A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 486

The Too-Good Rookie of the Baseball Team, Chapter 486

103. Three Pure Cases (1)

A few days later.

A mid-term meeting between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Zeus Analytics Group was being held in the conference room at Tropicana Field.

It had been almost a month since the team valuation process began. This meeting was to check the progress and discuss future plans.

All the key figures from both sides were present, creating a palpable tension in the conference room at the start.

However, almost as soon as the meeting got underway, a warm atmosphere, like the Florida sunshine, filled the room.

There was no single reason for this. The Tampa Bay Rays’ team valuation was progressing remarkably quickly.

“According to a survey of 5,000 St. Petersburg residents, 75% acknowledged the need for the Tampa Bay Rays.”

This was the report from the Zeus Analytics employee in charge of gathering public opinion.

“This is significantly higher than the 66% we initially set as the baseline. Contrary to popular belief, the Tampa Bay Rays have considerable support from the citizens.”

Strong support from residents is a fundamental requirement for a baseball team’s continued operation.

As smiles of pride spread across the faces of the Tampa Bay Rays employees, the report from Zeus continued.

“The financial soundness also scored nearly perfect marks. It’s by far the best score among the teams that have undergone team valuation so far.”

Another employee added.

“The cash reserve ratio is also quite high, and particularly noteworthy is the considerable amount of real estate secured around the planned site for the new stadium. This will greatly assist future projects.”

Zeus Analytics continued to give favorable evaluations of the Tampa Bay Rays.

From the efficiency of the marketing strategy to the contribution to the local community, and the diverse cultural backgrounds of the team’s front office staff, everything was praised.

Since most of the evaluations conducted over the past month had yielded good results, it was natural for Zeus Analytics to feel this way.

“I felt that the Tampa Bay Rays are a team with a firm will…,”

Said Albert O’Connell, CEO of Zeus Analytics.

“Even though the new stadium construction project has been overturned several times, you have continued to prepare steadily. I think it’s amazing. Excellent.”

At the words of the head of the certification company, Tampa Bay executives, including CEO Brian Spon, were momentarily speechless.

Perhaps the numerous hardships and frustrations they had experienced in getting to this point flashed before their eyes.

Just as everyone was nodding, Albert O’Connell took off his magnifying glasses and continued.

“But if I had to pick the most impressive part personally… I would have to say it’s the prospect development.”

“The prospect development?”

“Yes. I received a report yesterday… that the Tampa Bay Rays have secured a whopping 800 prospect data points? In just one month.”

At this moment, the Tampa Bay people’s eyes turned to Jiseop.

Securing exactly 825 data points was the achievement that Jiseop and the people in the future strategy planning division had obtained in Venezuela.

“The quantity is one thing, and the quality of the data is another… but personally, I was impressed by the way the data was secured. To go all the way to Venezuela to hold a baseball tournament. Wow, that’s really brilliant!”

It was a great idea.

Albert O’Connell rummaged through the pile of documents on his desk and said decisively.

“Not only have you secured a wide pool of prospects, but you have also strengthened cooperation with Latin American countries, and there is also the public interest aspect of contributing to the development of local baseball. These are also parts included in Zeus’s evaluation criteria.”

“Does that mean…,”

A slight expectation appeared on the face of CEO Brian Spon.

“Does that mean that you have met several criteria at once? In addition to securing prospect data.”

“That’s right. I think we can give you extra points in these two areas: the conditions regarding the club’s international cooperation and the conditions regarding public interest activities.”

“Wow, three criteria at once… It turns out we made a very profitable deal?”

“That’s right. You made a very profitable deal! Haha, I’m just curious to know who came up with this idea….”

Squeak.

Reading the atmosphere of the Tampa Bay employees, CEO O’Connell simply smiled.

“Seeing where your eyes are directed, I don’t think I need to ask you any further questions.”

His gaze turned to Jiseop.

“Mr. Kim?”

“Yes, sir.”

When Jiseop turned his head, CEO O’Connell said with playful eyes.

“If CEO Brian Spon doesn’t treat you properly… just give me a call right away.”

And then one more word.

“I will gladly guarantee you the best treatment in our industry.”

* * *

In this way, the Tampa Bay Rays successfully overcame the first hurdle of team valuation.

After the meeting, Jiseop was with Tommy Damon of Zeus Analytics in a hot dog shop about five minutes away from Tropicana Field by car.

The two hadn’t had lunch because they were preparing for the meeting and decided to grab a bite.

“Ah, is this the place? The store you praised so much?”

Tommy Damon, entering the store, looked slightly disappointed.

“What, there’s only one menu, a hot dog? That’s too bad, shouldn’t there be at least a cheese dog?”

“Hey, you don’t know anything! Haven’t you heard the saying that the real deal doesn’t need all the extras?”

Jiseop gave a slight nod to the owner, an old woman, and continued.

“This is the best in this neighborhood. Didn’t I tell you? In the past, our team employees took turns guarding this store, you know?”

“Guarded the store? Why?”

“Because the players would often skip training and come to this store to buy hot dogs… So, what else could we do? We had no choice but to keep a close eye on them.”

Jiseop smiled wryly.

“Well, these days everyone is busy with team valuation, so we can’t do that anymore… but that’s how good it is! The hot dogs here!”

“That sounds tempting. If even thorough Major League players can’t resist and leave the stadium….”

“Okay, let’s try it.”

When Tommy Damon nodded, Jiseop skillfully ordered two hot dog sets.

While the legendary hot dog that captivated the hearts of the Tampa Bay players was being made, Tommy Damon pulled out a few napkins and said.

“So… what happened to Pablo? Did the Venezuelan Baseball Association forgive him?”

“Yeah, there were some conditions attached… but he got permission. He’ll be able to resume work next month. He’ll be working as a regular agent rather than an informant.”

This was the story of Pablo Rodriguez, the young informant Jiseop met in Venezuela.

Thanks to Jiseop’s vouching for him, Pablo and his colleagues were able to continue working in the baseball world.

It was a natural outcome for Jiseop, who had noticed his sincerity and understood his skills.

However, Tommy Damon’s thoughts on this Venezuelan case were a little different.

“Oh, you’re such a fearless guy.”

Tommy Damon shuddered slightly.

“Do you know how worried I was? Venezuelan informants are so notorious, how could you think of joining hands with such people?”

“Haha, it’s not that bad.”

Jiseop shrugged.

“Actually, I think I would have kept my distance if it were normal… but the situation was what it was. I had to get the prospect list right away, but there was no other way.”

“Even so….”

‘Oh, you crazy bastard!’

‘Oh, you have a lot of guts!’

Looking at Tommy Damon, who was shuddering, Jiseop let out a hollow laugh.

“Haha, there are times when a cat thinks about a mouse [a Korean proverb meaning sometimes you have to take a risk to get what you want]… I think this is exactly that situation?”

“Um? What are you talking about?”

“No, isn’t it? It’s all because of you that I went all the way to Venezuela. Because you told me to collect data on 500 prospects.”

“Th, that’s!”

Ahem.

When Tommy Damon coughed, Jiseop continued with a sly expression.

“Besides, is that the only thing? In a little while, you’re going to come up with new conditions and harass me again.”

“Hey, harass! I’m only doing it for a fair team valuation….”

Thinking about it, Tommy Damon seemed a little wronged.

“Are you going to be like this? You said that it would help the team’s development, so you would actively cooperate.”

“Hehe, did I? I don’t seem to remember at all….”

Jiseop, who was just teasing, asked with a serious expression.

“So, what is it?”

“Um?”

“The next condition, the next mission.”

Jiseop’s eyes sparkled.

“Looking at the data you sent me yesterday… it seems like you have a lot of interest in our Tampa Bay Rays’ game strategy?”

“Did I?”

“Well, I noticed a phrase that I couldn’t just pass over.”

Three pure cases.

Jiseop’s eyes narrowed.

“Mentioning three pure cases… isn’t that an intention to find fault with our team’s overall game strategy?”

“Hey, find fault. It’s just that, from a third party’s point of view, there are some slightly worrying parts.”

Tommy Damon took out a few pieces of paper from his briefcase and handed them to Jiseop.

Jiseop checked the contents and asked a few questions, and Tommy Damon answered them.

Just as the conversation between the two was about to become a little heated, the owner of the hot dog shop rang the bell.

“Kim! Hot dog!”

The old woman said.

“Put the complicated stories aside for a while and take care of the hot dogs first.”

“Ah, thank you!”

At the owner’s words, Jiseop smiled brightly again.

“Wow, it smells amazing today too!”

Jiseop said, looking at the hot dog in the plastic bag.

“I think I understand why the players skip training to come here… all over again.”

“Oh, you’re good at talking!”

The old woman took out two cans of soda from the refrigerator and put them in the bag.

“Take care of your meals. No matter how important work is, isn’t it all about living?”

“I understand, I’ll keep that in mind! I’ll enjoy the hot dog, ma’am!”

After saying goodbye energetically, Jiseop left the store with his friend.

Just as the car they were riding in was heading to Tropicana Field with a ‘vroom’ sound.

“…….”

The owner, who was quietly listening to the sound, turned her head and looked inside the store.

“Well, you can come out now.”

The old woman said.

“Kim is gone. His friend is gone too.”

“R, really?”

Hearing her words, a man slowly revealed himself from inside the store.

This man, who sighed in relief and walked out, was none other than Victor Johnson Jr.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ undisputed best pitcher had come all the way here to buy a hot dog that day.

“Oh, I thought my heart was going to drop.”

Victor Johnson shuddered.

“Mary, how was Kim? He didn’t notice I was here, did he?”

“He didn’t seem to, really.”

The owner nodded.

“He usually looks around here and there with sharp eyes… but he didn’t seem to have time to do that today? It seems like something quite complicated happened.”

“Really? I heard that the team valuation is going well… It seems like something troublesome has fallen on Kim again.”

Victor Johnson Jr. stared blankly at the parking lot where Jiseop had left, with a worried expression.

The owner made a sound of air escaping, looking at his serious expression.

“Oh, are you worried?”

She shook her head.

“Is that someone who is so worried about Kim skipping training and coming here? Just to eat a hot dog?”

“Hey, what are you talking about? Someone who hears that will misunderstand that I come here all the time! I was really hungry today. To the point where I couldn’t concentrate!”

‘I’m going to work hard.’

‘I’m really going to work hard.’

When Victor Johnson clenched his fist and replied, the owner didn’t say anything more.

“Yeah, yeah. I know best that our Victor is working hard!”

Just as the owner was approaching the grill and starting to grill another sausage.

“…….”

Victor Johnson, who was staring blankly at the place where Jiseop had left, carefully opened his mouth.

“Mary, but.”

“Um?”

“Did you hear what Kim said earlier? Something about our team’s game strategy….”

Victor Johnson continued.

“If it’s about game strategy, I think there’s something I can help with, but I couldn’t hear exactly.”