A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 418

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 418

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 418

92 Welcome to Sunshine City (2)

Several hours later.

Jisub was enjoying a light coffee break at [Cafe Flamingo], located on the second floor of Tropicana Field.

Brian Spann, the general manager who had returned from a business trip to LA, had called Jisub there.

In the company cafe, with its flamboyant interior decoration befitting the name ‘Flamingo,’ the topic of conversation between the two was none other than this player.

Richard Stelmetzeck, who had been released by the New York Yankees just a few hours earlier.

“Time is truly terrifying.”

That was the general manager’s comment as he looked at the article reporting Stelmetzeck’s release.

“It feels like just yesterday that Richard Stelmetzeck was drafted by the Yankees, but already eight years have passed.”

Eight years, eight years.

Brian Spann fixed his gaze on the ceiling, counting on his fingers.

“What was Kim doing eight years ago? Was he still playing professionally then?”

“Yes, I was busy playing the grasshopper game in the independent leagues.”

“Grasshopper game?”

“Moving from team to team.”

Jisub smiled awkwardly.

“From California to Arizona, then back to Oregon and California… I really toured the American West back then.”

“Oh, that sounds like a difficult time.”

The general manager picked up his coffee cup.

“If you were moving around so much back then… your memory might be a little hazy, right? About Richard Stelmetzeck, I mean.”

“No, I remember him. He was a highly touted prospect back then.”

Jisub recalled the nickname that had stuck in his memory.

“Richard Stelmetzeck… the man who would inherit Derek Jeter’s crown!”

* * *

Among people who like baseball, there are few who haven’t heard of Derek Jeter.

The King of New York, the Darling of New York.

Yankees’ number 2, Derek Jeter.

He was a player who played only for the New York Yankees for over 20 years, from the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s.

Excluding games where he appeared as a pinch hitter or designated hitter, he played every game as a shortstop, leaving behind an amazing record of 3,465 hits, 260 home runs, and 1,311 RBIs.

More than anything, he was the leader of the New York Yankees, a team with so much talk and trouble, and he led them to five World Series championships.

Richard Stelmetzeck was the first major shortstop to join the Yankees after Derek Jeter, the ‘King of New York,’ retired.

“The New York media tends to get a little overly excited… but honestly, I thought Richard Stelmetzeck would become a great player.”

Jisub was dredging up a very old memory.

Back when he was released from an independent league team and was taking a rickety old bus spewing nasty fumes to his next tryout.

The scene he saw on the small TV next to the driver’s seat on the bumpy bus was vivid in his memory.

“His arm was incredibly strong, wasn’t it? He would catch baserunners with throws from almost the outfield grass.”

“Hmm, it was practically his trademark.”

General Manager Brian Spann nodded in agreement.

“His fielding was solid, he was fast, and he even had decent batting skills… If I remember correctly, he even looked like Derek Jeter.”

“He was probably from the same hometown. I heard that both Derek Jeter and Richard Stelmetzeck were from New Jersey.”

Great skills, similar looks, and even the same hometown.

At this point, it must have felt like a gift from God to the Yankees fans at the time.

The Yankees who had lost Derek Jeter, the new successor granted by God to the people who had lost their king.

In reality, Richard Stelmetzeck devastated the minor leagues in just two years and made his appearance in the major leagues, but unfortunately, that was it.

After that, he was relegated to an ordinary player who went back and forth between the major and minor leagues.

A few years ago, he was even injured and deemed unable to play shortstop anymore.

“This might sound a little cold, but… isn’t it a common case?”

That was the general manager’s impression.

“It’s not uncommon for prospects to grow up as people expect. Most of them end their careers without even reaching half of those expectations.”

That wasn’t wrong.

There was no need to go far. Jisub’s former team, the KH Cannons, was in a similar situation.

When Jisub was working as a special advisor to the general manager, there were more than a few players who were touted as the successors to the ‘Legend’ Chun Jinwoo.

However, none of them have yet to take over the Cannons’ starting catcher position.

Perhaps this is something that not only the Yankees and Cannons, but all baseball teams around the world are experiencing.

But in this baseball world, there is something as common as prospects who don’t live up to expectations.

“Does that mean the Future Strategy Planning Department is interested in that Richard Stelmetzeck player?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Jisub nodded quickly, but General Manager Brian Spann clicked his tongue.

“What’s so appealing about him? I heard he can’t even play shortstop anymore? He’s been playing as an outfielder since last year.”

“Yes, he mainly plays as a right fielder.”

It was a position that was currently vacant due to Vincent Hiyama’s transfer.

“Although he was released, Richard’s performance this season wasn’t that bad. Even with limited opportunities, he still recorded a slugging percentage close to .500. He even hit six home runs.”

“Hmm.”

The general manager stroked his chin.

“Considering that last season was his first year back from a knee injury, I think he still has room for improvement. And more than anything…”

Jisub said in a subtle voice, “Don’t you know that?”

“In the upcoming season, our Future Strategy Planning Department is also closely watching Tampa Bay’s success.”

“Ah, a crowd mobilization project? You mean leveraging the title of the Yankees’ first-round pick.”

The general manager, who seemed lost in thought for a moment, soon emptied his coffee cup and said, “Good. If those reasons are added, it wouldn’t hurt to take an interest.”

He then instructed, “Go and see. I heard Richard Stelmetzeck’s showcase is scheduled for three days from now.”

* * *

In Major League Baseball, skill is everything. That was the cardinal rule.

Players with skills receive tremendous treatment, while those without are mercilessly cast aside.

However, within any team, the title of ‘1st round pick’ inevitably carries a special weight.

That’s why even the meticulous New York Yankees decided to give Richard Stelmetzeck one last look.

The club’s front office directly stepped in to hold a showcase for him.

The time was set for around 2 p.m. three days later, at the home stadium of the New York Yankees’ Single-A team in Tampa, Florida.

“Steinbrenner Field? Hmm, I was planning to come here soon anyway,” Jisub remarked, as the Future Strategy Planning Department arrived to see Richard Stelmetzeck’s showcase.

The first to react was ‘The Great Showman,’ Charles Flex. “Since we’re here… Kim! Open your eyes wide and take a good look! This is the home stadium of our Tampa Bay Rays’ biggest rival!”

“Biggest rival team?” Kim asked.

*Beep.*

John Ramer, locking the car door, tilted his head and approached. “Charles, what are you talking about? The Yankees’ home stadium is in New York. This is the Yankees’ Single-A team… What was the name again?”

“Tampa Tarpons,” Charles supplied.

“That’s right, the Tampa Tarpons’ home stadium!” John Ramer seemed proud, thinking he had made a sharp point, but Charles Flex shook his head dismissively. “Listen, son of the owner! Remember this well: the number of annual members of the Tampa Tarpons is comparable to our Tampa Bay Rays.”

“What?!” John Ramer’s eyes widened.

“This is a minor league, a Single-A team? But it’s at a similar level to the Tampa Bay Rays?”

“It’s the Yankees’ lifeline. The promising players who develop here will soon play as key members of the New York Yankees.”

The New York Yankees’ spring training is also held at this stadium.

Because of that, it’s a stadium that receives a lot of attention from New York Yankees fans.

“From the beginning, the home stadium’s name is Steinbrenner Field! Who is Steinbrenner? Isn’t it the New York Yankees’ owner family?”

“Ah, come to think of it…” John Ramer looked around the stadium facilities with a fresh perspective.

Charles Flex bit his lower lip and continued, “The Yankees’ Single-A stadium is only a 40-minute drive from Tropicana Field [home stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays]… This is a considerable blow to us. It’s like a branch of a large corporation’s supermarket is standing in the path of a small corner store.”

“Haha, a small corner store.”

It felt like a bit of an exaggeration, but Charles Flex’s point seemed valid.

Around the Tampa Tarpons’ home stadium, there were quite a few stores displaying Yankees’ flags.

A store selling Yankees’ merchandise, a store marking uniforms, and a sports pub where you can watch Yankees’ games.

Jisub could roughly grasp the extent of the New York Yankees’ influence in this area; the atmosphere was no less significant than, or perhaps even more so than, at Tropicana Field.

“Kim, shall we move? The showcase will start soon,” David Wilson said.

“Ah, yes!” Jisub hurriedly moved into Steinbrenner Field at David Wilson’s gesture.

Steinbrenner Field, with a total capacity of 11,026 people, was filled with a considerable number of scouts.

“That side is the Seattle Mariners, and the front is the Cleveland Indians… It seems like people from San Diego and Milwaukee are here too.”

An event to showcase a player’s skills by gathering scouts from various places: a showcase.

Judging by the number of scouts gathered, Richard Stelmetzeck seemed to be still receiving a lot of attention.

‘Of course, this is nothing compared to the attention he received eight years ago….’

Once evaluated as ‘Derek Jeter’s successor,’ but now reduced to an ordinary player, Richard Stelmetzeck.

The former top prospect who not only gave up the shortstop position but was also released by the club.

Will he be able to show the remaining possibilities to these many scouts?

As Jisub was lost in thought, an employee wearing a New York Yankees polo shirt clapped his hands and came forward.

“Welcome! Thank you for visiting Steinbrenner Field today!”

The sunlight was still intense that day.

The Yankees employee narrowed his eyes against the pouring sunlight.

“Now, we will begin Richard Stelmetzeck’s showcase. Please give a big round of applause to Richard, who is facing a new challenge!”

*Clap clap clap.*

*Clap clap clap clap.*

As the scouts from each Major League team offered insincere applause, a player wearing a Yankees uniform appeared from the dugout.

‘It’s been a while.’

A dignified physique of 190cm [approx. 6’3″] in height and 90kg [approx. 198 lbs] in weight, sun-tanned skin, and unusually deep eyes.

Will this man, who looks just like that legendary player, bring new changes to the Tampa Bay Rays?

Jisub’s sharp gaze began to follow Richard Stelmetzeck.