A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 450

Take Me Out to the Ball Game (6)

The day stadium organist Huck Flender’s memory faltered.

And as Jisub prepared to initiate the ‘Plan B’ he’d meticulously arranged.

A familiar tune drifted through the air.

Take me out to the ball game~

Take me out with the crowd~

Within the Tampa Bay front office, opinions on the song’s resurgence were varied.

“It’s the result of our aggressive promotion! The audience connected with Huck Flender’s story!” declared the marketing department.

“Surely, it’s the lyrics displayed on the electronic board? Lyrics naturally encourage a sing-along,” countered the stadium operations department.

“Well, maybe it’s not just one thing…”

“No! It can’t be just that…”

Others suggested it was a long-standing Major League Baseball tradition, the players’ influence on the crowd, or even a miracle at Tropicana Field. A flood of theories emerged, and some, frustrated, pressed Jisub for the definitive answer. But Jisub himself couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause.

‘What could it be?’ he wondered.

Was it the culmination of promotion, the power of habit, or a subtle interplay of factors?

While a single explanation remained elusive, one thing was certain.

The song that resonated through the stadium, sung with heartfelt passion—

Saved Huck Flender,

Who was lost in the shadows of his mind.

“……”

Jisub recalled the profound emotion etched on Huck Flender’s face.

Understandably so. He had momentarily forgotten a song he’d performed countless times.

‘I’m losing another one,’ he must have thought. ‘Another precious memory fading away.’

His eyes clouded over, his fingers grew rigid, and a sense of despair threatened to engulf him.

Then, the song,

Emerged.

“!!!”

It began as a solitary voice, but soon, more and more joined in.

Two voices, then three. Until, a wave of song washed over Tropicana Field, uniting the crowd in a powerful chorus.

In the cramped organ room, barely 1.5 pyeong [approximately 54 square feet], the voices of tens of thousands swelled, filling the space.

“……Ah.”

The organist, teetering on the brink of memory loss, found his weathered fingers instinctively finding their place on the keyboard.

And from the instrument flowed the song he had poured his heart into for two decades, the song he knew best.

It was .

Take me out to the ball game.

Take me out to the crowd.

I don’t care if I never get back.

Root, root, root for the Rays, the Tampa Bay Rays.

If they don’t win, it’s a shame.

One! Two! Three strikes, you’re out!

At the old ball game-

“……”

“……”

As the final notes faded, a hush fell over Tropicana Field.

The audience seemed to grasp the significance of the moment, the weight of the performance they had just witnessed.

But the silence was fleeting.

Clap,

Clap clap,

Clap clap clap clap!

From a single spark, thunderous applause erupted, engulfing the stadium.

It was an ovation for Huck Flender, a tribute to his dedication, and a heartfelt wish for his well-being.

Amidst the sustained applause of thousands, Jisub observed.

“……”

Huck Flender, his hands resting gently on his knees, gazing down at the field through the organ room window.

He, too, was bidding farewell.

* * *

The Major League Baseball opening game at Tropicana Field, packed to capacity, was a resounding success.

The home team, the Tampa Bay Rays, secured an 8-0 victory. The atmosphere was electric.

Waaaaah!!!

Waaaaah!!!

The press room buzzed with activity as reporters scrambled to capture the day’s many narratives.

Tampa Bay Rays’ starting pitcher, Victor Johnson Jr., delivered a dominant performance, pitching 7 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts.

Richard Stelmetzek, a recent addition to the team, shone with 3 hits in 4 at-bats, including 2 home runs and 4 RBIs.

Yet, the spotlight remained firmly fixed on stadium organist Huck Flender.

“Huck Flender’s performance today created a truly unforgettable experience for everyone at Tropicana Field.”

“Absolutely. I was speechless for a moment there. The commentary was silent for almost 10 seconds… Haha, I hope the PD wasn’t upset.”

Articles celebrating Huck Flender flooded the media, and his performance was prominently featured in game reviews.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ fan channels were inundated with requests to see him perform again.

“Is everyone ready to go?”

“Yes, I believe I’ve packed everything.”

Later that night, in the darkened parking lot of Tropicana Field.

Jisub and his colleagues from the Future Strategy Planning Division gathered to bid Huck Flender farewell.

“Thank you for your dedication, Mr. Flender.”

“Oh, it was nothing…”

The stadium organist waved dismissively at Jisub’s words of gratitude.

John Ramer interjected, his curiosity piqued.

“But Mr. Flender! Why did you decline all the media interviews? You seemed eager for them before!”

John Ramer, snapping his fingers in realization, exclaimed, “Aha! So, this isn’t a complete retirement after all? You’re hoping to return to the organ if your health improves…”

“Haha, no, that’s not it,” Huck Flender chuckled, shaking his head.

“What justification would I have to face the reporters? I nearly caused a major incident today. I can’t boast about it as if it were an accomplishment.”

“Are you referring to what happened in the 7th inning? But that’s…”

“It wasn’t something to simply brush aside. It was a mistake that should never have occurred.”

Huck Flender’s tone was firm.

“To be honest, I wished to continue as the organist for a while longer, but today solidified my decision. It’s time for me to retire, to step aside.”

“Mr. Flender…”

“Because my memory will continue to deteriorate. Today it was , but tomorrow it might be the players’ entrance music, and the next day, the game’s opening theme.”

The members of the Future Strategy Planning Division couldn’t help but wear somber expressions at the organist’s words.

The atmosphere was heavy, and no one dared to offer empty platitudes. Huck Flender, however, smiled gently and turned his gaze to Jisub.

“Team Leader, there’s no need to be so disheartened. Thanks to the opportunity you provided, I’ve gained something akin to new hope, wouldn’t you say?”

“New hope?”

“Indeed.”

Huck Flender nodded.

“Consider today. I experienced a lapse in memory, completely forgetting a song I’ve played thousands of times. Yet, even amidst that, new memories were forged, weren’t they?”

Singing alongside the crowd that filled Tropicana Field.

Receiving heartfelt gratitude and encouragement from so many.

It was a moment Huck Flender thought he’d never experience again.

“The Tropicana Field I remember was often empty… Today, it was filled with spectators who sang along to my music. That’s a new memory, isn’t it?”

‘I intend to live like this moving forward,’

Huck Flender continued calmly.

“Memories will fade, and I can’t prevent that… But I’ll strive to create new ones to replace them. That way, the person named Huck Flender can continue to exist in his entirety.”

‘So, Team Leader,

And Tampa Bay colleagues.’

Huck Flender turned to face those who had come to see him off.

“I hope you’ll continue to share good news with me. News of Tampa Bay victories, news of increased attendance at Tropicana Field… Those will be cherished memories for me.”

“Of course!”

John Ramer was the first to respond to Huck Flender’s request.

“I’ll keep you informed! Don’t worry, I can provide endless updates! Our Future Strategy Planning Division has a plethora of events planned!”

“I… I’ll do my best as well,” David Wilson added.

“So that we can continue to deliver positive news… Please, take care of your health.”

“Okay, thank you. Thank you all so much.”

Huck Flender, nodding with a pleased expression, turned his attention back to Jisub.

Even if the sentiment was understood, he seemed to crave a word from Jisub himself.

Jisub, sensing his desire, offered his brightest smile and extended his hand.

“Yes, I promise. I’ll fill Mr. Flender’s mind with thoughts of our Tampa Bay.”

“Haha! That sounds delightful! An old man who only recounts stories about the Tampa Bay Rays when you poke him!”

Hahahahaha.

Huck Flender laughed heartily and grasped Jisub’s hand firmly.

After bidding farewell, he entered his son’s car with Charles Fleck’s assistance.

“I’ll be on my way, then.”

Jiiiiiing.

Huck Flender, lowering the car window, waved to everyone.

“Drive safely!”

“Stay healthy!!”

Amidst the echoing voices of the Future Strategy Planning Division, the car departed Tropicana Field.

“……”

Jisub, gazing blankly at the departing vehicle, raised an eyebrow and placed his hand on John Ramer’s shoulder.

“So… Director?”

“Yes?”

John Ramer looked at Jisub.

“What’s the next event?”

“Yes? Why are you bringing that up now…”

Jisub chuckled.

“Didn’t you just assure Mr. Flender that there’s nothing to worry about, that the Future Strategy Planning Division has numerous events in the works?”

“……”

“I can only recall the tailgating party next weekend. I was curious if our director had any other ideas.”

“That, that is… well…”

John Ramer began to sweat profusely.

He decided to enlist the help of his best friend, David Wilson.

“Kim! Just a moment!”

He exclaimed, grabbing David Wilson’s arm.

“I’ll have an in-depth discussion with David… and present new ideas by tomorrow morning!”

“To, tomorrow morning?!”

David Wilson stared at John Ramer in disbelief.

“No, Ramer! What are you saying? Are you suggesting we pull an all-nighter?”

“Hey, are you going to back out now? You happily joined me last week when I invited you to the coaches’ dinner?”

“That, that’s true, but…”

As David Wilson trailed off, John Ramer declared confidently.

“Let’s go! Kim is waiting! Huck Flender is waiting! For our new ideas!”

“……”

Watching the two men disappear in a flurry, Jisub smiled wryly.

He suddenly tilted his head and scanned his surroundings.

A song drifted through the air.

Take me out to the ball game.

Take me out to the crowd.

Was someone singing, still caught up in the lingering excitement of the game?

Listening to the somewhat off-key singing, Jisub slowly began to walk back towards Tropicana Field.