A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 412

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 412

90 The Greatest Showman (6)

Once a year, the Tampa Bay Rays recruited volunteers to conduct stadium tours.

These were literal volunteers, and even if you were accepted, the benefits provided by the club weren’t significant. At best, a uniform and a hat, and some reimbursement for travel expenses.

Nevertheless, when the recruitment notice appeared on the club’s website, the competition was fierce, with the ratio exceeding at least 50 to 1.

“Well, it can be said that it is a very special opportunity for fans,” said an employee of the Public Cooperation Department, who was in charge of volunteer recruitment.

“They can meet their favorite players, participate in club activities, and… the fact that they commute to the home stadium feels very special to the fans.”

As applicants flocked in endlessly, selecting successful candidates was no easy task.

Knowledge of Tropicana Field was a basic requirement. You had to be able to rattle off stories about the club’s historic games or anecdotes of legendary players to even hope for acceptance.

It might seem like an ordinary task at first glance, but it was something that one could not dare to attempt without considerable passion and affection.

Was that why?

“Now then! Next, we will take a look at Tropicana Field’s specialty, the Rays Touch Tank!” Natalie Harpin, who was guiding Ji-seop’s group that day, was showing off her own impressive knowledge and enthusiasm.

“Last season, we received a lot of attention for the story of Brett Evans and his cheerful friends, right? But did you know? The first home run ball that Brett Evans ever hit after his debut landed right here!”

She was a longtime fan of the Tampa Bay Rays who pinpointed facts that even Ji-seop didn’t know.

Perhaps everyone was in a similar situation to Ji-seop, as the club employees who attended the tour that day nodded their heads as if they were mesmerized.

But at this very moment, the person who reacted most enthusiastically to Natalie Harpin’s explanation was someone else.

“Oh, is that really true? It must be an unforgettable space for Brett Evans!” This person was laughing heartily with a flushed face, leaning back.

It was Charles Fleck himself, the ‘Greatest Showman’ of the Tampa Bay Rays.

* * *

Ji-seop could read other people’s minds, but even he couldn’t figure it out exactly.

What aspect of Natalie Harpin had so captivated Charles Fleck?

Was it Ms. Harpin’s refined tone, her warm laughter, or her passionate guidance?

Perhaps all of those things had an impact, but a few things seemed certain.

[Oh, she’s a really beautiful person!]

First of all, Charles Fleck was very interested in Natalie Harpin.

[Oh ho, you like Brett Evans’ reliable appearance? Heh heh, I’m also quite reliable, you know?]

Every time Ms. Harpin said something, that interest grew stronger.

[Wait a minute, then which way should I look for the wedding hall? A hotel overlooking the Caribbean would be nice, right?!]

And from some point on, Charles Fleck had a rosy future unfolding in his head.

‘No, what kind of wishful thinking is that with a 2L PET [polyethylene terephthalate] bottle…….’

Of course, Charles Fleck was old, experienced, and possessed social dignity.

He was only actively responding to Ms. Harpin’s words, but he didn’t take the initiative to speak first.

But just with that, one person appeared who saw through Charles Fleck’s mind.

“Kim, is there… something going on right now?” It was John LaMar Taylor.

As they finished looking around the first floor of the stadium and moved to the second floor, he slyly approached Ji-seop.

“Mr. Fleck’s attitude is unusual, isn’t it? He’s been loitering around Ms. Harpin since a while ago….”

John LaMar looked at Charles Fleck with a dumbfounded expression.

Ji-seop turned to him and asked in a low voice.

“What does she do?”

“Yes? Who?”

“Ms. Harpin. I think I heard that she used to be a high school teacher.”

At Ji-seop’s words, John LaMar nodded lightly.

“Yes, that’s right. She had been a teacher in St. Petersburg and retired two years ago.”

John LaMar was still treating the club people to meals often these days.

Thanks to that, he seemed to have a very clear understanding of the people in the club.

“I heard that she helps out at a tanning salon run by a friend these days.”

“Tanning salon?”

“Yes, people in Florida go crazy for tanning. The work isn’t very hard, so it’s good for older people to do as a side job….”

As he continued to explain, John LaMar suddenly tilted his head and looked at Ji-seop.

“But why are you asking?”

“No, it’s nothing else….”

It was because of Charles Fleck.

Once he was captivated by someone, he was the type to move only for that person.

Just a few days ago, he had abandoned all his work and gone all the way to Dominica.

‘Wait a minute, then this time… isn’t he just going to be hanging around the tanning salon?’

If possible, he wanted to turn his attention to the Tampa Bay Rays, or more precisely, to the projects of the Future Strategy Planning Division.

Once he made up his mind, he was the type to see it through to the end. If he focused on the Tampa Bay Rays’ success, there would be nothing more to wish for.

“…….”

How could he attract his attention? How could he make proper use of his abilities?

About 10 minutes later, an opportunity came to Ji-seop, who was seriously contemplating.

“Hmm?!”

It was when he was on the second floor of the stands, looking at the overall scenery of Tropicana Field.

Charles Fleck, who was still listening intently to Natalie Harpin’s explanation, asked this question.

“I think there used to be a nacho chip store around here… It seems to be gone now?”

“Nacho chip store? Ah!” Ms. Harpin reacted.

“Are you talking about [Fred’s Nacho Revolution]? Oh my, not many people remember that store.”

“That’s right, Fred’s Nacho Revolution! The sauce itself was just ordinary, but the nacho chips were very crispy.”

Charles Fleck also seemed to be recalling old memories.

“Customers used to line up before the game started. Heh heh, it’s hard to find any trace of it now.”

“I heard that business wasn’t doing well as the number of spectators at Tropicana Field decreased. Then, a few years ago, the third floor upper deck was closed….”

A slight regret appeared on the face of Natalie Harpin, who had been guiding with a bright expression until now.

“Does remembering Fred’s Nacho Revolution mean that you have visited Tropicana Field before?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then you would remember? Tropicana Field was filled with spectators up to the third floor upper deck… The sight of so many people chanting cheers together was really spectacular.”

“Heh heh, Tropicana Field filled with spectators….”

Charles Fleck looked around the stands with his eyes narrowed.

Ji-seop, who was quietly looking into his eyes, was soon able to grasp it.

For the first time that day, the existence of ‘Tropicana Field’ was truly resonating in Charles Fleck’s heart.

He was seriously looking at this stadium for the first time, captivated by Natalie Harpin’s words.

‘Okay, then….’

I can’t miss this opportunity.

It was at this moment that Ji-seop, who had been silent until now, slightly raised his head and looked at Natalie Harpin.

“Excuse me… Ms. Harpin?”

“Yes, Deputy General Manager?”

Ms. Harpin had hardly ever talked to Ji-seop until now.

‘What business does that Asian Deputy General Manager have with me?’ As she tilted her head, Ji-seop opened his mouth with a subtle expression.

“It’s the person standing next to you.”

“Yes?”

“He is the one who created that spectacle that Ms. Harpin remembers. He is the one who filled this Tropicana Field with spectators. That person is standing next to Ms. Harpin right now….”

Ji-seop smiled slightly.

“Former Vice President of Marketing for the Tampa Bay Rays, Charles Fleck.”

“Oh my, this person?!” Natalie Harpin looked at the old man standing next to her in surprise.

Of course, Charles Fleck seemed very embarrassed by the sudden introduction.

“H, hey Kim! It would be a bit much to take all the credit, wouldn’t it? Back then, the league environment and everything else was different from now….”

“Really?!” It was Natalie Harpin who interrupted Charles Fleck’s words.

“Did you really fill Tropicana Field? Back then, the stadium had more than 40,000 people?”

She approached Charles Fleck with a happy expression.

And then, one word.

“Wait a minute, then maybe….”

“Yes?”

“Is that why you came to Tropicana Field today, to rejoin the Tampa Bay Rays? To bring spectators back to Tropicana Field?!”

“Ah, that’s what I’m saying….”

Charles Fleck was also a veteran in his own right.

Experienced people don’t readily give definite answers about their area of expertise.

First, they have to understand the situation, and then they have to analyze it. The conclusion can only be drawn after going through such a process.

“Th, that is….”

But was it because the expression on Natalie Harpin’s face looking at him was so earnest?

Or was it because he couldn’t come to his senses for a moment in those sparkling eyes?

Charles Fleck was nodding his head with an expression as if he were possessed by a ghost.

“……That’s right.”

Oh well, whatever.

Ji-seop clearly saw him closing his eyes tightly for a moment.

“J, just as you said! For the success of the Tampa Bay Rays, to fill this Tropicana Field again… Yes, I came to achieve that goal!!!”

In that sense, lady!

Charles Fleck, who had now completely caught the flow, bowed to Natalie Harpin with a polite attitude.

“If you don’t mind… could you remember my name in a corner of your heart?”

A man who once brought record-breaking success to the Tampa Bay Rays.

A man who filled Tropicana Field with the cheers of spectators.

So, the only one in this world who can utter that name-

“The Great Showman of Nevada… no, now St. Petersburg!”

He said with a blazing look in his eyes.

“My name is Charles Fleck.”

* * *

About 30 minutes later.

In the office of the Future Strategy Planning Division on the 3rd floor of Tropicana Field, Charles Fleck’s contract was being drawn up.

“Thank you, Mr. Fleck!” John LaMar smiled brightly as he accepted the completed contract.

“But are you really okay with this? You’re going to work as a full-time employee of the Future Strategy Planning Division, not as a club advisor….”

“Don’t worry. I’m not a person who says one thing and does another,” Charles Fleck, who was sitting across from John LaMar, said very firmly.

“Didn’t I swear in front of the lady? That I would somehow fill Tropicana Field… Then it’s right to work as a full-time employee. If I’m straddling as an advisor, I don’t know when the work will be done.”

Then, with a slightly resentful look, Charles Fleck glanced at Ji-seop, who was sitting next to him.

“Is it just my imagination? It’s true that I feel like I’ve fallen into Kim’s trap.”

“Haha, a trap? What are you talking about?” Ji-seop grinned.

“As I said before, I really had no other intentions. I just wanted to brag about Charles Fleck’s greatness.”

“……Is that really true?”

“Oh, I’m telling you?” Ji-seop shrugged his shoulders once and turned his gaze to the clock on the wall.

“Now that the contract has been completed, shall we get up now? The marketing department people will be waiting in the conference room.”

“Ah, that’s right. Was there a meeting scheduled with the marketing department?”

A review of the Tampa Bay Rays’ marketing schedule for next season was on the agenda.

It was a meeting arranged at the request of R. J. Higgins, Vice President of Marketing.

“Mr. Higgins had very high expectations. He said he had been studying Mr. Fleck’s marketing case studies since he was a student.”

“Hmph, what expectations. Marketing is inherently done with the thoughts of young people,” Charles Fleck showed a slight smile on his face even while saying that.

Getting up from his seat and adjusting his tie, he said to Ji-seop.

“I think it will take about 30 minutes.”

“Are you talking about the meeting?”

At Ji-seop’s question, Charles Fleck nodded lightly.

“Yes, it won’t take that long. The content is all the same… So, instead of focusing on the meeting, I want you to think about the answer to my question.”

“Question?”

“Um, it’s an important question. Will I be able to bring spectators to Tropicana Field, so that I can confidently stand in front of Ms. Harpin… That’s the question at stake.”

The Great Showman said.

“Kim, are you ready to be hated by people in the industry?”

And then, one word.

“I’m asking if you can play the villain for the team’s success.”