First Steps as Manager (2)

After my inauguration speech wrapped up, we dove right back into training. Our team was still clinging to ninth place, so we needed to grow faster than ever. I watched the players train, scrutinizing each of their status windows one by one. Having switched from coach to manager, I wanted to see what changes had appeared in the windows.

The first one I checked was Hyun-jun's. He was the prospect I planned to build around the most.

Hyun-jun's stats had jumped by nearly 10 points in the meantime. It looked like he'd been diligently doing the shoulder exercises I'd taught him, and his numbers were climbing as a result. But what really surprised me was the new addition: an optimal position indicator, showing the best spot for this player. It also displayed current stamina levels. On top of that, insights into growth potential and mental state made it incredibly useful for management.

As I went through each player's window, I casually suggested training regimens tailored to them, dropping hints to the coaches. But they weren't really listening. They didn't outright refuse, but it was clear they weren't thrilled. It was a bit disappointing, but time would sort it out.

After chatting with the coaches, I headed back to the manager's office. With games starting tomorrow, I still hadn't figured out lineup operations. Starters and position players weren't set yet.

Here's the rundown of my first-team pitchers:

Fourteen in total. Current rotation: Albus, Tatusco, Lee Tae-young, Yoo Chang-jin, Song Hyun-chang, Kim Jae-nam. Closers: Yoon Jin-gyu and Hwang Young-guk.

Tomorrow's starter slot was Albus's turn. He was solid enough for ace duty, but shaky defense and our slumping bats had kept his win column thin.

After some deliberation, I reshuffled the rotation: 1st—Albus, 2nd—Tatusco, 3rd—Lee Tae-young, 4th—Ahn Young-hyun, 5th—Yoo Chang-jin. Kim Jae-nam was a no-brainer exclusion, and Song Hyun-chang's record and potential weren't cutting it.

Next, the hitters. Infield staples: Kim Tae-hoon locked at 1B, Jeong Woo-geun at 2B. Shortstop competition between Lee Dae-seon and Kang Si-hak; third base between Song Min-gwang and Kim Seong-hwa. Catchers: Jo Seong-in and Jeong Mo-beom. Outfield: Lee Yong-gyun, Kim Eun-kyung, Choi Haeng-jin, No Kwang-su, Chu Woo-seung, Pie. No spot yet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for Kang Hyun-jun.

We could register 28 first-teamers. With 14 pitchers locked, the rest were position players. I dropped the slumping No Kwang-su and called up Kang Hyun-jun.

Things were starting to take shape when the operations manager dropped by the office.

"Operations manager. What brings you here...?"

"Oh, nothing major. Since you've been appointed manager, we should prep a press conference. What do you think?"

"Ah... yeah, we probably should. But I'm short on time right now. How about something quick before tomorrow's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠game?"

"The reporters have a ton of questions. Given the circumstances..."

He chuckled awkwardly at my response. I got it completely. But a full presser now was a bad idea. The Daejeon Eagles were fresh meat after the match-fixing scandal—stuck in ninth, with a rookie 25-year-old manager like me. Better to minimize media exposure.

"Just keep it short, please. Timing's off right now."

"Haha... yeah, makes sense. Got it. We'll handle it that way."

"And this... first-team roster. Make the changes."

"Hm... Dropping No Kwang-su for Kang Hyun-jun? Understood. I'll pass it along."

The operations manager bowed and left. Now the real work began. I'd never managed before, and the to-do list was endless: deep-dive player data analysis, matchup-specific lineups based on opposing pitchers, game reviews with players. Time was crushing me.

If I'd taken over pre-season or at the second half, I'd have breathing room. But mid-season handover? Mountains of work.

"Whew... okay, let's lock positions. 1B: Kim Tae-hoon. 2B: Jeong Woo-geun's solid. 3B: Song Min-gwang edges it. Short: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Kang Si-hak's hot lately. Catcher: Jeong Mo-beom's swinging better than Jo Seong-in. Outfield: Pie, Lee Yong-gyun, Kim Eun-kyung. DH: Hyun-jun? Nah, Chu Woo-seung—don't burden the kid his first day up. That works."

Next opponent: Seoul Bears, with lefty Yoo Gwan-hee on the mound. Right-handed bats would counter best, and we had plenty—no sweat there.

Managing wasn't as straightforward as I'd thought. Hours of agonizing flew by. It was 10 p.m. by the time I clocked out.

Switching off the office lights and heading out of the stadium, someone was waiting ahead, waving as they spotted me. Han Seon-ah.

"Jin-ho! Wait, no—Manager! Congrats!"

Her bright smile melted away my exhaustion.

"You waited for me? This whole time? You should've texted."

I worried she'd been standing there endlessly, not knowing when I'd finish.

"Didn't want to bug you your first day as manager."

Her thoughtfulness hit me again.

"You eat yet?"

"Nah... not yet."

"Ah... too late for a restaurant. Ramen at my place?"

"What? Hitting on me again?"

"Hitting on—"

"Forget that. I want beef soup. Your mom's was delicious."

"Alright. Let's do it."

We grabbed a taxi to my place. I pondered buying a car. My salary was decent now—maybe drive to work? But I shook my head. I hadn't secured the spot yet. Temporary manager. Post-season, who knows? Even my roaming coach gig could vanish. Day laborer like me shouldn't splurge on a windfall.

"Hey, Jin-ho. No car yet?"

Seon-ah voiced my thoughts out of nowhere.

"Car...? Not yet."

"Hmmm... it'd be fun to road-trip together."

"Road trips? I'm swamped."

"Tch. Taxis forever?"

"Buses exist. Or maybe a used one?"

"Still worried? About the future?"

She nailed my concern.

"Kinda... yeah. Could get canned anytime."

"Jin-ho. I have a good eye for people. You'll make it. Someone this hardworking failing? That's the weird part."

She laid her hand on mine for comfort. It felt incredibly soft and warm.

"Yeah. Gotta be. Thanks. You always give me strength."

"All talk..."

Her gaze showed how much she cared, but it wasn't time yet. I had the basics, but not quite. Not until I could confess properly.

Once home, we prepped dinner. For Seon-ah, who'd skipped eating to wait, I boiled Mom's beef soup and pulled mixed veggies from the fridge. While I handled the soup, she washed rice and started it cooking. We looked like newlyweds. Laughing, chatting, eating. I wished these moments would last forever.