On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 66

Acting Manager Ham Seong-hoon

“I’m not even hoping for a trade. At the very least, until the end of the season, please allow me to manage the team at the level Director Lim has been doing.”

Kim Hak-in conveyed Ham Seong-hoon’s conditions to the general manager.

The general manager readily agreed.

“In the current situation, making it to the top four is a long shot anyway. Just avoiding last place is enough, so agree to it.”

Kim Hak-in found Ham Seong-hoon and told him what the general manager had said.

Ham Seong-hoon directly visited the general manager and reiterated his conditions.

“I hope you won’t forget to give me full authority, as long as it’s not an abnormal team operation. That’s the only condition I want.”

“Alright. We’ll do that.”

The general manager extended his hand to Ham Seong-hoon.

“It’s going to be tough. Let’s work well together.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, and Nak-gyun and Moon-gyu will be sent down to the minors [minor league] for a bit. I think it would be good for them to rest and then come back up to the first team. I’ll approve that on my own.”

“I also agree with sending them down to the minors.”

“Good. Then it’s settled.”

The general manager patted Ham Seong-hoon on the shoulder.

“It’ll be difficult, but shouldn’t we work together more when things are tough? Please do your best.”

Ham Seong-hoon looked at the general manager and said,

“First of all, may I tell you what I want first?”

“What is it?”

“First, I want to replace the current first-team coaching staff with the second-team coaching staff. The current coaches don’t listen to my opinions, so it will be difficult to manage the games together.”

“Good. I agree with that too. We can’t keep being nice to people who tried to bail when things got tough.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you know if I want anything else later.”

“We’re not comfortable either. I know you’re walking a difficult path. But if you do well, we’ll treat you well, so don’t forget that. Got it?”

As soon as Ham Seong-hoon left the general manager’s office, he immediately picked up the phone.

The person Ham Seong-hoon was looking for was Kim Min-seok, his strategy coach and junior colleague.

“Come to the parking lot right now. I have somewhere to go with you.”

* * *

Kim Min-seok took the wheel, and Ham Seong-hoon sat in the passenger seat.

Ham Seong-hoon held a thick stack of documents in his hand.

“Ah, so you’re finally the acting manager, Hyung [older brother/term of respect]?”

“Yeah.”

“You know this is just a position to be used and discarded. Why did you take it?”

“When else would I get a chance to be a manager if not now?”

“Still, with your career, you could coach again somewhere else. Being an acting manager makes things ambiguous. It’s awkward to go to another team as a coach.”

Ham Seong-hoon turned a page of the documents.

“I’ve always been ambiguous. That’s probably why the club picked me.”

“You’re definitely management material, Hyung. If your career gets twisted here, your chances of becoming a manager could also get twisted. Tell them something came up and you can’t do it, even now.”

“What have I shown to be a manager? I don’t have any connections here, and I wasn’t a star player. If I’m going to be a manager, it can only be now. I have to take it, even if the situation is bad.”

“I didn’t know you were so eager for the manager position.”

“Even if I go back to America later, I won’t be able to be a manager there. And it’s difficult to become a general manager. Even a half-year as a manager is enough. Missing the opportunity to add the career of a professional baseball manager to my baseball life would be foolish.”

“Ha, this is a hundred percent a case of using you and throwing you away. Your skills are wasted.”

“I’m confident I can make a living wherever I go, even if it’s not here. I have nothing to lose. Stop saying things like that. I can’t concentrate.”

Ham Seong-hoon’s hand stopped.

“Song Seok-hyun?”

“What about him?”

Ham Seong-hoon stroked his chin.

“Interesting. He hasn’t played many games in the minors, but his stats are amazing. Just looking at his home runs, he’s even better than Kim In-hwan.”

“There’s someone like that?”

“A high school graduate, reported as a catcher. His background is also unique. It’s the first time I’ve seen a case of someone switching from pitcher to catcher.”

“That’s strange. I’ve seen catchers become pitchers, though.”

“It’s dereliction of duty.”

Ham Seong-hoon closed the documents.

“What is?”

“Me. I mean me.”

“Why you?”

“I was too focused on the first team and overlooked the second-team players too carelessly. I only looked at the positions needed for the first team and missed a guy like this.”

“The head coach doesn’t have to know all the second-team players, does he?”

“If he’s putting up these kinds of numbers, the head coach shouldn’t be unaware.”

Ham Seong-hoon looked out the car window.

“I didn’t want to be someone who blames others.”

“When have you ever blamed others? Stop blaming yourself.”

“Even though he’s a catcher, I should call up a guy like this first. It’s uncertain whether In-hwan will fill Dae-gyu’s void, and I should scratch this lottery ticket.”

“Are you going to use him as a DH [designated hitter]?”

“I have to use him somehow, whether it’s as a DH or something else. If Moon-gyu and Nak-gyun are out, all the FA [free agent] hitters are gone. I need to add another card I can use in the second half of the season, even now.”

“Can’t Moon-gyu and Nak-gyun come back up when public opinion calms down?”

“We don’t know if public opinion will calm down or not. Relying only on public opinion is not what a manager should do.”

Ham Seong-hoon took out his phone.

“I’ll make a call for a bit.”

“Okay.”

The person Ham Seong-hoon called was Koo Chang-hyun, the second-team manager.

“Hello, Manager. I’m calling because I have something urgent to discuss.”

* * *

Arriving at the second-team stadium, Ham Seong-hoon immediately looked for Koo Chang-hyun.

Koo Chang-hyun gave a wry smile as soon as he saw Ham Seong-hoon.

“So, our Ham Coach is carrying the shit bucket after all?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

“Ha, they’re really too much. Ham Coach is an easy target.”

Koo Chang-hyun patted Ham Seong-hoon on the shoulder.

“You should have refused, why did you take it?”

“Someone has to do it, right? I was also picked thanks to Director Lim, so someone from our side has to take responsibility.”

“The other coaches wiped their mouths clean?”

“…They all have their reasons.”

“Those old farts, geez.”
Ham Seong-hoon pointed to the table.

“I have something important to tell you, may I sit down?”

“Yeah, tell me. I owe you one, so I’ll do whatever I can for you.”
Ham Seong-hoon and Koo Chang-hyun sat facing each other.

“First of all, I have to say that I’m going to be asking for a lot of favors.”

“Favors? What is it? Tell me.”

“First, we need to move the coaching staff.”

“Ha, well, that’s it.”

Koo Chang-hyun crossed his legs.

“You have to. Those guys aren’t going to listen to you anyway.”

“If the first and second-team coaching staffs are switched, there will be some… difficult parts for you, Manager, right? They all have strong opinions…”

“Is it because of Park Yoon-soo? Who is he? I’m the king here. Send all the stragglers here. Don’t worry about that.”

“Are you really okay with that?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Don’t worry about that.”

“Thank you.”

Koo Chang-hyun nodded.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. That’s natural.”

“And Nak-gyun and Moon-gyu will be in the minors for a while. It’s presumptuous of me to say this, but those guys…”

“You want me to manage and supervise them well so they don’t cause trouble?”
Ham Seong-hoon laughed wryly.

“How do you know everything?”

“Because it’s obvious. I’m going to crack down on those bastards. I’ll strictly manage their overnight stays and outings. Well, they’re adults, so I can’t completely prevent rumors… but I’ll control them as much as I can.”

“Thank you, Manager.”

“It’s all natural. We’re all one team, even if we’re in the first and second teams, so we have to cooperate. You’re working the hardest, so how can I take credit?”

“These two issues were the biggest problems. It was really difficult for me to tell you, but I didn’t expect you to accept so readily.”

“There’s give and take. If you hadn’t become the acting manager, wouldn’t it have come to me eventually?”
Ham Seong-hoon unfolded the documents.

“And there will be a large-scale call-up. Besides Kim In-hwan and Kim Jung-ryul, can these guys also be ready for a first-team call-up?”

“Let’s see… Choi Jae-wan, Seol Jin-il. These guys are replacements for Nak-gyun and Moon-gyu. Lee Baek-chan and Jung Cheon-woon too? You’re bringing up three pitchers?”

“Yes, the first-team bullpen’s fatigue is too high. The guys coming down to the second team this time need to rest and be managed for a while. It will be difficult for them to play in second-team games. It will interfere with your game management, Manager, but they really need to rest… I keep asking for difficult favors.”

“Losing three good pitchers is a bit of a blow. I have to fill the innings somehow…”

“I’m sorry.”

“Well, it can’t be helped, given the situation. I’ll have to reduce the bullpen and focus on starting pitchers to pull them along as long as possible. Sigh, it’s still going to be tough.”

“And finally.”
Ham Seong-hoon put his finger on the name Song Seok-hyun.

“I wanted to ask you about this guy.”

Koo Chang-hyun grinned.

“Seok-hyun?”

“Yes, his stats are excellent, even though the period is very short. His long-hit power is especially outstanding.”

“Song Seok-hyun. He’s a monster, a monster. Is the head coach only finding out about Seok-hyun now?”
Ham Seong-hoon bowed his head.

“I’m sorry. I was lazy.”

“You really haven’t heard about Seok-hyun?”

“I have no excuse.”

“Ha, that’s serious. I told Director Lim several times that he should be brought up to the first team, but you’re saying he didn’t mention it to you at all.”

“…Is that so?”

“Even so, Director Lim was too much to the head coach.”

“No. I should have known first, but I was too focused on the first team and was too ignorant of the second-team situation.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard it all. They’re not kids, why is everyone acting like this?”

“…”

“It’s childish, all grown-ups.”

“Ahem.”
Ham Seong-hoon changed the subject.

“Is Song Seok-hyun a good player?”

“Good? Hahaha!”

Koo Chang-hyun laughed loudly.

“Honestly, his mitt work is still a bit lacking. That’s unavoidable because he needs a lot of experience. But except for that…”

Koo Chang-hyun raised his thumb.

“He’s a monster. He has an arm that throws 155km/h [kilometers per hour] and his long-hit power is on par with Kim In-hwan. These days, he even has a nickname, ‘Song Seok-hyun of the Outfield.'”

“A disability? Does he have a disability?”

“Not a disability, but the outfield. He’s already hit home runs that have gone over the outfield… two or three. He’s a guy who hits it over the outfield all the time.”
Ham Seong-hoon pushed his glasses up.

“He hits it over the outfield?”

“He’s smart, diligent, has good power, and a good arm, wow. He’s a real find. Honestly, if I had raised him, I would spread the word all over the neighborhood, but he was a natural from the start, so I’m embarrassed to spread the word. I can say this with 34 years of my baseball life on the line. He’ll be at the top of the league before Jung Yong-wook retires.”

“…Is he that good?”

“Unless he’s the type who only flies around in the minors, he’ll definitely, definitely make it. It’s a shame that our catcher position is too solid, but he has to gain experience somehow. Whether it’s as a DH or a late-game pinch hitter, he has to be developed. He’ll be the future of the club. No, I think he’ll be the future of Korean baseball.”

“I was really oblivious, not knowing a guy like this.”

“I thought it might take time, but Seok-hyun is seizing the opportunity right away. I never imagined this opportunity would come.”

“Can I meet Song Seok-hyun now?”

“Sure. Wait, I’ll call him.”

While Koo Chang-hyun was on the phone, Ham Seong-hoon stared intently at Song Seok-hyun’s photo.

He has an ordinary and kind face, unlike a typical athlete.

Only his firmly closed lips made him look like an athlete.

A moment later.

The door opened and Song Seok-hyun entered.

He had a similar face to the photo.

“Oh, you’re here? Come here.”

Koo Chang-hyun called Song Seok-hyun.

Ham Seong-hoon made eye contact with Song Seok-hyun.

Koo Chang-hyun spoke formally to Ham Seong-hoon because Song Seok-hyun was in front of him.

“This is Song Seok-hyun. Our club’s future.”
Ham Seong-hoon extended his hand.

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Ham Seong-hoon.”
Ham Seong-hoon continued.

“Until now, I was the club’s head coach. From tomorrow, I’ll be the acting manager.”

Song Seok-hyun was lost in thought for a moment.

He must have been caught up in the word ‘acting manager.’

“Congratulations. Pack your bags today. You’ll be going to Jamsil [stadium in Seoul] tomorrow.”

“Yes?”

“I ended up telling you myself. Please take care of me. Let’s do well together from tomorrow.”

“…Yes?”

Ham Seong-hoon couldn’t help but laugh as his firm expression crumbled.

His appearance is quite catcher-like, but he’s still a young guy.

“Wouldn’t it be better to pack your bags quickly? It’s going to be hectic from tomorrow because it’s an away game.”

“Ah… Yes. Yes, yes. I understand.”

Song Seok-hyun left the manager’s office in a daze.

Koo Chang-hyun chuckled.

“He’s still young. Right?”

“Yes, he’s still innocent.”