Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 30

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 30

Alex Rodriguez.

A superstar who represents Major League Baseball.

Considered the best superstar in Major League Baseball since Babe Ruth.

With tremendous skill and a lucrative free agent (FA) contract.

His every move has created a huge issue worldwide.

He was a player who would be inducted into the Hall of Fame and remain in Major League history forever.

‘If the drug scandal hadn’t broken out.’

Ha-sung was waiting in the bullpen.

He twisted his lips as he watched Alex enter.

‘Drug-addicted bastard.’

From the 1990s to the 2000s.

Major League Baseball was so riddled with drugs that it should be called the Great Steroid Era.

Alex Rodriguez was at the center of it.

‘Although he is only suspected now, starting next season, the drug scandal will start to break out.’

This was an incident that any fan watching Major League Baseball at the time knew.

Starting with Jose Canseco’s autobiography, the Mitchell Report incident broke out in 2007.

And the Biogenesis scandal that will break out in 2013, although it is still in the future.

In particular, Alex Rodriguez was the player who would be at the center of the scandal that broke out in 2013.

‘I’ll have a lot of dealings with drug addicts in the future.’

Major League Baseball was not necessarily a clean world.

No, rather, because there was so much money involved, it could be dirtier than general society.

Like Alex, who is at bat now.

Clang-!!

[Alex swings at the first pitch! An amazing hit! It’s gone!!]

Alex Rodriguez hits the first pitch and sends it over the fence of Yankee Stadium.

The Oakland bullpen pitchers shook their heads at his performance.

“Wow… He swung at the first pitch and crushed it.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be a down year for him?”

“Class is permanent.”

“Ha-! What kind of pitch am I supposed to throw to a guy like that?”

The bullpen pitchers shook their heads.

Then, Ted, the youngest of the bullpen pitchers, asked Ha-sung.

“Ha-sung, you know who Alex is, right?”

“Yeah.”

“If you were to face that monster, what kind of ball would you throw? No, do you think you could go toe-to-toe with him?”

Other pitchers also listened intently to Ted’s question.

Currently, Ha-sung was considered the best pitcher in Oakland’s bullpen.

No pitcher disagreed with this.

More than anything, they were watching his pitches from the sidelines, so they were genuinely curious.

They wanted to know his thoughts on a showdown between the super rookie and the superstar.

“If you can’t even do that, shouldn’t you just hang it up?”

Ha-sung said, pointing between his legs.

“Oh-!”

“Keu! That’s our super rookie!”

“Yeah! Is Alex really that big of a deal?”

Suddenly, the bullpen’s morale rose.

They couldn’t be discouraged when the youngest was talking like that.

However, Ha-sung did not get a chance to play in the game that day.

Alex Rodriguez led the team to victory with 3 hits, 1 home run, and 4 RBIs in 3 at-bats.

* * *

Ha-sung, who arrived at the hotel, checked the replay of today’s game.

‘His hitting is on point.’

As today’s game results showed, Alex Rodriguez’s hitting was at its peak.

Bat speed, accuracy, and power.

He was showing off his peak condition.

‘I guess I have to say that I met Alex when he was in good condition, unfortunately.’

Alex’s cumulative stats this season were definitely subpar.

However, a slump doesn’t last forever.

There are definitely days when he’s on fire like today.

Oakland faced Alex at such a moment.

‘By the way, can you really call a hitter who has hit more than 30 home runs sluggish?’

That’s something that can only be said about Alex Rodriguez.

Even in a “sluggish” season, he’s hitting more than 30 home runs.

“If he’s using drugs and he’s only doing this much, it might be fair to say he’s sluggish.”

Alex is known to have taken various drugs, including steroids.

Some of them were doping drugs that improve concentration.

With increased concentration and power, he had no choice but to achieve records that would remain in Major League history.

“I don’t want to lose to a guy like that.”

Ha-sung had never used drugs.

That’s why he didn’t want to be defeated by a guy who doped like he ate rice [ate them as a regular part of his diet].

“The bullpen was quite exhausted today, so there’s a high possibility that I’ll go out no matter what the situation is tomorrow. If that happens, there’s a high possibility that I’ll face Alex.”

It was a night of deepening worries.

* * *

The Athletics arrived at Yankee Stadium in a somewhat heavy atmosphere the next day.

The atmosphere was bound to be subdued as they lost the previous day’s game 7-2.

‘The batting line is cold, and the pitching is getting shelled, so the atmosphere can’t be good.’

Losing streaks often occur in this kind of atmosphere.

A player was needed to rally the team, but Oakland didn’t have such a player.

‘There’s no need to bother stepping up.’

Ha-sung could have done that.

He knew the method and had the experience.

Of course, he looks like a 19-year-old rookie on the outside.

But he didn’t want to.

Because it was annoying.

Becoming a locker room leader means taking care of other players.

Ha-sung didn’t want to do that.

‘Anyway, salary is determined by individual performance, and team performance doesn’t have a big impact.’

Ha-sung’s goal in his second life is to make enough money and live a life of luxury.

Such a life that he couldn’t live in his first life.

‘If it weren’t for that damn God, I would have bought some Bitcoin next year.’

Bitcoin hasn’t been issued yet, but Bitcoin will be released in earnest from next year [2009].

If he buys some of them, he won’t have to worry about money in ten years.

There’s such an easy way, but it’s a shame that he can’t use it.

‘Let’s forget what can’t be done and focus on hitting the FA jackpot.’

He shook off his 잡념 [japnyum – idle thoughts] and focused on training.

After sweating like that, he was hungry.

He moved to the cafe in Yankee Stadium and ate a sandwich.

‘Keu…! It’s Yankee Stadium after all. The vegetables are so fresh.’

As expected of a place that only players and staff can use, the quality was very high.

He was filling his hungry stomach with satisfaction when…

“Huh?”

A group of people entered the cafe.

The group was centered around one person.

It wasn’t difficult to see who he was because he was so tall.

‘A drug addict.’

It was Alex Rodriguez.

People who appeared to be reporters surrounded him.

It was easy to tell because they were holding recorders in their hands.

‘Are they doing an interview at the cafe?’

He doesn’t care where they do it.

As long as it doesn’t affect him.

He was sitting in a corner of the cafe, munching on a sandwich.

“Oh? It’s Jung Ha-sung.”

One of the reporters spotted him and shouted.

The reporters’ eyes momentarily focused on him.

‘Is this going to be a hassle?’

Interviews are fine.

But sudden interviews are not ideal.

He thought about leaving, but they didn’t approach him.

‘They wouldn’t ignore an interview with a superstar and come over here, right?’

He was relieved and was about to put the sandwich back in his mouth.

“Alex! There’s a high possibility that you’ll face Jung Ha-sung, the hottest rookie in Major League Baseball these days, in today’s game. What kind of game will you play?”

Why is the spotlight shifting this way?

Ha-sung shook his head and got up from his seat.

He didn’t want to become a reporter’s target.

He was going to leave if Alex hadn’t said the next words.

“Rookie who?”

You don’t know?

“Jung Ha-sung! I’m talking about Jung Ha-sung of the Oakland Athletics, who you’ll be facing today.”

“Ah, now that you mention it, the staff told me. They said he’s a pitcher who’s been doing well lately.”

You know because the staff told you?

“He’s just a rookie anyway. I don’t think he’s worth mentioning as my opponent.”

“Does that mean…?”

“I’ve built my career in Major League Baseball for over 10 years. Now I’ve surpassed or am on par with the great legends of Major League Baseball.”

Alex’s voice was full of pride.

The reporters focused as if they wouldn’t miss a single word of his story.

“In the meantime, countless rookies have appeared and disappeared. Some of them were very good players, but not a single one has achieved as much as I have.”

His voice gradually rose as his emotions intensified.

Thanks to that, Ha-sung could hear it clearly.

“Jung… The pronunciation is difficult. Anyway, the rookie from Oakland is the same. He’s getting attention for a short time, but there are countless players like that who have appeared and disappeared in Major League Baseball. He’s not my opponent.”

That’s true.

A rookie’s brief hot streak happens all the time.

To compare such a player with a superstar…

The superstar could have been offended.

That level of interview was something that could be ignored.

“Then, if you meet Jung Ha-sung, will you be able to break his perfect record?”

Since being called up to the Major League.

Ha-sung has not allowed a single hit to date.

This fact has become a big topic among baseball fans.

Of course, it couldn’t be called a perfect game because of the difference between the starter and the reliever, but baseball fans were talking about it because the rookie had achieved it.

Alex laughed at the reporter’s question.

“That’s true, the media always likes to create stories. A perfect game is only meaningful if you start. He’s doing well, but that’s it. I don’t know if this is something to be so excited about.”

“Does that mean it’s meaningless?”

“That level has happened before and will happen again in the future. Well, it’s still something to be praised.”

Giving with one hand and taking with the other.

He’s putting on a show.

He spoke as if he was being considerate of Ha-sung, but his tone and gestures suggested otherwise.

He wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t lived in the United States.

Because he would have missed that subtle nuance.

He was starting to feel annoyed.

Then, Alex crossed the line.

“What’s he going to do? Hmm, if he was a starter, I would have teed off on him [hit him hard]. But since he’s a reliever, I don’t think that’s possible.”

Confidence that he can hit at any time.

And disrespectful remarks towards his opponent continued.

“If I meet him, I’ll break his record. And not just break it, but with a home run.”

“Oh-! This is like Babe Ruth’s pre-called home run.”

“Haha! If Babe Ruth did it, I can do it too….”

Ah, I can’t listen anymore.

Ha-sung turned around and walked towards Alex.

And he raised his hand and shouted.

“Hey-! A-Roidger [A play on A-Rod, his nickname, and ‘roid rage’, referring to steroid use].”

* * *

Alex, who arrived at the locker room, slammed the locker door nervously.

Bang!

“That bastard!!”

He couldn’t calm down.

“Did you call me a roidger?”

He heard it clearly.

He called him A-Roidger, not A-Rod, which is his nickname.

But the guy skillfully dodged the reporters’ questions.

(Ah, was my pronunciation a little off? I called him A-Rod.)

Then he smirked.

As if he knew everything.

“You 개자식 [gaejaeshik – son of a bitch]…!”

That can’t be.

He kept it a complete secret.

There was no way a rookie who had just debuted, not a veteran, could know.

‘To humiliate me like that….’

Alex took out a candy and put it in his mouth.

As the sweet candy melted, he felt his body fill with strength.

‘The performance is still good. I’ll make up for all the sluggishness with this. And I’ll show him what I’m capable of.’

A bitter smile appeared on Alex’s lips.

* * *

Give back as much as you’ve been given.

Alex crossed the line with Ha-sung, who started a new life.

‘He knew I was there and he was spouting such nonsense.’

I know he’s a superstar.

But so what?

To Ha-sung, he was just a drug addict.

He just hasn’t been caught yet.

It was a well-known fact that he ate candy with steroids added before the game.

‘He’s talking about the achievements he made with drugs as if he did it himself.’

They both were 보기 싫었다 [bogi silheotda – unpleasant to see].

So he blurted it out.

According to his personality.

‘Then here too….’

He met him again on the field.

[Oakland’s score is down to 4-0 following yesterday! Perhaps they judged that they couldn’t give up today’s game, they are putting Jung Ha-sung in here!!]

The camera showed Alex stepping up to the plate.

[Alex, who is showing extreme hitting ability following the previous day, has already hit 1 home run and 1 hit in today’s game.]

[He has been sluggish throughout the season, but he is living up to his name value at the end.]

Praise from commentators and casters poured out.

That’s how good Alex’s performance was in the second half.

In particular, in the two-game series against Oakland, the Yankees fans were seeing the kind of performance they wanted.

“Our hero is back!”

“If this continues, we can beat the Red Sox and advance to the postseason!”

“Euhahaha! That would be the best!”

“I feel sorry for Oakland’s rookie. He met Alex in his best condition.”

“Hey! Rod!! Take it easy on him!!”

The game started with the overwhelming support of the fans who filled Yankee Stadium.

“Play ball!!”

Ha-sung, after exchanging signs with the catcher, took his position on the mound.

‘I’ll make you regret being rude to me!!’

Ha-sung wound up and threw the first ball.

The moment Alex was about to rotate his lower body to swing at the ball.

‘Huh?’

He hurriedly pulled his body back from the ball flying towards him.

Thud-!!

Alex, who lost his balance while pulling back, fell on his butt.

Alex’s face hardened as he checked the position of the catcher’s mitt while still on the ground.

[Ah-! The first ball completely missed! Alex hurriedly avoided the ball coming towards his head and fell over.]

[Um, Jung Ha-sung usually has good control. Today’s first ball is… Uh?]

Then Alex, who had fallen, got up and walked towards Ha-sung.