A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 204

52. He’s Got a Persistent Side (4)

On the very day that Ji-seop met with Park Hong-ju, the vice president of ‘Sakhalin Park,’ to report on the razor commercial.

The KH Cannons defeated the 3rd-place SH Knights, achieving a long-awaited 10-game winning streak.

Wowwww!!!

It was arguably the most dramatic victory of this entire winning streak.

The KH Cannons were initially overwhelmed, with starting pitcher Paul Owens collapsing early, falling behind 7-0 by the 4th inning.

However, as subsequent pitchers minimized additional runs, the batters gradually narrowed the score gap.

Thwack!!!

With Ryu Jang-ho’s two-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning, they finally turned the game around.

Closer Jang Dae-woo, who came up in the top of the 9th, cleanly took care of the three batters, ending the game as it was.

The final score was 10-9, marking the moment when the KH Cannons set a new franchise record for the longest winning streak.

[“Ryu Jang-ho Does It Again” … KH Cannons Defeat SH, Achieve 10-Game Winning Streak]

[A Midsummer Night’s Comeback … KH Sets Franchise Record for Longest Winning Streak]

[The Beard Brigade’s “Unstoppable Run” … First-Ever Championship Now in Sight]

Sports media outlets poured out numerous articles highlighting the KH Cannons’ winning streak.

-Today’s game was truly spine-chilling. When Ryu Jang-ho hit that home run, I almost lost it.

-lol, that’s why I was wearing a diaper from the bottom of the 7th inning.

-Shouldn’t the Cannons start preparing to advance to the US soon? It seems like there’s no one left to compete with in Korea?

-Agreed.

-That’s right.

-Instead of just sending Jang-ho to the US, let’s send the whole team.

-Oh, then would our Freeman manager finally get to be a major league manager?

-Congratulations on becoming a major league manager, Manager!!!

-You losers, the winning streak high has exceeded the lethal dose, hasn’t it?

-If you’re jealous, just say you’re jealous, you big-eared bastards.

-Well, if you’re so upset, come to Yeongsan!

-Damn it.

Internet baseball communities were overflowing with posts from Cannons fans.

“No joke, I’m starting to forget what it’s like to lose.”

“I know, right? Even when the score was 7-0 earlier, I didn’t really think we would lose.”

Even the PR team members, known for being the most tight-lipped in the front office.

Even they were talking like this, as if the Cannons’ winning streak would never end—

Where there is a beginning,

There is also an end.

The very next day after achieving their 10-game winning streak, the KH Cannons put an end to their long winning streak.

They were shut out for 7 innings by the SH Knights’ rookie pitcher, who made a surprise start, managing only four scattered hits and no runs.

They managed to create a chance with runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the 9th, but the following batters struck out and flied out to the infield, respectively.

Ryu Jang-ho, the last batter, swung with all his might at the opposing closer’s pitch, sending it far into the outfield, but even that effort was in vain.

-A high fly ball deep into the outfield! The center fielder is tracking it down… He’s got it! Game over! The SH Knights stop the KH Cannons’ 11-game winning streak!!!

The final score was 3-2.

It was the first defeat for the KH Cannons in 12 days.

* * *

A slightly different story, but

When they suggested doing a live broadcast to show the fans them shaving after the winning streak ended.

When the marketing team staff visited the players to explain their idea.

The KH Cannons players reacted as follows.

-Haha, that sounds fun, doesn’t it?

The staff who made the proposal were somewhat taken aback by the quite positive response.

-So, we’re all getting together to shave in one place? And that’s also advertising!

-We were just talking about where to go to get a shave… That sounds good!

Even when asked if a live broadcast would be difficult on a day they lost, the players responded like this.

-Oh, Deputy Manager! We’re on a 9-game winning streak right now! If we’ve won nine times in a row, it’s about time we lost once!

-It’s a secret from the fans, but we don’t put our lives on the line for every game. Frankly, we play 144 games a year, so even if we lose today, we can just win tomorrow!

-That’s right, you have to be a little detached from winning and losing to play baseball well!

We are professionals, Deputy Manager.

We don’t get too caught up in one game.

So, it doesn’t matter if we do a live broadcast on the day the winning streak ends.

The players made such confident statements in front of the marketing team staff.

Team Leader Lee Ja-young pushed for the live broadcast because of these reactions from the players—

But,

Lo and behold.

When they suffered their first defeat in almost two weeks after being struck down by the SH Knights.

And when the first-ever ‘shaving live broadcast’ was being prepared.

The expressions on the players’ faces as they appeared in the media room were so dark.

“……”

It was as if they had just come from a 10-game losing streak, not a 10-game winning streak.

No, in some ways, their expressions were even worse than when they had been on a losing streak.

The players came in with their heads bowed, sighing deeply, and looking as if the sky had fallen.

“Hello……”

The highlight was, of course, Ryu Jang-ho.

Was he still regretting not getting a hit in his last at-bat?

Unlike the other players, he hadn’t even showered, and he trudged along looking disheveled.

“Is this where I sit?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right, but……”

Although it was nominally a shaving live broadcast with all the players participating, in reality, the main focus was on Ryu Jang-ho.

The advertiser who was launching the 7-blade razor had specifically picked him as the model.

But with Ryu Jang-ho appearing with the most gloomy expression, this situation.

Not only the marketing team but also the YouTube channel staff and the advertising agency people were in a difficult position.

“Oh, what should we do, Team Leader? The atmosphere is much worse than we thought?”

“I guess I was too naive about our players’ personalities.”

Team Leader Lee Ja-young clicked her tongue softly.

“What do you mean they don’t put their lives on the line for one game? Anyone can see they’re completely putting their lives on the line……”

This won’t do.

Team Leader Lee made a quick decision.

“If the players’ atmosphere is like this, there’s no other way. It’s better to cancel today’s live broadcast.”

“Cancel?!”

The marketing team staff jumped up.

“The announcement has already been made, and we’ve contacted the advertiser. What are you going to do?”

“I’ll take responsibility, so just do it. Didn’t I tell you? The baseball team should operate with the players as the priority…… Hmm?”

Just then, Team Leader Lee Ja-young caught sight of someone.

“……Special Advisor Kim?”

It was Ji-seop.

The Cannons’ team president’s special advisor was quietly watching the players from a corner of the media room.

He suddenly approached the veteran players of the Cannons and began to say a few words.

“What is he saying?”

And after some time, what Team Leader Lee Ja-young heard was Ahn Young-chan’s energetic shout.

“Okay, okay! That’s totally easy! Leave it to me!”

After patting Ji-seop on the back, player Ahn Young-chan strode towards the main table where the camera was set up.

Lightly washing his hands in the water bowl on the table, he turned to the filming staff and said.

“Alright, how should I do it? Does the broadcast start when I say ‘Cue!’ here?”

“Yes, well, that’s right, but……”

The filming staff trailed off.

It was a good thing that a volunteer had come forward, but their interest was only in Ryu Jang-ho.

Player Ahn Young-chan, who couldn’t possibly be unaware of this situation.

He reopened his mouth in a clear voice.

“Ah, I see? It won’t look good with just me alone…… Is that what you’re saying?”

Then I have to make the picture look good!

With that, player Ahn Young-chan gestured, saying, ‘Hey, Ryu Jang-ho!’

“Come here and sit next to me!”

“Huh? Are you…… talking to me?”

“Yes, you!”

Player Ahn Young-chan picked up the ‘7-blade razor’ in question and gave a meaningful smile.

“Let’s give our kids a refreshing shave together…… with this senior!”

* * *

That’s how the live broadcast began that day.

“Hello, fans! This is Ahn Young-chan of the KH Cannons!!”

“……Ryu, Ryu Jang-ho.”

The two bowed their heads.

Originally, they should have waited a bit longer for the comments to react, but the impatient Ahn Young-chan didn’t have that kind of sense.

“We wanted to deliver the news to our fans that we had achieved an 11-game winning streak, but we are really sorry about today’s game!”

Player Ahn Young-chan bowed his head once again.

And Ryu Jang-ho awkwardly bowed his head after him.

“But there are still many games left! Promising to show our fans a really great performance in the future……”

Swish.

Ahn raised the razor.

“Today, we have prepared a time to shave off the beards we have grown and renew our determination!”

He picked up the razor and looked around.

“The first player to shave…… That’s right, let’s start with our captain!”

“……Me?”

Player Chun Jin-woo, the ‘heart of the Cannons,’ widened his eyes.

Ahn Young-chan waved his hand at Chun.

“Of course, isn’t there an order of seniority? The most senior person should step up in times like these!”

“Ah, this is……”

Unable to ignore his teammate’s earnest gesture, player Chun Jin-woo came and sat in front of the camera.

Ahn Young-chan splashed shaving cream on Chun Jin-woo’s face.

“Hey, Ahn Young-chan! Cream! You put too much cream, you idiot!”

“Oops, I’m sorry! I’m a bit out of it because of the camera. Hahaha.”

Then, Ahn Young-chan winked at Ryu Jang-ho, who was sitting next to him.

As Ryu Jang-ho took a towel and wiped Chun Jin-woo’s face a little, Ahn Young-chan picked up the razor.

Shave, shave, shave.

Ahn Young-chan, with a serious expression, shaved off the captain’s thickly grown beard.

And not long after, he tapped Chun Jin-woo on the shoulder and shouted.

“That’s it. Wipe your face!”

“Oh, is it all done?”

Player Chun Jin-woo wiped his face with the towel Ryu Jang-ho handed him and stood up.

Ahn Young-chan looked at Chun Jin-woo and asked.

“How is it? Does it feel refreshing?”

“Well, um……”

To be honest, it was a rough shave.

It was a beard that had been growing for almost two weeks, so there were many places that weren’t properly shaved.

However, it was the first time he had ever received a shave from a teammate.

Player Chun Jin-woo gave a thumbs up and said.

“Um, good!”

Player Chun Jin-woo smiled brightly.

“Is it because the razor is good? It shaves really well even if you do it roughly? I like it!”

“Thank you!”

Ahn Young-chan pointed to the camera and said.

“Now, with a refreshed feeling! Please say a word to the fans!”

“Ah, should I?”

Ahem.

Player Chun Jin-woo cleared his throat and turned his gaze towards the camera.

“Thank you sincerely for your support during the winning streak. Listening to the fans’ cheers, I was able to recall the time when I joined the Cannons about 15 years ago. At that time, it was really……”

Usually, it’s not very noticeable, but occasionally, Chun Jin-woo’s tendency to be a chatterbox comes out.

Player Ahn Young-chan quickly cut him off, saying, ‘Yes, thank you for your words!’ and then stretched his neck out and looked around at the players.

“Next!”

He shook a towel and continued.

“Is there anyone else who wants to volunteer?”

They were definitely gloomy players.

They were disappointed that they couldn’t continue the winning streak a little longer, and they felt empty about the winning streak record that had ended so futilely.

It was as if they had woken up from a sweet dream, as if a long-awaited festival had ended.

The players had entered the media room with such sullen expressions.

“No other volunteers? Really?!”

But when they saw the veteran player of the team come out and act nonchalantly.

When they saw the captain covered in white shaving cream, yelling.

And when they laughed out loud while watching that scene.

The players’ faces,

Had already brightened up.

“Me!”

Player Lee Soo-bin raised his hand.

“I’ll go next!”

“No, no, it’s my turn!”

Player Jimmy Morris raised both arms high.

“Seriously, why do you only pretend not to know Korean at times like this?”

“Sorry, Soo-bin! I don’t know difficult Korean!”

“Hey, you guys keep fighting. I’ll go get a shave first.”

“Hyung-sik hyung [older brother]! Ah, you can’t do this, hyung!”

I’ll go get it.

No, I’ll go first.

The players began to bicker with each other to get Ahn Young-chan’s ‘shaving service.’

“Wh, what is this……”

A dramatic change in atmosphere that had occurred in just a few minutes.

It was at this moment that Ji-seop quietly approached Team Leader Lee Ja-young, who was watching this situation with surprised eyes.

“Team Leader, with this kind of picture…… Isn’t it pretty good?”

“Hmm?”

“You’ll be able to see Jang-ho shaving soon too.”

Ji-seop smiled.

“Jang-ho tends to get swept up in the atmosphere. If we drive the atmosphere like this and say, ‘You do it too,’ he’ll probably try to shave without complaint.”

“Ah, really? Then there’s nothing better, but……”

More than whether a ‘picture’ was created in the live broadcast.

More than whether Ryu Jang-ho would hold the razor and smile 멋지게 [meotjige – stylishly/coolly].

There was one thing that Team Leader Lee was more curious about now.

“Ji-seop, what did you do?”

Team Leader Lee asked Ji-seop.

“What did you say to player Ahn Young-chan…… that made him step forward like that?”