A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 369

369. Over the River, Watching the Tiger Fight (5)

The Tampa Bay Rays’ opponent in the Division Series was the Minnesota Twins, from the American League Central.

Before Game 1 of the series, the team’s manager, Larry Randolph, said the following at a press conference:

“Yes, I admit it. Looking at pure power, it’s true that our Minnesota team is slightly behind.”

Larry Randolph, 67 years old this year.

Like the veteran manager who had been through it all, he wore a very sly expression.

“It can’t be helped. Our Minnesota team is always thinking about the future… Unlike some teams, we couldn’t strengthen our team by mortgaging its future.”

Later, Tampa Bay’s public relations department reportedly debated whether to officially protest this comment.

“Well, so we expect to be somewhat behind in the early going… But in my experience, baseball is all about momentum. Especially in a short series like this.”

I think the turning point is coming.

A turning point that will completely change the flow.

It was manager Larry Randolph’s prediction.

“We don’t need much. Just once! When that one turning point comes, we will pour everything into it. And that will change the entire direction of this series.”

Turning point, turning point, turning point.

In the press conference that lasted about 10 minutes, manager Larry Randolph mentioned the word ‘turning point’ a whopping 17 times.

Perhaps that’s why, throughout the Division Series, Ji-seop could hear the following comments on the broadcast:

– Ah, is it now?

– Is this the turning point that manager Larry Randolph was talking about?!

Even when Minnesota had a bases-loaded chance with one out in Game 1, trailing 4-0.

Even in Game 2, when Vincent Hiayama stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 9th inning with the score tied 0-0.

Even in the subsequent Game 3, when Tampa Bay starter Brett Evans struggled greatly from the beginning, the ‘turning point’ story invariably came up.

Wow!!!

Wow!!!

When the cheers suddenly erupted and the TV screen was turned to, the following comments were heard as if by agreement.

– A double play, a double play! Minnesota Twins miss a golden opportunity!

– Ah, this hit is huge! It’s very big! The center fielder is running as hard as he can, but the fence is blocking his way! A walk-off home run, Tampa Bay Rays!!!

– A swing and a miss!! The bat cuts through the air! Three outs, change of sides! Brett Evans safely overcomes the early crisis!

Every time the commentators mentioned a turning point, this was the result, so there was no need to watch the rest of the series.

The Tampa Bay Rays swept the series, advancing to the American League Championship Series with three straight wins.

Minnesota Twins manager Larry Randolph had no choice but to admit defeat.

“Ahem, well… The Tampa Bay Rays were a much better team than I expected.”

At the press conference held immediately after Game 3.

Manager Larry Randolph continued with a short sigh.

“I apologize to the fans who supported us. We will definitely be able to achieve better results next year…”

Recognition of the opposing team, gratitude to the fans, and a statement of determination for next season.

It was a bland comment, and therefore a bland press conference.

Until some clueless guy raised his hand.

“Um… Manager?”

Was his name Sam, or Bob?

Anyway, he was said to be a young reporter belonging to the Tampa Bay press corps [press representatives].

“Ah, a question?”

“Yes, it’s a question about your tactics in this series, but I’m not sure if I should ask…”

“It’s okay. Go ahead and say it. At my age, should I block reporters’ questions?”

Heh heh heh heh.

Larry Randolph, who had been maintaining a relaxed expression until this point.

However, the next moment, his face reportedly stiffened.

“So… when was your ‘turning point’ in this series?”

And then, one more word.

“You said you would take a bold gamble when the turning point came, but I don’t think there was such a scene.”

“T, turning point?”

Ahem.

An uncomfortable groan leaked from between the Minnesota manager’s thick lips.

* * *

About two hours later.

Ji-seop was in the Tampa Bay Rays’ away accommodation with his colleagues from the Future Strategy Planning Department.

“So? What did that bulldog old man say?”

“What could he say? He probably just coughed ‘ahem’ and ran away!”

“Hahaha, it’s a good thing we won three straight games! Isn’t it? If we had given up even one win, what would that old man have said?”

The accommodation was noisy with the sound of players talking.

The joy of winning three straight games, the joy of getting even a few days of rest, and above all, the joy of giving that hateful Minnesota manager a good blow.

“…….”

“…….”

Originally, the people from the Future Strategy Planning Department had gathered to simply have a celebratory drink, but their celebration lasted less than 10 minutes.

Just as they were about to sit down with a can of beer each and ‘cheers,’ the Baseball Operations Department sent over a game analysis report.

The report was on Game 3 of the Division Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers, which was taking place far away in Massachusetts at the same time.

“We’re still in a favorable situation… right?”

It was John Llama’s words.

“We finished the series with three straight wins, but they still have games left. Depending on the situation, it could go up to Game 5.”

“That’s right. We definitely have the advantage in terms of physical strength. However…”

David Wilson looked back at Ji-seop and said.

“Kim, Boston is tougher than I thought? I can’t believe they took a 2-0 lead against Texas first.”

He stroked his forehead with his finger.

“I thought the injuries to the starting fielders would have a big impact, but the backup members are surprisingly filling the gaps well. The bullpen, which was shaky at the beginning of the series, is gradually stabilizing. And above all…”

Ryu.

David Wilson smiled bitterly.

“Ryu’s momentum doesn’t seem to be dying down? At this rate, they’re going to be a real headache.”

“Really?”

John Llama interjected, manipulating his phone screen here and there.

“That Ryu guy didn’t have a hit today? He even had a strikeout.”

“Instead, he had two sacrifice flies. Both of them caught right in front of the fence.”

Ryu Jang-ho’s still-strong hitting ability. However, David Wilson seemed to be particularly concerned about something else.

“The hitting is better because the Baseball R&D team is coming up with countermeasures. What I’m worried about is his center field defense. That guy’s range is no joke…”

Swish.

David Wilson turned the tablet PC he was looking at and handed it to Ji-seop.

“Take a look. Although he didn’t have a hit today, I don’t know how many hits he stole from the Texas hitters.”

“Ah, really?”

Ji-seop received the tablet PC from David and started playing the video.

As Ryu Jang-ho’s performance of the day unfolded, the first to react was John Llama, who was watching the video over his shoulder.

“…헐 [Heol – Korean slang for ‘wow’].”

John Llama clicked his tongue.

“That guy is literally flying around? No, how many diving catches did he make in one game?”

“It seems like he’s really going for it. Like he’s determined not to give up a hit in center field…”

It was definitely an amazing defense.

He jumped to catch balls that seemed to completely split the left-center field.

He was also catching shallow flies between the second baseman and the center fielder while sliding on his back.

As John Llama said, Ryu Jang-ho was ‘flying around.’ Ji-seop was initially just surprised, but-

‘…Wait a minute.’

A strange feeling flashed through his mind.

Ji-seop raised his finger and started replaying the guy’s defensive video.

‘Sliding catch, diving catch. Yeah, each movement is definitely flashy, but…’

However,

One thing bothered him.

‘Has Jang-ho ever defended by throwing his body like this before?’

There was a time when he did.

Around the time he first met Ji-seop, until they spent their first season together.

However, if Ji-seop’s memory was correct, his defensive philosophy had changed significantly after the second season.

‘That’s right, Kyung Sun-woo. KH Cannons’ rookie right fielder.’

Ji-seop recalled that name, which he had forgotten for a while.

A player who was always able to play relaxed defense based on his uncanny ability to pinpoint the landing spot of the ball.

So, he was sometimes scolded by the coaching staff for ‘going to buy ramen for being too relaxed.’

‘After meeting Sun-woo, his style changed. He said he aims to catch the ball as safely as possible by predicting the landing point based on data…’

Then what is this situation?

Did the Boston Red Sox’s data analysts make a wrong prediction?

Or did the Texas Rangers’ hitters hit differently than usual?

So, was Ryu Jang-ho forced to throw his body with all his might to catch the ball, unlike usual?

‘Yeah, it’s not impossible, but…’

It was at this moment that Ji-seop’s eyes narrowed.

‘What if… that’s not the case?’

* * *

At the very same time that the Tampa Bay players were celebrating their advancement to the Championship Series.

At Fenway Park, the home stadium of the Boston Red Sox, a meeting of front office staff was in full swing.

Unlike Tampa Bay, who finished the series with three straight wins, the Boston staff had to prepare for the fourth game to be held tomorrow.

However, perhaps because they had secured a favorable position with two wins and one loss, their atmosphere was quite friendly.

“Jessica, no matter how much I think about it… I think your role was decisive this time.”

It was the Boston general manager’s words.

“Changing a hitter’s style is not easy, even if it takes months… To do it in just over a month.”

“Thank you, General Manager.”

Jessica Ross smiled.

“But that praise should go to Mr. Morales. It was entirely Mr. Morales’ leadership that increased Ryu’s long hit power.”

Jessica Ross is giving credit to the hitting instructor.

However, the opinions of other directors seemed to be slightly different.

“Hey, Jessica! You don’t have to be so humble here. Everyone can see that it’s your achievement.”

“Mr. Morales was the one who directly guided him, but you were the one who persuaded Ryu to receive that teaching, right?”

“Wow, I haven’t even had a proper conversation with Ryu yet… Jessica, what’s the secret? How can you gain the trust of the players?”

“Oh, why are you guys doing this.”

Jessica Ross waved her hands, shaking off the praise pouring in from her colleagues.

And just then, the meeting room door opened slightly, and one of the staff members poked his head out.

“Um… Director?”

It was a member of the Baseball R&D team.

“The game analysis data for today is out… Can I deliver it now?”

“Ah, yes! Give it to me.”

It seemed like a good time.

Jessica Ross quickly got up from her seat and received the report from the staff member.

As she was skimming through the report and returning to her seat, a vibration sound suddenly rang out in the conference room.

Buzz- Buzz- Buzz-

“Hmm? Who is it?”

“Whose phone is it?”

People tilted their heads and checked their phones.

Before long, people realized that the vibration was coming from Jessica’s phone.

“Jessica! I think you have a call?”

One of the team leaders glanced at the phone screen without much thought and burst out laughing.

“…Not an easy bastard?”

It was quite a unique name to save on a phone.

“No, Jessica! Who is it? Who did you save with this name?”

Funny and curious.

People looked at Jessica Ross with curious eyes.

Jessica gave a light bitter smile, saying, ‘There is, there is,’ and then took the phone in question.

Of course, you can’t answer the phone during a meeting. After pressing the call rejection button to turn off the vibration, she quickly started typing a message.

-I’m sorry, Kim.

-I’m in a meeting right now.

-What’s going on?

The main director of Boston sent a message and came to sit down.

And a little later, her eyes were slightly shaken as she checked the reply that came back.

-I’m contacting you because of Ryu Jang-ho.

-I think that guy has an injury, but has it been checked?

-If it hasn’t been checked, I recommend you get a thorough examination now.

It seemed like,

I should call back.

To the Tampa Bay Rays’ ‘not an easy bastard.’