A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 405

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good – Episode 405

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good – Episode 405 (405/512)

89. Another Sunshine Day (7)

John LaMar Taylor appeared, impeccably dressed in a sharp suit.

The card he presented to Ji-seop and David Wilson outlined a plan to form a lobbyist group.

“The name is ‘Another Sunshine Day for Tampa Bay,’ or ASDT for short.”

Another sunny day for Tampa Bay.

The name seemed to echo the Tampa Bay Rays’ sunny disposition and logo.

The group’s objective was to proactively support the construction of a new stadium, rather than passively accepting the potential relocation of the Tampa Bay Rays.

“After meeting Loren Ortega this time, I became convinced that the involvement of lobbyists is essential to persuade the city government or the assembly.”

John LaMar’s voice remained calm and measured.

“So, I reached out to my network and created a lobbyist group specifically for the Tampa Bay Rays. ASDT is the result.”

“Wait a minute! People you usually know? Are these the people listed here?!”

David exclaimed, flipping through the documents John LaMar had provided.

“Everyone has an impressive background? Some were judges, some were CEOs… What, this grandpa was the governor of Florida?!”

“Oh, that’s not too surprising. St. Petersburg has always been known as a haven for retirees, you know?”

Since retirees from all over the United States flocked to the area, it wasn’t particularly difficult to assemble such a distinguished membership.

John LaMar maintained an indifferent expression, but Ji-seop was reassessing the seemingly clueless owner’s son.

‘Even if they’re retired, they were highly successful in their careers… It couldn’t have been easy to convince them to join.’

Was it because he had strengthened his relationships by catching alligators for so long?

Was it his affable personality that swayed the hearts of these retired power players?

Or did John LaMar Taylor possess hidden talents?

As Ji-seop pondered, John LaMar continued with a determined look.

“It’s true that the timeline was tight, but I didn’t just randomly add names to the list.”

He emphasized that only individuals with genuine affection for the Tampa Bay Rays and who understood the need for a new stadium were welcomed as members of the group.

“I believe the existence of ASDT will greatly benefit the Tampa Bay Rays in the long run. Negotiations with the city government will gain traction, and attracting sponsors will become significantly easier. So, Kim…”

John LaMar turned his gaze towards Ji-seop.

“At the team strategy meeting next week… could you voice your opposition to the relocation to Nashville?”

“Hey, LaMar!”

Before Ji-seop could respond, David interjected, his voice rising.

“Don’t you realize? Relocation is a golden opportunity for you! It’s a chance to finally earn your father’s recognition. Are you really going to throw that away?”

“…….”

“Everything is in place! The city government is on board, and the local residents are enthusiastic… It’s practically a done deal! Why are you choosing such a difficult path?”

Up until now, John LaMar had always shrunk back like a turtle whenever David started to lecture him.

But today was different. John LaMar stood his ground, refusing to yield to David’s criticism, and kept his gaze fixed on Ji-seop.

“At first, it was simply… because I didn’t want to leave my hometown.”

John LaMar confessed.

“I was born in New York, but I grew up in St. Petersburg… Honestly, I’m deeply attached to this city. I don’t want to move somewhere else.”

Ji-seop understood the strong connection that Floridians often had with their home state.

John LaMar, Brett Evans, and Benjamin Oznovich, the general manager of Philadelphia, all shared a special fondness for their hometowns.

“But now it’s more than just about my hometown. There’s an even more compelling reason.”

And then, John LaMar said something that Ji-seop hadn’t anticipated.

“Kim, like you… I want to earn the respect of others. I want to become that kind of person in the future.”

“…Excuse me?”

Ji-seop blinked, surprised, but John LaMar seemed completely serious.

“I didn’t realize it before, but I became acutely aware of it while preparing the fact-finding mission – the immense trust that the team members place in you, Kim.”

“…….”

“Everyone values your opinion. Even after extensive deliberation, they seem convinced by your words.”

He continued, his voice filled with sincerity.

“For a while, I felt a sense of pride. Kim is a member of our future strategy planning department. And it was me who brought you in. So, I was a little arrogant…”

At some point,

an emotion surfaced unexpectedly.

“I envied you, Kim. A lot.”

John LaMar’s expression was earnest.

“I envy the way people listen intently to your ideas, and I envy how smoothly negotiations proceed when your name is mentioned… So, I started to think.”

How can I become like Kim?

How can I earn the trust of others like Kim?

No, before that, how did Kim become a respected member of the front office in the Tampa Bay Rays?

“As I pondered, I remembered the first thing that brought you attention.”

Victor Johnson Jr.

John LaMar mentioned the ‘pitch researcher’ who was now the ace pitcher of the Tampa Bay Rays.

“At that time, everyone said it was impossible. We couldn’t change Victor Johnson’s mind… But you stubbornly took on the challenge and ultimately gained the recognition of the coaches by succeeding.”

Ji-seop barely remembered the details, but John LaMar seemed to recall that day vividly.

“What if you had simply given up on Victor Johnson? What if you had just accepted what everyone else said? Maybe you and I would still be directing traffic in the parking lot?”

Parking guidance.

Parking guidance, huh.

The memory of standing in the rain on opening day with a light stick was still fresh, so Ji-seop smiled faintly.

Recalling that embarrassing memory, he asked John LaMar a question.

“So, you’re going to take on the challenge of building a new stadium? Because it’s something that everyone says is difficult, something that everyone believes is impossible?”

“Yes! Exactly, Kim!”

John LaMar’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Relocation? As David pointed out, everything is already in place. And given my reputation, I wouldn’t receive much credit for simply going along with it.”

“…….”

“But building a new stadium is different. It’s been a struggle for over 20 years. If I can solve this, if I can build a truly great stadium and fill it with enthusiastic fans… Then, will I finally earn the respect of the Tampa Bay Rays?”

John LaMar looked at Ji-seop with burning eyes and clenched fists.

Ji-seop, who had been studying his expression, couldn’t help but smile.

‘……He’s changed.’

That much was clear.

‘I used to think he was just a well-meaning guy without any real ambition, but now he has a clear goal.’

Ji-seop wanted to commend him for that.

Considering his past pursuits of alligators, this was a significant step forward.

But as important as the matter was, Ji-seop had to ask the crucial question.

“Okay. You want to be recognized? I understand that.”

Swish.

The faint smile vanished from Ji-seop’s face.

“So LaMar, what benefits can we… that is, David and I, expect to receive?”

Ji-seop narrowed his eyes, his gaze intense.

“We’re willing to help you if possible. We have a history of loyalty, and we owe you a debt of gratitude. But you’re asking us to embark on a very challenging path alongside you.”

“…….”

“You will be recognized. But what do we get? What kind of reward does the director of the future strategy planning department intend to offer his team members?”

“Th, that’s…”

John LaMar hesitated, unable to answer immediately.

Had he not anticipated this question?

Ji-seop seized the opportunity to press his point.

“Ah…”

“Yes?”

“…Nothing.”

John LaMar seemed to have something prepared, but he needed the courage to reveal it.

Finally, he made up his mind and gave Ji-seop an answer with a somewhat forced expression.

“I’m sorry, Kim, I didn’t prepare any specific rewards.”

“You didn’t prepare anything?”

“No, I, I didn’t think it was necessary.”

He tried to appear confident, but his inner anxiety was evident.

“Wh, when the new stadium is completed, and the Tampa Bay Rays are no longer an unpopular team… your positions will be dramatically different from what they are now.”

John LaMar declared with conviction.

“In addition to winning the first championship in the team’s history, we will have transformed Tampa Bay, which has been an underdog for over 30 years. Do you think major league teams will simply overlook the front office staff who were instrumental in achieving that? Absolutely not.”

The members of the future strategy planning department will become the most sought-after front office personnel in the major leagues.

The members of the future strategy planning department will be the most respected front office personnel in the major leagues.

“So, I didn’t prepare any separate rewards. Instead, I promise you this: if you ever receive an offer from another team…”

Ninety-six hours.

John LaMar exclaimed, “96 hours!”

“I will grant you 96 hours of exclusive negotiation rights. How does that sound?”

“96 hours? Is that 72 hours plus 24 hours? Haha, this is…”

David Wilson gave a wry smile at John LaMar’s ambitious proposition.

He smiled, scratched the back of his head, and then turned his gaze towards Ji-seop.

It was a habit that David had developed over time – seeking Ji-seop’s judgment and following his lead.

“…Kim?”

David might have reacted differently if he had been the one to hear the offer, but Ji-seop wasn’t particularly interested in John LaMar’s proposal at that moment.

Instead of focusing on John LaMar’s grand vision, Ji-seop’s mind was filled with the faces of people he had encountered in the past.

“…….”

Perhaps it started with President Oh of [Superstar Baseball].

Then, there was President Choi, who came to purchase a glove.

And of course, ‘Sakhalin Park’ Vice Chairman Park Hong-joo came to mind, as did Arthur Freeman and Director Seo Chang-ki.

Each of them had been the target of Ji-seop’s persuasion, and ultimately, they had all aligned with his vision.

As he recalled their faces one by one, Ji-seop reflected on his past interactions.

‘I thought I had… completely convinced them.’

Of course, he had believed that to be the case.

Because he could understand their inner thoughts.

Because he had engaged in conversations while being attuned to their perspectives.

But now, he saw things in a slightly different light.

‘I couldn’t have known exactly how persuasive my words truly were.’

Looking at John LaMar’s expression, he realized something.

His argument had flaws. In essence, it offered no tangible compensation. One wouldn’t even need 96 hours for transfer negotiations.

Yet, John LaMar was acting as if he had presented an irresistible offer, as if his proposal was flawless and represented a great negotiation.

Seeing that triumphant expression, Ji-seop couldn’t help but reflect on his past self.

‘Was I… like that too?’

He could understand the other person’s mind, but he lacked social experience.

He knew their thoughts, but he was unfamiliar with the inner workings of large organizations.

He might have believed his logic was impeccable, but in reality, his arguments might have contained numerous flaws.

Nevertheless, the fact that he had consistently succeeded without a single failure might be attributed to-

‘Did those stubborn old men… show me some leniency?’

Of course, he couldn’t be certain.

Perhaps he possessed exceptional talent that overshadowed any minor flaws.

Or perhaps the others were less perceptive than he had assumed, and they simply didn’t notice those imperfections.

However, the fact that he had come so far in just three years, the fact that he, who had been dismissed from the Chinese semi-pro league, was now standing on the stage of major league baseball.

As he reflected on this remarkable journey, Ji-seop gained a newfound understanding.

The subtle leniency he had unknowingly received along the way.

“…….”

Was that the reason?

He had sensed that it would be a difficult and challenging path.

Ji-seop smiled warmly at his colleague, who had been following him all this time.

“96 hours… that might be a pretty good offer.”

“Re, really?!”

Ji-seop slowly extended his hand towards John LaMar, who looked at him with an expression of pure joy.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

A feat that no one had accomplished in the past 30 years.

Something that was considered utterly impossible here in Florida.