A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 166

Rookie of the Baseball Team Is Too Good – Episode 166

Rookie of the Baseball Team Is Too Good Episode 166

Trade, Season No. 1 (4)

UB Guardians’ General Manager, Park Min-wook.

He was greatly embarrassed.

‘Damn it, how did this happen?’

When KH Cannons first proposed the trade of Ma Kang-sik, General Manager Park was secretly delighted.

He felt relieved that it wasn’t Dongjin Generals or Yuseong Warriors.

Unlike those general managers, KH Cannons’ Seo Chang-ki was known in the industry as the most cautious person.

‘To put it nicely, he’s cautious, but to put it badly… he’s just a stickler [someone overly concerned with minor details].’

He seemed to inherently dislike ‘dogfights’ [fierce, unrestrained competition].

Rather than wallowing in the mud to gain even a slightly larger profit, he was the type to cleanly back off once he felt he had secured a reasonable gain.

Rather than trying to squeeze everything out of the opponent, he was the type to compromise appropriately so that everyone could ‘win-win.’

So, General Manager Park was confident.

‘Honestly, we’re in a disadvantageous situation, but… if it’s General Manager Seo, I can definitely aim for a reversal!’

If he just grit his teeth and pushed forward, General Manager Seo would hesitate and back down.

General Manager Seo, who wasn’t from a player background, wouldn’t be able to handle the impulsiveness unique to former players.

It was with that confidence that Park Min-wook proposed, ‘General Manager, let’s talk a bit?’ But-

“Ahem…”

About two hours later, it was none other than General Manager Park himself who was cornered.

On this day, KH Cannons’ ‘stickler’ didn’t move according to General Manager Park’s intentions.

Whether he talked about Ma Kang-sik’s high utility value, his relatively low salary, or KH Cannons’ lack of starting pitchers, the only answer he received was:

“We cannot trade draft picks.”

That was General Manager Seo Chang-ki’s response.

“No matter what you say, the only player we can offer is Jo Sang-ik. We can add a bit more cash on top of that, but…”

“General Manager, aren’t you being too harsh? He’s Ma Kang-sik, after all. How can you suggest trading him for a second-string catcher?”

At this point, General Manager Park gritted his teeth.

If the opponent came out like this, he needed to confront them strongly.

And that ‘strong confrontation method’ had been established since the very beginning of professional baseball.

“If you continue to be so uncooperative, I have no choice! Let’s consider this negotiation as if it never happened from the start!”

Breaking off negotiations.

Park Min-wook thought that this was the most surefire move against KH Cannons’ ‘stickler.’

The Cannons were desperate for a starting pitcher. They desperately needed Ma Kang-sik’s strength.

Even if a new proposal didn’t come out immediately, he thought he could change Seo Chang-ki’s stiff attitude.

But to his surprise, what entered Park Min-wook’s view the next moment was the Cannons’ general manager’s gentle smile.

“General Manager Park, do you know what?”

“Yes? What is it?”

“The fact that you keep saying you’ll have to break off negotiations if we continue like this… this is exactly the fourth time.”

“Yes, the fourth time?!”

General Manager Park looked as if he had been hit in the back of the head.

He thought it was his ‘secret weapon,’ but he had already used it three times.

He was so overwhelmed in this negotiation that he couldn’t even remember that fact.

“Uh, uhm…”

General Manager Park was momentarily speechless.

Looking at General Manager Park, General Manager Seo opened his mouth.

“I have a vague idea why General Manager Park can’t just get up and leave.”

His tone was gentle.

“It must be because of your feelings for Ma Kang-sik.”

“…”

“A player who has dedicated himself to the team for a long time… You don’t want to tarnish such a player with the stigma of being a ‘troublemaker,’ do you?”

“Wh, what are you talking about!”

General Manager Park retorted for no reason.

“Stigma? Ma Kang-sik actually harmed the team atmosphere. It’s only because I thoroughly controlled the coaches’ words; otherwise…”

“General Manager Park.”

General Manager Seo cut off Park Min-wook’s words.

“I respect General Manager Park.”

“…Yes?”

What is he talking about again?

General Manager Park blinked.

“It’s been a long time since you retired from active duty, and no one would point fingers even if you were to move solely for the benefit of the club now… Yet, even in this situation, you’re considering the position of a much younger junior player.”

“No, that’s not it…”

General Manager Park seemed about to make more excuses, but he soon shut his mouth tightly.

Perhaps it was because he wasn’t shameless enough to deny what was true until the end.

While General Manager Park had his mouth firmly shut like a clam, General Manager Seo continued to speak calmly.

“That’s how I feel. I don’t want to treat someone like General Manager Park harshly. But this season, our Cannons are also approaching with extraordinary determination.”

“You mean you can’t make any more concessions.”

General Manager Seo nodded lightly at General Manager Park’s words.

“Yes, that’s right. But instead… I’ll promise you just one thing.”

“A promise?”

It was at this moment that an unusually firm expression appeared on General Manager Seo’s face.

“I will take good care of Ma Kang-sik so that he won’t have any hard feelings in our Cannons.”

“Oh, General Manager! Is Kang-sik a three-year-old child? What do you mean by taking care of him?”

General Manager Park replied gruffly, but General Manager Seo simply smiled.

“Although I’m not from a player background, I know the club’s situation well. I also know that players like Ma Kang-sik are often not treated as well as they should be, considering what they do.”

“Th, that’s…”

“Yes, he’s not a starting ace, nor is he a fixed closer… He always gets pushed back in the club’s evaluations. I’ll pay attention to that part.”

General Manager Seo’s eyes were serious.

“Whether it’s salary negotiations, FA [Free Agent] negotiations, or even just a word from me as general manager… I will make sure that Ma Kang-sik feels pride in his role. I promise you that.”

What do you think, General Manager Park?

General Manager Park Min-wook had been silent for a while at General Manager Seo Chang-ki’s question.

When he opened his mouth again, General Manager Park’s face was full of embarrassment.

“Haha, this is… General Manager Seo, you have a bit of a nasty side, don’t you?”

General Manager Park stroked his knees and continued.

“How can you talk so sweetly about turning a person into a ‘stone’ [someone who is heavily criticized] ?”

“…A stone?”

“Of course, a stone! When this trade is announced, won’t everyone in the world call me a stone? Saying ‘Stone Min-wook, Stone Min-wook’?”

Ah, damn it.

General Manager Park grumbled with his arms crossed.

But the next moment, the answer that General Manager Seo had been waiting for for a long time came out of his mouth.

“Still… since you say so, I have no choice. Okay, let’s do it, the trade!”

What the heck, I’ll just become a stone once.

Having made up his mind, General Manager Park gulped down the ice Americano, which had completely melted.

After putting down the glass with a ‘Kuh!’ sound, he looked at General Manager Seo and said,

“I’ll follow General Manager Seo’s wishes for the trade conditions. But in return, I have just one request.”

“A request?”

“Yes, it’s a rather personal matter…”

General Manager Park lowered his voice and began to say something.

General Manager Seo was slowly nodding as he listened to him.

* * *

2 PM the next day.

An exclusive article was posted under the name of Hwang Young-joo, a reporter for [Sports Hanseong].

[‘All-Around Pitcher’ Ma Kang-sik Goes to KH… Traded for Jo Sang-ik + 1 Billion Won]

[From Starter, Reliever, to Closer… ‘Green Light’ for Cannons’ Championship Challenge]

[UB Aiming for Championship, ‘Unexpected Choice’… Some Evaluate, “KH Got the Better of Them”]

A sweeping trade between pitcher Ma Kang-sik, who had always been on the first-team mound, and a perennial prospect catcher who was considered ‘insurance’ even in the second team.

Even considering the additional amount of 1 billion won, it was an unbalanced deal, so the internet baseball community was in an uproar.

-They traded Ma Kang-sik? Are the Guardians out of their minds? How could they make such a trade?

-Hey, your general manager seems to be a problem. The article says that the club’s staff didn’t know anything until the end?

-Aaaargh!!! What is that Stone Min-wook thinking?!?

-Damn it, I should have known since he ruined the Korean Series last year! We have the best roster ever, but the general manager is trolling?

-Don’t be like that lololol. Jo Sang-ik’s shoulder is the real deal lololol. He catches all steals lolololol

-Ah, Cannons, get lost!!!

Guardians fans were furious, Cannons fans were delighted, and other team fans were happily munching on popcorn in between.

Just as the internet baseball community was buzzing with stories about ‘Stone Min-wook.’

The key figure in this trade, Ma Kang-sik, was-

“…”

Facing someone he didn’t expect in front of the UB Guardians’ second-team training ground.

“Ah, hello, General Manager!”

Ma Kang-sik bowed deeply.

The person smiling contentedly while looking at Ma Kang-sik was none other than General Manager Seo Chang-ki.

“Oh, Ma Kang-sik! Why are you being so stiff? We’re going to be eating from the same pot now [sharing the same fate/team].”

“Ah, no, that’s…”

Ma Kang-sik raised his head and scratched the back of his head with a look that still couldn’t believe it.

“I heard that the Cannons were coming to pick me up, but I didn’t expect the general manager to come himself.”

“Ah, that?”

Here, General Manager Seo raised his head and looked at the UB Guardians’ second-team stadium.

To be exact, towards the third floor of that stadium, where the UB Guardians’ second-team front office was located.

But only for a moment, General Manager Seo replied with a bright expression.

“I had to come. Of course, I had to come myself! Ma Kang-sik is someone who will play a very important role in our Cannons, isn’t he?”

Then, with a ‘Welcome,’ Seo Chang-ki gently patted Ma Kang-sik’s rough hands.

It was perhaps natural that Ma Kang-sik took a deep breath and made a determined expression.

“I will work hard…”

As if something hot was rising from his chest, Ma Kang-sik kept clenching his teeth.

“I will really work hard, General Manager.”

“Haha, that’s good to hear. I have high expectations too. Then let’s talk about the details as we go…”

General Manager Seo opened the back door of the car he had come in, trying to get Ma Kang-sik in.

“…”

But as if something came to his mind, General Manager Seo said to Ma Kang-sik with his hand on the car door.

“But Ma Kang-sik, did you say goodbye to your general manager?”

“General manager… Do you mean General Manager Park Min-wook?”

Ma Kang-sik hesitated a little.

“No, I didn’t say goodbye separately. I heard he went to the second-team stadium, but I was so out of it today…”

That probably wasn’t the real reason.

They must have argued several times about the release issue, so it would have been awkward for Ma Kang-sik to talk to General Manager Park.

General Manager Seo, who was roughly aware of the situation, didn’t bother to ask many questions at this time.

Instead, he said one thing.

“Then let’s just say a simple goodbye here, Ma Kang-sik.”

“Here? Do you mean I should call him?”

“If you call him, can you even say it properly? Let’s just shout loudly here. ‘Thank you’… and so on.”

Come on, hurry up.

The traffic will get worse if we delay any longer.

At General Manager Seo’s urging, Ma Kang-sik reluctantly turned his body towards the second-team office.

“Th, thank you. General Manager.”

“Hey, that’s too quiet. How can they hear it inside the office with that?”

When General Manager Seo nagged, Ma Kang-sik took a deep breath and shouted.

“Thank you, General Manager!”

“Louder!”

“General Manager, thank you for everything! I’ll do well in the Cannons!!”

I’ll do wellllll.

Just as Ma Kang-sik’s thunderous voice echoed back, General Manager Seo nodded and ‘tapped’ Ma’s shoulder.

“That’s enough. Let’s go then.”

“Yes, General Manager.”

Why did he suddenly tell me to shout?

Ma Kang-sik, who was constantly tilting his head, followed General Manager Seo into the car.

Vroom, vroom-

The car carrying the Cannons people soon made a loud engine sound.

After seeming to adjust its direction for a moment, the car soon turned its head and began to run.

As the car carrying the two people disappeared from view, a sense of silence fell over the second-team stadium.

Everything became quiet, and just as the sound of someone’s batting ‘thwack! thwack!’ was faintly heard from somewhere.

Creak.

One of the windows of the Guardians’ club office was being closed indifferently.