A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 421

Welcome to Sunshine City (5)

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 421

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 421

92 Welcome to Sunshine City (5)

A man who once roamed the field like a flamingo.

And now, a man who has lost his flamboyant colors and has been reduced to an ordinary player.

The approval to acquire ‘Derek Jeter’s successor,’ Richard Stelmajek, came that afternoon.

“I can’t believe it.”

Charles Fleck had his mouth open for a while after hearing the news.

“I thought it would take at least a few days for the acquisition to be approved… Was Brian Spahn such a decisive man?”

His gaze turned to Ji-seop.

“Hey, Kim! What’s the secret? How can you boil the president so thoroughly?”

“What do you mean by boiling? The president just understood Richard’s value.”

“No, it’s completely different from the Brian I knew! Everything is done so quickly when you step in… Hmm?”

Wait a minute, then?

It was at this moment that a strange light flashed in Charles Fleck’s eyes.

What kind of extraordinary idea is he going to come up with this time?

Half expecting and half worried, he was watching Charles Fleck’s expression with exactly that in mind.

“By the way… Kim.”

David Wilson asked Ji-seop.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Yes? About what?”

“Richard Stelmajek, I mean.”

He stroked his stubbly chin and continued.

“What Kim wants is ‘Flamingo,’ Richard’s 모습 [image] from 7-8 years ago, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

It wasn’t just Ji-seop who thought that way.

The Future Strategy Planning Department, and even President Brian Spahn, were expecting that from Richard.

“Even if we can acquire Richard, is it possible to bring him back to his old self? That’s what I’m worried about.”

“Actually, it’s not easy. I’d say the chances of it working out are 7 to 3? No, 6 to 4.”

“So you’re still leaning towards it being possible?”

When John Llama chimed in, Ji-seop smiled.

“Of course. I have some ideas about why Richard didn’t grow as much as everyone expected, and why he became an ordinary player with no color.”

Ji-seop turned his gaze.

“Llama, do you remember? You know, on Ryu Jang-ho’s wedding day… what my senior said.”

“Ah, Mr. Chun? The one who joined as a Double-A coach a while ago? The one who was called a legend in Korea!”

John Llama easily remembered Chun Jin-woo’s existence, but he didn’t seem to know the details of their conversation.

“Hey, Kim! Of course, I don’t know! You were talking to Mr. Chun in Korean back then, right?”

“Oh, that’s right, wasn’t it?”

Just as Ji-seop was about to tell his colleagues about the conversation he had with Chun Jin-woo at the time,

Ji-seop’s phone, which was on the desk, suddenly started ringing loudly.

“I’m sorry. It’s the president of the Tampa Tarpons fan club. Just a moment…”

After asking for his colleagues’ understanding, Ji-seop cleared his throat and picked up the phone.

“Hello, Mr. President! Yes, the flamingo you lent me was a great help. Thanks to you, I was able to persuade the higher-ups.”

Yes, yes, that’s right, that’s right.

Ji-seop continued the call while receiving curious glances from his colleagues.

And a moment later, a subtle light settled in his eyes.

“Yes, that’s what I wanted to talk about…”

To acquire Richard Stelmajek.

To bring him back to his former self.

Ji-seop’s secret weapon that he had prepared long ago.

“That scrapbook you told me about last time… Can I come pick it up now?”

* * *

The very next day after the Future Strategy Planning Department obtained approval from the club’s executives to acquire him,

Richard Stelmajek, who was on the Tampa Bay Rays’ acquisition list, had returned to his hometown of New Jersey.

More precisely, it was a small lakeside about 20 minutes away from his hometown.

Spending time by a small bonfire in this secluded place was Richard’s off-season routine.

“…….”

Crack, crack, crack.

As the bonfire crackled, Richard Stelmajek stared blankly at the darkening lakeside.

In some ways, it was quite a luxurious time. Just a few days ago, he had been released by the New York Yankees.

It was the time when other players would have been busy running around to find a new team.

The reason he could afford to be so relaxed was because he had a ‘fallback’.

-Richard, good news! A team is interested in you!

It was a phone call from Richard’s agent that morning.

-I just got a call from the Mariners’ general manager! He wants to see you after the end-of-year holidays!

-Oh, really?

-That’s not all. The Cincinnati Reds have also emailed asking what level of contract you want! The Milwaukee Brewers’ assistant general manager keeps sending messages!

News that a large number of teams were sending love calls to Richard Stelmajek.

His agent shouted ‘Wow!’ and expressed his overflowing joy to his heart’s content.

-Thank goodness, heaven really helped! I was worried about what would happen when you were suddenly released!

The story continued that he would be able to sign a contract with better conditions than expected.

He also said that he could appeal to their demands, so if there were any conditions he wanted, he should tell him.

Above all, he asked him to contact him as soon as he decided which team he wanted to go to, but-

“…….”

Even now, several hours later, Richard had not been able to contact his agent.

He was thrilled to hear that he had received offers, but as time went on, his heart was sinking.

‘It’s so strange. It’s definitely a good thing.’

The reason why he couldn’t get excited. The reason why he didn’t feel like rushing to sign a contract.

Richard had a vague idea about this.

[Richard, don’t feel pressured.]

It was a message his agent sent him shortly after hanging up the phone.

[The Mariners’ general manager highly values your leadership.]

[Just lead the young players well. Just keep the unruly guys in check.]

So far, so good.

But then came the following message.

[It’s not that difficult for you, is it?]

[No matter what anyone says, you are someone who has been trained as Derek Jeter’s successor!]

Derek Jeter’s successor.

Derek Jeter’s successor.

It was after seeing this phrase that a large rock was placed in Richard Stelmajek’s heart.

‘In the end, is that it?’

Whoosh.

While throwing a dry twig into the bonfire, Richard was sighing briefly.

‘The fact that I was raised as Derek Jeter’s successor… Is that the only value I have?’

Of course, it was an honor.

Who is Derek Jeter? He was a legend who will be remembered in the history of the New York Yankees, as well as Major League Baseball.

Although he didn’t grow as much as expected, it was a huge deal that he was once named as his successor.

Thanks to that, he received good treatment and many opportunities. And now, he has received offers from new teams like this.

Compared to the countless prospects who dream of the major leagues, he was definitely lucky, but-

‘Why does my heart feel so stuffy… Hmm?!’

And just then, Richard suddenly felt a presence and turned his head back.

“Who’s there?!”

It was a secluded lakeside.

He had never seen a single person pass by all day long.

But at this time when the sun was setting, who would have come to this remote place?

He was looking into the darkness with a very nervous gaze, but soon his face was changing to a puzzled expression.

“Wait a minute, you are…….”

It was someone he had seen somewhere.

Was it a World Series broadcast? Or was it when the winning team visited the White House?

While he was groping through his hazy memories, the Asian man who appeared from the opposite side opened his mouth first.

“Richard, hello.”

He said.

“I’m Kim from the Future Strategy Planning Department of the Tampa Bay Rays.”

“Kim? Future Strategy Planning Department?”

“Yes.”

Looking at Ji-seop, who was smiling brightly, Richard was tilting his head repeatedly.

* * *

“Was there some kind of misunderstanding?”

Now it was completely dark at the lakeside.

It was what Richard Stelmajek said, handing Ji-seop a bottle of beer while sitting next to the bonfire and warming himself.

“For an assistant general manager to come all the way to such a remote place… Isn’t this the kind of treatment that only big FA [free agent] players can receive?”

I’m not that level.

Ji-seop gave a faint smile at Richard’s words.

“Well, you’re not wrong.”

Ji-seop didn’t seem to have any intention of flattering the other person.

“Actually, I was going to contact you through an agent… but I had a personal request.”

“A personal request?”

“Yes, do you happen to know Jacob? Jacob Barton. He runs a small auto repair shop near Steinbrenner Field [spring training home of the New York Yankees].”

“Jacob?”

Richard tilted his head for a moment, but then clapped his hands, making an ‘Ah’ sound.

“Ah, Jacob! You must be talking about Jacob! The president of the Tampa Tarpons fan club!”

When Ji-seop nodded, Richard looked even more incomprehensible.

“No, did Jacob ask you for a favor? What kind of favor?”

“Yes, I visited Steinbrenner Field to see your showcase a while ago… and I happened to run into him and talk to him, and I even received this request.”

And the next moment, Ji-seop took something out of his bag and handed it to Richard.

“This is… a scrapbook.”

Flipping through.

Richard frowned slightly as he looked through the contents of the scrapbook.

“A collection of articles about me.”

“That’s right.”

Ji-seop continued.

“It’s something that Jacob Barton has collected and organized newspaper articles about you. I heard that it contains everything from when you were with the Tampa Tarpons to your recent games.”

“Haha, I can’t believe it. I didn’t know Jacob had such a meticulous side…”

At first, Richard was turning the scrapbook with a choked-up, emotional expression, as if his nose was tingling.

His appearance holding a flamingo ornament, his appearance cheering after beating a rival team.

“Haha, this was really…….”

However, the more he turned the pages, the darker the shadow began to fall on his face.

His appearance when he first joined the Yankees, his appearance when he was demoted to the minor leagues without lasting long.

Especially when he saw a picture taken with Derek Jeter, he even sighed deeply.

“……Thank you.”

By the time he had looked through the scrapbook, Richard’s face clearly showed bitterness.

However, it was something sent by a fan who had supported him since he was a rookie. Richard stroked the scrapbook with affectionate hands and continued.

“Please tell Jacob that I received it well. Although I left the Yankees this time, please also tell him that I will not forget his support.”

Then, just as Richard was about to put the scrapbook aside, a slightly out-of-the-blue voice was heard.

“Wait a minute, why are you taking that?”

Ji-seop blinked.

Richard also blinked.

“Yes? Why am I taking it? Didn’t Jacob give it to me? As a reminder not to forget my original intentions…….”

“Hehe, what original intentions? He didn’t say a word about that.”

Then, a little coldly, whoosh.

Ji-seop snatched the scrapbook from Richard’s hand.

Richard, who suddenly became empty-handed, had a dumbfounded expression.

“Then what is it?”

Richard asked.

“Is Jacob’s request… just to show me this once and come back?”

“No, that’s not it. Jacob’s request is…….”

And the next moment, Richard couldn’t help but gasp.

Tear, tear, tearing.

Ji-seop, who had received the scrapbook back, suddenly started tearing the contents inside.

“?!!”

There was no time to stop him.

The article when Richard joined the Yankees, the article when he hit his first hit, the article when he met Derek Jeter and received encouragement.

Ji-seop tore up the articles with a blank face and threw them all into the bonfire.

“Oh, no, what is this…….”

It was perhaps natural that Richard Stelmajek’s face turned white with shock.

“Hey, hey! What are you doing?! Why are you tearing this up and burning it!!!”

Richard’s surprised voice was echoing loudly in the quiet lakeside.

However, Ji-seop’s face only showed a calm expression.

“No, why are you getting so worked up?”

Ji-seop said.

“I’m just carrying out Jacob Barton’s request, aren’t I?”

“A request? What request did Jacob make?!!”

To the excited former Flamingo, Ji-seop gave the following answer.

“He asked me to erase it cleanly.”

Ji-seop said calmly.

“Richard Stelmajek, your memories of your time with the New York Yankees.”

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

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

야구단 신입이 너무 잘함
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] Kim Ji-seop, a pitcher cast aside even by the Chinese league, harbors a secret weapon: an uncanny ability to predict incoming fastballs with unwavering accuracy. "If a fastball comes, I'll hit it no matter what." He can read his opponent's thoughts! Despite his physical shortcomings, his mind holds the key to baseball mastery. Discovered by the team's sharpest talent scout, Kim Ji-seop is about to embark on a thrilling second act, ready to redefine what's possible on the diamond. Prepare for a captivating journey as a rookie with an extraordinary gift rises through the ranks, challenging the limits of skill and strategy in the world of baseball!

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