After receiving a massage and getting his hair styled at a salon, the general manager of the Oceans appeared confidently before the reporters, his makeup done, and clenched his fists as he shouted,
“Reporters! Kang Geon-woo will be wearing the Oceans uniform next year!”
From the outside, it appeared as though the general manager had been staying near Kang Geon-woo’s house for over a month, trying to persuade him.
“We have sealed the deal with a signing bonus of 1.5 billion won, marking the highest amount in history! Of course, a Major League team offered him a bonus exceeding $2 million, but we worked tirelessly to convince Kang Geon-woo…!”
Of course, not everyone believed this at face value.
“General manager! There’s talk that this was a strategy to confuse other teams’ selections. What do you think about that?”
“There are rumors that Kang Geon-woo’s actual signing bonus is 2 billion won!”
Having anticipated these questions, the general manager responded calmly.
And shortly after, sports news articles about Kang Geon-woo joining the Oceans flooded in.
[Kang Geon-woo confirmed to join Oceans with a record-breaking rookie signing bonus of 1.5 billion won!]
[The sincerity of Oceans paid off.]
[Smoke screen tactic? Or Oceans’ gamble with the number one overall pick.]
ã„´Wow, you know Geon-woo! Kang Geon-woo, impressive!
ã„´Ugh, Oceans, those dirty jerks.
ã„´What’s the problem? Oceans had the first pick, they picked the best player like they should, and worked their butts off to get him.
ã„´Agreed. General manager Park stayed in a hotel near Kang Geon-woo’s house for over a month, visiting him every day to seal the deal. Is that a crime?
ã„´Then why didn’t they say from the start they were picking Kang Geon-woo? Why mess with the other teams?
ã„´Does your team announce who they’re picking in advance? What nonsense is this? LOL
ã„´Didn’t they already make a deal with Kang Geon-woo before, and all this was just for show?
ã„´ Nope, not at all. Get lost. Our general manager isn’t that smart.
ã„´ Are you crazy?? Are you bashing General Manager Park Bit-bit right now?
ã„´ This is exactly what Ocean’s real baseball is like.
ã„´ Hey, but just because they brought in a high school rookie, does that make them a contender for the championship? What a joke, lol.
ã„´ You’re right, lol. Isn’t Ocean’s the graveyard for rookies? lol
ã„´ Exactly. Ocean’s only had one Rookie of the Year 36 years ago, and that was the end, just once in 47 years.
ã„´ They always mess up their prospects, trade them away, and then watch them blow up on other teams. It’s basically a rule, lol.
ã„´ Geon-woo, I’m so disappointedã…œYou said you were going to the majorsã…œI was sincerely cheering for youã…œ
In fact, Ocean’s side had played a role in overblowing the news and creating the buzz.
The brutal head coach carousel that had gone on for several seasons. And the intense criticism from fans over their long failure to reach the postseason.
Kang Geon-woo thought it was really fortunate that in his first life, before his regression, he hadn’t chosen Ocean’s.
‘Are they crazy, these people?’
What team puts this much pressure on a rookie they just signed? He thought that if he hadn’t regressed, he would’ve been burdened by the expectation to perform in line with all the hype. Thankfully, Kang Geon-woo had the mental toughness that came from experience, and wasn’t easily swayed by things like this.
Anyway.
The day before meeting with the reporters, accompanied by the general manager, Jeong Yuri handed Kang Geon-woo a pair of gold-rimmed glasses without lenses.
“Geon-woo, wear these during the interview.”
“Why glasses?”
“Right-handed aces wear glasses.”
Although he planned to make a career as a batter, he figured there was no harm in wearing glasses once, so he accepted them without complaint.
“But there’s something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
“The right-handed ace with glasses leading the team to victory and then heading to the Hall of Fame—wasn’t that the tradition? Didn’t you say your wish was for me to stay injury-free and have a long career?”
After a brief silence, Jeong Yuri grinned and then turned around, changing the topic.
“Yesterday, I noticed that when you swing, your right elbow sticks too close, putting pressure on your 8th and 9th ribs. Let’s try adjusting that so you can maintain your form with less effort.”
It took exactly 3 seconds for her to switch from a hardcore Oceans fan to a skilled sports scientist.
Kang Geon-woo looked at her retreating figure with satisfaction and asked, “Do I swing with glasses on?”
“Want to give it a try?”
Watching Yuri, who seemed unusually excited, Geon-woo put on the glasses, attached the sensor, and took a swing. He didn’t fully understand her enthusiasm, but he figured as long as she liked it, that was enough.
* * *
“Hello. I’m Kang Geon-woo, the new rookie for the Oceans. Please take good care of me.”
The general manager sat beside him, and the reporters were seated in front.
To be honest, I wasn’t originally an Oceans fan.
I did love baseball, but it was hard to say I was a fan of any particular team.
However, after the mental training I received from Yuri, I’m confident I now look like the biggest Oceans fan out there.
When I was younger, I used to put on a tough front during interviews, out of pride.
But now?
Outwardly, I’m a high school senior, but inside, I’m basically a guy pushing 40.
“How do you feel about signing with the Oceans?”
I kissed the emblem on the uniform the GM gave me before the press conference started and replied, “It’s a dream come true.”
One reporter, looking skeptical, raised his hand to ask a question.
“Didn’t you say before that you weren’t interested in anything other than Major League Baseball?”
Did I say that?
How am I supposed to remember something from almost 20 years ago?
“The Oceans are a team more valuable than any in the Major Leagues.”
In any case, being a baseball player is a job where you get criticized no matter what you do.
There’s nothing you can do about fans from other teams. So, at least, I should try to avoid as much criticism as possible from the Oceans fans, even if it makes me feel less hurt.
“According to some rumors, your girlfriend is a huge Oceans fan...”
“That was a major factor in my decision. I want to show her an Oceans victory, something she’s never seen before.”
“Not just a victory—hasn’t she never even seen the Oceans play in the Korean Series?”
“Do not insult the Oceans.”
For a moment, the atmosphere got a bit tense. Hmm. Did I go too far?
“As a player, do you have any goals?”
“There were three, and I’ve accomplished one.”
“What is it?”
“My first goal was joining the Oceans, the second is winning the championship with them, and the last is to have a healthy career while playing for the Oceans.”
* * *
[Did you see Kang Geon-woo’s interview? Since when has he been a die-hard Oceans fan???]
ã„´They asked him to say something to the fans, and he started singing ‘Busan Seagulls,’ lololol
ã„´He absolutely nailed it, lmaooooooo
ã„´Praise GM Park!
ã„´Geon-woo, you’re the bestã… ã… ã… ã… ã… ã… ã…
ã„´True roots, lololol
ã„´Did Geon-woo come to Oceans because of his girlfriend?
ã„´Kang Geon-woo seems like such a middle schooler with an attitude.
ã„´Hey, if he breaks up with his girlfriend, isn’t he going to join another team? LOL, that’s hilarious.
ã„´Kang Geon-woo’s girlfriend is my sister.
ã„´What are you talking about?
ã„´It’s true, haha.
ã„´Sounds like bait, but if it’s true, make sure they never break up.
ã„´Did he used to wear glasses?
ã„´No, my sister gave him glasses and told him to wear them when he goes out. He liked them and started wearing them.
ã„´Is he the type to always listen to his girlfriend?
ã„´He didn’t used to be, but lately, he listens to her a lot. It’s like he’s a completely different person.
ã„´Did he change from a Chihuahua to a Jindo dog?
ã„´Don’t treat our ace like a dog.
ã„´LOL
ã„´But he said he’s only going to bat and not pitch anymore.
ã„´???
ã„´Why???
ã„´Hey, no way! Why would a guy who can throw 160 km/h stop pitching?
ã„´That guy is just baiting us.
ã„´What a liar.
ã„´Did you actually believe that? He’s obviously just a troll.
* * *
Judging by the flow of public opinion, it seems Oceans’ plan has worked out quite well.
They failed to make it to the postseason again, and once again, the head coach was fired (although it appeared to be a voluntary resignation), but the negative perception that had surrounded the draft, which was a sort of show, and my contract, has largely disappeared.
When I think about it, it’s kind of funny. Just because they signed a high school rookie like me, people are acting like we’re going to win the championship next year.
Of course, I’m not just any high school rookie.
I got a hint about this from Hyun-soo’s self-deprecating words.
“Oceans fans are the type who find any small excuse not to give up on this team.”
It’s certainly a strange team.
As I focused on my personal training, the 2027 season came to an end.
The Oceans finished 10th for the third consecutive year. Toward the end of the season, they fell into a losing streak and plummeted from 6th to 10th place at a remarkable speed.
The Thunderbirds, who finished 8th last season, rose to 5th place and advanced to the Wild Card game, where they faced the Angels. The Angels won, advancing to the semi-playoffs against the Bulldozers, who had finished 3rd in the regular season.
The Bulldozers defeated the Angels and then also took down the Vikings, the 2nd-place team in the regular season and the reigning Korean Series champions, but they lost to the Changwon Pirates in the Korean Series.
“Geon-woo.”
“Yes, Father?”
“I’m heading out for a bit.”
“Where are you going?”
“Going to collect a bet from the neighbor downstairs.”
Despite saying that, he didn’t seem as excited as he was the last time the Pirates won the championship.
According to my mother, he’s contemplating whether to switch teams again now that I’ve joined the Oceans.
“Yuri’s dad keeps teasing him for being a bandwagon fan, so I think that’s making him think harder about it.”
Hmm. Is that really the important thing here?
“Are you happier that I’m not going to the US?”
It’s a different topic, but I was curious about this. What do my parents think?
My mother smiled as she answered.
“Honestly, I felt a bit sad when you said you were going. But your dad was even more upset. Still, since you insisted on going, we made up our minds and decided to support you. Be good to your dad. Lately, he’s been a little gloomy because you haven’t been spending time with him.”
Did I use to spend a lot of time with my dad around this time?
I don’t think so.
“Really?”
“You haven’t played catch with him recently.”
Ah, we used to play catch a lot.
I hear two men shouting from the apartment stairs.
“Do you even remember when the Ocean’s won? It was when we were in elementary school!”
“Your team is done for now!”
“We just won a few minutes ago. What do you mean, it’s over?”
“You’re dead next year!”
Hearing them argue, my mom and I laughed together.
“They still act like kids, don’t they?”
Still, hmm.
It’s nice to see.
After the divorce, my dad scolded me a lot. Back then, I would argue back, asking what I had done wrong, and we fought terribly, growing distant.
I’m glad I get to fix things now.
- Yuri Noona: Your dad suddenly knocked on our door and teased us.
- Yuri Noona: Dad is so mad, he’s drinking whiskey now, lololololol.
Right as the message arrived, my dad walked into the house. I spoke to him, seeing the strange expression on his face.
“Dad, do you want to go play catch?”
His face lit up with joy.
“Oh, catch. That sounds great. Haven’t done that in a while. Let me teach you how to throw properly.”
I should have done this with him earlier.
But now, it seems like I’ll be able to do it with him a lot more.
* * *
“Just be an Oceans fan again.”
“Ugh, no.”
“Why not?”
“Do I need a reason to say no?”
“I’m an Oceans player now, you know.”
“I’ll cheer for you, but I won’t cheer for the Oceans.”
“Is it because of Uncle Jong-seok?”
“Supporting the Oceans almost gave me high blood pressure, and you want me to do that again?”
“But you still like the Oceans, don’t you?”
“Who told you that?”
“I can tell just by looking at you.”
“What do you know? Ouch!”
“Are you okay?”
“Ah, my back. I think I tweaked it while throwing.”
“You should exercise a bit more.”
“Wait till you’re my age.”
“Dad.”
“Aigoo, oh my.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What? Is it about promising to go to the Majors and not going?”
“Well, that too, and... there are a few things I feel sorry about. Let me help you.”
“Geon-woo.”
“Yes?”
“You don’t have to suddenly try to act all grown-up.”
“Sorry?”
“I mean, lately, it seems like you’ve become more mature.”
“Have I?”
“Well, it seems like you suddenly gave up on your dreams... I wonder if you’re doing it because you’re worried about us.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“There are things you can only do when you’re young, and things you should enjoy at that age. Whatever you do, you’re still our child, so you can rely on us or talk things over with us a bit more.”
“Hmm. I understand.”
“Sometimes I think you’ve grown up, but then again, maybe not quite yet.”
“I’ll make a promise, but you have to promise me something too, Dad.”
“What is it?”
“That you and Mom will keep going to the hospital regularly.”
“What? You think your dad doesn’t look this healthy for no reason?”
“You threw 10 pitches and hurt your back.”
“...Tell your mom I threw 100.”
“Then I’ll go ahead and book the hospital appointment.”
“You rascal.”
“Yes.”
“You’re becoming quite the dutiful son.”
“You’re too kind.”
