A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 294

72. Another Family’s Precious Child (6)

That day featured an interleague game against the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field.

The Tampa Bay Rays emerged victorious.

Final score: 7-6.

Wowwww!!!

Early in the game, the momentum heavily favored the visiting Chicago Cubs.

They executed stolen bases, hit-and-runs, bunt plays, and even a surprise double steal with precision.

As soon as a runner reached base, they employed aggressive tactics, throwing the Tampa Bay infield into disarray.

It was as if they had detailed knowledge of the Tampa Bay Rays’ starting catcher, Alex Montero’s, current struggles.

“……Hmm.”

As a result, by the end of the top of the 2nd inning, the score was already 5-0.

Even Ji-seop didn’t hold much hope at that point.

The starting pitcher’s pitch count was already over 60, and as the defensive innings dragged on, the fielders’ movements noticeably slowed.

Most concerningly, starting catcher Alex Montero’s expression was grim.

‘It’s going to be a tough day.’

He even considered leaving.

Instead of enduring the boisterous cheers of the Chicago Cubs fans, wouldn’t it be better to review data in the office?

If a National League team came this well-prepared, shouldn’t they intensify preparations for the upcoming three-game series against the Yankees even further?

As he pondered this and began tidying his desk.

Yes, it must have been around that time.

“Kim, we’re making a substitution.”

“A substitution?”

In the top of the 3rd inning, the Tampa Bay dugout initiated the first change.

That day’s starting pitcher, Ty Morrison, was removed.

In truth, this was a predictable move.

Ty Morrison had been in the bullpen until last season, and he was typically replaced around the 90-pitch mark.

What Ji-seop found surprising was the subsequent decision.

“The backup catcher is coming in. Alex Montero is out.”

It was a sudden substitution.

Alex Montero, who had been the team’s starting catcher and fifth batter for almost every game this season.

Removing him with the score at 5-0 was tantamount to publicly placing the blame for the current situation on the catcher.

“If that’s the case, they absolutely have to win today’s game…….”

David Wilson began to bite his lower lip.

“Isn’t that right? If they lose in this situation, all the blame will fall squarely on Alex Montero. Then, bringing in an instructor might not be enough to fix it.”

Ji-seop also felt a sense of unease.

It was an unusual situation, especially compared to what he was used to in Korea.

Whether it was the KH Cannons’ team culture or Arthur Freeman’s management style.

They always tried to avoid situations where one player bore the brunt of the responsibility.

However, that day,

The Tampa Bay Rays displayed unexpected resilience.

Whoosh- Pow!

It began with the bullpen pitchers who entered the game after starter Ty Morrison.

The bullpen was activated from the top of the 3rd inning, an unusual and potentially unsettling situation.

However, following Coach Thomas Culkin’s instructions, they took to the mound and delivered solid innings.

It was as if they had anticipated the early call that day.

-Strikeout! It’s a strikeout! He’s getting a strikeout with a fastball that reaches a maximum speed of 98 miles [approximately 158 kilometers] per hour!

-Wow, the Tampa Bay bullpen is in great form today, aren’t they? Every pitcher who comes in seems exceptionally prepared!

While the bullpen pitchers were keeping the Chicago hitters at bay, the Tampa Bay lineup gradually began to find its rhythm.

As the batting order rotated once and entered its second cycle, sharper hits started to emerge.

This could be attributed to the hitters becoming more familiar with the starting pitcher’s pitches, but the commentators offered a slightly different assessment that day.

-Oh, this ball is screaming past the first baseman! It’s headed for a long hit, a long hit! The runner on second base scores easily! With that, the score is 5-3!!

-The Tampa Bay lineup is showing a different approach today. In the last few games, they’ve generally been swinging for the fences, but today, all the players seem to be prioritizing contact.

Consequently, they scored 1 point in the bottom of the 3rd inning, 2 points in the bottom of the 5th inning, and another 2 points in the bottom of the 7th inning.

In the meantime, the Chicago Cubs managed to score an additional point, making the score 6-5, but the atmosphere at Tropicana Field was markedly different from the beginning of the game.

“You stupid bastards! What the hell are you thinking playing baseball?!”

It was the voice of an elderly Chicago fan sitting behind Ji-seop.

He likely lived near Chicago and relocated to St. Petersburg after retiring.

“Your salaries are more than three times that of the Tampa Bay guys! Earn your keep, earn your keep!!!”

“You guys got complacent again after winning the championship once? It’s already been almost 10 years since you won! Are you planning to win again after another 100 years!!!”

Ji-seop understood.

That right now, they were yelling at the top of their lungs, but the moment the Chicago pitchers overcame the crisis, they would be happier than anyone else.

The moment they shut down the Tampa Bay hitters and secured the victory, they would be as happy as if they had conquered the world.

But unfortunately, the Tampa Bay lineup that day disregarded the feelings of the Chicago elders.

Thwaaaack!

Bottom of the 8th, two outs with a runner on first.

In a 2-2 count, the Tampa Bay Rays’ pinch hitter launched a towering hit.

“Oh?!

“Oh, oh, oh?!”

As everyone rose from their seats, the batted ball soared towards the left-center field fence.

The moment that ball barely cleared the fence and landed in the stands, Tropicana Field erupted in pandemonium.

Wowwww!!!

A go-ahead two-run home run.

A decisive home run that overturned the game in the final moments after trailing for nearly two and a half hours.

Tropicana Field reverberated with the enthusiastic cheers of Tampa Bay fans, and Ji-seop quietly clenched his fist.

Of course, the Chicago Cubs fans sitting behind him didn’t share the same sentiment.

“God damn it!!!”

* * *

About 30 minutes later.

Ji-seop and the rest of the Future Strategy Planning Department were returning to ‘Storage D,’ located on the second basement floor of Tropicana Field.

With a final score of 7-6, their expressions were naturally bright.

“As expected, baseball is all about home runs!”

That was John Llama’s enthusiastic assessment.

“The moment Jason went ‘Bang!’ my hair stood on end! Wow, how did a home run even happen there?!”

“Did you see it? Did you see it too, Kim?”

The owner’s son was constantly fidgeting, imitating the batting stance of the pinch hitter who was named MVP that day.

David Wilson, who usually regarded John Llama with a nonchalant expression, offered a faint smile at this moment.

“In many ways…… it’s a relief.”

He attempted to speak calmly, but he couldn’t completely mask his excitement from the come-from-behind home run.

“It’s a relief that we won today’s game, but I’m also relieved that Alex Montero won’t have to shoulder an excessive burden. And…….”

“And?”

As Ji-seop turned his head, David Wilson carefully continued.

“Perhaps our Future Strategy Planning Department will receive a positive evaluation.”

“Us?”

John Llama scratched his cheek with his finger.

“Has there ever been a time when praise has come our way? Alex only allowed three stolen bases because he was substituted halfway through, right?”

The Future Strategy Planning Department’s initial prediction was that Alex Montero would allow at least seven stolen bases.

That meant it wasn’t an entirely accurate prediction, but David Wilson shook his head.

“No, didn’t you two notice as well?”

David said.

“Even though the starting pitcher was pulled early, the bullpen didn’t falter, and the lineup, which had been consistently swinging for home runs, focused on making contact, at least for today.”

“Oh, come to think of it…… that’s right?”

“In my opinion, the coaches seem to have taken our team’s report quite seriously.”

There was even a hint of pride in David’s voice.

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t that mean that our Future Strategy Planning Department’s influence will increase slightly? We contributed to an important game like today.”

“Oh, that’s right? Listening to you, David, it seems like you’re right?”

It remained to be seen exactly what the manager and coaching staff were thinking.

However, Ji-seop also felt a sense of accomplishment at the thought that the report they had diligently created had played a role.

‘We did our part properly…… so, is the remaining issue Alex Montero’s instructor?’

If they handled that matter effectively, the Future Strategy Planning Department’s influence might increase even further, as David suggested.

Just as he was walking while contemplating this, he felt a vibration from the cell phone in his pocket.

Brrr- Brrr- Brrr-

Ji-seop tilted his head as he checked the phone screen.

The call was from a number that wasn’t saved in his contacts.

‘Who is it?’

Was there anyone who would call him separately?

Ji-seop let John Llama and David Wilson enter first, then pressed the call button on his phone.

* * *

The caller was Coach Jose Cruz.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ battery coach. The very person who was still concerned about Alex Montero’s father.

He asked if he could meet him for a moment, so Ji-seop headed towards the coaching staff’s office.

When Ji-seop met Coach Jose Cruz again, the first thing he said was this.

“Did you change your number?”

Ji-seop shook his cell phone.

“I saved all the numbers posted on the team’s intranet…… but the number that called earlier wasn’t saved?”

“Ah, that’s right! I changed it last month. I forgot to update it on the intranet.”

The answer was that he had to change his cell phone number last month because it was leaked on the team’s YouTube channel.

His name wasn’t revealed, but some unpleasant fans were making prank calls incessantly.

‘There are people like that even in the major leagues,’ Just as he was smiling wryly to himself.

Coach Jose Cruz took out a document envelope and handed it to Ji-seop.

“It’s nothing special…… I called you to give you this.”

“What is this?”

Coach Jose Cruz gestured for him to check the contents instead of answering.

Ji-seop took out the document in the envelope and checked it, and he exclaimed ‘Oh’ softly.

“……It’s a training chart.”

A training chart.

A chart that records the players’ situations, the advice given, and the appropriate training exercises.

Of course, if it was just a simple training chart, there would have been no reason for Ji-seop to exclaim.

“Alex Montero’s.”

“That’s right. What can I do to improve Alex Montero’s current situation…… This is what I’ve been thinking about and recording.”

Coach Jose Cruz continued.

“Originally, I was going to leave everything to the new catching instructor, but after watching today’s game, I realized that there’s no time to afford that luxury. So, I brought what I had prepared, even though it’s not perfect.”

“Ah.”

Ji-seop, who was quietly reviewing the contents, couldn’t help but look at Coach Jose Cruz with a newfound respect.

The contents of the training chart were highly specific.

How to organize the overwhelming amount of information, what to prioritize, and what aspects the starting catcher should focus on as the season progressed.

The training chart was meticulously tailored to Alex Montero’s specific situation.

‘I was casually mentioning the instructor, so I assumed he had given up on Alex Montero…….’

That didn’t seem to be the case.

Rather, he seemed to be paying special attention to the promising player Alex Montero.

He was determined to nurture him well, no matter what. He was determined to help him overcome this slump, no matter what.

A training chart that reflected such determination.

“But…… why are you giving this to me?”

Ji-seop asked.

“The content is very detailed, isn’t it? If you’ve prepared this much, wouldn’t it be better for the coach to explain it to Alex directly…….”

“Hey, why are you acting like you don’t know anything?”

Coach Jose Cruz smiled wryly.

“I heard it from Thomas. He told me everything about you guys, right? About me, Alex, and Alex’s father.”

“Well, yes, but…….”

“Then you know, don’t you? What Alex is feeling as he plays the game right now.”

The battery coach wiped his mouth with his palm.

“He’s barely holding himself together and focusing on baseball. He’s trying to become the player his father wanted him to be, no matter what. If I, who had a conflict with his father, give him advice as a coach……. Would he even listen to it?”

“Then there’s the manager, isn’t there? You can leave it to the other coaches…….”

He had never met Alex Montero before.

Feeling a little burdened, Ji-seop tried to return the training chart, but Coach Jose Cruz said very firmly.

“No, you’re the best person for the job, at least for today. It’s no exaggeration to say that there’s no better advisor than you.”

“Yes? No, that’s…….”

“I heard it from Victor Johnson a little while ago. The report you guys submitted…… the original copy ended up in Alex’s hands. I don’t know where he got it.”

“To Alex?”

“Yeah, you know, right? What kind of guy Alex Montero is.”

He’s easily influenced.

He’s incredibly easily influenced.

He’s the guy who took out 19 insurance policies on his first day with the team.

He’s seeking advice from more than 10 people.

That guy is now reading the Future Strategy Planning Department’s report.

The very report that accurately predicts his slump.

“Then isn’t the answer obvious?”

Coach Jose Cruz smiled.

“Who do you think that easily swayed guy will go to see tonight? Me? The manager?”

Ji-seop then realized.