A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 504

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 505

106 Unexpected Guest (5)

About ten minutes later.

Guided by a baseball association staff member, Ji-seop entered the hotel room assigned to him for the next three days.

“We apologize, Director Kim.”

The baseball association people kept bowing, looking deeply apologetic.

“It’s not ideal, being on the same floor as the players. We should have gotten you a quieter room, but the hotel is quite small.”

“As compensation, though it’s not much, we’ll ask the players to keep the noise down. We’ll do our best to ensure you can rest comfortably…”

“No, no! Please don’t do that. I’m fine. Really, I’m fine,” Ji-seop said, waving his hands dismissively.

“They should be able to have some fun and relax a bit in their accommodations. Unless there are other guests who might be disturbed, there’s no need to nag them. They’re already under enough stress from the games.”

More than that, actually…

Ji-seop licked his dry lips.

“Please let me know as soon as you reach Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju. I have instructions to receive and things to ask… The Vice Chairman isn’t answering my calls.”

“Yes, don’t worry about that. Our staff member who went with him will contact you soon.”

The association staff nodded.

“Then, please rest comfortably for a while. We’ll let you know when the welcome dinner is.”

“Okay. Thank you for your hard work,” Ji-seop replied, setting down his luggage. The association staff carefully closed the door and left.

The hotel room became quiet as soon as the door closed. Ji-seop loosened his tie and smacked his lips.

“Damn it, what the hell is going on?”

He hadn’t expected a relaxing time in the first place.

His opponent was Sakhalin Park [a nickname implying someone from the far east of Russia, known for being unpredictable], so he fully expected something troublesome to happen.

But he never imagined that the ‘troublesome thing’ would be becoming the national team’s director. Ji-seop was dumbfounded, no matter how he looked at it.

‘That old man, Sakhalin Park… He’s such an unpredictable person.’

What on earth is he plotting? Now that he’s decided to hand me over to Tampa Bay, is he trying to get his money’s worth before that?

What is the national team director even supposed to do in the first place? It’s not like it’s a position where you can recruit or release players.

“That’s right, I think that staff member gave me something like a manual…”

Ji-seop picked up the bag he had carelessly thrown on the floor and was rummaging through it when suddenly, his cell phone in his jacket pocket started vibrating.

Brrr- Brrr- Brrr-

It was a call from an unknown number.

But it could be a call from a baseball association staff member, or a call made through the satellite phone installed on the fishing yacht.

Filled with anticipation, Ji-seop quickly pressed the [Call] button and put the phone to his ear, but…

-Hey, Special Assistant Kim!!!

What he heard was an unfamiliar voice.

-Wow, it’s been so long! Huh? No, should I call you Director Kim now? Or the General Manager of the great Tampa Bay Rays?!

Ehehehe!!!

The unidentified man laughed so loudly that the phone speaker crackled.

At first, Ji-seop tilted his head slightly, but as he listened to the laughter, vague memories resurfaced.

“Wait a minute, could it be…”

Ji-seop blinked.

“Senior Ahn Young-chan? From KH Cannons?!”

* * *

That’s right. The person who called Ji-seop was Ahn Young-chan, who was once the starting second baseman for the KH Cannons.

It was an unforgettable name for Ji-seop. His position as a manager’s translator became solid, starting from when he solved Ahn’s concerns.

He was also a colleague who had been with KH Cannons for their first championship, and more than anything, a man who had earned the respect and love of the team with his amazing salary negotiation skills.

He had now retired from being an active player and apparently joined the national team as a hitting coach for this tournament.

“Is our national team… doing okay?”

Ji-seop rushed down to the hotel lobby as soon as he hung up the phone.

When he met his old colleague again, the first thing Ji-seop said was the above.

How have you been? How’s your health? They were too close to start with such formal greetings.

“Your hitting skills were just so-so, weren’t they? I wonder if our players have anything to learn from you?”

“Ha, I’m so speechless! Special Assistant Kim, why are you picking a fight as soon as we meet? Don’t you know that a player’s skills and a coach’s skills are completely different?!”

Then, Ahn Young-chan, no, Coach Ahn, lightly punched Ji-seop’s stomach.

“It’s a bit much to say this myself, but I’m the most beloved coach on this national team! The kids just won’t leave me alone. They bombard me with questions and autograph requests whenever they see me… Ah, I can’t even focus!”

“The players? Really?”

Ji-seop scratched his chin.

“I don’t think that ever happened when you were an active player. What’s the secret? Why did you suddenly become so popular?”

“Well, 99% of it is thanks to my skills and personality as a coach, and the other 1% is probably…”
The Greatest Baseball?

Coach Ahn Young-chan smiled sheepishly.

“Have you heard of it, Special Assistant Kim? It’s a pretty popular TV entertainment program in Korea these days, and I was on that show until recently.”

“Ah, really? My father says he watches that show often! So, what is it, did our senior become a broadcaster while I wasn’t looking?”

“Well, I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’m a broadcaster… Hehe, but hey, broadcasting is really great! Even little kids recognize me, and even though I’m just a coach, I get to wear the national team uniform like this!”

Some players neglect the national team because it doesn’t help their careers, but the Taegeuk mark [Korean flag emblem] seemed to have great meaning for Coach Ahn Young-chan.

He looked at the national team mark on the left chest of his training uniform with a proud expression, and a slightly moved expression.

As he was telling his news, Coach Ahn suddenly seemed to realize something, narrowed his brow slightly, and asked.

“But I overheard the association people saying earlier… that Special Assistant Kim didn’t know? That you were taking on the role of acting director of the national team.”

“Ah, yes, that’s how it happened.”

Ji-seop gave a hollow smile.

“The Vice Chairman didn’t say anything. I heard it when I got here. That I’m the acting director.”

“Oh dear, that Sakhalin, you really have to acknowledge how eccentric he is. Even if you’re going to assign work, you should explain the situation in detail…”

Sigh.

Coach Ahn hesitated, touching his lips with a troubled expression, and then asked Ji-seop again.

“So?”

“Yes?”

“What are you going to do, Special Assistant Kim? You’re not going to just return to your team as is… or anything like that, are you?”

“No. I think I have to play the role of director, whether it turns out well or not. The club has also instructed me to support the Vice Chairman for three days.”

“Really? Really?”

It was at this moment that Coach Ahn’s expression brightened up.

He seemed relieved that Ji-seop was joining the national team.

“Then, instead of standing here, why don’t we go see our players first? And say hello to the manager at the same time.”

“Ah, should we?”

“Of course, I heard that there’s a welcome dinner scheduled later, but is there really a need to have the first meeting in such a formal setting?”

It was at this timing that Ji-seop heard something he really liked.

“Isn’t it the rule for baseball people to greet each other on the field?”

“Haha, baseball people…”

Ji-seop nodded.

“That’s a good point. Let’s go.”

* * *

Although he readily agreed to Coach Ahn Young-chan’s suggestion, Ji-seop was actually a little nervous at this time.

‘The sudden appearance of an acting director, it won’t be welcome news for the team.’

Ji-seop didn’t know exactly what Sakhalin Park’s intentions were yet, but he thought that he had made a mistake this time.

That’s how it had been in his experience so far. The front office should be as stable as possible. Rapid changes should also be avoided.

The best thing to do was to quietly support the players, as if you were there but not there.

News that the director was away, or that an acting director had come from somewhere. This kind of news only distracts the team’s focus.

‘I should just quietly greet the manager and watch the training from a distance as much as possible. There’s no point in attracting the players’ attention for no reason…’

That’s what Ji-seop had decided in his mind, but his decision was shattered from the very beginning.

As soon as they arrived at the youth national team’s training ground, Coach Ahn Young-chan got out of the car and shouted like this.

“Manager! Director Kim has arrived!!”

Okay, he could still understand up to this point.

Didn’t Coach Ahn Young-chan also want to show off a little? He might have wanted to introduce a colleague who works in Major League Baseball.

But what startled Ji-seop was what happened the next moment.

“Everyone!!!”

Coach Ahn’s shout didn’t stop at calling the manager.

“Deputy Director Kim Ji-seop has arrived! Yes, Tampa Bay Rays! The Deputy Director from Major League Baseball!”

A completely different development than he had expected. Ji-seop was startled and pulled on Coach Ahn’s uniform.

“Wait a minute, Senior! There’s no need to call the players. It looks like they’re in the middle of training.”

“R, really? But the kids specifically asked me to tell them as soon as you arrived.”

“The players?”

At first, Ji-seop was skeptical, but soon he realized that Coach Ahn’s words were true.

When Ji-seop opened the iron mesh door and entered the ground, all the players were already gathered in front of the dugout.

Moreover,

With sparkling eyes.

[Wow, it’s Kim Ji-seop! It’s really Kim Ji-seop! He looks exactly like he does on TV!]

[I never thought he’d actually come! Wow, I get to see someone from Major League Baseball in person.]

[Wow, I really have to grit my teeth and train hard today! If I catch that guy’s eye, I can go to the Major League too, right?]

Although it was only a brief moment, the players’ thoughts were vividly heard in Ji-seop’s ears.

Do kids these days even know what the front office does? I really didn’t know anything at that age.

The players’ bright eyes were cute and admirable, and somehow, his shoulders felt a little broader.

While Ji-seop was feeling that way, a thunderous voice came from the national team manager’s side.

“Ahem! Why are you guys, who are wearing the Taegeuk mark, showing such a disorderly appearance!”

Unlike Coach Ahn Young-chan, the manager seemed to have a very strict style.

“Hey, Kim Dong-hee! The other guys are one thing, but how can you, as the captain, be so out of it? Aren’t you going to greet the director?”

“Ah, yes! I’m sorry!!”

One of the tallest and smartest-looking players quickly started gesturing.

Then, miraculously, the players lined up in perfect order.

And almost at the same time, the national team captain shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Greetings to Director Kim Ji-seop! Hello!”

Hello!

Hello!

The players greeted him all at once, following the captain’s lead.

The thunderous voice echoed throughout the ground, and Ji-seop felt a chill down his spine.

From that tremendous energy,

From that vibrant appearance,

From that confident attitude.

“T, thank you.”

Ji-seop, who had been looking a little dazed, quickly came to his senses and nodded lightly. The national team manager took off his sunglasses and approached him.

“Welcome, Director. I’m Jang Jun-hyung, the manager of this national team.”

“Hello, Manager. I’m Kim Ji-seop, working for the Tampa Bay Rays.”

Originally, the conversation should have continued a little longer.

Stories about Sakhalin Park, stories about the team’s situation, stories about future schedules.

However, Manager Jang, who was shaking hands with Ji-seop, soon stretched his neck and looked towards Coach Ahn Young-chan.

“Hey, Coach Ahn!”

“Yes?”

“What happened to what I asked you to find out? Did the association give you an answer?”

“Ah, well…”

A shadow fell over Coach Ahn Young-chan’s face, which had been beaming until now.

“I contacted the tournament office this morning, but they said they haven’t received an answer yet.”

“Really? Still no answer?”

Manager Jang scratched his head with a frustrated expression.

He smacked his lips and then turned his gaze towards Ji-seop.

“I’m sorry, Director. There was something I needed to check urgently…”

“It’s okay. Team operations come first. We can exchange greetings later.”

However, at this point, Ji-seop’s expression was already quite different from before.

“But what did you ask the tournament office to do? Was it about the players’ meals, or something like that?”

“No, the association is providing the meals well. However…”

And the answer that came back was something Ji-seop had not expected at all.

“A notice has been issued that we will not be able to use this ground as a training ground from tomorrow.”

“We can’t use the training ground? Then where are we supposed to train?”

“Well… Hehe, they said they would arrange a schoolyard near the venue. There are so many participating teams that it’s difficult to secure a training ground.”

“No, does that make sense? No matter how many participating teams there are, there are baseball grounds all over the place here in Florida.”

“Is that so? But according to the tournament organizers…”

At this moment, Ji-seop had a vague feeling that he understood.

Why Sakhalin Park had given Ji-seop the role of director.

Why he had called Ji-seop from St. Petersburg to this place.

“I understand. Please wait a moment.”

Ji-seop took out his cell phone from his inside jacket pocket and called the baseball association officials.

“Ah, Director Lee? This is Kim Ji-seop. Yes, yes, it’s not that, but… I was wondering where the tournament organizers for this tournament were drawn from. Yes, the American Baseball Association wouldn’t have directly intervened.”

Yes, that’s right. That’s right.

A triumphant smile was already spreading on Ji-seop’s lips as he exchanged a few words.

“Ah, the Florida State Baseball Association?”

Then well,

They’re all people I know.