A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 47

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good – Episode 47

Chapter 13: One Step Forward (3)

It was just as Ji-seop had expected.

Arthur Freeman, the new manager of the Cannons.

The 64-year-old ‘seasoned veteran’ had turned Ji-seop into a mere ‘decorative object’ in the manager’s office.

Of course, being under the special attention of the acting owner, he couldn’t openly ignore Ji-seop.

“There’s no need to rush.”

That was the first thing Manager Arthur Freeman said to Ji-seop on his first official day in the manager’s office.

“You said you’ve never worked as a professional translator before… so learn from Mr. Chang step by step. It’s important to build a solid foundation in everything you do.”

Arthur Freeman patted Ji-seop’s shoulder with a seemingly kind smile.

His acting was so convincing that even Ji-seop, who could see right through his intentions, momentarily nodded, thinking, ‘Yes, a foundation is important.’

‘Heh, he’s really like… a sly old fox.’

After that, Ji-seop’s tasks were limited to the simplest things.

Answering occasional phone calls to the manager’s office, or organizing reports that came up from other departments three or four times a day.

‘…Peaceful.’

In fact, it was a routine that Ji-seop didn’t particularly dislike.

Since joining the Cannons, he had always been busy and rushed, so it felt like a break after a long period of hard work.

Sitting quietly in the office and reading reports from other departments, he found it quite interesting to learn about the team’s situation.

However, Jang Yong-moon, the head of the international business team, didn’t seem to be happy with this situation.

“Um… Manager?”

It was almost ten days since Ji-seop had been a ‘decorative object’ in the manager’s office.

At the KH Cannons Field dugout, where exhibition games were in full swing ahead of the season opener.

Jang Yong-moon, who was working as Freeman’s translator that day, cautiously opened his mouth.

“Oh, Mr. Chang.”

Arthur Freeman’s eyes were fixed on the players warming up.

“Why, what’s the matter?”

“It’s about Kim Ji-seop, who was assigned as your translator.”

“Ah, Mr. Kim?”

“Yes, the handover of duties is all finished, and… I was wondering when you were planning to have him by your side.”

“Hey, Mr. Chang. Are you trying to make me sad?”

Freeman smiled.

“Do you want to leave my side that much? I enjoy working with you.”

“Oh, Manager. Of course, I feel the same way, but…”

Jang scratched the back of his head.

“As the season opener approaches, the international team’s workload is gradually increasing. I have to cover the deputy manager’s role in the international team as well…”

“Ah, our Mr. Chang is very busy?”

“Yes, I’m sorry to bring this up given your busy schedule, but…”

Jang wanted to hand over the translation work to Ji-seop as soon as possible.

However, Arthur Freeman had no intention of doing so.

‘Not now… it’s difficult. I haven’t found a replacement for Mr. Chang yet.’

A person who is reasonably smart, knows baseball reasonably well, and can communicate with him to some extent.

Arthur Freeman was planning to let Jang go only after finding such a replacement.

Of course, it was a bit awkward to reveal such intentions openly, so Arthur Freeman threw out another joke.

“It’s Mr. Chang’s fault.”

“Excuse me?”

Jang Yong-moon blinked.

“Our Mr. Chang makes my coffee so delicious these days.”

‘Strong~’ when I’m tired.

‘Sweet~’ when I’m down.

Arthur Freeman looked at Jang with playful eyes.

“Where else can I find someone who knows my heart so well and makes coffee? That’s why I can’t let Mr. Chang go easily.”

This was a joke to change the subject, but on the other hand, it wasn’t just a joke.

Because, in Arthur Freeman’s view, the coffee that Jang had been making recently was really excellent.

A translator who brings coffee that suits the other person’s condition and mood.

Arthur Freeman was secretly grateful for ‘Jang’s consideration,’ although he didn’t express it outwardly.

‘Hmm?’

But what was this?

Jang’s face showed embarrassment when he heard about the coffee.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, about the coffee…”

Jang continued.

“I didn’t tell you, Manager, but actually… Kim Ji-seop is making it.”

“Mr. Kim? Since when?”

“It’s been almost ten days since he officially started working, I think…”

Oh, the coffee has become really delicious.

That was the moment Arthur Freeman began to realize it.

* * *

‘Baseball’ and ‘Sensitivity.’

When people are presented with these two words at the same time, they usually think of the ‘pitcher’ position.

It is true that pitchers are sensitive, but after meeting the players and listening to their stories, the manager is just as sensitive as the pitchers.

Perhaps it is a matter of course.

It is a position that leads about 100 people, including players and coaching staff, and in the case of professionals, it is a job that requires the person to take full responsibility for the team’s wins and losses alone.

However, unlike pitchers, they cannot openly express their sensitivity, so managers hide their sensitivity by obsessing over strange things.

In some cases, it’s cigarettes, in many cases, it’s alcohol, for some sophisticated people, it’s music, and for others, it’s the weather.

In the case of KH Cannons’ new manager, Arthur Freeman, the object of his obsession is ‘coffee.’

A new employee who has been making such coffee exactly to his taste.

From Arthur Freeman’s point of view, he must have felt like he couldn’t bear not to hear the story of the new employee.

“Mr. Kim, what’s the secret?”

It must have been after the exhibition game that day, right after returning to the manager’s office.

Arthur Freeman suddenly asked Ji-seop, who was waiting in the office next to the manager’s office.

“Yes? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Since he had the ability, Ji-seop must have had a rough idea of the situation.

However, Ji-seop asked back, pretending not to know anything.

“Secret… what do you mean?”

“I heard it from Mr. Chang. He said you’ve been making my coffee all this time?”

Arthur Freeman sat down in the chair opposite Ji-seop.

“If Mr. Chang had been making such coffee, I would have been grateful, but not surprised.”

Freeman continued.

“Mr. Chang has been right by my side for the past three months… and he knows roughly how I feel and what my concerns are.”

He was saying that it’s not difficult to bring the right coffee if you pay a little attention.

“But you and I barely know each other, right? You haven’t had any special conversations since you came to the manager’s office… So how could you make such coffee?”

Of course, the secret was obvious.

It was as simple as ‘staring’ into Freeman’s eyes when he came into the office and said, ‘Get me a cup of coffee.’

However, as he became quite familiar with this pattern, Ji-seop was now empirically aware that he needed a plausible ‘packaging.’

“Well, I don’t know why you find it so strange.”

Ji-seop said in a calm tone.

“If you’re a front office employee… isn’t it natural to be aware of the manager’s mood and current interests? Especially since I work in the manager’s office.”

“Hmm.”

“I’ve always been watching you, so it’s not difficult to adjust the coffee accordingly. But you say it’s strange…”

“Heh, is that so?”

Arthur Freeman took off the hat he was wearing.

Freeman pressed down on the brim of his hat with both hands, as if trying to sort out his thoughts again.

Soon, his gaze turned back to Ji-seop.

“Then let me ask you one thing.”

“Yes, Manager.”

“Assuming you’ve always been watching me… what do you think is my biggest concern these days?”

An immediate answer.

That’s what Ji-seop was like at this time.

“Wouldn’t it be that our Cannons players are too nice… ?”

“Nice?”

“Yes, maybe ‘too docile’ is a better expression.”

Ji-seop nodded.

“I know that you have been emphasizing the development of rookies since you took office. You have repeatedly stated that you will give opportunities to young players with potential, even if their skills are a little lacking right now.”

“…”

“If the manager says this, the young players should close their eyes and try to stand out even a little bit… but no such player has appeared yet.”

Up to this point, Freeman had a faint smile on his face.

However, in the next moment, a strange light ‘clicked’ into his gray eyes.

“And what’s even more serious is… that none of the veteran players are showing a strong reaction to the manager’s declaration.”

“Why?”

Freeman, who had already become serious, asked.

Ji-seop continued, ‘staring’ into his eyes.

“If veterans with ambiguous skills openly rebel, you can suppress them to increase your authority as a manager, right? At the same time, you can send a message to the rookie players that ‘Ah, this manager is really going to use us.'”

“…”

“But if the quiet state continues without anyone stepping forward like now, I don’t think you’ll have any way to do anything… That’s what I was thinking.”

When Ji-seop finished speaking, a heavy silence fell in the office for a while.

Freeman also closed his mouth tightly, and Jang Yong-moon, who had come in the middle and listened to Ji-seop’s words, only blinked his eyes with his mouth wide open.

As he became accustomed to the silence, he began to hear the voices of the players chattering outside the window on the ground.

“Heh, heh heh, heh heh heh!”

Arthur Freeman started laughing loudly.

So much so that his uvula was clearly visible, and one wondered what was so exhilarating.

After laughing like that for a while, Arthur Freeman smacked his lips and ‘tapped’ Ji-seop on the shoulder.

“I suddenly want some coffee. Can I ask you for a cup?”

“Ah, yes, of course, Manager.”

When Ji-seop hurriedly got up and took a step towards the coffee machine, Arthur Freeman turned to Jang and said.

“Hey, Mr. Chang.”

“Yes, Manager.”

“You can go back to the international business team starting tomorrow. I don’t think you need to step into the manager’s office for the time being.”

“Does that mean…”