Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 90

Mound Villain – Episode 90

[With Jung Ha-sung winning the Cy Young Award, he has become the second player in history to win both Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award.]

[He is also the first closer to win the Cy Young Award in six years, since Eric Gagne in 2003.]

[Jung Ha-sung, who emerged as a promising player after his debut last year, has achieved truly remarkable feats in his first full season.]

With the Cy Young Award confirmed, a special program celebrating his achievement was broadcast in Korea.

The program featured an hour-long analysis of Ha-sung’s incredible season and highlights of his best performances.

[Jung Ha-sung set a Major League record for most saves in a single season with 65 saves in his first season. In the United States, there is talk about whether he can surpass Mariano Rivera’s record of 526 saves.]

[Considering Jung Ha-sung’s current pace, it seems quite possible. However, maintaining peak performance over a long career is a different challenge, so it’s a bit premature to make that prediction.]

Mariano Rivera recorded 44 saves this season, demonstrating his enduring skill.

He had a total of 526 saves, leading the all-time saves list.

The possibility of breaking the all-time saves record was still a distant hope for many fans.

[Jung Ha-sung, who has been the most outstanding player in Major League Baseball this season, is scheduled to arrive in Korea tomorrow afternoon.]

Ha-sung’s return to Korea was confirmed, and the news quickly spread.

His arrival became a major topic of conversation among the public.

-Finally, Jung Ha-sung is coming back!

-Incheon Airport is going to be a madhouse.

-I have to go get an autograph.

-Considering his temper, will he even sign?

-He seems to treat fans well, though.

-He’s only tough on reporters; he’s good with fan service.

Amidst these varied opinions, a day passed.

* * *

Incheon Airport was packed.

“This is unbelievable,” Kim Hye-ryung said, shaking her head at the massive crowd.

“Incheon Airport is always busy, but… is there usually such a concentrated crowd like this?”

“Of course not. They’re all waiting for Ha-sung. Okay, let’s get to work. We’ve already coordinated with the Incheon Airport security team, so let’s contact them immediately.”

“Yes!”

“And double-check the route with the security team and ensure they’re prepared for any potential issues.”

“Understood.”

Kim Hye-ryung had made arrangements with the airport well in advance.

The problem was that there were even more reporters and fans at the airport than she had anticipated.

“Call the security company and request additional personnel.”

“But it’s such short notice, it might be difficult.”

“Offer them overtime pay and tell them to send people urgently. They won’t refuse if we offer enough money. Not if they want to keep working with us in the future.”

“Understood.”

Knowing that Ha-sung’s personality could be difficult, Kim Hye-ryung was making meticulous preparations.

‘He’s the type of person who could demand contract termination for even the smallest mistake. I have to make sure his arrival goes perfectly.’

With that in mind, Kim Hye-ryung was doing everything possible to ensure a smooth welcome for Ha-sung.

* * *

Ha-sung arrived at the airport and was waiting in the VIP lounge with his luggage.

Normally, he would have gone through customs and exited immediately, but today was different.

“How many reporters are here that I have to wait like this?”

“I don’t know the exact number, but with the fans, there are roughly 300 to 400 people gathered.”

It was more than he expected.

Usually, even if a lot of reporters showed up, it would be around fifty or so.

But this meant that many news outlets and filming crews had come as well.

More importantly, with so many fans gathering, he knew Incheon Airport would be even more chaotic than usual.

Just then, the door to the waiting room opened, and Kim Hye-ryung entered.

“Ha-sung!”

“CEO Kim, it’s been a while.”

“I’ve been following Ha-sung’s performance. You’re incredible! How can you play so well?”

“I told you I was confident.”

“I never imagined it would be this successful.”

“We can talk about the details later. Will I be able to go home today?”

“Of course.”

Kim Hye-ryung handed him a piece of paper.

“Still, we should do something for the media and fans who came all the way to the airport, right? Of course, you can skip it if you don’t want to.”

“No. There’s no reason to skip something that can promote my name. It’ll definitely generate publicity.”

“I figured you’d see it that way. I didn’t write a separate script. I thought your quick wit would be enough.”

“I prefer that too. Are there enough bodyguards deployed?”

“Of course. We’ve deployed a number of bodyguards for you that rivals the security detail for Hollywood stars visiting Korea.”

Kim Hye-ryung was meticulous.

Everything was perfectly prepared, so Ha-sung gave a satisfied smile.

“Since so many reporters have come, I should give them something to see.”

“Something to see?”

“Yes. These guys right here.”

Ha-sung took something out of his bag.

Kim Hye-ryung’s eyes widened when she saw it.

* * *

In front of the arrival gate, reporters were adjusting their cameras.

“Ugh, when is Jung Ha-sung coming out?”

“The plane already landed, right?”

“I asked earlier, and the other passengers on the same flight have already come out.”

“Then is he waiting inside?”

“Of course. He can’t just walk out into this crowd.”

“That’s true.”

The reporters looked around and shook their heads.

“Jung Ha-sung has become so famous in just one year. Look at all these people.”

“He made history in Major League Baseball, so it’s only natural.”

“And he’s not bad looking either, right?”

“Not bad? He’s above average for an Asian guy. He’s tall, has a small face, and fair skin.”

“Yeah, because of his physique, he even signed a contract with a luxury brand. It’s no joke, right?”

Just as the reporters were talking about Ha-sung, the security guards who had been inside began to form a line in front of the gate.

“He’s coming out.”

The reporters, noticing the security guards’ movements, quickly readied their cameras.

And a moment later.

The gate opened, and Ha-sung appeared.

The moment the reporters raised their cameras to capture him pulling a luggage cart,

They noticed something strange.

“What? What’s that?”

“Is that the Cy Young Award trophy on top of the luggage?!”

“It looks like the Rookie of the Year trophy is next to it!”

The trophies awarded to the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year winners were prominently displayed side by side on top of the luggage.

The Cy Young Award trophy, with a silver sculpture of a hand throwing a baseball mounted on a black base.

And the Rookie of the Year trophy, with an image of Jackie Robinson engraved on a copper plate.

The sight of the two trophies together was truly impressive.

“But is that the Rookie of the Year trophy? Why does it say Jackie Robinson Award?”

“Are you even a baseball reporter? Jackie Robinson was the first recipient of the Rookie of the Year award in Major League Baseball.”

“Really? What’s the connection between that and the Jackie Robinson Award?”

“To honor him, it’s been called that ever since. It’s practically the official name.”

“Ah…….”

Other reporters who overheard the conversation nodded in understanding.

Meanwhile, Ha-sung stopped at the photo line and posed for the cameras.

“Jung Ha-sung! Look over here too!”

“Please look this way next time!”

The fans cheered in unison as he smiled brightly at the cameras.

“Ha-sung oppa [term used by younger women to address older male figures]!!”

“Ha-sung! I enjoyed watching the game!”

“Kyaaa! So cool!!”

“Look over here too!”

“Please sign something for me!!”

Most of the fans were women.

Ha-sung’s appearance wasn’t as striking as a celebrity’s, but he was still very handsome.

In particular, he was tall and well-proportioned.

With his athletic build, there was no reason for women not to find him attractive.

“Jung Ha-sung! Please pose next to the trophies!”

At the reporter’s request, Ha-sung stood next to the trophies and struck a pose.

Kim Hye-ryung shook her head as she watched.

‘Has there ever been a star who’s so good at creating buzz like that?’

It was Ha-sung who had come up with the idea.

(I’m going to put the trophies on top of the luggage and walk out the gate.)

(Really? Are you sure you want to do that?)

(How great of a photo op is that? The trophies symbolizing the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards that no other Korean player has ever won together.)

(Well…….)

(The fans will go wild.)

If this gets reported, Ha-sung’s idea will become a reality.

The fans will be ecstatic, and the media will be covering related stories every day.

‘That’s an amazing talent.’

The value of a star is measured by how much they are talked about by the public.

Everyone has different interests, so they don’t always know about fields they’re not interested in.

In particular, Major League Baseball, where Ha-sung plays, is a specific area of sports.

Thanks to the media covering him every day, he had more recognition than other stars, but there were still people who didn’t know him.

But the situation will change if this kind of buzz unfolds.

‘Soon, the whole nation will know.’

The day was not far off.

Kim Hye-ryung praised her past self for signing Ha-sung and watched him being interviewed.

* * *

Ha-sung’s return to Korea was being broadcast live on TV nationwide.

“Wow… Jung Ha-sung is insane.”

“A live broadcast of a first-year player’s return to the country.”

The KBO [Korea Baseball Organization] employees were also watching the scene.

It was hard to believe what they were seeing, as unprecedented events kept happening one after another.

“A truly remarkable guy is a remarkable guy.”

“I know, right? He’s setting new Major League records. He’s winning the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards at the same time. He’s really amazing.”

The KBO employees, who worked in baseball-related fields, couldn’t help but admire Ha-sung.

At that moment, a reporter asked Ha-sung, who was giving an interview.

[What are your thoughts on the Asian Games national team next season?]

[The national team?]

[Yes. You declined to participate in the WBC [World Baseball Classic] this year due to injury. In fact, looking at your performance this year, it seemed like you weren’t injured at all.]

The reporter’s question was pointed.

[Some are even suggesting a conspiracy theory that Jung Ha-sung deliberately used his injury as an excuse to avoid the national team.]

As soon as the reporter finished his question, boos erupted from the fans.

[How can you ask such a question at a celebratory event like this? You’re a terrible reporter!]

[I… I’m doing this for the public’s right to know…]

[Yeah, yeah. I’m sure you are. I’ll tell you, that ‘right to know’ excuse always comes out when you’re at a disadvantage.]

With sarcasm, Ha-sung stared directly into the camera.

[Wasn’t it the KBO that didn’t include me on the national team roster in the first place? I don’t know why you’re blaming me for that. They said they didn’t need me, so should I have gone there and begged them to let me wear the national team uniform?!]

The reporter’s face flushed red at Ha-sung’s words.

[But at the time, the KBO was trying to select Jung Ha-sung for the roster…!]

[I have no way of knowing what you discussed internally. You should have made me an offer through official channels. Isn’t that the proper procedure?]

The reporter fell silent at Ha-sung’s response.

[I’m always available to be contacted. However, please contact me officially.]

The faces of the KBO employees hardened at Ha-sung’s words.