A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 257

Chapter 65: Someday, Here Again (5)

Why a new stadium?

‘Sakhalin Park,’ Vice President Park Hong-ju, answered the question:

“You know from the reports, right? This year, our KH Cannons ranked 5th in attendance.”

A total of 647,320 cumulative spectators.

An average of about 8,990 spectators per game.

Compared to when the Cannons were struggling at the bottom, this is an increase of over 40%.

However, considering the team’s outstanding performance this season, the attendance ranking was definitely disappointing.

Popular teams like the UB Guardians and SH Knights were breaking through an average attendance of 15,000.

“I’m not blaming our marketing team. This is a problem that was foreseen from the time we were founded.”

There could be several reasons.

The KH Cannons, founded in the mid-90s, are relatively latecomers compared to other clubs.

The southern Gyeonggi area, where KH Cannons is located, has a smaller market compared to Seoul.

Or, the fans’ loyalty, which had been barely captured, disappeared as the team lingered at the bottom for a long time.

There could be various other reasons, but Sakhalin Park is focusing on this aspect.

“KH Cannons Field… our home stadium is just… lacking.”

Sakhalin Park stroked his chin.

“The accessibility is lacking, the quality of facilities is lacking, and above all, the lack of commercial facilities around the stadium is fatal. It means there are no attractive elements for people to visit.”

“So, you’re building a new stadium?” Ji-seop asked.

Sakhalin Park nodded slightly.

“That’s right. This new city of Bukyeongsan has the best conditions for the location of a new stadium.”

The highway and subway that go directly to Seoul were said to be nearing completion.

Outlets, department stores, and large discount stores were also scheduled to open soon.

If a new baseball stadium is built in such a place, KH Cannons would be able to attract more spectators than before.

“It was a stroke of genius not to sell the old Yeongsan High School site. Thanks to that, it has become much easier to push things forward.”

Sakhalin Park continued to speak for a while with a triumphant expression.

Aiming for 1 million spectators, achieving a total annual sales of 50 billion won [approximately $40 million USD], and eventually creating a baseball team that operates independently without relying on the head office.

As a baseball team employee, it was a tempting story, but Ji-seop was thinking a little differently.

‘I was worried for nothing.’

Worrying that Sakhalin Park might have become discouraged after winning the Korean Series.

Worrying that he might be wandering around, pointlessly wasting his energy, without finding any further goals.

That worry was in a corner of my mind, but it turned out that Sakhalin Park was more passionate than ever.

With a sigh of relief, Ji-seop said, “You are indeed the previous chairman’s man.”

It was Ji-seop’s impression of Sakhalin Park’s plan.

“Hmm? Chairman Ju?”

“Yes, aren’t all the things you mentioned instructions from the previous Chairman? A new home stadium, and not selling the Yeongsan High School site for this purpose…”

At this time, Ji-seop was grateful to the late Chairman Ju Tae-san.

He was grateful that Chairman Ju had a deep interest in the baseball team, and he was also grateful that he had made plans for the path the baseball team should take.

Thanks to that, KH Cannons’ ‘Cheollima’ [a mythical winged horse, symbolizing rapid progress] Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju can also cheer up, right?

If circumstances permit, I wanted to visit Chairman Ju’s grave and offer him a drink of soju [a Korean distilled spirit]-

“Why is this guy talking nonsense again out of nowhere?”

Sakhalin Park’s reaction was a bit strange.

“You have to know your place when you’re trying to brown-nose. Why is Ju Tae-san popping up when we’re talking about Cannons’ new home stadium?”

“Yes? Then, that means…”

“That’s right, you rascal!”

Sakhalin Park let out a hollow laugh.

“It’s my idea.”

KH Cannons’ new home stadium.

“This is 100% my idea.”

* * *

The story continued on the descent from the mountain.

Perhaps it is because older people take longer to descend than to climb.

Thanks to Sakhalin Park’s slower pace, Ji-seop was able to listen to his story carefully.

“Was it when I first founded KH Cannons? Looking back, that was the last time Tae-san and I clashed significantly.”

About the Cannons’ home stadium.

Sakhalin Park continued, carefully leaning on his cane.

“Chairman Ju was in favor of using the Yeongsan Citizen Stadium… that is, the current KH Cannons Field. On the other hand, I was of the opinion that a new stadium should be built from the beginning.”

A fierce debate ensued.

Chairman Ju Tae-san wanted to finish the founding work as soon as possible and join the first league.

Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju believed that it would be difficult to avoid deficits with the Yeongsan Citizen Stadium, so the construction of a new stadium should be considered first.

The two men’s argument, which almost escalated into a physical fight, eventually ended with Chairman Ju’s victory, but what kind of person is Sakhalin Park?

This stubborn old man still seemed to be dissatisfied with the debate at that time.

“Didn’t I turn out to be right? Even if we win the Korean Series, the attendance ranking was still stagnant.”

It was a debate from over 30 years ago, but Sakhalin Park seemed to feel pride in the fact that his opinion was correct.

“So, I moved more quickly this time. I had to win over Chairman Ju Young-eun, the Mayor of Yeongsan, and the Governor of Gyeonggi Province before the winning atmosphere subsided.”

It was at this moment that Sakhalin Park let out a hot breath.

“I’m going to show them for sure this time.”

His voice was firm.

“Fans will flood into the wonderfully made baseball stadium, tens of thousands of spectators will shout KH loudly, and someday… KH Cannons will stand tall as the best prestigious club in Korean professional baseball.”

I wonder about that.

Sakhalin Park let out a sinister laugh, ‘Eheheh’.

“If I make it like that and go to the afterlife someday… what kind of expression will that Ju Tae-san have? Will his face be pale? Or will he be so ashamed that his neck turns red?”

Hahahahaha!!”

Sakhalin Park burst into a hearty laugh, leaning back at the waist.

It was around the entrance of the hiking trail that he looked back at Ji-seop, continuing to speak with such a satisfied expression.

“Hey, Tsingtao!”

“Yes, Vice Chairman.”

“Keep this in mind.”

A white envelope is handed to Ji-seop through Secretary Yang.

Inside was a jet-black card.

“What… is this?”

“Can’t you tell by looking at it? It’s a card.”

Sakhalin Park answered indifferently, opening a bottle of water.

“When you go to the United States, there will be many places where you’ll need money. You’ll have to meet a lot of people too. Don’t be stingy at times like that, and use that.”

In other words, it’s an emergency fund, or a stipend.

Ji-seop was the type to jump out of bed even in his sleep at the mention of money, but at this moment, the words ‘Thank you’ didn’t come out easily.

“……”

The opponent,

was Sakhalin Park.

“Vice Chairman, I’m okay.”

Thanks to that, Ji-seop had a refreshing experience of returning a money envelope for the first time in his life.

“Even if it were money from someone else, I don’t think I could accept it from you, Vice Chairman.”

“You can’t accept it?”

“Yes, I have a conscience too.”

Ji-seop scratched the back of his head.

“You’re the one who led me to the Cannons, and you’re the one who helped me adapt well. Besides, this time, even the mathematics dispatch program……”

From that day he first met at the social baseball lesson, Sakhalin Park was the person who changed Ji-seop’s life the most.

Even if he were to repay the favor faithfully from now on, he wasn’t sure if he could repay the grace, but it didn’t make sense to receive financial support here again.

The team was supposed to cover the living expenses in the United States, and Ji-seop was shaking his head with a fairly firm attitude.

“Don’t get me wrong, you rascal.”

Sakhalin Park was showing an even more resolute attitude.

“This isn’t some kind of financial support. It’s definitely not pocket money either.”

“Then what on earth……”

“It’s a retainer.”

Sakhalin Park said.

“It will take about 7 or 8 years for the new stadium to be built. Within that time, I want to raise a general manager who can take charge of our KH Cannons. A very bright guy.”

Sakhalin Park was particularly emphasizing ‘bright.’

“A new general manager taking office at a new stadium… that guy will definitely take on a difficult role.”

It was obvious.

To attract spectators to the new stadium, a certain level of performance must be guaranteed.

However, since a considerable amount of money has been invested in the construction of the stadium, the club cannot give a lot of money to the general manager.

“A general manager who can lead the team to at least the Korean Series [championship series in Korean baseball] with a small salary scale. What I need is that kind of general manager.”

“Th, then what you’re saying, Vice Chairman, is……”

Half expectation, half anxiety.

Ji-seop asked with that kind of heart, but Sakhalin Park did not answer this question.

Instead, what he spat out gruffly was the following remark.

“You know my personality, right?”

“Yes?”

“I basically don’t enjoy debates. Chairman Ju Tae-san liked that kind of thing, but I hate it. It’s so annoying when someone objects to what I say. So, I’m saying this……”

‘Sakhalin Park’ Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju.

The last instruction he gave to Ji-seop was delivered at this time.

“Hey, Kim Ji-seop.”

“Yes? Ah, yes, yes.”

It was the first time Sakhalin Park had called Ji-seop’s name, so Ji-seop answered with a slightly embarrassed feeling.

“You guessed right. When that new stadium is completed, I’m thinking of recommending you, Ji-seop, as the new general manager of the KH Cannons.”

“M, me……”

“Then you don’t need me to explain further what you have to do in the future, right?”

The next moment, Ji-seop could feel the hair on his whole body standing on end.

“When I mention your name, you have to make it so that no one dares to raise an objection.”

I like that.

Sakhalin Park said firmly.

“There must be no one who challenges your career. There must be no one who questions your skills. Remember this. The only objection I can tolerate that day is one.”

“One…… what?”

“Would someone like Mr. Kim Ji-seop come to Korea? Isn’t that realistically difficult……? Yes, I will forgive that kind of objection with my generous heart.”

The corners of Sakhalin Park’s mouth went up.

“Then wouldn’t that save my face? Don’t worry! Kim Ji-seop is a guy who will run over with his eyebrows fluttering at just one phone call from me! I’ll be able to say that.”

As if he was happy just imagining it, Sakhalin Park burst out laughing and patted Ji-seop on the back.

“Can you do it?”

At Sakhalin Park’s question, Ji-seop had no choice but to hesitate slightly.

“……”

It was because so many emotions filled his heart at that moment.

He was glad that Sakhalin Park, who had been trying to carry on Chairman Ju Tae-san’s legacy all his life, had finally set his own goal.

Considering Sakhalin Park’s formidable actions, he was also very much looking forward to the new home stadium of the KH Cannons.

But the new general manager who will be the crowning glory of that grand plan, could he really be a person who is suitable for the position of general manager?

That slightest hesitation disappeared when he ‘intently’ looked into Sakhalin Park’s eyes.

[That guy Ji-seop…… why isn’t he answering and is stalling?]

[Could it be that he’s thinking of going to the United States and never coming back?]

[Huh, that would be troublesome? Should I buy him an expensive meal and coax him?]

On the outside, he was wearing a dignified expression, but on the inside, Sakhalin Park was watching Ji-seop’s every move.

Ironically, Ji-seop was feeling confidence welling up like a spring from deep inside his heart at this time.

‘Hehe, you used to make me pay even after eating together…….’

Now he’s buying me a meal.

He’s even buying me an expensive meal.

If he had brought about this much change in just two years, wouldn’t he be able to create even bigger changes in the next 7 or 8 years?

‘Okay, let’s do it.’

Ji-seop’s face brightened.

Let’s do it. Let’s bump into it.

He came all the way here from the Chinese semi-professional league, so what else is there to be afraid of?

Having reached this point, Ji-seop was saying with a brighter expression than ever before.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Wh, what?”

Sakhalin Park twitched his eyebrows.

“What do you mean you’ll think about it? Are you saying you don’t like my offer?”

“No, I like it. You’re saying you’ll even make me a general manager if I work hard, so what’s not to like? However……”

“However what?”

“If I delay my answer a little, I think I can get breakfast from you, Vice Chairman.”

“Breakfast? Breakfast?”

“Yes, you ripped me off a lot in the past, Vice Chairman, didn’t you? Saying that I have to buy breakfast with my own money……”

At Ji-seop’s words, Sakhalin Park let out a hollow laugh as if he was dumbfounded.

“So what you’re saying is, I have to get the breakfast that I couldn’t get back then today…… is that what you mean?”

“Yes, I want to get it. I’ll give you my answer then.”

“Hehe, you rascal! Who would say you’re not going to the major league, you’re already trying to suck people’s marrow from the start?”

Okay, good! Let’s do that.

Sakhalin Park gestured greatly.

“If you say that much, what can I do? Let’s go, let’s go and have a hearty bowl of rice soup [a common Korean breakfast] while we talk.”

“Then can I order a special today?”

“Damn it, you’re a terrible guy.”

Okay, do as you please.

Looking at Sakhalin Park shaking his head, Ji-seop was slowly moving towards the parking lot.

It was the morning exactly ten days before he boarded the plane to the United States.