A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 130

34. Guaranteeing a Permanent Retirement Number (4)

The next day, in the afternoon.

Jisub was visiting Busan Yeonje High School.

Along with Gyeongnam High and Busan High, it was considered one of the best baseball high schools in the Busan area.

As befitting a school that had produced numerous professional players, there was a decent indoor training facility in one corner of the playground.

*Screech-*

As he opened the door to the indoor training facility, an intense heat washed over Jisub’s face.

And in the middle of that heated atmosphere, the person who was busy guiding the junior players was none other than Jang Dae-woo, a franchise star from the Mariners.

A Busan man through and through.

Currently, he was a player for the New York Mets.

“Hello, Player Jang Dae-woo!”

Timing his greeting to coincide with the student-athletes taking a break, Jisub greeted him with an energetic voice.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, upon seeing Jisub, Player Jang Dae-woo wore an expression of thinly veiled annoyance.

“Ah, yes… Hello.”

After patting the shoulder of the junior player he had been coaching, Player Jang Dae-woo approached Jisub.

He used a strong Busan dialect with agent Lee Jae-ik, who was also from the same high school, but he had been using fairly refined standard Korean with Jisub.

“Kim Jisub… Was it? Are you with KH Cannons as a special advisor to the team manager?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Jisub nodded.

“I asked our scout in charge of the Bukyong area, and he said that Player Jang has been teaching the younger players at his alma mater these days. So, I came to see you.”

“Ah, is that so? Well, Director Ryu of Cannons did visit me once last week, but…”

*What brings you all the way here?*

To Player Jang Dae-woo’s curt question, Jisub replied with a bright expression.

“Haha, what else could it be? I came to show Player Jang Dae-woo some sincerity.”

“*Our*… Player Jang Dae-woo, you say.”

Player Jang Dae-woo made a ‘pfft’ sound, as if letting out air.

“First of all, I apologize for yesterday. Whatever the circumstances, I ended up behaving inappropriately toward a club employee.”

“Oh, don’t mention it.”

“But, perhaps because of that incident… Anyway, I don’t think you’ll misunderstand what I’m about to say.”

Player Jang Dae-woo stated firmly.

“I don’t know what our agent told you, but I have no intention of sitting at the negotiation table with any club other than the Geosan Mariners.”

*So please go back.*

The Geosan Mariners’ franchise star was showing a very stubborn attitude.

However, since this was within expectations, Jisub responded without batting an eye.

“Player Jang, you seem to have misunderstood me a little. I haven’t even mentioned the word ‘negotiation’.”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I came here today to show Player Jang some sincerity.”

“Sincerity… you say?”

Player Jang Dae-woo tilted his head.

Just as he was about to say something again, the indoor training facility door opened with a ‘screech’.

“Damn it! What kind of school is so big? It takes forever to find the indoor training facility!”

The person who entered the indoor training facility while grumbling was none other than ‘Sakhalin Park’ [a nickname referring to his aggressive business tactics], Vice Chairman Park Hong-joo.

This was the ‘first act of sincerity’ that Jisub had prepared for Player Jang Dae-woo.

* * *

No matter how great Player Jang Dae-woo was, it seemed he couldn’t help but show respect in front of the acting owner of a team.

“Please, wait here for a moment.”

The coach’s waiting room was a small room attached to the indoor training facility.

Player Jang Dae-woo, who had guided Jisub and Sakhalin Park to this place, was gathering paper cups and instant coffee with a bewildered expression.

“I’ll go get you a cup of coffee. It has sugar and creamer in it… Is that okay with you?”

“Oh, that’s fine! Everything has to be in there to be delicious, right? Take your time.”

“Ah, yes, thank you. Then…”

Player Jang Dae-woo, shuffling awkwardly to get hot water, left the waiting room.

Vice Chairman Park Hong-joo was watching Player Jang’s retreating figure and chuckling to himself.

“Jang Dae-woo, that fellow… he has an unexpectedly cute side to him.”

That was Vice Chairman Park’s impression.

“I thought he was a friend who made a name for himself in the United States, so I assumed he would be stiff and formal in front of me.”

“I’ve heard that he’s always been meticulous about respecting elders.”

That was the public’s assessment of Player Jang Dae-woo.

Jisub had grasped even more in-depth information.

“The reason Player Jang is showing such a bewildered reaction now is… well, it must be because of his negotiation experience with the Geosan Mariners.”

“Negotiation experience with the Mariners?”

“Yes, didn’t I tell you yesterday? The Geosan Mariners didn’t even send the team manager, let alone the general manager, to the negotiation.”

When agent Lee Jae-ik pointed this out, Jang Dae-woo outwardly showed a nonchalant expression.

Jang Dae-woo said that he was well acquainted with the Mariners’ team manager, so he didn’t care about such formalities.

But Jisub had seen through it all.

Neither the team manager nor the operations team leader came.

Player Jang Dae-woo was quite hurt inside by Geosan Mariners’ dismissive negotiation attitude.

“In this situation, the vice chairman, who is the acting owner of Cannons, came to visit in person. From Player Jang Dae-woo’s point of view, he must be flustered, grateful… well, something like that.”

“So far, things have gone according to our plan… So, should I just do as Tsingtao [likely a code name or reference] told me from now on?”

“Yes, please.”

“Hmm.”

Jisub and Sakhalin Park.

While the two, who had been working together since the company baseball tournament a long time ago, were exchanging meaningful glances, the major leaguer in question appeared with coffee on a tray.

“Thank you for going to the trouble…”

The acting owner’s sudden visit.

Still, while making coffee, that bewildered feeling seemed to have subsided to some extent.

Player Jang Dae-woo, who had returned to his usual composed expression, was opening his mouth with that firm tone.

“I really appreciate the acting owner taking the time to visit in person. But Vice Chairman, I…”

“I know, my friend.”

The impatient Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju cut Player Jang Dae-woo off mid-sentence.

“You mean you absolutely want to play for the Geosan Mariners, right? I know, I’ve heard it a few times…”

Let me ask you one thing.

Vice Chairman Park’s large frame leaned towards Player Jang Dae-woo.

“What’s the reason for that?”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t want to hear any of that pie-in-the-sky stuff about wanting to finish strong or not being able to leave your hometown team… I’m asking what your concrete reason is for wanting to return to the Geosan Mariners.”

“C, concrete reason, you say?”

Player Jang Dae-woo was taken aback by the sudden question.

Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju bluntly threw a fastball right at Jang’s face.

“Our Special Advisor Kim here thinks you’re aiming for a retired number with the Geosan Mariners…”

I want to hear it from your own mouth.

Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju’s sharp gaze turned towards Player Jang Dae-woo.

“Is that true? Is what you want… a retired number with the Geosan Mariners?”

* * *

Wanting a retired number.

Most players usually wave their hands at such a question.

How could I possibly hope for something like that?

It’s not something I can achieve on my own.

Even if they have such thoughts, showing this kind of reaction is the generally accepted attitude.

But was it because Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju had thrown such a blatant ‘fastball’?

Or was it because the return to his hometown team wasn’t going as smoothly as he had hoped, which frustrated him?

That day, Player Jang Dae-woo gave a direct answer that even Jisub was surprised by.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Player Jang Dae-woo nodded readily.

“That’s exactly what I meant. I’m aiming for a retired number with the Geosan Mariners. That’s why I’m trying to return to the Mariners at all costs.”

He continued.

“It’s similar now, but… the Geosan Mariners when I played were always at the bottom of the league. Thanks to that, I’ve never won a Korean Series [championship series in Korean baseball], and my career stats aren’t great compared to other players with similar skills.”

“Hmm.”

“I was hoping things might be different if I went to the States… but it was even harder there. It’s not easy to win individual titles, and winning the World Series is out of the question.”

He hadn’t achieved any significant glory in Korea, and the situation was similar in the United States.

In the meantime, time passed relentlessly, and before he knew it, his career was nearing its end.

In this situation, the last glory that baseball player Jang Dae-woo could think of was a retired number with the Geosan Mariners.

“Honestly, do you think I have no feelings? Other team players are welcomed with the best treatment when they come back from the States, but I haven’t even seen the general manager’s face properly…”

Player Jang Dae-woo scratched his head vigorously.

“It pisses me off. I’m really angry. But what can I do? If I want to get my number retired, I have no other choice but the Geosan Mariners…”

Damn it.

Seeming frustrated himself, Player Jang Dae-woo gulped down the still-hot coffee.

It was at this moment that Jisub opened his mouth with a subtle expression towards Player Jang Dae-woo.

“Player Jang Dae-woo, I understand what you’re saying… but I’m not sure if the situation will go as you expect.”

“Excuse me?”

Player Jang Dae-woo’s eyes widened.

“What… what do you mean by that?”

“What do you think is the reason why the Geosan Mariners are lukewarm about acquiring Player Jang? Isn’t it because the Mariners are rebuilding right now?”

Rebuilding. The process of improving the team’s constitution.

It involves clearing out high-salary players and focusing on developing new prospects to build a foundation for future championships.

For the upcoming season, the Geosan Mariners had publicly announced ‘rebuilding’ as the team’s goal.

“Not a young age, not a small salary… To put it bluntly, Player Jang Dae-woo is not a necessary resource for the Mariners right now. In fact, there’s a high possibility that he’ll be a hindrance.”

“…….”

“Considering that, it would be best to return to the Korean league around the time the Mariners’ rebuilding is finished… but the problem is that it’s not easy to time a contract with a Major League team so perfectly.”

“No, so… what are you trying to say?”

Player Jang Dae-woo was slightly annoyed.

“Coming back now won’t help the team much, and there’s a high possibility of realistic problems if I come back later… So what do you want me to do? Are you telling me to just give up on the retired number? Give up and join the Cannons… is that what you’re saying?”

Jisub’s answer to this was as follows.

“Half right and half wrong.”

“What did you say?”

“It’s true that we want you to join our Cannons. But that doesn’t mean we want you to give up on the Mariners’ retired number.”

“Wh, what does that mean…”

Player Jang Dae-woo chuckled in disbelief.

“Are you kidding me? If I join the Cannons, will the Mariners fans stay still? Even if I return to the Mariners later, it’s obvious that it will negatively affect my chances of getting my number retired…”

“That would be the case with a normal contract. But Player Jang Dae-woo, our Cannons have prepared a contract that can even satisfy the Mariners fans.”

“Even the Mariners fans?”

The current Major League pitcher blinked, not understanding.

Jisub presented Jang Dae-woo with a ‘secret weapon’ that he had prepared in advance.

“If Player Jang Dae-woo joins our Cannons, the acting owner here will make one promise.”

As if receiving an oath, Jisub looked at Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju, who was sitting next to him.

When Vice Chairman Park nodded silently, Jisub turned his gaze to Player Jang Dae-woo.

“Even if Player Jang Dae-woo joins the Cannons, we promise that he will not play against the Geosan Mariners.”

“…What?!”

“Of course, this special clause will also be announced to the media.”

Jisub continued.

“Although you are joining the Cannons for realistic reasons, Player Jang’s heart will never allow him to throw a ball against the Mariners hitters!”

Wow.