Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 301

#300. Agent

[Atlanta’s rising star Jay Ward versus Seattle’s ace Ryan Thibeau, Seattle wins 5 to 2]

[Ryan Thibeau, who pitched a complete game victory with 2 runs allowed in 9 innings: “As the season progresses, the bullpen gets tired. I tried to pitch as many innings as possible to give the middle relief pitchers a rest.”]

[Winning manager Benjamin Reynolds: “No matter what anyone says, Ryan is this team’s number one starter. I respect him for protecting the mound without skipping a single rotation this season.”]

[Han Su-hyeok, who added a home run after 5 games, increasing his season home run count to 49: “On behalf of the hitters, I would like to thank Ryan for his dedication. I am learning a lot from him.” The best player of this era, equipped with both skill and humility]

[Atlanta’s manager, who recorded a losing series despite having a strong 1, 2, 3 starter: “Seattle was stronger than I thought. The pitchers knew how to throw, and the hitters did their best to advance even one more base. I will forget the games we already lost and concentrate on the remaining schedule.”]

[Kenichi Yamamoto, confirmed to be out for the season… An internal official from Atlanta: “We are considering terminating the contract at the end of this season.”]

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

“Ah, Han Su-hyeok. I’m so glad to finally meet you. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m sorry to have you come so far.”

“Don’t mention it. My client’s location is as good as my home. Haha.”

We, who achieved a winning series with 2 wins and 1 loss in the three-game series against Atlanta, arrived in New York, the final destination of this road trip.

To face the New York Mets, another team based in New York along with the Yankees.

However, the schedule was disrupted from the start.

The first game was canceled due to heavy rain, making it impossible to play.

Thanks to this, my scheduled appearance was pushed back, and the manager suggested skipping a rotation altogether.

But I refused.

Unless there was something wrong with my body, and my condition wasn’t bad at all.

However, to coincide with ESPN’s national broadcast schedule, Mike Warren took the mound first in the first game of the doubleheader, and the rotation was adjusted so that I would pitch in the second game to be held in the evening.

“Please sit here. Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Oh, I get to drink tea brewed by Han Su-hyeok. Great. As you can see, I’m not picky about what I eat, so any kind of tea is fine.”

With the unexpected day off, I decided to take care of some pending business.

I didn’t appoint a separate agent when I came to the United States.

Min Tae-hyun, Yerim’s father, handled all the contractual aspects, which, in the end, was a bit of a hassle.

But now, there’s a limit to what he can do.

Even if it’s not a matter of salary or endorsements, there’s a need for an agent.

That’s why I’m sitting face to face with a large white man in a hotel in New York on this precious day off due to the rain.

“First of all, let me give you my business card and formally introduce myself. I’m Chris Marshall from Marshall Corporation.”

“Okay, Marshall.”

“You can call me Chris.”

“I will, Chris.”

Having passed two-thirds of the season, I am spending busy days.

Traveling all over the United States to play 162 games in a season is not easy.

In addition, I was working at least 1.5 times harder than others because of my two-way duties [pitching and hitting].

Everything from eating to exercise, rest, and sleep is under Jacob’s control.

When I think about it, Jacob is really amazing, not me.

He’s been managing the body of a two-way player, which is unprecedented, so perfectly throughout the season.

Anyway, for that reason, Yerim had meetings with several agent candidates on my behalf.

And now, I am about to sign a contract with the agent who passed her evaluation.

“Hmm… The jasmine scent is very nice.”

“Yes, I always carry it with me and drink it, so I’m glad it suits your taste.”

“Han Su-hyeok takes special care of the tea… Hmmm…….”

Actually, it’s not that I take care of it, but Yerim takes care of it whenever I go on the road.

Apparently, this tea is essential for people as sensitive as me.

When I think about it, Yerim is helping me as much as Jacob in managing my body.

Almost every process related to eating, starting with preparing the diet that Jacob made, goes through Yerim’s hands.

Yerim may be the one who is helping me the most in this life.

Of course, Yerim herself hates me using the expression ‘help’.

“Well, I have prepared the contract exactly as you reviewed it, without changing a single word.”

“Yes, give it to me.”

“Please take your time to look over it.”

Actually, there was nothing to look at in detail.

Because it is a contract that has been reviewed by Min Tae-hyun, who is the best in the world in this field.

Even if something goes wrong, I can just pay a few penalty fees and terminate it.

Having a lot of money is very convenient in this regard.

I’ve gained the freedom not to worry about unnecessary things.

“Okay. Let’s proceed as is.”

“Thank you very much for choosing our company. Then, please sign here one last time.”

“I will.”

That’s how I came to belong to Marshall Corporation, run by Chris Marshall.

The only criterion Yerim used to choose this person was trust.

Abilities are a given, and the most important thing was that all the players who had worked with him had faith in the man named Chris Marshall.

That was the most important choice for me, who didn’t want to pay attention to anything other than sports, and Yerim picked the most suitable person as I expected.

Marshall Corporation,

An agency that represents several big league players such as Lee Chan-ho of the LA Angels, Luca Hernandez of Tampa Bay, Akinori Hamasaki of the Chicago White Sox, Joshua Kalou of the Dodgers, and Jaylen Thompson of St. Louis.

In terms of size and reputation, it cannot be compared to large agencies such as Scott Boras or Jeff Boris, but it is clear that he is the most suitable person for my current situation.

Since I own two clubs, the Warriors and the Mariners, and therefore have no chance of moving to another club, I don’t need a merchant-type agent at all.

Rather, a person who puts me first and can handle troublesome tasks is more suitable.

“Oh… Han Su-hyeok and I are finally on the same team. I didn’t bring a photographer because I thought it would be annoying… Could you take a picture with me using my smartphone camera? I think I need to release a press release.”

“I will.”

After taking a photo to use for the press release and exchanging contracts, we talked about the industry for a while.

“As a celebration of becoming a client, I’ll let you know one piece of information that just came in. Brian Bailey seems to be going to Boston.”

“Brian Bailey of the Giants?”

“That’s right. It seems that the Boston club owner was motivated by the Yankees’ investment.”

This is not good news for us.

With San Francisco having almost no chance of advancing to the World Series this season, Brian Bailey, the team’s ace, is about to move to Boston.

If we meet Boston in the postseason, it means that one more ace-class pitcher has been added to face.

“Although it hasn’t been announced publicly, the Phillies seem pessimistic about advancing to the postseason internally. It seems that the group that insists on winning now is losing influence.”

“Hmm.”

“Ah, the Yankees seem to be trying to bring in one more left-handed pitcher before the trade deadline.”

“They really have a lot of money.”

“First of all, the revenue stream itself is different from other clubs. And…….”

After exchanging industry stories for a long time, we moved the topic to the things that needed to be dealt with right away.

That was also the reason why I hurried to appoint an agent.

“Well, then I have to carry out my first mission. It’s about the Asian Games national team selection issue. Have you made a decision?”

“Hmm…….”

The 2030 Doha Asian Games will be held in December, not summer, as the venue is in the Middle East.

Unlike the WBC [World Baseball Classic] or the Olympics, which mobilize all available top players, including major leaguers, the Asian Games usually consist of players under the age of 25 or those in their fourth year as professionals. In addition, three wild cards will be additionally selected regardless of year or age.

Accordingly, Seo Hyeong-ju, Ahn Chi-wook, Choi Ma-ru, and Park Dong-seok from the Warriors are on the list of those to be called up.

It is natural that the KBSA [Korea Baseball Softball Association], which will be in charge of the Asian Games baseball team, and the KBO [Korea Baseball Organization], which will assist it, first asked me about my intention to participate.

Now it’s time to answer that.

“Okay. Let’s go out for now.”

“Hmm, really? I shouldn’t say this from the perspective of someone who just signed a contract, but as an agent, I honestly want to prevent you from participating in the competition.”

“I know what you mean, but I will participate if the people want it. But.”

“But?”

“Only as a designated hitter [DH] at the plate, and… as a pitcher, only one game. Let’s put those restrictions.”

“Ah, I see, you’re thinking that it will interfere with the preparation for next season.”

“Well, not necessarily… If I do everything myself, the kids will develop bad habits.”

“Yes?”

“They should be able to dominate the Asian Games without me. Anyway, please take care of it.”

“All right.”

* * *

“Out! Game set!”

The first game against the Mets, which started in the morning, is finally over.

In this game, which ended in 2 hours and 30 minutes, we suffered a come-from-behind loss by one point, 4 to 3.

Starting pitcher Mike Warren pitched well with 2 runs in 7 innings, but Dalvin Schwartz, who switched to closer in the second half of the season, allowed a walk-off two-run home run.

This is the biggest weakness of our team.

The relief pitching is far weaker than the starting lineup.

Even so, Dalvin Schwartz, Jake Howard, and Jonah Burrow, who were existing starting pitchers, joined in the middle.

Anyway, in this first game, I participated as a designated hitter and second batter and added one hit and one RBI.

There was no home run I expected. The Mets pitchers were being extra cautious and avoiding pitching to me, so there was no chance to swing properly.

“Okay, everyone must be tired, but let’s get up slowly.”

A short break was given after the first game.

And the second game is just around the corner.

Groaning sounds are coming from all over the team due to the forced march of playing two games a day.

“Damn it, my body doesn’t move terribly.”

“Really? Okay, Derek. I’ll tell the manager.”

“Wait! I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I’m fine.”

Of course, I was tired too.

Considering that I have to start in the second game of the doubleheader, it might be better to skip the first game,

But one game is so precious to achieve the goal of 2nd place in the American League overall win rate.

I can’t miss it.

“Okay, I’m ready to burn this one body. Throw it anywhere.”

Looking at Leonard Jones’ bright face, who will be working with me as the starting catcher in the second game, I feel a little energized.

It seems that a lot of backup players will be included in this second game.

I can’t help it.

Rather than trying to overpower them, I have no choice but to mix the pitches to get as many strikeouts as possible.

“Leonard.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll call the pitches for this game.”