Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 282

Villain on the Mound – Episode 282

Clayton Kershaw.

Undoubtedly, he’s the quintessential Major League pitcher of the 21st century.

Especially in the 2010s, it could be called the era of Kershaw, as he boasted an all-time presence and enjoyed the prime of his career.

Of course, that was before Ha-seong’s resurgence.

‘Clayton Kershaw was really amazing back then.’

While playing in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], I watched Kershaw’s performance on TV.

Even after retirement, I was thrilled to see him still dominating the mound.

When he struggled with injuries, I felt a sense of camaraderie.

‘It’s been a while since a head-to-head match.’

Since starting as a two-way player, we had competed a few times in interleague games.

However, since we were in different leagues, we didn’t get to face each other often.

‘A head-to-head match against Kershaw in an international game…….’

Not bad.

No, it was more than enough to make the finale of the Olympics even more special.

Above all, the lineup of the American national team could be described as a monster squad.

‘The real Avengers are here.’

Some compared the American national team to the Avengers.

And Ha-seong agreed with that.

“But in the end, I’ll win.”

Ha-seong was already looking forward to the final.

* * *

The London Olympics final.

The match between the United States, the home of baseball, and the Korean national team with Ha-seong, drew a lot of attention.

– Who do you think will win?

– Wouldn’t Korea with Jeong Ha-seong win?

└ Seeing what he did when he knocked down Japan, Jeong Ha-seong will win.

└└ Jeong Ha-seong of the cycle hit will win.

– The American national team will likely win.

└ For real, this American national team is Avengers-level.

└└ If you check the roster, every single one is All-Star level.

– It’s almost a war of cosmic monsters.

└ Avengers VS Thanos lol

└└ Murakami was right.

└└└ What was he right about?

└└└└ That Ha-seong is a villain lol

People weren’t seeing it as a match between the United States and Korea.

The narrative of the match was framed as the United States VS Jeong Ha-seong.

That’s how little impact the Korean national team, excluding Jeong Ha-seong, was perceived to have.

The players who heard they were a one-man team with Jeong Ha-seong were probably hurt, but they soon nodded.

“It can’t be helped if it’s Jeong Ha-seong.”

“He’s a different kind of monster from us.”

“He’s an existence from another dimension.”

To them, Ha-seong could only be seen as a monster.

It didn’t feel like they were playing the same sport at all.

Especially when they trained with him, they couldn’t help but nod.

“Huff…… Huff……. That monster.”

“Ugh!!”

“How long are you going to run…… Ugh!!”

Some players, stung by their pride, occasionally challenged Ha-seong.

But most of them collapsed, vomiting, during training with Ha-seong.

Watching that, Tae-soo shook his head.

‘He’s not even going all out and making his seniors throw up.’

Tae-soo, who had trained with Ha-seong, knew well how foolish the challenge was.

‘But doesn’t Ha-seong feel any pressure?’

The narrative of facing the American national team alone was placed on him.

In short, all expectations were focused on him.

Moreover, the cycle hit and perfect game he had shown before raised people’s expectations even more.

If you receive such expectations, it’s natural for a person to feel pressure.

But Ha-seong didn’t seem to have any pressure at all.

Unable to overcome his curiosity, Tae-soo eventually asked Ha-seong.

“Ha-seong, don’t you feel any pressure?”

Ha-seong chuckled at Tae-soo’s question.

“Hmm……”

“I’m just playing the game for myself. That’s why I don’t feel any pressure.”

Ha-seong had a clear goal.

It was to live for himself.

Some might argue that it’s only natural.

But in his previous life, Ha-seong dedicated his baseball career to the fans, simply because he was a public figure.

The result was retirement, and his dream ended there.

In his second life, he lived only for himself to avoid such regrets.

“Because I lived that way, people call me a villain.”

A troublemaker.

A villain.

All sorts of negative nicknames were attached to Ha-seong.

Some nicknames were given by the media, and some were used by opposing players to provoke him.

Ha-seong liked those nicknames.

Because he felt he was living properly.

“You play baseball for the right answer you think is right. If you think it’s right to care for the fans, then do it that way.”

Ha-seong left his last advice to his friend, who disappeared with him, and focused on training.

Tae-soo looked at his friend with a complex expression and couldn’t move from that spot for a long time.

* * *

Finals day.

The London Stadium, where the game was held, was packed with spectators.

And before the game, the media visited the clubhouses of the American and Korean national teams for interviews.

Originally, all the media would have flocked to the Korean national team where Ha-seong was, but not today.

A large number of media outlets also went to the American national team, which was full of Major League superstars, creating a scene like a marketplace in both teams’ clubhouses.

The player who became the target of the media in the American national team’s clubhouse was, of course, Clayton Kershaw.

“Kershaw, you will be facing Jung Ha-seong in an ace showdown today. What is your mindset for the game?”

“I will be on the field with the mindset that I will win no matter what.”

“Jung Ha-seong achieved a great record of a cycle hit [hitting a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game] in this tournament. Is there a way to target him?”

“He is an excellent pitcher and hitter. I will compete with all my strength.”

“The Netherlands chose to intentionally walk him four times. Are you planning to intentionally walk him in today’s game?”

If the American national team uses the intentional walk strategy, Korea’s chances of winning are very low.

There was no reason not to use a favorable tactic.

But Kershaw shook his head firmly.

“I will use all tactics depending on the situation. But I have no intention of avoiding a showdown with him when there are no runners on base.”

“So, you are planning to have a head-to-head match with Jung Ha-seong?”

“Yes. I will clearly show the world the *seungbu* [spirit of competition] of baseball.”

It was nothing short of a declaration of war.

And this answer from Kershaw came from the mouths of the team’s manager, Joe Girardi, and other key players.

“Our national team is made up of the best players in the world. Jung Ha-seong is definitely a great player, but he cannot win alone against our national team.”

“Ha-seong is great, but baseball is a team sport. He can’t beat us alone.”

The American national team’s determination was great.

And their remarks also revealed their awareness of Ha-seong.

Even Major League superstars couldn’t help but be nervous.

Ha-seong was the man who had conquered the Major League where they were superstars.

This news naturally reached the ears of reporters in the Korean national team’s clubhouse.

And the reporters immediately poured questions at Ha-seong.

“Jung Ha-seong, the American national team has expressed their determination to win. Do you have anything to say about your determination?”

“Tell them to wake up from their dreams.”

“Excuse me?”

“The gold medal is mine.”

Ha-seong declared victory.

* * *

Korea VS America.

It was only natural that the entire nation was interested in this tournament, which would determine the Olympic gold medal.

The viewership ratings had already exceeded the average viewership rating of 52.8 percent for the Beijing Olympics, surpassing 60 percent.

It was the first time in history that such figures were recorded even before the game started.

‘At this rate, it’s obvious that it will exceed the peak viewership rating of 70 percent for the Beijing Olympics.’

It was something that broadcasting stations would welcome with open arms.

The situation was different from the Beijing Olympics, as broadcasting station viewership ratings had been declining day by day recently.

Nevertheless, it was a miracle to record such viewership ratings.

‘Just win today’s game.’

Broadcasting station officials were shouting with one heart.

This is because the viewership ratings of the programs assigned later depend on the results of today’s game.

[The journey of the London Olympics baseball team is now only the highly anticipated final game away!]

The broadcast began with the caster’s loud voice.

[The Korean national team, which arrived at the finals with an undefeated record in both the Beijing Olympics and the London Olympics! Can they write the miracle of London! The Korean national team is entering!!]

The camera focused on the Korean national team.

It was only natural that Ha-seong was at the forefront.

His recognition and skill were unmatched by anyone on the Korean national team.

As he appeared, the spectators filling the stadium cheered in unison.

“Wow!!!”

“Jung! Jung! Jung! Jung!!”

People of all races, including Koreans, Caucasians, and blacks, chanted Ha-seong’s name.

His popularity was that global.

[The Korean national team entered, hearing the cheers shaking London! But the final opponent is by no means easy!]

The camera focused on the opposite dugout.

[The *jongjuk* [country of origin] of baseball! America, leading the dream league! And the heroes representing America have gathered in one place! The Avengers American national team is entering!!]

The faces, as if the Major League All-Stars had been *geudaero omgyeo noeun* [directly transferred], entered the stadium wearing the American national team uniforms.

Then the stadium was shaken once again.

“Wow! It’s Kershaw!!”

“헐! [Heol – Korean slang for ‘OMG!’] Derek Jeter is there too!”

“It’s Trout!”

The names that people mentioned were all superstars representing the Major League.

Both teams have finished entering.

Now it was time to determine the owner of the gold medal.