A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 41

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good – Episode 41

Chapter 12: Once an Ace (2)

The shocking decision to replace foreign pitcher Jimmy Morris.

To be honest, Ji-seop initially had no intention of stirring up trouble.

Looking at it objectively, it was Jimmy Morris’s own fault, and Ji-seop had already achieved his original goal of transitioning Go Chang-deok to a full-time position.

Realistically, he didn’t think there was much he could do for Jimmy Morris, especially since he didn’t even have an official role with the baseball team yet.

However, people’s actions aren’t always dictated by cold, calculated judgments.

“Hey, Ji-seop!”

Just a few hours after hearing about the foreign pitcher replacement from Department Head Jo Seong-beom.

Jimmy Morris, ‘the pitcher in question,’ called out to Ji-seop while he was eating dinner.

“Can you come in a little early starting tomorrow morning? Around 7 AM would be perfect.”

“7 AM? Why?”

“What do you mean, why? You think I’m asking you out on a date? I need you to help me train.”

Jimmy Morris continued.

“I’ve decided to start doing some light running with Ryu [likely referring to Ryu Jang-ho, another player] tomorrow morning. A strong lower body is crucial for throwing good pitches.”

“…….”

Ji-seop was momentarily speechless.

Jimmy Morris seemed to interpret Ji-seop’s expression as simple annoyance.

“Hey, you don’t have to look so grumpy, alright? It’s not like I *want* to run with you. But what can I do? The team rules say foreign players have to have a translator with them, right?”

“Well, that’s… true.”

When Ji-seop reluctantly nodded, Jimmy Morris slammed his fist on the table as if the matter was settled.

“Then it’s settled… See you tomorrow morning! Don’t be late. I really hate it when things get messed up because of tardiness. Got it?”

With those words, Jimmy Morris swaggered out of the cafeteria.

As Ji-seop stared blankly at his retreating figure, he heard Go Chang-deok sigh heavily in his ear.

“Ugh, that idiot…”

‘That idiot,’ the phrase laden with meaning.

Go Chang-deok, who hadn’t been able to eat much and was just glancing around, turned to Ji-seop and began to speak.

“Ji-seop, I can’t just stand by. Even if I get yelled at, I have to do something now…”

“Yes.”

Ji-seop already knew what Go Chang-deok was going to say.

He didn’t even need to ‘stare intently’ into his eyes to know.

“You’re saying we should try to persuade the higher-ups one last time, aren’t you?”

“Hehe.”

Go Chang-deok chuckled bitterly and nodded.

“Ji-seop, you’re really… like a mind reader, you know?”

It was a phrase that had become a habit.

* * *

Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok decided to attempt a ‘final plea’ on behalf of Jimmy Morris, who seemed to have come to his senses.

In reality, they didn’t have many options.

‘It might be best to talk to Department Head Jo Seong-beom directly…’

But that man was currently very angry with Jimmy Morris.

However, if they talked to senior staff at the assistant manager level, the problem was that they didn’t have enough influence to discuss replacing Jimmy Morris.

After eliminating the options one by one, Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok eventually settled on one person.

“Wait a minute, I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying right now?”

It was Section Chief Cha Yun-jin, known as ‘Black Curtain Cha’ [a nickname implying she operates behind the scenes].

“So, you’re telling me you guys knew Jimmy Morris was acting like a complete fool?”

“…Yes, Section Chief.”

When Ji-seop nodded, ‘Black Curtain Cha’ predictably started to get angry.

“Are you kidding me right now? You should have reported that immediately! Who do you think you are, holding onto information and trying to handle it yourselves? What exactly are you two, anyway?”

“…….”

“If the Department Head had found out about this, your full-time conversion and everything else would be gone, you frustrating guys!”

“This is basic procedure, completely basic.”

Section Chief Cha Yun-jin scolded Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok with a fearsome demeanor.

“This time, it’ll pass without incident, but reporting is fundamental. The higher-ups need to know what you’re doing so that… even if something goes wrong, they can cover for you.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“This is the first time, so I’ll let it slide… but don’t handle things like this again. I really won’t stand for it then, you hear?!”

Then, Section Chief Cha Yun-jin let out a long sigh.

Perhaps she thought the scolding was enough, or perhaps she was reminded of Ji-seop’s insight during the practice game setup.

She turned to Ji-seop with a much softer voice and said.

“So, what’s your opinion? Do you think it’s better not to replace Jimmy Morris?”

“Yes, I think so.”

Ji-seop continued.

“It’s true that Morris hasn’t always been dedicated, but… his attitude has completely changed since Ryu Jang-ho has been working with him.”

Ji-seop deliberately emphasized the name ‘Ryu Jang-ho’.

In KH Cannons, Ryu Jang-ho was highly regarded and influential.

“His training attitude has also improved, and he seems motivated to have a good season this year. The result was his performance in the last practice game.”

“Looking at the data, it’s true that he’s showing a clear recovery trend.”

Go Chang-deok supported Ji-seop’s words.

“He needs to increase his velocity a bit more, but his control has recovered considerably. The spin rate of the ball is also better than it was at the beginning of last season.”

Go Chang-deok handed over the data he had obtained from the power analysis team, and Section Chief Cha Yun-jin slowly nodded.

“Actually, it would be wise to save the foreign player replacement card for later…”

“Okay, I understand for now.”

Section Chief Cha Yun-jin said.

“I can’t ignore the opinions of the people who have been watching the player most closely. I’ll talk to the Department Head about your concerns when the timing is right.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, Section Chief.”

Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok bowed their heads deeply, but Section Chief Cha Yun-jin waved her hand as if to say, ‘Don’t overdo it’.

“But don’t get your hopes up too high. Strictly speaking, it’s almost overstepping my authority for me to be involved in the selection of foreign players.”

“…Yes?”

It was at this moment that Go Chang-deok tilted his head.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Huh? What?”

“No, we…”

Go Chang-deok glanced at Ji-seop slyly and then turned his head.

“We just assumed that the Section Chief was naturally in charge of selecting foreign players.”

“Me? Why?”

“Well, because…”

Because the process was proceeding so quickly.

Normally, the search for foreign players takes more than a month.

However, this time, KH Cannons found a new foreign player candidate in less than ten days.

They even went beyond simply finding them and had them come to Okinawa for a tryout.

There was no concrete evidence, but Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok vaguely guessed that ‘Black Curtain Cha’ was the only person in KH who could handle things this quickly.

However, the reality seemed to be a little different.

“I’m grateful that you see me as capable, but… how could I possibly be involved in foreign player selection? How many jobs do I already have?”

“Then?”

“This time, it’s the result of the efforts of a local scout in the United States. Thanks to that friend’s hard work, we were able to proceed quickly.”

KH Cannons’ local scout in the United States.

As Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok blinked, Section Chief Cha Yun-jin reacted as if she was surprised.

“What, what are those expressions? Don’t tell me you guys didn’t know who our team’s overseas scout was?”

The atmosphere felt as if not knowing was a big mistake.

The next moment, Ji-seop could vaguely grasp why ‘Black Curtain Cha’ was reacting this way.

“Our team’s overseas scout… is Jonathan Stewart.”

“Jo, Jonathan, you mean…”

Go Chang-deok’s eyes widened.

“The ace who used to play for the Cannons… that Jonathan?”

* * *

Jonathan Stewart.

It was a name Ji-seop had also heard.

In the mid to late 2000s, KH Cannons suffered from weak pitching compared to their strong offense.

The only pitcher who consistently performed well and earned the title of ‘Ace’ at the time was Jonathan Stewart.

Of course, depending on the person, their memories of him might be slightly different.

“The Cannons fans were all praising him as a ‘lonely ace’ or whatever… but people like me just called him ‘dog bone’.”

Go Chang-deok said with a smirk.

“Dog bone? Why ‘dog bone’?”

“I don’t remember exactly when it was… but anyway, Jonathan said this in an interview once.”

It was the day he had to start after only three days of rest due to the team’s circumstances.

When asked by a reporter if starting after only three days of rest would be a burden on his body, Jonathan Stewart replied:

-It’s okay. I’m throwing with the determination to be buried in KH [referring to the KH Cannons team].

It was a truly touching comment for the Cannons fans, but it didn’t sit well with the fans of other teams who were constantly being defeated by him.

Go Chang-deok explained that the nickname ‘dog bone’ was created at that time.

“‘I’ll be buried in KH,’ ‘K’H, I’ll be ‘bone’d’… shortened to ‘dog bone’.”

“…Ah.”

The way baseball fans create nicknames is still terrible, both now and then.

Just as Ji-seop was thinking this to himself, Go Chang-deok turned his head and asked.

“The person who recruited that Jonathan Stewart… was Department Head Jo Seong-beom?”

“Yes, that’s what I heard.”

It was a story he heard from KH Cannons team leader Seo Chang-ki.

“Everyone else was hesitant because his velocity was slow… but Jo, who was a scout at the time, said, ‘He’s the one!’ and strongly insisted on recruiting him.”

“Jonathan, who was recruited in that way, was a successful ace as a player, and now he is a local scout in the United States…”

Go Chang-deok slowly nodded.

“If it’s Jonathan and no one else… I can understand to some extent why a replacement foreign player was found so quickly.”

“Is that so?”

“I told you, right? He was someone who used to say ‘I’ll be buried in KH’ like it was second nature, even when he was a player.”

Go Chang-deok continued.

“When you think about it, Jimmy Morris was also brought in by Jonathan… Since his mistake caused problems for the Cannons, he would have tried to find a replacement foreign player as quickly as possible.”

“…….”

“Of course, if you think about Morris, it would be good if the skills of the replacement foreign players weren’t very good… but since the person who is bringing those guys in is Jonathan, I’m losing confidence.”

Go Chang-deok rubbed his hands together and became impatient, but Ji-seop only exhaled calmly.

“I guess we have no choice but to wait and see.”

What kind of replacement foreign player will KH Cannons be able to acquire?

Will Jimmy Morris be able to get a second chance despite his mistakes?

The ‘former ace’ who held the answer to all those questions was scheduled to arrive in Okinawa the next day.