A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 439

The Newcomer to the Baseball Team is Too Good – Episode 439

The Newcomer to the Baseball Team 439

Chapter 94: The Place I Need to Be (8)

Ban Hojin became a significant topic of conversation among the reporters who visited Charlotte Sports Park that day.

It was only natural, perhaps. After all, he was the only batter who had managed to get a hit against Victor Johnson Jr.

“About the player who got the hit earlier, what was his name again?”

“Ban.”

“What, ban? Why are you suddenly banning coverage?”

“No, that’s not it… His name is ‘Ban.’ Ho-jin—Ban!”

“Really? Haha, how can someone’s name be Ban?”

There seemed to be a bit of confusion regarding Ban Hojin’s name, but what did it matter?

The live pitching that day was the best possible outcome for both the Tampa Bay Rays and the KH Cannons.

Tampa Bay got the effect of slightly humbling Victor Johnson’s increasingly arrogant attitude, and the Cannons were able to provide a wonderful debut for their promising rookie hitter.

Perhaps that’s why. That afternoon, when Ban Hojin came to say goodbye, Manager Mike Klemblas made the following offer.

“Hey, Hojin! What do you say? If you want, we can let you stay here for another week or so.”

It was Victor Johnson’s request, he said.

“Our team’s ace doesn’t seem too happy with the result of today’s match. He’s making a fuss about wanting to face you one more time.”

“V-Victor Johnson, you mean?”

Ban Hojin’s eyes widened in surprise, and Manager Klemblas continued with a faint smile.

“Tomorrow, all of Tampa Bay’s starting members will be participating in training. If you stay here a little longer, you’ll be able to play a few practice games with them… Wouldn’t that be great?”

“Practice games with Major League players…”

At this time, Jiseop was standing next to Manager Klemblas to provide interpretation, but even so, he could vividly hear the sound.

The sound of Ban Hojin swallowing hard after hearing Manager Klemblas’s proposal.

‘Hehe, it seems like quite an appealing offer.’

It wasn’t unreasonable. For Ban Hojin, the Major League was a lifelong dream.

The chance to train with the Major League’s starting players, especially those from last season’s championship team.

He expected an immediate affirmative response, but unexpectedly, Ban Hojin slowly shook his head.

“I really appreciate the offer, but… I will return as scheduled.”

He said very firmly.

“While playing as an invited player, I was able to accurately gauge my skill level.”

“Oh, really?”

Manager Klemblas raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, I don’t think it’s time for me to dream of the Major League yet. I need to return to my team and focus more on training, and gain enough experience as a player…”

Swoosh.

Ban Hojin looked up.

“That way, when I can be evaluated as the best player by anyone… That’s when I plan to challenge the Major League stage again.”

“Hmm, I see. Excellent. If that’s what you’ve decided, I can’t make any further offers, but…”

It’s a bit of a shame.

Manager Klemblas clicked his tongue.

“You’re going to challenge the Major League through free agency or the posting system [a system where a player’s original team allows them to negotiate with MLB teams for a fee]? That practically means you won’t be coming to our Tampa Bay, right?”

“Excuse me? Ah, th-that’s…”

The Tampa Bay Rays were a team that didn’t have the money to sign top-class players from Asia.

Ban Hojin, who couldn’t possibly be unaware of that fact, was momentarily flustered and broke out in a cold sweat.

However, Manager Klemblas was patting Ban Hojin’s broad shoulders with a playful smile.

“Alright, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

The manager continued.

“Hojin, to the day you cross the Pacific and return here… to the Major League.”

Perhaps for Ban Hojin,

It would be an unforgettable word.

* * *

About an hour later.

Jiseop was walking towards the staff parking lot located on the east side of Charlotte Sports Park.

It was to see off the Cannons staff who were returning after completing their invited player schedule.

“Jiseop, thank you so much.”

It was Go Changdeok speaking.

“Like before, I feel like I’ve relied on you too much this time. Both for the invited player thing and the live pitching…”

“Hey, you also told Manager Klemblas about the ‘Korean-style training philosophy,’ didn’t you? That’s enough, what are you talking about.”

The tea time between Manager Klemblas and the Cannons staff had been the previous afternoon.

Everyone was busy, so it was impossible to secure time for a leisurely dinner together. So, it was replaced with a simple tea time.

“Although it was a short time, the manager seemed very satisfied. He said there were many things to refer to in managing the team.”

“Oh, that’s a relief.”

Go Changdeok nodded.

“Next time, I’m going to try to arrange a meeting with Arthur Freeman. I thought that would be much more helpful to Manager Klemblas.”

“Ah, that’s a good idea too. If it’s Manager Freeman, there’s no need to attach a separate interpreter.”

The Major League was always a place that needed new ideas, and Korean professional baseball was now recognized as a league with a considerable level of skill.

If they maintained a certain level of exchange with KH Cannons, Tampa Bay Rays might be able to secure ideas they hadn’t even thought of.

With such expectations, when he opened the door to the parking lot with a ‘whirr,’ Jiseop couldn’t help but tilt his head for a moment.

“Oh, Deputy Go!”

“Deputy General Manager!”

The Cannons staff who had visited Charlotte Sports Park that day were waiting in the parking lot.

The first-team main hitting coach, Cha Jongmin, the manager of the operations team, and even the training assistant dispatched to help them.

In fact, it wasn’t strange for them to be here, but what caught Jiseop’s attention was something else.

“Oh, Kim! You’re here?”

It was John Ramer.

John Ramer Taylor.

The main director of the future strategy planning division was standing with the KH Cannons staff.

“…Ramer?”

Jiseop scratched his cheek and asked.

“No, what brings you here? I thought you said you had something busy to do and left earlier?”

“Yes, this is that busy thing.”

John Ramer grinned.

“Bring back new marketing ideas from Korean professional baseball… You haven’t solved that mission yet, have you? That’s why I came to meet the Cannons staff.”

John Ramer placed his hand on the shoulder of the Cannons training assistant and gave a thumbs up.

Seeing the training assistant smile back at John Ramer, it seemed the two had become quite close.

Every time Jiseop saw it, he couldn’t help but think that John Ramer’s sociability was reaching some kind of peak.

“No, you came all the way here even though you can’t communicate properly?”

“Hey, Kim! What kind of world do you live in? Don’t you know that with a phone app, you can get most translations done?”

Watching John Ramer shake his phone, Jiseop chuckled.

“So, did you get anything out of it? Any projects worth learning from Korean professional baseball?”

“Yes! They make individual cheer songs for each player in Korea? How about introducing that?”

“Ah, cheer songs?”

Jiseop’s expression turned strange.

He didn’t want to belittle John Ramer’s efforts, but it wasn’t really a special idea.

‘Wasn’t that also led by the cheering squad? I heard Americans don’t like cheering squads taking the lead…’

Noticing Jiseop’s lukewarm reaction, John Ramer immediately continued.

“Actually, there wasn’t anything particularly special other than that… But wait! My friend says he’ll think about it! Right?”

The Cannons training assistant quickly nodded at John Ramer’s question.

Jiseop smiled brightly and said, “Thank you,” before turning his gaze to Go Changdeok.

“You should be leaving soon, right?”

“Yeah, I have to. I need to report to the manager… Hmm?”

Go Changdeok looked around.

“Coach, where’s Hojin? I can’t see him?”

“Ah, Hojin?”

The Cannons coach said,

“He’s at the souvenir shop.”

“Souvenir shop?”

“Yeah, he came to the Major League spring camp, right? He said he was going to buy gifts for his seniors and friends… Oh, he’s coming over there?”

The Cannons hitting coach pointed to the opposite entrance.

Jiseop narrowed his brows slightly as he turned his gaze in that direction.

‘Hmm? But that guy…’

Why,

is he coming empty-handed?

* * *

“S, sorry I’m late!”

Ban Hojin, having confirmed that people were gathered, joined the group almost running.

“I didn’t know you’d be out here already. If you had called, I would have come out right away….”

The Cannons’ super rookie apologized, bowing repeatedly.

Jiseop stared at him for a moment before opening his mouth.

“Excuse me… Ban Hojin?”

“Ah, Deputy General Manager!”

As soon as he saw Jiseop, Ban Hojin greeted him very politely.

“I was really grateful this time. I won’t forget your consideration, and I will become a really great player.”

“Ah, okay. Thank you. I’d be rewarded if you worked hard….”

That’s enough thanks for now.

Jiseop decided to ask what he had been wondering about.

“Was there… nothing to buy?”

“Yes?”

“I heard you went to the souvenir shop, but you came empty-handed.”

Was it because this season was focused on marketing?

Jiseop was a little concerned that Ban Hojin had shown up empty-handed without buying anything.

Were there not many types of products? Was there a problem with the quality? Or is there a third reason?

Jiseop had a pretty serious expression, but Ban Hojin was just smiling brightly.

“Ah, that?”

Ban Hojin scratched the back of his head.

“I’ve already bought a lot of Tampa Bay stuff. Today, I went to buy Yankees uniforms at the request of my seniors….”

“Yankees? New York Yankees?”

“Yes.”

Ban Hojin nodded.

“Tampa Bay and the Yankees will be facing each other in the exhibition game soon, right? So, I thought there would be some Yankees stuff, but… surprisingly, there was nothing to be seen.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Jiseop tilted his head slightly to one side, but the people around him didn’t seem to care much.

“Hey, of course, there won’t be any now! The exhibition game is still two weeks away, right?”

That was Go Changdeok’s words.

“Our Cannons also get the visiting team’s merchandise three days before the game starts. Jiseop, isn’t it the same for you?”

“W, we?”

Jiseop couldn’t answer right away.

His memory was hazy.

Could you buy visiting team merchandise at the Tampa Bay stadium?

No, had he ever bought visiting team merchandise from a Major League team in the first place?

Jiseop, who mainly went back and forth between the office and the field, couldn’t easily answer the story.

The answer came from John Ramer, who was monitoring everyone’s conversation with a phone app.

“Kim, what are you talking about?”

He asked.

“Yankees uniform? Why are you looking for it here? Isn’t that something you can only find at the Yankees’ home stadium?”

“That’s true… but in Korea, they display some of the visiting team’s merchandise. Because many visiting fans come.”

Jiseop looked at John Ramer.

“Ramer, what about us? Doesn’t Tampa Bay carry visiting team merchandise?”

“No, we don’t. Not only us, but no other team carries visiting team merchandise… Hmm?”

“Ah?!!”

Jiseop and John Ramer.

It was at this moment that the two people in the Future Strategy Planning Department opened their eyes wide and looked at each other.

A new idea flashed through their minds.