Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 72

Pitcher Over, Batter Up – Episode 71

“Advertisements? I’m sorry, but it might be difficult right now since it’s the season.”

“Mark, there’s a new offer. It’s for personal equipment support, like batting gloves and underwear.”

“Yes, please wait a moment. Uh, Clara, ignore that. If we sign a sponsorship deal, we have to use their equipment anyway. If you get any offers for bats or gloves, hold onto them. That’s sensitive, so we need to ask Lee first.”

“Yes, I will handle it that way.”

Mark gave instructions to the female employee who rushed over while he was on the phone. He tried to pick up the receiver again, but he couldn’t.

Another employee rushed over as well.

“Mark! It’s a media outlet from the Atlanta area. They want to interview Lee!”

“Have Roger check it out first. Pass it on to me later, please. Yes, where were we?”

The small office was bombarded with calls, leaving no room to breathe.

Advertisements, sponsorships, equipment support, interviews, even broadcasting.

The public’s interest in Lee, Jeong-woo, knew no bounds.

It was often a hectic day, skipping meals, but Mark thought these days were worth living.

‘Who would have known that Lee would do this well? Even I, as his agent, didn’t know.’

To be honest.

It had been tough.

The existing players had retired or left him. The newly discovered prospects had failed.

So, the already small company size had shrunk dramatically, becoming like a startup.

Of course, the work of an agent or agency wasn’t started to make money from the beginning.

He had been a baseball player until college.

He started this work with the desire to help clueless players.

But he wasn’t happy about the company failing.

‘Lee was a lucky charm. This is why people should do good deeds.’

To Mark, Lee Jeong-woo was a kind of final project.

Agents, Major League teams, scammers. He barely recruited a prospect that everyone coveted.

So, he thought.

If even this guy left him or failed, he would just give up everything neatly.

With that in mind, he poured all his energy into it.

He matched the commission to the highest level and prepared training and equipment at the level of a decent major leaguer.

He also returned the contract money he received at the time of the contract intact.

But then, that precious guy got injured.

Okay, that’s fine.

He thought he had been vaccinated in advance for something that would happen someday and helped with rehabilitation.

But suddenly, he switched to being a batter?

‘At that time, I really wanted to smack him one.’

He was working so hard, but why was that guy doing that? What couldn’t he do?

Is this my last work? Is my agent work ending like this?

But soon, after knowing that it was a decision made after much deliberation, he pushed him as he always had.

That was the jackpot.

After switching to a batter and training for a while, he suddenly did damn well.

Enough to get the attention of the general manager.

So, when he attached a trainer in the fall, he suddenly changed his batting form and grew one step, no, three steps further.

He exploded in Australia.

He confidently returned to the United States and even made a mess of the exhibition game.

Luck followed, and he was called up early, eventually reaching where he is now.

A new star in the Major League, with personal sponsors being offered by leading sports companies.

Advertisements are pouring in from various companies.

‘Who would have known that Lee would have talent as a batter? If I had known this, I would have had him as a dual threat from the beginning….’

-Hello?

“Ah, yes. Please continue.”

Mark, who had fallen into a daze, focused on his work again. But he couldn’t hide the smile on his face.

Soon, after ending the call with a short opinion adjustment, he said to the employees.

“Everyone, handle it as instructed. Report the rest of the work by email or phone.”

“Ah, you’re going to Korea today, right?”

“They keep stirring up the smell of meat [engaging in shady dealings]. I can’t stand seeing them messing with my player. Yes, no. I need to get a proper answer.”

####

-Lee, you’re doing well these days. Are you maintaining your condition well? Is there anything you need?

After the game against the Washington Nationals.

Lee Jeong-woo received a call from Mark.

Lee Jeong-woo, with a faint smile on his face at the voice he heard after a long time, asked jokingly.

“You haven’t been around, but I guess you’re watching the games?”

-What’s with the joke? Are you in a good mood? Well, you’re a starter now. The whole world must be a flower garden.

Mark seemed surprised by Lee Jeong-woo’s joke, which he hadn’t heard in a long time.

He acted exaggeratedly.

He had suddenly become more mature since last year, obsessing over training to an excessive degree.

Like someone who was about to be released.

There was no room for leisure.

Mark was newly happy to see such a human side of him.

-And of course, I watch the games. I probably watch them much more than you do? I’m better than any power analyst.

“You’re an agent, so you should watch more than me, who’s actually playing the game. Anyway, what do you want to talk about? You said we’d talk about personal sponsorships later?”

At Lee Jeong-woo’s words, Mark finally said the reason for the call.

-The sponsorship is still under discussion, so just be aware of it. I wanted to ask you about something else.

“My opinion?”

As Lee Jeong-woo tilted his head, Mark said in a serious voice.

-The Asian Games. What do you think? Do you want to go?

“If I can go, I’ll definitely go. It’s a chance to get rid of the military service tag [exemption from mandatory military service]. Why? Did you get an offer?”

-I’m on my way to get it. They’re playing with public opinion using my player. I can’t stand by and watch.”

At his words, Lee Jeong-woo scratched his beardless chin.

It was a little new.

Mark’s appearance like this.

The Mark that Lee Jeong-woo remembered was always the one who bowed down.

Because of his lack of skills.

He always lost in negotiations or contracts.

But seeing him so confident like this was a little unfamiliar.

He felt proud for no reason.

“Is there a way?”

-We’re going to crash into it.

“It’s the association. Shouldn’t we be careful? What if we hurt their feelings… ?”

-Feelings are already hurt. We are. Where does dealing like this come from?

“Still….”

Lee Jeong-woo was worried.

Most of the sports associations in Korea are overbearing.

They reign over the players.

If they don’t like it, they try to tame them.

From the player’s point of view, it’s terribly unfair.

But as long as the issue of military service is involved.

It’s hard to change that game.

Lee Jeong-woo was worried about that, but.

Mark replied firmly.

-Lee, don’t forget. You’re not a minor anymore, you’re a major leaguer. You’re a big league starter. There’s no reason to be intimidated anymore. It’s right to deal with these issues properly. The association is using your image without permission right now. This shouldn’t be happening. At least there should be give and take. Or at least give me a call.

Lee Jeong-woo closed his mouth.

Mark wouldn’t be able to see it, but.

He nodded briefly.

It wasn’t wrong.

The association was clearly using Lee Jeong-woo himself.

But they didn’t even contact him.

There was no reason to put up with such absurdity.

He didn’t want to put up with it anymore.

So, Lee Jeong-woo gave strength to Mark, who had regained his strength with a light heart.

“Do whatever you want. Well, if they make a fuss, I can just get naturalized. It’s not like I can’t speak English. It’s not like I haven’t established myself here.”

-Oh~ You’re looking good now. Anyway, you said okay. I’ll go and mess them up properly.

Mark, who had become lighter again, chuckled.

But his voice was full of confidence.

Lee Jeong-woo trusted him.

####

[Lee wins Rookie of the Month award for June. ‘The Unparalleled Best Rookie’]

[‘Just a Predetermined Result’ His award was already decided since Lee was called up.]

[The Beginning of the Journey for Rookie of the Year? Lee, ‘I will do my best for good results.’ Does it imply a challenge for Rookie of the Year?]

[The Storm of June Caused by Lee Jeong-woo! Korean Becomes New Hero of the Atlanta Braves!]

After June ended.

Lee Jeong-woo naturally received the Rookie of the Month award.

Everyone expected the result, so there were no particular objections.

A huge amount of articles poured out from both Korea and the United States.

Soon, it was covered again with articles about the direction of the league.

From now on, at the end of the first half of July, it was truly the beginning of a full-scale ranking competition.

[Major League, Who is the Final Winner? Trends by Team]

[Pittsburgh Pirates, Emerging as a New Dark Horse? The Harmony of the Pirate Crew and the Flying Dutchman Ahead of FA!]

[The Championship is Virtually a Foregone Conclusion. Boston is Full of Expectations for its First Championship in 10 Years.]

[NL West League Falling into Chaos, Dodgers and Giants. The Coexistence of Traditional Rivals!]

The Major League, where the ranking competition has intensified, was like a battlefield.

The districts with overwhelming powerhouses were relatively calm.

Places without a strong presence, such as the National Western District or the American Central District, were for the second half.

I wanted to accumulate a little more victories.

The Major League was so interested in the rankings.

There was something that stimulated people as much as that, or even more.

“There’s no one but Derek and Joey again this time.”

“Actually… it’s a bit ambiguous other than those two.”

“Is this Derek’s fifth time now? Oh, I don’t think I could do it even if I was reborn five times.”

It was the All-Star Game.

The player selection was over because the final vote was already over.

But the fans’ expectations were great.

I also hoped that the players I supported would be active in the All-Star Game.

In addition, the Home Run Derby has been changed to compete within a limited time.

It always boasted great box office success, so there were expectations for it.

The fact that the players with the best power in each league compete fairly for power stimulated human expectations.

Of course, there were those who were dissatisfied with their favorite players not being selected.

There are also players who are not selected and fans are upset.

One of them was Lee Jeong-woo.

Ironically, he was a player who had only debuted a month ago.

Lee Jeong-woo was the player that Braves fans wanted to see playing in the All-Star Game the most.

[Of course, I love the captain. Joey too. But honestly, I’ve seen those two a lot already.]

[The best thing is for the captain and Lee to work together as partners in the All-Star Game.]

[Joey and Lee hit back-to-back home runs at the plate!]

[Are you a genius?]

Derek and Joey have already been seen by Braves fans for a long time.

The number of All-Star Games for the two was 4 and 3 respectively.

And the whole country knows that the two are good.

That’s why fans wanted to show off their beloved prospects, their lovely new core, to everyone in the neighborhood.

[It’s a shame that Lee debuted in June. Why?] [If he had debuted in September, he would have definitely received the Rookie of the Year award. This is…]

[To be honest, who is doing better than Lee in the National League right now?]

[Hitting is still a rookie, so there is a lack of data, so let’s put it aside. Even if you look at the defense alone, honestly, there is no player like Lee.]

In the case of the Braves, Derek and Joey, franchise stars, showed a terrifying voting rate in the first and final votes.

He was proudly elected as an All-Star player, but such regret was inevitable.

Lee Jeong-woo, who showed the best performance in June.

Braves fans said that if he had a little more time.

He said that he could have definitely become an All-Star.

Of course, it was ridiculous to talk about the immediate results.

At least it was a reasonable statement in the eyes of fans.

[Pratt is an idiot. That’s why I should have used Lee from the opening game!]

[That’s right, if that had happened, there would be no worries about the Rookie of the Year award, and he would have become an All-Star. The Braves would have been first in the district.]

[It’s too much to say Xshin, Pratt brought Lee in the first place. And only gave 2.5 million dollars.]

[Then I forgive you.]

Even Pratt, the general manager who didn’t upload him in advance, was unnecessarily criticized.

Even the Braves players were openly talking about it.

If it’s this much, I’m sure you’ve said everything.

“Oh, when will I ever be an All-Star~ I’m just making a lot of money. I’m just making a lot of money.”

“Peterson, you’re already screwed, and honestly, he’s the most unfortunate. If Lee had played from the beginning, he would have become an All-Star?”

“What is an All-Star~ If I had played from the opening game, I could have tried for MVP. Of course, under the premise that it’s like now throughout the season.”

“Lee, are you a little heartbroken too?”

To his colleagues who were sitting in front of him and muttering about how pitiful and unfortunate he was.

Lee Jeong-woo scanned them with cold eyes.

He didn’t even expect it, but other people were disappointed.

Lee Jeong-woo was a little dumbfounded.

“I’m not at the level to expect an All-Star yet, am I? It’s only been a month.”

Lee Jeong-woo, who spat out common sense, focused on training again.

But he was also a player, so he had regrets.

To be exact, he was determined.

Such a determination that I will one day be proudly selected as an All-Star.

‘Where am I watching the All-Star Game in America? No, the All-Star is not important, but Mark went there and didn’t even contact me. I wonder how things are going…’

Thinking that way.

Lee Jeong-woo himself erased his thoughts about the All-Star Game.

It wasn’t the club.

They found a way to ease the disappointment of Braves fans even a little.

“Lee, can we talk for a moment?”

“Why are you doing this?”

Lee Jeong-woo tilted his head at the manager’s call.

‘What’s going on?’

It’s not a game day.

I don’t think there’s anything to instruct.

I didn’t understand the sudden call.

Lee Jeong-woo, who approached, wondering if something else was going on, soon received an unexpected offer.