The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good – Episode 394
The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good, Episode 394
88 Harvest Season (2)
The Tampa Bay Rays’ championship win became a major topic not only in the baseball world but also throughout American society.
Talks emerged about the rebellion of a small-market team, a demonstration of bold investment, and a renewed understanding of innovation through Tampa Bay.
As various stories about Tampa Bay’s victory poured out.
“……”
Park Hong-ju, the acting owner and CEO of the KH Cannons, also known as ‘Sakhalin Park,’ was visiting the Nishikawa Stadium in Okinawa, Japan.
It was to meet with Arthur Freeman, the manager who was leading the finishing training in Okinawa after a disappointing elimination in the playoffs.
“I received a report from Director Seo. You plan to spend this winter in Korea instead of going to the United States.”
Tap, tap, tap.
While watching the players who were in the middle of batting practice, Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju spoke to Manager Freeman.
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to spend the end of the year with your family at home? Unlike California, the cold in Korea is no joke.”
“Haha, I’ve heard the stories. They say it’s a truly brutal cold.”
The weather that day was not exactly warm either.
Arthur Freeman pulled up his winter gloves and replied.
“But I really want to give it my best shot this winter. The upcoming season will be an important turning point for our KH Cannons.”
“Turning point?”
“That’s right. Following Ryu Jang-ho and Jimmy Morris leaving for the United States last year, Captain Chun Jin-woo has announced his retirement this year, hasn’t he?”
Besides that, quite a few players left the team due to FA [Free Agent] contracts, trades, or releases.
Which ultimately means-
“It means it’s time to reorganize the team as a whole. If this succeeds, we will consistently challenge for championships as a prestigious club, but if it fails even by any chance…….”
“It means we’ll go back to the old days. As the perennial underdog team, the KH Cannons.”
I understand.
Sakhalin Park nodded.
“If that’s what you think, Manager, I’ll make my own preparations. Please tell Director Seo Chang-gi about any necessary parts at any time.”
“Thank you, Vice Chairman.”
With Manager Freeman slightly bowing his head, the conversation between the two was briefly interrupted.
Lee Soo-bin, who was practicing batting in the batting cage, sent a ball flying with tremendous distance.
“Oho.”
“Hehe.”
Watching the parabola stretching far into the eastern sky, the two nodded silently for a while.
Did that home run remind them of something? Sakhalin Park and Manager Freeman opened their mouths at almost the same time.
“Manager, perhaps…….”
“Vice Chairman, by the way…….”
Although they are different in age and culture, it is always embarrassing when words overlap.
After a moment of awkwardness, Sakhalin Park lightly waved his hand.
“Please, go ahead. What is it?”
“Yes, it’s not that, but…….”
Swoosh.
Manager Freeman took out his cell phone, manipulated something, and handed it to Sakhalin Park.
“When I came to work this morning…… I saw this picture posted on the Major League official website.”
“Ohora.”
Sakhalin Park narrowed his eyes and looked at the phone screen.
A meaningful expression appeared on his face immediately after.
“Hehe, this is quite a coincidence. I was going to show you this picture, Manager.”
With that, Sakhalin Park showed his phone screen to the manager.
Then, a pleasant laughter of ‘hahahaha’ erupted between the two.
“It’s a similar picture.”
“Isn’t it practically the same picture?”
That’s right. It was almost the same picture.
What Manager Freeman and Sakhalin Park had brought to show each other that day was a photo capturing the moment when the Tampa Bay Rays won the championship.
More precisely, it was a photo of Ji-seop shaking hands firmly with President Brian Span in the stands.
“I was really surprised to see the picture. It’s amazing that the Tampa Bay Rays won the championship, but I never expected Kim Special Advisor to be shaking hands with Brian Span.”
“Is he a famous person?”
Sakhalin Park pointed to the phone screen and asked.
“I mean the person shaking hands with…… no, Kim Special Advisor.”
“Of course, he has a great reputation. He is one of the top three general managers in Major League Baseball.”
“Ah, is that so?”
At Manager Freeman’s words, a satisfied smile spread across Sakhalin Park’s face.
‘Yes, that’s right. If he’s going to be the general manager of our KH Cannons…… he should be showing this kind of image.’
It was as if a promising player he had picked out had hit a bases-loaded [満塁] home run in the Major League.
While Sakhalin Park was quietly nodding and putting his phone away, Manager Freeman asked again.
“Shouldn’t you make a congratulatory call?”
Manager Freeman knew Ji-seop and Sakhalin Park’s relationship well.
“I think Kim Special Advisor would be very happy to receive a call from the Vice Chairman…….”
“Oh my, what are you talking about?”
Sakhalin Park put on a seemingly stubborn expression.
“No, Manager! Do we have to make a congratulatory call to that guy? He should be reporting to us by phone!”
“Is, is that so?”
“Yes! Manager, you shouldn’t be so protective of him either. You know how rude that guy is…….”
Sakhalin Park initially seemed to be firm.
However, before long, he was revealing his true feelings.
“Even if we make a congratulatory call now, it’s not the right time for him to receive it comfortably, is it?”
Sakhalin Park smiled faintly.
“Even though they won the championship…… the front office people must be incredibly busy.”
* * *
It was just as Sakhalin Park had said.
Although they had achieved the World Series championship, the Tampa Bay Rays people were moving busily.
The players were relatively better off. After returning from Philadelphia to Florida, they had entered a period of rest.
However, the front office people were in a situation where they couldn’t even dream of resting.
First, they had to handle the flood of media interview requests and allocate personnel to attend the celebratory events held in various places.
In addition, they had to prepare for the championship parade scheduled for next week, prepare for salary negotiations, and sort out the FA [Free Agent] list, which roughly exceeded 1,000 people.
The Future Strategy Planning Division was also being given a new mission.
“I would like the Future Strategy Planning Division to be fully responsible for the team’s visit to the White House.”
It was the second day after the World Series championship was decided.
Before the hangover from drinking to death the day before had even subsided, President Brian Span gave instructions to the people in the Future Strategy Planning Division, including Ji-seop.
“Wh, White House, did you say?”
The first to react was John LaMar Taylor.
“No, President! Can we handle something like that? We have almost no experience in that area…….”
“LaMar, do you know what?”
President Brian Span said.
“It’s really unfortunate…… but our Tampa Bay Rays have absolutely no experience visiting the White House.”
It was a natural thing.
This was their first championship.
This was also the first time they were visiting the White House at the invitation of the President.
Some staff members had experience from other teams, but even then, they were not the ones who led the project.
“So I decided to entrust it to you. The Future Strategy Planning Division has strengths in many ways.”
First of all, John LaMar’s presence seemed to have played a relatively large role.
Whatever the case, he was the owner’s only son. He was a person who was suitable to be shown externally.
In addition, it was said that Ji-seop’s connections with the Boston front office were also taken into consideration.
The Boston Red Sox were last year’s champions. The people who knew the atmosphere of the White House best were them.
The rules and etiquette change depending on the president. To get the latest information, the help of the Boston Red Sox was essential.
“And above all…… it was because it was judged that the Future Strategy Planning Division is the most capable of improvisation.”
The president continued.
“This White House visit is not just a congratulatory event. It is an opportunity to promote our Tampa Bay Rays throughout the United States and a chance to build relationships with influential politicians.”
Everyone remembers, right?
The president’s eyes narrowed.
“Our Tampa Bay Rays will soon be entering into negotiations with the St. Petersburg city government. Negotiations related to the construction of the new stadium.”
It meant that many politicians who could influence the negotiations would be attending.
It meant that they had to be well-versed in order to take the lead in future negotiations.
To do that, the important thing was improvisation, the ability to flexibly respond to unexpected situations.
“Hoo.”
David Wilson’s low sigh could be heard from behind Ji-seop.
Was it quite a burden for David, who had only thought about baseball all his life?
John LaMar, who was always smiling without thinking, also seemed a little frozen at the word ‘White House.’
President Brian Span, noticing the atmosphere, said in a soft voice.
“There’s no need to be so nervous. I will actively support you.”
If the president supported them, the situation would improve a little.
And one more thing.
“Besides…… this is also a kind of reward for the Future Strategy Planning Division.”
“A reward…… did you say?”
At Ji-seop’s question, the president nodded lightly.
“That’s right. Originally, only players are allowed to bring their families when visiting the White House. Even I and the owner cannot bring our families.”
It wasn’t exactly made into a rule, but it was said to be common sense in Major League Baseball.
Even with just the players and their families, the number of people far exceeded 100, so they had no choice but to impose restrictions.
“But special permission is granted to employees who have directly contacted the White House. They can visit with their families like the players.”
It was a story that their families would also experience it.
A White House tour where the First Lady personally guides them.
A lunch with the American presidential couple.
And even a small souvenir that the President personally gives out.
“……헐 [Heol – Korean slang for ‘wow’].”
“……대박 [Daebak – Korean slang for ‘jackpot’ or ‘amazing’].”
Colleague employees each uttered exclamations in low voices.
Ji-seop was quietly smiling inside at the simple reaction.
“Hmm?”
John LaMar raised his hand.
“President, what about Kim?”
It seemed like he was worried about Ji-seop.
“Kim’s family is far away in Korea, right? It would be difficult to visit the White House with a one- or two-day schedule…….”
“Yes, I was just about to ask that.”
Just like an uncle who came to meet his nephew with Christmas presents.
It was at this moment that President Brian Span looked at Ji-seop with warm eyes.
“Kim, what do you think?”
He asked.
“Would it be okay for the club to invite your family to the United States?”