would not be paid.

When this news was reported, the fans’ reaction was explosive.

-Rodrigo’s unemployed lol [laughing out loud]

-How did the highest-paid player in the Major League become unemployed lol

-The Yankees are saving money, good.

-I like what the Yankees are doing these days.

-His teammates are abandoning Rodrigo too lol

-A-Roid was the one who sold them out first.

By selling Cervelli to the media, Rodrigo’s reputation plummeted.

He wasn’t exactly the leader of the clubhouse, but he was one of the most senior players and a Major League superstar, so the Yankees players felt a tremendous sense of betrayal that he sold out a teammate.

It was questionable whether he would be able to continue his career with the Yankees even if he returned.

“Damn it…”

Rodrigo was sitting alone on the sofa, drinking whiskey straight from the bottle.

The new smartphone in his hand displayed articles about himself.

Major League news was playing on the large TV that was illuminating the dark living room.

[The Players Association and the league office have recently entered into discussions regarding this scandal, right?]

[That’s right. The main point is whether to reduce the penalties for players involved in this scandal if they voluntarily report themselves.]

[Is this temporary?]

[Yes. It seems that this will be limited to this one time only. The league office is concerned that this could be abused, so they don’t seem to be considering introducing this.]

[If that happens, it could set a precedent and lead to complaints from players in the future.]

[That’s possible, but the union is also strongly pushing to eradicate drugs this time.]

[Eradicate them?]

[Yes. In a survey conducted by the union, players voted to increase the risks associated with drug use. Since the members are expressing these opinions, the union is looking to make a deal with the league office to strengthen the penalties for doping [using prohibited performance-enhancing drugs].]

[You mentioned a survey. They also investigated one other thing, right?]

[That’s right. In a survey asking whether Alex Rodrigo, the central figure in this incident, should be expelled, 62 percent voted in favor.]

The players were voting to expel a player.

It was clear how much Rodrigo’s reputation had fallen among the players.

[The fall of a superstar. But where there is a setting sun, there is a rising sun. Here’s the next story.]

As the screen changed, Alex Rodrigo’s face twisted.

[Oakland Athletics’ Jung Ha-sung recorded 1 earned run in 6 innings in a game against the Texas Rangers.

Although the team won the game, the subsequent pitcher allowed a game-tying home run, so he didn’t record the win or loss.

However, he struck out 10 batters, bringing his season total to 298 strikeouts.

Here are the highlights of Jung Ha-sung, who is on the verge of 300 strikeouts in his first season as a starter.]

The screen changed again, and footage of Ha-sung’s pitching was played.

Seeing that, Rodrigo threw his smartphone again.

Crack!!

Bang-!!

The TV screen shattered, and a cloud of smoke poured out.

Rodrigo had already broken four smartphones, but he didn’t care and drank his alcohol.

“F***! Am I the setting sun?”

The words the anchor had said lingered in his mind.

“I’m the best star in the Major League… I am the Major League! I am the history of the Major League!”

The best hitter of the live-ball era [referring to the period in baseball history after 1920 when the ball was made livelier, leading to more home runs].

The player with the highest star quality in Major League history.

The symbol of the Yankees and a model of a successful Major Leaguer.

All the media praised him, and all the players followed him.

“Why… did I become like this…?”

But now there was no one around him.

There wasn’t a single person to be seen in his mansion, which used to be crowded every day.

The only thing lying around in the darkened mansion was trash.

He felt sorry for himself in that situation.

But only for a moment.

“It’s all because of that bastard…”

With his strong pride, he didn’t blame himself for the current situation.

He found a target.

Numerous newspapers and magazines scattered on the table.

A player standing proudly there.

His eyes, looking at Ha-sung with his red hair, were filled with anger.

“That bastard is taking everything from me…”

It was the first time he had experienced criticism and emptiness.

Although he was mentally strong, he was still human.

He was bound to be weak against things he was experiencing for the first time.

Naturally, his anger began to turn in the wrong direction.

It was a kind of defense mechanism.

“That bastard just needs to disappear…”

His eyes flashed with anger.

* * *

Since the Major League entered the live-ball era in 1920, 300 strikeouts have been recorded only 29 times.

The most recent pitchers to record it were Randy Johnson with 334 strikeouts and Curt Schilling with 316 strikeouts in 2002.

For the next eight years, no one recorded 300 strikeouts.

But a player in his second year of debut, who was playing his debut season as a starter, was challenging that record.

It was natural for fans and the media to focus on him.

[It looks like Jung Ha-sung’s 300th strikeout will be confirmed in the next game. Did everyone buy their tickets? What? You didn’t? That’s why you should buy season tickets like me!]

The local radio DJ boasted about his season tickets like a friend, and this news helped the Athletics’ ticket sales.

“Manager, we’re getting flooded with requests to sell next year’s season tickets through the website!”

“What’s with selling season tickets in the middle of the season?”

“But wouldn’t it be better to do it quickly when there’s demand? If we make it a limited edition and include a no-refund policy, we can secure the operating expenses for next season in advance!”

It was an enticing offer.

Since the club was a business, it had to make money when it could.

“Okay! Add something to it to increase sales even more!”

“Yes! I’ll prepare it!”

Chris didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

He knew that he had to maximize sales when fans’ attention was focused.

At that time, he received a phone call.

“Hello.”

[Ah, Chris. This is Bud Selig.]

“Ah! What brings you here? You’re calling me first!”

[Actually, I’d like to visit on the day Jung Ha-sung pitches next. Would that be alright?]

“Of course! I’ll arrange a seat for you!”