Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 156

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 156

Ha-sung smirked upon hearing the news of Alex Rodrigo’s arrest.

‘Idiot. Even if he didn’t directly get involved, if he was connected, he was bound to get caught eventually.’

Rodrigo had frequently engaged in shady dealings with the gang.

Obtaining drugs or being introduced to women, among other things.

He had been requesting various illegal activities from the gang.

Of course, he thoroughly concealed his identity through an agent, but there are no perfect secrets in the world.

‘The gang already knew Rodrigo was the one making the requests.’

Having traded for a long time, they knew Rodrigo’s identity.

But there was no reason to expose him, so they pretended not to know and continued their transactions.

However, this time was different.

‘Illegal transactions will always lean towards the side that offers more profit.’

Ha-sung made a deal with Arnold’s friends.

If they testified that Alex Rodrigo was behind it, he would talk to the police and ensure they received the most lenient treatment possible.

And Arnold’s role was significant.

‘Thanks to Arnold’s close relationship with the gang, things were handled smoothly.’

No matter how he looked at it, his connection with Arnold had brought him great benefits.

He never imagined things would turn out this way.

He couldn’t have dreamed of it.

In any case, this Alex Rodrigo incident left an indelible stain on his reputation.

‘Doping only damages a player’s honor, but serious crimes are a different story.’

It wasn’t just about the serious crime.

Alex Rodrigo was one of the players whose sponsorship income exceeded his salary.

The problem was that most of the companies that had sponsored him were planning to file lawsuits for damages due to this incident.

If the lengthy lawsuits concluded, he would inevitably go bankrupt.

‘And he’ll be released from the Yankees too.’

Returning to the Major League was now impossible.

His records were likely to be erased, and even if they remained, they would likely not be recognized.

With his money and fame gone, he had nothing left.

‘That’s the price for messing with me.’

Ha-sung rose from his seat with a sneer.

He no longer had time to waste on him.

‘I need to finish September strong.’

The Athletics were currently in first place in the division.

However, they had not completely secured the division title.

They were still neck and neck with Texas, vying for a postseason ticket.

‘Well, the team’s performance will work out somehow.’

In fact, Ha-sung was more interested in his own performance than the team’s.

‘If I win today’s game, I’ll reach 20 wins. Sabathia currently has 20 wins, so I’ll be tied with him.’

Sabathia, who was in first place in the American League for wins, had already reached 20 wins.

To become the leader in wins, Ha-sung, with 19 wins, had to catch up with him decisively.

That’s why today’s game was important.

“Ha-sung!”

Ha-sung nodded at Trevor’s call.

“Let’s go.”

The two walked onto the field together.

* * *

[The game between the Oakland Athletics and the Boston Red Sox is about to begin. Isn’t today Jung Ha-sung’s first appearance in September?]

[That’s right. Jung Ha-sung has been showing a good pace recently, but I thought he might take a break today.]

[Probably because he’s been caught up in recent incidents, right?]

[Yes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such shocking events in my baseball career. It’s truly unbelievable.]

The Major League has had various incidents and accidents throughout its long history.

However, this incident was considered the worst compared to any other incident in history.

It was such a shocking event that fans and experts alike thought Ha-sung would take a break.

But he returned to the mound.

[I heard that Jung Ha-sung personally requested to General Manager Chris to pitch today.]

[Personally?]

[Yes. He said in an interview that his own performance and the team’s performance are both important, so it’s impossible for him to rest.]

[He’s still a young player, but his mindset for the team is no different from a veteran’s.]

Ha-sung actually gave the same interview that the commentator mentioned.

Of course, it wasn’t his true intention.

In his heart as he stood on the mound, there was no thought for the team.

‘My success comes first. It’s not like I have any affection for them.’

Oakland Athletics.

Even in his previous life, it wasn’t a team he particularly cared for.

Nor did he have deep affection for the fans.

He had only played for two years, so there was no way he could have developed any affection.

‘Image making is always important.’

Ha-sung knew very well how much image affected his value.

That’s why he faithfully provided a certain amount of lip service.

In addition, his fan service was among the best in the Major League, so he was highly praised among fans.

‘But even this kind of image making ultimately requires skill to back it up.’

No matter how good a player’s fan service is, they won’t be popular if their skills are lacking.

Skill had to come first.

Knowing this well, Ha-sung maintained his focus on the mound and continued his practice throws.

[Jung Ha-sung continues his practice throws.]

[In the top of the first inning, his fellow hitters failed to score, but that won’t be a big problem for Jung Ha-sung.]

[Isn’t Jung Ha-sung one of the pitchers who doesn’t receive much run support?]

[That’s right. His run support is 2.7 points per game, which is significantly lower than Sabathia’s 4.8 points, who is in first place for wins.]

Ha-sung was one of the pitchers who didn’t receive much run support.

It could be because he was an ace, but it was disappointing that his run support was 2 points lower than Sabathia’s, who was also an ace.

[However, Jung Ha-sung is keeping the opposing lineup from scoring by maintaining an ERA in the low 1-point range.]

[He has an incredible record of being ranked first in ERA among all Major League pitchers.]

It wasn’t just first among starting pitchers.

He was recording the lowest ERA among all pitchers, including relievers.

[Unless Jung Ha-sung collapses significantly this season, he will record the first ERA in the low 1-point range in the live-ball era since Bob Gibson.]

Bob Gibson had recorded an ERA of 1.12 in 1968.

Unfortunately, Ha-sung was currently recording an ERA of 1.27, making it difficult to break Bob Gibson’s record.

However, if he lowered his ERA, he could be in the top 10 in Major League history.

In that situation, Ha-sung’s pitching attracted a lot of attention.

Thwack-!

“Nice ball!!”

Manager Tony approached Ha-sung, who had finished his practice throws.

“You’ve been through a lot, but your pitches are still powerful.”

“Well, I wasn’t directly threatened. You don’t have to worry.”

“I always think this, but your guts are really amazing.”

“I can take that as a compliment, right?”

“Haha! Of course. There’s no greater compliment for a pitcher than that. I’m counting on you again today.”

“Yes.”

Manager Tony chuckled at Ha-sung’s blunt reply and headed to the dugout.

* * *

[Bottom of the 1st, Jung Ha-sung’s challenge for 20 wins begins!]

The game began.

It was Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, but today it felt as cozy as home.

“Hey, hey! Take it easy on him!”

“He’s the guy who took down Rodrigo, so let’s give him a break today!”

The group of fans who appeared to be Red Sox fans were strangely friendly to Ha-sung.

In fact, this atmosphere is understandable if you know the relationship between the Red Sox and the Yankees.

[The Red Sox fans aren’t booing Jung Ha-sung.]

[That’s a natural reaction. The Red Sox and the Yankees have a long-standing rivalry.

Red Sox fans have always seen Alex Rodrigo as a thorn in their side.]

[It’s been especially bad since the first drug scandal, right?]

[That’s right. The fans who attacked Rodrigo the most were the Red Sox fans.]

[Even after the Biogenesis scandal broke, they poured out tremendous criticism.]

[The Red Sox fans hated Rodrigo so much that they couldn’t help but be friendly to Jung Ha-sung.]

It was clear how much the Red Sox hated the Yankees.

But not all Red Sox fans were cheering for him.

“Rodrigo is Rodrigo! Win today’s game no matter what!”

“We have to keep them down if we’re thinking about the postseason!”

“Your pace has been bad lately, and if the Yankees turn things around, we’ll tear you apart!”

The Red Sox’s recent pace had been poor.

Originally, the 2010 Boston Red Sox would fail to win the division as all the key players fell into a slump.

But this 2010 season was different.

‘With Rodrigo gone and the Yankees’ locker room atmosphere in shambles, they haven’t been able to perform properly, and these guys are in second place in the division.’

History had changed once again.

But he didn’t pay much attention.

‘How many times have I changed history so far?’

If there was going to be a problem, it would have happened a long time ago.

Knowing that, Ha-sung didn’t think deeply about the issue.

‘Shall we begin?’

Ha-sung, who was standing on the pitcher’s plate, lowered his upper body.

‘The first pitch will definitely be this, right?’

Trevor’s sign was a four-seam fastball.

The course was outside.

It wasn’t a request for an exact location, but rather a general course.

Ha-sung nodded and went into his pitching motion.

[Jung Ha-sung, after exchanging signs, goes into his windup.]

Ha-sung, gathering strength as he raised his arm, twisted his body and kicked his leg up.

Whoosh-!

With the kick, he slightly twisted his upper body and then released his first pitch with all his might.

“Gasp!!”

Swoosh-!!

[He threw the first pitch!]

The ball left his hand and flew with a fierce speed.

Everyone in the Major League knew that Ha-sung was an aggressive type.

The batter also swung his bat simply, not intending to miss the first pitch.

Whoosh-!!

The moment the batter’s bat followed the trajectory of the ball.

The ball no longer dropped and passed over the bat.

‘Damn it!’

The moment he frowned at the trajectory of the unmanageable ball.

Thwack-!!

The ball slammed into the mitt, making a loud noise.

Whoosh!!

The bat weakly cut through the air, and the umpire coldly stretched out his hand.

“Swing! Strike!”

[First pitch, swing and a miss! Jung Ha-sung’s first pitch clocks in at 100 miles per hour, causing the batter to swing and miss!]

[Jung Ha-sung throws with such refreshing power every time! He makes the batter swing and miss from the very first pitch!]

Ha-sung’s hunt for 20 wins had begun.

* * *

It was no longer surprising that Ha-sung was pitching well.

[Thwack-!]

[Strike! Batter out!!]

[Strikeout! Jung Ha-sung records his 10th strikeout of the game!]

[The batters are coming out aggressively in today’s game, so the number of strikeouts is low, but he’s pitching in a way that saves his pitch count!]

That’s why the fans watching his game could feel at ease.

“Wow! Jung Ha-sung’s pitching is so refreshing!”

“He’s just going to get 20 wins in the Major League, right?”

“Manager! If Jung Ha-sung gets 20 wins today, you have to treat us, right?!”

“Haha! Of course!”

As much as Ha-sung was performing well, his father’s position in the workplace became more solid.

His father was already excellent in business.

But with Ha-sung performing so well, he was in a stronger position than ever.

Of course, there were those who were jealous of this, but he didn’t care much.

He knew that’s how social life was.

[Crack!!]

[A high fly ball! The left fielder catches it safely! He shuts down the opposing lineup perfectly for 8 innings without allowing a run and comes down from the mound!]

[Judging by the number of pitches, he’ll hand over the mound to the closer in the 9th inning, but Jung Ha-sung’s pitching today was truly impressive!]

Ha-sung’s mission was complete.

The score was 3 to 0.

All that was left was to wait for the closer to finish the game.

And a little later.

[Thwack!]

[Strike! Batter out!!]

[The game is over! Jung Ha-sung achieves 20 wins in his first year of transition to a Major League starter!]

“Wow!!!”

“20 wins!!”

A roar that seemed to tear down the office, which was still during work hours, erupted.

Among the cheering employees, his father clenched his fist.

‘You’ve worked hard, my son!’