A Rookie in the Baseball Team is Too Good

Chapter 14: Let’s Work Together (2)

The person who called Ji-seop was Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju, also known as ‘Sakhalin Park.’

As always, Vice Chairman Park’s message was short and to the point.

– “Let’s have a meal. This Sunday.”

His tone indicated that he didn’t care about Ji-seop’s schedule.

– “I’ll send a car to your house. Be ready and come out by 7 AM.”

At that moment, Ji-seop had considered saying, ‘I have a prior engagement,’ but the impatient Sakhalin Park hung up the phone before he could even try.

“…Damn.”

That said, Ji-seop didn’t have any other plans, so on Sunday morning, he was downstairs at his apartment entrance, waiting for the car sent by Vice Chairman Park.

‘Where does he plan on having lunch that he wants me out here by 7 AM?’

He grumbled to himself, checking his phone’s clock multiple times.

Soon, a familiar car glided smoothly into the entrance of the apartment complex.

“Coach Kim, how have you been?”

“Ah, Secretary Yang?”

Ji-seop had expected just a driver, but it was Secretary Yang who came to pick him up.

This was the first time they’d met since KH Group’s company baseball tournament.

As Ji-seop got into the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt, he greeted Secretary Yang.

“How have you been?”

“Haha, well…”

Secretary Yang responded with his usual gentle smile.

As they were leaving the apartment complex, Ji-seop asked the question that had been on his mind.

“So… where are we going today?”

Secretary Yang was usually tight-lipped like a clam, but Ji-seop hoped he might answer this time.

“Judging by the direction, it doesn’t seem like we’re heading into downtown Seoul…”

“That’s correct.”

Secretary Yang nodded.

What came next was a slightly surprising answer.

“We’re going to Yeongsan.”

“Yeongsan? Yeongsan in Gyeonggi Province?”

“Yes, specifically, to KH Cannons Field.”

Secretary Yang continued.

“The Vice Chairman has taken on the role of CEO and acting owner of the KH Cannons.”

* * *

This was the first time Ji-seop heard about it.

That Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju was now in charge of a baseball team.

“Does that mean he’s stepping down as CEO of KH Global?”

“Yes. It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but…”

Secretary Yang glanced at Ji-seop.

His expression seemed to say, ‘Don’t you remember what happened during the company baseball tournament?’

Ji-seop quietly nodded.

‘Sakhalin Park, with the baseball team…’

Ji-seop felt conflicted.

Should he be congratulating Sakhalin Park today or offering his condolences?

‘Considering the mood during the company baseball tournament, it seems like I should be congratulating him, but…’

The problem was that the destination was the baseball team.

Ji-seop didn’t know much about the inner workings of large corporations, but he had heard some things from his seniors who had gone pro.

According to them, managing a baseball team was considered one of the least desirable positions within a large company.

It was like a waiting room for executives who were on their way out—a kind of exile.

‘If I think of it that way, maybe I should be offering my condolences?’

As they drove down to Yeongsan in Gyeonggi Province, Ji-seop wore a serious expression, deep in thought—

“…”

But in the end, Ji-seop’s concern turned out to be completely unnecessary.

“Are you guys out of your minds or what?!”

They had just arrived at KH Cannons Field after a two-hour drive.

As soon as they stood in front of the door labeled [CEO’s Office] with Secretary Yang, a voice boomed out like someone had swallowed a train whistle.

“Is the baseball team’s manager some kind of revolving door?! The same guy keeps coming back, and the one who was kicked out is sitting there as a candidate again!”

It didn’t seem like there was any need for condolences, and it didn’t look like congratulations would even register in this situation.

“Go out there and recruit someone new! If you bring me a list like this again, next time, we’re all heading into the West Sea together, got it?!”

Crash.

The high-ranking officials of the baseball team, who had seemed to be running away, hurriedly exited the CEO’s office.

“You guys think you can pull such nonsense in front of me… Huh?”

Through the crack in the door, the face of the fuming Sakhalin Park, who looked like an angry bull, came into view.

“Hey, Qingdao! You’re here?”

Despite the fierce expression he had just been wearing, Sakhalin Park’s face brightened as soon as he saw Ji-seop.

“What are you doing standing there? Come in, come in!”

Seeing Sakhalin Park wave him in, Ji-seop couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly.

‘He was whining about being old and done for during the company baseball tournament, but…’

It seemed like Ji-seop had been worrying about the most unnecessary thing in the world.

* * *

“It all turned out just like you said.”

Inside the KH Cannons’ CEO’s office.

After downing a glass of iced Americano that a secretary had brought in, the first thing Sakhalin Park said was,

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you remember? During the company baseball tournament, you said you didn’t get a hit, but there was a certain achievement.”

Thunk.

Sakhalin Park set down the plastic cup and chewed on the ice, grinding it between his teeth.

“And you also said that Chairman Joo Yeong-eun might be so impressed by my game that he’d give me something new to take on.”

“Oh, right.”

Ji-seop seemed to recall.

“It really turned out that way.”

“My words became reality. My words became reality.”

Sakhalin Park looked dissatisfied.

“Damn, if I’d just kept quiet, I could have become the chairman of Yeongsan High School and spent my days leisurely fishing…”

Sakhalin Park grumbled.

“Because of your unnecessary comments, I’m here, working even on a Sunday… Oh, what a life.”

Why was he acting so out of character?

Ji-seop couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You don’t seem unhappy at all, though.”

“Unhappy? Me?”

“If it’s really so difficult, you could delegate the team’s operations to the general manager or coach, couldn’t you? I hear some people do that.”

“Hmph, do you think I’d do that?”

Sakhalin Park got up from his seat.

“Soon, my name will be up here.”

He pointed to the team history chart on one wall of the CEO’s office.

“It’s not something else; it’s my name that will be left here… How could I do a half-hearted job? Even if it means taking all the criticism, I have to give it my all.”

Despite his words, Sakhalin Park’s eyes were fixed on the photograph of the ‘KH Cannons’ founding ceremony’ next to the chart.

Ji-seop noticed that his gaze was directed at the late Chairman Joo Tae-san, who was smiling brightly at the center of the photo.

And then came a sudden statement.

“I plan to win the championship within three years.”

“What?!”

The unexpected declaration made Ji-seop tilt his head in confusion.

“A championship? KH Cannons, you mean?”

“Do you think I mean some other team?”

Sakhalin Park’s gaze was sharp.

“I’m getting older, and I can’t drag this out for too long. I’m going to put KH at the top of the Korean Series within three years, and then retire without any regrets.”

“Three years, huh…”

What place was KH in this year?

Didn’t they miss out on the postseason?

As Ji-seop thought about this, Sakhalin Park’s vision statement was reaching its climax.

“I’ve already laid out the plan. What to do this season, what to do next season, and what to do the season after that… The problem is the people.”

“People.”

Sakhalin Park emphasized it again.

“This damn team lacks people. It lacks smart people, it lacks competent people… Above all, it lacks people who can share my vision.”

“…”

“So, here’s the thing.”

Swoosh.

Sakhalin Park looked at Ji-seop.

“Hey, Qingdao.”

“Yes, Vice Chairman.”

“You need to come to the baseball team.”

* * *

Sakhalin Park’s offer.

Ji-seop blinked.

“To the baseball team?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

“What do you mean?”

Ji-seop scratched his chin with his finger.

“It’s true that I worked as your personal coach, Vice Chairman… But with just that much experience, I can’t be a general manager or coach, can I?”

“What?!”

Sakhalin Park looked incredulous.

“You fool, when did I say I’d put you in charge as general manager or coach? You’ve never been drafted by a pro team, and you were playing in the Chinese league until recently. How could I put you in such a position? Do you want to ruin a perfectly good team?!”

“Then why…”

Ji-seop looked into Sakhalin Park’s eyes.

But soon, with an embarrassed expression, he scratched the back of his head.

“I’m sorry, Vice Chairman. It seems I misheard you.”

“You’re such a dull fellow…”

Well, anyway.

Sakhalin Park cleared his throat and continued.

“While the roles of general manager and coach are important, I also believe in the importance of the front office staff who take care of the players up close.”

Ji-seop nodded silently.

It was a valid point.

“There will probably be an announcement next week. We’ll be hiring people to assist the players during next year’s spring training.”

“Are you talking about training assistants?”

“You’re well informed.”

Sakhalin Park smiled.

“These days, the hurdles have gotten so high that even players who’ve been drafted by pro teams get rejected, and graduates from prestigious universities are also turned away… But I’ll quietly put in a good word to make sure you get in.”

As long as he submitted his application, he was guaranteed to be accepted.

It was the parachute entry he had only heard about.

“You weren’t planning to stay at the recreational baseball lesson center forever, were you? After playing baseball for so long, naturally, you’d want to come to the pros and fulfill your unrealized dreams.”

“…”

“This is your chance to come to the pros and fully demonstrate your abilities.”

Sakhalin Park’s voice grew louder.

“Don’t worry about what others think. If necessary, stand up to your superiors! If there are players who aren’t focused, give them a good scolding!”

“You’re good at that, aren’t you?”

Sakhalin Park chuckled.

“As long as it doesn’t escalate into a fistfight, I’ll… no, Secretary Yang will take care of things.”

“Secretary Yang?”

Ji-seop looked at Secretary Yang, who was sitting across from him.

“Secretary Yang, are you joining the baseball team too?”

“That guy’s old now; where else would he go? He’s sticking with me to the end.”

Sakhalin Park patted Secretary Yang on the shoulder.

Then he looked at Ji-seop.

“You’ll be realizing your unfulfilled dreams with the baseball team, and I’ll be achieving my final goal with the team.”

“…”

“I think it’s a pretty good deal for both of us. What do you think?”

“…”

Ji-seop was silent for a while.

With his mouth tightly shut, he stared intently into Sakhalin Park’s eyes.

Just as Sakhalin Park was about to break the awkward silence with, ‘Hey, why are you staring at me like that?’

“Understood, Vice Chairman.”

Ji-seop finally spoke.

“I’ll join the baseball team.”