A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 284

70. A Job Not Just Anyone Can Do (3)

Brian Sphan, the president of baseball operations who had led the Tampa Bay Rays for the past 20 years, was the architect of this new initiative.

The [Yellow Book Project] was his brainchild, a novel strategy often regarded as the ‘idea bank’ of the industry.

The core concept was to assemble a team of experts to predict the flow of the game and develop strategies for each game based on their insights.

‘Well, the direction isn’t bad, but…….’

In the past, several teams had attempted similar initiatives, but they encountered internal resistance and ultimately ‘cut their losses’ in less than a year.

The Tampa Bay’s [Baseball R&D Team], previously responsible for this project, had also yielded only inconclusive results.

At this point, abandoning the project wouldn’t have been surprising, but President Brian seemed determined to persevere.

Instead, he seized this ‘hot potato’ and placed it squarely in the hands of Ji-seop, John Llama, and the two members of the Future Strategy Planning Division.

“Please take on this project.”

And he said that with a confident expression.

“I believe you can successfully lead the [Yellow Book Project].”

He also explained his reasoning.

“I became convinced after reviewing the latest report from the [Baseball R&D Team]. There are three essential conditions for the department to successfully execute this project.”

He continued.

“First, it must be an independent entity, separate from both the front office and the field staff.”

In both the United States and Korea, the front office and the field staff are the two primary pillars of a professional baseball team.

It seemed that an independent entity was necessary to avoid disrupting the delicate balance between these two groups.

“Second, the head of the department must possess considerable authority within the team.”

Even if an independent entity manages the project, its impact would be diminished if others within the team interfered.

Strong authority was crucial to prevent unnecessary interference, obstruction, or criticism.

“And finally, the department must have someone capable of guaranteeing the quality of the report itself.”

It goes without saying that the report’s quality must meet a certain standard.

Ji-seop listened intently, pondering the situation, while John Llama, sitting beside him, voiced his astonishment.

“President, is this project…… realistically feasible?”

The hurdles are incredibly high.

John Llama elaborated.

“An independent, authoritative department with exceptional skills? I doubt any team in Major League Baseball has such a department.”

“That’s correct. The hurdles are significant.”

President Brian acknowledged.

“It’s nearly impossible to utilize existing departments, and even forming a new department that meets all the conditions would be challenging. But…….”

Smirk.

A subtle smile played on the president’s lips.

“As luck would have it, our Tampa Bay Rays already has a department that fulfills these three conditions.”

“Yes?”

“The Future Strategy Planning Division. John, the very department you lead as main director.”

President Brian continued.

“It’s independent because it doesn’t take direction from the baseball operations division, and it has authority because it’s headed by the team owner’s son. Furthermore, your handling of Victor Johnson’s problem demonstrated that you possess the necessary skills.”

“Oh, now that I think about it…… you’re right! We’re the best choice, aren’t we?”

Seeing the positive reaction from the main director of the Future Strategy Planning Division, President Brian swiftly transitioned to specific instructions.

“Future Strategy Planning Division, I’m giving you three months. Please take charge of the [Yellow Book Project] during this period.”

He adjusted his glasses.

“Naturally, covering every game from the start would be difficult. Therefore, I’ll consult with others to select the games requiring reports. You’ll only need to submit reports for those specific games.”

What followed was a detailed explanation of the Future Strategy Planning Division’s responsibilities.

The report’s required content, submission deadlines, and the team’s available support for report writing were all meticulously outlined, almost to a suffocating degree. Finally, the president of the Tampa Bay Rays presented a ‘carrot’ to the Future Strategy Planning Division.

“After evaluating your performance over these three months, if the manager and general manager provide a positive assessment…….”

President Brian alternated his gaze between Ji-seop and John Llama before stating simply:

“From that point on, I’m considering granting you the authority to attend the team’s regular strategy meetings.”

Team regular strategy meeting.

Ji-seop, unfamiliar with the Tampa Bay’s internal dynamics, thought, ‘Oh, that’s a thing,’ but John Llama’s reaction was far more intense than Ji-seop anticipated.

“I, is that really okay?!

He was so astonished that he leaped from his seat upon hearing the president’s words.

“The, the team’s regular strategy meeting isn’t open to just anyone, is it? You have to be at least a deputy general manager, and among directors like me, only a select few can attend…….”

“Only those who play a crucial role in team operations. That’s correct.”

President Brian confirmed.

“But there’s no need for such surprise. If the [Yellow Book Project] is successfully implemented, you, who spearheaded the project, will undoubtedly become core personnel within our Tampa Bay Rays.”

The core personnel of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Ji-seop readily understood the significance of this single phrase for John Llama.

For someone who had spent the last few years feeling useless, the opportunity to become a ‘core personnel’ of the team had materialized in just a few weeks.

“The core personnel of the team…….”

While John Llama was muttering to himself, lost in a dreamy state, President Brian shifted his attention to Ji-seop.

“I don’t believe I need to ask the main director of the Future Strategy Planning Division…… Kim, I’m curious about your answer.”

How about it?

He asked Ji-seop.

“This [Yellow Book Project]…… can I entrust it to you?”

“Yes, if you give me the opportunity, I will work diligently.”

Ji-seop saw no reason to respond otherwise at this juncture.

“However…….”

“However?”

“Before officially entrusting the project, may I request a few things?”

“A request…… not just one, but several?”

President Brian smiled, observing Ji-seop.

“Okay. What are they?”

* * *

About an hour later.

Ji-seop and John Llama were on their way back to their office after concluding the meeting with the president.

As they headed towards ‘Storage D’, the Future Strategy Planning Division’s office on the 2nd basement floor of Tropicana Field,

John Llama, who typically grumbled, ‘I feel depressed,’ with each step downwards, was unusually cheerful that day.

“As expected, Kim is amazing!”

It was a familiar refrain, but today his voice was an octave higher than usual.

“I felt my mind go blank when I heard about the strategy meeting…… How could Kim articulate everything he wanted to say to the president in that situation?”

John Llama was ecstatic about Ji-seop’s negotiation skills.

Before even taking on the [Yellow Book Project], Ji-seop had secured nearly everything he could from President Brian.

Authorization to recruit up to five individuals if the Future Strategy Planning Division required additional personnel.

Permission to learn report-writing techniques from the [Baseball R&D Team] that had previously worked on the project.

Access to [Uncle Charlie], the Tampa Bay Rays’ proprietary baseball database.

Furthermore, permission to utilize the players’ private plane for away games, access to the clubhouse, and the freedom to contact players and staff from other teams.

Ji-seop had obtained numerous ‘special permissions’ from President Brian that day.

However, John Llama’s excitement didn’t seem solely attributable to these special permissions.

In truth, the office relocation was the biggest win among the many negotiation results.

“So…… if this project receives a favorable evaluation, you’ll allow us to move to a better office, right?”

That’s right. Office relocation.

John Llama seemed particularly thrilled about this.

“Where will the president move us? Is it back to our old office? No, the sunshine was nice there, but it was too small.”

John Llama seemed to have a mental inventory of all the vacant offices in Tropicana Field.

Office No. 12 on the 4th floor with a view of the field, Office No. 8 on the 3rd floor that was recently renovated, or Office No. 11 on the 5th floor with ample space.

The project hadn’t even commenced, yet the team owner’s son was already preoccupied with moving the office.

Ji-seop tried to avoid nagging, but he felt compelled to rein in John Llama’s enthusiasm.

“You’ll be allowed to attend the team’s regular strategy meeting, and you’ll also be moved to another office…… The president made such promises because this project is incredibly challenging.”

Ji-seop continued.

“We have a lot to do starting tomorrow. First, we need to visit the [Baseball R&D Team] to learn how to write reports, and in the meantime, we need to consider potential new team members to recruit.”

He had intended to say more, but he hesitated and stopped.

“Ah, that’s right, isn’t it?”

As soon as Ji-seop spoke, John Llama quickly regained his composure.

“There’s so much to do, and I was getting carried away with trivial matters again. I apologize, Kim! As the main director of the Future Strategy Planning Division, I will do everything I can to assist Kim…….”

John Llama clenched his fists, his expression resolute.

How can I transform this flimsy, paper-thin individual into a capable person?

Ji-seop pondered this question, as he did three or four times a day, at that very moment.

“Hmm?”

John Llama, who had entered the 2nd basement floor ahead of him, turned back to Ji-seop.

“Kim, something feels a little…… strange?”

“What is it?”

“There, in front of our office.”

John Llama pointed.

“Why are so many people gathered there?”

“People?”