Chapter 3

Please take a look -2-

#

“I have prepared 1.5 billion won as the signing bonus. As you know, it's the highest amount ever offered to a rookie.”

The next day, the Oceans' director came back and spoke confidently.

It is indeed the highest signing bonus ever. It's 500 million won more than the previous highest amount, which was 1 billion won.

To them, it might seem like a generous offer, but to be honest, I think it's a good deal for Oceans.

I succeeded as a two-way player in the major leagues.

I won the Cy Young Award as a starting pitcher and the Mariano Rivera Award as a closer.

After I had to stop pitching due to an injury halfway through my career, I focused on hitting, and combined with my two-way period, I won the MLB MVP three times.

In my later years, I mainly played as a corner outfielder, first baseman, or designated hitter, but I could basically play all positions.

Thinking about it, I'm playing in Korea.

It feels like the league is about to explode.

“And regarding the SMC you mentioned earlier...”

The director cleared his throat and began to speak.

SMC. Sports Motion Chaser.

It's a machine I used very effectively during my major league days to maintain and modify my batting and pitching stances.

I had requested to use this equipment personally, thinking it would be nice if they bought it, but if not, it was fine.

“I looked into the product from Raypak that you mentioned.”

“Yes.”

At first glance, it seemed like he was saying they couldn't provide the SMC, but he probably wanted to show off. His emotions were easy to read from his expression.

“Hmm. I strongly requested it from the higher-ups, but...”

The director glanced at me.

Actually, it was just a casual remark. If they didn't give it to me, I planned to buy it with the signing bonus.

“I think we can provide it to you on a long-term, free loan. It's such an expensive product... Ha ha. I pushed as hard as I could, and this is the best I could do.”

I didn't expect much, but if they could provide it, whether as a loan or not, that would be fine.

The director looked as if he was asking for praise.

“A loan would be fine. I appreciate your consideration.”

There were no other complicated issues regarding the contract.

After all, a rookie's salary is what it is, and there's no room for additional options.

However, the director asked me to keep one thing in mind.

“I would like you to keep the contract details confidential. Not just the content, but the fact that you've agreed to sign as well.”

He seemed to be trying to hide his excitement, probably because he wanted to blindside other teams.

Since I had announced my intention to enter the major leagues but hadn't withdrawn it yet, the moment Oceans selects me, the draft strategies of other teams will be thrown off.

“It's a kind of... well, strategy. I hope you can understand this part.”

Other teams might criticize me, but it's not really my concern.

The director is known for being a pushover, so it's hard to say how things will turn out.

“I'll consider it as a condition for the free loan of the equipment.”

“Hmm. I didn't mean it that way, but it's fine if you think of it that way.”

The director couldn't hide his smile as he replied.

There's nothing more expensive than free. If I can pay off the favor by staying quiet, it's a good deal.

“Deciding to stay in Korea is a great decision. And... um. How should I put this? Ha ha. I hope you don't suddenly change your mind. This is... Ha ha.”

“Don't worry.”

He seemed a bit anxious.

Since it's a verbal agreement, if I suddenly change my mind after the draft and decide to go to the major leagues, Oceans could lose their first-round pick.

“Oh, and I have something to say.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“I don't plan to be a two-way player.”

“Pardon?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“I want to focus on hitting.”

My parents and the director were all surprised.

I had been talking about being a two-way player in the major leagues, and honestly, I believed I could do even better now than I did back then.

But why am I declaring that I won't be a two-way player?

“Is it a bit sudden? Can I ask why?”

It's because of the conversation I had with Yool earlier.

#

“Wish?”

Yool answered with a strange expression.

I spoke as boldly as I could.

“If you look at me once, I want you to grant me three wishes.”

From her puzzled expression, it seemed like it was just a casual remark.

“Oh, oh, right. So you want me to grant you three wishes? Yeah, that's right.”

I don't know if the three circles on the ring represent three wishes or what would happen if she didn't grant them. The whole idea of coming back in time is already absurd.

But thinking about it, three wishes isn't much.

And I didn't think she would ask for something ridiculous.

“None?”

“Um... Since it's sudden...”

Still, she fell into deep thought.

Then, as if something came to her, she opened her eyes wide, hid her smile, and then looked at me with sleepy eyes.

“Are you really not going to the major leagues?”

“Yeah. Why, is going to the major leagues your wish?”

“No!”

“Then I won't go.”

“If I tell you to go, will you go?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow. Where did the stubborn Kang Geun-woo go? Hey, where did our Geun-woo hide?”

She grabbed my collar and glared at me, shaking me, so I just smiled. Yool stared at me for a while and then laughed with me.

“Yeah. Well, if you don't go, it's better for me.”

“Is not going your wish?”

“No way. Who would let you off that easily.”

Yool wrinkled her nose and spoke again.

“My first wish is...”

“My first wish is?”

“Our Geun-woo going to Oceans!”

If Oceans is not crazy, they will definitely draft me if I stay in the country.

Why would they come to my house every day if they didn't want to draft me?

“Okay. Oceans. Got it.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Next?”

“Um... hitting a walk-off home run in the final game of the Korean Series?”

“Walk-off home run?”

Even if I'm confident, hitting a specific game is a bit much.

“Is that too hard? Just winning the championship, then.”

“That's doable. Just watch. I'll make it 10th and 1st.”

“Oh. Kang Geun-woo. Confidence. The rest is, um. Not getting injured and having a healthy career?”

“Huh?”

Not getting injured and having a healthy career?

“Yeah. Why?”

She asked innocently, but it's impossible for a professional athlete to never get injured.

Absolutely impossible.

“That's impossible.”

“Then is the second one possible?”

“Did you say that thinking Oceans won't make it to the Korean Series?”

“Oceans is a messed-up team, so it's not possible.”

“No. That might be possible, but the third one is impossible.”

“What... It's a wish, not something that has to happen...”

“Can't you think of something more realistic?”

“Ah, I don't know. Just don't get injured.”

Yool, who is moody, can suddenly get angry even when she's smiling.

It used to be a source of stress for me.

Maybe it's a crush. Even this seems cute.

“Would one season be okay?”

“What? You're going to get injured from the second season?”

“No, it's not that. People need goals. If I stay healthy for one season and then set new goals for the next, how about that?”

Honestly, I thought Yool would nod at this point.

I thought it was reasonable.

But Yool frowned and replied.

“What?”

I made a counteroffer.

“...Two seasons?”

“Are you playing baseball one-two day?”

“No, there could be unexpected injuries...”

The negotiation failed, and my future wife issued an ultimatum.

“Well, fine. You might get injured, so I'll be generous. You can get injured, but not to the point of being out for the season or needing surgery.”

“...Until when?”

“Until you retire.”

“No. Think about it. Until free agency, wouldn't that be okay?”

“What?”

“Once I make a big impact, I can take it easy afterward. Don't you think?”

Yool, who found this hilarious, laughed for a while and then answered.

“Yeah. That's acceptable.”

This is why I said I won't be a pitcher.

Maybe occasionally as a reliever would be okay, but I have no intention of being a starting pitcher.

During my major league days, I had to stop pitching due to an elbow injury.

Being a two-way player is definitely challenging. The muscles used by pitchers and hitters are different, and maintaining a pitcher's routine while playing a full season as a hitter is not easy.

It becomes physically exhausting compared to other players. When that happens, it's not just one aspect that fails; both aspects become a mess.

So, I did an insane amount of physical training.

Well, I believed I could do both, and I did both well.

But my peak as a hitter came after I stopped pitching. I hit over 40 home runs after that.

Anyway.

Coming back to the present.

When I said I want to focus on hitting, the Oceans' director spoke cautiously.

“Still, I would like to see you test as a pitcher. How about deciding between hitting and pitching after spring training without setting it in advance?”

In the final game where I pitched a shutout for the WBSC, I also hit two home runs.

For Oceans, it might be hard to give up one of the 1.5 billion won prospect's possibilities.

“If the 1.5 billion won signing bonus includes a pitcher's share, I'm fine with just the hitting share.”

At my firm words, Director Park Jun-ki wore a serious expression and thought for a moment.

Then, he spoke.

“If that's the case...”

#

“What the hell is wrong with him? He's completely different from a few days ago...”

As soon as Director Park Jun-ki left Kang Geun-woo's apartment, he put a cigarette in his mouth and grumbled to himself.

The 1.5 billion won included shares for both pitching and hitting. He was evaluated as having the best talent in history, both as a pitcher and a hitter.

Moreover, his stardom, due to his recognition from the WBSC tournament, solid build, and good looks, played a significant role.

The most important point was that the chairman of the parent company had instructed him to secure Kang Geun-woo.

That's why he visited every day, like grabbing onto his pants.

“Still...”

In modern baseball, it's almost impossible to excel in both pitching and hitting.

In conclusion, the director said he would give Kang Geun-woo the signing bonus as is.

If he performs well in both pitching and hitting after joining the pros, that would be ideal.

But if the player insists, they can announce after spring training that he will focus on hitting. If the field manager wants to develop him as a pitcher or a two-way player, that's up to the field manager.

The director planned to inform the manager of the player's preference.

His job as a director was done.

“Huh.”

Park Jun-ki, as if he had never grumbled, crushed the cigarette under his foot and laughed softly.

At least this way, he could give other directors a taste of their own medicine.

Other teams had already planned or were planning their draft strategies.

It was no secret that if Oceans failed to secure Kang Geun-woo, they would draft Yu Byung-seong.

But now that they had agreed to sign Kang Geun-woo, they could throw a wrench into the plans of other teams on draft day.

Daejeon Meteors, who would pick after Oceans, would have to decide whether to stick to their original plan or draft Yu Byung-seong. Either way, it could cause a chain reaction of confusion.

“I can already see the other directors' faces...”

1.5 billion won?

It's not his money, after all.

Park Jun-ki tried to hide his expression as he headed to his car. He could now give a taste of their own medicine to the other directors who had treated him as a pushover.

For the director, that was enough.

Actually, the relief of fulfilling the chairman's instructions was even greater.