Original subtitles

(Stove League)

(This drama is fiction and its story is unrelated to reality.)

Mr. Kang Du Ki.

I'm going to throw you...

a tough question.

Yes.

Can we bring in...

Lim Dong Gyu?

It's not a tough question at all.

Even if I don't lose any points,

our team needs to score points...

for me to become a winning pitcher.

Lim Dong Gyu can play from late summer to fall.

Autumn Dong Gyu.

That's Lee Dong Gyu.

We all know.

Hello, I'm Management Division Head, Lee Se Young.

The reason I asked you all here today...

is to discuss a trade.

It's not a major trade this time, is it?

There are too many things to be cautious about...

that it's better to manage the trade secretly.

But General Manager Baek did not do so.

When we traded Lim Dong Gyu for Kang Du Ki,

he persuaded us...

with the necessity of the trade.

Why is she doing this, making us all nervous?

So I gathered you all here to persuade you once more.

The general manager has already agreed to this,

but rather than telling you to agree because the general manager...

and the manager said so,

I wanted to persuade you all by sharing some information.

I'll begin.

(The reason why we need to bring back Lim Dong Gyu)

(The reason why we need to bring back Lim Dong Gyu)

So,

you didn't come to apologize?

No, I'm sorry.

I lost my pitchers...

and Lim Dong Gyu only plays half of what he's capable of.

You knew this, didn't you?

Yes.

You're very shameless.

You did know?

To be honest,

when you came to me...

saying that you'd help us knowing my team's situation,

I thought that even though it's a competition,

there was some comradeship between us...

aiming to compete...

in good faith.

That's why I came to make you an offer, General Manager.

A trade.

Since I've been conned once, you want me to be conned again?

It was a trade I prepared as a way of compensation.

You saw on your way here.

Our fans were...

demonstrating and telling the team to break up.

Only my team has been...

caught with both doping...

and gambling abroad.

I consider it unfortunate.

You just came to laugh...

at the owner of the store...

as the store is closing up shop, aren't you?

No.

As a way of taking moral responsibility,

we will be taking back Lim Dong Gyu.

Look at this guy.

Then, will you return Kang Du Ki?

- It's not that. - Then?

Is there another Dreams player that I can swap with Lim Dong Gyu?

Did the general manager accept?

The general manager and I are on the same page.

The presentation he gave a while back...

was the reason why we should let Lim Dong Gyu go.

What was the reason that...

we were persuaded by in the presentation?

It was Kang Du Ki.

Yes.

You all were persuaded by the idea...

that we'd be bringing in Kang Du Ki in exchange for Lim Dong Gyu go.

But...

what if we can...

bring back Lim Dong Gyu...

sending off Kang Du Ki?

Go on.

Let's listen.

First,

as you all know, Lim Dong Gyu's record...

lands in the top three nationwide.

If we don't compare the record simply...

and find a different...

We all know that Lim Dong Gyu plays well.

But the Vikings aren't stupid.

If we're going to get him back, we need a player to trade off.

It's Kim Gwan Shik.

Listen.

When you say you'll take moral responsibility,

shouldn't my team benefit from this?

How does your common sense differ this much from mine?

There's one more player.

Tell me. Who is it?

It's Kim Gwan Shik...

and Yeon Joong Seop.

Yeon Joong Seop?

So we're going to trade off Yeon Joong Seop...

who's called "Little Lim Dong Gyu" and Kim Gwan Shik...

in order to bring in Lim Dong Gyu, who can't even play half the season?

This is the first time I disagree with the general manager.

I check my players a lot,

and Yeon Joong Seop is showing a lot of potential to become huge.

He can grow as big as Lim Dong Gyu.

He's young and doesn't have to worry about his military service.

The Vikings sold Kang Du Ki and brought in Lim Dong Gyu...

because its batting and outfield defense was weak.

And the player we're bringing in...

isn't "Little Lim Dong Gyu" or a player that will get big.

He's Lim Dong Gyu himself.

I'm sure you'll need some time to think about it.

Still, he's Lim Dong Gyu.

I know that Kim Gwan Shik and Yeon Joong Seop are rising stars.

I know they'll grow to be big.

But it's still Lim Dong Gyu.

The Vikings lack three players to fill its setup relievers.

Kim Gwan Shik could become a reliever even if he joined today.

You should be well-aware that unlike last year,

he's dealt no injury this year and his condition has gotten better.

And with Yeon Joong Seop,

he's the future of our team.

They say his outfield defense is better than that of Lim Dong Gyu.

His hit is becoming that of a pro.

He's truly a rising star.

The Vikings took in Lim Dong Gyu to improve its outfielder defense.

Yeon Joong Seop is the perfect present...

we can offer you.

There goes your crafty tongue again.

I was aware of Lim Dong Gyu's wrongdoings.

But I thought that if I kept my mouth shut,

there wouldn't be any problems.

This is a genuine offer...

to the Vikings...

from the Dreams.

When the Vikings try to win the championship two years later,

Kim Gwan Shik and Yeon Joong Seop...

will have grown a lot...

and will be the pivotal players in your team.

And also, Lim Dong Gyu...

can't play half the season because he was caught gambling.

He's also not from the Vikings.

He is going to get endless criticism.

What about the Dreams?

What about the Dreams' fans?

Will they accept...

Lim Dong Gyu?

He's the unfortunate fourth batter...

who used up his youth in a team that always got last place.

If Lim Dong Gyu's to get a second chance,

that would only come from the fans.

Why are we aiming for win-now?

Because we're trying to get good results this year.

Isn't it a bit hard this year?

Sending off young players like Kim Gwan Shik and Yeon Joong Seop...

to get Lim Dong Gyu will be a failed trade...

unless we have a plan to win.

Well,

who do you think is the best player to bat last?

It's the Sabers' Kim Won Jae. Fourth batter of the national team.

Yes, of course.

But what if we say for the last 5 years, instead of 3?

Has it not been long since...

Kim Won Jae played well? Who is it, then?

I'm sure it's still Kim Won Jae.

Then, what if I say for the past seven years?

It's Lim Dong Gyu.

Right.

When we're talking about the past seven years,

Lim Dong Gyu is extraordinary.

He's always delivered more than 20 home runs,

and has recorded an 80 RBI.

He's shown quite an impact...

as a valuable player.

Great.

I think it's great.

But Lim Dong Gyu...

isn't good in the summer. He plays well only in the fall.

I'm sorry to tell you this,

No way!

but we're going to be playing in the postseason this year.

No matter what.

And especially in the fall,

we need a batter that...

becomes a monster.

But beyond all this,

do you think Lim Dong Gyu would...

gladly come back to our team?

Wouldn't it be uncomfortable for Kang Du Ki?

Our team has already become the team of Kang Du Ki.

We even made the Du Ki Dog instead of Lim Dong Gyu Burger.

It comes with three different sauces.

If he doesn't play 100 percent,

we also won't need him.

We'll have to bring him...

when he's desperate.

Since you were able to turn the Vikings into a team...

of great pitchers when they had nothing,

I'm sure you can turn the team into the fiercest in two years.

I'll be waiting.

If you make up your mind about the trade,

please call me.

He's talking like his team is already playing in the postseason.

Seriously.

Jae Hee.

Do well.

Oh, boy.

I was excited to have a new employee on my team,

but your mind is somewhere else.

Pardon me?

Ms. Lee will do a good job without you.

Yes.

I'm the one who needs you, all right?

- Yes. - Good.

Let's go somewhere with me.

Pardon?

Hurry up.

- Hurry. - What...

Hurry where? Where are we going?

- Hello. - Hello.

- You look in shape. - Thank you.

- Watch out for injuries. - Yes.

They're college athletes.

Do you come here often?

No, not that often.

Teams don't sign college players these days, do they?

You're right.

Our team also doesn't sign them.

Do you know why?

I think it must be because most talented players are...

signed by professional teams when they graduate high schools.

You have passed.

And once they graduate after four years,

it'll be burdensome for the teams to sign players with age.

Jae Hee.

You've passed in second place.

What do I have to do to pass get first place?

Now...

the college players are student athletes,

so they have to study too, right?

If they have to study too...

The training time decreases,

and the value that the college players...

can add to our team goes down.

Exactly.

So why are we here?

I told you the reason.

When?

The scout of a professional team have to come and watch them...

- properly. - Why?

How sad would it be when you have to work for something...

when no one cares?

You still have your humanist in you.

What did Mr. Baek say?

He said: "I don't work with humanists."

We still have a job to do.

I think watching college baseball is part of our job. Nice pitch!

Hey!

It was a nice pitch.

But isn't it more efficient to focus on high school baseball?

Our team needs...

players that we can put to use right away anyway.

We should keep our eyes...

on both high school baseball...

and college baseball.

Is it because our team is weak?

To be precise,

it seems that Mr. Baek and Ms. Lee are getting too hasty.

Thank you!

It seems like they're feeling chased,

and...

they feel like they have to get good records quickly.

- Hello. - How have you been, Coach?

I'm doing great thanks to you.

I really appreciate you coming by every time.

Park Byung Hyun's pitching has gotten much better.

It has.

We dealt with his balance and he's a lot better.

Please keep an eye on him for later in the future.

By the way,

is the manger of the Dreams being replaced this time?

Pardon me?

What do you mean?

I shouldn't have said that.

No, you've done a good job.

What are people saying?

Then make sure you keep it a secret, Mr. Yang.

Yes.

He's my right-hand man. He can listen too.

Yes.

It's probably a rumor.

A match-fixing broker was arrested recently,

and...

Manager Yoon Seong Bok's name seems to have come up.

But if there's no problem with him, it must be false.

It wouldn't be a trouble.

(General Manager Kim Jong Mu)

Mr. Park.

How have you been?

Well, I'm dying here.

There was the incident regarding Lim Dong Gyu.

Anyway,

since...

Lim Dong Gyu wasn't even on our team in the first place,

I'm not sure if we have to keep him.

Yes. You're right.

So I'm thinking of trading him, but it's not that easy.

Yes, I'm discussing it.

I can't tell you which team it is.

Well,

I'll just say it's a team not in the capital.

Right. Mr. Park,

make sure not to write a story about this, all right?

Okay.

What about others?

Were they agreeing with it?

They were curious about why we're aiming to win...

the championship all of a sudden.

However, they know the influence of Lim Dong Gyu.

So they agreed that it's better to sign him to strengthen our team...

now instead of the future.

Good. That's a relief.

But the general manager has the right to trade players.

Why do you always ask for their permission?

Think about how everyone reacted when I said I'd trade him away.

You all swarmed in front of my office.

I was just trying to stop them at the time.

I'm doing so because I want everyone to know and understand my plan.

You must have had no faith in me.

You know that I feel different now, right?

Then we could make things easier.

Now that I think about it,

it's been a long time.

A lot of things happened along the way.

Don't get too sentimental yet. We have a lot of work to do.

And we don't have much time.

What I meant was that we don't have enough time...

compared to the work we have left.

You're not having second thoughts, are you?

Second thoughts?

Why do you talk like you're going away these days?

Where would I go?

Since we've gotten quite close...

I'm not sure if we have,

but I think we've gotten familiar with each other.

You look like someone who's always ready to leave.

Where would I go with the Dreams in this mess?

Right?

The Dreams is still in a mess.

Yes, so stop having those useless thoughts.

You should work hard instead.

Yes.

Mr. Baek, have you seen the news?

No.

I feel a bit uneasy.

(Is Vikings planning to trade Lim Dong Gyu?)

This is Oh Sa Hoon.

You must be devastated, General Manager.

There you are. Have a seat.

It's been a while, Mr. Baek.

Mr. Oh called me.

He needs Lim Dong Gyu.

Why would the Pelicans need him when you have no connection with him?

Well,

by the rule of negotiations,

I wouldn't have to tell you that I desperately need Lim Dong Gyu.

But as you know,

I'm forthright by nature.

We need...

Lim Dong Gyu very much.

Why?

You must know.

Two players of the Sabers were caught.

And we have one player who got caught.

You should be ashamed to have at least one player do drugs.

I wouldn't recommend celebrating.

I haven't celebrated.

But the Sabers lost a fifth-string player...

and a back-up outfielder.

Our team lost a rookie of little importance.

I'm sure you can guess.

We're the only team who has a chance to beat the Sabers now.

Of course, the Vikings might get a chance in two years,

but considering the existing records and the leakage in strength,

our team or the Sabers will win the championship.

We need Lim Dong Gyu and his intense batting...

against the Sabers.

That's amusing.

We have the same reason.

What do you mean?

No one got caught in our team,

and we need Lim Dong Gyu to fight against the Sabers.

Are you joking now?

I'm not.

And...

who needs him more isn't the problem.

We should make a suggestion that better satisfies his needs.

Mr. Baek is quick to understand the situation.

Right.

I'm putting Lim Dong Gyu up for open auction.

The Dreams suggested Kim Gwan Shik and Yeon Joong Seop.

That should be quite tempting...

for the Vikings.

Quite?

"Think ahead."

I think...

the Vikings can have a go for the fall season...

even though they may not be able to aim for the championship.

I suggest the number five pitcher Yoon Sang Min...

who took eight wins last year...

and the key outfielder...

Ko Chang Hyun.

Yoon Sang Min and Ko Chang Hyun...

might play better...

than Kim Gwan Shik and Yeon Joong Seop this season.

Yoon Sang Min is 34 years old, and Ko Chang Hyun is 33.

Of course, they're nice players.

But they don't seem competitive...

enough to give up on the two promising players.

That is your problem.

In a giant sport called baseball, there are only ten spots...

for head coaches and general managers.

You don't know how precious a general manager position is.

What do you mean?

You don't have to put it this way.

It could be desperate for someone, Mr. Baek.

Continue.

If you were to join a negotiation like this,

you should think about...

what the other general manager needs desperately...

instead of trying to fool him.

His term ends this season.

Goodness.

It's not his fault,

but the biggest number of players dropped out of the Vikings...

due to scandalous incidents this time.

Will he be able to stay in office...

if the team fails to play in fall?

There are already so many people...

waiting for a chance to be the general manager of the Vikings.

Is that how you've seen Mr. Kim?

What do you mean?

Oh, nothing. I'll stop here.

Or Mr. Kim might say...

I'm running my sly mouth again.

Let's not delay this any longer.

Right.

Mr. Oh is right. My term ends this year.

So...

I don't want to be humiliated.

This year,

I won't go for the fall season.

What...

I'll take promising players like Yeon Joong Seop and Kim Gwan Shik...

and win after two years.

Whether I stay or not,

that's the right thing to do.

Mr. Baek.

Let's trade. Take Lim Dong Gyu.

- Okay. I hope it's a win-win. - Gosh.

- Drop that nonsense. - Mr. Kim.

Sir, you need to go for the fall season.

You don't know much about Mr. Kim's records.

The Vikings stayed in the mid or low rank since 2011.

He sent off good batters.

He recruited promising pitchers, which caused a lot of criticism.

He was put in a bad crisis.

With a pitchers' kingdom in 2014 and 2015,

he led his team to win two times in a row.

Forget it.

I became a traitor in this field thanks to it.

Let's stop talking about nonsense...

and proceed with the trade.

He worries about the team's future more than his safety.

You shouldn't make a suggestion that applies to someone...

who cares only about his position.

Please excuse me then.

Thank you.

Lim Dong Gyu!

You forgot to include mister there.

Do you want my autograph?

Yes, let me have your autograph.

(Baek Seung Su)

Dong Gyu.

Aren't you going to take this?

It's the bat you use to play against Kang Du Ki.

You got this sponsored.

You can keep it.

Really?

- Hey. - Yes?

Give it to me.

Don't think about relying on something like this,

and practice properly, you punk.

I hate the Dreams.

- I said I hate the Dreams. - Okay.

Anyway, Joong Seob and Gwan Shik...

left the team.

Gwan Shik was so excited to leave.

If we see him this season,

make sure you fight him with all your might.

- Okay? - Yes, sir!

And about Joong Seop,

give him some comforting words if you were close to him.

He left all excitedly too.

Hey, pitchers.

When you're up against him,

make sure you throw with all your might.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

And as you already know, Lim Dong Gyu is joining us.

You guys all know what he's like.

Don't be fussy and be natural around him.

As if he has never changed teams.

Yes, sir.

Good work, guys.

Take this each and cheer up.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Darn it.

- Dong Gyu, Lim Dong Gyu. - Dong Gyu, Lim Dong Gyu.

Welcome!

Goodness.

The coaches told us not to make a fuss.

You little punks...

You put us in shock,

so you should let us do this much.

You're throwing a temper as soon as you came.

Hey.

Put your head on the floor.

- Like this? - Hey.

On the floor, I mean!

- Okay, I will. - Gosh.

I wondered why the place reeked of the sea.

Someone from the Vikings is here.

Well?

Are you serious?

Jin Woo.

I'm part of the Dreams down to the bone.

What took you so long?

Did you row all the way here?

This punk is hopeless.

Let's teach him a lesson!

- Wait! Hold on. - Dong Gyu, Lim Dong Gyu.

- Dong Gyu, Lim Dong Gyu. - Dong Gyu, Lim Dong Gyu.

Anyway,

would it be really okay...

to release an article...

about this contract without the president's approval?

Tell him I'm to blame...

because I did all this by myself without letting others know.

The president actually has...

nothing he can do about me.

Okay. See you tomorrow.

I can't believe this is the way you do your job.

Without my permission,

you released an article with the title,

"Lim Dong Gyu is coming back."

(Contract between the Dreams and Lim Dong Gyu)

So I must sign this if I don't want any backlash.

I'd like to apologize for this time.

For this time?

I'm very disappointed in you.

Don't you remember?

I approved of the trade deal between Lim Dong Gyu...

and Kang Du Ki, didn't I?

Yes.

I also gave you an okay when you fired Ko Se Hyeok.

- Yes. - I even let you scout...

Robert Kil with a 900,000-dollar pay deal.

Actually, it was 500,000. But you did.

I also promised him to pay him his full annual salary when he quit.

But he came back and told us he'd work only until spring...

saying he wouldn't need the rest of his salary.

Listening to what you said,

it feels like you're a good guy while I'm a bad one.

What's wrong with you?

- I give you as much as I can... - We would...

never be able to understand each other.

You love to stick to the principles.

And shall I tell you why I can't approve of this?

What is it?

We signed a 1.2-million contract with Lim Dong Gyu...

and sold two players who we needed to pay only 0.3 million.

I'm sure you cannot afford the difference.

Isn't the amount too big to just ask me to pay this easily?

You like rationale, don't you?

I have a reason not to approve of this trade.

It exceeds the club's allocated budget.

I believe...

you won't ask me to request the parent company...

for the support that exceeds the budget, will you?

Ms. Lim.

Yes?

Will our sales for advertisement this year be low again?

Oh, well...

It's hard to expect a sudden increase...

I got it.

- Mr. Byeon. - Yes?

Why did we stop releasing...

the articles about the Lim Dong Gyu deal?

Actually,

I heard we haven't received the president's approval yet.

- Why? - I have no idea.

Isn't Mr. Baek playing a power game with him again?

- Isn't it because of money? - What do you mean?

You know Lim Dong Gyu's salary stands for 1.2 million.

Right.

Did Lim Dong Gyu's trade deal close completely?

We should start working...

on plans to promote the team using his name.

We need the president's approval.

Is it...

because of his salary?

That's right. So I'll go up and start thinking about it.

The solution won't come out by thinking hard.

I don't think...

I can achieve something by pestering others.

What do you mean by that?

There's nothing I can do...

if someone chooses not to confront a problem...

when she can easily find an answer if she does.

It's because I believe...

getting herself motivated is something that only she can do.

Going up.

This is Lee Se Young, the head of the management of the Dreams.

Sorry?

Okay. Goodbye.

You're heading to the police station, right?

- Did you bug my phone? - Is it because of the manager?

You really did.

I'll accompany you.

Get off. You belong to the scouting division.

The head of my division instructed me...

to go help the head of the management division.

You must know something. Let's go, then.

I'm Lee Se Young, the management division head of the Dreams.

Our lawyer will be here soon. We can talk then.

Sure.

Can you briefly tell us what happened?

A match-fixing broker has been caught.

And in 2017, he gave money to Lee Dong Gu...

who retired from the Dreams.

And Lee Dong Gu showed up as a starting pitcher suddenly.

So we're investigating now.

Lee Dong Gu is right over there.

Player Lee Dong Gu,

are you really involved in match-fixing?

It's been a long time.

Just answer my question.

I did nothing.

I said I had nothing to do with it, but they just believe the broker.

We didn't say you did it. We still need to look into it.

When was the game held?

When was it?

June 4th, 2017.

I can never forget.

I hardly had taken the mound as a starting pitcher back then.

Here's the truth.

Lee Dong Gu was selected as a starting pitcher unexpectedly.

And he walked the first hitter.

The broker promised him to pay him 5,000 dollars...

if he had allowed a walk to the first batter.

And the broker wired 5,000 dollars to Lee Dong Gu.

But he claims that it's the manager...

who wired money to Lee Dong Gu.

So we need to listen to their statement first.

Jae Hee,

- get me my laptop from my car. - Okay.

- What is that for? - To get the manager released.

Okay.

This is the recording of the game.

Lee Dong Gu is pitching against the first hitter.

It was on a 3-2 pitch,

and he threw a ball as his eighth pitch a bit far from the hitter.

I threw nice balls back then.

Come on.

You can easily see...

that the two foul balls actually passed...

the strike zone, right?

Well, let's say they did.

If Lee Dong Gu was supposed to walk the hitter,

would he have thrown the balls with all his might...

when the hitter could've been struck out at the count?

It wouldn't have been weird...

even if the umpire had called a strike for his last throw.

Maybe,

it's meticulously planned.

Do you think he's Greg Maddux, the master of control?

Look.

These are the stats of Lee Dong Gu.

He allowed 6 walks per 9 innings on average.

He was a terrible pitcher.

Do you have to say that here?

I retired a long ago. Don't you think it's too mean?

I just tried to explain...

I also remember this game.

Han Tae Il, the starter of the game, got injured,

and Kim Ju Cheol, the substitute,

threw as a relief pitcher in the previous game.

You can see how Han Tae Il and Kim Ju Cheol played...

in the game in many previous articles.

(The substitute starter is Lee Dong Gu.)

I get what you're saying.

But we had to interrogate the manager as a testifier...

as he wired money.

It was to hold my baby's first birthday party.

I didn't ask you what you used the money for.

I don't know how he found out that the broker contacted me.

At that time, my salary was low, and my performance was horrible.

So he just gave me the money...

saying: "Don't be swayed by such an offer."

It must have been tough, Mr. Yoon.

I'm sorry for bothering you two when you're busy.

I was causing harm because I was a bad player when I was on the team.

And I'm causing harm even when I'm retired.

Make sure to repay the money you owe to him.

I should.

But I'm paying bills when I could afford to repay him.

Dong Gu.

Forget about that. Come by and hang out sometimes.

It's a relief the misunderstanding about him was cleared up.

After what happened with Mr. Ko, I got into a habit of doubting.

But when I was in front of him, I wasn't sure...

I should doubt him.

He's great in terms of personality.

Just like he took care of Lee Dong Gu instead of Lim Dong Gyu,

all his favors were bestowed...

only on the weak players who weren't good at baseball.

He reaches out his hand to others...

rather than trampling on them.

I'll try to live that way too.

- You should try. - Yes.

Please try to live that way to death.

What?

Come in.

What are these?

They're the advertising sales contracts.

We sold a lot.

Didn't you put the advertising agencies in charge?

No, I went around on foot.

When people are about to get hungry,

you could naturally expose the different menus...

and delivery applications each time...

using our LED billboard to induce them to order deliveries.

If you see here,

we could assign you a delivery manager.

So...

you could use banking services that guarantee the interest rate...

of a maximum of three percent if the Dreams get to the postseason.

It would leave a good precedent to show people...

that your bank can coexist with the local companies.

But...

I don't think anyone will expect the Dreams to play in the postseason.

We have Kang Du Ki.

But if the Dreams play...

in the postseason, we can't raise our interest rate that high.

How would the Dreams play in the postseason?

Why don't you sign it?

Why did you do so?

I made money for the team, so you can spend it as you please.

Not for personal reasons, of course.

I mean, if you could do this, then why did you...

I wasn't going to do it because I was worried...

you might say so.

I must have lost my mind.

I was joking.

We used to do it this way in the old days.

I wanted to be of help by putting advertisements...

and be recognized.

But at some point,

I decided never to work this way, and...

Why not? Was the company not motivating enough?

At first,

I couldn't understand why we waste money on advertising agencies.

And I saw so many openings to put advertisements,

so I gave opinions and stuff.

And I took over all the work.

I couldn't see my friends or anything.

Everyone was telling me that I'm good,

and I worked tenaciously.

Then Se Jin, the division head who was sitting in front of me...

got fired from her post.

It's all right.

She's doing well now,

though she first told me that I'm a mean person.

Yes. Thank you. It must have been tough.

No.

It was fun.

It felt like...

I've devoted myself completely.

You can go home early today...

and have a warm dinner with your family.

Your children must be waiting.

What was that?

You must be out of your mind.

Why are you suddenly speaking in non-honorific?

Whose children are waiting, when I'm not even married?

Aren't you married?

I mean,

why did you think I was married...

when you knew that Ms. Lee wasn't married?

It's just that I work with the management division all the time.

- Yes. - You seem...

like you're not prejudiced, but you actually have a lot of prejudice.

Then why do you leave work so early?

I have a lot of hobbies.

Do you?

What else is there in life?

The ballroom dance club, the Lego club,

the debate club of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms",

and the board game club.

I even sleep less to be in all those clubs.

You're not a stubborn boss who judges your subordinates...

for having a hobby, are you?

I apologize.

That's okay.

I'll get going.

Dong Gyu.

Help me with my batting posture.

Go to the hitting coach.

You know better than when Coach Min was a player.

And the poses they teach me are all old-fashioned.

Look at you.

You're quite skilled in talking behind people's backs.

Once you teach me the batting posture,

I'm definitely getting out of Dreams.

You traitor.

- Get in posture. - Yes.

I'll make sure you won't average over 0.200.

Your body is too tense.

If you don't have plans tonight...

and want to go out for a barbecue, see me...

- in the locker room at eight. - I can't miss a barbecue.

Thank you!

Enjoy.

- Thank you for the meal! - Thank you for the meal!

Gather around.

- Good work, everyone. - Good work, everyone.

Listen to me.

We have Kang Du Ki.

Even if the opposing team brings out the first string,

we just go ahead and win.

He's going to win 20 games. That sounds good, right?

Am I right?

I heard your shoulder and arm are better now.

Yes, I'll try.

You should try.

Yes. And...

I'll...

make a caught stealing percentage of 70 percent.

(Caught stealing is when a catcher throws out runners trying to steal.)

Isn't 70 percent a bit exaggerating?

I'm going to punch you in your belly.

- Then 50 percent. - Just get 30 percent.

Nonsense, 45 percent!

I like 45 percent.

And then...

Lim Dong Gyu will hit...

20 home runs in 72 games.

That sounds great.

Jin Woo.

- No thanks. - I'll...

also work hard.

I'll work hard too.

You should.

- Good. - Let's have a drink.

You guys.

If I was five years younger,

- I'd be kicking... - Let's have a toast.

- Cheers. - You brat.

This time, we're going to play...

proper baseball.

Dreams!

- Let's go! - Let's go!

The advertising sales are back producing a surplus.

It'll be enough for you to pay Lim Dong Gyu's salary.

So what?

Why haven't you when you could have done this earlier?

Tell me about it.

Others could think that it's a change...

that the new general manager brought with him,

and I'm worried.

When you were the acting owner of the club,

we haven't done it...

this way earlier.

I have a question.

Do you have an illness...

that gives you a rash when you go home after losing an argument?

Why isn't he coming?

Wait, what's he doing?

Hey! Start running!

What?

Okay.

So I'm not your immediate superior anymore. Is that it?

Fine. Let's go inside. It's cold.

Gosh.

Hey, pick something.

I have tons of clothes at home.

I'm sure you do, but pick something that suits you as a scouter.

Do scouters have to wear certain clothes?

Of course, didn't you see Mr. Yang's clothes?

I saw him in something similar to what we call clothes.

You still badmouth your superior behind his back.

Come on, this isn't badmouthing.

Anyway,

it will be colder on cold days and hotter on hot days.

You'll struggle a lot,

so I want to buy clothes for you.

I can't wear clothes you buy for me.

It'll be too heartbreaking. I know all about your financial situation.

It feels like sending a son to school,

so I'd like to buy something for you.

I'm not your son.

Wait, hey.

- What do you think about these? - You said you'd buy clothes.

It's not that I'll buy you only a pair of gloves.

Buy me clothes then.

Should I buy a pair for Mr. Baek too?

- Ms. Lee. - What?

Until when is Mr. Baek working?

What do you mean?

No, it's nothing.

He's quite picky, you know.

I should take a picture and ask him.

Take one.

Click.

Hey, take a picture of these gloves, not me.

Goodness gracious.

(New message from Ms. Lee Se Young)

I'm going to buy yours while I'm at it. Do you like them?

You saved her number.

I don't wear gloves.

- Yes, for convenience's sake. - I see.

Well, I mean...

I saved Mr. Han Jae Hee's number...

and also that of the marketing division head.

It's because I'm glad.

I don't think anything dangerous will happen.

I don't want to memorize numbers anymore.

I barely got it approved by the president.

Can you come up with a strategy for the new season?

The lineup is much better...

than I expected.

I'll work hard in coming up with a strategy for the season.

Oh, how is your son's health?

Did you know?

There was an article about it too.

This information can be found on the internet.

I wouldn't have renewed the contract with you...

without knowing much about you.

It's on your contract that you'll get an incentive if the team wins.

I wish you make sure to take it.

Thank you.

By the way,

I have a question.

Why did you decide on renewing my contract?

Other people said...

I was incompetent.

But a picky person like you...

I did because I disagreed with them.

What made you disagree?

You must've gotten attached...

to Mr. Baek.

There's no one else like him.

He still thinks his goal is winning.

He's a fool.

Why don't you support him...

and win the season for real?

Don't be like this.

Are you saying...

you want to protect the general manager?

Instead of your position?

I have a question for you.

What is it?

Why do you trust Mr. Yoon?

You trust him too, don't you?

Well, that's right.

Why is that?

Not many people know about this.

Mr. Yoon isn't a young manager,

he was the first to adapt progressive theories...

like the strong second table setter theory...

before other young managers.

Of course, a lot of people horned in on him at that time,

so he couldn't do what he wanted in many ways.

He was also interested in the Major League...

and wanted to adapt some of the theories into our team.

I see.

I thought you had a similar reason.

- No? - No, mine is different.

Then what is it?

Before Kang Du Ki joined the Vikings,

he was once a promising player in our team.

When he took ten wins steadily?

Yes, at that time,

there was this game against the Sabers...

in which their pitcher was...

Park Joon Ho, the ace player of the Sabers.

The two pitchers didn't allow any points,

and the game continued to the eighth inning.

Kang Du Ki was less experienced than the other pitcher.

He seemed more exhausted...

and the speed of his balls was slower too.

- But he... - He threw until the end...

and allowed a home run in the ninth inning.

Our team ended up losing with the score of 1 to 0.

That's right.

Shouldn't he have changed pitchers though?

It was bad for Kang Du Ki's shoulders.

It was too much for him to take.

I didn't think you'd like such a thing.

A general manager is responsible for a team's performance.

A manager is responsible for the audience's responses.

That's what I believe.

A general manager...

has to prepare so that his team becomes stronger...

during the stove league and the new season.

The manager...

has to light up the hearts of the audience...

who come to watch a game.

Although we lost the game,

it made us cherish our ace member, Kang Du Ki,

who fought against the best pitcher at that time.

And also to the Sabers,

it made them feel proud of their pitcher.

It was such a great match.

Mr. Baek. Ms. Lee.

We have a big problem.

What is it about?

What's wrong?

Mr. Kang Du Ki...

What about him?

Then...

which one will you choose,

your position or Baek Seung Su?

He was transferred to the Titans.

Who said that?

Who approved of this?

The president...

and the manager.

A manager has to light up...

the hearts of the audience who came to watch a game.

(We love you, Mr. Yoon Seong Bok.)

That's when...

I thought...

you were qualified.

Subtitles by KOCOWA

(Stove League)

If you're going to do this, just disband the team at once.

What did he promise to you?

Say something before you go.

I'm sorry.

Don't blame yourself, thinking you couldn't...

protect Kang Du Ki.

We have so many players to protect.

You shouldn't struggle like this every time.

This sickening franchise.

I'm about to make...

the most significant announcement in the history of the Dreams.

I'll do whatever it takes to protect the Dreams.

Ripped and synced by gabbyu's subs.