A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 545

The Newcomer in the Baseball Team is Too Good 545

115 Awesome Boyz (1)

The news that the KH Cannons had sent a gift to Jiseop.

And the news that the gift was none other than a vending machine.

‘What’s going on all of a sudden?’

As Jiseop tilted his head, wondering, and returned to the team’s office, more than a dozen team employees were already gathered around the ‘gift’ in question.

They were examining the exterior from side to side, and peering inside by making sun visors with their hands.

It seemed quite amazing to them as well. The sight of a large vending machine being brought in as a gift.

“Is this the vending machine?”

“Ah, Kim!”

As Jiseop poked his head in and casually said a word, a look of joy spread across the faces of the employees who were examining the vending machine.

“You’ve come at the right time! What on earth is this vending machine? It looks like quite an old item……”

“The Tampa Bay logo is largely engraved on this side! Does that mean our team used to use it in the past?”

Everyone seemed to think that the general manager would know all about this bizarre gift.

The Tampa Bay Rays employees poured out questions as if they had been waiting for Jiseop.

However, at this moment, Jiseop could only scratch his head and smile awkwardly.

“Well, I haven’t received any prior notice about it either……”

Jiseop asked Richard Stellemazech, who was tapping the vending machine.

“Was there no separate manual or anything? Or a letter to me.”

“No, there wasn’t. The delivery drivers just rushed in and left it here.”

Jiseop glanced at his cell phone.

He had sent a message to Go Changdeok, but the other party didn’t seem to have checked it yet.

Is he busy with something else? Or is he on a plane to Korea? Either way, I wish he had given me a heads-up.

Just as this thought crossed Jiseop’s mind, Richard Stellemazech approached with a subtle expression.

“Kim, this vending machine……. Would it be okay to turn on the power?”

At this time, his face was like that of a child with a toy in front of him.

“Everyone’s been wondering. Whether it actually works, or if there’s something special about it.”

“Ah, yes, go ahead.”

In fact, even until this point, Jiseop didn’t seem to have much interest in the vending machine itself.

Except for being a bit old, it didn’t seem like anything special. He wasn’t really interested in machines in the first place.

Rather, what was bothering him was the price of this vending machine. I hope it doesn’t exceed $500 again. I hope I don’t have to write a reason report [a report explaining the expenditure].

With his eyes narrowed, he was carefully examining the receipt that the delivery driver had given him, at that very moment.

“Richard, how is it? Is there any change?”

“Yes! It seems like the power is connected! But how do you turn it on?”

The employees who liked machines seemed to be whispering something seriously-

“Huh?!!”

At the sudden scream coming from somewhere, Jiseop, as well as the employees around the vending machine, were startled and raised their heads.

“No, how is this here……”

This man was approaching the vending machine with an unbelievable expression.

He was none other than the acting owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, John Larma Taylor.

“Wow, how long has it been? 10 years? No, since I was young, is it almost 20 years?”

The owner’s son was looking at the vending machine with sparkling eyes, as if he had met an old friend again.

Jiseop put the receipt he was looking at into his pocket, then approached John Larma slightly.

“Larma, do you know what this is?”

“Of course, I know! It used to be like a symbol of our Tampa Bay Rays.”

“A symbol?”

As Jiseop tilted his head to one side, the guy gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

“Well, to be honest, it wasn’t famous in a positive way……”

And the next moment, Jiseop was able to hear the old name of this vending machine.

“It’s Awesome Boy.”

John Larma said.

“It means a great friend.”

* * *

According to John Larma’s explanation, this ‘Awesome Boy’ vending machine was once quite a notable presence in Major League Baseball.

As he said, it wasn’t for a very positive reason. This machine was the first ‘paid’ vending machine installed in a clubhouse in Major League Baseball.

“Paid?”

“Yes, Kim, you know? In Major League Baseball, drinks are originally provided to players free of charge.”

It seemed a bit stingy, but it was a part that was often mentioned as a difference between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball.

In Minor League Baseball, you have to buy even a bottle of sports drink with your own money, but in Major League Baseball, it becomes 100% free.

Walking into the clubhouse and taking out a drink of your choice is a privilege that only Major League Baseball players can enjoy.

But about 20 years ago, the Tampa Bay Rays seemed to have taken away this small privilege from the players.

“They removed the refrigerators in the clubhouse and the team office and brought in this vending machine. They said that from now on, we have to pay to drink beverages.”

“……Wow.”

The employees had an unbelievable expression.

“No, why on earth did they do that?”

“Well? I was young at the time, and my father hadn’t taken over the Tampa Bay Rays yet, so I don’t know well……. Maybe it was because of financial problems?”

The least popular team in Major League Baseball. A team where only flies flew in that wide Tropicana Field [Tampa Bay Rays’ home stadium].

The Tampa Bay Rays at that time, which was always in a precarious financial state, would have wanted to save even the players’ drink costs.

“Of course, I heard it didn’t last long. The players’ backlash was severe, and the local media kept nagging.”

“Hey, of course! Humanly, that’s too stingy. How much richer would you get by saving on drink costs?”

While the team employees shook their heads with a hollow laugh, Jiseop asked again.

“But is it just my imagination? Somehow, Larma, you seemed to like this vending machine very much?”

“Oh, is it that obvious?”

John Larma scratched the back of his head.

“Yes, actually, I really liked it. I even deliberately followed my father to Tropicana Field to try this vending machine.”

“No, why on earth?”

At Richard Stellemazech’s question, John Larma gave a meaningful smile.

“Hehe, you’ll see.”

He approached the vending machine and skillfully found the power button.

Click, the vending machine lit up brightly at the same time as pressing the button.

“Oh, thankfully it works?”

John Larma licked his lips with his tongue, rummaged through his pocket, and found a one-dollar coin.

Then, as if telling them to watch carefully, he shook the coin and inserted it into the vending machine with a ‘clunk’.

And,

The next moment-

“?!!”

“??!”

“!!!”

Jiseop could sense that everyone’s eyes were wide open.

At the same time as inserting the coin, a light came on inside the vending machine with a ‘whoosh,’ and a wooden doll the size of a finger appeared.

Ta-da, ta-da, ta-da-da-da-

Against the background of a slightly stretched-out music sound, the wooden doll moved forward along a set route.

Just as it seemed to come to the center of the stage, it raised its right hand connected with wire and shouted like this.

-You are a great friend!

You are an Awesome Boy.

With that line, a rattling sound was heard inside the vending machine.

Would a drink have fallen out at this timing if it had been filled with drinks?

He was suddenly curious about what it would feel like to fill it with drinks, but at this time, it didn’t seem very important to the Tampa Bay front office employees.

“Wow!!!”

“Tactical!!!”

“This is crazy?!”

The vending machine that plays music, moves dolls, and even receives ‘Awesome!’ encouragement from the doll.

No one was first. Everyone gathered around the vending machine with sparkling eyes.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

John Larma shrugged his shoulders.

“The old Tampa Bay front office couldn’t just take money for no reason. So, they used a vending machine with such a fun device……. Huh? Uh-oh?!!”

Unfortunately, the acting owner’s explanation could no longer continue.

Before John Larma could say anything more, the front office employees rushed forward, competing with each other.

“I’ll try it first! Huh? I greeted the delivery drivers!”

“Wait a minute, I did the installation, right? Then don’t I have priority?”

“Damn it, I don’t have any coins? Does anyone have a one-dollar coin? Can you exchange it for me?”

People who were holding out coins to try it themselves, people who were rummaging through drawers because they didn’t have coins, people who were taking out their cell phones to upload it to social media.

While watching the scene of the team office in such a commotion, a faint smile was forming on Jiseop’s lips.

‘Hmm, Awesome Boy…….’

At the right time,

The right item came in.

* * *

Several hours later.

Jiseop was visiting the home team manager’s office at Clockwise Field.

Immediately after winning the 14th game of the season against the Baltimore Orioles 7-2.

It was to meet with manager Brett Evans to discuss the upcoming Division Series.

“Haha, that’s an interesting idea!”

It was the reaction Brett Evans showed when he faced the video Jiseop showed him, as the rough entry composition and analysis of the opposing team were coming to an end.

“Let’s reveal this vending machine to the players during the first game of the Division Series……. Ah, so this is the [Cookie] [a special event or surprise] of this season?”

Brett Evans also seemed to be well aware of the new tradition of the Tampa Bay Rays.

That an event for the players must be held on the day of the first game of the postseason.

“Good. The players will love it. Everyone can’t get enough of toys where the gears fit together like this.”

Brett Evans was also interested, looking at the video with narrowed eyes.

“Kim, can I add an idea here?”

“An idea?”

“Yes.”

The manager said, looking at Jiseop.

“Rather than simply bringing this fun machine to the clubhouse……. How about putting it in the dugout? If we do well, it could be a great home run celebration.”

“Oh?”

As Jiseop showed interest, Brett Evans seemed to be getting a little excited.

“If I give a one-dollar coin to the player who hit a home run, the player takes out a drink from this vending machine.”

Brett Evans was even acting it out.

“It will be a good sight for the fans, and the advertisers will like it, right? And above all……”

“It could be a way to encourage hitters to actively engage in the attack.”

It’s okay to strike out. The swing is always fast and strong, and always aggressive at the plate.

This is the offensive philosophy that Brett Evans has consistently maintained since the beginning of his tenure.

Knowing this well, Jiseop slowly nodded his head.

“I’m fine with it. Let’s try to push it forward that way. If the manager’s style can be revealed more strongly, the front office has no reason to refuse.”

“Thank you for believing in me.”

Brett Evans slightly lowered his head and turned his gaze to the video Jiseop showed him.

“By the way……. This vending machine must have been quite expensive, right? I don’t think it’s something you can get with just a few bucks.”

“Yes, after checking the receipt, it turned out to be exactly a $5,000 vending machine.”

“$5,000?!”

The manager’s eyes widened.

“Wait a minute, didn’t you say that this vending machine was a gift from Kim’s former team? Then again?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Jiseop sighed briefly.

“I have to submit a reason report to the team again.”

“Haha, you’re paying the price for fame. Isn’t this the fourth time this month alone? Submitting a reason report because of a gift from another team……”

It was at this moment that Brett Evans, who was continuing the conversation with a smiling face, suddenly closed his mouth tightly.

“Wait a minute, Kim. I’m asking just in case, but the fact that your former team sent you a gift is probably……”

“Yes, you’re probably right about what you’re expecting.”

Jiseop answered calmly.

“I haven’t been able to talk to the Cannons people directly yet, but the atmosphere is like that. The Cannons’ general manager resigned from his position a while ago.”

“Then, then?”

Brett Evans’ expression became quite serious.

“What are you going to do, Kim?”

“Well.”

Jiseop, who was quietly stroking his chin, soon smiled and opened his mouth.

“Can I be honest with you?”

“Oh, I’d be honored.”

As Brett Evans straightened his posture, Jiseop spread out his right hand and pointed to his chest.

“To be really honest, I feel like the water is up to here right now. It’s like walking in a place where the water is up to here.”

“……Ah.”

There was no need to ask why he felt that way.

It was the pressure of winning the championship. The pressure of someone who is challenging for the World Series championship for the third consecutive year.

He hadn’t shown it until now, but Kim also had a lot of pressure.

Brett Evans’ brow furrowed slightly.

“That’s why I can’t think of anything right now. What to do in the future. Which way is the right way to go.”

“…….”

“Actually, I got a call from the Cannons earlier, but I deliberately didn’t answer it. I thought it would make me feel even more confused.”

Brett Evans, who heard Jiseop’s words, was quietly nodding his head for a while.

To be honest, it was difficult to say that he understood 100%. How many front offices have challenged for the World Series championship for three consecutive years in Major League Baseball?

But he was also a person who had endured in the baseball scene for a long time, a legend who had built a gold tower of 250 wins.

He knew what to say in this situation.

“I understand.”

Brett Evans said.

“Kim, then leave it to me.”

“Yes? Leave it to you, what?”

“Did you say you feel like the water is up to your chest? I’m saying that I’ll lift you out of that water.”

I will win the championship as soon as possible.

Evans clenched his fist.

“If you win the championship, the pressure will disappear, and then you can think about your future plans more calmly, right? Isn’t that right?”

“Haha, that’s true, but…….”

A faint smile appeared on Jiseop’s lips, but Brett Evans was more serious than ever.

“From the day I first joined Tampa Bay, to the process of retiring from active duty and returning as a manager……. I have received a lot of help from Kim during that time. Your existence has been a great strength.”

“…….”

“I was wondering when I could repay it all, but I’m actually happy that the opportunity seems to have come.”

Kim, please watch.

Brett Evans said.

“There won’t be no crises at all. There may be mistakes. But overcoming all those crises and mistakes, my colleagues and I will give you the achievement of winning the championship for three consecutive years.”

And the following word.

“Just like you have helped us so far.”

“……Manager.”

Facing Brett Evans’ determined eyes, Jiseop was feeling that the water that had been sloshing up to his uvula was receding a little.

He felt reassured. He felt trustworthy. And he was also grateful.

Is this why I do the front office? Is this why I can’t quit the front office?

This day was September 27th.

It was exactly one week before the first game of the Tampa Bay Rays’ Division Series.