A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 287

71. The Third Member (3)

The Tampa Bay front office’s war room was located on the third floor of Tropicana Field.

It was an impressive space, filled with large monitors throughout the office.

The central, largest monitor displayed the live broadcast, while to its left, another monitor showed the bullpen’s current status.

Turning to the right, there was a monitor displaying the stats of the players currently in the game, and next to it, a monitor showing real-time data.

In short, it was a space designed to provide a comprehensive overview of everything happening in the game.

“Wait a minute, is Collin okay? The spin rate on his fastball seems a bit lower than in the last game.”

“Well, I think it’s within the margin of error. Truist Park tends to have fluctuating data anyway.”

“Still, contact the training staff just in case. Have them check him out as soon as he comes off the mound. He doesn’t look good.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Tampa Bay team was playing far away in Atlanta, but the front office’s support hadn’t wavered.

As the baseball operations staff busily monitored the situation through the large monitors,

Beeeeeep-

The glass door of the war room slid open, revealing David Wilson from the [Baseball Research and Development Team].

“Oh, David!”

Mike Averill, the director of the same team, raised his hand in greeting.

Even though they were both part of the baseball operations department, the [Baseball Research and Development Team] didn’t have much to do during the game.

So, Mike and the other members of the [Baseball Research and Development Team] had settled in a corner of the war room.

“Why are you so late?”

Mike asked.

“Did someone leave something in the office, and it took you a long time to find it? Or did you not find it at all?”

“No, it wasn’t that.”

David shook his head.

“I found it right away, but the Future Strategy Planning Department was still working late. I had a few things to pass on to them.”

“Future Strategy Planning Department? Again?”

The director of the [Baseball Research and Development Team] looked slightly displeased.

“Hey, take it easy.”

The director clicked his tongue.

“I told you, nothing good comes from getting involved with the Future Strategy Planning Department. What if you get caught up in their schemes?”

“Hehe, actually…”

David Wilson said.

“I was just offered a position by their assistant director.”

“Assistant director? Ah, you mean that Kim guy, the Asian employee?”

“Yes, he asked if I’d like to join the Future Strategy Planning Department. He said he already got approval from the vice president.”

“So…?”

Mike stared at his subordinate with a dumbfounded expression.

“Don’t tell me… you said yes?”

* * *

David Wilson didn’t answer.

He just stared silently at the large monitor in the war room with a complicated expression.

Seeing this, Mike seemed to understand the situation.

“David, I know you’re interested in the ‘Yellow Book Project,’ but… not this time.”

Really, not this time.

Mike continued.

“You know how it is, right? It’s called predicting the flow of the game, but it’s really just internal criticism. Constant internal criticism of the Tampa Bay Rays!”

Criticism of game strategy.

Criticism of player management.

Mike even shuddered as he looked at David Wilson.

“Of course, criticism is important. It’s a catalyst for development. Even if I were the general manager, it’s an idea I would have considered. But what about the people doing the work? They’re completely miserable!”

“…”

“If you criticize the game strategy, do you think the coaches will stay quiet? If you criticize the player management, do you think the manager will be happy?”

When David crossed his arms and remained silent, Mike brought up the decisive reason for his opposition.

“If it were someone else, I wouldn’t stop you so much. But you… you want to go back to the field and be a coach someday, right?”

“Huh?!”

David looked at Mike in surprise.

“D-Did I ever say that? I don’t remember saying that…”

“You didn’t say it directly. But I’m not deaf.”

Mike chuckled.

“If a front office employee frequents ‘Norton’s Tavern,’ there’s no need to ask why. You’re trying to meet the manager or coaches under the guise of coincidence, right? And make a good impression at the same time.”

“W-Well, yes, but…”

David seemed flustered.

“That doesn’t mean I’m aiming for a field staff position right now! I haven’t even had a beer with the coaches.”

“What, really?”

“Yes, they seem a bit uncomfortable. The coaches came to have a relaxing drink, but if a front office employee like me joins in, the atmosphere gets awkward…”

As David made excuses, a strange smile appeared on Mike’s face.

“See?”

“Yes?”

“That’s basically the relationship between our front office and the field staff. Even if there’s no conflict, we’re still distant.”

Mike continued.

“Even if there’s no conflict, we’re still distant. If you join the Future Strategy Planning Department, what will happen? You’ll be fighting every week. Do you think you’ll leave a good impression on the manager or coaches? Will you get a coaching position next year or the year after?”

Staying quiet is the best policy.

The director of the [Baseball Research and Development Team] began to give heartfelt advice to his unusually hardworking subordinate.

“If a front office guy wants a major league coaching position, the best thing to do is stay quiet. It’s important to create an image of someone who’s not abrasive, who cooperates well, and who listens well.”

“…”

“So, even if you like the ‘Yellow Book Project,’ just close your eyes and pass this time. You can’t have everything in life. You have to give up one thing to get another.”

You know what I mean, right?

Mike patted David Wilson on the shoulder.

* * *

“Alright, this way!”

The next evening.

David Wilson was entering a restaurant near Tropicana Field with the members of the Future Strategy Planning Department.

The handover of the ‘Yellow Book Project’ was nearing completion.

John Llama, the main director of the Future Strategy Planning Department, had offered to treat David Wilson to dinner.

“They have amazing noodles here! I think David will like it. I know all the best restaurants around here!”

John Llama Taylor laughed heartily as he gestured for David Wilson to take a seat.

Of course, David Wilson wasn’t paying attention to the noodles.

He was only thinking about how to reject the Future Strategy Planning Department’s offer.

‘Damn it, how do I bring it up? He’s the owner’s son, so I can’t just say no…’

David Wilson watched the Future Strategy Planning Department members, silently emptying the teacup in front of him.

In the end, he decided to convey his intentions to the person he felt most comfortable with.

“Kim.”

It was when John Llama excused himself to greet the chef.

As soon as the owner’s son left, David Wilson turned to Jisub, who was sitting next to him.

“Yes, what is it?”

“About that offer you mentioned yesterday…”

Jisub’s eyes darted around, and then he nodded.

“You mean the offer to join our Future Strategy Planning Department?”

“Yes, that.”

David Wilson wasn’t good with words.

As he hesitated, the assistant director of the Future Strategy Planning Department spoke first.

“You don’t have to feel pressured. I know how difficult it is to change positions during the season.”

Jisub continued.

“I just wanted to work with someone who understands the value of the ‘Yellow Book Project’.”

“The value of the project?”

“Yes, you’ve emphasized it to us many times, haven’t you? This project will maximize the Tampa Bay Rays’ power. It’s a project that will make the Tampa Bay Rays’ World Series victory a reality.”

Jisub smiled gently.

“Aside from the general manager, you’re the only one who has such a high opinion of the ‘Yellow Book Project’.”

“Ah, is that so?”

David Wilson closed his mouth again.

The heart that had been wavering slightly due to Mike Averill’s nagging began to waver again.

‘Damn it, if even the general manager said that, it must be a really solid project…’

Turning ideas that really help the team into reality.

That was a joy that David Wilson had discovered since joining the front office.

His ideas were practically helpful to the players, and they came back as valuable wins for the Tampa Bay Rays.

That’s why he had jumped into the ‘Yellow Book Project’ as soon as he was assigned to it, but David Wilson, a former player, still longed for the field.

‘The front office has its rewards, but compared to the people working on the field…’

He wanted to step onto the major league field, which he hadn’t been able to do as a player, as a coach.

He wanted to directly teach the world’s best major league players and raise them to the top.

Above all, he wanted to hear the fans’ cheers, not through the speakers, but directly.

If he wanted to achieve all of that, he had to be on the field staff.

And to become a major league coach and go to the field someday-

‘It’s right to reject the Future Strategy Planning Department’s offer.’

Just as David Wilson, who had steadied his wavering heart, slowly raised his head,

Jisub snapped his fingers and spoke first.

“Ah, David! I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“We have another guest coming today. I meant to tell David, but… I’ve been so out of it today.”

It was only for a moment, but David Wilson’s brow furrowed.

Bringing a new guest without prior notice was clearly rude.

Moreover, this Asian man, while constantly bowing his head, didn’t seem very sorry.

Rather, he occasionally stared at David with his eyes.

‘What is it? I heard that Asians are overly polite… but this guy doesn’t seem to be like that?’

He felt unpleasant. He didn’t like it.

Just as he thought it wouldn’t be bad to use this as an excuse to leave this uncomfortable place,

“Oh, Kim! You were here?”

A loud voice came from behind.

“Ah, I’m sorry! Am I too late? The team’s plane was delayed…”

At the words ‘team’s plane,’ David Wilson turned his head, and his eyes widened.

“Welcome, Coach!”

“Yeah, it’s been a while, Kim!”

The ‘other guest’ Jisub mentioned was Coach Thomas Culkin.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching coach.

The very person David Wilson wanted to meet in a private setting.

“Ah, no, Kim…”

His displeasure with Jisub had vanished.

David Wilson asked Jisub with a trembling voice.

“What’s going on? How is Coach Thomas Culkin here…?”

“Ah, Coach offered to treat our Future Strategy Planning Department to a meal because of the Victor Johnson situation.”

Jisub continued.

“But we couldn’t make an appointment because of the ongoing road games. He said he had some time today.”

“Time? You insisted that I come today, didn’t you?”

“Haha, did I?”

Jisub laughed and changed the subject.

“Yes, honestly… I heard that David Wilson’s wish was to have a meal with the coaches, so I arranged this meeting…”

Jisub looked at David Wilson and asked.

“What do you think, Wilson? Is it okay if the coach joins us today?”

“O-Okay? What are you talking about?”

David Wilson’s excited voice was heard in Jisub’s ear.

“You don’t even have to ask me! I’m completely welcome!”