A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 214

Legendary Ace (1)

As September began, Ji-seop started to notice something.

The Cannons players were quite exhausted.

On the surface, they seemed perfectly fine.

Their fighting spirit never ceased during training, and they still looked sharp during games.

However, when Ji-seop asked, ‘How’s your condition?’ and looked into their eyes, he invariably sensed their inner thoughts.

[September is September, after all – meaning the accumulated fatigue of the long season is taking its toll.]

[Ugh, this is killing me.]

[I wish I could just sleep for ten days straight.]

In fact, it seemed more like a mental burden than a physical one.

One hundred forty-four games a year. A season of six games a week, without any rain cancellations.

Since every game was a competition and a test for the players, they were bound to reach their limit around September.

Ah,

Of course, not everyone was like that.

“Test? Competition? Isn’t that the most fun part of baseball? How can you survive as a pro if that’s too hard?”

“……Jang-ho, be quiet.”

In any case, with most of the players exhausted, the front office could only hope for the emergence of new faces.

In that regard, ‘Muscleman’ Shim Seong-jun’s awakening was like a welcome rain for the Cannons.

Thwack!

Thwack!

Thwaaack!

After hitting his first career home run out of the park, Shim Seong-jun was tearing up the field like a fish in water.

To be honest, his finesse was a bit lacking.

He would try to run to third base even when a double would have been enough, resulting in him getting tagged out.

He would try to catch a ball that should have been played on a bounce, only to allow the opposing team an inside-the-park home run.

“Ugh, Seong-jun…… please!!!”

But he was definitely a charming player.

He had the nerve to play even more aggressively after making ridiculous mistakes, never getting discouraged.

He had the resilience to brush himself off and get up like nothing happened after falling, rolling, and making a scene.

And above all-

Thwaaaaaack!!!

Even if he seemed to be struggling throughout the game, he would invariably hit a long ball at a crucial moment, showing his ‘star quality.’

Wowwww!!!

Wowwww!!!

The super rookie, who appeared like a comet, recorded a weekly batting average of .409 with 3 home runs, 11 RBIs, and an OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging – a key baseball statistic] of 1.318.

On the day Shim Seong-jun was selected as the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] Weekly MVP for outfielders based on that incredible record,

Ji-seop was having a light beer with his close colleagues at a chicken restaurant near the stadium.

“Alright, let’s start with a toast!”

“Who’s giving the toast today?”

“Hey, isn’t it obvious? Seong-jun got the Weekly MVP, so of course…….”

Swoosh.

All eyes turned to one person.

“Our Cha Jong-min scout should do it!”

* * *

They each had a lot of work to do, so they couldn’t get together often, but the four of them made sure to meet up for beer once a month.

Kim Ji-seop from the general manager’s office, Go Chang-deok from the power analysis team, Kwon Dae-woong from the public relations team, and Cha Jong-min from the scouting team.

Every time they met, they vowed, ‘Let’s not talk about baseball today,’ but with their jobs, what choice did they have?

Less than ten minutes after making that vow, baseball was, of course, the topic of conversation again that day.

Specifically, the story of Shim Seong-jun, who was selected as the Weekly MVP that day.

“Seong-jun, he’s really something else.”

That was what Kwon Dae-woong, the deputy of the PR team, said.

“The reporters are going crazy these days. They keep asking me to get them an exclusive interview with Seong-jun. They were pestering me so much that I brought it up to Seong-jun, and you know what he said?”

‘I don’t think it’s the right time yet.’

Kwon Deputy slapped his knee as he imitated Shim Seong-jun’s tone.

“He refused without hesitation…… and I knew it then. Ah, this guy is going to be something! He’ll definitely win three or four Gold Gloves [an award given to the best defensive players] in the future!”

It was said that it was very rare for high school rookies to refuse interviews with the press.

Not many players could clearly state their intentions to someone more than ten years older than them.

Besides, it was the age when they wanted to be noticed and become famous. Controlling such desires at a young age was not easy.

“But isn’t it a bit of a headache for you, Deputy Kwon? If he refuses interviews, the reporters will probably throw a fit.”

At Go Chang-deok’s question, Kwon Dae-woong shook his head lightly.

“It’s okay. I’ve been around the block, so I can handle this kind of thing smoothly. I’ll just have a few meals with the reporters, and it’ll be fine. Actually, more than that…….”

Kwon Deputy’s gaze turned to Cha Jong-min scout.

“I’m curious about Deputy Cha’s story.”

“Me?”

“Yes, didn’t the team offer you any special rewards? Like a bonus from the general manager, or even a vacation.”

Kwon Deputy continued.

“It was about this time last year that Deputy Cha was the only one who insisted on drafting Shim Seong-jun in the rookie draft, right?”

“Well, that’s true, but…….”

Cha Deputy trailed off.

“There’s nothing extra for a scout just because a player they drafted does well. Well, I can expect some extra points in my performance review, though.”

“Hey, what’s that? I was going to get a big treat from Deputy Cha today.”

“Player development isn’t something that one person can do well, is it? I just got the ball rolling, and the rest is thanks to the development team and the coaches. And…….”

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

Cha Deputy, who had finished a glass of draft beer, said something unexpected.

“Even if there was a reward for Seong-jun’s success…… I probably would have given it to Ji-seop here.”

“Me?”

“Yes, Ji-seop. Ji-seop’s contribution was the greatest.”

Cha Jong-min Deputy took the garlic soy sauce chicken that had just come out, placed it on the table, and continued.

“Don’t you remember? If Ji-seop hadn’t helped me, Seong-jun wouldn’t have been drafted by the Cannons.”

Cha Deputy seemed to be recalling the events of last season.

Cha Jong-min Deputy definitely had an eye for talent, but he lacked the effort to explain it to his teammates.

It was only after Ji-seop followed him to the used car dealership and persuaded him that he was finally able to submit a proper report to the team.

“To be honest, I still don’t fully understand it. You can just tell when a player is good, so why do you have to explain it with so much rambling?”

It was frustrating to hear.

However, Cha Deputy was definitely a little different than before.

“But…… conversely, that’s why I’m even more grateful to Ji-seop. I would never have changed on my own. Ji-seop’s advice was that decisive.”

“Hey, it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

Just as Ji-seop was waving his hand dismissively, feeling embarrassed, a new plate of seasoned chicken came out.

“Ah, thank you.”

Ji-seop received the chicken from the server and placed it on the table.

It was at this moment that Kwon Dae-woong Deputy from the PR team tilted his head slightly.

“An atmosphere where everyone is praising each other…… Hmm, it’s a really beautiful and desirable scene, but…….”

Kwon Deputy scratched his chin.

“Why have you two been putting the new chicken in front of me since earlier? Do I look that hungry?”

“No, it’s not that…….”

Kim Ji-seop, special assistant to the general manager.

Cha Jong-min Deputy, from the scouting team.

A ‘flustered’ expression flashed across their faces.

“It’s just that, tomorrow is…….”

“Because it’s the rookie draft…….”

“Rookie draft?”

Kwon Dae-woong Deputy blinked.

“The rookie draft is…… why?”

* * *

And exactly 20 hours later.

The KH Cannons’ team office was like a battlefield.

Ring- Ring- Ring-

The phone was ringing non-stop.

The Cannons’ PR team members were constantly bowing their heads while holding the phone.

“Ah, yes! I see! First of all, I apologize for causing concern. But our scouting team is also setting up strategies and moving accordingly…….”

“Oh, of course! We definitely didn’t take the rookie draft lightly! We know how the fans feel!”

“Oh my, why are you yelling like that? We’re the KH Cannons! We’re in the lead right now! Can’t you trust us a little bit?!”

The PR team members were sweating profusely from the flood of complaints coming from all directions.

Perhaps it was because of his chubby physique, but Kwon Dae-woong Deputy was the most noticeable among them.

“Ugh!”

Kwon Deputy let out a long sigh and put down the phone.

“Damn it, what a mess. I don’t think we’ve ever had this many complaints, even when we were in last place for three years in a row……. Hmm?!”

In Kwon Deputy’s view, who was fanning himself with a frustrated expression, a man was walking by, bent over and sneaking past.

He seemed to be trying his best not to be noticed, but could a 187cm tall man really hide easily?

“Mr. Kim!!!”

Kwon Dae-woong Deputy shouted at the general manager’s special assistant, who was walking by bent over.

“Ah, hello, Deputy?”

Ji-seop greeted him with an awkward smile.

Kwon Deputy strode towards him.

“No, hello or whatever…….”

What the heck is going on?!”

Kwon Deputy began to complain to Ji-seop.

“The internet and everything else is in an uproar right now! They’re saying the Cannons did something completely crazy in today’s rookie draft!”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you yesterday? That there might be some negative reactions today…….”

“Oh my, Mr. Ji-seop! It’s not just a little bit!”

Kwon Deputy was almost in tears.

“They said that everything was normal up to the third round, and after that, you picked players that even high school baseball experts don’t know? I heard you even picked a player who allowed the most home runs in the national tournament?”

“Yes, Deputy Cha’s area of responsibility has expanded this year, hasn’t it? That’s why unexpected resources kept getting caught on the radar…….”

I’m sorry, Deputy.

Ji-seop bowed his head.

“I thought I explained it well enough at the draft site…… I’m really sorry to the PR team and Deputy. I didn’t expect such a strong reaction.”

“What do you mean you didn’t expect it! I saw you sneaking in from over there earlier! Huh? Trying not to get caught by us!”

Kwon Deputy retorted bluntly.

But only for a moment, he narrowed his eyes and asked Ji-seop.

“But…… is it really okay?”

“Yes?”

“Ah, I mean this draft.”

Kwon Deputy licked his lips.

“It’s okay if the fans are cursing at us. It’s okay if the reporters are complaining. Well, isn’t it our PR team’s job to cover that up anyway?”

“Deputy Kwon…….”

When Ji-seop opened his eyes wide and sent a sparkling look, Kwon Deputy waved his hand in horror.

“Hey, don’t make that face! Just answer me. Is it really okay? Even if you pick those unknown players, will it not affect our Cannons’ performance in the future? I need to get confirmation from Mr. Ji-seop so I can have something to say to the fans.”

“Ah, well, that’s…….”

As always,

Ji-seop’s answer was concise.

“Didn’t you see Shim Seong-jun play?”

Ji-seop gave a confident look.

“We’ve brought in only players who will perform even better than Shim Seong-jun in our Cannons in the future.”

“Okay, then okay!”

Kwon Deputy nodded coolly.

“If Mr. Ji-seop says so, then there’s nothing more to see! I’ll go explain it to the team members and keep answering the phone.”

“Thank you, Deputy.”

Ji-seop said, holding up a document envelope.

“I’ll just report to the acting owner and come back. Let’s answer the complaints together.”

“Hehe, that would be great!”

Kwon Deputy finally laughed and returned to his seat.

Ji-seop, who was watching Kwon Deputy, let out a short sigh and began to walk towards the CEO’s office.

‘I managed to persuade Deputy Kwon, but I wonder what kind of nagging the vice chairman will give me…….’

Today is going to be a long day.

As he adjusted the thick document envelope and pressed the elevator button,

Brrr- Brrr- Brrr-

A message came to Ji-seop’s phone.

The sender was Gong Hyun-baek, the director of the baseball equipment company [Perfect Swing].

The very person who was Ji-seop’s senior in the university baseball team.

‘What’s wrong with Senior……?’

Tilting his head, Ji-seop pressed the ‘Confirm’ button.

The message sent by his university senior was as follows.

-Ji-seop, are you very busy?

-Actually, the baseball team coach from our school just contacted me.

-He was hoping that you could meet the graduating seniors this year…….

-Could you spare some time?