A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 537

The Overly Talented Newcomer of the Baseball Team Chapter 537

The Overly Talented Newcomer of the Baseball Team Chapter 537

Section 113: Scatterbrained and Bewildered (3)

That afternoon, at Fenway Park, the 11th game of the season between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox took place.

According to evaluations from the Boston local media, their pride, Ryu Jang-ho, played a truly ‘peculiar’ game that day.

A peculiar game.

A strange and odd feeling game.

The reason why Boston media’s uniquely aggressive criticisms didn’t surface seemed to be because Ryu Jang-ho’s batting performance itself was quite excellent.

Starting as the center fielder and batting third, he recorded 2 hits, 1 home run, and 3 RBIs [Runs Batted In] in 4 at-bats, along with an additional stolen base.

Since his 3-run home run was Boston’s only score that day, the reporters probably couldn’t complain any further.

However, everything except that one home run was a struggle. Ryu Jang-ho definitely seemed to have lost his focus.

-Ah, suddenly the pitcher throws to 2nd base… Out! It’s an out! Ryu Jang-ho is caught stealing at 2nd base!

Was it the bottom of the 1st inning? He successfully stole second base, but then stood blankly, getting picked off in a ridiculous attempt.

-Wait a minute, Alex Montero suddenly throws the ball to 1st base… Oh, it’s an out?! The umpire is calling him out?!

In the bottom of the 5th, he appeared to hit a double down the right-center field line, but it was discovered that he hadn’t touched first base, resulting in an out for missing a base.

-This ball is moving towards the center fielder… He catches it! As expected, Ryu Jang-ho shows stable defense… Oh no?!

To make matters worse, in the top of the 7th, he miscounted the number of outs and threw the ball he had caught into the stands.

-Ah, no, what is this…

-What’s wrong with Ryu today?

The commentators and analysts covering the game couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

The camera caught the manager in the Boston dugout wiping his face with both hands.

If it had been another player, they would have cursed him out, but this was Ryu Jang-ho, who had consistently delivered great performances.

Perhaps that’s why even the notoriously harsh Boston fans were just blinking, speechless at the superstar’s absurd behavior-

‘Oh, Jang-ho…’

Perhaps only Ji-seop in Fenway Park that day was wearing a bitter smile.

He was watching the game with the team staff in the VIP room, and he could easily guess what was happening.

‘That bastard Ryu Jang-ho… His mentality is completely shaken because of his son?’

Most likely, that was the reason.

The fact that Ryu Jang-ho’s son, Ryu Leo, had flatly refused to participate in the ceremonial first pitch with his dad.

But he was interested in the Tampa Bay Rays’ ceremonial first pitch and even drew a picture for it with great care.

Ryu Jang-ho waved it off, saying he was fine, but he seemed to have taken quite a bit of damage inside.

‘Hmm, his son’s support, huh?’

Ji-seop could read other people’s minds, but this time he was cautious.

Saying he understood felt arrogant. How could he claim to know the heart of a father or a mother?

Of course, it wasn’t like there was no way at all.

“Richard?”

“Yes.”

Richard Stelmaszek, the president’s special assistant, turned his head at Ji-seop’s call.

“How are the twins doing? Harry and Ron.”

“My sons?”

Richard’s mouth was already running at the mention of his sons.

“Well, those guys are always doing well. The problem is they fight three or four times a day…”

Then Richard raised one eyebrow.

“But why are you suddenly asking? Maybe it’s just my imagination, but it doesn’t sound like a pure greeting.”

“Haha, you caught me right away.”

Ji-seop scratched the back of his head and pointed to the broadcast screen with his finger.

“That friend Ryu Jang-ho. He seems to be very upset because of his son.”

“Ah.”

Richard Stelmaszek had been by Ji-seop’s side when he met Ryu Jang-ho.

He seemed to grasp the situation with just that explanation.

“He didn’t look good then either… He must have been greatly affected by his son.”

“Yes, so.”

Ji-seop spun around in his swivel chair.

“I think I heard a similar story before. When you first transferred from the Yankees to Tampa Bay, your children hated Tampa Bay, didn’t they?”

“Ah, that’s right. Both of them were huge Yankees fans.”

As Richard nodded, Ji-seop asked with a more serious expression.

“But not long after that… Harry and Ron came to the stadium wearing Tampa Bay uniforms, didn’t they? I suddenly remembered that.”

According to Ji-seop’s memory, it didn’t take Richard’s two sons even a month to change their cheering team.

What did Richard do then? What did he do to turn those ardent Yankees fanboys to Tampa Bay?

Facing Ji-seop’s serious expression, Richard Stelmaszek smiled awkwardly and opened his mouth.

“How did I change the children’s minds… Well, I don’t think I talked much.”

At the time, the two twins were only about six years old.

Even if Richard wanted to talk a lot, they were too young to understand.

“I just got help from their mom… and told them my honest feelings.”

“Told them honestly?”

“Yes, I want you to cheer for Dad. I need your support to feel strong… something like that.”

Ji-seop narrowed his eyes.

He didn’t quite understand.

“That’s… all? The end?”

“Yes, that’s the end. That’s it.”

“Really? You said the twins were very stubborn.”

As Ji-seop asked again, a strange smile appeared on Richard Stelmaszek’s lips.

“Kim, kids know everything.”

He tapped his knee.

“They’re so quick-witted. They know what they mean to their dad, and they know what situation their dad is in. Whether there’s good news or bad news… Sometimes it gives me goosebumps.”

“At just six years old?”

“Haha, even five-year-olds know. I heard Ryu’s son is quite bright.”

Richard seemed to have already figured out why Ji-seop was asking these questions.

“I think you should advise Ryu to do the same. Just tell him honestly. Kids understand everything anyway.”

“Ask them to cheer for Boston instead of Tampa Bay… something like that?”

Ji-seop was already nodding slowly.

It was a simpler solution than he thought, but it seemed like the most reliable method.

He should have asked someone with parenting experience. He’d have to make a call after the game.

Just as he was thinking that and smiling inwardly, right then.

“Kim, can I ask you something too?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

As Ji-seop turned his head, Richard asked with a playful expression.

“Are you trying to help Ryu because of the connection you’ve had since Korea?”

“That’s part of it. It’s also because I feel like I did something wrong.”

Ji-seop clicked his tongue.

“I have the original sin of making Ryu’s son a Tampa Bay fan. Now that it’s turned out like this, I feel a little sorry.”

At this moment, Richard said the same thing Ji-seop had said a little earlier.

“Is that all? The end?”

“Yes?”

As Ji-seop widened his eyes, Richard raised one corner of his mouth.

“The fact that Boston’s next opponent is the Yankees, the fact that the Yankees might have an advantage if Ryu is left like this… I was wondering if you were considering that.”

At this, Ji-seop jumped up.

“Hey, aren’t you pushing me too hard? I’m not that heartless, am I?”

“Really? Ryu is a famous Yankees killer in the major leagues. I know his batting average against them is well over .400.”

“Cough, cough.”

Ji-seop ended up with an expression of being caught red-handed.

“Okay, honestly, I thought about that about 10% of the time. Are you happy now?”

“Hehe, as expected, our general manager is a thorough person, isn’t he?”

Richard Stelmaszek smiled slyly, as if he knew it all along.

“But I, Richard, deeply respect that side of the president.”

“Oh, stop it.”

Ji-seop waved his hand with a bitter smile on his face.

* * *

And the next afternoon.

Ji-seop was meeting Tampa Bay players in the hallway leading to the visiting team’s clubhouse.

“Edward, you worked really hard yesterday. It’s no exaggeration to say that one play in the bottom of the 3rd inning brought Tampa Bay the victory.”

“Oh, you’re too kind! I just moved as I was trained!”

It was something Ji-seop had been doing as a routine since becoming general manager.

Visiting the clubhouse area before the game and having brief conversations with noticeable players.

Of course, he no longer gives technical advice. That’s something to leave to the baseball operations department or the coaching staff.

But just having a few words with the general manager is a great help in boosting the morale of the players.

“Kim, but!”

“Yes?”

While Ji-seop was praising the previous day’s game, someone peeked out from behind.

It was the ace, Victor Johnson Jr., who was scheduled to be the starting pitcher that day.

“Can’t we see that friend this series?”

“That friend? Who?”

“Who else could it be? Leo! Jang-ho’s son!”

Victor Johnson continued.

“It’s not often that we come to Boston, is it? Now that we’re here, I want to meet that kid.”

Ji-seop chuckled.

“Did you like the picture Leo drew that much? I don’t know if it’s that good.”

“Hey, don’t say that! I told you, I can feel the sincerity in Leo’s picture!”

Victor Johnson was very excited.

“He must be watching my games! Otherwise, there’s no way he could know those details! If he’s such a fan, it’s natural to want to meet him! Of course…”

Victor Johnson shrugged his shoulders.

“I also want to see Jang-ho’s frustrated face.”

“What a personality.”

Ji-seop clicked his tongue.

“Well, there was no word that he was coming today… But you never know. The situation might have changed.”

At this time, Ji-seop was recalling his phone call with Ryu Jang-ho the day before.

After the game, he called him and conveyed Richard’s advice.

Just tell him honestly. Ask him to cheer for Boston. Then the child will understand your heart.

Ji-seop didn’t know how Ryu Jang-ho had taken his advice, but Ji-seop was also secretly hoping.

‘That’s right, if Ryu Jang-ho followed Richard’s advice faithfully… Leo might come with his dad today? It’s the weekend, after all.’

As he was thinking that and joking with the players, right then.

“Uncle! Uncle Ji-seop!!!”

A voice came from behind.

Ji-seop was startled and turned his head.

“Oh, Ryu Leo!”

“Uncle!”

White skin, sparkling eyes, and stubborn lips like his father.

Ryu Jang-ho’s son, Ryu Leo, was running towards Ji-seop.

“Wow, Leo! Why have you grown so much? I wouldn’t recognize you outside now.”

“Really? Have I grown a lot? Have I grown a lot?”

Ji-seop picked up the child in an instant, and the child laughed gleefully.

As they were rejoicing in their reunion after a long time, the Tampa Bay players approached with curious eyes.

“President, who is it? I think I heard Leo just now?”

“That’s right. It’s Leo. Ryu Jang-ho’s son.”

“Oh, Leo! My Picasso!!!”

Liking children seemed to transcend nationality and race.

The players were very happy to hear that he was Ryu Jang-ho’s son and that he was the child who drew that wonderful picture.

“Leo, hello! Do you know who I am?”

“Wow, it’s Victor Johnson! Victor Johnson Jr.!!!”

“Then what about me? Do you know who I am?”

“I know, Alex Montero! Tampa Bay’s starting catcher!”

Because of the players who were shining their eyes and approaching him, Ji-seop couldn’t hold his nephew for long.

They asked his name, rejoiced at hearing the answer, and watched the players surrounding Leo from a step behind, right at that moment.

“Hyung?” [Older brother or close male friend in Korean]

“Ah, Jang-ho.”

Ryu Jang-ho approached him stealthily.

Ji-seop smiled faintly and tapped his shoulder.

“Thanks. I was able to see Leo’s face thanks to you. I was wondering when I would be able to see him if I didn’t see him today.”

“No. I felt like I had to bring him today. Leo also wanted to go.”

“Hmm?”

Ji-seop tilted his head slightly at this moment.

“You had to bring him? Was there an event today?”

He had heard that Ryu Jang-ho and his son’s ceremonial first pitch had been postponed indefinitely.

So there was no reason for Ryu Leo to have to come to the stadium.

At Ji-seop’s question, Ryu Jang-ho answered with a determined expression.

“No, it’s just that today is… the last day Leo watches the game as a Tampa Bay fan.”

“Hmm?”

“I made a promise with Leo.”

Ryu Jang-ho said.

“If the Boston Red Sox win today’s game… then he will cheer for Boston from then on.”

“Huh?”

Ji-seop widened his eyes.

In a short moment, he seemed to have a lot of questions he wanted to ask.

What does that mean? Didn’t you honestly convey your feelings to your son? Becoming a Boston fan is fine, but why does the result of today’s game matter?

‘Don’t tell me this guy… didn’t follow Richard’s advice?’

He felt a throbbing in the back of his head.

Ji-seop was about to say something to this frustrating guy, but his intention was never fulfilled.

“Hey, Jang-ho!!! What does that mean?!”

Before Ji-seop, Victor Johnson Jr. shouted.

“If Boston wins today, he’ll become a Boston fan? Hey, the story has to be a little different under those conditions, right?”

It wasn’t just Victor Johnson.

The players surrounding Leo all stood up at once.

“If that’s the case, Leo will be a Tampa Bay fan forever, right?”

Victor pointed his finger.

“I’m going to give Boston a good beating today!”