Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 67

Mound Villain – Episode 67

Mound Villain Episode 67

The stadium hosting the All-Star Game is bustling with activity.

Not only are there spectators, but also many industry insiders who have gathered to network with the players.

From agents and advertising representatives to high-ranking officials from each club, they’re all here.

Their stated purpose is to watch the game, but in a place where so many influential people gather, more than just spectating occurs.

“Long time no see, Mauer.”

“Ah, it’s been a while.”

Joe Mauer was the main target of the general managers.

With this season being his free agency (FA) year, rumors were swirling that he would leave the Minnesota Twins.

This is because the Twins are a small-market team.

The prevailing opinion was that they wouldn’t be able to afford Mauer’s contract, as he had become one of the league’s best catchers.

From the general managers’ perspective, they didn’t want to miss this opportunity to greet Mauer in an official setting.

‘But Mauer will eventually stay with the Twins.’

Knowing the future, Ha-seong found the scene amusing.

Joe Mauer ultimately chooses to stay with the Minnesota Twins.

One reason is that the Twins, despite being a small market team, invested a large sum in him. Another reason is that Mauer himself has a deep affection for the Twins.

He signs a contract worth over $100 million and finishes his career as a one-club man.

At that moment, a man approached Ha-seong.

“Hey, Super Rookie.”

Ha-seong’s eyes lit up upon seeing him.

“Ah, I don’t think we’ve met before, have we? Nice to meet you. I’m Robert from the Padres. I’m the general manager.”

“Nice to meet you.”

After shaking hands, Robert continued.

“I saw you when you were in the minor leagues. I really regret not trading for you back then.”

“Is that so?”

“I fell in love with your pitching at first sight. I was convinced that you would definitely succeed in the big leagues.”

“I’m glad you didn’t act on that conviction.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I had played under the Padres, I wouldn’t have been called up to the major leagues this quickly.”

Robert looked taken aback by Ha-seong’s blunt remark.

“Haha! That’s true too. You probably would have had a faster promotion with the Athletics rather than our organization.”

“That’s exactly what happened.”

“You have a very interesting personality, unlike the Korean players I know.”

“Is that so?”

Robert nodded and continued.

“Anyway, it’s a pleasure to watch your performance. I hope you’ll be showing that performance in a Padres uniform someday.”

“It would be great if you were still with the Padres by then, General Manager.”

“Puhaha! That’s also true. Anyway, it was nice meeting you today.”

After shaking hands, Robert turned away.

Afterward, several general managers and scouting team leaders approached.

The stories they told were all similar.

“I’d like to work with you someday if the opportunity arises.”

“Keep up the good work.”

“I think our team’s uniform would suit you well.”

It was about making connections in advance for a possible future.

‘Whether it’s Korea or America, doing business is similar. The only difference is the amount of money involved.’

At that moment, a man approached.

“Player Jeong Ha-seong.”

Seeing him in casual attire, Ha-seong naturally assumed he was a team leader or general manager from somewhere.

However, it was an unexpected figure.

“I’m Damon from the players’ union.”

“The union?”

“Yes. Do you have a moment to talk?”

* * *

The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA).

One of the most powerful unions in the world.

The union does a variety of things.

It negotiates with Major League Baseball (MLB) to coordinate the league’s operating methods and fights to protect players’ rights.

In addition, it carries out various projects to support pensions and players.

‘I’m also a member here.’

When you are called up to the major leagues, you automatically join the MLBPA.

A portion of your salary is automatically paid to the union, granting you membership.

‘Come to think of it, I’m also eligible for a pension.’

After 43 days of service time, you become eligible for a pension.

Ha-seong, who has far exceeded 43 days, will be able to receive a pension from his 40s onward if he retires.

‘But why did this guy come to find me?’

Damon held the title of Deputy Director of the MLBPA.

I don’t know what the exact hierarchy is, but I could tell he was a high-ranking person.

He was not a lawyer but a former major leaguer who obtained a law license after retirement and was living a second life as an executive of the union.

‘Why are we going to such a remote place?’

The place he arrived at was a remote hallway with little foot traffic.

I wondered why he brought me to this place where there was nowhere to sit.

“I’ve been watching your recent performance. It’s great to have such a super rookie in the major leagues……”

Ha-seong cut him off as he was about to launch into flattering words.

“Let’s get straight to the point. You didn’t come all the way to such a remote place just to say that, did you?”

Damon’s eyes widened slightly at Ha-seong’s words, and then he nodded.

“Okay. Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“A request?”

“I’d like you to refrain from criticizing fellow players when giving interviews to the media.”

Ha-seong’s eyebrows twitched.

“Even if they are rivals on the field, they are still colleagues in a broader sense. There’s no point in touching sensitive issues for no reason……”

“Are you talking about A-Rod [Alex Rodriguez]?”

“……Yes.”

Ha-seong immediately grasped the point of the story.

“Why is the union concerned about that?”

“There’s no benefit to creating a negative public opinion about players in this way.”

Ha-seong was dumbfounded by Damon’s words.

Because he knew that wasn’t the real reason.

As Ha-seong paused, dumbfounded, Damon continued, thinking that his words had resonated.

“The relationship between players and clubs is complicated. They coexist but also compete for their own interests. In the midst of that, if public opinion worsens, the club can be in a more advantageous position……”

“Isn’t it to protect A-Rod, who is one of the union’s main sources of income?”

Ha-seong hit the nail on the head again.

The players’ union doesn’t simply represent the players.

It carries out various projects using the profits earned by the players.

Most of the income goes back to the players, but some is used to run the union.

What would happen if Rodriguez, who accounts for a large portion of that income, suffered damage to his image?

Of course, the funds that the players’ union could manage would inevitably decrease.

“That’s also true. But the players’ union represents not just one player but various players, including Jeong Ha-seong……”

“I know that.”

Ha-seong cut him off again, and a vein popped out on Damon’s forehead.

But Ha-seong ignored it and continued.

“A-Rod clearly took illegal drugs. I’m just stating that fact.”

“That’s right. But when you look at the overall picture……”

“It would be better to remove the rotten parts when looking at the overall picture.”

Ha-seong’s words were the answer.

But the truth is always uncomfortable.

More than anything, in order to protect that truth, you had to go down a difficult path.

The current union didn’t seem to have much intention of ignoring the easy path right in front of them.

“Rodriguez has been leading the major leagues for over a decade. Although he chose the wrong path……”

“That statement sounds like a union executive is defending steroid users.”

Ha-seong said in a low voice.

“Is that why you brought me to a place with no people?”

“That’s……”

“What, are you going to give me disadvantages if I don’t listen to you?”

“Hoo…… No. I said something unnecessary.”

Damon shook his head, judging that further conversation was impossible.

“Are you giving up on persuading me? Good job. I don’t have any intention of listening to you even if you tell me to.”

“You’re too alone. In the end, we’re the ones who will help you when you’re in trouble.”

“Do you seem to want me to go wrong?”

“……No. It was just advice.”

“I’ll take that advice well.”

Damon turned away with an annoyed face, looking at Ha-seong, who was sarcastic until the end.

Ha-seong chuckled as he watched him walk away.

“Whether it’s America or Korea, the guys in power try to stick to the powerful ones.”

Ha-seong sighed, having experienced an annoying situation ahead of the exhibition game.

* * *

The All-Star Game is played with the American League (AL) and the National League (NL) divided.

Looking at the history, the American League has been winning by a large margin.

They had won the All-Star Game for 12 consecutive years until last year, so you could see how dominant they were.

‘In fact, the exhibition game is meaningless.’

Nevertheless, the All-Star Game is held because it can attract public attention and generate huge profits.

‘Anyway, the bullpen members are amazing.’

The sight of the starters and closers representing each team gathering and warming up was spectacular.

‘It’s a bit surprising that Zack Greinke can’t start.’

The American League’s starting pitcher was determined to be Roy Halladay.

Looking at the overall stats, it wouldn’t have been strange for Greinke to start, but the manager’s choice was Halladay.

“Yo, Ha-seong.”

At that moment, a familiar voice was heard.

It was Mariano Rivera.

He sat next to Ha-seong.

“Are you warming up well?”

“So-so.”

“’So-so’ won’t do. You’re going to be out at the end of the game today. You have to warm up hard.”

“Won’t you be going out, Rivera?”

“Rather than an old man like me, you, who have been continuing your crazy performance this season, should go out. The fans will want that more.”

Rivera continued the conversation in a friendly manner.

There was an unknown sense of intimacy with Rivera.

Maybe it was because they both used cutters as their main weapon.

“By the way. Can you show me how to throw your cutter?”

“It’s not difficult. Like this.”

“Oh, you throw it more generally than I thought.”

Ha-seong’s cutter grip was similar to a general grip.

“Mine is like this.”

On the other hand, Rivera’s cutter grip was different from the general grip.

It was a grip that was a little more similar to a four-seam fastball.

“If you put more force on your middle finger, you can throw a cutter even with this grip.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yeah. You should try it next time. Just looking at your physique, you seem to be even more amazing than me.”

Rivera told Ha-seong about the cutter grip and continued.

“But are you going to continue to be a closer in the future?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re still young, so it’s good to experience different roles. If you haven’t decided yet, try playing as a starter once.”

“Is it okay for the legend of the closer to say that?”

“Haha! What legend. And the reason I played as a closer was because it was easier.”

“Easy?”

“Yeah. After all, playing as a closer rather than a starter allowed me to settle in the major leagues more stably.”

Rivera debuted as a starting pitcher.

After that, he switched to the bullpen and settled in the major leagues.

“You should think carefully and decide. If you continue to play as a closer, you may break my record, but you’re still young, so try different things.”

Rivera sincerely advised Ha-seong.

The reason he was giving this advice to someone who wasn’t even a player on the same team was because they were both players playing baseball together.

“Thank you.”

That’s why Ha-seong nodded and accepted his advice.

Rivera patted Ha-seong on the shoulder.

At that moment, a cheerful sound echoed across the ground.

Thud-!!

“Wow!”

“He hit it!!”

The spectators cheered all at once, and Rivera’s gaze turned to the field.

“The lineup is already heating up. We should start warming up soon too.”

“Yes.”

It was time to prepare for the All-Star Game appearance.