A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 346

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good – Episode 346

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 346

81. Need More Cowbell (4)

Brett Evans’ jovial companions.

Once the core members of the ‘Cowbell Boys,’ who had enlivened Tropicana Field.

Why did they leave the Tampa Bay Rays, whom they loved so much?

Ji-seop’s answer to this was as follows:

“The decision to close the 3rd-floor upper deck of Tropicana Field… I think that was the decisive reason.”

This was the report Ji-seop gave to Vice President Higgins, the ‘Tropicana Bulldozer’ [a nickname suggesting Higgins’ aggressive and decisive approach], upon returning from his trip to the Durham Bulls.

“The Cowbell Boys have been active on the 3rd-floor upper deck since their early days. In other words, it was a place filled with long-standing memories for them.”

Ji-seop continued.

“The reason Brett Evans became estranged from his old friends was also in the same context. When the first media reports about the 3rd-floor upper deck came out, his friends asked Evans for help, I heard.”

To protect the space filled with memories. To say just one word to the club. Something like that.

However, no matter how much it was Brett Evans, he couldn’t interfere with the decisions of another club, especially the front office.

After much deliberation, Brett Evans refused his friends’ request, and it seemed that the resentment created at that time remained until now.

“Ah, that’s how it happened.”

Vice President Higgins, after hearing Ji-seop’s report, wore a bitter smile on his face.

“So, this report from the Community Relations Department was factual? Damn, the 3rd-floor upper deck was already a few years ago, so I thought this was a ridiculous analysis…”

As he flipped through the staff’s report on his desk in a cursory manner.

“…”

At this moment, Ji-seop thought that some time would be needed.

If the Community Relations Department had formally submitted a report, it meant that the Cowbell Boys’ feelings were much more fierce than expected.

In this case, the ambitiously prepared ‘Cowbell Day Event’ was likely to end without much success.

A vice president of marketing would have carefully considered his next move here, but-

“Okay, brilliant!”

Vice President Higgins’ contemplation didn’t last even a minute, or even 30 seconds.

“Kim, you’ve worked hard to go all the way to Durham! You’ll be busy with meetings and whatnot from the afternoon… How about having a leisurely lunch a little early today? Of course, I’ll treat you.”

“Yes, well, I’m a little hungry too…”

While watching the vice president already starting to grab his wallet and phone, Ji-seop asked.

“Are you sure it’s okay? I think the situation is a bit complicated in many ways.”

The response to Ji-seop’s cautious question was a hearty laugh.

“Hey, what’s so complicated? It’s not like I’m doing this kind of business for just a day or two.”

Vice President Higgins said.

“For the stingray event, we just need to call Brett Evans. Instead of those narrow-minded friends… That’s right, we can mobilize the zookeepers working at the Rays Touch Tank [a feature at Tropicana Field where fans can interact with stingrays]. Then the picture will fall into place nicely to some extent.”

He seemed to be envisioning a photo to be published in the newspaper.

“And the Cowbell Boys? Don’t worry about them. I wasn’t expecting their friendly cooperation in the first place.”

We need to approach it efficiently.

He said very decisively.

“Kim, think about it. Is it easier for a couple who once broke up to reunite, or is it easier to meet someone new and become lovers?”

“Well, that’s…”

Ji-seop looked up at the ceiling and then down.

“The latter, perhaps?”

“Of course! Is that even a question!”

Why do you sound so unsure?

Why? Why is that? I wonder?

Vice President Higgins, who poked Ji-seop in the side and chuckled, twirled his car keys and continued.

“I think it’s more profitable to bring new people to the Tampa Bay Rays than to soothe the Cowbell Boys’ sulky hearts. That’s a much easier and more efficient direction. It’s also been proven by data.”

“…”

“Cowbell Day is no different. 20 years ago, memories, all of that is just a justification to promote the event widely. The key is new audiences! To showcase a fresh cheering culture to the new audiences who will visit Tropicana Field!”

He spread his arms.

“Even if those friends’ reactions seem lukewarm, we’re thinking of providing cowbells for free at the club. If that’s not enough, we’ll distribute T-shirts as well. I think this would be enough to attract new audiences…”

Vice President Higgins continued his story exactly up to this point.

It was at this moment that his amiable eyes suddenly narrowed.

“…Why?”

“Yes?”

A slight wariness had arisen on the face of the Tropicana Bulldozer, who had been so friendly all along.

“You don’t look too good.”

He asked Ji-seop.

“Do you have any… objections?”

* * *

When Vice President Higgins’ eyes stared intently at him, Ji-seop was thinking to himself.

‘Hehe, Tropicana Bulldozer… Whoever came up with the nickname is a genius.’

He was a really straightforward person.

He was a person without hesitation.

Like a pitcher who throws a 100-mile-per-hour fastball, bang, bang, bang.

Ji-seop could vaguely understand why Brian Spon, the cautious general manager, had recruited him.

However, Ji-seop didn’t feel like getting on board with his reckless actions.

‘Bring in new people? Yes, that’s a good direction, but…’

This was an event focused on ‘old people’ from the beginning.

In Vice President Higgins’ words, an act of turning the heart of a lover who had once broken up.

To do that, Brett Evans was recruited, and Cowbell Day was planned.

To fit the puzzle piece of tradition and history, which was the only thing lacking in the Tampa Bay Rays.

“…”

However, Ji-seop judged that it was not a good choice to talk about ‘tradition and history’ here.

The reason was simple. Now Ji-seop also understood the style of the young executives in Major League Baseball.

They were friends with very high pride. They also had strong confidence in their abilities, and they wouldn’t just stand by and watch someone invade their territory.

‘They’re troublesome friends.’

However, having dealt with his classmates from Fort Myers University several times, Ji-seop had already learned.

How to deal with friends like Vice President Higgins.

How to lower the gear of the Tropicana Bulldozer by one level.

“No, I don’t have any objections. How can I possibly object to the marketing department?”

Ji-seop takes a step back for now.

However, this was one step back for two steps forward.

“However, from the standpoint of managing the player’s condition, not the marketing department… there are some concerns.”

“From the standpoint of managing the player’s condition?”

This was Ji-seop’s own know-how.

To assert one’s own territory. To assert one’s area of expertise.

Just as they hated someone invading their territory, they also thought it was a great discourtesy to invade someone else’s territory.

“The player’s condition…”

As expected.

Vice President Higgins showed a slightly softened attitude.

“What does that mean? Where in my decision was there a part that impairs the player’s condition?”

“Brett Evans, I mean.”

The person scheduled to be the starting pitcher on the day of the ‘Cowbell Day’ event.

There was no better card than this player to present as a justification in the baseball-related department.

“When I met Mr. Evans at the Durham Bulls, his expression didn’t look good.”

“Mr. Evans? Why?”

Vice President Higgins put down the car keys he was holding on the desk.

He seemed to have judged that it was not the time to go to lunch leisurely.

Of course, a confident expression appeared on Ji-seop’s face, who noticed this.

“Isn’t it obvious? He’s returned to his hometown team and is about to make his Major League debut, but the people who should be cheering him on the most are turning their backs on him.”

“…The Cowbell Boys?”

Vice President Higgins frowned slightly.

“Does that affect him that seriously? Mr. Evans is a well-known veteran in the league. A veteran would be able to handle that kind of trouble…”

“Even if he’s a veteran, he’s a pitcher. And pitchers are the most sensitive guys on the field.”

Oh my, it’s no joke.

Ji-seop deliberately shuddered.

“Even if he has a lot of experience, he’s a player who had a two-year hiatus. It’s been a long time since he’s been on the Major League mound again, and even a pitcher with a steel heart would be nervous, wouldn’t he?”

“Hmm.”

Ji-seop smiled inwardly as Vice President Higgins began to ponder with his arms crossed.

“Moreover, we’re a little worried about the data we received this time.”

“Data?”

Showing clear data rather than persuasive words was the way to deal with these types of people.

“Mr. Evans showed a good performance in his recent Triple-A appearances [the highest level of minor league baseball], but his control was shaky in the first and second innings. In the past, the grouping was formed around 10 pitches, but in recent appearances, it took more than 30 pitches to get proper control.”

“Shaky control means?”

“It’s unlikely that a pitcher like Mr. Evans would have difficulty with control now… In my experience, this is a mental issue.”

Ji-seop emphasized ‘my experience’.

“He’s not comfortable. It’s difficult to maintain composure. If it’s like this in Triple-A, I don’t know what will happen on the Major League mound.”

“…”

Vice President Higgins, with his mouth firmly shut, sank into deep thought.

Ji-seop sensed that it was time to deliver the finishing blow.

“To be sure, I don’t know much about marketing. You know better than I do which is the right answer. But the key to baseball team marketing is still victory… isn’t it?”

It’s fun to win.

You want to come again if you win.

This was something that could be known without professional knowledge.

“The player who holds the key to that victory is worried like this. It may be difficult, but I hope you’ll think about this part.”

“Damn it, I see. I didn’t know Brett Evans was worried that much…”

Fluttering.

It may not have actually happened, but Ji-seop felt like he could hear the sound of the bulldozer’s engine turning off.

“But if it’s like this, what should we do…”

The bulldozer, with its engine turned off, was floundering, unable to find the direction to go.

Fortunately, there was a pretty smart friend sitting in front of Vice President Higgins.

“Vice President, would you leave it to me?”

“Kim?”