Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: 2023 Spring Camp (1)
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“So, the higher-ups want Ji Maeng-ho to join the national team?”
The foreign manager, Tony Sands, who had been leading the AT Thunderbirds for the past two years, spoke in a dissatisfied tone. Naturally, the words coming from his mouth were in English, fitting his nationality.
“Yes, that's right.”
Tony Sands pressed on his temples at the response from his head coach, with whom he'd worked for two years. Even the head coach, whom he'd brought over from the States, seemed unhappy about the situation.
“Haa. I'm already stressed out enough managing this garbage team, and now there's more. These guys who don't even know what baseball sabermetrics are keep bossing me around.”
In truth, whether Ji Maeng-ho was a promising talent or had any potential didn't matter much to Manager Sands. He just hated the front office meddling and giving him orders.
“What can we do? If the bosses say so, we have to follow.”
“Fucking hell! I should just go back home. They've completely ruined my career here.”
Despite his words, life in Korea was important to Manager Sands. When he first arrived at the AT Thunderbirds, he had grand dreams.
He'd lead this team—Korea's version of the Chicago Cubs—to a championship and return home in glory! With Major League Baseball showing more interest in fringe leagues these days, a KBA League title would look good on his resume back in the States.
And the AT Thunderbirds he'd seen upon arrival seemed like an appealing team. The players had decent individual stats and salaries. Plus, the team's history of no championships since 1994 made him think it would highlight his achievements even more.
In his first year, Sands led the Thunderbirds to a sixth-place finish. He chalked it up to an adjustment period. He never imagined losing to managers in this fringe league, so he dismissed it as mere adaptation issues.
Yeah, trying to play big-ball home run baseball with these guys' pathetic physiques was my mistake. And Jamsil Stadium's quirks played a role too.
Manager Sands attributed his failures to the physical limitations of East Asians and his own oversight of Jamsil Baseball Stadium—one of the widest in the world. During the stove league, he studied Korean baseball thoroughly.
Then came year two. Sands implemented what he considered brilliant pitching management and led the team...
...to a seventh-place finish. Even after burning out two key relievers for the season, the results were disastrous.
Fucking hell! These idiots can't keep up with my tactics.
Overuse of bunts and extreme inning-splitting! His strategies were perfect. But the players couldn't follow. The root cause? Pathetically low training volume. The players acted like they had no concept of voluntary workouts.
Sands had been the type of manager who guaranteed players autonomy in training, but now he saw that as his fatal mistake. Aside from a few, most skipped personal sessions after team practice.
Training! In the end, only training can lead a team to victory! I've been an idiot until now. Believing in the players... What a mistake, trusting those morons who just collect paychecks!
Sands believed that if he'd drilled his vision rigorously during last year's spring camp, the seventh-place catastrophe wouldn't have happened.
“For now, these players in this country lack basics. For spring camp, put together a program focused on defense drills, bunting practice, and baserunning.”
“Got it.”
Of course, modern baseball trends were far removed from Sands' orders—especially Major League Baseball's shift toward high launch angles, ditching batting average for pure home runs.
Bunts were fading from the game, but Sands thought otherwise. He'd abandoned big-ball home run chasing in vast Jamsil entirely. No more individual player flair—just baseball dictated by the manager.
That was Sands' vision for year three.
Next year is the end of my contract. At minimum, I need to make the postseason.
Failing to reach the fall playoffs would close doors back home. So this year demanded even stricter preparation! Only then could he negotiate a renewal and get another shot.
Of course, the Thunderbirds hired Sands to introduce trendy MLB baseball and fix their “rifle squad” mentality, but that wasn't his concern. For a pro team, results were everything.
“Alright, Coach. Let's talk next year's starting lineup right now.”
Anyway, Sands set aside complaints and got to why he'd called the head coach. How to run next season. Crucial issues to settle before spring camp.
“Understood.”
“Hmm, first, the new signings... Ki Sang-ju and Jang Yun are solid, but Choi Jin-cheol's tough to use in Jamsil...”
Ki Sang-ju was a proven talent who'd pitched in MLB until last season.
Last year: 373 plate appearances, .241/.303/.357/.660 with 5 HR—underwhelming. But in KBA, using Jamsil as home, he'd posted a .338 average, .953 OPS, and 181 wRC+. That's why they gladly traded centerpiece hitter Jang Hyun-ho for him.
Plus, Ki was a mid-to-long range power hitter optimized for Jamsil.
Jang Yun: Solid starter from UG Overlords, 8 seasons, 1351 innings, 1085 strikeouts, 4.22 ERA. Notably, a fly-ball pitcher thriving in the smallish Munhak Stadium.
Pricey, sure, but not Sands' problem.
“Still, he's a front office signing, so we have to use him, right? He's a team alum anyway. And first baseman...”
“That's the issue. If he were a third baseman, maybe.”
“That's a problem too. We've got Kim Su-ho there.”
But Choi Jin-cheol was different. Wrong type for Jamsil. Last season's slash line was dismal: .230/.311/.475/.786. Sure, 28 homers, but moving to Jamsil meant fewer bombs.
If he'd been at third base, it might've been salvageable, but last year he was a DH. This contract required switching to first base, so no third-base advantage anymore. Bluntly, a washed-up hitter. Nothing more, nothing less.
The problem is, as an FA signing, we have to play him this season... Dumping 600 million won on a guy like that. Not my money, but still a waste.
If they'd given that cash to me instead...
Not the time for that.
Sands quickly shoved away useless thoughts. Money didn't matter—team results did. The issue was how Choi's signing disrupted the roster.
Choi's biggest problem wasn't his declining stats or turning 37 (Korean age).
“The real issue is our new mercenary hitter mainly played first base in the minors. Front office says he's the best bat available, but positions overlap.”
The Thunderbirds' new mercenary batter was 27-year-old Roberto Boer. Last year in the minors: .307/.372/.517/.889. They shelled out a million bucks total for transfer fee and salary to snag him.
But scouts noted shaky defense. Reports recommended DH.
The DH spot was locked by franchise star Woo Gwan-hyung, beyond even the manager's control. He'd declared a return to the outfield this season, but uncertainty lingered.
Choi had MLB first-base experience, but he was fundamentally a third baseman. Old, too. Last year, he was Buffalo's DH. Could revert anytime.
In short, DH overlap.
“Woo Gwan-hyung, Choi Jin-cheol, and Boer.”
Could Woo revive in the outfield? Adapt Choi to first? Even wild optimism couldn't guarantee both. Without visible stat sheets, impossible to say.
“But we can't bench them, right?”
“Exactly the problem.”
Woo Gwan-hyung: Not greater than the team, but damn close. Dropping him from the lineup would set the front office ablaze.
Same for big-money FA Choi. Defying the front office meant no future security.
“Lineup planning's tough.”
“Yeah, pitching staff's decently shaped, at least.”
Two foreign mercenaries, domestic starters Jang Yun and Park Jun-hyung. Fifth starter from spring camp tryouts, bullpen patched from last year's crew and farmhands—enough to limp through the season.
The hitters are the headache.
Especially infield. Strictly, the infield core. Outfield was fine: Center fielder Kim Ju-yeop, corner guy Han Sang-gyu, utility outfielder Lee In-hyeok. Mix in Ki Sang-ju or Woo, no issue.
“Man, infield's tricky again this year. No clear shortstop. Oh, heard Yoon Sung-tae and Ji Maeng-ho looked good in wrap-up camp.”
“Kids, at best. Can't count on 'em as regulars.”
The infield core had a gaping hole. Last year and the year before, no stable starter shortstop or second baseman—rotated four or five guys.
“Hmm. Third baseman Kim Su-ho's stats are dipping too.”
“How old is that guy?”
“Thirty-three, Korean age.”
Even with longer careers nowadays, prime could end any day.
“Still, if Choi hits average first-base level, we're okay?”
“True. Last year's merc Pares was kill-worthy.”
Thinking of Pares—play a month, injured two, repeat and torpedo the season—still boiled Sands' blood. In mercenary-heavy KBA, trash imports hurt bad.
“So, Kim Su-ho at third, Choi at first. Ji Maeng-ho at second? Front office has high hopes as first-round pick.”
“If the kid delivers.”
“Haha, yeah. Not holding my breath. How great can a first-rounder from this tiny country be?”
“Catcher stays Jeong Yun-cheol?”
“No choice. Even with his down year, can't swap catchers lightly.”
“Hoo. Tough season ahead.”
“If everyone plays at peak, it could be smooth sailing?”
Name value wasn't bad, per head coach. Catcher Jeong Yun-cheol and third baseman Kim Su-ho were Gold Glove winners; Choi Jin-cheol, Woo Gwan-hyung, and Ki Sang-ju had dominated the league.
“Hahaha. Mason, still believing in this roach-infested team? Think miracles happen?”
“Haha, sorry, Boss. Got carried away dreaming.”
“No player is greater than the team... That's the hard lesson I've learned here. These guys barely act human unless I spoon-feed every instruction. Hahaha.”
Sands' laughter cut deep. Two years of betrayals from leaving players to their own devices.
This spring camp, I'll drill 'em till they puke. You trash bastards!
At least spring camp means I spot some familiar faces.
Heh, if even your pathetic brain capacity remembers them, they must be impressive.
Well, some are.
Guys like Ki Sang-ju, Choi Jin-cheol, or Kim Su-ho were big deals in KBA. Excluding them, it was just the AT players from elementary and middle school days. Plus my camp-following rookie buds, Jun-hoo and Hyun-sung?
“First, welcome to spring camp. You're the most likely to play first-team next year, so train with high hopes.”
The interpreter translated the manager's words flawlessly. Thanks to Hornsby, I could've skipped it anyway.
“...Finally, training starts today, so drop your bags and gather back here. Day one: lower body.”
Didn't Woo Gwan-hyung say autonomy was guaranteed? Well, first day of camp could be intense.
Anyway, boring roll call ended, off to dorms. First spring camp was Icheon second-team field—familiar from wrap-up camp.
“Huh? Sung-tae hyung?”
“They paired the keystone combo?”
“Looks like it.”
Luckily, my roommate was Yoon Sung-tae. We got along decently—no complaints.
“Whew, was worried you'd be stuck with maknae duties, but perfect. Here, my laundry.”
...Might get annoying?