Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 46

Mound Villain – Episode 46

Ha-seong really liked the private jet.

‘Should I buy one when I make money later?’

Major League teams own private jets.

Whether they rent or buy, they travel by private jet.

What’s even better is that all the seats in the private jet are converted to first class.

‘Money is good, after all. Getting to ride first class for free like this.’

It was a major leaguer’s natural right.

The interior was also stocked with various foods, so you could eat whenever you were hungry.

“Euhahaha! Full house!”

“Damn it!”

“How many times is that?”

“Haa…….”

Some teammates were playing cards on one side of the private jet.

It was a common sight in Major League Baseball.

In the United States, poker was recognized as a sport.

Many actual tournaments are held.

Perhaps that’s why poker games often took place when traveling long distances.

‘Matt seems to be good at it. He’s winning consecutively?’

The one winning at the table was Matt.

The play money dollars given out were piled high in front of him.

“Ha-seong, can’t you play poker?”

He turned his head at the voice mentioning him.

There stood a woman with a petite build, Katherine, whom he had encountered a few times.

“No. I don’t really play Texas Hold’em in Korea.”

“Really? That’s surprising. I had a friend from Korea in college who loved Hold’em.”

“Koreans do like gambling, but it’s illegal. So, there’s not much chance to play poker. It’s okay to play in foreign countries since you’re less likely to get caught.”

“Hehe…… I see.”

“But did you have something to say?”

“No, I was just passing by and struck up a conversation. Oh, there is one thing I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Did you plan out this bulk-up too?”

Katherine’s eyes sparkled for a moment.

“You were curious about that?”

“Yes! The hardware has been dramatically upgraded, and you’re upgrading the software to match. That’s amazing.”

“It’s simple. You just adapt little by little when upgrading the hardware from the beginning.”

“Ah……!”

“If you gradually adapt the program to the upgraded parts, when all the upgrades are finished…….”

“Everything can keep pace.”

It was a slightly different method from today’s sports science.

Most people bulk up first and then adjust the mechanics to fit.

But Ha-seong adapted the mechanics while bulking up.

“That’s definitely more efficient. But you need someone to verify that the mechanics aren’t wrong…….”

“There are people who can check that even in Korea.”

“Hmm, I guess so. Thanks for the good information! Oh, would you like this?”

Katherine held out a chocolate.

Chocolate out of the blue.

“Sugar helps the brain work faster. It’s good to eat it occasionally.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

“Then get some rest!”

Left alone, Ha-seong looked at the chocolate in his hand.

‘The first gift I receive from a woman after regressing is chocolate.’

A chuckle escaped him.

* * *

2009 season.

The New York Yankees were literally in a state of chaos.

-A drug user is the club leader lol

-That’s just how the Yankees are.

-As long as you’re good, you can just use drugs.

-It’s funny that they still have A-Roid [nickname for Alex Rodriguez, referencing steroid use].

-Shouldn’t the league suspend A-Roid?

Internet communities were filled with posts criticizing the Yankees every day.

Most of those posts were written by Red Sox fans.

Knowing this, Yankees fans unanimously posted shield comments.

-Those Red Sox bastards never miss an opportunity.

-Didn’t you guys use drugs too?

-Alex admitted his mistakes honestly, right?

-He hasn’t used since the ’04 season. Bye.

The internet world, where attack and defense coexisted.

But public opinion was not good.

Most Major League fans were puzzled that Alex Rodriguez was not sanctioned.

Some even called it a privilege.

In particular, the Red Sox, who had a rivalry with the Yankees, launched a massive attack.

Amidst all this, the Athletics came to face the Yankees.

And Red Sox fans didn’t miss this moment.

-Do you guys remember the super rookie hitting A-Roid in the head last year?

-I remember. He should have really hit him back then.

-lol If he had gotten hit, he would have been suspended.

-That’s not just a suspension, it’s retirement.

-Forced retirement, let’s go-!

-I hope he hits him in the head again this time.

The level of Red Sox fans’ comments increased.

Naturally, the level of Yankees fans’ comments also increased.

-Super rookie or whatever.

-Thinking about last year makes me want to curse.

-Try throwing a headshot again.

-I’ll beat you to a pulp.

-If you do it again this time, it’s intentional.

-We let it slide last year, but not this year!

To Yankees fans, Alex was still a superstar.

It was natural to protect him.

The media also stepped into this heated atmosphere among fans.

“Jung Ha-seong! You are currently the sole leader in saves in the American League with 4 saves. What are your thoughts?”

“If you reunite with Alex Rodriguez, whom you almost hit with a headshot last year, what kind of pitch are you thinking of throwing?”

“Did you know that Alex was doping?”

Various questions poured out.

“I will continue to maintain the sole lead in saves.”

“Does that mean you think being the sole leader in saves is obvious?”

“I don’t know about obvious, but at this point, I’m the best closer in Major League Baseball. I have no intention of giving up this position in the future.”

“Ooh-!”

Reporters liked these kinds of comments.

It meant there would be more to write in their articles.

They quickly wrote down Ha-seong’s comments.

“And I don’t have anything to say about the questions related to Alex Rodriguez.”

“What does that mean?”

“Firstly, I am not Alex Rodriguez. So, I don’t know whether he doped or not.”

It wasn’t the answer they wanted.

But it was the statement of the most watched rising star at the moment.

The reporters focused and wrote it down.

“Secondly, I don’t care who the opponent is. Vladimir Guerrero, already a legend, was just another hitter to me, and Alex Rodriguez is the same.”

“But Alex Rodriguez is a superstar who symbolizes Major League Baseball.”

“Symbolizes?”

Ha-seong smirked.

“Do you still call him a symbol even after he used drugs?”

* * *

Ha-seong’s remarks were reported by journalists from various countries and spread worldwide.

[Super Rookie Jeong Ha-seong! Takes a Shot at Alex Rodriguez!]

[“Do you still call him a symbol even after he used drugs?!” Super Rookie Criticizes Alex Rodriguez!]

[How far will the Super Rookie’s audacity go?]

This statement became a huge topic.

-Wow-! Is this okay to say?

-What’s not okay about it lol

-Is Alex Rodriguez Jesus? Can’t even say anything about him?

-Refreshing~

-What’s wrong with calling a drug user a drug user lol

The positive reactions were overwhelming.

However, Yankees fans reacted strongly.

-Isn’t this the guy who almost gave Alex a headshot last year?

-No respect for veterans.

-Alex contributed a lot to making Major League Baseball this big; it’s too much to ignore that.

-This young punk has no respect for his elders.

└Young punk ㅇㅈㄹ in America ㅋㅋ Are you Korean? [ㅇㅈㄹ is a Korean slang term expressing disagreement or ridicule.]

While baseball fans’ reactions were heating up,

The game between the Athletics and the Yankees was going back and forth.

Thwack!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Athletics’ second pitcher Andrew Bailey strikes out Derek Jeter in 7 pitches!]

Andrew Bailey’s pitching, who came on in the 7th inning, was stable.

Starting in the bullpen with Ha-seong last season, he was recognized for his skills and started in the major leagues this year.

‘He throws well. His balance is good. His stuff and control don’t feel like a rookie.’

Andrew Bailey was full of talent.

And he was using that talent well.

He proved it by striking out Derek Jeter, a top hitter in Major League Baseball.

‘He’s a gutsy guy. He knows his weapons well and throws them with conviction.’

He seemed like a mentally complete pitcher.

[Alex Rodriguez steps up to the plate in a two-out situation!!]

Then Alex Rodriguez stepped up.

At the same time, Yankee Stadium was buzzing.

“A-Rod!! Hit one out!”

“We’ve been waiting for you!”

“Send that rookie packing!”

An enormous amount of support poured out.

Even though he admitted to using drugs, Alex’s popularity did not decline.

This is unusual.

Any sports star who admits to using drugs usually faces fans turning their backs in betrayal.

But Alex was the opposite.

‘Far from turning their backs, more fans are cheering him on. The first reason is that he admitted it himself, and the second is that it’s a thing of the past. And…….’

Ha-seong’s gaze turned to Alex on the monitor.

‘The third reason is that he is a player who symbolizes current Major League Baseball.’

Alex Rodriguez is a player who symbolizes the era.

He has a huge fan base.

They are acting as a shield to block attacks on Alex.

‘If he wasn’t popular, the league office would have sanctioned him. But because he’s popular, they couldn’t.’

They gave him preferential treatment.

It’s against fairness, but none of the players talked about it.

‘It’s an unreasonable law, but that’s how society works.’

It’s not fair.

That’s society.

That’s how people live.

‘Whatever.’

Clang!!

[He hit the second pitch!! A well-hit ball!! This ball is huge!!]

The monitor showed a ball going over the fence.

[It’s gone!! Alex Rodriguez narrows the score gap to 1 point!]

‘If I take you down, my stock will rise. That’s what’s important.’

Alex Rodriguez is a superstar.

Although his value has fallen due to drugs, he still represents Major League Baseball.

‘More than anything, if I catch you in a situation where you have a lot more haters, my stock will rise even more.’

A smile spread across Ha-seong’s lips.

“Ha-seong! You need to warm up.”

“Yes.”

* * *

[Score 4 to 3. The Athletics are holding on to a precarious 1-point lead.]

[Alex Rodriguez’s solo home run changed the flow of the game.]

[Still, isn’t Bailey great for not allowing any additional runs?]

[That’s right. But how long will they be able to maintain this precarious lead…….]

Top of the 9th.

The Athletics’ offense began.

[The Athletics’ batting order is favorable this time. It continues with 3rd batter Mark Ellis, 4th batter Orlando Cabrera, followed by 5th batter Adam Kennedy and 6th batter Matt Holliday.]

A chance that leads to the heart of the order.

If they score an additional point here, the Athletics will be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Clang-!!

[He hit it from the first pitch! A hit that splits the left-center field!]

Mark got a hit.

Then Orlando was retired with a fly ball to center field, and Adam loaded the bases with a walk.

[Athletics! They get a good chance in the last attack of the regulation inning!]

One out, runners on 1st and 2nd.

A situation where a run to extend their lead can be created if just one extra-base hit comes out.

And the batter who has garnered the most attention and was signed by the Athletics this season stepped up to the plate.

[6th batter, Matt Holliday, steps up to the plate. So far, Matt Holliday’s performance has not lived up to expectations, has it?]

[That’s right. It seems to be going as the experts feared.]

Experts were concerned about Matt Holliday leaving the Rockies.

Coors Field, the home stadium of the Colorado Rockies, is such a hitter-friendly stadium that it is called the graveyard of pitchers.

They predicted that a player who performed well there would see his performance decline if he left the Rockies.

That prediction has been correct so far.

And that was the case again today.

Clang-!!

[He hits the 3rd pitch! But it’s right at the shortstop! Shortstop grabs it and throws to 2nd!]

“Out!”

[And to 1st!!]

Thud!

“Out!!”

[Double play! The worst-case scenario is created!]

The chance was blown as a double play was made.

Matt, caught on camera, threw his helmet down, blaming his poor performance.

[What awaits the Athletics, who failed to score, is the Yankees’ heart of the order.]

The Yankees’ hitters who will step up to the plate in the bottom of the 9th appeared on the broadcast screen.

[3rd batter Robinson Cano, 4th batter Derek Jeter. And it continues with Alex Rodriguez!]

Then the camera showed the mound.

[And to stop them, the Athletics are putting their closer on the mound! Jeong Ha-seong!]