A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 193

50. A Person from Home (3)

It was about a month prior.

When the Baltimore Orioles’ executives added Jimmy Morris to their list of potential acquisitions for the upcoming season, Paul Ekstein, the team’s head scout, thought to himself:

‘Jimmy Morris, huh… Haha, is our team making another questionable decision?’

However, he refrained from voicing his opposition.

Many in the Orioles’ front office were aware of the strained relationship between Paul Ekstein and Jimmy Morris.

Openly disagreeing in this situation would appear as though he was ‘objecting due to a personal grudge.’

‘Well, it’s not like that thought hasn’t crossed my mind…’

Still, Paul Ekstein had legitimate concerns.

Concerns about why the Orioles shouldn’t acquire Jimmy Morris for the next season.

Concerns about why Jimmy Morris wasn’t suitable to be a leader in the Orioles’ pitching staff.

‘Players’ core personalities rarely change.’

That was the conclusion he’d reached after nearly 10 years as a scout.

Not only Paul Ekstein, but other seasoned scouts in Major League Baseball held similar beliefs.

Players seldom undergo significant personality transformations.

The personality they exhibit early on tends to persist throughout their career.

Players who acted selfishly in their 20s tended to maintain that behavior even in their 30s.

Players who demonstrated leadership from their debut season were likely to continue playing the role of team leader until retirement.

Therefore, since players’ personalities are generally consistent, scouts commonly prioritize examining this aspect during initial recruitment.

Based on this widely accepted principle, what kind of player was Jimmy Morris?

‘Skill-wise, he could still be useful as a 4th or 5th starter. But entrusting him with guiding young players as a leader? I don’t believe he’s the right fit for that role…’

That was the conclusion Paul Ekstein had internally drawn when he visited KH Cannons Field.

“Ball! Base on balls!”

In the top of the 3rd inning of the game that day.

When a walk was issued after a full count with runners on first and second and no outs, he couldn’t help but wear a bitter smile.

‘Indeed, my assessment was accurate.’

At that moment, his gaze was fixed on Jimmy Morris on the mound.

The Cannons’ starting pitcher, hands on his waist, glaring at the umpire as if he vehemently disagreed with the call.

“It was a borderline call,” said Paul Ekstein’s subordinate, who was seated beside him, watching the replay.

“It was a pitch that had been consistently called a strike throughout the game.”

Implying that the pitcher might have a valid reason to feel aggrieved.

However, Paul Ekstein simply scoffed.

“The umpire’s judgment on ball and strike calls is absolute.”

The Orioles’ head scout held a very traditional view on this matter.

“An average baseball fan might curse or boo, but what good does it do for the pitcher on the mound to display such an attitude? He’s not a rookie fresh out of the minors.”

Although he didn’t voice it to his subordinate, Paul Ekstein seemed to foresee how the situation would unfold.

‘Jimmy Morris, that guy… won’t last long on the mound today.’

The Jimmy Morris he remembered was prone to such reactions.

If anything displeased him, he would quickly lose his composure.

Forgetting how to effectively pitch to the batter, disregarding stamina management.

Simply throwing the ball without a plan, ultimately leading to his own downfall.

How many games had he ruined in that manner?

Paul Ekstein, vividly recalling those past games, removed his sunglasses.

‘I should prepare to leave. Once Jimmy Morris is taken off the mound, there’s no point in watching this game anymore… Hmm?’

Paul Ekstein’s hand, reaching for his bag, paused.

There was activity on the field.

“Time! Time!”

The Cannons’ catcher was calling time and slowly approaching the mound.

Summoning the interpreter from the dugout while signaling the infielders to gather around the mound.

‘Ah, a mound visit?’

Although it was early in the game, it was a critical situation with no outs and the bases loaded.

A tactic that a team’s starting catcher might attempt at least once.

However, Paul Ekstein crossed his arms and smiled faintly.

‘Doesn’t the starting catcher of this team know yet? Jimmy Morris really dislikes mound visits.’

He himself had approached the mound numerous times during his playing career.

However, each time, he was met with Jimmy Morris’s curt response, ‘Get lost.’

The more prideful and sensitive the pitcher, the more they resent someone coming to the mound.

Paul Ekstein anticipated a scenario similar to his playing days, but-

“Huh?!!”

The next moment, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

Rather, his heart momentarily sank.

“Hey, Jimmy!!!”

The Cannons’ third baseman, after receiving the starting catcher’s signal, approached the mound.

The third baseman, with a youthful face, appearing to be in his 2nd or 3rd year, suddenly raised his hand-

Smack.

He actually ‘smacked’ Jimmy Morris’s ample behind.

“What?!!”

The Orioles’ scout was shocked and his eyes widened.

What was even more astonishing was Jimmy Morris’s reaction to the player who had smacked him.

“…….”

He didn’t become enraged.

He didn’t utter any curses.

He simply raised his large hand, resembling a pot lid, and placed it on the young third baseman’s head.

“…….”

Jimmy Morris, with his palm on the third baseman’s head, quietly listened to the catcher’s instructions.

Even this much would have made Paul Ekstein feel like he was reading a fantastical story.

However, the most shocking scene for him occurred immediately after the Cannons’ mound visit concluded.

“Okay, okay!”

“Let’s get them, let’s get them!”

The Cannons players, shouting their respective rallying cries, returned to their positions.

And on the face of Jimmy Morris, who remained alone on the mound, was an expression that Paul Ekstein had never witnessed before.

“……”

If Paul Ekstein wasn’t mistaken, if he wasn’t confusing him with someone else.

That expression.

It was the brightest smile imaginable.

* * *

Bottom of the 3rd inning, a bases-loaded crisis with no outs, triggered by a questionable ball call from the umpire.

After a mound visit, the Cannons players completely overcame this crisis.

Thwack!

It started with the third baseman, Lee Soo-bin, fearlessly smacking the starting pitcher’s butt.

He smoothly fielded the opponent’s bullet-like hit and then threw it with all his might towards the catcher.

Whoosh- Pow!

The ball flew into catcher Chun Jin-woo’s mitt, who was waiting in front of home plate.

Whoosh- Pow!

Chun Jin-woo spun around and threw the ball to first baseman Terry Foster’s mitt.

In a play as quick as lightning, the Cannons players heard the umpire’s long-awaited call.

“Out!”

“Ooooout!”

Two outs in one go.

And the one who created the last remaining out was none other than this man.

Swish- Bang!

Swish- Baaaang!

The Cannons’ starting pitcher, Jimmy Morris, completely regained his pace after his teammates’ mound visit.

He froze the opposing batter’s bat with a 154 km/h fastball, the fastest recorded speed of the game.

“Okay!!!”

Jimmy Morris clenched his fist and cheered as he received the third strike call.

“Jimmy!!!”

“He’s a batter, Dan Nolan Ryan!!!” [A humorous, likely incorrect, comparison to the legendary pitcher Dan Nolan Ryan, implying Morris is hitting well despite being a pitcher.]

The Cannons players ran towards Jimmy Morris, shouting nonsensical cheers.

Waaaah!!!

And the crowd, sending fervent support to the players who had prevented a bases-loaded crisis without allowing a single run.

The hot energy of all those people united and began to strongly pressure the opposing team.

In fact, there was no need to explain the rest of the game in detail.

-Ah, this hit is huge! A high fly ball to left-center field! How far will it go? It eventually clears the fence!!! Lee Soo-bin’s 12th home run of the season!!!

A long hit that explodes every time an opportunity arises.

-This hit floated up a bit ambiguously, didn’t it? The center fielder is moving forward, forward, lunging forward… and catches it! Ryu Jang-ho’s great defense!!!

One great play after another that erupts every time a crisis is about to strike.

-Strikeout, strikeout! Jimmy Morris records his 9th strikeout of the game! No one can stop Jimmy Morris today!!!

And whenever the opponent’s momentum seemed to rise, a powerful ball would come flying in without fail-

Waaaah!!!

Exactly 1 hour and 20 minutes later.

Jimmy Morris was able to finish his last appearance of the first half amidst the standing ovation of the home crowd.

4 hits allowed, no runs, and exactly 10 strikeouts in 7 and 1/3 innings.

He left the mound with the score at 6-0, so unless there was a major upset, the winning pitcher of the day would be his.

“Shall we get up now? Jimmy has left the mound.”

“Hmm, should we?”

Around the time the relief pitcher, who took over the mound from the starting pitcher, was slowly warming up.

Paul Ekstein left the stands and started walking towards the stadium exit.

“Boss, you’ve worked hard. It seems worthwhile to have come to the stadium today.”

“Hmm, it is.”

Paul Ekstein nodded slowly.

The subordinate carefully asked, watching his boss’s expression.

“It seems like it will take quite a while to get to the Seoul accommodation. I don’t think we’ll have time to find a cafe along the way… How about buying a cup of coffee here and going?”

“Hmm, that’s a good idea. I happen to need caffeine. Get me one.”

“Yes, please wait a moment!”

The subordinate took his boss’s card and hurried towards the coffee shop.

Paul Ekstein, left alone in the hallway, sighed with a slightly dazed expression.

‘How on earth did this happen?’

Jimmy Morris’s changed appearance.

Paul Ekstein was a little embarrassed by his change.

‘Was it two years ago? When I saw him in the minor leagues, I couldn’t even imagine what he looks like now…’

Even then, he hardly mingled with his teammates.

Except for his friend, who was his manager and mental coach, there was hardly anyone he talked to properly.

‘I heard that friend became independent, so I thought the situation might have gotten worse now…’

What happened to Jimmy Morris at a club far away in Korea?

What on earth happened that could have caused such a dramatic change?

Even Paul Ekstein, who is considered a veteran, didn’t know what kind of report to give to the club.

‘I need a little more information, but where should I get it from…’

Just as he was stroking his already prickly stubble and thinking about his connections in the Korean league.

“Oh, no! Mr. Kim, if you do this, we’ll be in real trouble!”

The voice of the subordinate who went to buy coffee pricked Paul Ekstein’s eardrums.

“We shouldn’t receive any hospitality from people from other clubs! Mr. Kim knows that very well, doesn’t he?”

“Hey, what’s wrong with just a cup of iced Americano? I’m giving it to you because I feel bad for sending a guest who came from afar away… Here you go!”

“Ah, you really shouldn’t do this…”

There was an oriental man in a suit arguing with the subordinate over the price of coffee.

‘Kim? Is that the Cannons’ Mr. Kim?’

Paul Ekstein chuckled.

He thought he had gotten up quietly, but how did that man know they were leaving and show up here?

Still, since they met like this, he thought it was right to say goodbye, so he started walking towards him.

‘That’s right… Kim!’

A thought flashed through Paul Ekstein’s mind.

‘Wouldn’t that oriental man know a lot about Jimmy Morris?’