A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 159

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good – Episode 159

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 159

Chapter 42: How to Choose a Trading Partner (1)

In the early season, the KH Cannons were maintaining a fairly good momentum.

Go! Cannons! KH!

Go! Cannons! KH!

After the opening series against the Dongjin Generals, where they went 1 win and 1 loss, and the subsequent midweek 3-game series against the UB Guardians, where they went 1 win and 2 losses, there were some talks about instability.

However, in the home opening series held at KH Cannons Field, they achieved 2 wins and 1 loss, and then swept the midweek series against the Future Kings with 3 consecutive wins.

With this, they ranked joint second in the mid-rankings with 7 wins and 4 losses in the first 11 games.

-In the early season, the SH Knights are showing the most formidable momentum, but the upward trend of the UB Guardians and KH Cannons, closely following behind, is also significant. What do you think?

-That’s right. Personally, I think KH Cannons’ recent pace is noteworthy. Unlike last year, when they only relied on strong offensive power, this year, there’s a sense of balance between pitching and hitting, you know?

The narrative suggested that last season’s performance was not a ‘fluke’.

The narrative suggested that the only team that can defeat the SH Knights is the KH Cannons.

The narrative suggested that ‘Sakhalin Park’ Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju’s inaugural speech might come true.

It was a bit early, but still, amid the continuous positive evaluations of the Cannons from both inside and outside the club–

“Reporters, you’re working hard!”

Back at KH Cannons Field for the first game of the weekend 3-game series.

About two hours before the start of the game, Ji-seop was entering the press room with snacks in both hands.

“Our KH Cannons have achieved their first 3-game sweep of the season! To share that joy, our general manager has provided coffee and snacks for all the reporters. We hope you enjoy them!”

As Ji-seop bowed his head after finishing his speech, applause and cheers erupted from all over the press room.

“Congratulations, Mr. Kim! Special Assistant!”

“Cannons fighting! Let’s go for the championship!”

Reporters should always maintain a neutral stance and objectivity. That is an undeniable fact.

But can a person’s heart be divided as cleanly as cutting tofu with a knife? [This is a common Korean expression meaning to be decisive and clear-cut.]

No matter how cold-hearted a person is, they can’t help but lean towards the side they see every day, talk to, and sometimes even eat with.

Especially since Ji-seop started visiting the press room frequently as the general manager’s special assistant, that tendency felt even stronger.

The fact that the faces of the reporters receiving coffee and sandwiches from Ji-seop that day were almost identical to those of the Cannons fans was proof of that.

“Mr. Special Assistant, did you see that? ‘Nuclear Bombs and Guided Missiles,’ was it? Those people reappeared, you know?”

“Ah, yes, I saw them. Please write an article about them sometime. They are very fond of the Cannons.”

“Oh, really? That’s the same as me? Haha.”

Like this, they also shared stories about the ‘named fans’ who reappeared at KH Cannons Field.

“Mr. Special Assistant, Terry Foster… Is there anything you can do about him? I’ve requested an interview several times through the PR team, but I’ve been rejected every time.”

“Ah, that friend is a little shy. I’m still getting to know him too, you know? Once I get closer, I’ll mention it to him right away.”

“Really? Well, if our Mr. Special Assistant says so, I can’t help it. I’ll wait and see.”

If there was a reporter who seemed to harbor hard feelings towards the players, he would immediately approach them and try to lighten the mood.

“Mr. Kim, everything is good, but… If the Cannons are really aiming for the championship, shouldn’t they strengthen the pitching part of their team? No matter how I look at it, it seems a bit weaker compared to SH or UB?”

“Yes, I heard that the higher-ups are also considering that aspect. You can never have too many pitchers.”

“Hey, don’t just give me such textbook answers… Tell me something interesting too. Like a trade.”

“Reporter, I’m just a second-year employee. How much would a second-year newbie know?”

“Wow, you’re using that card here? Everyone knows what position Mr. Kim holds in the Cannons, you know?”

“Haha.”

If a slightly sensitive topic came up, he would quickly slip away like an eel. [Meaning to be slippery and hard to catch, avoiding the topic.]

As he said himself, he was only a ‘second-year employee,’ but Ji-seop was handling media relations as skillfully as a veteran front office member with over 10 years of experience.

“By the way, I haven’t seen Manager Hwang for the past few days? Is Manager Hwang very busy these days?”

“Ah, Hwang-jo… No, Senior Hwang Young-ju? That’s right, I haven’t seen him lately. He doesn’t come to the press room often either.”

Just as he was about to wrap up the day’s ‘media skinship’ [building relationships with the media] while inquiring about a reporter he hadn’t seen for the past few days–

Ding–

A message came in on his phone.

Ji-seop’s eyebrows twitched for a very brief moment upon checking the contents, but he quickly managed his expression since he was in front of the reporters.

“If Manager Hwang comes, please tell him to contact me. He hasn’t been replying to my texts lately either.”

“Oh, is that so? Okay, I’ll tell Senior Hwang as soon as he comes.”

“Thank you, Reporter!”

“Then I’ll be on my way!

Reporters, fighting today too!”

After saying goodbye with a very energetic and cheerful expression, Ji-seop opened the door to the press room and came out.

He maintained a bright expression for a while even after leaving the press room, but the moment he turned the corner and went down the stairs, his brow furrowed.

“No, what on earth…”

Ji-seop took out his phone and hurriedly started making a call somewhere.

As the other person’s voice was heard over the speaker, Ji-seop wiped the sweat flowing down his forehead and asked.

“Yes, General Manager. Where are you right now?”

* * *

It was about an hour later that General Manager Seo Chang-gi, who had been out at the KH Group headquarters in Seoul, returned.

“What on earth is going on?”

That was the first thing General Manager Seo said as he entered his office.

“One of our Cannons players was caught by the police… Who? And how?”

“It’s Lee Yong-gi, General Manager.”

At the answer from Operations Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin, General Manager Seo’s eyebrows shot up.

“Wait a minute, Lee Yong-gi… If I remember correctly, is that the guy who was in the running for the 5th starting pitcher this season? The one who had a recurrence of elbow pain a while ago?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Team Leader Cha nodded.

“He had finished his treatment in Seoul and was on his way down to Yeosu… It seems he was drinking alone during the day and got into an argument with the person next to him. The police were dispatched after the store owner reported it.”

“Wh-what?!”

General Manager Seo couldn’t speak for a while.

There were too many points to point out.

“A guy with an injury was drinking? Even during the day? And he got into an argument with someone next to him, and the police were even called?!”

Oh, my head.

General Manager Seo, who was holding the back of his neck and groaning, slammed his fist on the desk with a ‘thud!’

“No, what on earth was the development team doing! How can they manage the players like this!”

“The minor league team is currently on an Icheon expedition, General Manager.”

Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin carefully continued.

“Immediately after the Icheon expedition, there’s the Seosan expedition… It seems most of the development team personnel were tied up there.”

“Even so! Didn’t they know that players are sensitive after an injury? Leaving a guy like that to move around on his own? This is a basic problem, a basic problem of player management!”

General Manager Seo was angrier than ever before.

He roughly loosened his tie knot as if frustrated, then turned to Ji-seop and asked.

“So, Mr. Kim! What exactly is the situation?”

“I heard that Lee Yong-gi is being investigated at the police station. One development team employee and one reserve team coach who remained at the Yeosu stadium are on standby.”

“One employee and one coach… That’s not enough manpower to handle the situation.”

General Manager Seo quickly scanned the whiteboard hanging on the office wall.

Was he checking his schedule?

After scanning, he picked up the briefcase he had put down for a moment.

“Mr. Kim and I will go to Yeosu. Team Leader Cha, please stay and cover today’s game.”

“Understood, General Manager.”

As Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin nodded, General Manager Seo ‘tapped’ her on the shoulder and quickly started moving.

‘Damn it, misfortune never comes alone…’

The season was starting with a good flow, but an unexpected misfortune had come.

The settlement itself wouldn’t be difficult, but how many small things would he have to pay attention to?

Even General Manager Seo, who was skilled in this area, felt a throbbing pain in the back of his neck.

But that was only for a moment; General Manager Seo could feel a strange sense of relief, as if thinking, ‘It won’t be as difficult as I thought.’

“Ah, Attorney Kim? Hello, this is Kim Ji-seop from KH Cannons. Yes, how have you been? Actually…”

Ji-seop, who was following behind him, was already calling the club’s lawyer.

The general manager’s special assistant was handling things on his own without even having to say anything.

‘Hehe, that guy…’

Was it thanks to that?

By the time he stood in front of the elevator heading to the parking lot, General Manager Seo was relaxed enough to make this joke.

“Mr. Kim, isn’t it fortunate in a way? We get to see the Yeosu night sea before this spring is over.”

“…Pardon?”

* * *

To put it bluntly,

The KH Cannons front office was able to resolve all the issues much faster than initially expected.

The combination of the experienced front office General Manager Seo Chang-gi and his quick-witted assistant Kim Ji-seop was quite powerful.

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry!”

“Oh, you didn’t have to go this far…”

They gave a polite apology and ensured compensation for the damages to the store owner who suffered because of the Cannons player.

“Hyung-nim [Korean term for older brother or close male friend], that friend may look like that, but he’s a very pitiful guy! He was overworked so much in high school that his elbow gives out all the time!”

“H-hyung-nim? No, you seem older than me, why are you doing this?”

“He’s even getting married this year, so he was preparing really hard… Ah, he got injured right before the opening? So how would that young friend feel? Would he be able to endure it without drinking?”

“Th-that happened? Oh my, I said such harsh things to this friend…”

They reached a smooth agreement with the person who had the argument with the Cannons player by appealing to emotions.

“…Yong-gi.”

“Yes, Ji-seop hyung.”

“Didn’t we talk about this in Florida? To call me anytime if you’re having a hard time?”

“I thought about you too, hyung. But the season has already started, and I thought you’d be very busy…”

“I’ll take your call even if I’m busy. You’re going to be the guy who’s going to be the starting pitcher for the 4th game of the Korean Series for our Cannons this season; how can I ignore your call?”

“Ah, hyung… Really… I’m really sorry. I have nothing to say.”

“You won’t be able to avoid club sanctions, but let’s think of it as buying time to recover from your injury. Instead, you have to work really hard this time. Got it?”

“…Yes.”

“Look me in the eye and tell me, you punk.”

Ji-seop was in charge of the problematic player Lee Yong-gi.

First, he made him burst into tears, then he even guided him to bow his head and apologize to the store owner, the police, and the man he had the argument with.

When the two people who had finished addressing most of the problems came out to the front yard of the police station, it was still not midnight.

“Did it take about three hours? But I’m glad it was finished quickly.”

Oh, I’m tired.

General Manager Seo took out a cigarette and smiled bitterly.

“The police disposition will only be finalized tomorrow morning… All that’s left is to squeeze the development team.”

What should I do with these guys.

General Manager Seo Chang-gi, exhaling white cigarette smoke, was lost in thought.

It was at this moment that Ji-seop, who was following behind, approached him.

“General Manager.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t you need to check the media trends separately? It seems like it will be quite noisy if an article comes out.”

“Well, I think it’ll be okay?”

General Manager Seo continued.

“There were no separate witnesses at the scene, and we thoroughly silenced the store owner and the person who had the argument, right? Then the remaining possibility is whether there is a reporter who has a straw plugged into this side…”

This is Yeosu, you know.

General Manager Seo smiled gently.

“The case is too minor to be covered by general or local newspapers, and at best, it’s a case that only sports media would be interested in… Would there be a sports reporter who has planted a source here?”

As soon as General Manager Seo’s words fell, the phone he had put in his pocket rang ‘ding’.

“Hmm?”

The next moment, a slight embarrassment bloomed on Ji-seop’s face.

-Mr. Kim? I heard that Lee Yong-gi is at the Yeosu Police Station right now, can you confirm the details?

The sender was [Sports Hanseong] Reporter Hwang Young-ju.

It was the very person who was called ‘Jomi’ [slang for a reporter who is particularly well-connected and gets scoops] in the industry.