A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 290

72. Another’s Precious Child (2)

The next day, afternoon.

Jisub and David Wilson were entering a shabby motel located on the outskirts of Atlanta.

It was to meet with the game recorder who had documented Tampa Bay Rays’ starting catcher, Alex Montero’s games.

“Hello. We are looking for a Mr. Bob Booth. I heard he’s staying in room 207 of this motel.”

“Room 207? Did you make an appointment in advance?”

“Yes, please tell him it’s Kim from St. Petersburg. Here’s my business card.”

“Hmm, I see. Please have a seat over there.”

While the motel owner, an elderly woman, disappeared with the business card, Jisub and David Wilson plopped down on a worn-out sofa.

From St. Petersburg, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, to Atlanta was roughly 800km [approximately 500 miles].

Having taken turns driving that long distance, it would have been normal to exchange at least a ‘thank you for your trouble’ greeting.

However, at this moment, a slightly chilly atmosphere lingered between Jisub and David Wilson, the two employees of the future strategy planning department.

“I think it’s an inefficient action.”

When Jisub brought up the idea of ‘grabbing a coffee’ to break the heavy silence, David Wilson curtly retorted.

“Inefficient action? What is?”

“Driving all the way to Atlanta from this morning like this.”

David Wilson continued, his gaze fixed out the window.

“We’re not just covering this three-game series against the Yankees, are we? We need to start researching the next series right away…….”

Driving eight hours to meet just one game recorder.

David Wilson’s face was full of dissatisfaction, but Jisub gently smiled and soothed him.

“What can we do? Game recorders are freelancers, so we can’t just tell them to come and go as we please.”

It was a fact Jisub learned for the first time since joining Tampa Bay.

Unlike Korea, where they are affiliated with the team even if it’s a contract position, in Major League Baseball, game recorders usually work as freelancers.

Perhaps because the land is so vast, or because there are so many games to cover.

Among the game recorders who were evaluated as ‘veterans,’ there were cases where they signed contracts with three or four teams in a single season.

Anyway, strictly speaking, they couldn’t be called ‘our team’s people.’ So Jisub was trying to be extra thorough, but David Wilson seemed to take it as a distrust of him.

“Yes, game recorder. That’s what I’m talking about.”

David Wilson said.

“How many more times do I have to say it? Mr. Bob Booth, who recorded the game in question, has only been a game recorder for two years!”

Only two years.

He meant he was a rookie.

“Of course, it’s reasonable to assume there will be mistakes and the accuracy will be low, right? In this case, most Major League teams simply exclude the data. To come all the way here to confirm that…….”

As David Wilson was in charge of most of the simulation work, he seemed quite anxious.

Jisub knew his hard work, so he raised both hands and smiled.

“Okay, David. I get it.”

Jisub said.

“I’ve learned that it’s best to check everything on-site. So I came straight to Atlanta this time……. It seems like that was a bit much.”

“…….”

“I’ll pay more attention to the efficiency of the work from now on. In a way that actively accepts David’s advice. Will that be okay?”

“Well, if you put it that way…….”

Faced with this, David Wilson seemed unable to raise any further objections.

“I understand. Now that we’re here, I’ll check the data thoroughly.”

“Yes, let’s grab something delicious to eat when we’re done. There must be famous food in Atlanta, right?”

“Geez, you’re just like a former player, Kim. You really love to eat.”

“Haha, don’t you, David?”

Just when the chilly atmosphere seemed to be easing a bit.

*Ding-a-ling-a-ling-*

The bell on the motel door rang, and the voice Jisub had been waiting for was heard.

“Hey, Jane! Where are the friends from St. Petersburg? You know, the people who came to see Bob.”

“Ah, over there! The people sitting on the sofa!”

The motel owner pointed to the sofa with her chin, and the owner of the voice approached with heavy footsteps.

“So…… who’s Kim?”

“Ah, yes, that’s me!”

Jisub was about to get up without much thought, but then he tilted his head slightly.

“Mr. Bob Booth…… is that right?”

According to David Wilson, Bob Booth was just a rookie of two years.

However, the person who appeared before Jisub’s eyes seemed far from the word ‘rookie.’

He wasn’t very tall. The shabby jacket he was wearing also made him look unimpressive.

However, the gaze he gave Jisub was that of a truly sharp middle-aged Hispanic man.

‘This guy has only two years of experience? I’d believe it if he said 20 years?’

As expected.

The man reached out his hand and said.

“I should start by apologizing.”

His voice was as booming as if he were speaking from inside a cave.

“Bob has a personal matter, so I’ve been taking over his work since last month. I’m Andy Fried.”

At this moment, Jisub naturally expected something to be said.

From David Wilson, who was standing next to him.

Why didn’t you report that fact to the team? Are you allowed to pass on work to each other like that?

Since David Wilson had a rather strict personality, he wouldn’t stay still, but-

“A, Andy Fried, you said? You?”

David Wilson was staring at the man with wide, surprised eyes.

* * *

Andy Fried.

He was said to be like a fixture in the Atlanta baseball scene.

As is always the case with this type of person, he didn’t leave any significant achievements as a player.

The best he did was reaching High-A [Advanced A, a level in minor league baseball] in the New York Yankees’ minor league system.

However, after retiring from active duty, he was very active as a local amateur scout and Major League game recorder.

This year marked his 27th year of experience, making him a veteran among veterans.

Quite a few players wore Major League uniforms thanks to his ‘strong recommendation,’ so it was no surprise that David Wilson was so surprised.

‘To be honest, I didn’t come here with high expectations……. This is an unexpected big catch.’

Jisub was quietly smiling inwardly while shaking hands with Andy Fried.

What was interesting was the reaction David Wilson showed after introducing Andy Fried.

“……Ahem, ahem.”

David Wilson was initially quite excited about the appearance of Atlanta’s top veteran.

However, after the excitement subsided a bit, he looked at Jisub with a rather embarrassed expression.

Why wouldn’t he be?

He had confidently told Jisub that ‘there’s no need to check,’ but a much more impressive figure than expected had appeared.

‘Hehe, I don’t need to look into that guy’s eyes anymore. His true feelings are all over his face.’

He couldn’t help but want to tease him a little, but the future strategy planning department had to move quickly, as David Wilson had said.

Jisub nudged David Wilson, who was only clearing his throat with an embarrassed expression.

“David, didn’t you say you had something to confirm? Mr. Fried must have a schedule, so let’s hurry a bit.”

“Ah, yes! I understand, Kim.”

It was like ‘freeze tag.’

It was only after Jisub’s words that David Wilson hurriedly took out his tablet PC.

“Mr. Fried, what we want to ask you about is the content of the recent game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves.”
The veteran was different in every way.

As soon as David Wilson started speaking, Andy Fried stroked his chin and replied.

“Could it be about Alex Montero? Is it related to Tampa Bay’s starting catcher?”

When David Wilson showed a slightly surprised look, Andy Fried twitched his nose and continued.

“I had a feeling from the first time I received your call. The only thing that was strange about that day’s game was Alex’s pop time record.”

Then he smiled as if he were impressed.

“Hehe, you guys are rare these days? These days, Major League front office people hardly ever come to meet game recorders like us in person.”

David Wilson cleared his throat again at Andy Fried’s compliment.

While staring at the easy-to-read guy, Jisub leaned forward and asked.

“So…… Mr. Fried, how should we interpret Alex’s pop time record that day?”

Pop time.

It meant the time it took for the catcher to receive the ball and throw it to second base, until the ball entered the glove of the shortstop or second baseman.

The average record for Major League catchers was about 1.9 seconds. If it was in the 1.8-second range, it was the best in the league, and if it exceeded the 2.0-second range, it meant they had a below-average arm.

However, during the three games in question, the Tampa Bay Rays’ starting catcher showed a very strange record.

“The record fluctuated a lot. It was as fast as 1.87 seconds at times, and as slow as 2.18 seconds at times……. Isn’t this kind of case unusual?”

“That’s right. From the best in Major League Baseball to a level that can’t even be used in the minor leagues. Even if his condition is bad, it’s not normal for it to drop to the 2.1-second range.”

Andy Fried stroked his chin.

“What I can say for sure is that there was no problem with the pop time measurement that day. The measurement was done correctly. Other recorders next to me also got similar records.”

“What you can say for sure?”

Jisub asked, folding his arms.

“Then is there something you can tell us less certainly?”

“Hehe, you’re quite sharp for a young man?”

Andy Fried laughed.

“I’m not supposed to say things like this, but I’ll tell you since you came all the way to find me.”

And what he mentioned was about the umpires of the series.

“It’s a story from the friend who was the home plate umpire in the last game of the series……. He said that Tampa Bay’s starting catcher didn’t seem to be able to concentrate on the game that day.”

“Couldn’t concentrate?”

“Yes, to be more precise, he said, ‘It was like he was wearing a catcher’s mask for the first time today.'”

He said he looked quite busy.

Sometimes he seemed to be paying attention to the ball distribution with the pitcher.

Sometimes he seemed to be paying close attention to framing [the art of subtly influencing an umpire’s call by how a catcher presents the ball].

Then, all of a sudden, he would get up and adjust the positions of the fielders.

In other words, he was so busy paying attention to this and that, like someone wearing a catcher’s mask for the first time today.

“Does that…… make sense?”

David Wilson reacted.

“Alex Montero is young, but he’s still a Major League starting catcher. He’s been wearing a catcher’s mask since the minor leagues, but suddenly he was acting so flustered…….”

“How would I know the reason? But the umpires who watched him most closely definitely said that.”

“Ha, what on earth is this…….”

David Wilson had a serious expression.

The fluctuating pop time record was already a headache, but now there was even testimony that the starting catcher was seen acting flustered during the game.

Then how should they predict the upcoming three-game series against the Yankees?

While David Wilson was lost in thought, Jisub was extracting one of the most important points of the day.

“Mr. Fried, can I ask you one more question?”

“What is it?”

“I’ve heard that veteran game recorders sign contracts with several teams and move around in a single season. Is that the case with you too?”

“That’s right. There are few game recorders like me in Atlanta.”

Andy Fried was slightly boastful.

“Actually, taking on Bob Booth’s role wasn’t an easy choice. This year alone, there’s the LA Angels, the Chicago White Sox, the New York Yankees……. Ugh, it’s enough to make my head spin.”

“Ah, the New York Yankees.”

Jisub looked into his eyes and asked again.

“Did you happen to report to the New York Yankees? The fact that our Tampa Bay starting catcher showed such movements during the game?”

“Oh, it’s difficult if you come at me like that. It’s entirely up to me which team I give what information to.”

Andy Fried said firmly.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline to comment on that.”

“Decline to comment……. I understand.”

Jisub didn’t try to pry any further.

He already had all the information he wanted.

How will the three-game series against the New York Yankees go? How should the Tampa Bay Rays respond to this?

Now all that’s left is,

Submitting the report.