Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 166

Mound Villain – Episode 166

Mound Villain Episode 166

The Major League is divided into two leagues:

The National League and the American League.

The series that determines the champion from each league is called the Championship Series.

The Boston Red Sox have won their league championship 12 times, while the Oakland Athletics have won 15, showing similar levels of achievement.

[It’s understandable for the Red Sox, being a prestigious team, but the Athletics have surprisingly won many league championships?]

[The Athletics might seem like a weak team because they’re in a small market, but they’re actually one of the stronger teams in the American League.]

[That means they’ve been managing the team well, right?]

[Yes, but there are definitely some unstable factors.]

[What are the unstable factors?]

[It’s the fact that they haven’t won a league championship since 1990.]

The Athletics have often won their division since 1990.

They’ve been champions of the Western Division, holding the most titles in the American League.

But they’ve fallen short of being league champions.

The reason is the Athletics’ player development.

[The pennant race is a long-term battle, so even if players slump, they get another chance. But the postseason is different.]

[Because it’s a short-term battle, a player who can dominate the series has to emerge.]

[That’s right. However, the Athletics, mostly composed of rookies, have struggled because such a player hasn’t emerged.]

[But wouldn’t it be different this year? Ha-sung Jung is reliably holding down the fort, isn’t he?]

Experts were focusing on what kind of performance Ha-sung would deliver in this Championship Series.

[That’s right. Since the ace’s role is more important in a short-term battle, the Athletics are in a more advantageous situation in that regard.]

Red Sox versus Athletics.

When comparing the two teams, opinions are bound to differ.

But if we focus solely on the ace pitcher?

There was no debate.

All experts and fans favored the Athletics.

That’s how dominant Ha-sung’s performance has been this season.

[The idea that Jung Ha-sung might falter in the postseason due to a lack of experience has already been disproven by his performance in the Division Series.]

[The key is still on the batting side.]

[That’s right. The main thing to watch will be whether the Athletics’ hitters can maintain the positive momentum from the Division Series.]

People’s attention was focused on the Championship Series.

* * *

The day after clinching the Division Series.

Ha-sung had an interview with Chris, the general manager.

“How’s your condition?”

“It’s good. I’m ready to pitch anytime.”

Ha-sung’s voice was full of confidence.

“Looking at you, it’s like looking at a veteran player.”

“Is that so?”

He was surprised inside, but he didn’t show it outwardly.

He was mature enough not to reveal his emotions at this point.

“The reason I called you today is because I want you to attend this press conference.”

The Championship Series was a game with significant public interest.

Naturally, the media makes various attempts to satisfy the public’s appetite.

One of them is a press conference.

Before each series of the postseason, the managers and representative players come out and conduct official interviews.

It was quite popular because you could hear the psychological warfare between the two teams and the players’ ambitions.

Ha-sung had already attended a press conference for the Division Series and gave a good interview.

“Thanks to you shouting in front of the reporters that the Rays hitters can’t hit your ball! It was a success.”

“Then I should say something similar at the Championship Series press conference.”

“It can be even stronger than that.”

This was an unexpected reaction.

Shouldn’t they be stopping him from saying such things?

“This is the Major League. Everyone likes showmanship. Of course, there are those who don’t like it, but I’m not one of them, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

Chris liked Ha-sung’s style.

To be exact, he liked that his style resonated with the public.

Therefore, there was no reason to change Ha-sung’s interview style.

“Okay. Then I’ll go wild as I please.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

* * *

The American League Championship Series is between the Red Sox and the Athletics.

The National League Championship Series will be between the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies.

The four teams will face off for their respective league championship and a World Series ticket.

A press conference was held as a prelude to the series.

The ALCS press conference was the main attraction.

“The Red Sox are bringing Beltre.”

“Unexpectedly bringing in a veteran?”

“That’s how good his recent performance has been.”

“If the Red Sox hadn’t signed Beltre this season, they wouldn’t have dreamed of going to the postseason.”

“Signing a one-year contract was also a stroke of genius.”

“Will the Red Sox extend the contract?”

Adrian Beltre.

He debuted with the LA Dodgers and signed a free agent (FA) contract with Seattle, but he didn’t live up to expectations and was released.

However, he was considered to have declined in skill and was unable to sign a long-term contract with any team.

The Red Sox reached out to him when he was about to become a free agent castoff.

The Red Sox offered him a one-year contract, and the result was a success.

He made a remarkable comeback, recording a .321 batting average, 28 home runs, and 102 RBIs in 10 seasons.

The Red Sox also succeeded in advancing to the postseason, and both the player and the club were considered to have benefited.

Although he wasn’t a franchise star, that’s why he was able to attend the press conference.

“I’m more looking forward to Ha-sung than Beltre.”

“I thought the Athletics might bring Arnold. It’s Ha-sung again.”

“Isn’t it better this way?”

“Well, Arnold’s mic work is a little lacking.”

“Honestly, who has better mic work than Ha-sung in the big leagues?”

“Haha! That’s true.”

Not all Major League players were good at speaking in front of reporters.

In fact, most players often struggled to speak properly in front of the microphone.

So reporters liked players who spoke well.

If they couldn’t make proper comments, there was little to write about in their articles.

And the fans felt the same way.

They enjoyed watching players who were not only skilled but also entertaining.

So Ha-sung’s popularity was bound to be high.

Then the door opened, and the managers and players from both sides entered.

* * *

The press conference proceeded formally.

Time passed as the managers’ interviews continued and the reporters asked the questions they had submitted in advance.

‘It’s boring after all.’

Ha-sung felt bored watching the managers’ interviews.

‘If I’m bored like this, how bored will the viewers be?’

‘I have to stick to the plan after all.’

The moment when the fans’ boredom peaks is when I’ll shine.

‘In my previous life, I played baseball too quietly. My skills were good, so I could attract enough fans, but that was it.’

Attracting baseball fans was natural for a first-class player.

But to become an even bigger player, something else was needed.

It was star quality and showmanship.

A player with both could become someone who could influence society as a whole, beyond just baseball.

Ha-sung’s position in Korea was exactly that.

But the situation was different in the Major League.

‘It’s only been a year. From now on, it’s important for me to become a complete superstar.’

It wasn’t enough to shine for just one year.

In the past, players like Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge also experienced slumps after becoming national stars, and their popularity quickly faded.

Of course, they regained their star status after overcoming their slumps, but they couldn’t recapture the initial explosive impact.

This wasn’t just limited to baseball.

This phenomenon was often seen in other sports as well.

‘And the players who make the most money are the ones with star quality and topicality.’

A player with enough buzz to transcend the sport could accumulate tremendous fame and wealth.

That’s what Ha-sung wanted.

“Then next, I’ll ask the players some questions.”

The reporters’ questions shifted from the managers to the players.

“I’ll ask Beltre.”

The reporters showered Beltre with questions, like children cherishing the main course.

As if they would listen to Ha-sung’s answer later.

Ha-sung waited patiently, listening to Beltre’s answers.

“You’ll be facing Jung Ha-sung in this Championship Series. Are you confident?”

“Jung Ha-sung is a very good pitcher. I’ve faced him often during the season, and he was a very difficult pitcher to hit against. But he has little experience in the Championship Series.”

Beltre’s answer was textbook.

He was subtly provoking his opponent, but it lacked impact.

But there was a slight jab, so the reporters glanced at Ha-sung.

But Ha-sung crossed his arms and remained impassive.

After the questions about Beltre were over, the reporters finally asked Ha-sung a question.

“Jung Ha-sung, please share your thoughts on the Championship Series.”

At the reporter’s question, Ha-sung hesitated for a moment and grabbed the microphone.

“It’s always the same. I’m going to pitch without letting the hitters get a hit.”

The reporters’ faces showed disappointment, expecting something more exciting.

It was too predictable an answer.

Then Ha-sung continued.

“Beltre said that I have little experience. That’s ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous?”

“I was already the best closer in the Major League, and now I’m the best starting pitcher.”

Ha-sung’s gaze turned to Beltre.

“Isn’t it a bit of a stretch to say that I, who rewrote the history of the Major League, have little experience?”

The reporters’ eyes turned to Beltre.

Was it because of Ha-sung’s provocative attitude?

Beltre’s voice was somewhat agitated.

“Isn’t it a fact that you have little experience?”

“That doesn’t mean you can hit my ball. Beltre won’t be able to get a single fair hit off me.”

“What?!”

Beltre jumped up from his seat.

As if he was completely baited, Beltre’s face turned red, and he shouted.

“I’m going to hit your ball out of the park in the Championship Series!”

“Then I’ll strike you out every time.”

It was the moment when a home run was predicted, and a strikeout was guaranteed.

* * *

[The ALCS press conference descended into chaos!]

[Beltre declares he’ll hit a home run!]

[Jung Ha-sung declares he will strike out Beltre every time at bat, after Beltre’s home run declaration!!]

[ALCS is already heating up!]

The media wrote articles about the ALCS without exception.

And this generated a huge buzz among fans.

-What’s going on?

-Beltre predicted a home run?

-I heard Ha-sung said he would strike him out every time?

-lol (laughing out loud)

-It’s already going to be so much fun.

-No, when did the Major League press conferences get so exciting?

-I saw the press conference video, and Ha-sung was definitely provoking him?

-Beltre crossed the line too.

-Experience argument against Ha-sung, who is sure to win the Cy Young Award [award for best pitcher] for two years in a row lol

-Whoever loses is going to be so embarrassed if they don’t keep their word lol

Everything went according to the scenario that Ha-sung had planned.

The 2010 American League Championship Series, which attracted more attention than any other tournament.

The long-awaited first game was held at Oakland Coliseum.

All went according to Ha-sung’s plan.

The 2010 American League Championship Series drew more attention than any other tournament.
The highly anticipated first game took place at Oakland Coliseum.