Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 270

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 270

The conditions presented by the New York Yankees were staggering.

When it was revealed to the world, it immediately drew everyone’s attention.

[The largest contract in Major League history!]

[The New York Yankees bet the future of the club on a gamble with one player!]

[Will the Yankees’ gamble succeed?]

[Jung Ha-sung has heard the terms but hasn’t accepted yet!]

Ha-sung did not accept the contract.

This created many rumors.

[Is Jung Ha-sung unhappy with the terms?]

[When will he sign the contract?]

[Jung Ha-sung, who will remain a Yankee forever, what will his choice be?]

The media was focused on what choice Ha-sung would make.

However, fans were generally accepting that he would take the contract.

-Isn’t he basically signing it?

-Agreed.

-Is there any place besides the Yankees that would offer a contract of this size?

-Probably not.

-Even if Major League teams have a lot of money, is it possible in this kind of recession?

-With Jung Ha-sung’s salary, he could probably just buy a small market team, lol [laughing out loud].

-ikr [I know, right], lol

The reason why they didn’t doubt Ha-sung would sign was because of the current state of Major League Baseball.

Before Ha-sung appeared, Major League Baseball was in a state of declining popularity.

In addition, due to the global economic crisis that began in 2009, each team entered a period of austerity.

Of course, even in the midst of that, the New York Yankees poured in huge amounts of money, but it was too much for other teams.

In other words, there was no team that could afford Ha-sung’s salary.

That’s why they were optimistic about Ha-sung’s contract.

The Yankees’ executives also felt the same way.

That’s why when Ha-sung came to the second negotiation meeting himself, they expected to get his signature that day.

However, Ha-sung made an unexpected condition.

“I want to include an opt-out clause.”

“Opt…out, you say?”

“Yes. I want to insert a clause that allows me to opt-out every three years.”

“Every three years…”

An opt-out is a kind of insurance policy.

It’s a condition that allows a player to become a free agent immediately if they meet certain conditions.

Not only players but also teams can add these conditions, and in this case, it is common to terminate the contract while paying a buyout amount.

When Ha-sung brought up the condition of an opt-out, the Yankees side became a little noisy.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

“Of course.”

Ha-sung watched silently as the executives gathered and talked.

‘Right now, everyone is shrinking back because of the economic crisis and the expectation that the Major League Baseball business will decline, so salary increases are slow…’

Ha-sung knows because he has lived in the future.

Soon, the Major League Baseball market will grow explosively, and players’ salaries will increase exponentially.

‘Within 10 years, players receiving $40 million in salary will start appearing one after another. In addition, Otani, who declared himself a two-way player and conquered Major League Baseball, will sign a contract for a whopping $50 million.’

Of course, he is receiving it 10 years earlier, but Ha-sung had other thoughts.

‘The important thing is that I broke through AAV [Average Annual Value] $40 million during this period. This will be the trigger for other players’ salaries to rise significantly.’

In addition, the Major League Baseball business was growing rapidly during this period, unlike in the past.

This was thanks to the superstar Ha-sung.

His appearance led people who had no interest in baseball to watch Major League Baseball, opening up a new market.

The Major League Baseball Secretariat did not miss this opportunity and aggressively marketed around the world, and the market was rapidly growing.

‘Right now, this phenomenon may feel temporary, but it will eventually lead to increased revenue for Major League Baseball teams.’

If Major League Baseball teams become richer, this will lead to an increase in players’ salaries.

At that time, Ha-sung’s salary was likely to be the trigger for other players’ salaries to rise significantly.

‘If I’m stuck with the Yankees then, I won’t be able to take any action.’

The reason for including the opt-out was precisely for this reason.

Considering the Major League Baseball business and players’ salaries that will grow in the future, he had no intention of being tied to his current contract.

It was necessary to prepare insurance for a bigger contract.

Then Hank, who had finished the meeting, returned to the table.

“We will agree if we put the opt-out on both sides.”

Hank was not an easy person either.

Ha-sung smiled at their words that they would also have the insurance of an opt-out.

“Of course. Then shall we organize the details?”

Ha-sung was confident.

Confidence that they would not exercise the opt-out.

It was confidence in his own skills.

Such confidence that he would reign as the best player in the future as well.

* * *

Although the big picture was set, it took quite a while to negotiate the details because it was such a large-scale contract.

Ha-sung, who left these detailed parts to Isabel, went straight back to the hotel.

And two days passed.

Articles slowly started to come out in the media.

[New York Yankees and Jung Ha-sung to agree on a contract soon!]

[Busy New York Yankees internal affairs! Will they announce Jung Ha-sung’s long-term contract?]

[Jung Ha-sung’s all-time contract is attracting great attention!]

When people’s expectations were soaring.

Ha-sung stood in front of reporters with Hank Steinbrenner.

“Thank you for gathering here today.”

The press conference began with Hank’s words.

“Today, I am here to announce that we are joined by a player who will be responsible for the future of the New York Yankees.”

Then the door of the conference hall opened and Ha-sung appeared.

The Yankees prepared this production for the best event of the day.

He stood on the platform and faced Hank.

After shaking hands, the two people sat down and signed the documents, and the contract was concluded.

It was the moment when the largest contract in Major League history was signed.

* * *

Ha-sung, who succeeded in extending his contract with the New York Yankees, left New York and headed to Korea.

It was to meet his family after a long time.

He arrived comfortably at Incheon Airport on a private plane, where he was greeted by a large crowd.

However, thanks to the thorough preparations made by his Korean agent, it didn’t take long to get out of the airport.

The house he arrived at was waiting for his parents.

“Son~ You had a hard time coming, right?”

“You worked hard.”

“I’m back.”

It was a house he was returning to after a long time.

But there was no awkwardness.

After having a hearty dinner with the food prepared by his mother, Ha-sung went to his room after a long time.

“This place is still the same as before.”

The dust-free room was well organized.

He could see how well his mother had taken care of it even while he was in the United States.

“Time has already passed so much.”

The time of his first regression was when he was a sophomore in high school.

He became a Major Leaguer, which he had vowed to do when he first regressed.

And he became one of the best players in the world and signed the highest contract in Major League history.

‘I’ve been running hard.’

He didn’t look back because he didn’t want to repeat the regrets of his past life.

He only looked ahead, and the results appeared one by one after his efforts.

‘I’ve come to a higher place than I thought.’

Cy Young and MVP [Most Valuable Player].

In addition, he set the first records in Major League history one after another.

He even challenged himself to become a two-way player, which he had never thought of at first, and lived a baseball life that was 180 degrees different from his previous life.

‘Would I have been like this now even if I hadn’t been injured in my past life?’

He suddenly wondered.

Would he have been like this now if he hadn’t been injured in his past life.

Of course, Ha-sung himself knew very well that these thoughts were unnecessary.

Because he was living in the present and would continue to do so.

Knock knock-!

“Ha-sung.”

“Yes, Father.”

The door opened and his father came in.

His father, who saw Ha-sung standing blankly in the room, asked.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m just thinking about the old days because I came back home after a long time.”

“Anyone who sees you would think you came home after decades.”

“Haha, is that so?”

The two soon sat down on the bed and chairs and continued their conversation.

“How is it to come to Korea after a long time?”

“It’s good. The United States is good too, but I like Korea better. Now that I have a lot of money, it will be better to live here.”

“Haha! That’s right. There’s no place as good to live as Korea if you have money.”

His father, who burst into laughter, raised his hand and patted Ha-sung’s shoulder.

“I’m proud of you, son.”

“Thank you.”

He wanted to be a proud son.

And a smile spread across Ha-sung’s face as he achieved that dream.

* * *

People who receive attention are always bound to be talked about.

And that was the same for Ha-sung, who had signed an all-time contract.

[Jung Ha-sung, who signed a large-scale contract, will he be worth the money?]

[Jung Ha-sung’s new season, who won the Cy Young and MVP for two consecutive years?]

[Can he maintain his current performance when he has already reached the peak of his career?]

Ha-sung had already proven everything he needed to prove.

But the media still threw question marks at him.

The public’s reaction to the media’s reaction was absurd.

-Still a question mark for the best player in Major League history, lol [laughing out loud].

-That’s why they’re called trash reporters.

-They’ll probably say, ‘Can he do well next season even if he hits 100 home runs?’ lol [laughing out loud].

-Ha-sung just needs to do what he’s doing now.

Public opinion was completely on Ha-sung’s side.

Was it because of this reaction?

The media also began to turn to Ha-sung’s side one by one.

[Predicting Jung Ha-sung’s new season, who has become the best player in Major League history.]

[Jung Ha-sung to wear the Taegeuk mark [Korean flag] for the first time in his career next season!]

[Is the London Olympics gold medal a sure thing? Jung Ha-sung to board Park Moon-ho’s ship! What role will he play?]

[Park Moon-ho, head of the national team, said in an interview with the media, “We will actively use Jung Ha-sung!”]

People’s attention began to focus on Ha-sung’s 2012 season and the London Olympics.

Attention was bound to be focused on Ha-sung, who would be wearing the Taegeuk mark [Korean flag] for the first time in his career.

While this attention was focused.

Ha-sung greeted the new year of 2012 with his family.

Prepared for the next step.

[It’s been a while, Mr. Ha-sung.]

“Have you been well?”

[I’ve been well. How is life in your home country after returning after a long time?]

“It’s very enjoyable. If you have a chance next time, come to Korea. I’ll recommend a few places.”

[Hehe, I must go. But why did you contact me first?]

“I should start preparing for next season.”

[Already?]

“I have to earn my keep.”

[That’s like you, Mr. Ha-sung. What should I prepare for you?]

“Summon Team Ha-sung and look for an island.”

[An island…?]

[I just want to focus on training. I’m going to rent an island, prepare all the training equipment, and prepare for next season.]

Renting an island costs an astronomical amount.

In addition, if you prepare expensive tools for training, the cost will be beyond imagination.

But Isabel answered immediately.

[I’ll prepare it right away.]

The cost was no longer a big problem for Ha-sung.

Ha-sung smiled at Isabel’s answer.

“How much time do you need?”

[A week is enough. I’ll finish all the preparations perfectly, including the training equipment.]

“Okay. Oh, and this time I’m planning to bring one more person.”

[One more person?]

“Yes. I’m going to prepare for this year’s Olympics and go with an old friend.”

[Okay. What’s your friend’s name?]

“Tae-soo… Jung Tae-soo.”

Ha-sung was going to find his friend who had taken care of him until the end.