A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 128

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good – Episode 128

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 128

Chapter 34: Guaranteeing a Permanent Retirement Number (2)

It was quite a while ago.

Probably about ten years, give or take.

Back then, Ji-seop, who was playing for the university baseball team, went to Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan to watch a game during summer vacation.

“Waaaaah!!!”

He doesn’t quite remember how the game went that day.

He cracked open a beer can with a ‘tssk’ at the start of the first inning, and after that, he was thoroughly soaked in alcohol.

To begin with, it would be more accurate to say he went there looking for a place where he could drink during the day without worrying about what others thought, rather than to watch baseball.

Nevertheless, something happened at Sajik Baseball Stadium that day that would remain vividly in Ji-seop’s memory.

-What is this?

If he remembered correctly, it was the top of the 8th inning.

The home team, GeoSan Mariners, was on defense.

The score was 8-7, and the GeoSan Mariners, who had been maintaining a one-point lead, suddenly began to falter.

A hit that dropped right between the infielder and outfielder, a shortstop fumbling the ball while trying for a double play, resulting in all runners being safe.

Eventually, a major accident occurred when the pitcher’s throw directly hit the batter’s butt, instantly loading the bases.

Just when he thought the somewhat watchable game was turning into a complete soap opera,

De-eng- De-eng- De-eng-

Suddenly, a bell rang out from the large stadium speakers.

The sound of the bell spreading throughout the field, the intense guitar riff, and the appearance of a relief pitcher as the bullpen door ‘clunked’ open.

-Ah, is it a pitching change?

To be honest, Ji-seop was chuckling to himself at this point.

At the time, he enjoyed watching Major League Baseball more than Korean professional baseball.

So, he knew.

The bell ringing now was actually the hit song [Hells Bells] by the famous Australian rock band AC/DC.

And this hit song was once the entrance music for Trevor Hoffman, the best closer in Major League Baseball, known as the ‘Hell’s Bells’.

-Being affiliated with a team that’s scraping the bottom in Korea, yet using Trevor Hoffman’s entrance music… Seriously, is this allowed?

What an arrogant guy.

Or maybe he just has no sense.

Just as he was thinking that and dipping a piece of grilled squid, bought as a snack, into mayonnaise sauce,

-……Hmm?

Ji-seop, who had inadvertently turned his gaze towards the mound, froze with the squid leg in his hand.

The GeoSan Mariners’ closer, who had finished his practice pitches against the backdrop of the legendary song, was facing the catcher who would receive his pitches – and smiling.

He was really ‘smiling’, with a confident smile that seemed to own the world.

-Is this guy… crazy?

He couldn’t help but think that.

No outs, bases loaded. A light hit would literally blow up the game.

The thought alone made him feel suffocated, but in this situation, such a relaxed smile.

However, the next moment,

Ji-seop realized that there was a reason for everything in the world.

If a Korean pitcher dared to use Trevor Hoffman’s entrance music, there was a reason for it.

If a pitcher who came on with bases loaded showed a refreshing smile, there was a reason for it.

And above all, if his appearance alone made the 30,000 spectators at Sajik Baseball Stadium stir – Waaaaah!!!

Waaaaah!!!

That too,

There was a reason for it.

Strike!

Strike, batter out!!!

Twelve pitches thrown.

A total of three outs taken.

In less than 5 minutes, the ‘arrogant pitcher’ cleared the entire situation with three strikeouts.

That was Jang Dae-woo.

Jang Dae-woo in his GeoSan Mariners days.

A closer who left one of the most intense impressions in Ji-seop’s baseball life, which was by no means short.

* * *

Time passed indifferently,

Back at Kim Jung-gyu’s wedding hall.

Jang Dae-woo, who appeared at the reception, was surrounded by baseball figures, engaging in lively conversation.

“Ah, really? Kim Jung-gyu also came from Yeonje High School in Busan? Why didn’t I know that?”

“Hehe, you wouldn’t know! How many professional players are from Yeonje High School? If we gathered all our alumni, we could probably make three or four professional teams.”

“Oh, here it comes again. Dae-woo’s love for his alma mater! Whenever the topic of school comes up, he can’t keep his mouth shut.”

“Is that so? Ah, I’ve been caught again? Hahahaha…….”

Even after more than 10 years, Jang Dae-woo’s appearance didn’t seem much different from what Ji-seop remembered.

His large physique, which stood out even among former players, and his loud laughter that echoed through the room.

The only thing that seemed different was the added composure, perhaps thanks to the experience he had gained while playing in Major League Baseball.

“Dae-woo, what’s going on with your contract for next season? Your contract with the New York Mets was only until this year, right?”

“That’s right, Jang Dae-woo! You need to decide where you’re going quickly so we can decide where to send our American correspondents.”

“Mr. Kim, don’t say unnecessary things! When I got 30 holds last season, no Korean reporters even showed their faces…….”

“Hey, Jang! Don’t be like that…….”

Veteran reporters grabbed Jang Dae-woo’s thick arm and gave him subtle looks.

Jang laughed heartily, then opened his mouth again.

“It seems a bit difficult to continue with the New York Mets. The general manager there wants to build the bullpen with young pitchers next year…….”

“Ahem.”

“I can’t mention specific teams, but I have received offers from a few teams. I need to think more about which team’s offer to accept.”

“We don’t need to worry! Either way, it’s almost certain that you’ll be playing in Major League Baseball next year, right? Isn’t that right? Hahaha…….”

And then more trivial stories followed.

Ji-seop, who was quietly listening in the corner of the reception hall, unconsciously smacked his lips.

“Ji-seop, what’s wrong?”

Go Chang-deok, who was sitting next to him, asked.

“Why are you suddenly smacking your lips? Are you hungry? Should I get you something to eat?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“It’s about Jang Dae-woo.”

Ji-seop lowered his voice.

“Since Jang is saying he’ll be playing in Major League Baseball next year, I feel a bit disappointed.”

“What, Ji-seop, you’re thinking of recruiting Jang Dae-woo?”

Go Chang-deok chuckled.

“It’ll be a long time before Jang Dae-woo comes back to Korea. Even though he’s getting older, he’s still throwing balls in the mid-150s [kilometers per hour, a very fast pitch for a baseball].”

“…….”

“Besides, even if Jang Dae-woo suddenly declares his return to Korea… wouldn’t his destination naturally be the GeoSan Mariners? GeoSan means Jang Dae-woo, and Jang Dae-woo means the Mariners, right?”

“Well, yes, but…….”

As Ji-seop trailed off, Go Chang-deok clapped his hands and stood up.

“Let’s stop looking at the pie in the sky and go eat. Now is our chance, while everyone’s attention is focused on Jang Dae-woo.”

“Ah, yes. Let’s do that.”

Ji-seop set aside his disappointment and stood up to get some food.

And it was at that moment.

“Excuse me… are you perhaps Kim Ji-seop? The special advisor to the general manager at KH Cannons…….”

A voice came from behind.

Ji-seop turned his head.

“Yes, I am Kim Ji-seop, but…….”

Ji-seop tilted his head slightly.

“Um… who are you? I don’t think I’ve met you before…….”

“Ah, I see! I’m sorry. I’ve seen your face often during baseball broadcasts, Mr. Kim, so I unconsciously developed a sense of familiarity…….”

A young man scratched the back of his head and gave an embarrassed smile.

He took out a business card from an aluminum case and held it out to Ji-seop.

“Hello, Mr. Kim. My name is Lee Jae-ik, and I work at K&L Sports.”

“Wait a minute, did you just say K&L Sports?”

A slight tension appeared on Ji-seop’s face as he accepted the business card.

“If you’re Lee Jae-ik from K&L Sports, then perhaps…….”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The man nodded.

“I am the agent for Major Leaguer Jang Dae-woo…… That’s me.”

* * *

Jang Dae-woo’s agent, Lee Jae-ik.

About 10 minutes later, Ji-seop was sitting across from him at a franchise cafe near the wedding hall.

“Thank you, Mr. Kim.”

As each of them placed their ordered coffee on the table, agent Lee Jae-ik slightly bowed his head to Ji-seop.

“Taking time out of your schedule to attend Kim Jung-gyu’s wedding… and yet, you’re giving me your time like this.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Ji-seop lightly waved his hand.

“Once you’ve given the congratulatory money, the role of a wedding guest is more than 80% over, isn’t it? Actually, more than that…….”

Slurp.

Ji-seop took a sip of his iced coffee and stared at Lee Jae-ik.

“I have no idea why Mr. Lee came to find me…….”

“Haha, are you saying we should get straight to the point? Well, that’s not a bad idea either…….”

The agent of Jang Dae-woo narrowed his eyes and continued.

“Even if you say that, I think you have a rough idea. A professional baseball team’s general manager’s aide and a player’s agent… there’s not much else for them to talk about, is there?”

“If so?”

“Yes, you’re thinking correctly.”

He nodded.

“Our player, Jang Dae-woo, is planning to end his Major League career and return to Korea this season.”

“…….”

“The reason I came to see you today, Mr. Kim… is to confirm how much interest KH Cannons has in our player, Jang Dae-woo.”

“……Ah.”

From the moment he first heard the story of ‘making time’, he had a rough idea.

Unlike what was known to the public, Jang Dae-woo might be thinking of returning to Korean professional baseball.

But as soon as he heard it like this, Ji-seop couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“If you wanted to confirm our team’s position, it would have been better to contact General Manager Seo Chang-ki directly rather than me. As a mere aide, I cannot represent the team’s position.”

“Ah, right. That’s true.”

“Besides, before discussing the extent of our team’s interest in Jang Dae-woo, I honestly find it a bit surprising.”

Ji-seop looked into the other person’s eyes and continued.

“If Jang Dae-woo returns to the Korean stage… wouldn’t he naturally go to the GeoSan Mariners?”

“…….”

“It goes without saying that his former team was the Mariners, and listening to Jang talk to people today, he seemed to have a lot of affection for his alma mater and hometown…….”

“That’s right. You’re absolutely right.”

The agent nodded.

“It’s true that Jang is a franchise star of the GeoSan Mariners, and it’s also true that the city of Busan is very meaningful to Jang. But the fact that I came to see you today, Mr. Kim… don’t you think that says quite a bit?”

It was at this moment that Ji-seop’s eyes began to gleam sharply.

“Is there… a slight rift between the GeoSan Mariners and Jang Dae-woo?”

Agent Lee Jae-ik gave a soft smile.

“……I won’t deny it.”