A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 465

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 465

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 465

99 Last Man Standing (4)

The first face-off of the season against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field.

With baseball fans’ attention focused, the Tampa Bay Rays succeeded in taking the first two wins.

Game 1 final score 1-0.

Game 2 final score 3-2.

Woo-hoo!!!

Woo-hoo!!!

Both games were low-scoring.

Both games were decided by a single point.

In the two tightly contested matches that felt like they were shortening lifespans, the player who showed the most outstanding performance was none other than ‘the returned closer,’ Joe Holzman.

This is the man–

Joe Holzman is coming!!!

He was a relief pitcher who had been away from the team for the past two years due to chronic injuries.

He was the very player Ji-seop had gone down to the Montgomery Biscuits [a minor league baseball team] to check on his condition.

He was used as a middle relief pitcher in this series because his game sense wasn’t fully back yet.

He saved the Tampa Bay Rays from crisis every time he came to the mound.

Whoosh- Bang!

Whoosh- Bang!

Whoosh- Bang!

In the first game, he came on in the top of the 7th with a runner on first and third with one out, striking out two batters in a row to clean up the situation.

In the second game, he came on in the top of the 6th with the bases loaded and two outs, leading to a routine ground ball to the infield after a long battle that went to 11 pitches.

‘Class is forever,’ ‘He’s a man with a steel heart.’ The commentators were showering him with such praise.

However, the impressions of the Tampa Bay Rays’ ace, Victor Johnson Jr., who was watching the game, were as follows:

-Kim, I’m going down to the minor leagues too… Can’t you come and get me?

-What are you talking about all of a sudden?

As Ji-seop blinked, Victor Johnson pointed to the broadcast screen and replied.

-No, but isn’t it true? Richard Stelmajek, Joe Holzman, and all the players Kim brings in are making great contributions.

He continued.

-If Kim just ‘picks me up,’ I think I could win the Cy Young Award [an award given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball] this season…

Sounds good, right? It’s a good idea, right?

Ji-seop simply retorted indifferently as he looked at Victor Johnson, who was poking his arm with his finger.

-Stop talking nonsense and finish your ginger tea. You said you still have a cold.

-Ah, yes.

-It’s said that even dogs don’t catch colds in May, but what’s the team’s ace doing before the Yankees game?

-Oh, Korean dogs… don’t get colds either?

-That’s not what I meant… Haa.

Well, anyway.

In this way, the Tampa Bay Rays succeeded in taking a 2-0 lead in the 3-game series.

According to the usual flow, about 3-4% of the tickets for the third game should have been refunded at this point.

Tropicana Field had so many visiting fans. After losing two games in a row, expectations for the third game would naturally decrease.

However, even such minor rules did not apply in this 3-game series.

Buzzing-

Buzzing-

The day of the highly anticipated third game.

Instead of ticket refund requests coming in, an even longer line than the day before was forming at the ticket consignment shops around the stadium.

“Everyone, all tickets are sold out! There’s no way to get in even if you wait here!”

“We recommend using a nearby sports pub! You’ll have to move now to get a seat!!”

Vincent Hiyama, the New York Yankees’ ace, was challenging for his fourth consecutive shutout victory.

Blocking such Vincent was Brett Evans, a living legend with 250 career wins.

As the area around Tropicana Field was in an uproar with people trying to see the two players’ starting match-up in person-

“Hoo!”

At a similar time.

In the home team’s indoor bullpen under Tropicana Field, starting pitcher Brett Evans was slowly coming down from the mound that day.

It was right after finishing his practice pitching before the game. Brett Evans opened the bullpen’s wire mesh door with a short sigh.

“Mr. Evans, you worked hard!”

“You’ve done a great job!”

As he came out to the preparation area behind the bullpen, the Tampa Bay Rays people flocked to him.

The coaching staff handed him a dry towel and patted him on the shoulder, and the baseball operations staff came with tablet PCs.

John Llama and David Wilson from the Future Strategy Planning Division were also approaching with bright expressions.

“Brett, your pitches are no joke today?”

Said the pitching coach.

“What is it, what is it? Is it because the weather is humid? The ball just sticks to my hand?”

“Right? I feel good too.”

Brett Evans nodded.

“The weather being humid is also a factor. When the humidity rises, the surface of the ball becomes moist. But today, more than that…”

His gaze was directed towards the people in the Future Strategy Planning Division.

Looking at John Llama and David Wilson’s faces, he smiled and continued.

“I think the minor adjustments we made this time are working in a good direction. I feel like my overall balance is getting better because I’m increasing the proportion of sweepers [a type of breaking ball].”

“Hmm, that could be! Until now, the proportion of curveballs was too high. If you have a new weapon, it’s fun to fight, right?”

The pitching coach patted Brett’s chest with a satisfied expression, but he didn’t forget to give one piece of advice.

“But don’t relax. I heard the Yankees hitters are very angry.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh, why wouldn’t they be? They lost by one point in two consecutive games, right? They were so heated that the Yankees’ key hitters went to the Tampa stadium last night for extra batting practice, I heard?”

“Hmm, extra batting practice…”

As Brett Evans narrowed his brow slightly, a baseball operations staff member quickly interjected.

“Haha, but you don’t have to worry too much. Our Tampa Bay hitters also did extra batting practice.”

The staff member had a confident expression.

“It was a big deal last night. They said they had to give Vincent a taste of his own medicine, so they took out all the training equipment they don’t usually use… So they won’t be pushed back in terms of momentum.”

“That’s welcome news.”

“If you’re still worried, would you like to review the game plan one more time? Alex Montero is scheduled to have a meeting anyway.”

At the suggestion of the team staff, Brett Evans readily agreed.

“Good, we need to pay special attention on days like this… Hmm?”

Brett Evans, who was about to move with the baseball operations staff.

He suddenly realized something was wrong and turned his gaze to the baseball operations department.

“But… Mr. Taylor?”

“Yes, I’m here!”

John Llama raised his hand.

“Why can’t I see Kim? If we’re going to have a meeting, it would be nice if Kim could join us.”

“Eh, are you talking about Kim again? Why, does Kim bring you some delicious snacks?”

The pitching coach grumbled.

“You know I’m right next to you, but you’re still saying that…”

He smiled at the pitching coach and turned his gaze to John Llama.

“So… where’s Kim? Is he very busy? Can’t he spare some time?”

“Yes, it might be a little difficult today. Kim isn’t at Tropicana Field right now…”

At John Llama’s answer, Brett Evans’ eyes widened.

“He’s not here? Then where is he? On such an important day…”

“He’s out at the St. Petersburg Mayor’s residence with Charles Fleck.”

It’s VIP escort duty.

John Llama continued.

“I heard that high-ranking officials from the city government will be attending today’s game.”

* * *

John Llama’s words were true.

That afternoon, Ji-seop was out at the St. Petersburg Mayor’s residence with Charles Fleck.

Not only the mayor and deputy mayor, but also people in charge of important city administration.

The key figures of the St. Petersburg city government had decided to visit Tropicana Field.

“Haha, I should say thank you to Vincent Hiyama later.”

Said Charles Fleck.

“Even if I sent them invitations, they wouldn’t budge… This time, they said they would attend without a word.”

“Did the mayor also want to see the showdown between Vincent Hiyama and Brett Evans?”

“Hey, what are you talking about.”

Charles Fleck chuckled.

“Politicians tend to show up where people gather. That’s how they get votes and recognition. Besides, isn’t today’s game scheduled for national broadcast? It’s an opportunity those greedy people can’t miss.”

Charles Fleck looked around the lobby of the official residence with strange eyes.

He looked into Ji-seop’s face and opened his mouth again.

“But why do you have that expression again?”

“Yes?”

“You’ve been restless since a while ago. You keep looking at your phone.”

“Ah, it’s not that… I’m just worried about whether I’ll be able to make it to the game on time.”

Ji-seop tapped the phone screen to check the time again.

“According to the schedule, we should have already left, right? But the city government people haven’t even shown their faces yet.”

“Ah, because of that?”

“Yes, and it’s also rush hour. It’ll take at least an hour to get from here to Tropicana Field…”

It was a big match.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime game.

Ji-seop didn’t want to miss a single moment, but Charles Fleck slapped him on the shoulder as if he was dumbfounded.

“Kim, you’re hard to understand. Sometimes you seem like a marketing person, but other times you’re still a baseball fanatic to the bone.”

“Yes? What do you mean…”

“It means that making it to the game start time in this situation is meaningless.”

Charles Fleck’s eyes narrowed.

“Does it matter if the traffic is heavy? What if the game is a little late! Then we can have long conversations with the high-ranking officials of St. Petersburg in the car!”

“Does it… work that way?”

As Ji-seop blinked, Charles Fleck smiled gently.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re late for the game, so think about what you should say to the mayor… Think about that.”

Ah, and.

Charles Fleck raised his finger.

“When you meet VIPs, it’s best not to take out your phone if possible. It breaks the flow of the conversation. It also distracts the other person.”

“I see. I learned another thing from Mr. Fleck.”

As Ji-seop was putting his phone in his jacket pocket after hearing Charles Fleck’s advice.

The stairs coming down from the second floor began to get noisy.

“Oh, Charles!! Sorry I’m late! Oh, I couldn’t hang up on the governor in the middle of the call…”

A group of people coming down the stairs.

And one stout old man in the middle, raising his hand and approaching.

It seemed to be the mayor of St. Petersburg.

* * *

To put it bluntly,

It took exactly 2 hours.

From the St. Petersburg Mayor’s residence to Tropicana Field.

It usually took at least an hour, but it was even more delayed that day because of the people who came to the stadium.

“Let’s get through! The stadium is right in front of us… Isn’t that too much?”

“I can’t help it! This side is completely blocked! Turn around, turn around and come in that way!”

It was a situation where they couldn’t easily enter even though they could clearly see the baseball stadium in their sight.

The driver sighed deeply as if frustrated, but Ji-seop was quietly smiling inside.

Thanks to the traffic jam, thanks to being so blocked that it barely moved, Ji-seop was able to have quite a few conversations with the mayor of St. Petersburg.

“Oh, really? There’s even a store for visiting team fans? Usually there isn’t, right?”

“Yes, only our Tampa Bay Rays operate it in Major League Baseball. There are many fans of other teams in St. Petersburg, after all.”

He was also able to talk about the visiting team goods shop, which has now become a major source of income for Tropicana Field.

“Ah, Clark Wise! I’ve heard of that. Isn’t that a pretty successful fashion brand in New York?”

“That’s right. Tropicana Field has a luxury lounge operated by Clark Wise. You can use it today if you want.”

He couldn’t leave out the boasting about the luxury lounge that Tampa Bay had ambitiously prepared this season.

“Hmm, I see. A space that not only Tampa Bay fans but also all baseball fans in St. Petersburg can enjoy… So, how successful is it?”

“It’s quite successful. The number of spectators has increased a lot, and our team’s revenue structure has also improved significantly.”

Was it because they had enough time to talk?

When they arrived at Tropicana Field after breaking through the terrible traffic jam, Ji-seop was able to hear these words from the mayor.

“There was a reason why Councilwoman Dana Sears often mentioned Tropicana Field. It certainly doesn’t seem like the old baseball stadium I knew.”

“Thank you, Mayor.”

“But… Oh, the traffic situation around the stadium needs to be improved? There will be a lot of spectators in the future, but if it’s blocked like this every time…”

It was at this moment that Charles Fleck slyly approached the mayor, who was wiping away his sweat with a handkerchief.

“Mayor, isn’t that why we’re telling you to move the stadium? Look, is there any space to build a new road in this area?”

“Mo, move the stadium? Are you talking about building a new stadium again?”

The mayor, who initially showed a slightly irritated reaction, seemed to have a scenery that came into his eyes as well.

“Well, I can’t say it’s a completely forced argument. It’s certainly difficult to improve the road network in this area…”

I’ll think about it once.

I’ll discuss it once.

It would have been really the best if it had gone this far, but the mayor of St. Petersburg was also a politician.

Perhaps he couldn’t bring up a story that would become a disaster later by being swept away by the atmosphere.

He skillfully changed the subject by clapping his hands.

“Well, shall we hurry a little? Vincent Hiyama and Brett Evans… We can’t miss any more of these amazing pitchers’ pitching, can we?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. This way.”

It wasn’t a 100% perfect result, but Ji-seop was inwardly satisfied.

Because the mayor’s reaction to the Tampa Bay Rays was definitely different from before.

Now, all that was left was to show a wonderful game. The audience’s hot cheers and shouts, and the shining plays of both teams’ players.

If he could properly engrave that, he would probably be able to look forward to after this 3-game series.

“After listening to our vice president’s explanation, I feel a little disappointed. If I had known it was such a meaningful game, I would have left the official residence earlier.”

Said the mayor of St. Petersburg, entering through the VIP entrance.

“Oh, the game has already been going on for almost an hour. I must have missed a lot of great scenes? Ah, that’s right!”

The mayor turned his gaze to the aide who was following him.

“Hey, Winston! Can you check the game score? I’m curious what the score is right now?”

“Yes, Mayor!”

Looking at the aide taking out his cell phone, Ji-seop also turned his gaze slightly.

Ji-seop was also curious. How is the current game going? What kind of game are Brett Evans and Vincent Hiyama playing?

‘I didn’t have time to check my phone because I was talking to the mayor.’

Is Brett Evans properly blocking the Yankees’ strong lineup?

Is Vincent Hiyama still challenging for his fourth consecutive shutout victory?

What’s the score? 0-0? 1-0? Or 1-1?

As Ji-seop perked up his ears while thinking about that, he heard the aide’s voice.

“Oh! That’s a relief, Mayor! It’s still the bottom of the 1st inning!”

“Really? It hasn’t progressed as much as I thought? I was worried that the game would be over already.”

The mayor laughed heartily as if he was in a good mood, but Ji-seop couldn’t help but tilt his head.

‘Still… the bottom of the 1st inning? It’s been almost an hour since the game started?’

An uneasy feeling that flashed through his head.

A feeling that a very different development from what he thought was continuing.

That premonition came back as a reality immediately after that.

“It seems that both teams scored a lot of points.”

The aide continued.

“The current score in the bottom of the 1st is 5-4, the Tampa Bay Rays are behind by 1 point.”