A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 366

야구단 신입이 너무 잘함 366화

84장 강 건너 호랑이 구경(2)

Two days later.

The regular season schedule concluded with an away series against the Cleveland Guardians.

The Tampa Bay Rays finished with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, a winning percentage of 0.636, ranking third in Major League Baseball and second in the American League.

They had secretly aimed for the top spot in the American League, but their poor performance in the final two games prevented them from achieving their goal.

“It’s disappointing, but it can’t be helped. The manager gave the starting members a rest, so what else could we do?”

This was what Mike from the Baseball R&D team said to Ji-seop at a small gathering to celebrate the end of the regular season.

“But it’s not bad for us. Thanks to that, we can avoid meeting Boston or the Yankees in the Division Series.”

It was a discussion about the postseason schedule, which was confirmed at the same time as the end of the regular season.

“Boston got the 4th seed, and the Yankees got the 5th seed… By the time those guys meet us, they’ll be completely exhausted.”

First, the two teams had to face each other in a best-of-three Wild Card Series.

The winner would then play a best-of-five Division Series against the AL’s top-seeded team.

And only after winning that could they meet the Tampa Bay Rays in the best-of-seven Championship Series.

“In my experience, it’s best to meet AL East teams as late as possible. Games tend to get strangely heated when we face them…”

Stamina gets drained, emotions get spent, and fans react intensely to every play.

Of course, that would help the series become a hit, but the front office people didn’t seem to particularly welcome it.

For them, the best strategy would be to head to the World Series as smoothly as possible.

“Ah, that’s right…”

The team employee, who had been rambling on about the upcoming postseason, picked up a piece of cake from the table and turned to Ji-seop.

“Kim! Speaking of Boston… I reported the photo you sent me yesterday to the assistant general manager.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Ji-seop put down his tea.

“I was a little unsure… But it seems it was useful data after all.”

“Of course! Isn’t this a time when each team is tightly holding onto information and not releasing it? In times like these, even a single photo becomes a valuable source of information.”

As Mike expressed his gratitude to Ji-seop, David Wilson, who was sitting next to him, slyly joined the conversation.

“Are you talking about that photo? The practice bat photo Kim took at the Korean Association?”

“Yes, that’s it. The practice bat Ryu used in Boston.”

Mike nodded in response, but David Wilson showed a less-than-enthusiastic reaction.

“Can we trust that? I heard you won it at an online auction site… Isn’t that a place full of fakes?”

David continued, glancing at Ji-seop.

“It’s not that I don’t trust Kim’s eyes, but that’s the truth, isn’t it? There are so many guys who deceive so perfectly, and how would a player like Ryu give his practice bat to someone so willingly…”

“That’s right, so we’re also estimating the probability at about 50%.”

The probability that Ryu Jang-ho actually used the bat for training is 50%.

The probability that the bat was manipulated in some way is also 50%.

That was Mike’s story.

“Honestly, it’s not a high probability, but as I said, this is a time when all information is blocked. We can’t completely ignore it.”

He continued.

“What if that bat is real? What if Ryu is using a much heavier practice bat than usual? And what if the results of that training appear in some form during the game?”

It would be too late to prepare then.

Mike’s eyes were serious.

“At that time, Ryu will be a completely different player from the one we knew.”

* * *

Although they have no World Series championship experience, the Tampa Bay Rays are like regular guests at the postseason.

So, the people of this team seemed to know empirically without having to cite various reasons.

‘The postseason is unpredictable.’

A pitcher who was unremarkable during the regular season may suddenly activate ace mode.

Conversely, a player who showed tremendous play throughout the season may suddenly lose his strength.

Since there have been quite a few such experiences, isn’t that why they react sensitively to even my trivial tip?

‘Of course, there’s also the fact that we absolutely have to win this season…’

Thinking that, Ji-seop was moving towards the mailbox installed in front of the team’s office.

Since he came all the way here, he intended to pick up the mail that came in for the Future Strategy Planning division.

As he was about to pick up the official documents and notices that filled the mailbox that day, one envelope suddenly caught Ji-seop’s eye.

‘What is this?’

It was quite a luxurious envelope.

How should I put it? Even the wedding invitations of senior and junior players who succeeded in the pros weren’t of this quality.

The envelope was made of paper that looked expensive, and ornate patterns were decorated with gold leaf here and there.

It was surprising that such a letter came to him, but what was even more surprising was the sender of this letter.

‘Nicholas Weiner II?’

He was the special advisor to the general manager of the New York Yankees.

Ji-seop’s classmate in the MBA program at Fort Myers University.

He was the very guy who had a war of nerves as the representative of each team in the Vincent Hyama recruitment battle a few months ago.

‘Why did Nicholas send me a letter?’

With the other mail tucked under his arm, Ji-seop tore open the letter in question and began to read it.

In fact, there was nothing special about the content. It was printed with content such as being able to finish a season well thanks to you, and thanking you for your help so far, roughly like that.

But this was a letter that anyone could see was sent to New York Yankees officials or sponsors, and there didn’t seem to be any particular reason to send it to Ji-seop.

‘……What are you thinking?’

If the person in question was in front of him, he would have stared intently into the guy’s eyes, but unfortunately, he was far away in New York.

So there weren’t many options. As he was walking while staring blankly at the ceiling, Ji-seop took out his cell phone from his pocket.

-Ah, are you talking about that?

When Ji-seop asked what the heck was going on, the answer given by the New York Yankees’ special advisor to the general manager was as follows.

-Haha, there’s no special meaning. I was just sending thank-you letters to those who had been helpful during the season… and suddenly Kim’s name came to mind.

“Ah, is that so? I thought…….”

Come to think of it, KH Cannons’ general manager Seo Chang-ki seemed to have sent a similar letter.

To people from the club’s partner companies, major reporters from each media company, or people working at the league office.

Clearly, Seo Chang-ki sent letters of appreciation to the general managers and CEOs of other clubs at that time, so the letter Ji-seop received could be seen in a similar context.

“Well, anyway… thank you.”

Until this time, Ji-seop thought it was a pretty good thing, and he was thinking about doing this from next year.

“Still, receiving a letter with the New York Yankees logo so big makes me feel like I’m working in the major leagues, which isn’t bad. Ah, are you coming to class next week? The professor told me to be sure to attend class even if I’m busy…….”

-Yes, I will go. Our general manager also told me not to miss class.

Special Advisor Nicholas Weiner answering with a polite attitude as usual.

-Ah, Kim! I’m sorry, but… Could you keep it a secret from the other classmates that I sent that letter?

“Why? Didn’t you send letters to other people?”

Ji-seop chuckled.

“Hey, you should have taken care of them a little bit. It doesn’t cost much to send a letter…….”

-No, it costs quite a lot.

Nicholas said firmly.

-That’s a valuable item in its own way. I can’t send it indefinitely.

“Really? No, what’s so valuable about it? Is it used for collecting like stamps?”

-No, not that… You can exchange it for a ticket.

Nicholas continued.

-If the World Series is held at Yankee Stadium later, people who receive this letter will be provided with tickets. Two tickets per letter.”

“World Series tickets?”

At this very moment, a strange smile began to appear on Ji-seop’s lips.

He finally understood why Nicholas sent the letter only to him.

“A letter that can be exchanged for World Series tickets… Haha, now that I know, it’s a very precious item, isn’t it?”

Both the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees are clubs belonging to the American League.

It is impossible for the two clubs to go to the World Series at the same time.

So what does this mean?

“The New York Yankees are going to the World Series… Is that what you wanted to tell me?”

-No, that’s not it.

Even after the intention was clearly revealed, Nicholas maintained a polite attitude.

However, the meaning contained in the following words was quite ambitious.

-But if that day comes… Kim, I just wanted to invite you to Yankee Stadium.

“Ah, is that so?”

I thought it was just a thank-you letter sent without any meaning, but it turned out to be a challenge sent with quite a bit of determination.

Ji-seop chuckled at the seriousness of the Yankees’ special advisor.

“Isn’t it a little early to send a challenge?”

Ji-seop said.

“I heard that the Yankees have to go through a pretty rough process? Texas, which took first place in the league, is okay, but right now, you have to beat Boston in the Wild Card Series, right?”

-Texas is definitely a formidable opponent, but… Well, I don’t know if Boston will be a big threat.

Nicholas replied.

-Kim, don’t you know? Boston is losing a lot of strength right now. Eric McConnell, the fourth hitter, is also injured, and ace Ruben Acosta hasn’t been doing well lately.

His voice was full of confidence.

-Although we were at a slight disadvantage during the regular season, this series will be different. We’ll easily beat Boston, catch Texas, and then… Kim, I’m going to see you.

Ji-seop was unaware of the fact.

That someone who is the special advisor to the Yankees’ general manager was burning with this much rivalry towards him.

But this is also one of the fun things about working in a baseball team, Ji-seop raised the corners of his mouth and replied.

“Hey, I’ll see you in class next week… Why are you trying so hard to see me?”

Okay.

Ji-seop continued.

“It will be clear when we have class next week. Whether or not the New York Yankees will be able to meet us. I’ll look forward to it.”

-Yes, please look forward to it. Let’s make an autumn to remember.

That was how the Yankees’ special advisor was determined to win-Waaaaaaa!!!

Waaaaaaa!!!

Exactly four days later, Ji-seop was watching the TV broadcast with a bitter smile.

-This is the last out count, the game is over! The Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees and advance to the Division Series!!