Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 159

Mound Villain – Episode 159

Ha-sung, relaxing at the hotel, received a call from Isabel after a long time.

“It’s been a while.”

“[How have you been? Actually, General Manager Chris contacted me. He wants to discuss a long-term contract.]”

Ha-sung’s lips curved up at the mention of a long-term contract.

“Is that so?”

“[Yes. I thought I should let you know. But…]”

“But?”

“[I think you can just ignore this offer.]”

“Why? You know the advantages of a long-term contract.”

“[Having a stable income is a very attractive condition for freelancers like players.]”

Strictly speaking, players are like freelancers.

They sign contracts on a yearly basis, and if their performance isn’t good, there’s a high chance they won’t be re-signed.

Also, their salary can decrease depending on their performance, and the range can be significant.

Naturally, players get stressed about these things.

Players are also human and can’t help but feel insecure about the future.

The problem is that this stress can affect a player’s performance.

“[If their income is stable, they can focus solely on the game, which often leads to a positive outcome.]”

“You know it well. Why are you saying to ignore it?”

“[Firstly, there’s a limit to the amount the Athletics can offer.]”

“Please continue.”

“[The Athletics are a typical small-market team. Since the owner doesn’t invest in the team, they have to operate with limited funds.]”

That was accurate.

“[Of course, Jung Ha-sung might be an exception in this case. Even so, the Athletics can’t offer more than $100 million.]”

“It doesn’t seem bad if the contract period is short.”

“[At best, it’ll be 6 years. Considering the owner’s tendencies, it’s more likely to be 8 or even 10 years.]”

“You think the latter is more likely.”

“[If it’s the Athletics’ owner, it’s definitely possible.]”

The Athletics’ owner is stingy with investments, almost to the point of non-existence.

Isabel, well aware of this fact, continued to persuade him.

“[If the Athletics fail to secure a long-term contract, they’ll probably aim for a maximum of 2 years. They’ll think they can manage with their financial resources through two salary arbitration applications [a process where an independent arbitrator determines a player’s salary].]”

“So, you’re saying we should allow salary arbitration and prepare for a trade.”

“[Exactly. If you move to a big market, Jung Ha-sung has a high chance of signing a contract that will go down in Major League history. No, it’s certain.]”

Isabel affirmed.

This was a somewhat risky statement for an agent.

If it failed, her credibility would decrease.

But she believed in Ha-sung.

The incredible performances he had shown were not just flashes in the pan.

Above all, Ha-sung’s professional attitude while preparing for the season gave her faith in him.

“[More than his salary, Jung Ha-sung’s current income comes from advertising endorsements. If you focus on that, you can earn plenty of income without immediately extending the contract.]”

Isabel had finished all the preparations and contacted him.

Ha-sung, hearing her story, smiled and replied.

“I understand. Let’s postpone the long-term contract unless the Athletics make a groundbreaking offer.”

“[You made a good choice!]”

“Instead, please take full responsibility for the advertising part after this season.”

“[Yes! But you might have to stay in the United States longer after the season ends.]”

“I don’t mind.”

“[Okay. I’ll organize that and report back to you soon!]”

After hanging up, Ha-sung looked out the window.

The now-familiar scenery of downtown Oakland came into view.

“I won’t be seeing this place for much longer.”

He had affection for the team.

The fans were also kind.

But Ha-sung prioritized his market value over those things.

“I’ll end up being traded.”

The Athletics can’t afford his value.

Knowing that, they wanted a long-term contract.

But Ha-sung had no intention of agreeing to those terms.

Unless the Athletics suddenly went crazy and offered something like $300 million for 10 years.

“My salary will increase even more in the mid-2010s and 2020s when I become a free agent.”

Ha-sung had already experienced the future.

The late $20 million that Alex Rodrigo, who is currently said to have the highest salary, will become common in the 2020s.

The Major League is not stagnating but is thriving, and players’ values are skyrocketing.

“I can’t sign for a bargain price.”

Knowing that, Ha-sung waited.

Focusing on increasing his value.

* * *

The Athletics and the Rangers.

The race for postseason continued between the two teams.

“[Didn’t the Texas Rangers’ momentum seem unstoppable in the middle of the season, making their postseason appearance seem like a foregone conclusion?]”

“[That’s right. But in the second half, the Athletics picked up speed and overtook the Rangers to take first place in the division.]”

“[Major League experts cited this player as the reason the Athletics were able to catch the Rangers.]”

The camera focused on Ha-sung on the mound.

“[It’s Jung Ha-sung, who has become the best starting pitcher in the entire Major League this season.]”

“[Jung Ha-sung’s performance this season is well-described as phenomenal.]”

“[Jung Ha-sung, who set a new Major League save record last year, suddenly switched to being a starting pitcher for 10 seasons, which caused a lot of concern, but he overcame those views with his skill.]”

Ha-sung’s reputation was that of a top player, whether in Korea, the United States, or Japan.

His star power was as good as his overwhelming skill, so interest in Ha-sung was higher than ever.

And Ha-sung continued to pitch in line with those expectations.

Thwack-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

“[Strikeout! Jung Ha-sung gets his 10th strikeout of the game today!]”

“[It’s really amazing. Many people take it for granted that Jung Ha-sung gets double-digit strikeouts every game, but getting double-digit strikeouts every game in the Major League is really amazing!]”

“[Weren’t Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson the only players in Major League history to get strikeouts in every game?]”

“[That’s right. Jung Ha-sung is having a season that will go down in Major League history.]”

Ha-sung’s performance continued in today’s game as well.

His run for his 23rd win of the season was unstoppable.

“[Jung Ha-sung takes the mound again in the top of the 9th inning with a score of 3 to 1.]”

“[He’s already thrown 110 pitches, but the coaching staff is still using Jung Ha-sung.]”

“[One reason is that the Athletics’ bullpen has been overloaded recently, right?]”

“[That’s right. Except for Jung Ha-sung, the Athletics’ starting pitchers aren’t showing very good performances. Naturally, the bullpen has been overloaded, so it’s good for Jung Ha-sung to be responsible for as many innings as possible when he pitches.]”

“[Above all, isn’t Jung Ha-sung the pitcher with the lowest ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] among the Athletics’ pitchers right now?]”

“[That’s correct. Including the bullpen, he has the lowest ERA, including WHIP [Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched, another measure of pitching performance], among all pitchers, so there’s no reason to bring in another pitcher.]”

It was ironic.

For a starting pitcher to have lower stats in everything, including ERA, than a relief pitcher.

That was the same as saying that Ha-sung’s performance this season was phenomenal.

‘Even if he exceeds 110 pitches, Ha-sung can definitely get three batters out.’

Manager Tony looked at Ha-sung on the mound and was confident.

With Ha-sung’s skills that he had shown so far, he would definitely be able to catch them in today’s game as well.

“[Jung Ha-sung faces the first batter.]”

The batter, knowing that he was tired, went on the offensive from the first pitch.

But Ha-sung’s experience was a step above.

“Hup!!”

Whoosh-!

Ha-sung threw the ball.

Whoosh-!

The batter swung his bat as if he had been waiting for it.

Clang-!!

“[He hit it!!]”

With a cheerful sound, the bat caught the ball.

The high-flying ball flew towards the left field.

“[A well-hit ball! It’s stretching out!!]”

“[Ah~ this is dangerous!]”

Even with the naked eye, it was a well-hit ball.

But the batter who hit the ball was checking the ball as if something was wrong.

That’s when it happened.

“[Ah! The ball drops sharply!]”

The ball, which seemed like it would fly out of the fence at any moment, began to fall rapidly.

The left fielder, seeing this, stopped in front of the fence and raised his glove.

And the ball went right into the glove.

Thud!

“[Out! The ball that was thought to go over! But it can’t stretch out any further and is caught in front of the fence!]”

Then Ha-sung’s pitch came out.

“[Ah! The ball that Jung Ha-sung threw was not a four-seam fastball but a cut fastball [a fastball with a slight horizontal break].]”

“[That’s right. Because it was a cutter, it was off the center of the bat, which reduced the power of the ball at the end.]”

“[Jung Ha-sung uses the cutter that made him the best closer again in the 9th inning to get the first out count!]”

Ha-sung, who got the first out count with the cutter that imprinted himself on the Major League, had an interesting match against the second batter as well.

“[Jung Ha-sung exchanges signs with the second batter to see what ball he will throw for the first pitch, windup!]”

With the windup, Ha-sung threw the ball with all his might.

“Hup!!”

Whoosh-!!

The batter’s bat turned again without fail at the ball that quickly stabbed the body.

Clang!!

“[This time, it’s a well-hit ball!]”

This time, the ball began to fly towards the right field.

The right fielder stepped back and positioned himself in front of the fence again and raised his glove.

“[This time, the ball drops sharply!]”

It was as if a déjà vu had occurred from when he faced the first batter.

The well-hit ball began to fall in front of the fence, and the right fielder did not miss it.

Thud!

“[Caught it! The second out count is also caught in front of the fence!]”

“[The ball thrown this time was a splitter [a type of fastball with a sharp downward break]. This time, it was a ball that could cook the batter aiming for the four-seam fastball.]”

“[Both the first batter and the second batter came in aiming for the fastball, but they had no choice but to turn away due to Jung Ha-sung’s experienced pitching!]”

“[This is… It’s really unknown how the word experienced pitching suits a 21-year-old player.]”

Often, the word experienced pitching is used for veterans.

However, it was unbalanced to use it for Ha-sung, who was in his second year in the Major League.

Whether or not, Ha-sung faced the third batter.

‘Damn… I thought he would throw the ball he was most confident in because he was tired. To think that both balls were cutters and splitters.’

Both balls were perfect for cooking batters aiming for fastballs.

In other words, Ha-sung predicted that the batters would aim for fastballs.

‘This time, the fastball will come.’

I decided to think simply.

He wouldn’t choose a breaking ball instead of a fastball all three times.

Ha-sung was too young to have that kind of guts.

But.

“Hup!!”

“[Ball, thrown!]”

The ball that left Ha-sung’s hand.

Whoosh-!!

‘This time, it’s a fastball!’

Disguised as a fastball.

Swoosh!!

‘Stopped!’

It was a changeup [a slow pitch thrown with the same arm action as a fastball].

‘Damn…!’

Clang!!

“[He hit it! But the ball that soared high! The center fielder runs out and catches the ball stably! Jung Ha-sung’s complete game win is completed!!]”

“[Ah~ It was the 9th inning where Jung Ha-sung’s experience stood out!]”

“[Jung Ha-sung achieves his 23rd win of the season! The top spot in wins is unshakable!!]”

23 wins this season.

Ha-sung’s winning streak did not stop in September either.