A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 106

At the Threshold of Autumn (3)

The following afternoon.

In the KH Cannons’ manager’s office, some very special guests had arrived.

It was the 12 players who had been drafted by the Cannons a few days prior.

“…….”

“…….”

Originally, the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] rookie draft went up to the 11th round.

It was structured so that each team could select a maximum of 11 players.

However, in the process of acquiring veteran catcher Chun Jin-woo, the KH Cannons acquired a 4th round pick, allowing them to select a total of 12 rookies.

Of course, there was still some time before they would sign official contracts and receive their uniforms, but before all that, they were holding a kind of ‘meet-and-greet’.

“Nice to meet you all. I sincerely congratulate you on taking your first steps into the world of professional baseball.”

Looking at the rookie players who still hadn’t shed their student image, Manager Arthur Freeman gave them a gentle smile.

“As a manager, I have one thing to ask of you… I’d recommend doing everything ‘relaxed’ at this stage.”

When Ji-seop translated Freeman’s words, the rookie players blinked, feeling like they were hearing nonsense.

Freeman seemed to have anticipated that reaction, letting out a low chuckle.

“In my experience, many players overdo it during this period, after being drafted and before officially joining the team.”

*I understand why.*

Freeman continued.

“Your draft ranking might have been lower than expected, or the contract amount offered by the team might not have been satisfactory… So, from your perspective, you’d want to raise your level as quickly as possible.”

It seemed to be a word that accurately pierced the hearts of the rookie players.

The players swallowed hard without even realizing it.

“But now is not the time. Rather, it’s a time to rest and recover your condition.”

The veteran manager’s sharp gaze swept over the rookie players.

“I’d recommend using your head rather than your body. Read books, watch movies, meet people… And think about it. What kind of player will you become? How will you survive in the world of professional baseball?”

The period of several months between being drafted and wearing a uniform.

His advice was that intense contemplation during that period would be of great help in their future careers.

When the rookie players answered loudly, “We will keep that in mind!” Freeman turned his head to Ji-seop.

“I’ve said all I have to say. Now, shouldn’t we hear from the general manager?”

“Ah, yes, then…”

Ji-seop turned his gaze to General Manager Seo Chang-gi, who was sitting across from him.

Ji-seop called him ‘General Manager,’ but Seo Chang-gi didn’t say a word.

Only after calling him several times did Seo Chang-gi finally look up, startled, “Ah!”

“Ah, I’m sorry. What’s the matter?”

“The manager has finished speaking. I thought you should say something too…”

“Ah, is that so? Yes, yes.”

The General Manager hurriedly stood up.

The one thing he said as he took a breath, ‘Sigh,’ made the rookie players feel embarrassed in a slightly different context from Freeman’s words.

“Rookie players, welcome.”

So far, there were no problems.

“As general manager, what I want to ask of you is… um, yes. More than anything, please don’t overdo it.”

*Don’t overdo it.*

The same advice as Manager Freeman.

“Every year, there are players who get injured right after being drafted into the pros. So this winter, rather than using your body, focus on building your mental fortitude… um?”

Perhaps sensing the strange expressions on the rookie players’ faces.

Seo Chang-gi looked back at Ji-seop and asked.

“Why do the players look like that? Did I say something strange?”

“Well, that’s…”

Ji-seop hesitated slightly before answering.

“A little while ago… Manager Freeman said the same thing.”

“Oh dear, was that so?”

*I’m sorry, everyone.*

Seo Chang-gi took out a handkerchief and wiped under his chin.

“I’m a little out of it today.”

Seo Chang-gi hadn’t been listening to Freeman’s story properly.

Ji-seop didn’t need to ask why.

The moment he ‘stared’ into Seo Chang-gi’s eyes, he heard it in his ear.

[A postseason slogan…]

[Haa, what am I going to do with this…]

* * *

Seo Chang-gi was racking his brains over the postseason slogan.

Ji-seop learned about the detailed situation a few hours later.

On the way back after handing the Cannons’ rookie players over to the operations team staff.

Seo Chang-gi asked in a passing tone.

“Ji-seop.”

“Yes.”

“Have you met the acting owner recently?”

A question about whether he had met ‘Sakhalin Park’ [nickname referring to his business dealings in Sakhalin, Russia] Park Hong-ju, the vice chairman.

Ji-seop shook his head.

“I was supposed to have dinner with him a few days ago… but I couldn’t see him in person. He said he was busy.”

Then, Ji-seop watched Seo Chang-gi’s reaction and asked in a subtle voice.

“I heard that the acting owner has put the postseason slogan on hold. Is that why?”

“Hehe, Ji-seop is like a ghost. Is there anything you don’t know?”

Seo Chang-gi gave a bitter smile.

“You’re right. I’ve been having a headache about it lately. Damn, is it really necessary to struggle so much with just one slogan…”

“What’s the reason?”

Since the topic was already on the table.

Ji-seop asked more directly.

“I heard that the acting owner has put the approval on hold… but no one knows why.”

He thought that Seo Chang-gi would know something, but what came back was Seo Chang-gi’s shrug, as if to say, ‘How would I know?’

“Since I first reported it, he hasn’t said anything. It’s just that the approval hasn’t been given.”

Still, he had some experience rolling around in the baseball team.

Seo Chang-gi seemed to have a vague idea of what was going on.

“Considering his usual style… wouldn’t the acting owner want a more aggressive slogan?”

“Aggressive… as in?”

“Winning. Winning the Korean Series [championship series of the KBO].”

Seo Chang-gi said firmly.

“That’s what I feel. I think the approval would be given even if we included just one word, ‘V1,’ in the slogan right now.”

V1.

First Victory.

Meaning that the KH Cannons are aiming for their first championship since their founding.

At this moment, Ji-seop thought that Seo Chang-gi’s words made sense.

*That’s right, when you think about it… that old man Sakhalin Park mentioned the Cannons’ championship bonus.*

A phone call he received a few days ago, saying that he couldn’t make it to the appointment.

In that call, Sakhalin Park said that he was ‘busy securing the players’ championship bonus.’

When Ji-seop chided him, saying, ‘Aren’t you counting your chickens before they hatch?’ the answer came back, ‘If you’ve drawn your sword, you should aim for the championship.’

Once his thoughts reached this point, Ji-seop knew what to say.

“Then… shouldn’t we just change the slogan and submit it?”

With a more aggressive slogan.

With the feeling that they were going for the championship.

Ji-seop continued.

“I heard that the postseason preparations are being delayed because the slogan hasn’t been finalized. Before the schedule is delayed any further, you should follow the acting owner’s wishes here…”

In fact, Ji-seop found the current situation itself surprising.

Because Seo Chang-gi had always been a quiet and gentle person.

Rather than pushing his own ideas through from beginning to end, he was the type to solve problems by accepting the other person’s wishes.

If it had been the usual Seo Chang-gi, he would have ordered the slogan to be revised before Ji-seop even brought it up.

*Yeah, it’s just a slogan, right?*

A part that most baseball fans don’t even care about.

A part that only reporters looking for news would occasionally pay attention to.

Ji-seop didn’t think there was any reason to complicate the situation-

“No, I can’t do that.”

Seo Chang-gi’s thoughts seemed to be a little different from Ji-seop’s.

“It may be a part that people outside the baseball team don’t care about, but for people inside the baseball team, the slogan becomes a message that can never be ignored.”

A message that cannot be ignored.

Seo Chang-gi emphasized that part.

“Ji-seop is also seeing it now… but the slogan inevitably reflects the intentions of the team’s executives.”

“…….”

“What if that slogan declares the goal of winning the Korean Series? Then the people on the baseball team will feel pressured to win.”

Seo Chang-gi continued.

“Manager Freeman may not be affected much. He’s only in his first year, and he’s such a firm believer in his own judgment. But what about our coaching staff? What about the team’s trainers, or the players who are struggling between retirement and extending their careers?”

Coaching staff, trainers, players.

Seo Chang-gi mentioned people who sign contracts every year, so people whose contracts for next year are not certain.

“Imagine those people having the two letters ‘win’ engraved in their minds. From then on, you can’t trust those people’s judgment 100%.”

Seo Chang-gi’s gaze turned to Ji-seop.

“For example, let’s say there’s an ambiguous player during a postseason game. There’s a risk of it turning into a major injury if you’re not careful, but if you give them painkillers, they might be able to play for a game or two somehow… such a player.”

In principle, it is right to exclude such a player from the roster.

Because there are cases where they lose a season or two trying to get them to play a game or two more.

“But in that case, can the coaching staff insist on ‘excluding them from the roster’? Can the trainer look at the manager’s face and say, ‘This player has to be taken out’? In a situation where the team’s executives know that the goal is ‘winning’?”

“That… wouldn’t be easy.”

Unless that coaching staff is a very conscientious person.

Unless that trainer is a very strong-willed person.

In that situation, it seemed difficult to make a decision to protect the player.

“I think, Ji-seop, we have to prevent a situation where the future of our Cannons depends on the conscience of one individual.”

To do that, the two letters ‘win’ must not be engraved on the postseason slogan.

This seemed to be Seo Chang-gi’s idea.

“Then what will happen in the future…”

“I’ll have to meet the acting owner. And I’ll have to clearly tell him what I think.”

Seo Chang-gi continued.

“Actually, I have an appointment with the vice chairman tonight. He said he wanted to watch a game from another team and have a meal…”

The next moment, Ji-seop could guess why Seo Chang-gi had revealed his thoughts in such detail.

“Perhaps, Ji-seop… are you free tonight?”

“Yes?”

“The vice chairman likes to drink, doesn’t he? I’m sure there will be strong liquor at the table tonight… As you know, I can’t drink at all.”

A bitter smile spread across Seo Chang-gi’s face.

“If Ji-seop could play the role of drinking partner for me… I think it would be good in many ways.”

The superficial reason was to receive Park Hong-ju’s drinks next to him.

But at this moment, Ji-seop knew exactly what Seo Chang-gi’s true intentions were.

[Help me, Ji-seop.]

[That old man… I can’t handle him alone.]

[It’s Sakhalin Park. The infamous… Sakhalin Park.]