A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 345

Baseball Team Rookie Is Too Good – Episode 345

Baseball Team Rookie Is Too Good 345

Chapter 81: Need More Cowbell (3)

The next day, afternoon.

Jiseop was visiting Durham, North Carolina, with his colleagues from the Future Strategy Planning Department.

Durham is the home of the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A team under the Tampa Bay Rays.

The purpose was to visually assess the condition of veteran pitcher Brett Evans, who was playing for this team.

How much has his form improved? Does he have the stuff and control to make it in the major leagues?

-Welcome to Durham Bulls Athletic Park, everyone!!!

-With your enthusiastic support today, let’s aim for victory!

The stadium was noisy with the announcer’s shouts.

Jiseop and his team sat at the central table seats and began to take out the equipment they had brought.

Opening laptops, focusing the camera on the mound, and checking the signals of the measuring equipment that had been installed in advance.

Just as they were finishing preparing to measure Brett Evans’ data, John Ramer, who was organizing the power cables, looked up in surprise.

“Vice President Higgins? You’ve met T. B. Higgins?”

At John Ramer’s question, Jiseop answered while keeping his eyes fixed on the laptop screen.

“Yes, I met him. I went to the president’s office to report.”

At this point, Jiseop tilted his head.

“But was the vice president’s name T. B. Higgins? I thought it was R… something?”

“Ah, that’s right. His real name is R. J. Higgins. But Benjamin used to call him T. B. Higgins.”

Tropicana Bulldozer.

Shortened to T. B.

John Ramer continued.

“He always came to work in a Hawaiian shirt and sandals, so he got the nickname ‘Tropicana.’ He looked like someone who belonged in the tropics.”

“Then what about Bulldozer?”

It was David Wilson, who was adjusting the camera, who answered Jiseop’s question.

“Isn’t it because of that? When was it… Anyway, he blew away the 3rd floor upper deck of Tropicana Field.”

“That’s right, you remember?”

John Ramer nodded.

“Kim, do you know? Our home stadium, Tropicana Field, originally had a capacity of 45,000 seats.”

“45,000 seats?”

This was something Jiseop didn’t know either.

“No way, it had such a large seating capacity? Now it’s less than 25,000 seats.”

“That’s right. The person who brought about that change is Vice President T. B. Higgins.”

He was originally with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he moved after receiving a love call from President Brian Sphan.

And in his first year after the transfer, he removed 20,000 seats from Tropicana Field, against everyone’s opposition.

“He really blew it away in one shot. The 3rd floor upper deck disappeared in an instant, and the 2nd floor was almost closed off on the outfield side.”

John Ramer said.

“But thanks to that, the stadium management costs were greatly reduced, and the audience satisfaction increased… As a result, I heard that it was a great help to the team. Thanks to that, he was even promoted to vice president.”

“Wow, he was an amazing person.”

Jiseop was secretly surprised.

He had the impression that he would be leisurely surfing on the beaches of Florida, but in reality, he had the driving force of a bulldozer.

People can’t be known by their appearance. He was realizing that common truth once again, right at that moment.

“But that Vice President Higgins actively pushed Kim’s idea?”

“And furthermore, he even made a personal request to Kim?”

“That’s true… why?”

Before the answer was finished, John Ramer and David Wilson’s hands landed on Jiseop’s shoulders.

“Kim, no matter what Higgins says to entice you… you can’t leave the Future Strategy Planning Department, okay?”

It was a warning from John Ramer.

“Kim, you remember, right? It was Kim who brought me here. But if you leave me here alone…”

What followed was a plea from David Wilson.

“No, what…”

Jiseop chuckled and shook off the two people’s hands.

“Don’t overreact, both of you. How long has it been since I came to the Future Strategy Planning Department?”

“No, still…”

“He’s a complete bulldozer, I tell you. Once he picks something, he pushes it through…”

“Okay. You guys only team up perfectly at times like this.”

Jiseop pointed to the ground with his chin and said.

“Now, let’s focus on the game.”

There was a reason to do so.

“Mr. Evans is coming out.”

* * *

The home game against the Rochester Red Wings held at Durham Bulls Athletic Park that day.

Brett Evans, who started as the starting pitcher for the Durham Bulls, showed truly excellent pitching.

Only 2 hits and no runs in 6 innings, no walks allowed, and 7 strikeouts.

Although the highest speed remained at 144 km/h [approximately 89 mph], his control and game management skills were by far the best.

“Congratulations, Mr. Evans.”

After the game, Jiseop and the people from the Future Strategy Planning Department were able to meet Brett Evans with smiling faces.

“I’m on my way back from calling Manager Clemblass. The manager was also very happy. It seems that Mr. Evans’ call-up time will be discussed at the coaching staff meeting tomorrow.”

“Ah, is that so?”

‘Professor’ Brett Evans.

He was known for not showing his emotions on the mound, but even he had a faint smile at this moment.

It seemed quite touching that he was about to step onto the major league stage after attempting a bold challenge at the age of forty and breaking a two-year hiatus.

“What are your opinions? I heard that the analysis of the Future Strategy Planning Department is highly trusted among the players.”

“Haha, trust? We are also basically getting help from the Data Science Department.”

While saying that, Jiseop looked at David Wilson, who was standing next to him.

If it’s a story related to data, it would be better to have David explain it.

“I had received a report in advance, but I saw him wavering a little in the early part of the game.”

It was David Wilson’s analysis.

“I think it’s probably a phenomenon that occurred while changing the main pitch to a curveball. After all, the curveball is a bit difficult to handle, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Compared to the slider, it’s like… I don’t have a feeling that I’m completely in control.”

Brett Evans said, putting on the gold-rimmed glasses he had taken from the locker room.

Looking at him wearing glasses and looking down at the report, the feeling of his nickname ‘Professor’ became even more apparent.

“After being called up, I’m also thinking of increasing the number of bullpen pitches before the game. Then the feeling for the curveball on the day can be a little better… What do you think?”

“It’s a good idea, but the major leagues will be more physically demanding than here. You need to pay attention to the number of bullpen pitches.”

David Wilson continued while manipulating the tablet PC he was holding.

“Okay. We will tell the bullpen coach. Before Mr. Evans is called up, we will finalize the warm-up routine before the game…”

“Thank you. It would be a great help to me if the coaches decided that way.”

After that, the conversation between the former ace pitcher and the Future Strategy Planning Department continued.

About the game operation, or information about fellow players who will be playing together.

As the conversation related to baseball was coming to an end, Jiseop was timing it in his mind.

‘Is it time yet?’

The work that had to be done as the Future Strategy Planning Department was finished, so now it was time to address the request from ‘Tropicana Bulldozer’ Vice President Higgins.

‘What is the reason why Brett Evans’ old friends refused the team’s invitation?’

Vice President Higgins said that there seemed to be some trouble between Brett Evans and his old friends.

That’s a very personal situation. It was a point when Jiseop was also slightly worried about how to bring it up.

“Ah, but…”

Thankfully, the professor of the major leagues opened his mouth first.

“Looking at today’s newspaper article, I saw that the team is preparing a Cowbell Day event… Is that right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

What a stroke of luck.

Jiseop quickly nodded.

“It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but it seems to be an event to commemorate Mr. Evans’ Tampa Bay debut.”

“My debut?”

“Yes, I heard that Mr. Evans used to be a member of the ‘Cowbell Boys’ [a fan group known for cheering with cowbells].”

Jiseop continued.

“It’s meant to commemorate that. We also cheer with cowbells like before… That’s right! We are also planning to hold an event where people who certify photos or souvenirs proving they were active as Cowbell Boys will be sent free tickets.”

“Oh, are you even giving out game tickets? The team is paying a lot of attention.”

The first game to take the mound wearing the uniform of his hometown team.

For that game, the team is preparing various events.

It is a great honor and joy as a player. In fact, a faint smile was spreading on Brett Evans’ face.

“Cowbell Boys, Cowbell Boys…”

Muttering the name of the cheering squad he used to be active in, he asked Jiseop.

“How is the reaction?”

“Yes?”

“I mean the reaction to the event. Comments from news companies, emails from the team, etc.”

“It’s just been announced, so I haven’t checked it yet… Why?”

Jiseop’s eyes narrowed.

“Is there anything bothering you?”

“No, it’s not! It’s not bothering me!”

At Jiseop’s words, Brett Evans quickly waved his hand.

Like someone who accidentally touched a hot stove and was surprised.

“I am just grateful to the Tampa Bay Rays. For giving me the opportunity, and for preparing so many events for me like this.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Brett Evans continued, unaware that Jiseop was staring at his eyes.

“I hope the event goes well.”

He said, taking off his glasses.

“If I have the chance, I would like to shake the cowbell with my old friends. It was very fun! Watching the game from the highest place in Tropicana Field, where you can see the ground clearly… That clattering sound was really amazing.”

At this moment, Jiseop was able to grasp why the event prepared by Vice President Higgins was in danger of being derailed.

Why are Brett Evans’ old friends refusing to visit Tropicana Field, even though the team has made such a sincere request?

“Mr. Evans, may I ask you one thing?”

“Yes, tell me. What is it?”

Still, it’s important to make sure of things like this.

Jiseop asked, trying to make his expression as nonchalant as possible.

“The friends who used to go to try to steal stingrays [a local pastime] with Mr. Evans… Did they also watch the game from the highest place in Tropicana Field like Mr. Evans?”

“Haha, of course. That ticket was the cheapest.”

Brett Evans replied.

“Not only me and my friends, but most of the people who were active in the Cowbell Boys mainly watched the game from there. From the top seats on the 3rd floor upper deck.”

“Ah, the top of the 3rd floor upper deck?”

The very seat that was said to have been removed by the instructions of ‘Tropicana Bulldozer’ Vice President Higgins.

How should this be resolved? Jiseop felt like he could see the direction.