A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 246

62. The Day Dreams Came True (4)

Clang!

At that moment, the SH Knights’ last batter hit a high fly ball towards the third base foul territory.

-It’s up in the air!

The announcer in the broadcast booth, almost simultaneously with relaying the situation, turned his eyes to the memo attached to the side of the monitor.

Among the numerous candidates, one phrase was highlighted with fluorescent markers.

It was the ‘victory call’ for the KH Cannons that the announcer had been racking his brains over for the past few days.

-The third baseman moves one step to the left, then another… and catches it!!! That’s the final out of the game!

-Cannons fans, the news you’ve been waiting for so long, the news you’ve been so desperately waiting for, we can finally deliver it to you now!

-The champions of this year’s Korean Series are the KH Cannons! They achieve their first-ever championship, and even a *tonghap* [integrated] championship following their regular season win, establishing themselves as a new powerhouse in Korean professional baseball!

Wow!!!

Amidst the fans’ roaring cheers, the players burst out of the dugout and rushed onto the field.

The players expressed their joy by hugging Lee Soo-bin, who caught the final out, putting him in a headlock, and even piling on top of him.

Of course, from Lee Soo-bin’s perspective, lying on the bottom, he might have felt his life was in danger.

“Agh!! Wait a minute! The ball! The ball is under my stomach! Just take this out… Ughhhh!!”

While the players were expressing their joy with violent gestures, Manager Arthur Freeman was shaking hands with the coaching staff in the dugout.

“Good work, everyone.”

“You’ve worked hard, Manager.”

First, he shook hands with the head coach.

“Good job, Coach Jang.”

“T, thank you, Manager!!”

He also shook hands with the hitting coach.

“Coach Kim, you did a really great job.”

“Ah, no! I didn’t do anything…”

Following him were the first-team base running and defense coach, the battery coach, and even the bullpen coach who hurriedly ran over from the outfield bullpen.

After shaking hands firmly with each of the coaching staff, Manager Arthur Freeman finally turned his gaze to this person.

“Hey, Ji-seop!”

“Manager.”

Seeing Ji-seop taking off his hat and approaching, Manager Arthur Freeman gave a gentle smile.

He probably had a lot to say to him. He probably had many things he wanted to praise him for.

However, having achieved the Korean Series championship, the winning manager couldn’t leisurely sit down and bring up each of those many stories.

Was that why? The words Arthur Freeman gave to Ji-seop at this time were very short.

“Your uniform looks great on you today.”

A word he gave while shaking hands with Ji-seop.

Of course, Ji-seop was someone who could understand all the hidden meanings in that short word.

“Thank you, Manager.”

Ji-seop replied.

“It was all thanks to you, Manager.”

* * *

Perhaps it was a natural thing,

This night became a time solely for the KH Cannons.

“Hey! Stop it! Ugh, s, stop it, I said!”

“Oh, Coach! How can we stop? You always said you wanted to drink champagne, right?”

“Drink a lot! We love you so much, Coaach!”

Splash.

The players, who had changed into championship commemorative t-shirts, took out bottles of champagne one by one and performed a championship celebration.

“Alright, we’re going to take a picture! Make your expressions bright! One, two, three!”

“Sam- Jin-”

Click, click, click.

They also took commemorative photos with the Korean Series championship trophy in the center.

“Seniors! Coach Nam has arrived! I heard he came all the way from the hospital, so we should give him a celebratory toss!”

“Oh, we should! If it’s Coach Nam, we can give him a toss! Come here!”

“Hey, what celebratory toss? My knee isn’t fully healed yet… Ugh, you brats, really!”

Heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho!

Finally, a celebratory toss service for Manager Arthur Freeman and the coaching staff.

“…Are you alright?”

“My knee is fine because it’s in a cast, but I think I might have twisted my back a little… Ugh, those beast-like guys!”

After the ceremony at the stadium ended, the Cannons team immediately moved to their away *sukso* [lodging].

And what followed was a Korean Series championship celebration prepared by the KH Group headquarters.

“I remember the day I first visited Yeongsan Citizen’s Baseball Stadium with the late Chairman. The sky was clear without a single cloud, the *haetsal* [sunshine] was warm, and the *moseup* [image] of the players sweating profusely during training is still in my memory…”

Before the *beokgyeokjeogin* [full-scale] celebration, congratulatory speeches from high-ranking officials of the club were held.

Chairman Joo Young-eun of KH Group, acting owner and Vice Chairman Park Hong-joo, and the presidents of group affiliates who provided generous subsidies to the KH Cannons.

Following them were Manager Arthur Freeman’s championship *sogam* [impressions] announcement, General Manager Seo Chang-gi’s official championship report, and the event where Ryu Jang-ho, who won the MVP award in this Korean Series, presented the trophy to Chairman Joo, but.

“It’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming!!!”

“Ooooooh!!!”

The most enthusiastic reaction among the Cannons players that day erupted at this moment.

It was when the hotel staff brought in a cart carrying what looked like a really old *sulbyeong* [liquor bottle] into the celebration hall.

“S, senior! Is that it? Is that the *jeonseol* [legendary] *myeongju* [famous liquor] that you always talk about…?”

Lee Soo-bin asked the senior players, lowering his voice as much as possible.

“Yes, it’s the *sul* [liquor] that the late Chairman Joo Tae-san prepared. He intended to use it as a *chukahaju* [celebratory drink] when our Cannons win the Korean Series.”

“Wow, I never thought I’d taste that *sul* [liquor] in my life… This day has finally come!”

Chairman Joo Tae-san was known to have a special affection for the baseball team.

At the same time, Chairman Joo Tae-san was said to have expertise in *sul* [liquor] that was beyond that of an average expert.

It was *sul* [liquor] that the late Chairman had prepared himself. How delicious would it be, how deep would the *hyang* [fragrance] be?

With the players’ eyes shining brightly, each of their *jan* [glasses] was filled to the brim.

“Alright, then let’s all *geonbae* [toast] together. Congratulations on the KH Cannons’ Korean Series *jepae* [domination]!”

“Congratulations!”

Clink.

People carefully clinked their *jan* [glasses], trying not to spill even a drop of the precious *sul* [liquor].

And then, they poured the *jeonseol* [legendary] *myeongju* [famous liquor] into their mouths, but-

“…”

What came back was a somewhat *sigeumteolteolhan* [sour and bland] reaction.

Some tilted their heads, some smacked their lips, and some looked into their empty *jan* [glasses], wondering, ‘Did I drink it right?’

Because it was *sul* [liquor] that the late Chairman had prepared, no one dared to say it out loud, but Ji-seop could read people’s minds.

[Somehow… it’s just so-so than I expected?]

[Isn’t this just ordinary soju? It’s definitely strong, though…]

[Is this really the *sul* [liquor] that the late Chairman prepared? He kept such a *sul* [liquor] for over 30 years?]

The *sul* [liquor]’s *mat* [taste] was very different from what they had expected.

Ji-seop vaguely understood the reason after looking at ‘Sakhalin Park’ Vice Chairman Park Hong-joo.

[Damn it, I didn’t know all the *sul* [liquor] in the jar would evaporate… I made a ridiculous mistake.]

Sakhalin Park kept clearing his throat.

[Well, I still got some relatively expensive soju to replenish it… No one noticed, right?]

No, Vice Chairman.

I think everyone noticed now.

* * *

The celebration that was held at the KH Cannons’ Gyeonggi area away *sukso* [lodging] that day.

The *moseup* [image] that was *gonggae* [revealed] to the *eolleon* [media] was only up to the point when they were *geonbae* [toasting] with the *chukahaju* [celebratory drink].

After that, all the *gija* [reporters] left, and it was a time solely for the Cannons *sikgu* [family].

The players were enjoying the night of the Korean Series championship in their own ways.

“Okay, okay! I will show you our best player! Hey, Jang-ho! Jang-ho! Where are you!”

‘Ace’ Jimmy Morris was *doradanineun* [wandering] around the celebration hall, looking for Ryu Jang-ho while broadcasting on the internet with his *haendeupon* [cell phone].

“That’s right. I also think that was the *teoning pointeu* [turning point] of this Korean Series. A *posu* [catcher] should, you know, focus on the basics, especially in important games! Yes, the basics. Speaking of the basics, it reminds me of…”

“Excuse me, Cheon Jin-woo player? Sorry, but when can we hear your *pyeongga* [evaluation] of *posu* [catcher] Kwon Jung-min?”

“Just a moment, it’s almost done!”

It was *jujang* [captain] Cheon Jin-woo player who was properly showing the *gija* [reporters] who were *giutgeorineun* [peeking] around the celebration hall with the idea of writing an *dandok* [exclusive] article, the *museoum* [horror] of a ‘too much talker’.

“Hey, wait a minute, *seonbae* [senior]! Even so, isn’t posting a *panmaegleul* [sales post] here a bit too much?”

“Hey, don’t say things you don’t know. There’s an old saying that seeing is wanting. If I have it, I’ll want to use it, so it’s best to sell it quickly!”

It was Cannons’ ‘*yeonbonghyeopsang iltagangsa* [top-tier salary negotiation instructor]’ Ahn Young-chan player who was *olligo* [posting] the new *haendeupon* [cell phone] that Chairman Joo Young-eun *jigeup* [provided] as a *ginyeompum* [souvenir] on a *junggo panmae* [used goods sales] site.

‘Even on the day we won the Korean Series… everyone’s actions are still the same, huh?’

The Cannons players were *wakjajigeolhage* [boisterously] *tteodeureodaego* [chattering], in the same *moseup* [appearance] that Ji-seop knew.

Some of those who were weak in *sul* [liquor] had already fallen asleep with their faces on the table, so Ji-seop started *omgigi* [moving] them with a few club *jigwon* [staff].

“Alright, Sung-joon! Shim Sung-joon? Open your eyes a little! You’re too big, so we can’t carry you!”

“Ah, yes, Special Correspondent… You have to get enough *jam* [sleep] to prevent *geunsonsil* [muscle loss].”

Because they were all big guys, sweat was beading on my forehead after *omgigo* [moving] just one person.

Just as I was about to *ollyeobonaego* [send up] four or five players to their *gaeksil* [rooms], Operations Team Manager Cha Yoon-jin *chatatda* [found] Ji-seop.

“Special Correspondent Kim! Special Correspondent Kim!”

“Ah, yes, Manager.”

Ji-seop, about to *deureo ollyeoryeoda* [lift up] the fallen Kyung Sun-woo, approached ‘Black Curtain Cha Cha’.

“Ah, there you are. Ugh, why are you sweating so much?”

“Ah, yes, just for a moment…”

As Ji-seop awkwardly smiled and *humchija* [wiped] the *heureuneun* [flowing] *ttam* [sweat], Cha Yoon-jin opened her mouth again with a serious *pyojeong* [expression].

“Quickly *jeongdon* [tidy up] your clothes and *nektai* [tie], and go up to the 17th floor right away.”

“The 17th floor?”

Instantly, Ji-seop’s *meori* [head] *hoejeonhaetda* [rotated] quickly.

The 17th floor of this hotel was where the *seuwiteurum* [suite rooms] were located.

If it was someone who usually used it, it would be Manager Arthur Freeman, General Manager Seo Chang-gi, and occasionally Vice Chairman Park Hong-joo.

Just as I was thinking about which of these three was *chatneun* [looking for] me, a slightly unexpected *dapbyeon* [answer] came from Cha Yoon-jin’s *ip* [mouth].

“It seems the Chairman is *chatneun* [looking for] you.”

She continued.

“The *chingu* [friends] from headquarters were saying something about ‘*suhak pakyeon* [math dispatch]’…”

And the next moment.

For the first time since joining the Cannons, Ji-seop could see a slight *ashwium* [disappointment] *tteooreuneun* [rising] on the face of ‘Black Curtain Cha Cha’.

“Special Correspondent Kim, maybe next year… you won’t be with the Cannons?”