A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 66

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good – Episode 66

Chapter 19: The Heart of the Observer (1)

‘The Heart of the Cannons,’ catcher Chun Jin-woo.

Traded back to his original team, he began to exceed expectations.

-Strikeout! It’s a strikeout! The KH Cannons overcome a bases-loaded, two-out crisis without allowing a run! They’re holding onto their one-point lead!

-Wow, that was a fastball right down the middle. Tricking the batter with the pitch selection! Is this thanks to the change in the starting catcher?

He navigated crucial moments with pitch combinations we hadn’t seen before.

-Oh! Is the runner on first stealing? No, he’s returning to his original position!

-It was a good situation to run… I guess he had catcher Chun Jin-woo’s strong arm in the back of his mind?

He shut down the opposing team’s runners with his strong arm.

Wow!!!

In fact, as a veteran catcher in his late 30s, his performance was more than adequate.

However, the national team catcher, returning to his original team after five years, wasn’t content with just that.

Thwack!

Thwaaack!

After donning the Cannons uniform, Chun Jin-woo showcased remarkable offensive prowess as well.

An on-base percentage exceeding .400, a slugging percentage over .500, and a combined OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging, a key baseball statistic] surpassing .950.

Ji-seop, who had concluded that ‘his decline as a hitter had already begun’ when Chun Jin-woo’s trade was being discussed, felt a twinge of embarrassment at his performance.

The pinnacle of Chun Jin-woo’s incredible performance was the second game of the weekend’s three-game series against the Future Kings, who were dominating the season.

-This hit is soaring deep to left-center! The outfielder is already motionless, and it’s gone over the fence!!! A go-ahead three-run home run by Chun Jin-woo!!!

-With that, Chun Jin-woo has racked up six RBIs [Runs Batted In, a key baseball statistic] in today’s game alone! Amazing! He’s playing like he’s in his prime!

Including a hit-by-pitch, he had three hits in three at-bats, with one home run and six RBIs.

A new personal record for Chun Jin-woo’s career-high RBIs in a single game, and the most RBIs in a single game this season in Korean professional baseball.

Despite it being an away game, the cheers for Chun Jin-woo reverberated around the stadium late into the night.

-Cannons’ home keeper, Chun~ Jin-woo!

-Ooooooh, ooooooh!!!

Ji-seop, obligated to return to the away accommodation with Arthur Freeman, couldn’t witness the spectacle firsthand.

Ji-seop learned about the electric atmosphere from Go Chang-deok, who returned to the accommodation much later.

“Oh, don’t even mention it! I thought I was at the Yeongsan City Hall intersection! There were so many fans gathered…”

Go Chang-deok, removing his sweat-soaked socks and sighing deeply.

Ji-seop, observing his tired expression, tilted his head slightly.

“Is that why you’re so late?”

Ji-seop glanced at the clock on the wall.

Go Chang-deok had returned to the accommodation about an hour later than usual.

“Even if there were a lot of fans gathered… you’re still very late considering that. Didn’t the home team provide security?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Go Chang-deok offered a wry smile.

“It was because of our team’s new starting catcher.”

“Chun Jin-woo?”

“Yeah, a kind of impromptu autograph session was held right in front of the team bus for Chun Jin-woo.”

Chun Jin-woo initially intended to sign only for a few people waiting in the front row and then board the bus.

However, the fans didn’t want to let Chun Jin-woo, who had achieved an incredible record of six RBIs in one game that day, leave.

People wanted his autograph, pictures with him, and to shake his hand.

As more and more fans gathered, and the security personnel struggled to manage the situation, Chun Jin-woo, who had already boarded the bus, emerged again and announced:

-Okay! I’ll sign for everyone here today! So, please keep order! Please keep order, everyone!!!

The national team catcher’s booming voice.

In Go Chang-deok’s words, a ‘miracle of Moses’ occurred in front of the Cannons team bus at that moment.

People who were clamoring to push forward began lining up in an orderly fashion.

As order was restored, Chun Jin-woo rolled up his sleeves and began signing autographs for the fans.

“Later, the players who were already on the bus came out to sign autographs too. It seemed like they felt a little awkward being on the bus while the most senior player was outside.”

“Oh.”

“Thanks to that, the departure time to the accommodation was delayed by about 30 minutes… but it was a really heartwarming sight.”

Go Chang-deok wore a pleased expression.

“Frankly speaking, we Cannons… couldn’t be said to have great fan service, right? In many ways.”

“That’s right.”

“But since Chun Jin-woo joined, the atmosphere seems to be shifting a bit. This is very important, isn’t it?”

The exact reason remained unclear.

Whether Chun Jin-woo was genuinely committed to fan service from the start, or whether returning to his original team acted as a catalyst.

Whatever the reason, Chun Jin-woo’s arrival seemed to be benefiting the team in areas beyond just baseball.

“We made a good move bringing in Chun Jin-woo.”

“We brought him in well. We definitely brought him in well.”

It was just as he was feeling proud of the trade’s outcome.

Brrr- Brrr- Brrr-

A phone call on the table.

Ji-seop, checking the caller ID, tilted his head and answered the phone.

“Yes, Manager.”

The caller was Park Yong-hwan, the first-team manager of the KH Cannons.

He was in the operations team, responsible for the overall well-being of the Cannons players.

But for some reason, his voice was quite shaky.

“Ah, Ji-seop! I’m really sorry to bother you so late… but could you come up to the 11th floor right now?”

“Yes?”

The 11th floor was where Arthur Freeman, the head coach, the operations team leader, and other key figures of the Cannons were staying.

What could be the reason for being summoned there so late, nearing midnight?

“It’s just that Jang-ho is causing a commotion, insisting on seeing the coach immediately…”

“Ryu Jang-ho?”

Ji-seop blinked.

“Why is he doing that?”

* * *

After ending the call with the first-team manager, Ji-seop immediately left the hotel room.

The news that Ryu Jang-ho, of all people, had requested a meeting with the coach.

Go Chang-deok couldn’t remain idle either and began to follow Ji-seop closely.

“So, what’s this about?”

As Ji-seop pressed the elevator button, Go Chang-deok spoke.

“Jang-ho wants to travel alone for away games in the future… that’s roughly what he’s requesting, right?”

“Yes, he declared that he wouldn’t use the team bus for the time being.”

“Does that even make sense? No matter how good the team’s best hitter is, we can’t grant him such special treatment, can we?”

“…That’s true.”

It wasn’t explicitly stated in the player contract, but it was standard practice for players to travel together for away games.

This decision was made considering the players’ safety and was an unavoidable measure to ensure dozens of players arrived at the stadium on time.

Anyway, the news that Ryu Jang-ho had rebelled against what was considered ‘common sense’ among the players had spread.

The surprised first-team manager reported to his superior, the operations team leader, and when the operations team leader couldn’t resolve the situation, Ji-seop was called in.

“Jang-ho seems like he’s about to barge into the coach’s room… so he called me in case of an emergency.”

“No, why is Jang-ho suddenly acting like this again? Making things difficult for everyone…”

Go Chang-deok appeared clueless, but Ji-seop had a vague idea.

‘Chun Jin-woo’s impromptu autograph session.’

The intention was good. And there were definitely unavoidable aspects to it.

But because of that, the Cannons team arrived at the away accommodation about an hour later than usual.

‘Jang-ho… might not have appreciated that.’

That vague premonition became a reality about five minutes later.

When Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok entered the operations team leader’s room on the 11th floor of the hotel, Ryu Jang-ho’s sharp voice echoed.

“I understand that fan service is important. I also understand that the team needs to travel as a group. But that’s only if it doesn’t interfere with my baseball.”

Ryu Jang-ho, noticing Ji-seop entering the room, paused momentarily but soon adopted a resolute expression and continued.

“Team leader, you understand, right? Since Chun Jin-woo joined the team, there have been numerous additional obligations for the players.”

Ryu Jang-ho paused to take a breath and ran a hand through his hair.

“We can’t refuse fans’ autograph requests when we arrive at the stadium, and we have to greet the fans before we start warming up… but it’s not as simple as it sounds, is it?”

“…”

“When I start signing autographs, fans quickly gather. Ten, twenty, thirty people… After dealing with all those people, 20 or 30 minutes just fly by, you know?”

It was a significant amount of time for a player who needed to prepare for the upcoming game.

“Actually, I can understand that much. I get paid a lot, so I accept that the obligation to fan service is included in that salary. But I really can’t tolerate situations like today.”

Ryu Jang-ho’s voice grew even sharper.

“To have a successful long season, sufficient rest after the game is paramount. But if things turn out like today, my hitting feel and overall condition are compromised, you know?”

“That’s why I told you, Jang-ho.”

The operations team leader was sweating profusely as he responded.

“I’ll be sure to pay closer attention in the future. I can definitely guarantee your rest time, if nothing else…”

“It’s not like you weren’t paying attention today, is it? And Chun Jin-woo is the kind of person who will handle similar situations in the same way if they arise again. So…”

Please allow it.

Ryu Jang-ho stated firmly.

“In exchange for receiving special treatment, I will dedicate myself to performing my best in baseball.”

“…”

“If you’re finding it difficult to decide, please allow me to have a meeting with the coach. I’ll persuade him. Is that not possible either?”

“Now, Jang-ho…”

A strong appeal from the team’s best hitter.

Not only the operations team leader and the first-team manager but also Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok were unable to easily reach a conclusion at that moment.

“Hey, Ji-seop!”

A gruff voice came from behind Ji-seop.

“What is our team’s best hitter arguing so passionately about right now?”

It was Arthur Freeman.