Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 89

I thought the comeback had laid the groundwork.

But the Athletics’ team atmosphere didn’t completely change.

Clang-!!

[A high fly ball! Caught by the center fielder, marking the third out! The Athletics’ ninth-inning rally ends anticlimactically, failing to carry over the momentum from the previous day! The series score is now 3 to 1!]

Unable to maintain their winning streak, they lost Game 4.

And they lost Game 5 in succession, bringing the Athletics’ postseason to an end in the Championship Series.

[With a series record of 4 to 1, Jung Ha-sung’s season unfortunately comes to an end.]

[The Athletics’ limitations were clearly exposed in this series. But we applaud the players for their efforts until the very end.]

Ha-sung’s first season came to an end.

* * *

Reaching the postseason was something to be praised.

However, the loser’s locker room was, as always, weighed down by a heavy atmosphere.

Amidst that atmosphere, several players were giving interviews to the press.

Naturally, Ha-sung was among them.

“Jung Ha-sung, you secured the team’s only win with your own hands. What are your thoughts?”

“I simply did what I had to do.”

“Were there any regrets?”

“I regret not having more opportunities. As a closer, you can’t take the mound unless the situation calls for it.”

“The fans are also very disappointed about that. Some are even suggesting that you should transition to a starting role. What do you think about that?”

“I have no plans yet. The season just ended, so I need to think about it carefully.”

Of course, that was a lie.

He already had plans to transition to a starting role next season.

But he had no intention of revealing that here.

‘It’s more dramatic and newsworthy to reveal it at the last minute.’

A player also needs storytelling.

Dramatic changes were the best form of publicity.

Just then, a reporter asked a question.

“Alex Rodrigo said about facing you, ‘How can I comment on facing him for just one at-bat?’ Do you have anything to say about that?”

“Rodrigo got beat by me in that one at-bat. Well, what I heard sounds like nothing more than a loser’s excuse.”

“Ooh…….”

“Ha-sung’s comments are always sharp.”

“Very good.”

The reporters beamed and wrote down Ha-sung’s comments.

After sharing a few more stories, a reporter asked a final question.

“What are your feelings after your first full season?”

“It was fun.”

“……Is that all?”

“Yeah. Was it too bland?”

The reporters wore dumbfounded expressions at Ha-sung’s words.

And that day’s headline was decided.

[Jung Ha-sung reveals his rookie season impressions as ‘It was fun!’]

Thus, Ha-sung’s season came to an end.

* * *

The season was over.

But Ha-sung’s schedule became even more packed.

“Rest today, and starting tomorrow, we’ll move according to this schedule.”

Ha-sung frowned as he checked the schedule Isabelle handed him.

“Are we moving on a minute-by-minute basis?”

“That’s how much demand there is for you, Ha-sung. And this is a very light schedule, as per your request.”

“This is?”

“Of course! You were the hottest player in Major League Baseball this year. Do you know how many places want you?”

He knew that very well.

Before his regression.

How many places had sought him out when he played his first full season as a starter?

He met with baseball officials, public relations personnel, company representatives, and even local dignitaries and politicians.

The only reason they wanted to meet him was to exploit his fame.

“Let’s cut out any useless organizations. What’s this? An environmental protection group?”

“They’ve been gaining popularity recently. It’ll be good for your image.”

“A baseball player’s image improves when they play baseball well. And how many fans do you think pay attention to this kind of thing? I don’t have time to spend with these useless promotional groups.”

“But…….”

“Are you planning to reveal your incompetence like that?”

Ha-sung’s words were a clear insult.

But what was even more insulting was her own inability to handle these matters.

“No. If the client wants it, I should definitely remove it from the schedule.”

“I need things that will generate immediate income. I’ll take care of my own image.”

“……Okay. Then I’ll adjust the schedule overall.”

“I deliberately delayed my return to Korea, so I hope to do something productive. Please be more careful in the future.”

“Yes.”

Ha-sung stated his demands precisely.

It might seem rude in some ways.

But if he didn’t speak directly and instead beat around the bush, things could go wrong.

And then he would have to work to fix what went wrong.

‘No need to waste time.’

The offseason is precious.

It’s not just for rest but also for preparing for next season.

He had no intention of wasting it.

“Then I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

* * *

Ha-sung met with various sponsors and signed contracts.

His news was soon reported and widely covered in Korea.

[Jung Ha-sung signs a sponsorship deal with luxury watch brand Rolex!]

[Jung Ha-sung signs a contract with Italian luxury menswear brand Lloyd!]

[Lloyd’s CEO Antonio said in an interview, “Jung Ha-sung is an outstanding player with proportions unlike those of an Asian. He fits our brand,” praising him highly!]

[Oseong Electronics is negotiating with his agency to use Jung Ha-sung as their U.S. promotional model!]

[Jung Ha-sung is a strong candidate to be the model for MLB 2010, the leading Major League Baseball game!]

Although the season was over, articles about Ha-sung poured out endlessly.

There were even more articles than during the season when he was playing inconsistently.

That’s how much of a superstar Ha-sung had become in Korea, unmatched by anyone.

-Wow…… signing with Rolex in his rookie season.

-Aren’t they just sponsoring him with watches anyway?

-Even that’s amazing. They’re just sponsoring him with watches worth tens of millions of won [Korean currency].

-Other players get billions of won in modeling fees, though?

-Ha-sung will get there soon too.

-There are always guys like this.

-If he signs with Oseong Electronics, he’ll earn more than his salary.

-Won’t his salary increase next season?

-He hasn’t filled his service time, so it’ll be similar to this year anyway.

-Even with the Cy Young Award?

-Even if his great-grandfather won the Cy Young, it’s the same.

Articles about Ha-sung were posted online every day, clearly showing his fame.

In the midst of that, an article was posted along with a video.

[Jung Ha-sung attends a party hosted by famous American pop singer JB!]

Ha-sung’s appearance at the party, mingling with famous stars, was revealed.

-Wow…… JB and even Jay-Z are there.

-Isn’t that Madonna?

-It looks like all the famous artists in pop are gathered there?

-Ha-sung has made it.

-Does he get to attend parties like that after just finishing his rookie season?

-He’s almost certain to win the Cy Young, so it’s enough, lol [laughing out loud].

-Partying and enjoying himself now that the season is over. I don’t even need to see next season.

-Oh my, Nostradamus has arrived.

-I don’t think this is right either.

-Baseball players should be dedicated to baseball.

-It’s not like that one year of success will continue forever, which is a shame.

The public’s reaction was mixed.

Some were amazed by Ha-sung’s appearance with famous stars, while others were disappointed.

In time, the culture of stars attending parties will become commonplace.

But Korea still had a lot of conservative tendencies.

While Ha-sung was engaged in various activities.

The World Series came to an end.

[New York Yankees win the World Series!!]

[The Evil Empire has returned!]

The 2009 World Series trophy went to the New York Yankees.

* * *

With the World Series concluded, all schedules were finalized.

In Major League Baseball, after the schedule ended, the recipients of various awards were determined based on the players’ performances throughout the year.

Surprisingly, the American awards ceremonies were not extravagant.

In Korea, everyone gathered together to enjoy the awards ceremony after the season ended, but Major League Baseball didn’t really have that.

The Hall of Fame event was the only one where all the winners gathered, but other awards didn’t.

[I heard that unlike Korea, Major League Baseball doesn’t have separate awards ceremonies?]

[That’s right. Major League Baseball is a league with players of various nationalities participating. As a result, many players return to their home countries after the season ends.]

[So, there are no players in the United States to attend the awards ceremony?]

[That’s right. As a result, awards ceremonies are often held modestly at the stadium with team officials and a few players.]

Since there weren’t many players who won awards in Major League Baseball, broadcasting stations aired these aspects through special programs.

[But this season, domestic baseball fans must be very much looking forward to the results of this awards ceremony.]

[That’s because it is certain that The End Jung Ha-sung will receive an award.]

[Please explain which awards Jung Ha-sung is likely to receive.]

[First and foremost, it’s the Rookie of the Year. Also known as ROY, this award can only be received during the debut season of a long career, so some fans think it’s even more valuable.]

[The atmosphere is that winning the ROY is almost certain.]

[That’s right. It’s practically confirmed. There is no rookie in the American League who is better than Jung Ha-sung.]

Ha-sung’s ROY award was as good as confirmed.

[Secondly, there are also opinions about the Gold Glove.]

[Well, this part will probably be difficult. The Gold Glove is awarded based on the evaluation of fielding during in-play situations.]

[It’s different from Korea?]

[That’s right. There seems to be some confusion due to those differences, but winning the Gold Glove seems difficult.]

[Then what is similar to the Golden Glove in Korea?]

[The Cy Young Award.]

[Ah, the Cy Young Award. What do you think about Jung Ha-sung winning the Cy Young Award?]

The Cy Young Award.

An award given to the pitcher who had the most outstanding season.

It was an award given to the most outstanding pitcher based on comprehensive stats [statistics].

[Jung Ha-sung is likely to win in the American League. One concern is that he is a closer. The conservative American press corps is a variable, but objectively, Jung Ha-sung is in a more advantageous situation than his competitor, Zack Greinke.]

[If he wins both the ROY and the Cy Young Award at the same time, it would be the second case in Major League Baseball history.]

[That’s right. This is the first case since Fernando Valenzuela won the ROY and Cy Young Award at the same time in 1981.]

[I’m already looking forward to whether Jung Ha-sung will be able to win both awards!]

And a few days later.

News of Ha-sung’s awards began to arrive.

[Jung Ha-sung, the first Korean to win Major League Baseball’s Rookie of the Year!]

[Jung Ha-sung confirmed to win the American League Rookie of the Year!!]

The ROY went to Ha-sung as expected.

And two days later.

[Jung Ha-sung wins the American League Cy Young Award!!]

[Jung Ha-sung, the first Asian to win the Cy Young Award!!]

[Jung Ha-sung! Becomes the second player in Major League Baseball history to win the ROY and Cy Young Award simultaneously!]