Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 63

The Villain on the Mound – Episode 63

Viral marketing has been a prominent marketing method that has permeated the public relations industry since the 2010s.

It was used not only for products but also for fostering stars.

The effect was remarkable.

Ordinary people became stars overnight, and products with accumulated inventory sold out in just one hour.

There were also side effects.

Originally, blogs and social media tended to be seen as personal spaces.

Posting reviews there gave people the impression that individuals were genuinely using the products, which inspired trust.

Therefore, when the reality of viral marketing was revealed, the shock to consumers was significant.

Some even called it a scam.

However, such talk was brief, and soon marketing became just another tool.

‘They just got ahead of the curve,’ people thought.

Ha-sung used viral marketing to increase his recognition.

The effect was enormous.

Since viral marketing was not yet widely known, people quickly fell for it.

Using Facebook and MySpace, which were mainly used in the United States, was also effective.

‘With this, my recognition will continue to increase, and articles will cover me in various ways.’

In fact, the number of articles differed noticeably when he recorded his 28th and 29th saves.

The number of comments on them also increased significantly compared to before.

‘The hype men are doing a good job.’

This season, he planned to use these “hype men” [individuals paid to generate excitement and positive buzz] to increase his recognition.

‘It will really take off starting next year.’

Ha-sung predicted that the effects of this marketing would be significant starting next year.

Of course, predictions can be wrong, but in any case, it produced a low-cost, high-efficiency result.

‘If I had started a chicken restaurant now, it could have become a huge success in an instant with viral marketing.’

Suddenly, the chicken restaurant he ran in his past life came to mind.

Since it was a franchise, he couldn’t try various things, but he became quite good at frying chicken.

The thought crossed his mind that he could have succeeded if he had been able to do viral marketing back then.

‘Wait a minute… instead of regretting the past…’

Ha-sung’s eyes lit up.

“I can do it now, can’t I?”

“Huh? Do what?”

Ha-sung shook his head at Bailey’s question.

“It’s nothing. By the way, have you ever had Korean fried chicken?”

“Chicken? I’ve had KFC. What’s Korean chicken? Is it something special?”

Bailey asked, genuinely curious.

At this time, Korean fried chicken was not yet well known to Americans.

Some franchises had opened, but there were only a few in areas with large Korean populations.

‘But it will become a huge hit soon.’

Riding on the global Korean wave [the increase in global popularity of South Korean culture since the 1990s].

‘If I also jump into the chicken business… no, the food service industry at that time?’

This is using his abilities.

It’s different because he’s earning money from baseball and investing it.

Unlike stocks where you know which items will rise in the future, the food service industry is completely different.

‘The reason I haven’t fainted yet might be because I haven’t executed it, but there’s no harm in making a plan.’

Ha-sung waited for his turn while thinking about his retirement plan.

* * *

The 30th save opportunity of the season did not come easily.

There was quite a gap with the second-place group, so there was no pressure about being in first place, but he was unhappy that the jinx of the number nine had properly arrived.

“The team is winning, but there’s no chance to pitch.”

The Oakland A’s recent three wins all occurred in situations where there were no save opportunities.

They won by a large margin, so Ha-sung had no choice but to watch.

‘There are 16 games left until the All-Star break, and I need to play in at least 10 of them to break the record….’

He thought it might be difficult to reach 38 saves.

“Ha-sung!”

Then Sanchez’s shout was heard.

“Start warming up.”

“Yes.”

Fortunately, it seemed like there would be a chance to pitch in today’s game.

The A’s were currently leading by 4 points in the 7th inning.

The opposing San Francisco Giants were at 2 points, satisfying the save situation.

‘It would be perfect if Bailey goes out in the 8th and I go out in the 9th.’

That was the A’s usual winning pattern.

Ha-sung lightly stretched and warmed up his body.

Then a jarring sound was heard.

Clang-!!

“Wow!!”

Ha-sung watched the monitor, confirming that the Giants fans were all standing up.

There, he saw a ball disappearing over the fence.

The ball, which had fallen into McCovey Cove [a section of San Francisco Bay beyond the right field wall of Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants], which can only be seen at the Giants’ home stadium, AT&T Park, was caught on camera.

‘Damn it.’

The score became 4 to 3.

Just a 1-point difference.

The save could fly away again.

Above all, Bailey’s expression, who was throwing the ball on the mound, hardened.

‘He’s nervous.’

A 1-point situation was the most burdensome situation for relief pitchers.

It was natural for a rookie to have a hard time when veterans also struggled.

‘Come to think of it, he hasn’t had much experience pitching in 1-point situations this season.’

Bailey had also been playing in the major leagues since this season.

Of course, he would have little experience in 1-point situations.

‘Hmm….’

If Bailey gives up a run, his chance to pitch disappears.

From now on, each game is important.

It was important to seize opportunities when they arise.

“Bailey.”

“Huh?”

“Is your stuff good today?”

“Really… really?”

“Yeah, your fastball is really alive, isn’t it?”

Ha-sung spoke about Bailey’s pitches as if it were nothing.

The reason he didn’t openly encourage him was because he was young.

Rather than telling the 25-year-old Bailey what to do, it was better to just give him confidence.

‘Especially with young guys, it’s better to just throw out comments casually rather than giving direct advice.’

He also had been in his twenties.

When things are going well, you don’t listen to the advice of those around you.

Because the thought that you are the best fills your head.

When advice from adults comes when confidence is at its highest, it is just nagging.

‘Well, as time passes, you listen to it as advice rather than nagging, but that’s only when the person receiving it is ready.’

Even if an older person says it, that’s the reaction, so if someone of a similar age or younger says it, would they listen to it as it is?

It would be fortunate if it didn’t cause a backlash.

So Ha-sung only made comments that were just passing opinions.

‘This should be enough.’

Bailey relieved some of his tension.

You could see that his expression relaxed and the tension in his shoulders eased as he practiced pitching.

It was amazing how much change could occur with a simple word.

It was a scene that showed Ha-sung’s position in the team.

‘The guy who throws the best fastball in the major leagues said his fastball is good, so he can’t help but gain confidence.’

Above all, Ha-sung is currently the leader of the bullpen.

Even if he can’t encompass the entire clubhouse, he was the owner, at least in the bullpen.

That’s why Bailey was able to relieve his tension with just one word from him.

‘If you pitch well, I’ll get a chance.’

Ha-sung waited for that moment.

* * *

[8th inning, Andrew Bailey strikes out three batters, maintaining the team’s 1-point lead.]

[It looks like Jung Ha-sung will get a save opportunity today.]

It was a long-awaited opportunity.

Top of the 9th.

The A’s offense continued, but they failed to get any significant opportunities and it ended.

And Ha-sung left the bullpen and headed to the mound.

[Jung Ha-sung takes the mound.]

AT&T Park buzzed with Ha-sung’s appearance.

“Damn it, is that the super rookie?”

“We’re screwed.”

“We lost today’s game.”

“Why? There’s still a chance left, isn’t there?”

“He has zero blown saves so far. Zero while achieving 29 saves. And do you know what his ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of a pitcher’s effectiveness] is?”

“What is it?”

“It’s 0.3. He’s only given up 1 run this season.”

“Wow….”

From the Giants fans’ perspective, it was like a huge wall had appeared.

On the other hand, the A’s fans cheered all at once.

Ha-sung’s appearance was as good as saying the game was over.

[If he adds a save in today’s game, he will reach 30 saves for the first time this season.]

[The first half of the season isn’t over yet, but he’s about to reach 30 saves. I really can’t believe it.]

Usually, top-notch closers record 30 saves near the end of the season.

Considering that closers classified as special record 40 to 50 saves, Ha-sung’s performance could only be described as all-time great.

[Jung Ha-sung, who has finished his practice pitches, faces the first batter, Kung Fu Panda Pablo Sandoval.]

[Sandoval, who joined the big leagues last year, is continuing his good performance this season as well.]

[The San Francisco media even says that Barry Bonds has returned.]

When the huge Pablo Sandoval stood at the plate, the strike zone looked narrow.

‘Tsk, he should lose some of that belly fat.’

Sandoval will not lose that belly fat until retirement.

When he’s doing well, they call him Kung Fu Panda, but when his performance declines, fans coldly turn their backs and criticize his belly fat.

‘Now is a good time for his performance. I have to be careful.’

Barry Bonds, the representative drug user of Major League Baseball, was a legend in terms of stats.

In particular, since he is a player who is like a symbol of the Giants, if the San Francisco media even uses the expression that Barry Bonds has returned, it meant that he was a very dangerous player.

‘Should I see his reaction with the first pitch?’

Ha-sung, who exchanged signs, went into his windup.

[Jung Ha-sung, windup! Throws the first pitch!]

“Hiss!”

Whoosh-!

The ball, which left his hand, flew with a fierce speed.

Almost simultaneously, Sandoval’s belly fat turned and the bat rotated sharply.

Whoosh!!

With the sound of cutting through the wind, he hit the high ball as it came in.

Clang!!

[He hit it!!]

With a cheerful sound, the batted ball flew high and far.

[It’s big! But the batted ball curves outward and falls outside the foul line!]

“Foul!!”

[He hit the high fastball and still sent it to the outfield.]

[It was such a big hit that it seemed like it would go over the fence for a moment.]

Ha-sung, rubbing rosin on his hands, fixed his gaze on Sandoval.

‘He reacted even though I threw a high fastball that was completely out of the zone. I can definitely see that he’s a bad ball hitter.’

The first pitch was a ball to see his reaction.

Sandoval swung the bat even though he threw a high fastball to approach carefully.

‘He swings at bad balls. Nevertheless, he has the power to hit it squarely or send it to the outfield.’

It was the first pitch that proved that his huge body was not just for show.

‘If I throw carelessly, it will become a headache.’

Sandoval’s reputation was not gained for nothing.

You could feel that he was different from the start.

“Hoo…….”

Ha-sung took a deep breath and raised his concentration.

In the past, when he was a starting pitcher, he could not maintain a state of high concentration often.

Because he had to throw long innings.

But if you’re a closer who only throws 1 inning, it’s a different story.

‘Since I only throw for a short time, I can use my concentration to the fullest.’

Concentrating means that stamina consumption increases that much.

If you only focus on one thing, you will get tired quickly.

In order to maintain this state of high concentration as a starting pitcher who has to throw long innings, more stamina was required.

‘Now, 2 innings is the limit.’

As Ha-sung raised his concentration, 잡념 [japnyum, Korean for “雜念”, meaning “雜: mixed, varied, miscellaneous” and “念: thought, idea, concept”] slowly disappeared from his head.

And the surrounding scenery disappeared from his sight, and only Trevor’s mitt came into view.

‘Another fastball?’

Ha-sung nodded at Trevor’s sign and went into his windup.

[Throws the 2nd pitch.]

He went into his kicking motion while twisting his body.

As he kicked up his left leg, he could feel the power concentrating on his right leg.

‘If I bend my knee slightly here…….’

As he bent his knee, more power gathered.

He moved his center of gravity forward while maintaining the concentrated power.

Then his body leaned forward as if collapsing.

At the same time, he stretched his left leg forward and rotated it in a semicircle.

The moment the leg that had moved forward landed on the ground.

He rotated his pelvis and moved the charged power.

‘I can feel it……!’

Ha-sung fully felt the movement of power and kept his shoulders closed even as his pelvis rotated.

When the charged power passed through his core and passed through his chest.

‘Now!!’

He rotated his upper body while turning his left arm and opening his shoulders.

All the movements were precisely and smoothly connected and moved to his fingertips.

“Hiss!!”

Whoosh-!!

The index and middle fingers caught the seams and released all the power.

The ball, with tremendous spin, quickly narrowed the distance with Sandoval and flew away.

Sandoval swung his bat this time as well.

‘I got it!’

Sandoval was confident that he would send the ball over the fence this time.

But it didn’t take long for him to realize that it was his delusion.

‘What? It’s not falling…….’

Whoosh!

Sandoval’s face hardened as he watched the ball pass over the bat.

‘No!!’

Thwack!!

“Strike!!”

The umpire’s hand went up and Sandoval’s gaze turned to the scoreboard.

‘102 miles……!’

It was the moment Ha-sung’s 최고 구속 [choego gu sok, Korean for “highest velocity”] was updated.