episode_0034

The rookie draft, which selects rookies in the KBA League, is divided into two methods. The first is the first round selection from region-based alma maters. This first round selection is a rookie selection method where each team selects the most outstanding player from the region they are based in.

In other words, a player selected in this first round is considered the most outstanding player in that region for that year.

Players who do not receive a first-round selection are left and are executed targeting all students nationwide regardless of the team’s base location when autumn arrives after the phoenix waiting period, through a draft conducted in an ‘L’ shape.

Some might hear about this selection method and think, ‘Wow! Pro teams will invest a lot for the development of regional teams! Local boys might be able to join our team!’ However, reality is different.

As the polarization between local areas and metropolitan areas intensifies, high-quality players have been gathered in schools around Seoul. In fact, except for Gwangju, Busan, and Daegu, renowned baseball cities, the gap in standards between Seoul and other regions was severe.

Therefore, some teams advocated for the complete abolition of the first-round selection. And that proposal was accepted, with the ‘2023 Rookie Draft’ implemented this year being the last one to include a first-round selection.

“Of course, it could change depending on the circumstances of the teams. As you know, there was a time when the draft was changed to a full draft, as well.”

“Oh, I see.”

I casually let the words of the man who was a member of the operations team slip through my ears; well, I didn’t need to know about those circumstances. If that woman had explained, maybe I would have paid attention.

“If Rossby saw her, he’d probably say, ‘Let’s devour her like a dog.’”

To clearly convey the appearance of the woman to the absent Rossby, I captured the figure of Cheon So-young, the operations team leader of AT Thunders. The blouse made of cool-looking material, perhaps due to summer, accentuated Cheon So-young’s chest, making it seem like she had E-cup breasts.

“…Rossby?”

“Oh, yes. How far did we get in the conversation?”

Ha, this clueless guy is interrupting while daydreaming.

“Oh, so we were discussing that you should come to the first-round selection ceremony tomorrow. Since it’s the final first-round selection, it will be broadcast live on TV. The team has already submitted other details, so if Maeng-ho comes, that’s all we need. Oh, do you have a suit?”

“A suit? I don’t have one.”

I barely had enough money to buy baseball equipment, so how could I have a suit? I was just planning to wear tracksuits.

“Not even one set? Oh no, it’s going to be broadcasted tomorrow.”

“Then you should have told me sooner.”

“Park, didn’t you tell him in advance?”

“I’m sorry, Team Leader.”

Tsk, that clueless guy seems incompetent.

“Ha. There’s no time to make a tailored suit…”

Cheon So-young’s face darkened. Even in the shade, her face had its own charm. Still, with such a beauty looking upset, as a man, I couldn’t just stay silent.

“Just wear tracksuits. Well, it doesn’t matter.”

“No! Other teams will definitely look down on us.”

It was a comment made out of a desire to help, but the reaction was strong.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do. We’ll have to go around tailors to find suitable clothes now. Park, you go back and report on your duties.”

“Yes? Team Leader. I’ll go with him.”

“Park, do you know more about tailors than I do?”

“…No.”

“Then follow instructions.”

“Understood.”

Cheon Soyoung’s words had a subtle power that was hard to resist, as I had felt before. Although her face looked young like in her early twenties, her ability seemed certain as she firmly grasped her subordinates.

“I’m sorry. We made a mistake on our end, so we couldn’t inform you first.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Shall we go get fitted in suits first?”

When Cheon Soyoung stood up first from her seat, I reflexively stood up and followed her. At the place we arrived with her, there was a fancy foreign car with a door opening upwards that I had seen before.

“What was this called again? I think I heard Maserati or something like that.”

I had heard about this car from a baseball club member, but I wasn’t interested in cars, so I didn’t remember the model well. Anyway, I sat in the passenger seat following her, fastened my seatbelt, and she immediately started the engine.

“Let’s start by looking around a suit shop in Gangnam. I’m not sure if there are suits that fit Mangho player’s tall stature, but we’ll find out if we look.”

“Um, rather than that…”

“Yes?”

“How old are you?”

I asked the question that had been on my mind since I first saw her. She looked quite young, so I was curious how she managed to hold the position of a team manager for a pro team.

“My age?”

“Oh, you look very young.”

“Oh, I’m twenty-five.”

Twenty-five? Only five years older than me? But how is she a team manager?

“But being a team manager is impressive. Which university did you attend?”

“…Seoul National University.”

Oh, Seoul National University. That’s like a first-round pick for us. It made sense why she had reached a high position at twenty-five. With Seoul National University, it’s respectable.

“So, do you have a boyfriend…?”

Despite her cold demeanor, she easily answered my questions, so I quickly asked what I really wanted to know.

“No, I don’t. Isn’t it obvious that we don’t discuss such matters? Mangho is a player, and I’m the team manager.”

Ugh, my spine tingled more than when I soaked in the valley water and stood under the waterfall during winter training in middle school. The air in the car chilled quickly, making me want to turn off the air conditioning.

“Ross B, help me! It’s my first time talking to a girl normally, and it feels awkward!”

Now was the time when I desperately needed Ross B’s help. My relationship with Hyejin or Hyuna was not easy to describe as meeting normally. I hadn’t learned how to flirt with a girl in a normal situation like this.

But Ross B remained silent. Every time I met this woman, she disappeared somewhere.

“….”

“….”

“So, about my signing bonus…”

Summoning courage through the tense atmosphere, I opened my mouth first. This was about the player, so it shouldn’t matter, right?

“I’m considering starting from 500 million won, as I mentioned last time.”

“500 million… But there have been talks about Major League teams offering more these days…”

I heard that 500 million was close to the highest amount ever paid to a hitter, but could I get more?

“Yes, I know. It’s what SY Agency informed you.”

Right, that company was her company. With that statement, silence enveloped the car once again. Think, Jimaengho! Think of something to break this tension! What did Hyojin like?

“Please help me relax my throat! Maengho! Why aren’t you helping me sleep these days?”

“As expected, good looks are the best. I hope our baby will be as handsome as Maengho.”

No, that’s not it. This woman isn’t normal to begin with, so ignore her and um… Hyuna! There was Hyuna, what did she like?

“Shall we try it by the stream next to the school this time? There’s no one there around 2 AM.”

“Oh, Wonho. Why does your voice sound like that? Oh, I’m running. My breath, ah, it’s a bit cold, isn’t it?”

No, not her. The more I thought, the more I realized that there were no normal women around me.

“We’re here. Let’s start looking around from here.”

Amidst our contemplation, the car we were in had already arrived at our destination. It was a suit shop with an elegant atmosphere. As we entered, a middle-aged man with snowy white hair greeted us.

“Miss, have you come? Is this your boyfriend? Handsome and well-built.”

“Boyfriend? No, he’s a customer.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

The middle-aged man who seemed to be the owner of the suit shop also seemed familiar with her, but couldn’t break the cold atmosphere. But, Miss? Well, she did seem wealthy.

“Do you have a suit that fits this person? We have a first-round draft tomorrow, and he doesn’t have a suit.”

“Hmm… It usually takes about two weeks to make a custom suit. Is that okay?”

“I need it by tomorrow…”

“Ah, then let’s start by checking what’s already made. What’s the name…?”

“Ji Maeng-ho.”

“You said he’s a baseball player, right? No wonder he looks fit. Usually, Asians look a bit awkward without custom fitting, but since Ji Maeng-ho is in good shape, with some adjustments, it should fit well.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, of course. Can I know his height and weight?”

“He fluctuates between 188cm and the low 90s in weight.”

As I spoke, the owner of the suit shop began to measure my body. When the man’s hand touched me, I shivered, but endured it. Especially when he measured my thigh size and touched my groin, I wanted to punch him in the face.

“As expected, an athlete. Seeing your physique, I want to make one for you personally.”

“Then please make one suit.”

“What? Sir, I don’t have money.”

Even if I were to receive 500 million won, I didn’t have money to spend on unnecessary things like a suit. I needed to save up for moving houses and preparing for my move to the United States.

“It’s okay. Think of it as a gift from our agency. We will provide the suit.”

“Then…?”

“A custom suit and a suit for tomorrow. The custom suit is a gift from the agency, and the suit for tomorrow is a gift from the team.”

“Thank you, sir.”

She was beautiful indeed, and her warmth existed beneath her cold exterior. Following Cheon So-young’s words, the owner of the suit shop brought out professional tools and began measuring my body. After taking measurements, he handed me a suit that had already been made.

“These are clothes that fit Ji Maeng-ho’s size. Some alterations are needed, but try them on for now.”

After a few fashion shows, I finally found a suit that fit me well.

“Miss, it will take about an hour or two for alterations. Is that okay?”

“Yes, please take your time. It’s 2 o’clock now, so I’ll be back by 5.”

“Alright. Goodbye.”

As we left, the blazing sun of midsummer greeted us sharply.

“We have three hours until 5 o’clock…”

“Does Maeng-ho have something else to do?”

“No.”

I had mentioned meeting with team officials today and left school, so there was nothing else. But it felt somewhat regretful to part ways with Cheon So-young and train.

“Then would you like to come with me?”

“Sure!”

Nice! I wanted to go somewhere, and it worked out well. Surely, So-young also wanted to go on a date with me.

“She acted cold, but in the end, was she captivated by my charm?”

I pretended not to notice and got back into her car.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

However, the place we arrived at was unexpected. After an hour’s drive, we arrived at the AT Thunder’s minor league stadium.

“What is this place…?”

“This is the AT Thunder’s minor league stadium.”

I have eyes too, so I know. But why did we come here…

“Let’s go inside for now.”

The Futures League game at the minor league stadium was quiet. There weren’t many spectators around.

“It’s a second-tier stadium built with 1.5 trillion won at AT. Of course, including the facilities. Still pretty good, right? It’s the same size as Jamsil.”

“Yes, it’s really nice.”

“Please have a seat.”

“But why here…?”

“Mengho player. Do you see that player over there?”

She said while looking at a player in an AT uniform playing defense in the outfield.

“Yes, I see.”

“Do you know who that player is?”

“No. It’s hard to see clearly.”

Even if he could be seen, there was a high chance of not knowing who he was. He was busy training and didn’t watch much professional baseball.

“That player is our player, Kang Ju-hyun. He received MVP awards in the Golden Lion Cup, Blue Dragon Cup, Phoenix Cup, in three tournaments ten years ago. The signing bonus was 350 million.”

“He’s similar to me, right? I also received MVP awards in the Golden Lion Cup and Blue Dragon Cup.”

“Then can you see that player?”

“Yes.”

This time she pointed to a pitcher sweating profusely on the mound throwing the ball.

Thud!

And amazingly, the ball thrown by the pitcher hit the bat of the opposing batter and went over the fence.

“The player who just hit a home run is Kim Jin-hoo, our first-round pick player from 13 years ago. The signing bonus was 220 million.”

He received a lot with that kind of skill. If that’s the case, shouldn’t I get at least 1 billion?

“They were all players full of potential. In Major League terms, around 45 on a 20-80 scale (the way players are evaluated in the Major Leagues)?”

“What level is 45?”

“You can think of it as just below the average level of the Major Leagues.”

“Really? Looks like the seniors were good at baseball.”

“They were players with potential. But as with everyone, not everyone grows as much as their potential.”

After taking a breath, she spoke again.

“Player Ji Mengho. There are high expectations for you at AT. Five billion won is not a small amount of money.”

“That’s true…?”

Why is she hesitating to say something like this?

“And we’ve experienced too many failures. And next year, it will be over 20 years since we last made it to the Fall Baseball.”

The chances of AT making it to Fall Baseball this year were slim. A quick search revealed that they were running at the top as usual from April to May, but their performance had been shaky since June.

“I hope Player Ji Mengho grows to his full potential and leads AT to victory.”

Well, did she call me to say such obvious things? I don’t know about winning, but it was a given that I would grow more. With Rossby, the best right-handed hitter in Major League history, by my side. I said confidently.

“Why are you saying such obvious things? I am someone who will become the best second baseman in the Major Leagues someday.”

“Confidence. That’s good. It would be even better if you lead AT to victory before going to the Major Leagues.”

Cheon So-young’s expression suddenly became wistful upon hearing my words.

My heart fluttered, hearing the wistful expression of Cheon So-young. …She’s pretty.

“Shall we get up now?”

Standing against the sunlight, she seemed to shine even brighter than before.