Manager Proposal
“What should we do about this mess?”
Kang Seung-yeon, the owner of the Daejeon Eagles, was a die-hard fan of the team. He never skimped on investing in the Eagles. Even amid this scandal, rather than lashing out in blame, he focused on discussing future countermeasures.
The front office was tearing their hair out over the situation. Fan backlash was fierce, but the real headache was deciding who the next manager would be—they had no candidates. With the manager, chief coach, and most of the first-team coaches implicated in the match-fixing to varying degrees, they all had to step down.
The front office fell silent like they'd swallowed honey at Kang Seung-yeon's question. They had no solutions either.
“Ha... Fine, let's go by the rules then. Who takes over as interim manager in case of vacancy?”
“By the rules, the chief coach, but he's implicated too...”
Han Ki-ho, the Eagles' director, replied in a voice like death.
“And if the chief coach is unavailable?”
“Then the roaming coach steps in.”
“Don't we have a roaming coach? I think we just signed one recently?”
“Yes, we appointed one a month ago.”
“Perfect. Have him act as interim manager.”
“W-well... that's the problem...”
As the director's voice grew even more feeble, Kang Seung-yeon's brow furrowed deeply. Is the front office really this incompetent?
“The guy we just made roaming coach is only 25 years old. And he's been a coach for just a month—straight from being a bullpen catcher.”
Kang Seung-yeon, who had kept his composure until now, was floored.
“What...? How did you even appoint someone like that as roaming coach?”
“I-it was... Han Seung-chan's mistake as manager... Coaches are appointed by the manager...”
His last words were barely audible, as if he'd committed a mortal sin. Then the operations team leader chimed in.
“Sir, but the roaming coach is exceptionally capable. Even without the manager and chief coach, he's been leading the first-team players and running practices single-handedly.”
“Hm? And the first-team players are following a 25-year-old ex-bullpen catcher's orders?”
It was beyond Kang Seung-yeon's common sense. His deep love and knowledge of baseball made it all the more unbelievable. At 25, the guy was way younger than the pros. Plus, as a bullpen catcher, he had no real playing chops. The idea that veterans listened to him was absurd.
“Lee Jin-ho may have been a bullpen catcher as a player, but as roaming coach, he's proving more than capable. Reports say players' skills are actually improving under his routines.”
“Hmmm... Is that so...?”
It was hard to buy, but Kang Seung-yeon never overlooked details, listening intently.
“Then bring in the captain and a few veterans.”
At his word, the operations team leader rushed out and gathered the players. Go Jin-dong, Jung Woo-geun, Kim Tae-hoon, and Lee Dong-gun entered the conference room, visibly tense. They rarely met Kang Seung-yeon, and with all the execs present, the stakes felt high. The team was languishing in the standings, and the match-fixing bomb had them on the brink of dissolution. Yet here was the famously passionate owner summoning them personally.
Kang Seung-yeon addressed the stiff players.
“Tell me about your current roaming coach, Lee Jin-ho.”
“Pardon??”
Caught off guard, the players blinked in confusion at the sudden topic.
“Just tell it like it is. Word is he's new to coaching but talented.”
“Yes, sir. Jin-ho—no, Coach Lee Jin-ho's abilities are beyond doubt.”
Lee Dong-gun jumped in before the question even finished. Kang Seung-yeon's eyes sharpened with interest. It was rare for a player to use formal speech with a younger coach—or praise him so openly.
“What makes you say that?”
Lee Dong-gun trembled but poured out his defense of Lee Jin-ho.
“When I was bouncing around the second army, Coach Lee helped me out. He was just a bullpen catcher then, but he pinpointed my flaws and my path forward. That's how I made it to the first team.”
He shook as he spoke up for his coach.
“Exactly. And lately, with the manager and coaches out, he came to the first-team field and oversaw our practices. That's why we haven't sunk lower in the standings.”
Jung Woo-geun followed up.
“Bring the recent results.”
The secretary handed Kang Seung-yeon a tablet.
“Five games, three wins, two losses... Not bad without a manager. But being a good coach isn't the same as managing, is it?”
As the players hesitated under the sharp question, Go Jin-dong, the team's elder statesman, spoke up.
“No, sir. Coach Lee Jin-ho has guided our fielders' positions precisely and shown real tactical talent too.”
“Hmmm... So you're saying it's fine for a 25-year-old ex-bullpen catcher to take the helm as manager?”
Kang Seung-yeon's tone was mild, but his intensity was palpable. He wanted a clear yes from them.
“If Coach Lee Jin-ho became manager, the players would be thrilled. Us too.”
“Agreed.”
“Same here.”
Jung Woo-geun's endorsement drew nods from the rest. They'd all benefited from Lee Jin-ho at some point and believed the team would run better under him.
“Won't players ignore a 25-year-old manager?”
“Anyone who tries gets the bat to the head until they wise up.”
Kim Tae-hoon's gruff vow cracked up the execs—even Kang Seung-yeon chuckled. The burly first baseman's threat carried weight. And it felt like the confirmation Kang Seung-yeon had sought.
“Hahaha. That settles it. No more agonizing. We'll talk to Coach Lee Jin-ho and decide.”
The execs nodded eagerly.
“I'll fetch Coach Lee Jin-ho.”
With things falling into place, the operations team leader hurried off.
⋯
“Right, don't forget—power from the shoulders and hips. Good!”
I was overseeing Kang Hyun-jun's training. His consistent shoulder work was paying off; his contact was getting sharper by the day. Balls that used to die in the infield were now flying for hits. No wonder he kept seeking me out for tips.
To me, Hyun-jun was raw gemstone. The first jewel I'd unearthed. I wondered what kind of player he'd polish into. That's why I studied swing mechanics obsessively, tailoring one just for him.
“Coach Lee Jin-ho?”
Mid-session, the operations team leader called me over.
“Team leader? What brings you here...?”
“Ah... Owner Kang Seung-yeon wants to see you.”
“Kang Seung-yeon... the owner?”
I echoed in shock.
“Yes. Hurry—he's waiting.”
“Me...? For what...?”
“You'll find out there. Let's go.”
“Uh... okay...”
The sudden summons left me unprepared, but my feet moved faster anyway. The conference room brimmed with execs, Kang Seung-yeon at the center. The vibe wasn't hostile.
“Sir, I brought Coach Lee Jin-ho.”
Kang Seung-yeon looked up at the introduction.
“Ah! Come in.”
I shuffled awkwardly to stand before him, clueless. I'd only ever been a bullpen catcher until recently—meeting big shots like him was unheard of. Seeing the TV-famous owner in person ratcheted my nerves.
But his next words froze me solid.
“How about you become the Eagles' manager?”