A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 454

The New Guy in the Baseball Team is Too Good 454

97. Indian Rain Dance (4)

Let’s highlight Mark Kohun’s double off the fence a bit more.

Let’s use Mark Kohun’s unfortunate baseball career as material.

When Ji-seop presented this idea, Charles Flex’s reaction was as follows:

“Not bad. It’s not bad, but….”

He took off his glasses.

“This could easily make the team’s people dislike us. Are you aware of that when making this proposal?”

“Yes, I am well aware.”

By this time, Ji-seop had a thorough understanding of the baseball team as an organization.

Therefore, he could easily guess how his idea would be received.

“Mark Kohun is currently at the peak of his batting performance. Our front office’s common sense is to avoid touching such players… If that’s the case, we might get some nagging.”

It meant it could stir up trouble.

Because it was emphasizing the fact that he ‘didn’t hit a home run’ to a player who was doing well.

To make matters worse, it was bringing up the unfortunate events he had experienced in the past.

It was clear that most front office staff would wave their hands at such an idea.

“You know it well. Is there a reason you’re trying to do it even though you know that?”

“First of all, it’s because of Coach Sam Harrison’s request. He asked me to make sure Mark Kohun gets more attention if possible.”

Ji-seop continued calmly.

“But the bigger reason is… I think this could be a good ‘storytelling’ opportunity.”

“Storytelling?”

When Charles Flex raised one eyebrow, Ji-seop slowly nodded.

“Yes, I’ve realized this while handling marketing-related tasks this season. Perhaps what we need to do is… create interesting stories for people.”

“Hmm.”

Charles Flex leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. He seemed quite interested.

“There are many people who like baseball. Our Tampa Bay fans are not few either. But for them to come to the stadium… they need a colleague or friend to go with, right?”

“That’s probably true. A baseball stadium alone isn’t much fun.”

“Yes, so I thought about it. How can we bring friends to the stadium, how can we bring families to the stadium… Naturally, the word ‘storytelling’ came to mind.”

Ji-seop continued.

“A story that baseball fans can tell when a friend asks, ‘Why should I go to the baseball stadium?’ A story that Tampa Bay Rays fans can confidently tell when families ask, ‘Why can’t we just watch it on TV?’… We need to create something like that.”

“Oho.”

A very faint smile was spreading across Charles Flex’s lips, but Ji-seop didn’t realize it at this moment.

“In that sense, I thought Mark Kohun’s story was quite valuable. Wouldn’t people want to see him in person at least once? A baseball player who has been so unlucky that it seems excessive.”

Ji-seop narrowed his eyes.

“What if that player hits a home run that breaks his streak of bad luck? And what if someone who happens to visit the stadium sees that home run?”

“That person will definitely visit the baseball stadium again?”

Ha, haha, hahahahaha.

It was at this moment that Charles Flex’s clear laughter echoed throughout the office.

“Good, good. If you’ve thought that far, I can’t say any more nonsense.”

I’ll contact the reporters.

Charles Flex said, taking out his cell phone from his jacket pocket.

“So, storytelling, huh….”

While selecting the contact information of reporters he was close to, Charles Flex was quietly laughing inside.

‘Kim, that friend, has become an expert without me knowing.’

* * *

To be honest,

For about three days after that, Ji-seop spent his days quite anxiously.

He confidently presented his opinion to Charles Flex, but when he actually started the plan, there were quite a few prerequisites.

‘Hehe, this is no joke?’

First of all, Mark Kohun’s batting performance had to not decline.

At the same time, he shouldn’t hit a home run before the atmosphere was ripe enough.

In fact, this alone made him feel like he was losing hair, but what made Ji-seop the most nervous during this period was this part.

‘Will Mark Kohun’s story spread well among people?’

With Charles Flex’s help, he had mobilized all possible media.

There were several articles in sports media, related content was broadcast on the radio, and even a video was uploaded on the official Major League YouTube channel once.

But whether this would become a hot topic among people, and whether it would increase the number of spectators visiting Tropicana Field.

Ji-seop couldn’t easily predict that.

-What are you going to do, Kim? If you’re really anxious, shall we go pray together?

-Pray? Wouldn’t those up there say something if we only pray at times like this?

Ji-seop replied with a smile to John LaMar, but in fact, he was praying quite diligently inside.

Was it because his prayers were answered? Or was Mark Kohun’s story considered quite interesting as Ji-seop had expected?

“Kim! Phone! Check your phone quickly!”

“Why? What happened?”

“Mark! Mark Kohun’s story has been posted on the internet!”

Exactly four days after the plan was launched, signs of change began to appear.

Mark Kohun’s story was posted on an internet community site, and it became quite a hot topic.

“LaMar, who is making this? It’s better organized than most reporters?”

“I, I don’t know, but… Hey, Kim! That’s not the important thing right now, is it? Look at the comments. Everyone is buzzing about Mark’s story?”

Once a post became a hot topic, its form and content changed slightly and it was posted on other sites as well.

Each time, the ticket sales department reported that the number of spectators for home games had increased.

In fact, Ji-seop was still skeptical at this point, unable to confirm the success of the plan-

“Welcome!”

The day before the home game against the Baltimore Orioles.

This happened at a cafe he briefly stopped by after going out on business in the city due to a problem with the visiting team’s goods shop.

“An iced coffee? Thank you, please wait a moment. It will be out soon!”

It was a cafe run by two elderly people, a grandfather and a grandmother.

The music playing was quite old, and the machines they used also looked very old.

In many ways, it seemed like a place far from the internet, but the grandfather, who was preparing Ji-seop’s coffee, suddenly said this.

“Oh, you know! Sometimes you see friends who are so unlucky!”

The grandfather was talking loudly, turning to look at the grandmother who was baking cookies.

Up until this point, Ji-seop didn’t understand what they were talking about.

“That’s a very strange story. A baseball player who gets diarrhea on the day he’s called up to the major league.”

“That’s not all? After he settled down, his parents’ house was swept away by a hurricane.”

Diarrhea and a hurricane.

The moment he heard this story, Ji-seop felt like his hair was standing on end.

“The fact that such a player became a starter means he put in a lot of effort… I hope he does well. I hope he hits a home run this year.”

“That’s right, but it seems like there’s some possibility this time? Why, Peter said the other day. The pitcher starting for Baltimore tomorrow isn’t very good.”

“Did he? Why is my memory so hazy… Oh, the coffee’s out! Give it to the customer quickly.”

At the grandmother’s words, the grandfather quickly filled an ice cup with coffee.

“Here, your coffee is ready! Enjoy it!”

“Ah, yes, thank you.”

Ji-seop, who received the coffee, seemed to be lost in thought for a moment.

Then, he put down the coffee he had received and opened his mouth again.

“Can I order some more coffee?”

“Additional order?”

“Yes, please make three more hot coffees. And please pack a box of the cookies you’re making now. And… do you sell the sandwiches here too?”

“Yes, well, we made them for sale, but….”

The grandfather tilted his head.

“No, sir! Why are you suddenly ordering so much? Weren’t you just stopping by for a cup of coffee?”

“That’s what I was planning to do… But I just heard some good news.”

While picking up one of the sandwiches on the stand, Ji-seop was smiling brightly.

“It’s the news I really wanted to hear.”

“Is that so? You didn’t seem to be touching your phone… Haha, I understand! I’ll prepare it right away!”

“Yes, please.”

The joy of when a plan he had prepared worked out properly.

The reward for creating interesting stories for people.

It was probably the first time Ji-seop truly experienced the joy of marketing work at this moment.

* * *

The next day afternoon.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ home stadium, Tropicana Field, was bustling with a lively atmosphere long before the game started.

“Please move slowly! Slowly!”

“Ah, you’ve reserved the luxury lounge? Lounge users can use Gate 7!”

The story of Mark Kohun, which had spread to a small coffee shop on the outskirts of the city.

That story seemed to be having a definite impact on the spectators of the Tampa Bay Rays that day.

By 2 p.m. that day, all tickets were sold out, and the Tampa Bay Rays had achieved their sixth sell-out of the season.

“Buy the game book! Only $4! It includes the story of today’s starter, Victor Johnson Jr., as well as an exclusive interview with Mark Kohun!”

“How about this season’s fan book! The story of Dark Kohun that everyone is curious about! The story of Mark Kohun is featured in detail!”

The staff of the Tampa Bay goods shop were busy moving around in the face of a rare bonanza.

The staff in charge of maintaining order in the stadium were also shaking their heads at the influx of people.

In the midst of the commotion, with the famous cowbell sounds of Tropicana Field overlapping-

“Hello! I am currently at Tropicana Field!”

Pre-game interviews by broadcasters were taking place on the Tropicana Field grounds.

“Yes, Tropicana Field is sold out again today. According to reports, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow’s games are also close to selling out. The Tampa Bay Rays, who have been showing unusual signs of success recently! First, let’s meet today’s starting pitcher, Victor Johnson Jr.!”

There were only three people participating in the pre-game interview for the Tampa Bay Rays that day.

The starting pitcher, Victor Johnson Jr., the manager, Mike Clambleas, and perhaps the player who was receiving the most attention, Mark Kohun.

“……”

Perhaps because he had few opportunities to participate in pre-game interviews, he was waiting for his turn with a very stiff expression.

His nickname is ‘Dark.’ Since the man with an already gloomy atmosphere was even frowning, it must have been a bit difficult for the broadcaster.

“Um… Kim?”

The caster from the broadcasting station spoke to Ji-seop, who was watching the situation from a step behind.

“Could you please say something to Mark Kohun? Tell him to soften his expression a little. He’s too stiff right now….”

“Ah, is that so? I understand.”

Ji-seop, who had been moving with a calm expression up until this point.

However, the moment he made eye contact with Mark Kohun in front of him, Ji-seop smiled inwardly.

[This… this is a little different from what I thought?]