A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 361

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good – Episode 361

Chapter 83: The Ghost of the Field (4)

There was a problem with the field reinforcement work.

The technician previously in charge of Tropicana Field did not participate in this project.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ top management was informed of this immediately after the on-site inspection.

“It was a financial issue.”

Jacob Klein, Director of Stadium Operations, continued his report with a troubled expression.

“Mr. Boyer had been contracting with the technical manager on a case-by-case basis, but this time, the other party asked for more money than usual.”

“So, they proceeded with the work without a technical manager? Are you seriously telling me that now?!”

A thunderous roar erupted from the front office’s top executives.

“How are you managing the partner companies? Don’t you know that continuity is crucial for ground work?”

“No, why did President Boyer even contract on a case-by-case basis in the first place? Isn’t it common sense to hire a responsible person to manage it diligently?”

“Yes, you are right, but…”

Director Klein wiped the sweat from his cheek with the back of his hand.

“Recently, the demand for artificial turf has decreased significantly in the Florida baseball scene. Amateur teams are removing artificial turf and replacing it with natural grass…”

He explained that this was to prevent injuries to players.

In the case of artificial turf, the risk of injury was up to 16% higher than with natural grass.

“I heard that it’s difficult to hire someone like before because demand keeps decreasing, so they proceeded with contracts on a case-by-case basis.”

“Oh, that’s their problem!”

I don’t need to hear any more!

The Tampa Bay executives were very firm.

“Tell President Boyer! Immediately call that technician and have them inspect the condition of the field!”

“If they know that injuries occur more often on artificial turf, they should manage it more thoroughly. What are they doing now?!”

“What are you standing there for like an idiot! Go and tell them quickly! If you don’t resolve this properly, there will be no contract next year!!”

“Ah, yes, I understand.”

Director Klein was dazed from the쏟아지는 scolding [pouring scolding].

Just as he barely managed to collect himself and was about to get up with his materials, a calm voice came from somewhere.

“Mr. Klein, just a moment.”

As he said that, a middle-aged man picked up his suit jacket that was placed next to him.

He was Brian Sphan, the general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

“You’re going to meet that technical manager, right? Then let’s go together.”

“Y-You mean, the general manager himself?”

The Tampa Bay executives widened their eyes at the general manager’s words.

“No, why are you going, Mr. General Manager? Isn’t it right to leave this matter to Mr. Boyer?”

“That’s right. If you go, Mr. General Manager, it may be disadvantageous when assigning responsibility later…”

The executives all stood up and tried to dissuade him, but General Manager Brian Sphan simply shook his head.

“Hey, we don’t have time, do we?”

That was his answer.

“Bad rumors are circulating inside and outside the club about ghosts and whatnot. We need to catch these things early on, or it could adversely affect the players’ performance.”

“W-Well, that’s true, but…”

“Let’s assign responsibility later. Right now, the priority is to thoroughly check the condition of the field and calm the players’ anxieties.”

Having suppressed the executives’ objections, the general manager turned his gaze to Director Klein.

“Mr. Klein, how is it? Can we go with just the two of us? Or is there anyone else from the stadium operations department that we should take with us?”

“I think it’ll be fine. After all, I was in charge of this project…”

Director Klein, who was leading the way, suddenly remembered something and added with an ‘Ah’ sound.

“Mr. General Manager, if it’s okay with you, can we call Kim and have him accompany us?”

“Kim? You mean Kim from the Future Strategy Planning Department?”

‘Is it that friend again?’

As the general manager looked at him with a strange expression, Director Klein quickly nodded.

“Yes, in fact, I was able to grasp this situation entirely thanks to Kim’s help.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Also, I think… taking Kim with us might be of some help in persuading that technical manager.”

Director Klein continued.

“I heard that the technical manager’s name is Stanley Honggyu Go…”

“Stanley Honggyu Go?”

Ah.

The general manager nodded.

“He’s Korean-American.”

* * *

Thus, Jiseop ended up going to meet the Korean-American technician Stanley Go, but in fact, he was initially hesitant.

‘Is this… even going to matter?’

He wondered if the fact that he was Korean like the technician would have much of an impact on the negotiation.

When you think about it, this is just a matter of money. Wouldn’t it be resolved if the club provided enough money?

In fact, when General Manager Brian Sphan presented a generous down payment, Stanley Go, or rather, ‘Go Honggyu,’ nodded without a second thought.

“Then I will visit the stadium the day after tomorrow. As you know, fixing someone else’s work is more difficult than starting from scratch. Just keep in mind that it may take considerable time and money…”

Up until this point, Go Honggyu had been greeting the Tampa Bay people with an extremely arrogant attitude.

But as soon as he realized that Jiseop was Korean, his expression changed 180 degrees.

“You’re Korean? Really?”

“Yes, as you can see…”

When Jiseop held up the name tag he was wearing around his neck, Go Honggyu immediately started speaking in Korean.

“I heard rumors that a Korean employee had joined Tampa Bay… so it was you? So, where’s your hometown?”

“Seoul.”

“Seoul? Where in Seoul?”

“Over the Miari Pass…”

When Jiseop mentioned the location of his family home, Go Honggyu exclaimed, ‘Oh my!’ and slapped his knee.

“I used to live in Suyu-ri when I was young! Over there, in the direction of the National Cemetery from the rotary… Wow, what is this! To meet someone from the same neighborhood in this faraway foreign land?”

He seemed genuinely happy.

His eyes, which had been full of greed just a few minutes ago, even seemed to glisten slightly.

‘Is this what it’s like for people living far away in a foreign country?’

“Wow, amazing? You haven’t been with the Tampa Bay Rays for long, have you? But you’re already hanging out with the general manager?”

“No, it’s not always like this. Today, I heard rumors that Mr. Go was from Korea…”

“R-Really? Because of me?!”

It was at this moment that a slightly embarrassed expression appeared on Go Honggyu’s face.

He cleared his throat softly and glanced at General Manager Brian Sphan and the partner company president.

Those who didn’t know what was going on tilted their heads, but Jiseop could see right through him.

‘[Damn it, this has become troublesome.]’

That was Go Honggyu’s inner thought.

‘[I was planning to take a big cut this time to get back at that damn Boyer, but…]’

‘[What if this friend gets stuck with the blame? I can’t make a hometown friend I’ve met in years suffer…]’

Whether to seize the opportunity to take a generous cut or to help a young man from his hometown.

After much deliberation between the two, Go Honggyu seemed to have made up his mind and slowly raised his head.

“Hey, Mr. Klein?”

His gaze was directed towards Director Jacob Klein.

“Is it very urgent? It seems so, seeing that even the general manager has come?”

“Yes, well…”

The director nodded.

“From our perspective, time is of the essence. We have a game tomorrow, but we can’t be sure about the condition of the field.”

“Is that so? Then, well…”

Go Honggyu smacked his lips.

“I have a prior engagement tomorrow, so it’s a bit difficult for me to move around, so just try this.”

“Yes?”

“What was it… we spray water on the grass before the game, right? Just skip that. The ground condition will probably return to normal then.”

“Don’t spray water?”

At Go Honggyu’s words, not only Director Klein but also President Boyer tilted their heads.

“What do you mean? Shouldn’t we supply moisture every day, even for artificial turf?”

“More than that, Stanley, are you sure you don’t need to come? You said you had to see the condition yourself earlier…”

At the two men’s words, Go Honggyu snorted and shrugged his shoulders.

“How many years have I worked in this industry? Do I need to go and check everything one by one? I can tell just by looking.”

He continued.

“Tropicana Field is basically a humid place, so if you just follow the manual, water will fill the crumb rubber [small pieces of recycled tire used as infill in artificial turf]. This makes the ground condition worse.”

“I-Is that so?”

“So, I mix several types of crumb rubber when doing reinforcement work, but this time that work wasn’t done…”

So, reduce the moisture supply.

It was the veteran technician’s suggestion.

“There’s a disadvantage that it might be a little hotter because the heat hasn’t cooled down, and there might be more dust than usual… but the ground condition will be much better. To the extent that it doesn’t affect the players’ performance.”

As Go Honggyu gave a clear answer, the faces of Director Klein and the partner company president brightened.

“Thank you, Mr. Go!”

“Thank you, my friend! Thanks to you, I’ve put down a very big worry!”

“Hmph, don’t mention it.”

Go Honggyu replied with an indifferent expression.

“There’s no need to thank me, and if you really want to express your gratitude, do it to this friend here.”

He pointed to Jiseop across from him.

“I’m teaching you this especially because I’m thinking of this friend’s reputation.”

* * *

That’s how the matter was settled.

Director Klein called the stadium operations department to inform them that the ground problem had been resolved.

President Boyer of the partner company sat down with Go Honggyu and began discussing the renewal of the contract.

At that very moment, while those in charge of the practical work were moving busily to sort out the matter.

Jiseop was out in the garden with General Manager Brian Sphan.

“Kim, you’ve worked hard.”

Woof! Woof!

Stroking the dog tied to the garden, General Manager Brian Sphan said a word.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a day when things have gone so smoothly as these days. When Kim steps in, most things are easily resolved.”

“You flatter me.”

It was usually an expression of humility, but this time it was said sincerely.

“I hardly did anything this time. Mr. Go just helped me because we’re from the same hometown…”

“Haha, what are you talking about? Hometown is also an important asset here.”

President Brian Sphan laughed.

“Major League Baseball is a place where all kinds of people from all over the world gather, but that’s why the individual’s ethnic identity is so important.”

Where are they from?

What culture are they from?

“The fact that Kim is from Korea, and therefore was able to communicate smoothly with Mr. Go… all of that can be said to be a contribution. You’ve worked hard.”

He added that it would be necessary to make good use of his Korean identity in the future.

“Kim will need the help of more people in the future. So, I recommend going to meetings like the Korean Association. I also received a lot of help from people in Texas in my younger days.”

“Ah, are you from Texas?”

“Didn’t you know? Well, I hardly use a Southern dialect…”

As he said that, the general manager quietly stroked Go Honggyu’s dog.

For a moment, Jiseop was able to read a hint of regret on his face.

“But… why is that?”

“Yes?”

“Even though the ground problem has been resolved, I don’t see that the general manager’s expression is very bright.”

“Ah, did it look like that?”

‘As expected, Kim is quick-witted.’

Brian Sphan dusted off his hands and got up.

“Actually… I was hoping for a more grandiose solution.”

“A grandiose solution?”

“That’s right. Pouring a lot of money into it, or doing a construction that would make Tropicana Field noisy… things like that.”

Jiseop could guess the reason without having to look into his eyes.

“Is it… because of the ghost?”

Jiseop asked.

“To get rid of the rumors about the ghost of the field, something noticeable had to come out… Is that what you judged?”

“Haha, it’s good that I don’t have to tell Kim many stories.”

The general manager continued.

“It’s exactly as you said. I wanted to show the players more clearly. The recent mistakes were specifically due to these reasons, and so the club has taken these measures… If this is visually clear, the players will be able to understand.”

He said that the reason he went out with Director Klein was also because of that.

To emphasize that the club was aware of this problem and was trying to solve it.

If someone like the general manager steps in, that message will be clearly conveyed to the players.

The problem was that the solution obtained in that way was too bland.

“Just don’t spray water… It’s a bit bland. It’s hard to say it’s a visible solution.”

“That’s right.”

“If this kind of problem is vaguely resolved, it could become a spark. If another mistake comes out later, the rumor that it’s because of the ghost may raise its head…”

If such a rumor occurs during the postseason, it would be even more difficult for the front office.

General Manager Brian Sphan seemed to be considering his own alternatives.

“So, I’m even thinking of calling a shaman [a person believed to be able to contact the world of spirits].”

“A shaman? You mean a shaman?”

“That’s right. From Mexico or the Dominican Republic. Even if we don’t do it openly, other clubs sometimes hold such events in secret.”

“Ah, I see.”

To think that in this era of cutting-edge technology, and even in Major League Baseball, I would hear about inviting a shaman.

That’s how much the players believe in superstitions. At the same time, it’s a story that General Manager Brian Sphan’s will to win is strong.

‘But the backlash won’t be small, will it? If it’s exposed to the media, there will be a lot of talk.’

Just as Jiseop was lost in thought with a serious expression, someone’s voice came from behind.

“Bokgil! Where’s our Bokgil!”

It was Go Honggyu.

He, who had been negotiating with President Boyer, appeared in the garden.

His face was full of smiles, as if the negotiations had gone well. And in his hand was a large bowl of rice.

“Oh, our Bokgil! Let’s eat! This father has boiled beef thoroughly today! Hahaha.”

“…Beef?”

Jiseop, who had been seriously contemplating, could not help but speak to him at this time.

Beef for a dog. It was something that Jiseop’s common sense could not readily understand.

“No, Mr. Go! Did you just say beef? You’re feeding beef to a dog?”

“Of course! I can’t take care of him like that for every meal, but I still take care of him with good things in the evening.”

And the next moment, Jiseop’s thick eyebrows twitched once.

“Our Bokgil is a dog with a pedigree! I can’t treat him like an ordinary dog!”

“Have you ever heard of it?”

He asked Jiseop.

“Sapsal dog [a breed of dog native to Korea]! A purebred Sapsal dog!”