Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Translator Wjin
Chapter 50
Opposite the Phoenix team owner who was sitting on the sofa, the general manager came and sat down. He was nervous, with beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
Although a call from the team owner wasn't something to be nervous about… the problem was that the Phoenix had lost their 10th consecutive game today. And with a bizarre score of 24 to 0, at that.
“Did you see the game today?”
At the owner's words, the general manager, who had flinched, painfully opened his mouth.
“Yes…. I saw it.”
“Should I laugh at today's game… or should I cry?”
The general manager wanted to cry right now too.
“Do you know what the fans are saying this season?”
The general manager couldn't open his mouth. It was because the first things that came to mind were curses he couldn't bring himself to utter.
“Well… I guess it's natural to get cursed at… but they're saying they would have set Sajik on fire if it wasn't for Lee Seung-Tae. They say the rookie is the best, is that right? Huh? They're calling me senile. Senile. Because I'm always in last place but I keep forgetting like an idiot and spending money.”
“…I have no excuse.”
“…Forget it. Haa…. Well, how is this all your fault? From what I see, this team is just cursed. A curse that prevents them from ever playing baseball well…. Still… shouldn't we at least try to break the curse? General Manager. I think it's about time we made a decision.”
In other words, he was telling him to do something, whether it was to overhaul the coaching staff or fire the manager.
“Yes. As a matter of fact, I am looking for a new manager.”
“Right. Of course, you should be. If you have anyone in mind, tell me.”
“I'm leaning toward Kim Ji-Chan-”
“Forget it.”
“Pardon…?”
“You heard what that old man, Lee Eun-Seok, said, right?”
Lee Eun-Seok was a master among masters in the Korean baseball world, having led the Incheon Dragons to three consecutive championships.
Of course, the general manager had also seen the interview where he, who had announced his retirement right after recording a brilliant career, had suddenly said he was thinking of returning from next season.
“Yes, I confirmed it yesterday too.”
“Right…. I'm sure teams in the lower ranks like us will be coming at him with fire in their eyes. Before that, you go and bring him in.”
For a moment, the general manager's mind went blank.
How is that even possible…?
Why would such a master come to the Phoenix, a team that was practically a fixture in last place and was called the graveyard of managers?
Moreover, he was a man who valued his career, a man who had retired even after being offered the highest salary for a manager…
“You can do it, right?”
“Yes. Of course!”
Of course… he had no right to refuse. Whether it was possible or not, he had to make it happen. The general manager had a premonition.
That if he didn't start producing results soon, his career as a general manager would also be over.
“Ah, and this is obvious, but I'm just telling you in case you forgot…”
The team owner said to the general manager with a very serious face.
“If Cha Tae-Hyun goes to the Majors or something… then I might just set Sajik on fire with the fans… with you hanging from it…”
At that chilling joke, the general manager smiled awkwardly and replied.
“Hahaha…. Of course. I will definitely bring in Cha Tae-Hyun!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇;
Sometimes, there are times when you have to do something even when you know it's impossible. For the general manager, now, with Lee Eun-Seok in front of him, was that time.
“Right…. You probably didn't call me here to just have a drink, so shall we get to the point?”
“Pardon…?”
“Stop pretending you don't know…. You came to ask me to be the manager of the Phoenix, didn't you?”
“That is correct…”
Lee Eun-Seok chuckled and said, “Do you know something?”
“What are you referring to, sir?”
“I was born in Busan. I've lived in Busan ever since I was born. I went to other places for a while when I was a manager, but I still live in Busan now. I love this place, Busan, so much. So which baseball team do you think I like?”
The corners of the general manager's lips twitched.
Could it be?
“Of course, it's the Phoenix. I've never not cheered for the Phoenix. Even when I was the manager of the Dragons.”
“Pardon? Then why have you refused the manager position until now?”
“It's enough to get sick from anger even as a fan, and you're telling me to be the manager? That's just telling me to die.”
It was such a relatable statement that the general manager couldn't help but nod his head.
“Anyway… so I was determined not to go to the Phoenix, but this time, I started to feel like it.”
At the unexpectedly hopeful news, the general manager's eyes widened.
“Does that mean?”
“Cha Tae-Hyun… that kid is something else. His mentality is excellent, and his talent is outstanding. He's a player I've taken a liking to for the first time in a while. Make sure you bring in Cha Tae-Hyun. Then I'll consider taking the Phoenix manager position.”
Cha Tae-Hyun again?
The general manager felt his insides burn. Recalling Lee Seung-Tae's interview last year where he said, ‘Cha Tae-Hyun asked me to win the championship together,’ there was a high possibility that he would come to the Phoenix, but it was still unknown.
Cha Tae-Hyun himself had not officially expressed his exact intentions yet, and looking at his performance alone, it would be stranger for him not to advance to the Majors.
Moreover, there were rumors that several Major League teams had already offered Cha Tae-Hyun more than $3 million…
“Hmm… your answer is late. Are you not confident?”
“No, sir! I will definitely bring him in.”
Of course, regardless of the circumstances, the general manager could not say no. No, he must not.
Right… damn it, this is actually for the better.
If he failed to persuade Cha Tae-Hyun, he would have to be hanged at the burning Sajik Stadium anyway. But what if he succeeded in bringing in Cha Tae-Hyun? Manager Lee Eun-Seok would follow.
I'll bring in Cha Tae-Hyun, no matter what!
That was the only way he could survive.
After briefly finishing the meal, the general manager immediately contacted his subordinate.
“Hey. Chan-Bin. I think we need to revise the plan a little. This might sound a little crazy, but… I'm thinking of investing 2 billion in Cha Tae-Hyun.”
-Pardon? Did I hear that correctly, sir? 2 billion for a rookie?
“That's right. Considering the offers from the Major Leagues right now, I think we need at least that much to even have a chance.”
-No… but still, with 2 billion, wouldn't that mess up the funds for signing FA players?
“Well, that… I'll have to beg the team owner to solve it.”
-No, General Manager, but still, that's-
The general manager immediately hung up the phone. His mind was already filled with ‘Sign Cha Tae-Hyun!’
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I remember when I was about to go pro, the general manager of the Busan pro team came to see me and persistently clung to me. Can a mere player be in a superior position to a team?
It might seem so, but it's possible for someone like me who has dominated the league. That's how desperate a last-place team is for a promising rookie.
The Phoenix was no different. They had been in last place for two consecutive years, and this year, they were practically confirmed to be in last place again, and there was even talk of them repeating their password era.
In this situation, if I went to the Majors or something? Hmm… then something would probably really happen at Sajik.
Anyway, I was practically on my second life, so I had no intention of being a pushover to the general manager today. I was going to the Phoenix anyway, but I also disliked losing out.
I heard the highest rookie contract amount so far was 1 billion, right? It was a bit of a stretch, but I was thinking of getting double that, 2 billion.
No, it was a big stretch, but I still thought I was worth it. Wasn't I a player who had won Rookie of the Year, the Cy Young Award, and the League MVP all in my debut season in the Majors? Right, I should get 2 billion. I'm definitely getting more than that.
“How about 2 billion?”
“Pardon?”
For a moment, I thought my thoughts had been spoken out loud, but it was clearly the general manager who had spoken.
“As you know, it's double the highest rookie contract amount of 1 billion. I believe this is the best sincerity the Phoenix can show.”
“Uh…”
Perhaps he had taken my momentary hesitation out of surprise as a sign of trouble, because the general manager suddenly grabbed my hand.
“…This is really the best we can do! Any higher is absolutely impossible! Please reconsider! Cha Tae-Hyun!”
I had thought his complexion wasn't good from the beginning, but up close, the dark circles under this man's eyes were like a panda's. Just what had happened to him?
Anyway… I was just a little surprised because he had immediately called out the contract amount I had been hoping for, but I was also fully satisfied.
“Yes. I'll have to check the detailed contract terms a little more, but for now, I'm satisfied with the contract amount.”
At my answer, the general manager's expression instantly brightened, and he suddenly started to complain.
“Th-thank you so much. I know it's rude to talk about such personal matters, but… the team owner said he would hang me at Sajik and set me on fire if I couldn't bring you in, Cha Tae-Hyun… the fans said to ‘look forward to it’ if I couldn't bring you in, Cha Tae-Hyun…”
…It seems a lot had happened to this man.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇;
The day of the draft, the final gateway for high school baseball players dreaming of going pro, had arrived. What Lee Mi-Yeon loved as much as baseball broadcasts was the draft broadcast.
However, today, Lee Mi-Yeon was not watching the draft broadcast. Instead of Cha Tae-Hyun's parents, Lee Mi-Yeon had come to observe the draft in person as a representative.
Seeing it in person… the atmosphere is no joke.
This hall where the draft would take place was very luxurious and elegant, but the atmosphere was heavy in comparison. It felt like being at a college entrance exam site.
Lee Mi-Yeon, who had carefully sat down, looked around. People who seemed to be parents were all closing their eyes as if praying, their hands clasped together.
Being invited to this place meant that they were very likely to be drafted, but there were also cases of not being drafted. It was probably that slight anxiety, and the desire to have their name called even a little sooner.
Lee Mi-Yeon also clasped her hands and closed her eyes.
Please let Tae-Hyun be drafted by the Phoenix…. Tae-Hyun has worked so hard.
If someone were to hear Lee Mi-Yeon's prayer, they might point fingers and call it deceptive. But Lee Mi-Yeon was genuinely worried.
As the Phoenix had let go of their starting catcher through free agency and their backup catchers had shown a very poor performance, there was talk that they should draft the immediately usable catcher, Lee Young-Hwal, in the draft.
Of course, no matter how hopeless the Phoenix's catcher situation was, and even if Lee Young-Hwal was showing the best performance among the catchers, if they had a brain, it would be right to pick Cha Tae-Hyun.
But the opponent was the Phoenix. How many times had they shocked their fans with some strange trade? They might do something crazy in the draft too.
I should have just asked Tae-Hyun…
She had refused even when Cha Tae-Hyun had offered to tell her about the contract, in case there was a problem, but now she regretted it so much.
Soon, the draft began with the announcer's comment, and the general manager of the Phoenix, who had been in last place last year, picked up the microphone.
“The Phoenix will now make its selection. Cha Tae-Hyun of Hyuksan High.”
The moment she heard those words, Lee Mi-Yeon's lips curved up high in relief. She wanted to stand up and call Cha Tae-Hyun's name, but this was the draft hall.
Lee Mi-Yeon, who had slightly raised her bottom, lowered it again and muttered softly with regret.
“Congratulations, Tae-Hyun.”
The sight of Lee Mi-Yeon smiling bashfully and looking at Cha Tae-Hyun with a particularly happy face was captured by a camera.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇;
Meanwhile, at Lee Mi-Yeon's family home, her family was peacefully watching TV.
Lee Mi-Yeon's father, who was holding the remote, changed the channel as the variety show he was watching wasn't very interesting, and by chance, the draft broadcast appeared on the screen.
As he had also watched baseball in the past, he seemed to be interested for a moment, but then he put his hand on the channel change button again.
He was about to press the button, but.
“Hmm?”
A somewhat familiar back caught his eye. Tilting his head, he put down the remote and focused on the broadcast, and soon, the moment the camera turned its angle, his eyes widened.
“Isn't that… Mi-Yeon?”
It was none other than his own daughter on the screen.
“It is, isn't it? It's Mi-Yeon. But how did she get there? It looks like they're all student's parents…”
Soon, Cha Tae-Hyun's profile appeared on the screen, and the moment Lee Mi-Yeon's father saw the words ‘Hyuksan High’, he asked.
“Hyuksan High, isn't that the school our daughter works at?”
The mother next to him nodded repeatedly, and they were mesmerized by the expression on their daughter's face, who was looking at Cha Tae-Hyun with particularly ecstatic eyes, not even knowing that they were watching.
Lately, whenever their daughter called, they would hear a sweet voice saying, “Tae-Hyun-ah~ Tae-Hyun-ah~,” and they had been secretly happy, thinking that their daughter, who they had worried would live a single life, was finally dating.
But…,
Could it be that that Tae-Hyun was…?
“…Honey, it's not what I'm thinking, is it?”
“It can't be…”
Although he said that, Lee Mi-Yeon's father was hastily taking out his phone.