A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 414

The Super Rookie of the Baseball Team is Too Good 414

Chapter 91: Taking the First Step (2)

St. Petersburg, Florida, is renowned as one of the best fishing destinations in the United States.

The consistently warm weather, calm seas, and well-developed infrastructure attract fishing enthusiasts from across the country.

Two days after Charles Flex joined, the future strategy planning project commenced in earnest.

Ji-seop found himself standing somewhat unsteadily on a large boat filled with avid fishing fans.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ manager, Mike Clemblaus, was indulging in his love for fishing.

“Kim, are you sure you’re alright?”

Manager Clemblaus was sporting a thick life jacket, a wide-brimmed hat, and dark sunglasses, presenting a stark contrast to his usual stadium appearance.

“If you’re not feeling well, you can rest in the cabin. We can always talk later,” he offered.

“No, it’s not seasickness. I’m just not used to standing and balancing on a boat.”

“Ah, I see. Try this. Over here.”

Manager Clemblaus tapped on one of the awning posts at the stern of the fishing boat.

Ji-seop leaned against the post, finally finding his balance. With his body stabilized, his mind calmed, allowing him to take in the surrounding scenery.

The endless expanse of the blue sea, the dazzling sunlight, and the cool breeze created a serene atmosphere.

‘Is this why people enjoy fishing?’ Ji-seop wondered.

“Haha, oh dear…”

Manager Clemblaus carefully moved a bucket from Ji-seop’s feet.

“I told you, you didn’t have to force yourself. I was planning to visit the club office sometime this weekend anyway.”

‘He’s so agile around the stadium, but he can’t seem to handle himself on a boat,’ Ji-seop thought.

The manager, who had insisted on bringing Ji-seop onto the fishing boat, seemed a bit flustered.

However, Ji-seop responded with a bright smile, “Well, it’s not so bad.”

“I felt this couldn’t be discussed in a formal setting, but it also wasn’t something I could convey over the phone.”

“Hmm, that’s a little disappointing. Is there a need for such formality between you and me, Kim?”

Despite his words, the Tampa Bay Rays’ successful manager looked at Ji-seop with genuine warmth.

Ji-seop considered how to explain, but it seemed the manager was right; there was no need for excessive politeness.

Manager Clemblaus, after an unsuccessful cast, reeled in his line and casually remarked, “Is this related to what you reported to the general manager yesterday?”

“Yes?”

Manager Clemblaus smiled at Ji-seop’s surprised expression.

“I also had a brief phone call with the general manager yesterday.”

He reached into the bait bucket and continued, “To attract away fans by stirring up controversy… Haha, that’s an interesting idea.”

* * *

The reason Ji-seop braved seasickness to visit Manager Clemblaus that day was to discuss the ‘hype plan’ proposed by Charles Flex.

‘Let’s stir up some trouble. Let’s create a buzz so that angry away fans will flock to Tropicana Field.’

Charles Flex was brimming with confidence, but Ji-seop couldn’t shake his worries.

‘Whether it’s America or Korea… People in the baseball world generally dislike unnecessary noise.’

Therefore, before the project officially began, Ji-seop felt it necessary to gain the understanding of the club’s executives.

He wanted to give them a heads-up about the plan and address any concerns.

He intended to persuade anyone who opposed it, but surprisingly, things were progressing smoothly.

-I understand. Go ahead and proceed.

Following Brian Sphan, the general manager who agreed without hesitation, Mike Clemblaus also expressed a favorable opinion.

“Well, to be honest… It’s not the most appealing idea. No manager wants to strain relationships with other clubs.”

Whirly, splash.

Clemblaus shared this as he cast a newly baited hook far into the sea.

“But Kim said he’s doing this for our club, so I can’t interfere.”

He clarified that it wasn’t solely due to their personal friendship.

“Last season, I observed you closely to understand what kind of person you are. That’s the most important factor.”

He continued, “When the Tampa Bay Rays faced crucial decisions, your choices always guided us in the right direction. Above all, the memory of the last World Series remains vivid.”

The intense seven-game series, particularly Vincent Hiyama’s shutout victory in the sixth game, was still fresh in Clemblaus’s mind. He remembered that Ji-seop had strongly advocated for Vincent Hiyama’s appearance at the time.

“I encourage you to unleash your ideas. The Tampa Bay Rays team, including myself…”

Swish.

The manager turned his head.

“We will fully support the future strategy planning project.”

“…Thank you, Manager.”

Ji-seop tried to remain composed, but he couldn’t suppress a sigh of relief.

In his experience, the field staff was usually the most sensitive to the front office’s initiatives in any club.

He hadn’t anticipated such strong support from Clemblaus, the head of the field staff.

“Manager, there might be some hiccups since this is the first time I’m trying this. I’ll keep you informed in advance…”

“Yes, that would be even better. It will also help me persuade the coaching staff.”

Coaching staff.

At this mention, Manager Clemblaus’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“…”

He seemed to be deep in thought for a moment.

He stared blankly at the sky and fiddled with the krill shrimp in the bait bucket.

After some time, he turned his gaze back to Ji-seop.

“…Kim.”

“Yes?”

“Before you start this project, may I offer a piece of advice?”

Manager Clemblaus’s advice was always valuable, but Ji-seop had something to point out.

“Before that… Shouldn’t you check your fishing rod? I think the tip has been twitching for a while now…”

“The tip, the tip of the rod?!!”

Only then did Manager Clemblaus lift his fishing rod in surprise.

‘He’s so agile on the baseball field, but he can’t seem to manage on a boat.’

It seemed Clemblaus was indeed struggling.

“Damn it… Did I miss it again?!!”

* * *

Several hours later.

Ji-seop, having disembarked from Manager Clemblaus’s fishing boat, headed to John Ramer’s house, located not far from the harbor.

A dinner party was planned at John Ramer’s house that afternoon to celebrate Charles Flex joining the future strategy planning department.

“Wait a minute, Kim! What did you just say?”

While John Ramer prepared dinner, they gathered on the living room sofa, enjoying the beer and peanuts he had provided.

Charles Flex, diligently shelling peanuts, suddenly stared at Ji-seop with wide eyes.

“You got his understanding… Are you talking about Manager Clemblaus? The manager agreed to our project?!!”

“Yes, isn’t he the key person we needed approval from?”

Ji-seop replied, grabbing a handful of peanuts from the plate.

From the kitchen, John Ramer’s voice echoed, “Oh, really! Eating peanuts before dinner?!” But it was hard to resist with the beer.

“I was worried, but fortunately, he readily agreed. I even received some advice.”

“Um, good job.”

David Wilson simply clinked beer cans with Ji-seop, but Charles Flex couldn’t maintain the same composure.

“No, no! This isn’t something you can just clink cans and move on from! You got the manager’s approval!”

“Yes.”

Ji-seop blinked.

“Yesterday, you got the approval of General Manager Brian Sphan!”

“Did I?”

That was David’s response.

“…Why is everyone’s reaction so nonchalant?”

Charles Flex scoffed, bewildered.

“Hey, am I the weird one? We just announced that we’re going to stir up controversy. We declared that we’re going to offend other clubs! This is practically saying there won’t be a peaceful day in the future… And he agreed to that? The manager? This easily?!!”

Charles Flex had previously proposed a similar plan but faced strong opposition from the club’s staff.

This news was truly surprising to him, but it seemed commonplace for the members of the future strategy planning department.

“Haha, why are you making such a big deal out of it?”

“It’s Kim, isn’t it?”

David Wilson said.

“Both the general manager and the manager… They’re the kind of people who would believe Kim even if he said the New York Yankees were relocating.”

“Hey, David! Even so, isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?”

John Ramer interjected from the kitchen, and David laughed, “Is it?”

“Anyway, Kim has a very strong rapport with both of them. And it’s not just those two, right? Everyone who belongs to the Tampa Bay Rays feels that way, right?”

“Why is everyone acting like this? Is it my birthday? Suddenly showering me with compliments you never used to…”

Ji-seop waved his hands in embarrassment, while Charles Flex looked at his new ‘boss’ with a newfound appreciation.

‘Is it really to that extent?’

It was truly remarkable.

‘The club’s people have that much trust in Kim?’

Then, could this project have a surprisingly high chance of success?

He failed 20 years ago, but could he succeed this time?

If he succeeds and makes a splash, then-

‘Can I… Can I find true love too?!’

Old habits die hard, it seemed.

Charles Flex briefly thought of Natalie Harpin, but he quickly refocused his attention on Ji-seop.

“Hmm! Then, well, Kim!”

“Yes?”

Ji-seop responded.

“What did Manager Clemblaus say? You mentioned he gave you some advice.”

“Ah, you mean that?”

Ji-seop put down his beer and furrowed his brow slightly.

“Most of it was trivial. Pay attention to communication between departments, and minimize the impact on the players…”

“Hmm, those are things we’re already considering.”

“Yes, and there was one more thing… The manager said it after some deliberation.”

These were the people who would be working together as part of the future strategy planning department.

Ji-seop decided to share the manager’s advice with them.

“The manager advised me to recruit coaches for the minor league as soon as possible.”

“Coaching staff? Even for the minor league?”

Charles Flex was very experienced.

He immediately understood Manager Clemblaus’s reasoning.

“This season… Does that mean the Tampa Bay Rays aren’t planning on signing any big free agents [FA]?”

“Yes, it seemed that way.”

The Tampa Bay Rays weren’t financially wealthy to begin with.

Perhaps signing a big FA was never a realistic option.

Signing a low-cost FA to fill a gap would be a different story.

“This season, the Tampa Bay Rays are expecting prospects from the minor league… That was the manager’s expectation.”

If so,

“If we want to secure the type of players we’re looking for, players who aren’t afraid to provoke the opponent, we need to find a coaching staff in the minor league who share our views.”

Most minor league coaches don’t particularly like players with strong personalities.

This was understandable. Players with strong personalities often cause unexpected problems, and their emotions can be volatile.

Therefore, reports from the minor league tend to favor relatively quiet, diligent players.

To find players with strong personalities, they needed to find a coach who shared the same vision as the future strategy planning department.

“It’s not going to be easy. Our club’s minor league coaches are quite stubborn, aren’t they? And they’re generally older than those in other clubs.”

David Wilson chewed on his lower lip.

“Kim, what are you planning to do? The manager’s advice makes sense.”

“I’m thinking of visiting Montgomery, where the Double-A [second-highest level of minor league baseball] club is located, sometime this weekend.”

Ji-seop answered.

“I heard the Triple-A [highest level of minor league baseball] side has already gone on their year-end vacation, so it would be good to meet the Double-A people.”

“Hmm, I guess so. Then I’ll go with you. I know some people in the Montgomery Biscuits [Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays].”

“Oh, really?”

It seemed the Montgomery visit for the future strategy planning department was decided.

“Wait a minute, this weekend?!”

John Ramer, who was placing a salad on the table as an appetizer, looked at the calendar and shook his head.

“Kim, I think you should reschedule. This weekend won’t work. You have another commitment.”

“Commitment? What is it?”

When Ji-seop tilted his head, John Ramer clicked his tongue as if he felt sorry for him.

“Kim! Aren’t you being too harsh? No matter how busy you are…”

And then he said the name.

“Ryu! Ryu Jang-ho, a player for the Boston Red Sox!”

John Ramer continued.