A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 485

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 485

102 Let Them Come (5)

Exactly two weeks later.

Brian Spon, the general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, was visiting Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

It was to attend the [Simon Bolivar Cup], a national youth baseball tournament held in Venezuela for the first time in almost 10 years.

As the general manager of a Major League Baseball team, and with the Tampa Bay Rays being a major investor contributing $100,000 to the tournament,

it was only natural that Rodrigo de Lima, the president of the Venezuelan Baseball Federation, came to greet Brian Spon.

“Oh, I’m only mentioning this now, but… it was a really risky project.”

On the way from Simon Bolivar International Airport to downtown Caracas where the tournament was being held,

De Lima, the president of the Venezuelan Baseball Federation, was complaining with a shiver.

“We can’t even guarantee the success of a tournament of this scale even if our association takes the lead… To entrust the work to those swindlers.”

“Ah, I’ve heard the story.”

The general manager nodded.

“I heard that the tournament was organized by a former information broker? The one who’s been making fools of Major League teams for the past few years.”

“I can’t say for sure that he’s a former broker! Who knows when they’ll resume similar activities!”

The president was adamant.

“I appreciate your generous donation of $100,000 for the development of Venezuelan baseball, but it was a really risky choice. You could have just lost that huge sum of money!”

“Oh, really?”

As the general manager chimed in, the president began to criticize ‘those swindler guys’ even more fiercely.

“Ah, those guys could have just taken the money and run away, couldn’t they? Even if they didn’t run away, they could have messed up the tournament preparations! There were no safety nets!”

“Hmm.”

“Moreover, after the general manager gave the subsidy, many Venezuelan companies volunteered to be sponsors, you know? Everyone invested believing in the name of the Tampa Bay Rays… Imagine if the tournament was prepared terribly! The general manager’s reputation could have fallen to the ground!”

After that, the president continued to talk about how dangerous this investment had been, but Brian Spon, the general manager, simply had a soft smile on his face.

“Well, I think I understand the situation…”

The general manager turned his head.

“Mr. President, it seems like you’ve been using only hypothetical situations for a while now?”

“Yes?”

“Could have been swindled out of money, could have damaged reputation, could have suffered great losses… You keep saying ‘could have happened’.”

“Ah, that, that is…”

It was at this moment that an embarrassed expression appeared on the president’s face.

“There’s no other reason. It’s just that the things I was worried about didn’t actually happen.”

“Didn’t happen?”

“Yes, I hate to admit it…”

The tournament preparation is perfect.

The president gave a bitter smile.

“Since I jumped into the baseball scene, I don’t think there’s ever been a tournament prepared this thoroughly.”

President De Lima, who thought of Pablo Rodriguez as a thorn in his side.

A tournament so well-prepared that even he had to nod in agreement.

It meant that a tournament that would become the new hope of Venezuelan baseball was now waiting for General Manager Brian Spon.

* * *

It was around 9 a.m. that day when the general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays arrived at the main stadium of the tournament, the Caracas University Baseball Stadium.

Wow!!!

The tournament was only on its first day. It was before any games or even the official opening ceremony had taken place.

Training for student athletes was taking place on the ground, but the stadium was already filled with nearly 20,000 spectators, causing a commotion.

“Actually, we didn’t even anticipate this kind of reaction.”

After arriving at the main stadium, David Wilson from the Future Strategy Planning Division was in charge of guiding Brian Spon, the general manager.

“It’s a huge success. The local staff says it’s hard to find an empty room in downtown Caracas.”

“Haha, it’s amazing considering the baseball fever in Venezuela. To create a baseball festival of this scale in just two weeks.”

Brian Spon, the general manager, stared blankly out the window with a faint smile.

However, the Tampa Bay Rays’ aim was not to hold a grand baseball festival in Venezuela.

They had a more realistic and specific goal.

“So… how’s the preparation going?”

“We’ve made every effort.”

David Wilson’s eyes lit up.

“A total of 217 teams from all over Venezuela participated in the preliminary rounds, and 32 of them have advanced to the finals and have arrived in Caracas.”

He placed a pre-prepared report in front of the general manager.

“Out of the 32 teams that have advanced to the finals, only 4 teams are based in Caracas. The remaining 28 teams are based in the region.”

“Oh, so they’re players who usually don’t get the attention of Major League scouts?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

David nodded.

“In fact, there are a few amateur teams whose reputations are known in Major League Baseball. But most of them were teams that even I had never heard of.”

And it was added that the skills of these unknown amateur teams far exceeded David’s expectations.

It was also said that there were far more promising prospects in Venezuela than everyone thought.

“To be honest, it feels like a jackpot. We’ve uncovered something that would have taken us years to find ourselves in just two weeks, haven’t we?”

“It’s definitely the best-case scenario for the front office to have prospects come to us on their own, but…”

The general manager’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you ready to accurately measure the players’ skills? I’m concerned about this part.”

“Of course, sir.”

David had a confident expression.

“With the help of local agents, we have installed measuring equipment in all the baseball fields where the games are held.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, thanks to our Tampa Bay Rays becoming the main investor in this tournament… Ah, it’s here.”

David showed the data that came into his tablet PC to the general manager.

“We’ve made arrangements to measure data not only during the game but also during training like this.”

“Oh?”

“There are a total of 32 teams participating in the finals, and even if we only pick 20 players from each team, we can accumulate data on 640 people. If we can secure the local amateur teams in Caracas who volunteered to be their practice partners here…”

Swish.

David raised his head.

“We expect to secure data on at least 700 and up to 1,000 people through this tournament alone.”

“1,000 people?! Zeus Analytics asked for 500 people… Are you saying you’ve secured twice as much in just over two weeks?”

Heh, heh, heh, heh heh.

A satisfied smile finally appeared on Brian Spon, the general manager’s face.

Up to 1,000 data points. More than half of them are data from new players that other teams don’t even know exist.

There was no need to explain in words how much value this data had.

“Now that I see it, the Future Strategy Planning Division didn’t just meet the conditions of Zeus Analytics. You’ve found a treasure trove. A treasure trove hidden in the middle of the Caribbean Sea!”

What news could be more welcome to a small market team like the Tampa Bay Rays than securing promising prospects?

Brian Spon, the general manager, patted David on the shoulder and asked with a truly happy expression.

“Hey, David! Where is your captain right now?”

The general manager mentioned the person he wanted to meet most at this moment.

“I think I should treat the captain who found this amazing treasure trove to a great dinner!”

“Ah, are you talking about Kim?”

David grinned.

“If it’s Kim… he’s probably busy with promotional activities.”

“Promotional activities?”

“Yes, he said it’s necessary to give the student athletes participating in the tournament a good impression of the Tampa Bay Rays…”

“Heh, he’s even thinking about that?”

The general manager smiled.

“Now… even I can’t keep up with Kim’s actions.”

* * *

The title of the promotional activity prepared by Jisup that day was the so-called [Beat the Silver Hairtail Uncle].

The event was simple: a one-on-one match against Pablo Rodriguez, a pitcher in his active days, with gifts given out depending on the result.

Shoooo- Thwack!

Shoooo- Thwaack!

If you got a hit, you could receive a signed ball from Tampa Bay players.

Even if you struck out, you could get a Tampa Bay Rays T-shirt.

An event where even players who weren’t good enough could get a hat if they answered Jisup’s questions correctly.

“Okay, student! What’s your favorite Major League team?”

“LA Dodgers!”

“Hmm, really? Really? Is that the student’s honest answer?”

“Ah… Ta, Tampa Bay? Tampa Bay Rays?!”

“Good, great answer! Bring me a hat here!”

Perhaps because of the ridiculously easy conditions, the event venue was crowded with students.

Students enjoying receiving hats, students happy to get a hit, students bragging to their friends about the T-shirts they received as gifts.

Everyone was having fun, but there seemed to be one person who wasn’t in a good mood.

“Hey… Kim?”

It was Pablo Rodriguez, who had faced more than 10 students in a row and came down to take a break with his colleagues.

“The purpose is good, the content is good, everything is good… but why am I a silver hairtail [a Korean slang term for someone wearing a silver suit, sometimes implying a gangster-like image]?”

“Ah, don’t you have that saying in Venezuela?”

Jisup chuckled it off.

“In Korea, we call people wearing silver suits silver hairtails. Why, is there something wrong with that?”

“No, I looked it up in the dictionary, so I know that. But in Korea, it seems like it’s a word used to call gangsters… Isn’t it?”

“Hey, a gangster?”

Damn it, I got caught.

When this expression appeared on Jisup’s face, Pablo Rodriguez showed a very disappointed reaction.

“Wow, Kim! Isn’t that too much? Even if I was an information broker, I’m not at the level of being called a gangster, am I?”

“What do you mean you’re not? You’ve been ripping off Major League teams all this time. I heard there’s more than one or two teams that have been fooled by Pablo?”

“No, isn’t it basic in the baseball world to gain profits by using the imbalance of information? Besides, I’ve never ripped off players at least. I don’t think I’m at the level of being called a gangster, do you think?”

“Uh-huh, so you did well? It was very righteous and there’s no shame in it?”

At Jisup’s criticism, Pablo Rodriguez shut his mouth.

Was it because he couldn’t find anything to refute there?

Jisup opened his mouth again, looking at Pablo, who couldn’t make eye contact with him.

“Pablo, I don’t understand it either? Why someone like you became an information broker.”

“Yes? What does that…”

“If you were just a simple former baseball player, I wouldn’t know, but you’re special, aren’t you?”

At this time, Jisup was admiring Pablo Rodriguez’s skills.

Even so, he was the one who single-handedly achieved a national-scale tournament.

He also increased the size of the tournament almost three times in just two weeks under Jisup’s instructions.

His talent, skill, and connections in Venezuela were definitely too good to just leave alone.

“Weren’t there any options to just go to an agency or a Major League team and work there? I think you would have been able to do it.”

“It could have been. But well… things in the world don’t always go as planned, do they?”

Then, as if he didn’t want to say anything more, Pablo Rodriguez shut his mouth.

His personality was being expressed once again.

He doesn’t make excuses. He doesn’t show unsightly 모습 [mosup – Korean for ‘appearance’ or ‘figure’] to others.

So, the young Venezuelan agent chose to remain silent rather than listing trivial stories.

‘Hehe, he’s a stubborn friend, isn’t he?’

At first, Jisup was going to read his mind, but he soon changed his mind.

There seemed to be no need to dig into a story that he didn’t want to reveal.

And Jisup was interested in his abilities, not his story.

“Pablo.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll give you a chance.”

“A chance?”

“Yes, because you followed my instructions faithfully. If there are results, there must be rewards… That’s our Tampa Bay Rays’ work principle.”

Jisup continued calmly.

“I heard from the president that if the information brokers who were 퇴출 [toechool – Korean for ‘expelled’ or ‘removed’] this time want to return, they need someone to guarantee their identity? I’ll do that for you.”

“You’ll be the guarantor?!”

Pablo’s expression brightened slightly, but he soon showed 경계심 [gyeonggyesim – Korean for ‘caution’ or ‘wariness’].

“What are the conditions…?”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve experienced Kim for the past two weeks. I don’t think you’re the type to do favors without any conditions.”

“Hehe, you’re like a 귀신 [gwishin – Korean for ‘ghost’ or ‘spirit’]?”

Jisup nodded, raising one corner of his mouth.

“It’s simple. Find just three players in this tournament and make a verbal contract. You can make a verbal contract even if you’re not a certified agent.”

“…….”

“If that player really has outstanding skills, if we think he’s a player worth recruiting to our Tampa Bay Rays… I’ll be your guarantor right away. How about it?”

“I don’t think it’s a good condition…?”

Pablo was 심드렁하다 [shimdeureonghada – Korean for ‘apathetic’ or ‘unenthusiastic’].

“Kim’s conditions must be very 빡빡하다 [ppakppakada – Korean for ‘strict’ or ‘demanding’], right? To ask me to find three players who can meet those conditions, does that make sense…?”

It’s difficult. It’s a difficult condition.

Just as Pablo Rodriguez was grumbling and complaining.

Thwack!

Thwaaaack!!!

A huge hitting sound came from behind them.

A hitting sound that seemed to split the ball.

Surprised, they turned their heads, and there they saw a small boy swinging his bat vigorously.

“Wait a minute, who is that? How can he hit such a ball with that small body…?”

Pablo Rodriguez was staring at the boy with wide eyes, but Jisup was quite firm.

“Pablo, what are you doing?”

“Yes?”

“There’s already one useful guy out there, isn’t there?”

Jisup pointed at the boy with his chin.

“Instead of complaining about my conditions… I think it would be better to secure even one of those players quickly, don’t you think?”

“…Ah?!”

“Or what, should I just go and make a verbal contract?”

As Jisup slightly lifted his butt, Pablo Rodriguez was startled and pressed him down.

“No, I’ll do it! I’ll go and meet him!”

He said.

“You said you wanted to see my skills? Okay. In this case, I’ll secure about five people! Is that okay?”

Pablo was showing his motivation with his fists clenched, but Jisup was showing a 냉정하다 [naengjeonghada – Korean for ‘cold’ or ‘calm’] reaction.

“Just words?”

“Yes?”

“What are you doing? If you want to make a verbal contract, you have to run like 개 발에 땀 나게 [gae bare ttam nage – Korean idiom meaning ‘to run very fast’, literally ‘sweat on a dog’s foot’]!”

“…Ah!”

Pablo Rodriguez 벌떡 일어나는 [beoltteok ireonaneun – Korean for ‘suddenly getting up’] from his seat.

As he ran towards the boy who hit a huge ball, Jisup shouted loudly.

“Run, run! You have to run to 선점 [seonjeom – Korean for ‘preempt’ or ‘secure in advance’] promising prospects!”

Run, Silver Hairtail!

You can do it, Silver Hairtail!

As Jisup sent his support with a bright expression, Pablo Rodriguez turned his head and said a word.

“Yes, I’m going, I’m going! I’m going, okay?!”

Well, everything is good.

He said to Jisup.

“Can’t you do something about that Silver Hairtail sound? I’m not a 양아치 [yangachi – Korean slang for ‘thug’ or ‘lowlife’]!”

No.