No Tanking Season – And the Dawn Fan Swarm
Anyway, it was good.
"Okay. That's training for today. Everyone, shower up and gather in the stadium conference room."
Conference room, all of a sudden? Well, it had felt off. The All-Star Game started tomorrow, but the afternoon practice had wrapped up shorter than expected. Sure enough, there was a reason.
The team meeting was called just like that. Not the usual quick huddle in the locker room, but a formal affair in the stadium's conference room—a pretty solemn setup.
I wasn't used to this kind of atmosphere, so I froze for a second the moment I pushed open the door. I scanned around, trying to gauge where to sit without drawing attention.
That's when Gu Min-seok tapped me from behind. "Cut the bullshit and just sit anywhere. What're you looking around for?"
I flinched, nodded, and plopped down in the nearest chair.
A moment later, Manager Kim Young-ho strode to the front and slowly scanned the players. Without any preamble, he dove right in.
"Everyone worked hard in training today. The reason I called this team meeting is to make it crystal clear how we're going to approach the rest of our games."
His tone was even, but his voice carried real weight. The players naturally straightened up and focused.
"Right now, we're in ninth place. Do we stick with this record, give the young guys opportunities, and just finish out the season? Or do we start scrapping from here to climb back up? It's time to decide which path we're taking."
Hmm... They've probably agonized over this a hundred times already. But keeping the current manager... and trading away vets instead of just the kids...
"I have no intention of tanking through a season. This team isn't done yet. We need to get back to fall baseball. That's what I've decided."
At those words, most of the players looked up. Even with our low ranking now, the guys who'd tasted second place last season had no plans to stop here.
Manager Kim Young-ho then brought up the recent trades.
"I think our pitching staff is weak right now. That's why this trade brought in immediate first-team caliber arms to shore it up. Sure, we gave up some hitters, so our position player pool is thinner, but with solid starters in place, it shouldn't be a big issue."
The manager paused, eyeing the players. "And... to give the pitchers even more support, I'm planning to cut two spots from the position player side of the roster."
What? Giving up roster spots on the fielders?
In pro baseball, teams carry 28 on the roster and can dress 26 per game. Most clubs run 14 pitchers and 14 hitters, maybe shifting one spot here or there. Like if a team has three catchers, pitchers might drop to 13 and hitters go to 15, or if pitching's thin, 15 pitchers and 13 hitters.
But openly handing over two more spots... That'd be 16 pitchers and 12 position players...
A faint ripple of breaths escaped from seats around the room.
As if expecting the heavy mood, Manager Kim Young-ho pressed on. "Most positions already have established starters and backups. In fact, with the traded players gone, the remaining guys are guaranteed more playing time. It's hot in summer, but with our current setup, as long as we avoid major injuries, we can hold it together. On the flip side, to get proper innings out of the pitchers, we'll reduce the load per guy. That's the thinking here—understand?"
Ah, so that's the direction they've settled on. The coaching staff nodded, backing the manager up.
"There are eight teams ahead of us now. I think we can catch the mid-to-lower ones. The top teams are tough, but with our current roster, we can steal at least one win in every three-game series. So... let's make a run for fall ball in the second half."
"Yes, sir!"
Manager Kim Young-ho took a sip of water, then scanned the room again. It felt like a natural segue to the next topic.
"Now, about the All-Star Game starting tomorrow."
A murmur rippled through the players. The All-Star break was fun for everyone—a highlight event—but it also meant adjusting rest schedules team-wide.
"You know it's this weekend, right? From the fielders: Kim Han-seong, Jeong I-hun, and catcher Jang Ha-jun are going. Pitchers: Jo Seon-jae and Lee Tae-sin."
Kim Han-seong, Jeong I-hun, and Jo Seon-jae made it by fan vote. Jang Ha-jun and Lee Tae-sin were manager picks.
Tsk... Lucky bastard Tae-sin. I got edged out in voting, but he snags a manager invite.
"Anyway, that's our five. Head to Daegu, have a good time, take care of the fans properly. Everyone else—rest up. Call it a short vacation. But don't go overboard; manage your condition so you can hit the ground running when league play resumes. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
Manager Kim Young-ho's gaze drifted my way. I caught it, straightened my back.
"Oh! Kim Hu-seong."
The manager looked a bit regretful as he continued. "Tough break for you. Third base fan vote, second place, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"What can you do? First place went to Daedeok MacPhies' cleanup hitter... Local teams with that fanbase thickness are a nightmare matchup. But that's neither here nor there."
He turned back to me. "A guy who's been hitting, running, fielding, and contributing like you lately? You'll make All-Star next year, no doubt. That said... you're the one overdoing training, so rest this time. Understood?"
"Yes... Got it."
"Rest is part of training too. That's how you'll crush the second half."
Then Hwang Do-yoon nudged me from behind. "Yeah, man. Take a breather for once."
* * *
The next morning—All-Star rest day—I headed to the training field as usual. Lying idle at home didn't sit right, and my body was so tuned to the dawn routine that staying in bed too long felt weirder than anything.
I toyed with seeing Seo Ha-yoon for a bit, but remembered she'd already headed to Daegu for All-Star cheer events, popular girl that she was. So, only one option left.
Training.
I woke at 5 a.m. and rolled into the stadium a little after 6.
But... something was off. A dark cluster loomed at the parking lot entrance. Staff? Security? But the numbers didn't add up.
I eased the car closer, then cracked the window. That's when it hit.
"Waaaaaaah! It's Kim Hu-seong!"
One shout, and every eye locked on me.
"For real!"
"Whoa! Crazy, coming in at this hour?"
Eh...? If they're reacting like that...
What the—fans?
I froze solid. Fans at this hour? And like twenty of them.
The crowd surged toward my car. Hats pulled low, but notebooks, jerseys, and photocards waved in their hands.
"Kim Hu-seong! Can we get autographs?"
"Photos too?"
I blinked blankly from inside the car, brain stalled. Park farther aside? Ignore and drive in? Crack the window for quick signs? No clue.
Luckily, early enough—no other cars incoming.
"Uh... hold on a sec. Am I still half-asleep?"
I rubbed my eyes, looked again. Still twenty people waiting.
"Hoo..."
In the end, I pulled safely to the shoulder, stepped out cautiously.
"Uh... I'll hop out for a quick one."
The fans cheered in unison, stepping back to make space. They swiftly formed a single line, and I started servicing them one by one.
Signing away, I couldn't help asking. "But... how are you guys here this early? It's way too soon."
One fan piped up confidently. "It dropped on NewTube! Said Kim Hu-seong comes for dawn training."
I blinked. "Still... isn't today a rest day 'cause of All-Stars?"
Another jumped in. "That video said you train almost every day anyway! So we figured—maybe today too."
The rest nodded. "A guy who lives for training? Had to show today. And boom, here you are."
I could only manage a wry smile. "Yeah... habits die hard."
"Oooooh!"
Some timidly asked for photos; I obliged with selfies or arms around shoulders. Honestly, half the photo requests from female fans—not a bad vibe at all.
"Um... take this, please."
"Huh? What's this?"
"A gift!"
...Eh?
"Oh, thanks."
Somehow ended up with presents too—hands full. Finished the last autograph, drove into the underground lot, and the fans finally dispersed.
"Thanks, player! Keep it up!"
"Kim Hu-seong fighting!"
"Training hard today!!"
Their voices echoed from behind. The unexpected dawn fan ambush threw me, but...
Anyway, it was good.