Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 246

246. Hot Potato (1)

Even during the regular season, our agency remained as busy as ever.

This was because the National Team Technical Committee meeting was just around the corner.

From the day I was recommended as a technical committee member, I watched and analyzed almost every game without missing a single one.

I was incredibly busy until the last day, updating not only the accumulated data but also the data from yesterday’s game to create the materials.

Tomorrow, we would be announcing the preliminary roster for the national team through the meeting.

Since it was just a preliminary roster, there was less pressure than deciding the final roster.

However, since this meeting was the first step in determining the final roster, it was not something to be taken lightly. We had to carefully check to ensure that we didn’t miss any players who showed even a slight potential.

As we initially planned, we focused on checking the league’s ace-level players, whom everyone would expect, and also on finding hidden gems who could perform well even if they weren’t regular starters.

Among them were players belonging to our agency.

First of all, there would be no disagreement in selecting Na Jun-ho, Go Ji-hoon, So Young-joon, Oh Seok-hoon, Park Seong-joo, Choi Jeong-hwan, and Jang Su-young.

It was not an exaggeration to say that there were no players in each position who were performing better than these players.

They were players who deserved to be selected for the national team and had no reason not to play as key players.

In addition to that, we narrowed down the players who were valuable for the team, even if they weren’t starters.

Among the players who met the criteria, Han Gyo-jin and Seo Seong-min from our agency were included.

We included them in the recommendation list because their distinct strengths could have a positive impact on the national team.

First, Han Gyo-jin.

Yang Hee-chan from the Doubles was likely to be selected as the starting catcher for this national team.

Since defense is important in short-term games, it was clear that Yang Hee-chan would wear the starting catcher’s mask in almost every game unless something unexpected happened.

However, the starting catcher couldn’t play every game.

It was necessary to prepare for variables such as poor performance or injuries.

At the same time, the backup catcher had to play as a substitute from time to time to support the starting catcher so that he could replenish his stamina.

However, even if he played in a relaxed situation, the catcher’s game management and defensive skills had to be the foundation for a sure victory.

In that respect, Han Gyo-jin had sufficient capabilities as a backup catcher.

In addition, the fact that he was showing batting ability that was among the best in the league was also an important factor.

It could be said that his offensive power was the best among domestic catchers, so it was a definite strength.

Even if he didn’t play as a catcher, he was a competitive player just as a pinch hitter who was put in during the second half of the game.

And Seo Seong-min.

Seo Seong-min’s strength was that he was a switch hitter and could play multiple positions.

He could switch his batting stance depending on the type of opposing pitcher, so he was highly versatile as a pinch hitter.

And the fact that he could cover second base, first base, and left field was also a considerable strength.

National team games are played in the short term, so various tactics had to be actively deployed according to the game situation.

Therefore, in order to play the game well, a player who could play multiple positions was needed.

Moreover, he was not inferior to other players in terms of batting, so there was nothing more to ask for.

Looking at the home runs he occasionally hit and his high RBI [Runs Batted In] production ability, his ability to deliver in important situations deserved high marks.

Frankly, it would be difficult for Seo Seong-min to play as a starter in this tournament, but it was necessary to have a player like him on the roster.

Finally, I also considered including Jung Min-woo in the recommended players.

However, to be honest, I came to the conclusion that it would be impossible for him to show better competitiveness than other players in the pitching department.

Since gaining confidence after breaking the losing streak, he had been showing a different and better performance, recording an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] of 3.50 while earning 2 wins in 5 games.

It was a great performance as he solved the Jaguars’ concerns about the 5th starter, averaging 5 innings.

However, the cold reality was that he was less competitive compared to other pitchers when it came to putting his name on the national team’s pitching lineup.

It wasn’t like he was showing outstanding performance enough to represent the country.

Even if he was a player from our agency, making unreasonable suggestions would not be good for the agency or the player.

There was no guarantee that Jung Min-woo’s mentality would not be shaken again if his name was mentioned in connection with the national team selection and he was criticized by fans.

“Whew—it seems like we’re almost done.”

“I hope many of our players can be included. But honestly, it seems like they have no choice but to pick them.”

Jung In-gyu couldn’t hide his pride in his expression.

“With our players, wouldn’t they be included in the preliminary roster without any problems?”

Lee Joo-hyuk’s expression was also full of anticipation.

“That’s right. Who else would they pick if they don’t pick our players?”

The corners of my lips also naturally went up.

“Even though it’s just a preliminary roster, it would be a great motivation for the players to have their names on it, right?”

Jung In-gyu turned his head towards me and asked.

“I guess so. Just being mentioned as a player who can wear the Taegeuk mark [South Korean flag emblem] and play in the game means they’ve been recognized.”

“Hoo… I’m getting nervous. It would be fun to watch the announcement of the selected players with them.”

“We should all get together then.”

Whether Donald Watson and Michael Scott would be selected for the US national team was also one of the important points of interest for us.

“By the way, it’s a bit of a shame about Min-woo. If it weren’t for the losing streak, we could have recommended him for the preliminary roster.”

“The international competition isn’t just this time. If we keep doing this, the day will come when he gets picked.”

“Next time, Woo-jin will be picked, right? If he adapts well in the pros, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Jung In-gyu’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.

“At this rate, all of our agency’s players will be playing for the national team.”

My heart was pounding just imagining it.

* * *

The next morning.

I left the accommodation early in the morning.

After driving for about an hour, I was able to arrive at the Baseball Association.

It was nice to be back after a long time, but I also felt the weight of today’s meeting and became nervous.

Thanks to arriving early, I was able to slowly look around the Baseball Association.

I had never had this kind of leisure because I always had to move busily when I came here.

I took the elevator to the 5th floor.

The 5th floor wall introduced the businesses that the Baseball Association was doing, starting with the introduction of the 10 professional clubs.

I was walking slowly and reading it when,

“Oh, aren’t you CEO Kang Hyun-woo?”

I turned my head to the voice and saw a familiar face.

“Director Moon, it’s been a while.”

It was Moon Jong-min, the head of MBS [Munhwa Broadcasting System, a South Korean television and radio network].

Thanks to seeing his face every time there was a baseball event, including the awards ceremony, he was not unfamiliar.

“CEO Kang, you’re here for the Technical Committee meeting today, right?”

“As expected, Director, you know everything.”

“Even if that weren’t the case, if someone like CEO Kang is moving, we should naturally be aware of it.”

“You’re too kind. I’m flattered.”

It felt even more embarrassing because it didn’t seem like he was joking.

“Dream Agency’s players are doing really well these days, so it seems like many of your players will be selected?”

“If that happens, it would be a great honor for the agency.”

“I was going to visit CEO Kang soon, but since we met like this, can I make a suggestion?”

“I welcome any suggestions that can help the players.”

I smiled at Moon Jong-min and replied.

“I’ve mentioned it before, but would you be willing to take on a special commentary role for our MBS at this international competition?”

“Ah, commentary?”

I had talked about it in passing at the awards ceremony last time.

“How about doing commentary when there are games in Korea? Since many Dream Agency players will be participating, I think viewers will like it if you explain the players in detail.”

“Can I do well? It seems like it’s on a different level than doing a live broadcast on our SNS [Social Networking Service].”

Even though there were many fans who subscribed to our agency’s SNS and watched the live broadcasts, the pressure from public broadcasting seemed different.

I joked comfortably and mixed in informal language on SNS, but I wouldn’t be able to do that on public broadcasting…

“Our caster and commentator will help you well from the side, so you don’t have to feel pressured. We will prepare thoroughly so that CEO Kang can comfortably talk about the players in between.”

“If you support me that much, of course, I have no reason to refuse.”

“Hahaha, with CEO Kang joining us, it feels like it will be a huge success? Then we will prepare without any problems on our side as well. If you have any questions or need anything, please feel free to contact me.”

Moon Jong-min’s lips, which had gone up, didn’t seem to come down, as if he was satisfied that I had accepted the offer.

“Okay. And you’ll give me a good appearance fee, right?”

“Haha, of course. I invited you myself, so I can’t treat you unfairly.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll see you again soon.”

I finished the meeting with Moon Jong-min with a bright smile and a greeting.

* * *

Before I knew it, it was time for the Technical Committee meeting to begin.

I entered the conference room where the meeting would be held.

Nameplates with the names of the attendees were placed on each seat.

I was able to find a nameplate with my name on it not far away.

Dream Agency CEO Kang Hyun-woo.

Seeing my name placed in a place like this felt new.

I sat down and took out the materials I had brought.

I checked again and read through to see if there were any parts I had missed.

It was content that I had already checked so much that it was worn out, so nothing noticeable was visible.

After a while,

The technical committee members entered the conference room one by one.

I greeted the technical committee members whom I would be meeting and talking to often in the future.

Except for one member whom I was meeting for the first time today, most of them were senior members of the baseball world, so I was able to greet them a little more comfortably.

And finally, the chairman of the technical committee entered, and the door of the conference room closed.

It was time for the full-fledged meeting to begin.