A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 417

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 417

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 417

92 Welcome to Sunshine City (1)

At the end of a season, players usually pack up all their belongings from their home stadium locker room.

It’s a given. There’s almost no reason to come to the home stadium during the off-season. They won’t be back until March of the following year.

In the meantime, there might be a major overhaul of the locker room, and sometimes there’s a possibility of leaving the team due to a trade or release.

The Tampa Bay Rays were no exception, so after the White House visit, the players had all finished cleaning out their lockers.

Except for one player.

Just one person in Tampa Bay.

There was a player who didn’t take his belongings and left them in the Tropicana Field locker room.

A duffel bag full of equipment, a backpack he usually carried, and even a small photo frame with a family picture.

Items that were a bit difficult to dispose of carelessly. The player who left all this behind was none other than Vincent Hiyama, the two-way ace of the Tampa Bay Rays last season.

– Kim, is that really true?!

When Ji-seop called directly after receiving a report from the stadium staff, Vincent’s response was as follows:

– I was wondering why my things weren’t visible and was searching every corner of the house… Oh dear, it seems they were all there!

I’m sorry.

I’ve caused trouble.

This genius baseball player, who had conquered Major League Baseball in both pitching and hitting, kept sending messages of apology.

Ji-seop offered to send the belongings by 택배 [pronounced taek-bae, a Korean delivery service], but Vincent politely declined the offer.

– No, it’s okay. I’ll come pick them up myself in a few days. I’m sorry to cause any more trouble for you, Kim, and above all, I’ve learned that you have to take care of your own baseball equipment.

In fact, Ji-seop was tilting his head slightly at this point. He had a feeling that something didn’t quite add up.

It was such important baseball equipment, and even after becoming a Major Leaguer, he had to take care of it himself to be satisfied.

‘He… left it in the locker room?’

It seems that even monkeys fall from trees sometimes [a Japanese proverb meaning even experts make mistakes].

Even the great Vincent has his human side.

Ji-seop was thinking that and lightly brushed it off-

“?!!”

About a month later.

The day after the news broke that Vincent Hiyama had signed a free-agent contract with the New York Yankees.

Ji-seop realized that this calm and collected genius baseball player had pulled off a little ‘trick.’

“Vincent?! What brings you here? Weren’t you supposed to be in New York?”

It was a little past 9 a.m. at that time.

The official announcement was scheduled to be released at 10 a.m., exactly one hour before baseball fans around the world would be turned upside down.

Vincent Hiyama, who was supposed to be in New York, appeared at Tropicana Field.

“I see, the news has reached you, Kim.”

Vincent nodded.

“I finished the contract in New York yesterday and came straight down to St. Petersburg. I have to clean up the house, do some paperwork, and most of all…”

He quietly looked at the Tropicana Field grounds visible through the window, and then turned his gaze to Ji-seop.

“I had been planning it from the start. If I ever left the team, I wanted to go and say a proper farewell. To the Tampa Bay Rays, to Tropicana Field, and to all the club staff, including you, Kim.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to go that far!”

John LaMar, who was standing next to Ji-seop, said with a worried voice.

“It would have been okay before the contract, but now the timing is a bit off. Doesn’t the Yankees have internal club regulations? Players shouldn’t visit other clubs’ stadiums without permission…”

“It’s okay, Taylor. I got permission. I even got permission from the Yankees’ general manager.”

“Really? How?”

John LaMar was blinking his eyes, but a faint smile appeared on Ji-seop’s face as he watched this.

“You had a good reason?”

Ji-seop said.

“Like the equipment bag you left in the locker room.”

“Haha, you could say that.”

A playful smile appeared on Vincent’s face as well.

“Other than that, a player has to take care of his own equipment bag.”

* * *

In fact, if you were to be strict about it, you could say that Vincent Hiyama had done something unnecessary.

There was no reason to visit his former team, especially with a reason that would make anyone laugh, considering it was a rival club of his new team.

However, the reason Vincent could do this ‘unnecessary thing’ was because he had strong confidence in his skills.

And the reason Vincent did this ‘unnecessary thing’ was probably because he wanted to postpone the time of farewell as much as possible.

A farewell to the Tampa Bay Rays, a farewell to Tropicana Field, and a farewell to the people in the Future Strategy Planning Department.

“I wanted to avoid a club in the AL East division as much as possible.”

Vincent Hiyama said to Ji-seop in the Future Strategy Planning Department’s office on the third floor of Tropicana Field.

“If possible, I was picturing going to a National League club and meeting Tampa Bay in the World Series… But contracts don’t always go the way I want.”

Ji-seop had heard the story behind Vincent’s contract.

Big market clubs in the National League, such as the Dodgers and Mets, had also jumped into the Vincent sweepstakes but had to give up at the last moment.

The amount of the contract offered by the New York Yankees was different from the offers of other clubs from the very first digit.

“I heard that the Yankees’ owner is very fond of Vincent Hiyama.”

“Anyway, it’s something to celebrate.”

Ji-seop said in a soft voice.

“And in some ways, it’s also good for the Tampa Bay Rays. Vincent, crowds will flock to the games you play in.”

“Ah, I’ve heard a bit about it. I heard you’re planning to focus on attracting more fans this season.”

At that moment, Vincent Hiyama was about to say something but stopped and closed his mouth slightly.

Ji-seop could tell what Vincent wanted to say without looking into his eyes.

‘I’m looking forward to it. I’m a little sad. I wanted to play in a Tropicana Field full of fans too… Something like that.’

But now that he has signed a contract with the New York Yankees, there is no point in expressing such feelings.

Perhaps as a substitute. After a moment of silence, Vincent Hiyama said this.

“Kim, thank you.”

He bowed politely.

“Although it was a short time, I think I was able to play enjoyable baseball because I met you, Kim. It was a really happy time, and I think it was a season that I will remember forever.”

It was the same for Ji-seop.

There had never been so much trouble in signing a single player.

It was also the first time he had placed the fate of the club on the shoulders of one player.

And after all the worries and conflicts, the tremendous joy that the baseball genius Vincent Hiyama showed would remain in Ji-seop’s memory forever.

“I’m going to do my best in New York too. It’s also to repay those who gave me a big contract, but I have to do that so that more fans will come to the Tampa Bay away games.”

“Hehe, this is a strange feeling.”

Ji-seop crossed his arms and raised one eyebrow.

“I’m happy that the number of fans will increase, and at the same time, I’m worried about how to stop you.”

“Haha, isn’t that what professional baseball is all about? That’s what the Major League is like.”

“Oh, this is a headache.”

“Of course, it’s a headache.”

Ha ha ha ha.

As that hearty laughter erupted and subsided, Vincent took something out of the briefcase he had brought separately.

“Kim, please keep this.”

“It’s an envelope? What is it?”

Ji-seop opened the envelope without much thought and examined the contents.

His thick eyebrows twitched slightly immediately after that.

“Wait a minute, Vincent! This is…”

“Yes, it’s the game log I wrote while playing for Tampa Bay.”

Vincent’s eyes sparkled.

“To be exact, it’s the content I recorded when I played as an outfielder. The pitcher part has a lot of variation depending on the player, so I don’t think it would be helpful even if I gave it to you.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“You know it well, right, Kim? Tropicana Field… It’s a stadium where you have a hard time with outfield defense when you first come.”

Vincent continued.

“The stadium shape is normal, but the internal structure is complex. The catwalks are also intricately intertwined, the lighting is different, and there’s even a dome covering the ground.”

“That’s right. It’s not easy.”

“Yes, so I brought what I wrote while playing the game. I thought it would be helpful to adapt just by reading through it.”

And the next moment, Ji-seop was reminded once again of the realistic problem facing the Tampa Bay Rays.

“To the friend who will be in charge of the Tampa Bay Rays’ right fielder in my place, whoever that may be.”

Vincent Hiyama’s replacement.

Who will fill his void?

* * *

As Ji-seop expected, or rather, as all the employees of the Tampa Bay Rays expected.

For the next few days, the Major League was in an uproar.

The news of Vincent Hiyama joining the New York Yankees had been reported. It also broke the record for the highest free agent contract amount ever.

– Wow, that’s amazing! It seems like the New York Yankees are finally starting to make a proper investment after a long time!

– I heard that the Yankees’ owner gave the order himself. Bring Vincent! He’s a man who can make a championship!

– Well, I feel like I’m finally getting back to the Yankees I knew! ‘The Evil Empire,’ isn’t that the word that symbolizes the Yankees?!

Not to mention the American sports channels. From American media outlets and YouTube channels to blogs and internet fan channels.

It was like a festival. People who welcomed Vincent’s transfer, people who pointed out his limitations, and people who looked forward to the increasingly fierce competition in the AL East division.

And while so many people were excited and voicing their opinions, the Tampa Bay Rays were quietly but steadily strengthening their power.

“As expected, once the destination of the biggest free agent is decided, contracts with other players start to pick up speed.”

This was what Ji-seop conveyed to his colleagues in the Future Strategy Planning Department on the day Vincent Hiyama wore the Yankees uniform and had his official inauguration ceremony.

“The Baseball Operations Department has just informed us that they have signed Tommy Justice. Negotiations with Mike Riddle are also more than 70% complete.”

“Oh, that’s good news!”

David Wilson was the first to react.

“Tommy is the pitcher who had 10 wins in Minnesota two years ago, right? He’s a player who can do his part if he’s not injured!”

David Wilson was beaming.

“Personally, I have high expectations for Mike Riddle as well. Isn’t he a rare knuckleballer these days?”

“Yes, I’m a little worried about his chemistry with the catcher, but… the unfamiliar pitch is definitely a merit.”

Tommy Justice’s contract was confirmed for $4.5 million for one year. Mike Riddle’s story was being discussed at around $7 million for two years.

Although they can’t expect the overwhelming performance that Vincent Hiyama showed, they are still the maximum number of players that Tampa Bay can sign.

Ji-seop liked the fact that he was building a starting pitcher lineup in a short period of time, but there were others who had different thoughts.

“Tommy Justice and Mike Riddle… Oh my, they sound like boring guys just by their names!”

This person, Charles Flex of the Future Strategy Planning Department, was complaining with his mouth pouted out.

“Hey, Kim! Isn’t there any talk of signing a hot player? You can’t do business with these players, you can’t do business!”

“Yes, well, I’ve been steadily expressing my opinion on that side… but it doesn’t seem easy.”

Ji-seop pressed his thumb against his forehead.

“Flex, you know it well, right? In free agent contracts, skill and salary are always the top priorities.”

“But if we go on like this, we won’t be able to attract away fans. Looking at these guys’ faces, they look like they’re only good at baseball!”

The great showman of yesteryear was grumbling while looking at the laptop screen.

Ji-seop began to send a subtle gaze towards him.

“Charles, don’t you have something up your sleeve?”

“Hmm?”

“We’re hopeless at marketing anyway. At times like this, you have to show the skills of the ‘Great Showman.’”

As Ji-seop subtly opened the door, John LaMar immediately provided fire support.

“That’s right, Kim! Come to think of it, isn’t there training for the stadium tour staff soon? I think one person from the Future Strategy Planning Department has to be selected?”

“Ah, is that so? Training for stadium tour staff… Who should I send?”

No more words were needed.

The moment the words ‘stadium tour’ came out, Charles Flex’s eyes changed.

Training for stadium tour staff is an opportunity to meet Mrs. Natalie Harpin.

Charles Flex was biting the eraser on the end of his pencil, as if trying to prove his worth.

How many minutes was it?

“That’s it!!!”

Charles Flex slammed the desk.

“Hey, David! Was there any talk of roster changes from the New York Yankees?”

“Roster changes?”

“Yeah, the Yankees signed Vincent, right? That means they have to free up one spot on the 40-man roster. If they make additional reinforcements in the future, they may have to free up more roster spots.”

He continued.

“Then it seems like at least one or two guys will be released?”

“Ah, that could be.”

David Wilson started accessing the roster registration site.

Since there are no separate notifications, it is best to go in and check frequently.

While David was entering his ID and password, Charles Flex was turning his head to Ji-seop.

“Kim, we might be able to catch a useful guy! It’s a story, right? A player released because of Vincent comes to Tampa Bay and becomes a star player! How much would the Yankees be sick to their stomachs?”

“Well, that’s definitely true.”

It was John LaMar who reacted.

“If a player is dropped from the 40-man roster, isn’t their level just so-so? I don’t think a particularly useful guy will come out…”

“No! The friends who are released at times like this are also full of good stuff! It’s a time when the club is presenting a new direction. Then there needs to be a scapegoat.”

“A scapegoat… That might be what you said.”

It was David Wilson who spoke.

With his eyes fixed on the laptop screen, he was reporting to Ji-seop.

“Kim, the New York Yankees released one player 30 minutes ago.”

“Did a release really come out?”

Ji-seop felt a little strange.

“Who is it?”

“Maybe it’s a name you’ve heard of, Kim. Richard Stelmetzeck has been released.”

“Richard Stelmetzeck?”

Ji-seop pondered the memory and snapped his fingers.

“If it’s Stelmetzeck… wasn’t he the player who was drafted in the first round by the Yankees a few years ago?!”