Stove League (스토브리그)

Don't tell me you're flustered.

I guess the topic was a little too difficult.

Yes.

They could be stunned to hear that we're cutting it down by 30 percent.

The total salary budget for players was cut by 30 percent,

and I need to work with that money...

to somehow settle the salary contracts...

of all the players.

Yes.

I suggest you cut it by 10 percent.

This isn't a market where you can haggle.

You're the one who suggested a cut...

like we're at a market.

Should I tell you the reasons?

We're...

bad at baseball.

Also,

we've been playing terribly for many years.

Also,

we're a baseball team in deficit.

I know.

We played the worst last year and the year before.

That's why we get the lowest salaries.

What I'm telling you isn't an opinion or advice.

I'm telling you it must be done as the owner.

I'm speaking on behalf of the company.

Prepare for the salary negotiations as fiercely as you always did.

Okay. - We always do.

The cut will be quite large.

How big is it?

30 percent.

We need to settle all the salary contracts with this amount.

There will be a lot of backlashes.

They might say baseball players...

need higher salaries since they have to buy equipment.

Not realizing the cruel reality,

they might still be consumed in the memories of their glory days.

Their pride might get the better of them.

The thing with baseball players is that their salaries are made public.

But the thing is,

there are many reasons for our team to get reduced salaries.

We're so used to being the worst team.

And you accepted?

Mr. Baek. Even players who didn't perform well...

will get offended if we say they'll get a 30 percent cut.

Of course they expect to fight to their deaths...

with salary negotiations.

Since we have different interests,

both sides can get offended,

and spring training can get delayed.

We experienced all kinds of scenarios,

but we can't make deals with such an amount.

The Dreams was the worst team for four years in a row, right?

Are we obliged to accept being losers for four years,

yet they still expect to be paid like everyone else?

I thought we were in professional baseball.

I think it's justifiable.

Do you agree that they deserve to get such a cut?

We just have different values. There's an easier way.

Could this be...

It's the list of players who will be released.

We already let go of a set of players.

This is the easiest way to reduce labor costs.

10? That's too many.

We'll have a meeting about salary negotiations tomorrow.

Let's share ideas about how we'll make it happen.

Isn't this ridiculous?

How can we cut 10 more players?

It was hard enough picking the ones we let go of in November.

When did we ever only do things that made sense?

I know, but has anything ever been as ridiculous as this?

Let's keep it down.

Gosh.

Hey, I need you to redo this.

Okay.

Also, don't look at the clips. Just look at the numbers.

Okay.

I don't know if you'll last that long,

but once the season starts, we often have advance scouts sent...

to watch other teams play, but you can't do it.

I can do it.

No. Just look at the numbers.

But all the names have been covered up.

Just the numbers.

I told you to just look at the numbers.

All you statisticians need is numbers, right?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

No problem.

What brought you here?

I'm Baek Young Soo in Analysis Department.

I see.

I know you're busy,

but I brought all of you together to discuss salary negotiations.

The funding from our parent company was cut drastically.

In comparison to last year,

it's 30 percent less.

30? - 30 percent?

Yes. We must settle salary contracts with that amount.

It won't be easy to do.

That's why we brought you here to hear your thoughts.

Here is the list of 10 players we'll let go of.

10? 10 players?

We'd like to hear from Head Coach, the managers,

as well as Scouting Assistant Manager.

Well, if we release them like this,

all the journalists will ask. It's going to cause such a mess.

How will we answer them?

I don't understand this list.

Why is that?

Kim Chan Hee and Jung Bae Yong...

are players that were difficult to scout.

They're players who are currently improving.

Why are they included on the list?

I was looking 10 years ahead when picking them.

It's very difficult to get into a professional team.

Although they're not popular yet, anyone in professional teams...

would do well if you give them 10 years.

Who came up with this list?

Was it you? - No.

If this person knew anything about the Dreams,

they wouldn't have come up with such a list.

Gosh, what is this?

If we cut 10 players, we'll have 40 players left.

Is that still going to work?

I think we'll be able to play through a season at least.

Anyway, this list is not acceptable.

Instead of Lee Kyung Seok, how about Kim Jong Yoon?

No, Kim Jong Yoon is too good to get rid of.

Another team will pick up Lee Chan Joong right away.

We can't let Kang Han Bae go either. He's too handsome.

Gosh. - Geez.

He's in fourth place for uniform sales,

and he's not even a first-string player.

If he leaves, our ticket sales will drop significantly.

Gosh.

Why are you all looking at me like that?

Do you think we run a club with nothing?

We're a professional baseball club.

The thing is,

we already released a few players in November.

We let go of 11 players that month.

It wasn't a small number compared to previous years.

We had no choice, but if we release 10 more players,

so if we lose all these 10 players as well,

our team will go down to 40 players.

If any more of them suffer an injury,

can we put together a team that can play?

No.

So, Kim Chan Hee, Jung Bae Yong, Lee Kyung Seok,

Lee Chan Joong, Seo Gi Yeol, Yoo Won Jae.

We need them all?

A player we can let go is Song Myung Joon?

Who thinks we need him?

Okay. Then...

What about Seong Min Jae?

They ran all over the place at fielding practices with me,

and they all...

did as I said and bunted and stole bases.

There's nothing...

I can do here that will be of any help.

It's so very uncomfortable. May I be excused?

Yes. You did well. You may leave.

Let's continue.

Who thinks we need Jang Jin Woo?

No one? Can we release him?

But Jang Jin Woo...

once pitched 19 wins.

He's the only player with a title as the pitcher with most wins.

If we were going to release him, we should've told him sooner...

so he could have a retirement ceremony.

Only those who think...

we need Jang Jin Woo for this fall season.

Please raise your hand.

Can we release Jang Jin Woo?

I'm home. - Ha Yoon, Dad's home.

Let's have dinner. - Dad.

Ha Yoon.

What were you doing?

You had a long day. Go and take a shower.

Let's eat. - Sorry.

I have to go to Gi Beom's.

You should've told me sooner.

Look at all this.

He called out of the blue.

Are you going to have meat without us?

I want meat too.

I'll buy you some meat on my way home, okay?

Enjoy your dinner.

I have to go. - Okay.

When is it?

When is what?

Your salary negotiation.

There's still some time left.

Will you get a little less this year?

I guess so.

You know that no one in our block makes as much as you, right?

I'll see you later. - Bye.

Can we release Jang Jin Woo?

Me.