A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 57

Let’s Do Business and Make a Living (1)

Kim Jung-gyu, the closer with the ‘center forkball’ [a type of pitch].

He emerged as KH Cannons’ best ‘hit product’ early in the season [meaning their most successful new player].

Thwack!

-That ball is soaring high! The center fielder is getting ready to catch it almost on the spot… Catches it! Third out! KH Cannons takes the weekend series sweep!

Since Kim Jung-gyu returned as the closer, KH Cannons has seen a remarkable rise with a record of 7 wins and 3 losses.

The team, which had once fallen to 7th place, has climbed to 4th place, emerging as a clear ‘dark horse’ this season [meaning an unexpected contender].

-Hello, Dongjin Generals fans? We are KH Cannons.

-Since Dongjin is struggling to climb to 3rd place, we’ve decided to just go up to 4th.

-We’d appreciate it if you could clear out your room soon. It would be even better if you could clean up that hair we see over there.

-Those KH bastards…

-They were floundering at the bottom until last year…

-Huh? I can’t hear you well because of the voices of those who fell to 5th place. Could you speak up a little?

KH Cannons fans, emboldened by the continuous stream of victories, were all over the baseball-related communities on the internet.

[Baseball Scholar Knew It! Why Did He Predict KH’s Revival?]

[KH’s Momentum is Scary! In-depth Analysis of Cannons’ Chances of Reaching the Top 5]

Videos covering the rise of KH Cannons were uploaded daily on video sites like YouXube.

‘Hehe, it feels like just yesterday that the comments were full of insults towards Kim Jung-gyu… As expected, it’s always good to play well in baseball.’

The emergence of the ‘hit product’ Kim Jung-gyu had a significant impact on KH Cannons internally.

Not only did the atmosphere among the players brighten, but more than anything, what caught Ji-seop’s attention was the strengthened connection between the coaching staff and the scouting team.

“Now, we will begin the briefing on Lee Dong-jun’s pitching design.”

The success story of closer Kim Jung-gyu’s ‘pitching design’ seemed to have made a strong impression on the coaching staff.

The coaching staff, including pitching coach Do Jin-cheol, requested additional pitching design ideas from the scouting team, and related meetings began to be held two or three times a week.

There was no guarantee that another dramatic case like Kim Jung-gyu’s would emerge, but the fact that the two groups, who had been somewhat distant, began to put their heads together was considered a great achievement.

Of course, the person who made that assessment was KH Cannons’ manager, Arthur Freeman.

“Just like players need to accumulate experience, so do coaching staff and data experts.”

That was Freeman’s take.

“If we can get two or three more similar cases in the future, our KH will have a ‘system’ in place.”

A system. System baseball.

Who to draft and how to develop that player.

A baseball program where decisions are not based on the ‘gut feeling’ or ‘experience’ of the manager or coach, but on the system the team itself possesses.

That was exactly what the people newly in charge of the team were repeating like parrots.

“In that regard… your contribution this time is incredibly significant.”

Thanks for your hard work.

Freeman smiled.

“I even got a call from the acting owner yesterday, thanking me for providing such a smart translator like you.”

“There was no need to go that far…”

Ji-seop felt a little awkward at the American’s generous praise.

However, Arthur Freeman seemed to value Ji-seop even more than before.

“Hey, Ji-seop.”

“Yes, Manager.”

“From now on… you can take a couple of hours off each day.”

No, wait.

Freeman corrected himself.

“From now on, I want you to be away from the manager’s office for a couple of hours each day.”

“Excuse me?”

Ji-seop tilted his head.

His official title was Arthur Freeman’s personal translator.

It was natural for him to always be by the manager’s side.

But what did it mean to be away from the manager’s office for a couple of hours each day?

“Do you need some more personal time? Or do you want to learn Korean…?”

“Hmm, it would definitely help me learn Korean. But this isn’t a decision for me, it’s a decision for you.”

Then he brought up one thing.

“Ji-seop, remember? My contract with the Cannons is for two years. It’s not a long time at all.”

“…Ah.”

At that moment, Ji-seop could vaguely sense Freeman’s intention.

“Are you saying…?”

“Yes, what will you do after I leave this team…? You need to start thinking about that now.”

You have talent.

Freeman stated firmly.

“Not only do you have an eye for baseball, but you’re also quick-witted, and above all, you’re naturally good at persuading others.”

“…”

“Actually, my first thought was that when I leave this team, I should take you to America…”

It wasn’t just to show him around America.

He would probably arrange a position for him in a Major League Baseball team in the United States.

With Arthur Freeman’s career, that wouldn’t be difficult.

“But after thinking about it, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to leave you on this team.”

Freeman smiled faintly.

“Even after I leave this team, if someone who knows my thoughts well remains on this team and continues to work… there’s nothing more reassuring than that.”

That’s why I’m telling you this.

Freeman stated firmly.

“I’ll give you some time separately, so use that time to create your own ‘territory’ within this team.”

“Territory…?”

“You know. Because you messed up the international operations team leader position, there are still people in this team who don’t like you.”

The manager continued.

“It’s necessary to win over those people, and if you don’t like that, it’s okay to build connections that can suppress them.”

“…”

“Or you can develop an area of work in this team that only you can do. It’s worth considering building your own information network for that.”

Anyway.

Freeman pointed his finger at Ji-seop.

“Before I leave this team, you need to become an indispensable presence in this team. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

What should I say?

Compared to what I’ve received so far, it’s a ‘quest’ that’s both large in scale and vague in concept.

But with the manager speaking in such a serious tone, it’s a bit awkward to shake my head here.

“I understand, Manager.”

“Good, then go out right now and think slowly about what I’ve said.”

Freeman checked his wristwatch and continued.

“There are exactly three hours left until the pre-game interview.”

“Ah, yes, then…”

The manager’s unexpected expectations.

An unexpected mission.

As Ji-seop moved his steps with a slightly dazed feeling, he decided to convey a word that suddenly came to his mind.

“Excuse me… Manager.”

“Hmm?”

“You said that two years is a short time, and that’s why we need to think about what comes after…”

Ji-seop’s expression was calm.

“In my opinion, I think two years is quite a long time.”

“That’s because you’re still young.”

Freeman chuckled.

“When you get to my age, my friend. Two years is really just a blink of an eye…”

“Even if that’s the case.”

Ji-seop interrupted the manager.

“I want to see the Cannons win the Korean Series [championship series] with you, Manager.”

“…”

Freeman, who was known as an eloquent speaker within the team, was just blinking his eyes at this moment.

“Just because the contract period is two years doesn’t mean there’s no possibility of an extension… Wouldn’t it be better to win when you’re here rather than after you leave?”

Ji-seop was just expressing his true feelings, but all he got in return was Freeman’s hollow laughter.

“…You’re good with words.”

Go on, get out of here.

Freeman waved his hand.

* * *

Prepare for two years from now.

Freeman’s advice.

At this time, Ji-seop was able to grasp what ‘Sakhalin Park’ Vice Chairman Park Hong-joo was planning.

‘Manager Freeman has only been in the minor leagues throughout his career.’

The plan is to entrust the team’s rebuilding to Freeman for the first two years, and then recruit a ‘gambler’ type manager to challenge for the championship.

‘So, is that why the manager laughed hollowly at the talk of contract extension?’

Ji-seop, retracing Freeman’s expression, soon shook his head.

He thought it wasn’t something for him, a mere subordinate, to be thinking about.

‘Well, that’s something for the higher-ups to take care of…’

What he needs to do now is to focus on the ‘mission’ that Freeman presented.

In fact, Ji-seop felt like his head was full just with that.

‘Build my own territory… Honestly, I have no idea what that means.’

Ji-seop chuckled.

‘Build my own information network? Well, it seems like that would be quite helpful…’

Ji-seop had lived abroad for a long time.

His high school wasn’t even considered a baseball powerhouse.

Certainly, he had almost no connections or information network.

‘I think there were some guys among my college baseball teammates who went pro…’

What are those guys doing now?

Are any of those guys still in the baseball scene?

Thinking about that, Ji-seop was ‘strolling’ towards the ground.

‘Hmm?’

In Ji-seop’s view, a group of players was captured.

It was a little early for the team’s main players to show up.

Therefore, the ones on the ground now were the Cannons’ rookie players.

“How is it? What do you think?”

“It doesn’t look bad? Considering the price, it seems good?”

“Right? Should we just buy a set for now, even if we’re being fooled?”

The players were huddling together and whispering.

As Ji-seop approached, wondering ‘what’s going on,’ the players took off their hats and bowed.

“You’re here, Senior!”

“You’re here!”

The players were calling him ‘Senior’ and greeting him politely.

Ji-seop gave an awkward smile.

“Hey, I told you not to call me Senior. What senior are you talking about to someone who hasn’t even stepped on the threshold of the pros?”

He had told them several times to just call him ‘hyung’ [Korean for older brother], but they didn’t listen.

“We’d prefer to call you hyung, but…”

“Senior Ryu Jang-ho said he’d kill us if we called you hyung…”

“…Jang-ho did?”

Seriously, this guy.

He’s enforcing unnecessary military discipline.

Thinking that he should say something later, Ji-seop took another step forward.

“But… what are you guys doing?”

As he stepped inside, he saw a familiar object among the players gathered in a circle.

“This is… a bat, right?”

Baseball bat, or baseball bat would be a more accurate expression, but players often just call it ‘badda’ [slang for bat in Korean].

“Yes, someone who sells baddas came a little while ago.”

One of the players said.

“He said he’d give it to us cheaply… He told us to just take a look.”

“Ah, is that so?”

It was a rare opportunity for rookie players.

Players like Ryu Jang-ho would have sports equipment companies bringing them goods, but would any company be so kind to rookies?

After using up the dozen or so bats that they receive from the club in the form of coupons before the start of each season, the rookies have to procure their own equipment.

“What’s the brand?”

At Ji-seop’s question, the rookie players just smiled bashfully.

“I don’t know. It’s a brand I’ve never heard of before.”

“But the price is really cheap… and the quality doesn’t seem bad.”

“Is that so? A newly launched brand… is that what it is?”

Ji-seop didn’t think much of it at this point.

However, the moment he picked up one of the bats in question, Ji-seop’s expression slightly hardened.

‘Perfect… Swing?’

Ji-seop tilted his head.

‘It’s a name I’ve heard before?’

When was it?

Was it in high school?

Or was it in college?

‘Whichever it was, it doesn’t seem like a particularly good impression…’

Ji-seop was slowly recalling his memories.

And at that very moment, someone’s voice was heard from behind Ji-seop.

“How is it, players! I’m curious about the players’ impressions of our Perfect Swing bats!”

It was a voice as light as a feather.