A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 444

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 444

95 Spring Comes Like That (5)

Vincent Hiyama of the Yankees.

Richard Stelmezek of Tampa Bay.

Although the showdown between the two players was postponed to the regular season as Manager Clemblaus declared a pinch hitter, the atmosphere at Charlotte Sports Park did not subside at all.

It felt like it was getting even more intense. Perhaps they were determined to see the victory of the day if they couldn’t see the aces face off directly.

Let’s go Yankees! Bbam bbam bba ba bam!

Shouting slogans loudly from the stands behind the left fielder were the Yankees’ cheering squad, the Bleacher Creatures.

Clatter clatter clatter clatter!

Frantically shaking cowbells from the stands behind the right fielder were Tampa Bay’s cheering squad, the Cowbell Boys.

“Seriously, those New York guys! There’s no creativity in their cheering! How long are they going to keep shouting ‘Let’s go’ something or other?”

“Hmph! And how long are you guys going to keep shaking cowbells? Make some friends! That’s the only way you’ll come up with cheering slogans like us!”

Not giving an inch with their words.

Not letting a single action pass.

In the midst of the fierce cheering battle, there was one person who particularly caught Ji-seop’s eye.

“Let’s go Yankees!!!”

Amidst the Bleacher Creatures’ thunderous shouts, a high and sharp voice could be heard.

“Ugh, please!! Please get your act together! If we lose even after putting Vincent in, what will we become!!!”

This person was frustratedly shouting at the Yankees’ batters for failing to score despite creating good chances.

It was none other than Councilwoman Dana Sears, the city councilwoman from St. Petersburg, and the guest of the club Ji-seop was in charge of that day.

“Ball ball ball ball! That was a ball! Right? It’s a ball, isn’t it? Okay, okay!!!”

Holding her hands tightly together as if praying, she let out a sigh of relief as soon as the ball was called.

Ji-seop couldn’t remember exactly when it started. It seemed to be around the time Richard Stelmezek was replaced.

In any case, the councilwoman, who had flatly stated, ‘I’m not interested in baseball,’ was now completely immersed in the game.

‘Hehe, so that’s why she didn’t make an official visit… I’m finally getting a sense of it?’

Councilwoman Dana Sears, who was so focused on the game that she completely forgot Ji-seop was next to her.

It was right after a timely hit came from the Yankees’ lineup that she recognized Ji-seop’s presence again.

“Great, Troy! You did so well! Now it’s a 3-point difference, if we can just catch up by 3 points… Huh.”

Huh.

She really made a ‘huh’ sound.

After high-fiving with the people around her at the hard-earned score, she discovered Ji-seop standing one step behind.

“D, Deputy General Manager?!”

As she had been doing all day, Councilwoman Sears started rolling her eyes again.

But this time, she was truly cornered. In the end, she seemed to give up and opened her mouth.

“Oh, I don’t know anymore! Okay, fine, it’s true. I’m a Yankees fan. It’s true that my grandfather liked the Yankees, but I like them just as much as he did…”

The councilwoman was about to reveal that she was a hopeless Yankees fan, but Ji-seop didn’t bother to listen.

“No, it’s okay. You don’t have to explain it at length. I’ve been suspecting it from the beginning.”

“From the beginning?”

“Yes, actually, more than that…”

How was the game, Councilwoman?

Ji-seop was asking in a very polite manner.

“I’m curious to know how you viewed today’s game. Whether today’s game against the Yankees has changed your opinion of our Tampa Bay Rays even a little bit.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was at this moment that the eyes of Dana Sears, who had been in full-blown Yankees fan mode, changed ever so slightly.

The Tampa Bay fans shaking their cowbells, the Yankees fans shouting their slogans. Here at Charlotte Sports Park, where they were all mingling together in a festival.

Dana Sears stared silently at the sight of the baseball fans so passionately enthusiastic for a long time.

* * *

How did you view today’s game?

What are your thoughts on the Tampa Bay Rays?

It was after the exhibition game ended that Ji-seop was able to hear the answer to this question.

To be exact, it was about 30 minutes after Tampa Bay won with a final score of 11-8.

It took Councilwoman Dana Sears quite some time to visit the Yankees’ merchandise shop.

“Deputy General Manager, I’m sorry. Ugh, the line at the checkout was so long…”

In her hand, hurrying down the stadium stairs, was a large pot.

A limited-edition Yankees cast iron pot that her grandfather had always wanted when he was alive.

‘She ended up buying it.’ As Ji-seop smiled inwardly, Councilwoman Dana Sears opened her mouth.

“Today was fun. Really.”

Holding the large cast iron pot, the city councilwoman of St. Petersburg said.

“I can’t deny it. It was one of the top ten games I’ve ever seen. If I limit it to exhibition games, it was definitely the best.”

In the end, the Yankees lost, so there must have been some disappointment.

However, the game content was something to talk about for a long time, the atmosphere in the cheering section was hot, and above all, the facilities placed everywhere for the Yankees fans were very impressive, she said.

“I’d love to say that I’ll approve the Tampa Bay Rays’ new stadium project, but… you know? I can’t do that.”

Ji-seop quietly nodded at Dana Sears’ words.

If she were someone who could be swayed by this much hospitality, Tampa Bay wouldn’t have had to go through so much trouble.

“It may sound a bit cold, but I will continue to judge this issue strictly by the numbers. How many spectators came to Tropicana Field. So how many citizens consider the Tampa Bay Rays an important space.”

“…”

“Therefore, you will have to show me numbers that I can accept, and furthermore, numbers that the citizens can accept. If a certain level of data doesn’t come out, I won’t be able to pass this project from my position.”

Listening to Sears’ story, Ji-seop was thinking about the upper deck of Tropicana Field.

The upper deck, which is now firmly closed due to the departure of spectators. Opening it up again would be the best way after all.

Ji-seop was regaining his composure, recalling his original purpose, but this seemed to look like a slightly disappointed expression to Sears.

“Oh, don’t be so discouraged!”

She tried to wave her hand but almost dropped the cast iron pot.

“Deputy General Manager, instead, I’ll promise you this one thing.”

“Yes? What…”

“Whenever you meet the spectator numbers presented by our city council. Yes, if you fill those numbers…”

Dana Sears clenched her fist.

“I will do my best to help ensure that the new stadium construction project is no longer delayed and can begin construction immediately.”

“Really? I’ve heard that the city council has often changed its words.”

“No, this time it’s for real.”

Sears said firmly.

“If the conditions are met, permission must be granted. If permission is granted, it must be implemented without delay… In a way, that’s also a principle, isn’t it?”

Looking at Sears, who was shining her eyes, Ji-seop bowed his head slightly, saying, ‘Thank you.’

“Then I’ll trust you, Councilwoman, and focus on filling the numbers you mentioned.”

Then Ji-seop took out an envelope that he had prepared in advance.

It was an envelope given to VIPs visiting the Tampa Bay Rays.

“These are regular season tickets.”

To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, Ji-seop slightly took out the tickets inside.

“Please visit us again when there is a Yankees game. I will guide you through Tropicana Field then.”

“No, no, no, I don’t need things like this. Just put them away.”

Sears was firm.

“No, why is that? I heard that this is within the legally permissible range…”

“Even if it’s legally permissible, it will damage my image. A politician who gets free baseball tickets? Who would like that?”

She had seemed to have completely turned into a hopeless baseball fan at one point, but at the last moment, she returned to being a politician.

“I’ll be going now. Well, I don’t really feel like it… but congratulations on today’s victory.”

“Thank you, Councilwoman.”

After seeing off the troublesome guest and heading to the office of the Future Strategy Planning Division, someone tapped Ji-seop on the back.

“Councilwoman?”

Ji-seop tilted his head.

“Why is that? Did you forget something?”

“No, well, it’s not that…”

A parking ticket.

Can I get just one parking ticket?

Dana Sears continued, stammering.

“I heard that parking is free if you bring a receipt from the merchandise shop, but I can’t find where I put the receipt.”

“Oh, Councilwoman.”

Ji-seop chuckled.

“Didn’t you just say that you shouldn’t get anything for free, that it could damage your image?”

“Ah, that’s true! But parking fees are a bit of a waste. I spent over $500 at the merchandise shop…”

“That’s… true again?”

Ji-seop took out one of his business cards with a faint smile.

After signing the back of the business card with a pen, Ji-seop handed it to Sears.

“If you submit this business card, you should be able to get out for free.”

“Ah, thank you! Thank you so much! Then…”

She seemed to remember that she had already said goodbye a little while ago.

Holding up the business card she received instead of the parking ticket, Dana Sears’ new greeting was this.

“Don’t get too cocky! Our Yankees will win next time!”

“Ah ha.”

Ji-seop responded without backing down.

“You have surprisingly big dreams.”

* * *

Several hours later.

Ji-seop was visiting the office of the general manager inside Charlotte Sports Park.

The approximate tally of the day’s revenue and expenses was all finished.

Ji-seop had a duty to report these results to the club’s executives.

“Hehe, this is something…”

And as Ji-seop expected, a satisfied smile was blooming on the face of General Manager Brian Spahn, who checked the tally sheet.

“To earn this much revenue in just one day… This is an amazing figure. I wonder why we haven’t been running visiting team merchandise shops until now.”

General Manager Brian Spahn patted Ji-seop on the shoulder.

“Actually, the revenue is good, but it’s even more gratifying to have elicited a positive response from Councilwoman Dana Sears. That person was a really difficult opponent… Isn’t that right, R. J.?”

“That’s right, General Manager. I also suffered so much from Councilwoman Sears…”

Vice President R. J. Higgins of the marketing division also seemed very pleased with the day’s results.

“We earned a significant profit from the first day of the exhibition game, and we gained the support of a troublesome councilwoman… This spring has an unusually good start? It’s a flying start.”

“That’s right. It’s all thanks to our Kim and the Future Strategy Planning Division working so hard.”

The general manager and vice president were taking turns giving words of praise, but in fact, Ji-seop was thinking a little differently at this time.

That’s because it was the general manager’s style to suddenly ask difficult questions after listing praises like this.

‘What kind of question is he going to ask?’

The first thing that comes to mind is whether to expand the visiting team merchandise shop. Will we be satisfied with the contract with the Yankees, or will we make similar offers to other clubs?

Questions about future prospects were also likely to come up. Can this kind of box office success continue in the regular season? If so, what additional steps should we take?

‘Honestly, I don’t know that far yet…’

Should I have brought Charles Fleck with me if I had known this would happen?

Just as Ji-seop was lost in thought, he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder.

“Hey, Kim! What are you thinking so hard about?”

“Yes? Ah…”

Ji-seop quickly came to his senses at Vice President Higgins’ call.

But before his eyes, he saw an envelope with the Tampa Bay logo suddenly hanging down.

The same shape as the envelope he gave to Dana Sears earlier. But what was inside was a little different.

“Take it, Kim. It’s a bonus.”

“Yes?”

Ji-seop tilted his head.

Since joining the Tampa Bay Rays, he had almost no memory of receiving a bonus like this.

It’s such a poor club anyway. Even if a bonus is given, it has to go through a very complicated process.

“Hey, you don’t have to look so surprised! This is a Tampa Bay Rays tradition.”

“A tradition?”

“That’s right. A bonus is given to the employee who successfully completes the marketing project for the first time. Because he is an employee who has brought direct profit to the club.”

General Manager Brian Spahn handed Ji-seop the envelope and continued.

“Thank you for your hard work, Kim. The Tampa Bay Rays sincerely appreciate your efforts.”

“Ah, th, thank you.”

It was an unexpected situation.

That stingy club, the Tampa Bay Rays, would give out a bonus.

Receiving such a thick envelope made me feel proud.

The fatigue that had been weighing on my head seemed to disappear like snow, and it felt like new energy was rising.

‘Hehe, I thought I had lost a little bit of my desire for money…’

Ji-seop looked down at the envelope containing the bonus with a slightly bewildered expression.

Then, Vice President R. J. Higgins asked him with a strange expression.

“Hey, Kim! Just tell me quietly.”

It was a question asked while putting his arm around his shoulder and pretending to be friendly.