Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 178

178. More Important Than Baseball (5)

Finally, I sat face to face with Ahn Bumseok.

Ahn Bumseok seemed uncomfortable during our conversation, fidgeting and shifting in his seat.

I didn’t shake his hand, but I managed to catch a glimpse of his information window when we briefly made contact while sitting down.

-He believes he can succeed even in Major League Baseball.

-He intends to sign with the team that offers him the best conditions.

Being good at baseball and having confidence was, of course, ideal.

But a player needed something more important than that.

Humility, recognizing that even the ace is just one member of the team, and respect and consideration for teammates.

Baseball was a sport played by many players together.

If you couldn’t become one with your teammates, you could never become a good player.

While I was lost in thought, Ahn Bumseok spoke first.

“I heard my dad met with the CEO recently. Is that true?”

“Yes, we met and talked.”

“So, if I decide, we sign the contract right away?”

“If we decide to recruit you after talking today, then it’s possible, right?”

“But is there more to talk about? You already know what my skills are, don’t you?”

Ahn Bumseok shrugged as if he couldn’t understand.

I got straight to the point with him.

“What do you think your weaknesses are right now?”

“My weaknesses…?”

Ahn Bumseok frowned and tilted his head, as if my question made him uncomfortable.

“I want to know what areas you’re working on improving these days.”

“Well… I think I’m doing pretty well overall so far.”

Ahn Bumseok answered with a satisfied expression after a moment of thought.

“No matter how well you’re doing, there’s always going to be at least one weakness as a player.”

“I haven’t had any major difficulties during games so far.”

“Even if you haven’t felt any difficulties during the game, there must be something you feel you lack.”

“Hmm… I’m not sure.”

I didn’t know if he really didn’t know or if he wasn’t saying it because of his pride, but he didn’t seem willing to say it himself.

If that’s the case, I have no choice but to ask directly.

“It seems like you get shaken easily on the mound when other teammates make even a single error? What efforts are you making to resolve that?”

I had confirmed several times during today’s game that he couldn’t maintain his composure after an error.

“Ah… but isn’t that unavoidable? No matter how well I do, if the other guys make mistakes, the opposing team gets on base and scores. Honestly, are there any players who wouldn’t be shaken in that situation?”

“Normally, a pitcher would naturally be shaken. But you want to go to the Major League, right? Then you have to be different from ordinary pitchers, don’t you?”

“…”

Ahn Bumseok’s eyes wavered for the first time, perhaps because of the mention of the Major League.

“Are you going to keep getting shaken like that every time your teammates make errors? If that happens, it’ll be too easy for the opposing team to play against you.”

“But I still managed to stop them. I can just strike them out.”

“Your pitch count increased a lot as you threw more balls. That’s why you didn’t pitch as many innings today as usual.”

As I stated the facts one by one, Ahn Bumseok couldn’t hide his frustrated expression.

Then, after taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he opened his mouth.

“But isn’t that a problem with my teammates’ skills? When I go pro, other professional-level players will be defending, so it seems like it’ll be resolved naturally, right?”

“Professional players still make errors. They can make errors at any time. The pressure makes it even more likely in very important situations.”

“Whose fault is it if the team loses because of those errors?”

Ahn Bumseok looked at me as if I were saying something ridiculous.

“Whose fault is it?”

“I’m asking whose problem it is when someone makes an error in an important situation.”

Ahn Bumseok’s voice was louder than before.

“…”

“The error is the fault of the player who committed it. That player needs to practice their defense hard to improve.”

“But baseball isn’t a sport that a pitcher plays alone. Conversely, the defense can help the pitcher overcome a crisis when they’re shaken on the mound. There have been many times when you’ve gotten out of a crisis with a double play thanks to good defense, right?”

Just in the game we watched, there was a moment when the defense made a good play, securing a double play and preventing a crisis.

“But that’s too obvious, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s obvious that the fielders should play well in their positions. Making errors is the problem.”

“…”

“Can a pitcher who keeps walking batters and getting hit even get to pitch in a game? A pitcher has to throw well and get the opposing batters out. Otherwise, they won’t get a chance to pitch. It’s the same with hitters. Players who make a lot of errors shouldn’t be allowed to play. The pitcher and hitter have to do their part like that for the team to win. I don’t think there’s any other way.”

Ahn Bumseok answered with unwavering confidence.

“Of course, it’s natural to build up the fundamentals. But I’m talking about teamwork. The team needs to work well together to achieve good results.”

“Hmm… then I think I’m doing well. The teamwork isn’t bad even in team practices.”

Haa…

I tried to hide the sigh that was about to escape as I answered.

“How is your daily life usually?”

“I’m doing well. There are no problems at all.”

“Are there any players you’re close to among your current teammates?”

“Huh? Why are you asking that?”

Ahn Bumseok retorted with a dumbfounded expression.

“I heard you talking to the players earlier.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Didn’t you just talk to three other players? I think they were players who played in today’s game.”

“Ah, just now. Yes, we talked about today’s game.”

“Do you usually talk like that?”

Even professional players who get along well outside the stadium sometimes have heated conversations when their competitive spirit intensifies.

I hoped that was the case.

“I’m helping them. I need to tell the players who aren’t good at baseball what they’re lacking.”

“That’s the role of the manager or coach, not something a teammate should do, right?”

“Their errors affect me. My earned runs go up, my pitch count increases, and the innings I can pitch get shorter. So, shouldn’t I be able to say something?”

“You can’t win a game just because you’re good at baseball. That’s why the team has to become one.”

“First of all, it’s important to be good at baseball.”

“No, there’s something more important than that.”

“The foundation of a baseball player is being good at baseball. And if that foundation isn’t there, they shouldn’t become a baseball player. Everything else comes after that.”

Ahn Bumseok retorted to my words without backing down.

* * *

I was deep in thought on the way back to the agency’s accommodation.

A player with enough talent to be called the future national team ace.

But the side he showed behind the scenes was by no means that of a good player.

Not only was he receiving attention and recognition from countless people at a young age, but he had also received an offer from the Major League, the stage of dreams.

Perhaps it was only natural for a player who wasn’t even 20 years old to become arrogant in this environment.

Even after arriving at the accommodation and sitting in the office chair, my worries continued.

Knock.

At that moment, Jung Inkyu opened the door and sat down at his desk.

Jung Inkyu looked at me, who was lost in thought, and asked.

“CEO, what are you so worried about?”

“Just thinking about this and that.”

I tried to brush it off as if nothing was wrong, but Jung Inkyu noticed that my reaction was different from usual and approached with a curious expression.

“Hey, it seems like something important. Tell me. I’m curious.”

Okay, I should hear Jung Inkyu’s opinion too.

“What do you think about a player who’s really good at baseball but can’t get along with his teammates?”

“That wouldn’t work. If they don’t work well together, the game won’t go smoothly.”

“What if that player is the top ace?”

“An ace? How much of an ace?”

“Just the best. There’s no one comparable in the league.”

“Haa… This is too difficult of a balance game.”

Jung Inkyu pressed his temples and paused for a moment.

Then, he carefully opened his mouth.

“Honestly, I don’t think there are many managers who would cut that player in that situation. But if I were the manager, I wouldn’t use him in the long term.”

“Really? Even if not using that player means losing your immediate first starter?”

“I think the reason our school did so well last year was because of that. The players were really close, and so were the coaches, including the manager. Because of that, the players were able to play comfortably and gradually show a better performance.”

“Hmm… That’s what you mean, right?”

I took a deep breath.

“But why are you suddenly worrying about that?”

“There’s a player I’m worried about.”

“Who is it?”

“You’ll be surprised.”

“Tell me, quickly.”

Jung Inkyu gestured for me to speak quickly.

“Ahn Bumseok.”

“What? That Ahn Bumseok I know?”

“Yeah.”

As I nodded, Jung Inkyu’s mouth dropped open as if he couldn’t believe it.

And he immediately told me about the scene I had seen and the conversation I had with Ahn Bumseok.

Jung Inkyu’s expression gradually hardened.

“Really… that’s what happened?”

“Yeah. It’s what I saw and confirmed myself.”

“Haa… If you only look at his potential, he’s definitely going to be the national team’s number one starter in a few years.”

Jung Inkyu sighed, unable to hide his disappointment.

“Haa… That’s right.”

I couldn’t stop the sigh that was coming out.

“So, what are you going to do now?”

“If a player prioritizes the individual over the team, it’s going to be difficult to go with him, right?”

“But if he signs a Major League contract next year, we’ll get hundreds of millions of won in agency fees.”

“…”

“Should we try to change him instead? It’s too bad to just let him go like that.”

Jung Inkyu still couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“Hmm…”

It wasn’t like I wasn’t worried.

* * *

A few days later, I came to watch Ahn Bumseok’s starting game again.

I had somewhat organized my thoughts in my mind, but I hadn’t made a definite decision yet.

That’s how great Ahn Bumseok’s talent was.

Therefore, helping him unleash his talent was very important for the development of Korean baseball.

That was why I desperately wanted my own thoughts to change.

In today’s game, there were many scouts as well as reporters with cameras.

They must be here to see Ahn Bumseok.

I sat in a quiet corner and waited for the game to start.

Even though I tried not to let anyone know I was here, I couldn’t hide it completely.

Somehow, the relay camera was already pointing at me.

Even after realizing that the camera was pointing at me, I didn’t react in any way.

Shortly after, the game started.

As Suchen High’s defensive inning began, Ahn Bumseok, holding the ball, was approaching the mound.