A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 344

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good – 344

Chapter 81: Need More Cowbell (2)

Around 10 AM the next day.

Jisub was visiting the office of Brian Spann, the president of baseball operations.

The sunniest spot in Tropicana Field. The place to have the most pleasant morning.

However, this place, which was usually filled with tension and a chilling silence due to being the president of baseball operation’s office, was now echoing with a strange sound.

Clang, clang, clang.

The sound of a cowbell.

That very item that was like a symbol of the Tampa Bay Rays about 20 years ago.

Now a rare cheering tool was in the hands of Brian Spann, the president of baseball operations.

“A cowbell, a cowbell…”

The president of baseball operations, shaking the cowbell with a troubled expression, suddenly shifted his gaze to Jisub.

“Where did you even get this?”

The president of baseball operations seemed dumbfounded.

“It’s been discontinued for over 10 years… Where did you get it? An internet auction site?”

“No, I borrowed it. From Big Fergus’ Beer House.”

“Ah, the one across from Parking Lot 6? Well, they might still have it there.”

“Heh, my goodness.”

The president of baseball operations, letting out a hollow laugh, put down the cowbell and asked.

“So, you’re suggesting we bring this back as our Tampa Bay’s cheering tool? By hosting a Cowbell Day?”

“Yes, that’s my idea.”

Jisub straightened his back.

“We keep saying things like ‘We’re a new team, our history is short’ as if it’s a habit, but I think our Tampa Bay has built up enough years to do nostalgia marketing now. And I thought this would be the best item to stimulate that nostalgia.”

“Nostalgia marketing, huh? Well, it’s not a bad idea, but…”

Looking back, the president of baseball operations was someone who actively accepted Jisub’s opinions.

He was like that when he first started the ‘Yellow Book Project,’ and when he recruited Vincent Hiyama.

However, this time, he didn’t seem to be able to accept Jisub’s idea so easily.

“Heh, my goodness. There were quite a few troubles caused by this…”

The reason was easy enough to guess.

He said there were complaints from opposing team managers, and that excited fans had conflicts with visiting team fans.

Besides, the ‘Manta Ray Kidnapping Attempt Incident,’ which went down in Tampa Bay history, was ultimately caused by the cowbell.

Jisub, who had somewhat anticipated this reaction, was about to continue persuading him, but an unexpected supporting fire came from behind.

“Boss, wouldn’t it be great?”

It was a young man who had been sitting sprawled on the sofa since Jisub entered the office.

Wearing a loosely fitted shirt with pineapples and palm trees all over it, along with shorts, sandals, a gold chain necklace, and sunglasses.

Tampa Bay Rays basically didn’t have any particular rules about employee attire, but this man, whose attire felt too casual, was-

‘Wait, what was his name again?’

He had been introduced by the president of baseball operations when he first came in, but Jisub’s head was full of thoughts about ‘Cowbell Day’ at that time.

Just as Jisub was regretting glossing over the president’s words and racking his brain, this Hawaiian shirt man took off his sunglasses and continued speaking.

“This is the best idea I’ve heard so far! Cowbell Day! It makes sense!”

It could be seen as an impudent attitude, but the president of baseball operations didn’t seem to mind much.

“That’s because you haven’t experienced the old days. Do you know how many disturbances there were in the stadium because of the cowbell? Not only the opposing team but also our team’s players didn’t react well.”

“Come on, Boss! Let’s be honest. The manager at that time was a well-known sensitive guy in the league, wasn’t he?”

Sensitive… guy?

Was it okay to say such a thing in front of the president of baseball operations?

While Jisub was inwardly surprised, the Hawaiian shirt got up from his seat and held the cowbell Jisub had brought.

“And I keep telling you, our Tampa Bay is too tame! It’s boring because it’s tame, and people don’t come because it’s not fun.”

Clang, clang, clang.

He shook the cowbell.

“So what if there are complaints? So what if fans fight each other? Rather, that’s what creates rivalries, and more fans come when rivalries are formed. There’s even a saying, isn’t there? The most fun things in the world are watching fires, watching water… and watching fights!”

“So what? Are you suggesting we instigate conflict between fans? Is that why you want to do Cowbell Day?”

“Oh, come on.”

The Hawaiian shirt spread out his arms.

“Anyway, I think this is the best idea for now. I want us to go with this idea without waiting any longer…”

It was at this moment that the man, who had been just smiling, suddenly changed to a serious expression.

“What do you think, Boss?”

* * *

About 10 minutes later.

Jisub was leaving Brian Spann’s office, the president of baseball operations, with the Hawaiian shirt man.

“Thank you.”

Jisub bowed his head to the Hawaiian shirt.

“I think my idea was able to pass thanks to you. I honestly thought it would be difficult… Thank you so much.”

He was on his way out after receiving confirmation from the president of baseball operations that the [Cowbell Day Event] would be implemented.

It was the first time since joining the team that Jisub was making a name for himself in a field other than baseball.

It was a greeting to express his gratitude, but the answer that came back was a little different from Jisub’s expectations.

“R. J. Higgins. I’m the Vice President of Marketing for the Tampa Bay Rays.”

“Excuse me?”

“I thought you didn’t know my name.”

The Hawaiian shirt, no, Vice President Higgins, smirked.

“I’m pretty sure I saw it right? It seems like you’ve been subtly glossing over my title since a while ago.”

“Ah, yes, that’s…”

If he were to make excuses, it would be that there are too many employees at the Tampa Bay Rays.

That there is almost no information available about executives who do not attend regular strategy meetings.

However, it was a bit difficult to say that openly, so while he was hesitating, Vice President Higgins waved his hand with a laugh.

“You don’t have to be so nervous. I usually stay in New York anyway. It’s not strange that Kim doesn’t know me.”

“Kim?”

Jisub tilted his head.

“Did you… know me?”

“Of course, I know you! Aren’t you the hottest front office employee in our Tampa Bay Rays this season? I heard rumors all the way in Brooklyn, New York, that you reformed alligator hunter John Llama?”

It was thanks to the following words that he could vaguely guess his position within the team.

“Benjamin from the Phillies talks about you a lot too. I heard you gave that old man a hard time? Last time with the Vincent Hiyama thing. Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Benjamin get so angry.”

He speaks to Brian Spann, the president of baseball operations, without hesitation, and also knows Benjamin Oznovich, the general manager.

More than anything, he seems to be about the same age as Jisub, but he’s already the vice president of the team.

Just as he was about to think that he was not an easy person, unlike his appearance, Vice President Higgins took out his sunglasses and asked.

“But… were you serious?”

The Hawaiian shirt wearing sunglasses looked at Jisub.

“When you just thanked me, were you serious? Or was it just a story you blurted out of courtesy?”

Blurted out…

Jisub couldn’t get used to his way of speaking, but he answered without showing it.

“I was serious. For a low-level employee like me, having an idea approved is a big deal.”

“Haha, low-level, what are you talking about! What low-level employee in the world has a private meeting with the president of baseball operations? You’re being too humble.”

Higgins, who was giggling like that, soon put on a serious expression and said.

“Okay. Whatever the reason, I guess I helped you out once… Can I ask you for a favor too?”

“A favor?”

“Yes, apart from the [Cowbell Day Event] you proposed… there was also an event I had in mind.”

Vice President of Marketing.

Jisub recalled his title.

“If it’s an event, what kind of…”

“It’s not as great as the event you came up with. Just something small… an event that can be left as a record photo of the team.”

Brett Evans.

Here, he mentioned the veteran pitcher that the Tampa Bay Rays had newly acquired.

“Did you know? Brett Evans and his cheerful colleagues were caught trying to steal manta rays and were permanently banned from entering [Tropicana Field, the stadium].”

“Yes, I’ve heard about it.”

“I was thinking of an event to lift that ban.”

Let’s go, let’s go.

Vice President Higgins gestured.

“As he was recruited, fans all learned about the manta ray incident 20 years ago. It would be a waste to just pass it over, right? So, we’re holding an event to lift the ban.”

He seemed to have a concrete plan in his head.

“Call the people involved in the incident, feed the manta rays, and make a small donation… It would be nice to create a light mood of reconciliation and then lift the entry ban, wouldn’t it?”

“It’s not bad…”

The fans may not like it, but at least the reporters would, he thought.

Because there’s a picture to be made. A legend pitcher with 250 career wins feeding manta rays.

“Brett Evans readily agreed, but the problem is his old friends.”

“Friends?”

“Yes, I finally found their contact information and called them… and they got angry right away.”

They no longer want to be involved with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Especially not with the Tampa Bay Rays that Brett Evans joined.

That was the reaction of the ‘old colleagues’ who received Vice President Higgins’ call.

“That’s where I got stuck.”

President Higgins smacked his lips.

“The old colleagues don’t answer the team’s calls anymore, and Brett Evans says he doesn’t know anything and is just stonewalling… Ah, it’s driving me crazy.”

“…”

“You don’t have any ideas. There must have been something between Brett Evans and his friends. That’s why he’s not telling me…”

How about Kim takes care of this?

Vice President Higgins lowered his sunglasses slightly and asked.

“Listening to the boss… you’re almost an expert at capturing the hearts of players.”

“An expert, what are you talking about…”

“Don’t be so modest, let’s help out! I’m the Vice President of the Tampa Bay Rays…”

Wouldn’t it be nice?

He gave a meaningful smile.

“Like this, we… huh? Helping each other… and receiving help… that kind of relationship.”