Chapter 73
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: 2023 Spring Camp (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Looking at the AT Thunderbirds' position players, there were four players who could be considered leaders. To lead athletes who live off their own talents, you need at least two things: career achievements and age. Fortunately, the Thunderbirds' position players had exactly four such figures.
The first one: Woo Kwan-hyung. Whether by skill or career, he was the man who could lead the AT Thunderbirds.
From spending two weeks with him—no, wait, wasn't it two weeks? We'd shared a room during the wrap-up camp too.
Anyway, from living with Woo Kwan-hyung for about a month, he wasn't the type to nag at his juniors or throw his weight around. He was the style who only enforced the essentials and left everything else alone. From what I gathered, his essentials boiled down to training.
That said, in my personal opinion, he didn't quite fit the typical leader mold. Of course, I had a rough idea why. We'd talked about it during the national team training camp.
-"Hyung, Woo Kwan-hyung sunbaenim. Can I ask you something I'm curious about?"
-"What?"
-"I heard from my dad when I was young that you're selfish and don't want to lead the team. So I was wondering why you brought me along to the national training camp."
I remembered the baffled look on Woo Kwan-hyung's face back then, but I was genuinely curious, so I couldn't help it.
-"Your dad said that?"
-"Yes."
-"How old was he?"
-"He's passed away."
-"……."
I still remember how Rogers laughed his ass off at that. No idea why, even now.
-"Ahem, uh, anyway. Back when I was a rookie, AT was a team with strict discipline. So I just didn't want to boss the juniors around. Fans might've seen it as selfish, but I didn't want to nag them unnecessarily."
Woo Kwan-hyung stammered through his flustered explanation, but the gist was that he didn't want to enforce discipline. Among athletes, though, that mindset naturally disqualifies you from being a leader.
And the second: Kim Su-ho. Currently the Thunderbirds' star hitter. From Silla Triggers, traded to NV Rex where he split third base with Choi Jin-cheol. He'd joined the Thunderbirds in 2021 via a massive FA contract.
With his somewhat gentlemanly looks, he had a big fanbase, and his skills were solid, earning him high regard inside and outside the organization. For starters, the coaches treated him differently.
But maybe because he was an FA signee, he didn't seem all that interested in the other juniors.
"So, you're Maeng-ho, the first-round pick this year?"
"Yes."
"Su-ho, we've got a new infielder. No questions?"
When Kang Hee-seok, the most senior infielder, asked like that, he coolly...
"None."
...and walked off.
What about Kang Hee-seok, the top infielder senior? He was scraping by as a defensive specialist, not some career monster, so definitely not leader material.
Anyway, Kim Su-ho just gave off this vibe of not meshing with the team.
The third leader-type was Choi Jin-cheol. Homegrown Thunderbird, MVP winner, four-time home run king. And though it didn't pan out, he'd set foot in the majors. By career alone, even Woo Kwan-hyung would have to bow. But from watching him, Choi Jin-cheol stuck to hanging out with his veteran rookie-era buddies and showed zero interest in us.
Weirdly, he was interested in me, though.
"You're Maeng-ho?"
"Ah, yes."
"Oh, damn, your build's just like they said."
"You know about me?"
"Kid, I'm with SY Agency too. Keep an eye on your agency seniors."
"Ah, hello."
"Alright, good luck with training. Min-ho hyung asked me to check on you, but your swing looks solid—no need."
...he said before leaving. Not the type to crack down on juniors, I guess? Coming from a strict future, I'd assumed he would be, so it threw me off a bit.
"I heard from a teammate in the future that he's always been like that?"
According to Sung-tae hyung, my roommate, he'd taken on captain duties with the future Buffaloes and stressed hard over discipline stuff.
'He looks like a mountain bandit but has a soft heart, huh.'
Anyway, those three players I described had the careers, the age, and were plenty qualified to be leaders, but personality-wise, they didn't suit the role.
And the final leader-type: Ki Sang-ju. No MVP seasons, but holder of various titles, five Golden Gloves, and beautiful career stats built at Jamsil. Plus, he'd led the Hancheol Grizzlies' golden era to multiple championships.
Even before his MLB stint, he was renowned for his leadership.
In other words,
'Lucifer arrives on the grounds of the devils... something like that?'
'What kinda retarded metaphor is that?'
'Huh? It's super famous. You really don't know, Rogers? Read some books.'
'First time hearing it.'
'Get some culture, Rogers. Well, you're from a hundred years ago, so ignorance is forgivable.'
If I remember it, it must be pretty damn famous. Anyway, Rogers is uncultured.
'...Hearing that from you is a lifelong disgrace.'
After that, Rogers ghosted me for a while. Anyway, Ki Sang-ju was from rival Hancheol, came via FA, but he was pretty proactive. Like right now.
"Hey! You here to play? You ain't pros?"
"Sorry!"
All the position players younger than Ki Sang-ju had gathered in the practice field with no manager or coaches around.
"And you act like that during training time? Huh?"
Truth be told, Ki Sang-ju had every right to be pissed. From day one, he'd pushed for training, but the players' faces soured, and coaches had to coax them.
"Especially Sang-gyu, Joo-yeop, In-hyeok—you guys gonna get your shit together? You're almost thirty; time to lock down starting spots and cash in on FA!"
He seemed extra annoyed at the outfielders he'd trained with. At 190cm and over 100kg, his presence was no joke.
'Whoa, he's intense. Thought MLB would've softened him up.'
'What bullshit is that?'
'America's more free-spirited, right?'
'Hah, hilarious. America has seniority hierarchies too, obviously. Your brain devolved or what?'
'For real?'
'No idea what fantasy you have, but you think sports teams lack that?'
Hmm... Rogers made sense. Athletes with physical and mental pride need rules in group living, or it goes off the rails.
'Unless you've got overwhelming talent or seniority, flashy behavior doesn't fly.'
'...Then why'd you tell me to show off? Interviews too.'
'Because...'
'Because?'
'...it's fun. Heh heh heh.'
...Asshole.
"This season, even Kwan-hyung sunbae says he's playing outfield. You wanna end your career as a bench guy without FA? Huh?"
"No!"
"Honestly, you think there's a physical or skill gap between you guys and the Hancheol kids or UG, Hyun-seong types? Nah. It's mindset. Coming to spring camp and grimacing at training? That attitude won't get you to playoffs, let alone a title."
"……."
"And infielders, wake up. Saw you laughing off errors during fungo. Gonna do that in games too? What, Su-ho hyung and Jin-cheol sunbae taking two spots, so you quit already?"
"No."
"Listen to those voices. Pisses you off? Huh? Rolling stone bitching, so that's all the voice you muster? Huh?!"
"No!"
"Good. Let's work hard. Anyone showing they hate it during upcoming training gets fucked. Got it?"
"Yes!"
Ki Sang-ju scanned the players, satisfied with the volume, then continued.
"Alright, time left, so loosen up before tomorrow's session. Who's the maknae?"
"Me!"
Hyun-seong shot his hand up.
"Grab the nets. Light stuff: 100 each per person. Pair up."
At Ki Sang-ju's words, Hyun-seong looked at me.
'What you staring at, punk. Go get 'em.'
Is this fucker calling on me 'cause we're same year? Forgot about middle school hierarchy...!
'You're maknae too!'
'So how old are you?'
'...Asshole.'
After our eye-contact convo, he finally looked away and went for the nets. Clowning around. Seniority is sacred.
"You not going?"
As Hyun-seong headed off, Sung-tae hyung quietly asked.
"Why me? Hyun-seong's the maknae."
"You guys same year?"
"Nah, he's my middle school junior. Hierarchy's clear."
"Right. Take care of my laundry too."
...Asshole.
*
"My ball!"
Ki Sang-ju's assembly seemed effective; from the next day, the players' eyes were different. Call plays had real fire.
"Ooh, kids got spirit today? First day jitters yesterday?"
"Yeah, feels like our rookie days."
"Nah, Hee-seok hyung, we were worse as rookies."
If even Choi Jin-cheol and veteran Kang Hee-seok were saying that, it definitely worked.
'Ki Sang-ju's got skills. Shifting the vibe in one day.'
Anyway, I didn't hate this atmosphere. So-young asked me to help, and for the Thunderbirds to win, these trash players needed to step up. Felt it since wrap-up camp: their training was kinda lax.
'You saying that is hilarious. Heh heh.'
'Hey, I train extra with you. Don't lump me with average punks.'
'Fine, you're different. Talented for a monkey.'
'Thanks.'
Nothing beats Rogers' praise. Always cursing, but he's my master.
'Cut the crap, monkey. Shame, though. No fungo lately? Waited yesterday.'
'Do that now, you get caught.'
Rogers is such a boomer. Century-old habits?
"Next, bunting drills. Hmm... Ji Maeng-ho?"
"Yes?"
"You're excused. Go see the manager."
Oh, sweet. Bunting? Not for a homer guy like me. Headed to the manager happily.
"You called?"
A familiar face stood by the manager. Like...
"Joo Hyung-jin?!"
"Joo Hyung-jin? We friends?"
"Ah! Sorry, it was so sudden. Joo Hyung-jin sunbaenim! Honored to meet you!"
"Yeah, good to meet you. Sudden? Didn't they tell you? [Manager, didn't you say anything?]"
"[I did. He probably knew.]"
Joo Hyung-jin and Manager Sands started chatting fluently in English. MLB guys, huh? Great English. Thanks to Rogers, I could follow too.
"[Then I'll evaluate if he's national team material for a bit.]"
"[Sigh, no choice. National team and all. But can't spare much time outside bunting drills.]"
"[Fine. Gotta check team drills anyway.]"
No bunting for me ahead? What luck...! Hated bunting since high school. Makes no sense for a power hitter like me.
"Alright, follow me. Gotta check if you're national team caliber."
"Yes! Looking forward to it!"
Intimate hitting session with my childhood idol! Plus, his endorsement could lock national team spot. Heart pounding.