A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 407

Rookie of the Baseball Team is Too Good 407

90. The Greatest Showman (1)

The [Tampa Bay Rays Museum], located on the first floor of Tropicana Field, was always a quiet place.

It was understandable when there were no games, but even on game days, not many people visited.

There was one reason: the actual items on display, despite the grand name of ‘Museum,’ weren’t particularly impressive.

At best, there were a few uniforms from the inaugural season, three or four signed balls from players who’d reached the postseason, and a replica of the locker room of players considered legends.

So much so that the museum’s website once prominently featured this humble message:

[The Tampa Bay Rays Museum will continue to improve in the future.]

[We will do our best to create a space that meets the aspirations of our fans.]

[If you have any items that could be displayed in the museum, please contact us at any time.]

While Major League Baseball team websites are usually filled with confident statements, this one uniquely used humble language.

It was almost a confession that there wasn’t much to see, sending a message dripping with self-deprecation.

In any case, the [Tampa Bay Rays Museum] was always in an awkward position due to its underwhelming exhibits.

However, about a month after the World Series ended and the hot stove league [the off-season period where player trades and signings occur] began…

Buzzing.

Wriggling.

The Tampa Bay Rays Museum was packed, with barely any room to move.

There were Tampa Bay team employees, reporters covering the team, some retired players, and a throng of excited fans.

Nearly 100 people gathered, their eyes shining with anticipation.

There was a good reason for this sudden surge in popularity.

That day, the Tampa Bay Rays Museum unveiled a new exhibition hall, prepared over the past month, dedicated to recreating the Tampa Bay Rays’ first World Series victory – that unforgettable moment of triumph.

“Wow, this is incredible!”

One of the fans exclaimed, looking around the new exhibition corner.

“Victor Johnson’s glove and Brett Evans’ uniform… Oh, is that the bat Vincent Hiyama used when he hit that home run?”

“The Tampa Bay folks must have really pulled out all the stops this time. I didn’t think they’d decorate the exhibition hall this much…”

“Haha, you’ve got to strike while the iron is hot, right? Our Tampa Bay team has gotten quite a bit of attention with this victory.”

The faces of the fans were filled with pride as they gazed at each exhibit.

About a month after the World Series victory, the memories, which had begun to fade, were vividly rekindled.

The World Series victory, once thought to be an impossible dream, had become a reality – a moment of profound emotion.

Just as everyone was immersed in happiness, reliving those memories, a different scene was unfolding in another corner of the museum.

“Hello, Brian! I’m Rob from Florida Today.”

Local media reporters had descended upon Tropicana Field that day.

They found Brian Spon, the general manager, who happened to be visiting the museum, and immediately surrounded him.

“The new exhibition hall is very impressive! I think Tampa Bay fans, and baseball fans visiting the stadium, will be very satisfied.”

The reporters initially expressed their admiration for the victory celebration exhibition.

However, the emotional victory of the past season was quickly overshadowed by more pressing concerns.

“But Brian, shouldn’t the plans for next season be taking shape soon? Other teams are already making moves.”

“Hmm, other teams… What specific moves are you referring to?”

Brian Spon, the general manager, seemed to have anticipated these questions.

Without showing any discomfort, he responded with a polite smile.

After hearing his response, the reporters began to bring up the free agent (FA) signings that had been announced in recent days.

“Didn’t the Yankees strengthen their starting lineup by acquiring John Ericman? The Red Sox also bolstered their roster by acquiring Jeff Tanzer.”

The local media reporters stared intently at Tampa Bay’s general manager.

“Compared to that, the Tampa Bay Rays haven’t made any significant acquisitions yet.”

“Ah.”

“Vincent Hiyama’s departure seems inevitable, so I think you need to quickly find someone to fill that void… Or perhaps, are you planning a rebuild this season?”

The reporters were asking direct, pointed questions.

Brian Spon, the general manager, couldn’t simply brush them off.

“No, that’s not the case.”

He stated firmly.

“This season, the Tampa Bay Rays plan to compete for a championship. However, we’ll be taking a slightly different approach than last year.”

Last season, they attempted to acquire a ‘championship-caliber player’ by trading away the team’s top prospect.

However, small-market teams like the Tampa Bay Rays can’t afford to use that strategy every year.

“The team is currently discussing ways to strengthen our roster internally. It’s difficult to give specifics right now, but we’ll contact you as soon as we have a plan. What was your name again?”

“Rob, it’s Rob.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

It was a common tactic used by Major League Baseball officials to end conversations with reporters: *I’ll remember your name, so let’s wrap this up.*

The reporter named ‘Rob’ seemed to recognize this tactic, nodding and stepping back.

“Thank you, then…”

Just as Brian Spon, the general manager, was about to leave with a slight smile, an Asian reporter who had been observing from the back suddenly raised his hand.

“Excuse me… Brian?! Can I ask just one more question?”

“You still have a question?”

Even Brian, who was skilled at handling the media, frowned slightly.

He was perhaps a little annoyed that the unspoken rules between the media and team officials had been broken.

“I, I’m sorry! But I couldn’t get a clear answer from anyone else…”

“What is it?”

The general manager asked, his eyes narrowed, but his sharp tone didn’t last long.

The Asian reporter, approaching hesitantly, mentioned a name that immediately caught his attention.

“Isn’t Kim Ji-seop… or rather, Kim, attending today’s event?”

“Kim?”

“Yes, Kim, who was recently appointed as the deputy general manager. I was supposed to have a brief interview with him today, but I suddenly couldn’t reach him.”

“Ah, Kim? You came to see Kim?”

The general manager’s expression brightened instantly.

Kim, the newly appointed deputy general manager, was always a welcome name for Brian Spon to hear.

The reporter asking the question was also of Korean descent, which made the general manager feel proud that Ji-seop’s name was becoming known in Korea.

However, aside from his personal feelings for Ji-seop, there was another reason for the strange smile that appeared on Brian Spon’s face.

“Haha! I’m sorry to say this, reporter, but I’m afraid it will be a little difficult to interview Deputy General Manager Kim today.”

“Difficult to interview? Why? I came all the way to Florida to meet Kim…”

“Yes, that’s the situation. I’ll contact you as soon as he returns, so please understand for today.”

While gently persuading the reporter, the general manager muttered to himself.

*Kim went to school this morning… after receiving a call from his professor.*

The general manager’s lips curled up.

*Because he completely bombed his final exams.*

* * *

To think that smart friend would be so terrible at written exams.

Around the same time that Brian Spon, the general manager, was quietly amused by this unexpected fact, Ji-seop was being scolded by Professor Kevin Pryor of Fort Myers University.

“Listen, Kim! Let me be clear! You won’t get a second chance.”

*Thud.*

The professor placed three thick books in front of Ji-seop.

“I’ll give you exactly one week. Read these books and submit a report. The topic will be… ‘Sports Marketing Strategies for Small Market Teams.’ The length is 20 pages of A4 paper [standard European/International paper size].”

“T-Twenty pages?!”

Ji-seop’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Professor! Isn’t that a bit much? Even for me, twenty pages in a week is a bit…”

“You’re the one who’s being too much!”

Professor Kevin Pryor slammed his hand on the desk.

“How can you get 14 points on a multiple-choice test, no matter how little you study! You would have gotten 25 points just by guessing!”

“But I never imagined I’d take a multiple-choice test in American graduate school! Aren’t you supposed to value logic? Isn’t an essay exam the standard in America?”

“That’s right, it was an essay exam. For the students who took the test on the first date.”

The professor replied matter-of-factly.

“People who are busy with team matters can take the second test, but it will be multiple-choice then… I think I announced that in advance?”

“W-Well, that’s true, but…”

As Ji-seop, at a loss for words, backed down slightly, Professor Pryor spoke like a judge delivering a verdict.

“So, I won’t accept any more objections. Submit the report by the deadline. And…”

*Sigh.*

Professor Pryor, who had been worked up for nearly an hour, sighed briefly and waved his hand.

“Now that I’ve said everything I needed to say… tell me your real reason for being here.”

“Yes? Real reason, what do you mean…”

“Hmph, do you think I don’t know you?”

The professor said, crossing his legs.

“Have you ever been someone who listens to me so attentively? You were someone who came in the afternoon when I called you in the morning, always putting things off with various excuses.”

Having spent the past year together, the professor seemed to have figured out Ji-seop’s patterns.

“The fact that you came to my office so promptly… means you have another purpose. Am I wrong?”

“Haha, as expected… your insight is amazing, Professor. How can someone like me ever reach your level?”

As Ji-seop spoke with a sly expression, Professor Pryor chuckled and replied.

“So, what is it?”

The professor lowered his reading glasses slightly and looked at Ji-seop.

“Is it related to that project you’re in charge of this year?”

“Yes, it is.”

At that moment, the smile vanished from Ji-seop’s face.

His sly expression disappeared, and his usual playful smile faded.

The new deputy general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays looked at the professor with a determined expression and a serious demeanor.

“Professor, do you happen to know someone named Charles Flex?”

Ji-seop asked, adjusting his posture.

“He was the marketing vice president of the Tampa Bay Rays about 20 years ago. He also gave a few lectures as a guest speaker at Fort Myers University.”

“Charles Flex?”

Professor Pryor’s eyebrows twitched.

“The horny hound of Nevada… are you talking about that damn Charles Flex?”

“The horny hound of… what?”

A rather colorful nickname.

Ji-seop blinked, surprised.

“I heard he was called ‘The Greatest Showman of Nevada’… wasn’t he?”