Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 269

Mound Villain – Episode 269

[The Major League World Series has concluded with the New York Yankees’ victory.]

[The New York Yankees, boasting the most championships in Major League history, have clinched their 28th championship ring, marking their triumph two years after their 2009 victory.]

[The Major League Secretariat has awarded the World Series MVP to Jung Ha-sung, acknowledging his outstanding performance.]

[The phenomenal Jung Ha-sung has secured a World Series ring in his debut year after being traded to the New York Yankees, becoming only the second Korean player to achieve this feat.]

[In the sixth game of the World Series, Jung Ha-sung pitched a perfect game with 27 strikeouts, a first in Major League history, setting a new World Series record.]

[Jung Ha-sung, having set unprecedented records, is expected to remain in the United States for salary negotiations with the New York Yankees, attracting considerable attention.]

All eyes were on Ha-sung.

The media had already been closely following him.

However, after his unprecedented 27-strikeout perfect game, their interest intensified.

Unsurprisingly, a large crowd gathered for the post-World Series interview.

Before the winner’s interview, Cardinals manager Tony’s interview took place in the media room.

“We seemed to forfeit the sixth game of the World Series. What, in your opinion, led to the loss?”

At the reporter’s question, manager Tony responded, seemingly bewildered.

“Forfeit? Do you really think so?”

“Yes?”

“We prepared extensively. We devised various strategies and analyzed our opponent. And we trained accordingly.”

Manager Tony spoke with evident frustration.

“But none of it worked. The reason for the loss? It’s simple: we couldn’t prevent Jung Ha-sung from joining the New York Yankees.”

The reporters were stunned, never anticipating such a statement from the opposing team’s manager.

The reporter who recovered first posed a question.

“Do you believe you lost solely because of Jung Ha-sung?”

“Our Cardinals didn’t lose to the New York Yankees. We were defeated by Jung Ha-sung alone.”

“Isn’t that a rather extreme assertion?”

“A player who strikes out 27 batters in a single game, allowing no hits into the field… Even if there were no fielders, just the catcher and Jung Ha-sung, we would have lost. Wouldn’t that be losing to Jung Ha-sung? What else could it be?”

None of the reporters could argue with manager Tony’s pointed remarks.

In the silent conference room, manager Tony continued.

“Jung Ha-sung is like Darth Vader in Major League Baseball… no, in baseball.”

“Darth Vader?”

“Yes. He’s a figure with an overwhelming force that no one seems capable of overcoming.”

Manager Tony concluded his statement and rose from his seat.

The reporters disseminated these enigmatic remarks worldwide.

[Cardinals’ manager Tony La Russa! Compares Jung Ha-sung to Darth Vader!]

[Jung Ha-sung, seemingly unbeatable! What performance awaits him next year?]

[Baseball’s Darth Vader, Jung Ha-sung! Will he join the evil empire?!]

The New York Yankees are often referred to as the “evil empire.”

Larry Lucchino, former president of the Boston Red Sox, initially coined the term “evil empire” for the New York Yankees, and it became their unofficial moniker.

But this time, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa’s comparison of Ha-sung to Darth Vader sparked significant interest.

-Evil Empire and Darth Vader lol, perfect match.

-But why did he call him a villain?

-My guess is, wasn’t it because Darth Vader seemed unbeatable when he first appeared?

-That’s a good possibility.

-But Darth Vader eventually dies, doesn’t he?

-He does die.

-So does that mean Ha-sung will eventually lose?

-Then we’ll have to create a united nation to beat him lol.

-Which team will be able to form a united nation to catch Ha-sung?

Manager Tony’s comments caused a considerable stir and heightened the fascination with Ha-sung.

* * *

Even after the season concluded, interest in Ha-sung remained high.

Articles about him were published daily.

[New York Yankees’ Jung Ha-sung, unanimous winner of the American League Cy Young Award!]

[No upset! Jung Ha-sung wins the American League Cy Young Award unanimously!]

[Jung Ha-sung becomes the first player in history to win the Cy Young Award in every season since his debut!]

The Cy Young Award naturally went to Ha-sung.

In reality, no pitcher in the American League could compare to him, making it an inevitable outcome.

A few days later, another article surfaced.

[Jung Ha-sung, unanimously selected as the 2011 American League MVP!]

[Becomes the 10th unanimous MVP in history!]

[Jung Ha-sung becomes the first player to win the Cy Young Award and MVP simultaneously for two consecutive years!]

Ha-sung, who won the Cy Young Award and MVP simultaneously in both the 2010 and 2011 seasons, didn’t stop there.

[Jung Ha-sung wins the American League Silver Slugger Award in the designated hitter category.]

Following the Silver Slugger Award.

[Jung Ha-sung wins the Gold Glove Award in the pitcher category!]

With the Gold Glove Award, his name began to appear at every awards ceremony.

People were thrilled with his performance, widely regarded as dominating Major League Baseball.

-His awards luck is amazing.

-Of course, it should be like this.

-He really conquered Major League Baseball.

-Four consecutive Cy Young Awards, is that real?

-Silver Slugger, Cy Young, MVP, just do it all yourself!

-He’s actually doing it all?

-By the way, how are the salary negotiations with the Yankees going?

-I know. There are no special articles about it.

What people were most curious about was the extension contract with the New York Yankees.

It was only natural that this negotiation, anticipated to be the largest contract in Major League history, garnered significant attention.

-Will this contract exceed $40 million AAV [Average Annual Value]?

-Rodrigo’s AAV is over $30 million. Will he exceed it?

-Rodrigo’s salary last year was $33 million, right?

-It varies slightly each year. The average is $27.5 million.

-Since he’s a two-way player, won’t he exceed $50 million?

└That seems impossible.

└└Even if it’s the Yankees, I don’t think they have the ability to pay that much.

-The Major League business has been declining recently, right?

-I heard it’s been on the rise since this year.

-Is this Jung Ha-sung’s power?!

People’s opinions differed.

Some predicted $40 million, while others predicted $50 million.

But they all agreed on one thing.

‘He will easily exceed Alex Rodrigo’s contract size.’

Alex Rodrigo was a player who had secured contracts that would become legendary in Major League history.

He was a superstar and a representative of Major League Baseball.

It was natural to expect Ha-sung to sign a contract surpassing Rodrigo’s, as he had overshadowed him in the minds of many.

The New York Yankees considered this when entering negotiations.

“Nice to meet you.”

“We look forward to working with you.”

The Yankees’ representatives at the negotiating table included Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, President Randy Levine, and General Manager and Vice President Brian Cashman.

On Ha-sung’s side, Isabel attended alone to face them.

Despite facing such prominent figures, Isabel remained composed.

Each person was a dominant figure in Major League Baseball, but from Isabel’s perspective, there was no reason to feel intimidated.

Her client was Jung Ha-sung.

“Before we begin negotiations, I’d like to convey my client’s words.”

“Please, speak freely.”

“He prefers not to have lengthy negotiations. He intends to conclude matters quickly and return to Korea. Therefore, he wishes to avoid wasting time with unnecessary power plays.”

It was a very Ha-sung-like statement.

Isabel, conveying it precisely, also appeared formidable.

The Yankees felt the same way.

“We should naturally offer the best possible conditions to Jung Ha-sung, the greatest player in Major League history,” Hank, the eldest of the Steinbrenner brothers, began as their representative.

“Jung Ha-sung has performed exceptionally well in both pitching and hitting. He has received the Cy Young Award every season since his Major League debut, and he has received the MVP every season since becoming a starter.”

Stating it explicitly made his achievements even more impressive.

But that wasn’t all.

“Especially this season, when he reached a career high, he brought the Yankees a World Series ring. Our Yankees have no intention of letting go of such a player as Jung Ha-sung.”

Isabel listened to Hank’s words without interruption.

She anticipated him presenting excellent conditions, given his extensive preparation.

“After much deliberation, we are offering Jung Ha-sung $43 million.”

Isabel was taken aback.

To propose a $43 million contract right from the start?

It suggested they were foregoing negotiations and were determined to secure Jung Ha-sung from the outset.

Isabel regained her composure and inquired without revealing her surprise.

“What is the contract duration?”

“We are offering 15 years.”

It was a contract totaling $645 million.

Isabel could no longer conceal her astonishment upon hearing that.

From the beginning, the Yankees had no intention of negotiating.

Their sole objective:

To have Ha-sung retire as a Yankee.

“It seems I made a mistake coming alone.”

“Shall we reschedule?”

Isabel nodded at Hank’s courteous suggestion.

* * *

There’s a saying that a word without feet travels a thousand miles.

It means that even if you try to keep a secret, it’s impossible.

And that saying applied to Major League Baseball.

[New York Yankees offer Jung Ha-sung a contract worth a total of $640 million!!]

[Offering a contract with an average annual salary of $43 million!]

[Conditions far exceeding the salary of Alex Rodrigo, who received the highest amount in Major League history!]

[Experts say that even for the giant New York Yankees, it is a burdensome amount!]

[Major League Baseball officials criticize, saying, ‘The New York Yankees are disrupting the balance of the market!’]

The conditions presented by the New York Yankees were leaked, causing a massive ripple effect.

Arguments ensued among baseball fans.

-Is $600 million even possible?

-Isn’t it just a rumor spread by a reporter?

-It’s an anonymous Yankees official?

-Who is that official anyway?

-Even if it’s the Yankees, is $600 million a possible amount?

-Forbes valued the Yankees’ team at $1.9 billion. Are they giving 1/3 to one player?

-No matter how I think about it, this seems impossible.

People were shocked by the $600 million contract size.

This amount exceeded the total of $476 million that Alex Rodrigo had received through two free agencies by $200 million.

The prevailing opinion was that it was impossible, even for the New York Yankees.

But Isabel’s eyes widened at Ha-sung’s reaction to the news.

“15 years? I don’t like it.”