A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 338

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good – Episode 338

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good 338

80 The Heart to Plant Seeds (2)

Major League ballparks often have what could be called ‘landmarks.’

Like the Milwaukee Brewers’ home stadium with its rock climbing wall, or the Arizona Diamondbacks’ home stadium with a swimming pool.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ home stadium, Tropicana Field, also had a similar landmark.

A large tank installed beyond the right field wall, named the ‘Rays Touch Tank.’

Inside this tank, live stingrays were swimming leisurely.

“Oh, Kim! Hello!”

“You’re working hard.”

A hands-on facility where you could see live stingrays up close and even feed them if you wanted.

It was a facility created for children visiting the ballpark, but it was also one of the few spots where Tampa Bay employees could enjoy some leisure time before the game.

“…….”

On this day, Jiseop and the others from the Future Strategy Planning Department were sipping iced coffee while watching the stingrays swim leisurely.

Then, John Lama Taylor, the main director of the Future Strategy Planning Department, opened his mouth.

“Well, isn’t it inevitable?”

He was talking about the legacy issue.

He crunched the remaining ice in his cup as he spoke.

“The team’s history, traditions, legends… those are things that Tampa Bay inevitably lacks. Mainly because our history is short.”

It was true.

The Tampa Bay Rays were founded in 1998.

Among the teams currently participating in Major League Baseball, they had the shortest history along with Arizona.

“The Yankees and Red Sox were founded in 1901, and Baltimore is an even older team, isn’t it? We can’t possibly compete with them in terms of history and tradition.”

“That’s not wrong, but…”

The person who challenged John Lama’s words was David Wilson.

“I don’t think Vincent was just pointing out that our history is short.”

“Then?”

“I think it’s about continuity.”

Continuity.

David Wilson narrowed his eyes.

“Every team needs some degree of continuity. Memories of making it to the postseason in difficult situations, memories of fighting tooth and nail with other teams… these memories need to be passed down to younger players to create a culture and tradition, wouldn’t you say?”

But the Tampa Bay Rays lacked that.

David Wilson seemed to want to point that out.

“Our team doesn’t have any players who could be called franchise stars.”

If they’re good, they get traded before they become free agents.

If they’re not good, they get pushed out by newly emerging rookies.

As a result, this team always has young players, inexperienced players.

“We always hear the same thing, don’t we? Tampa Bay is strong in the regular season, but they can’t perform in the postseason.”

“…That’s right, isn’t it?”

“I think that’s also significantly related to this issue.”

David Wilson threw his empty coffee cup into the trash.

“How nervous would everyone be when they go to the postseason? How happy would they be when they win, and how frustrated would they be when they get eliminated?”

Those memories would be a great source of nourishment for the players.

Next time, I’ll do this; next time, I’ll avoid that; I have to win next time no matter what.

But.

“Most of the players with those intense memories leave the team before long. And what fills our dugout afterward is…”

“Just newbies who don’t know anything?”

At Jiseop’s words, David Wilson nodded lightly, ‘That’s right.’

“The truth is, securing a franchise star isn’t something that can be done with just a year or two of effort… but I think we need to fill this gap somehow.”

“Damn, I wish these stingrays could talk.”

John Lama said.

“At least they might remember our Tampa Bay Rays’ last World Series.”

“Hehe, you never know.”

It was impossible to know how long a stingray’s lifespan was, but one thing seemed certain.

The Tampa Bay Rays needed veterans.

They needed to find someone who could add the words ‘must’ to the grand proposition of [We have to win].

‘Of course, others are trying hard too, but…’

The Future Strategy Planning Department also needed to find a way.

Jiseop was thinking that as he watched the stingray make a ‘splash’ sound.

* * *

A few days later.

Major League Baseball was heating up with a festive atmosphere.

The midsummer night’s baseball festival, the Major League All-Star Game, was being held.

Wow!!!

This year’s All-Star Game was held at the New York Mets’ home stadium, Citi Field.

The Tampa Bay Rays also sent Victor Johnson Jr., Alex Montero, and Vincent Hiyama.

Jiseop was asked to lead them and go to New York, but he had no choice but to politely decline this time.

The only reason was that the MBA program at Port Myers University was officially starting.

“Oh, you’ve arrived? Our little tiger cub has finally arrived, huh?!”

Jiseop visited Professor Kevin Pryor’s office before class.

The expression on Professor Kevin Pryor’s face as he greeted him was truly strange.

“Last time, you gave our Yankees a three-game losing streak, and this time, you even took Vincent Hiyama, huh?! Are you going to keep doing this?!”

He pretended to punch Jiseop.

It was always a similar pattern whenever he visited the professor’s office. Jiseop couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Wouldn’t it be time for you to change your thinking, Professor?”

“Change my thinking?”

Jiseop wore a playful expression as he looked at the professor, who was widening his eyes.

“How about switching over to Tampa Bay at this point? Then you’d always be happy. You could enjoy your student’s success without reservation…”

“Oh, really? You’re getting quite cocky, aren’t you? You used to pretend to be a die-hard Yankees fan to make me feel better?”

He was an old fan of the Yankees, pouting and grumbling, but that didn’t last long either.

“Anyway, you’ve worked hard.”

The professor had a satisfied smile.

“It was crazy here for a while too. It was amazing enough that Tampa Bay acquired Vincent Hiyama, but the story that a student in our MBA program led that historic trade spread like wildfire.”

MBA program professors came to him, making a fuss, asking, ‘Who is that guy?’

To the professors’ questions, Kevin Pryor shrugged his shoulders, saying, ‘He’s the guy I brought.’

“Thanks to you, I was able to hold my head high for a while… but still, you should pace yourself a little more in the future.”

“Pace myself?”

“Yeah, it’s good to solve things decisively, but just delay it for a month or two.”

Professor Pryor had a rather serious expression.

“You know? I have a conscience too. I haven’t taught you much, but my reputation is soaring.”

“Ah.”

“So, just a month or two, okay? Take my classes, attend seminars… and then get the attention. That way, I can be a little more confident in front of people, right?”

“Haha, is that what you meant?”

Jiseop shook his head.

Professor Pryor was already well-known in the baseball world.

His reputation was among the best in Major League Baseball, but what was he so greedy about?

But since the underlying meaning was to praise his student’s success, Jiseop replied with a determined expression.

“I understand, Professor.”

Jiseop nodded.

“I can’t control the timing of when things come to fruition, but I’ll do my best. I’ll talk about you a lot wherever I go.”

“That’s right. You should! In that sense…”

It was at this moment that Kevin Pryor wore a slightly stern expression.

“When are you planning to submit the pre-assignment?”

“…….”

“Is that book report that difficult? No, you just have to read it roughly and write your impressions. How many of them have piled up already.”

“A, as soon as possible…”

Jiseop scratched the back of his head.

“I’ll submit it as soon as possible, Professor.”

“You always say that. If I only listened to your words, you’d be a top student!”

He was ordered to write and submit it within a week.

He was also threatened that if he didn’t submit it this time, he would tell Sakhalin Park.

“T, to the Vice Chairman?”

“Of course! When you think about it, that friend is paying for your tuition, isn’t he?”

He couldn’t get scolded by Sakhalin Park just because of a book report assignment.

What should he do? Should he coax Ronnie Cordell of Baltimore? Or should he ask David Wilson?

As he was thinking about how to solve the overdue assignment in his head.

“By the way… did you keep today open? You don’t have any other schedules, do you?”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

Jiseop straightened his posture and said.

“Didn’t you say, Professor, that while classes are important in the MBA program, other events should also be taken care of…”

“That’s right, it’s important. Especially since today is the day of the freshman welcome party.”

Then, Professor Pryor scrutinized Jiseop’s attire.

He seemed to be checking again to see if he was dressed appropriately for the party.

“Not only students in your class but also people from upper classes and graduates will attend. So, I usually advise them to approach as many people as possible and say hello, but…”

You’re an exception.

Professor Pryor chuckled.

“An exception?”

“Of course, you don’t need to go around. Everyone is eager to talk to you, aren’t they?”

The Tampa Bay Rays, who hadn’t attempted a major trade in a long time.

The Tampa Bay front office employee who changed their policy all at once.

With just this title alone, Jiseop would be able to receive attention.

“Rather than actively moving around, I want to advise you to be cautious.”

Professor Pryor continued.

“Who will be helpful to you, and who will be helpful to the Tampa Bay Rays… you need to judge that well and have a conversation.”

“So, I need to be cautious…”

Jiseop, who had been quietly reflecting on the professor’s advice, soon replied in a bright voice.