A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 380

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good – Episode 380

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good Episode 380

86 Powerful, Truly Powerful (3)

The next morning.

Jisub was visiting the suite of Brian Spann, the general manager, located on the 17th floor of the away team’s hotel.

It was to report the information he had received from Ronnie Cordell of the Baltimore Orioles the previous day.

“Hmm, I see.”

The general manager, who appeared in a neat suit despite the early hour.

After hearing Jisub’s report, he stared at the monitor screen and continued in a calm voice.

“An employee who was in charge of pitching design for the Baltimore Orioles moved to the Philadelphia Phillies at the end of the regular season? That’s definitely something we can’t ignore.”

He turned his gaze to Deputy General Manager Rebecca Carney, who was standing next to Jisub.

“If it’s the employee who was in charge of pitching design, we should assume they know everything about Vincent Hiyama, right?”

“Yes, that’s likely.”

Carney nodded.

“The information that Vincent has been preparing the knuckle curve for a long time has probably already been shared with Philadelphia. Information such as ball distribution in critical situations and the player’s personal tendencies would have been passed on as well. But the most worrying part is……”

The general manager seemed to easily grasp what she was about to say.

“Pitch tipping?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m thinking……”

Pitch tipping.

It’s what’s more commonly known as a ‘pitching habit’ or ‘kuse’ [a subtle tell in a pitcher’s motion] in Korea.

Jisub, during his KH Cannons days, had worked hard to catch the tipping of the opposing ace pitcher.

“Usually, pitch tipping is noticed first by front office staff, especially those in data or video analysis.”

The deputy general manager sighed briefly.

“Of course, Vincent Hiyama’s pitching form is very clean. As far as I know, he doesn’t have any particular habits. But the timing of Benjamin Oznovich’s hiring of that employee is too coincidental……”

“I see. I understand.”

It was a serious problem.

Vincent Hiyama was the player they gave up the team’s top prospect to acquire for the World Series win.

Moreover, he would soon be eligible for free agency, so Tampa Bay could only use him until this postseason.

But that player’s habits were exposed? If things went wrong, the long-built tower could collapse.

Jisub, who had led the trade, felt his mouth dry, but surprisingly, General Manager Brian Spann was wearing a soft smile.

“Let’s start by doing what we can, one step at a time.”

He said.

“Rebecca, please meet with Manager Clemblaus first. Share the information we just discussed and help the manager prepare accordingly.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And… Kim, if I remember correctly, the Future Strategy Planning Department was scheduled to take a flight this morning, right?”

“That’s right.”

They were going to check the condition of the pitchers who would start in Games 3-4-5.

Therefore, the Future Strategy Planning Department was scheduled to return to St. Petersburg ahead of the team.

However, General Manager Brian Spann seemed to be assigning them a slightly different task.

“I’m sorry, but I’d like you to go to the stadium today and support the Third Power Analysis Team.”

“The Third Power Analysis Team…”

These were the people who were called the ‘Game Support Team’.

They waited right behind the clubhouse and were responsible for finding and sending data requested by the field staff during the game.

“If Oznovich has prepared something, the Third Power Analysis Team will be the busiest today, right? There will be a barrage of data requests from the field.”

“Ah, that’s right. I understand.”

Unlike usual, Jisub’s facial expression was not very bright as he received the instructions.

His mind seemed to be complicated. In the second game of the World Series, he didn’t know what the opponent would bring.

But for now, it was time to move. Just as he was about to get up from his seat with a heavy expression.

“Kim?”

The general manager called him.

“Yes, sir.”

“Can I ask you for one last difficult favor?”

“A difficult… favor?”

Jisub blinked.

“Tell me, what is it?”

“Today… no, from now on…”

And the general manager’s ‘difficult request’ that followed was quite strange.

“I’d like you to manage your facial expressions in front of the players and fellow employees.”

“…Excuse me?”

Jisub tilted his head.

Facial expression management. It was the first time he had ever heard such a request in his life.

“I have no idea what you mean…”

“It means exactly what it says. No matter what happens, no matter what trouble arises… I want you to always have a confident and dignified expression from now on.”

There was a reason why the general manager singled out Jisub for this request.

“Kim, I think you have a vague idea by now.”

He continued.

“Our Tampa Bay Rays players, coaching staff, and front office staff… to varying degrees, everyone trusts you.”

“No, why are you suddenly saying this…”

Jisub waved his hand at the sudden praise, but the general manager had a strong supporter.

“That’s right.”

It was Deputy General Manager Rebecca Carney.

“The employees of our Baseball R&D team listen to Kim’s suggestions. Those guys always argue with everything I say.”

She gave a faint smile.

“Well, it’s no wonder. How many great things has Kim shown this season? From Victor Johnson to the recent Ground Phantom incident.”

“Haha, that’s right. Puckkill, was it? That dog with the amazing name?”

The general manager, who was laughing heartily as he recalled Bokgil, soon looked at Jisub with a serious expression.

“Kim, that’s why I’m telling you this.”

At his unusually serious gaze, Jisub could no longer wave his hand.

“Whether it’s the upcoming second game or after that… if any trouble arises in the team, people will naturally look to you.”

Because of the achievements he had made.

Because of the results he had achieved.

The general manager continued.

“If you show a flustered or embarrassed expression at that time, the confusion of the team members will be aggravated. It will be regarded as a problem that even their most trusted colleague cannot easily handle.”

“Then, in that case…”

As Jisub trailed off, General Manager Brian Spann responded with a loud ‘Yes!’

“You have to have a bright expression. Not even raising an eyebrow is not bad, and laughing heartily is even better. The more confident you look, the more the team members can relax and focus on their work.”

What do you think?

Will you grant my request?

Jisub, who received the general manager’s question, could not help but pause for a moment.

“…”

In fact, it was something he should do.

That’s what Jisub thought.

If the team members trusted him so much, if his expression could have such a big impact.

What’s the big deal about pretending to be okay?

‘Well, that’s true, but…’

However, one thing that bothered Jisub was the advice people had given him when he came to the United States.

Americans don’t ‘take care of things’ unless you specifically ask them to. You have to advocate for your own achievements to get what you deserve.

He also needed to establish himself in the major leagues as soon as possible, so shouldn’t he ask for something more when he received this request?

Yes, Jisub momentarily had a greedy thought, but-

At this point,

Jisub had become someone who didn’t need to go out of his way to do that.

“Kim, let me just say this.”

Perhaps noticing Jisub’s hesitation.

General Manager Brian Spann smiled strangely and said this.

“Have you ever thought about why each team gives a different title to the head of the front office?”

“…Excuse me?”

What is he talking about?

Jisub narrowed his eyes.

“Isn’t that right? Our Tampa Bay is the General Manager, and Baltimore and Toronto are the President of Baseball Operations. But the Yankees and Boston just have a General Manager as the head.”

“That’s true now that you mention it, but…”

“That’s because there are so many attempts to bring in talented people from other teams in Major League Baseball.”

The general manager continued.

“The Yankees and Boston don’t have to worry much. They can protect their talent with the team’s name value alone. But small teams like us have to constantly promote them to keep people.”

A person who would be a director in another team is given the title of Deputy General Manager.

A person who would be a Deputy General Manager in another team is given the title of General Manager.

As they continued to move up like this, Tampa Bay’s head eventually got the fancy title of General Manager.

“Kim, the same goes for you.”

The general manager continued.

“I haven’t told you this before, but I’ve been getting quite a few calls from other team front offices these days. Calls asking about you. Calls asking how many years are left on your contract.”

“…”

“If this continues, it’s obvious that Major League Baseball teams will use all means to recruit you… To protect our team’s precious talent, I am preparing a groundbreaking promotion.”

And,

The general manager said.

“Kim, I’m going to give you the title of Deputy General Manager… What do you think? Are you willing to take on the role?”

“D-Deputy General Manager?”

Jisub was momentarily speechless.

He never dreamed that such an offer would come out in this place.

“I’ve already received approval from the team owner, and I’ve finished talking with key front office members, including Rebecca here.”

“B-But…”

“That’s right. There will definitely be a backlash, right? After all, it’s promoting someone who has only been with our team for a year to Deputy General Manager.”

And the next moment, Jisub could see why the general manager mentioned the promotion in this place.

“So Kim, this World Series… I hope you can prove your ability.”

The general manager said.

“When I announce your promotion, I want you to pour out everything you have so that there are no complaints from anywhere in the team, but rather everyone sends congratulations and encouragement.”

Having said all this, General Manager Brian Spann repeated the question he had asked a little while ago.

“What do you think? Will you grant my request now?”

He would give him the title of Deputy General Manager, so he was instructing him to manage his facial expressions from now on.

He would give him the title of Deputy General Manager, so he meant that he should care about everyone in the team from now on.

And above all, he would give him the title of Deputy General Manager, so he was instructing him to somehow lead the team to win this World Series.

“T-That’s…”

Jisub could only hesitate a little at the proposal that far exceeded his expectations.

Perhaps the answer to this question was predetermined from the beginning.

“I’ll… try.”

Jisub raised his head.

“No matter what Philadelphia comes up with… I will definitely find a breakthrough.”