A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 487

The Freshman of the Baseball Team is Too Good 487

The Freshman of the Baseball Team is Too Good 487

103 Three Pure Outcomes (2)

That evening, exactly 25,025 spectators filled Tropicana Field.

It was a sellout. The 14th sellout of the season alone.

Wowwww!!!

Wowwww!!!

Except for the still-closed third-floor upper deck, the stands were packed without an inch of space to spare.

The stadium was so noisy that you had to shout to have a conversation with the person sitting right next to you.

When so many spectators come and the atmosphere heats up like this, the players in the dugout also get excited.

“Alright, alright! Let’s keep pushing!”

“Let’s show those Cubs what we’re made of!”

The Tampa Bay players clapped, stomped their feet, and banged their helmets with their palms, shouting.

Amidst such a cheerful atmosphere, there was one man with a particularly serious expression.

“…….”

It was Victor Johnson Jr.

The undisputed ace of the Tampa Bay Rays’ starting rotation.

Having started in the game two days prior, he was resting in the dugout that day.

Even as everyone else was engaged in a heated cheering match, he alone was staring at the field with the most serious expression.

“What’s up with him again?”

He looked quite different from his usual self.

Victor Johnson Jr. was known as the Tampa Bay Rays’ chief cheerleader.

Clapping, stomping, and heckling the opposing team were all roles that Victor usually took on.

Seeing him sitting there with his mouth shut, his teammates couldn’t just ignore it.

“Hey, Victor.”

The first to approach him and put a hand on his shoulder was Brett Evans.

Having decided to retire at the end of this season, his role in terms of power had diminished, but his position as the team’s most senior pitcher remained unchanged.

“Is something wrong? Why have you been looking like you’re sucking on a lemon since earlier?”

Brett Evans’s one corner of his mouth lifted.

“Right, I think I heard a story that you skipped training earlier to go buy a hot dog… Did something happen there? Like, did you get caught by a front office employee who was lying in wait?”

“Hey, don’t be like that.”

Victor Johnson snorted.

“My nickname in school was ‘Shadow,’ you know? Because I was so good at hiding like a shadow. There’s no way I’d get caught by front office employees.”

“Oh, really?”

“But then again… if you ask if it’s completely unrelated, that’s not quite true either.”

“What are you talking about?”

Haaa.

Victor Johnson, letting out a deep sigh, turned to Brett Evans with a serious expression.

“Brett, have you ever heard the term ‘Three Pure Outcomes’?”

“Three Pure Outcomes?”

As Brett Evans blinked and asked back, a strange smile spread across Victor Johnson’s face.

Was he momentarily pleased by the fact that he knew a concept that even his senior didn’t know?

“That’s right. Three Pure Outcomes! It seems like this is a newly emerging concept in the baseball world these days! It’s very hot!”

Victor Johnson said.

“Ahem! Well, I’ve only looked it up on the internet, but to explain it very easily for Brett, who doesn’t know it well…”

Victor Johnson, quickly becoming conceited again, reached for his tablet PC.

The good-natured Brett Evans simply watched his junior’s actions with a faint smile.

However, not all the players on the Tampa Bay Rays were as considerate as Brett Evans.

“Three Pure Outcomes? Isn’t that just referring to strikeouts, walks, and home runs?”

The Tampa Bay Rays’ starting catcher, Alex Montero, who was passing by the two, answered indifferently.

“Outcomes that are hardly affected by the skills of the fielders among all the plays in baseball… That’s why the expression ‘pure’ is attached.”

“W, well you know it well?”

Victor Johnson stuttered.

“W, wow… Alex, you’re surprisingly up-to-date with trends? I didn’t know you’d be so knowledgeable about these new concepts.”

“What, new concepts?!”

What is he even talking about?

Alex had a dumbfounded expression.

“Why is Three Pure Outcomes a new concept? I’ve been hearing about it since I was in the minor leagues. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“From the start, that’s our Tampa Bay Rays’ basic game strategy, isn’t it? Are you talking about it like you’ve made some great discovery?”

“Basic game strategy?!”

Oops.

Discomfort filled Victor Johnson’s face.

He belatedly remembered how he had come to learn about ‘Three Pure Outcomes.’

‘That’s right, Kim told someone from Zeus [a sports analytics company] that Three Pure Outcomes is our team’s basic strategy…’

The source of the information that he had completely forgotten because he was so focused on the unfamiliar concept.

Victor Johnson Jr. could feel his face burning up.

“What, so everyone knew about it? What Three Pure Outcomes are?”

Victor Johnson sent a resentful look towards Brett Evans.

“Hey, Brett! Why were you keeping quiet? If you had told me from the beginning that you knew, I wouldn’t have been so over the top.”

“Haha, it’s important to review even familiar concepts multiple times. I was also curious to see how you understood the concept, Victor.”

Brett Evans, smiling gently, adjusted his posture and asked again.

“But listening to you quietly, I’m getting curious. Why did our ace suddenly become interested in Three Pure Outcomes?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Just as Victor Johnson was about to say something, someone grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

“No, before that!”

It was Alex Montero.

The starting catcher with a rather serious expression.

“Hey, Victor! Let’s check first. Are you sure you know it properly? Why our team uses Three Pure Outcomes as a basic strategy?!”

If he said he didn’t know,

He looked like he was about to punch him.

* * *

-Alright, it’s time for the returning hat-spinning game today!!

-Everyone, open your eyes wide! Where will the ball be in?!?

Various events were also being held at Tropicana Field that day.

At the very moment when the spectators were happily participating in the event, a baseball lecture was being held in the Tampa Bay dugout.

A time to teach ace Victor Johnson Jr. about the Tampa Bay Rays’ basic game strategy.

Fortunately for Victor, the ‘teacher’ that day was Brett Evans.

Originally, Alex Montero had stepped forward with glaring eyes, but he had to play in the game first.

“Ah, I see. I think I understand a little better now.”

After nearly an hour of lecturing, Victor Johnson was slowly nodding his head.

“In conclusion, the Tampa Bay Rays are operating the game in a way that maximizes the Three Pure Outcomes… That is, strikeouts, walks, and home runs, right?”

“That’s right. You understood correctly.”

Brett Evans had a pleased look in his eyes.

“As you know, our Tampa Bay is one of the poorest clubs in Major League Baseball. You can see this as a means to overcome that weakness.”

In a way, this too was a result of ‘selection and concentration,’ a reflection of the Tampa Bay Rays’ unique culture.

If a club has a lot of money, they can sign a perfect player. A player who excels in both offense and defense.

However, the Tampa Bay Rays are a club with insufficient funds. Therefore, they had to make a choice.

Whether to pick a player who is good at offense.

Or to pick a player who is good at defense.

It seems like there were times when they were wavering in the past, but recently, the Tampa Bay Rays’ choice has been the former.

Focus on offense. Let’s prioritize signing players with excellent offensive power. Even if their defensive skills are somewhat lacking, it’s okay.

If you build a lineup like this, problems are bound to arise on the defensive side, and it is at this point that-.

“Three Pure Outcomes comes into play, right?”

Victor Johnson shrugged his shoulders.

“If you get a lot of strikeouts, you can safely increase the out count even if the skills of the fielders are somewhat lacking.”

In the same vein, they were more lenient with allowing walks compared to other teams.

They believe that you can increase strikeouts by reducing the burden of walks.

“Then… what about home runs? Isn’t the context a little different for home runs?”

“It’s not that different either.”

Brett Evans replied.

“The Major League clubs we face all have outstanding defensive skills. If we aim for home runs with determination, we can greatly reduce the possibility of their excellent defensive skills affecting the game.”

“Oh, I see…”

Victor Johnson had a slightly moved expression.

Strictly speaking, it was a very radical tactic.

Accepting walks to aim for strikeouts, and aiming for home runs to neutralize the opponent’s defense.

If successful, they could reap huge benefits, but if they failed, they would have to face tremendous criticism, wouldn’t they?

“To take such risks and make this choice, and to eventually achieve victory… It’s amazing, but it’s amazing, isn’t it? Our Tampa Bay Rays.”

“Yes, it’s amazing.”

Brett Evans chuckled.

“The fact that the team’s ace was completely unaware of that amazing strategy is also amazing in some ways, but…”

“Ah, th, that is…”

As Victor Johnson was scratching the back of his head with an embarrassed expression, Brett Evans turned his gaze towards the field and narrowed his eyes.

“However… it’s a little strange.”

“Yes? What is?”

Victor Johnson approached him.

“Didn’t you say that someone from Zeus Analytics was picking a fight about ‘Three Pure Outcomes’?”

“Ah, rather than picking a fight… they said there was something they wanted to suggest.”

“Suggestions? What kind of suggestions could it be?”

Brett Evans furrowed his brow.

“Focusing on Three Pure Outcomes, isn’t that the best tactic we can choose…?”

Could there be a better tactic than that?

Does that mean there is a more efficient strategy?

As Brett Evans gripped the ball and pondered, someone’s voice was heard from behind him.

“Isn’t it obvious what they’re trying to point out, actually?”

It was a tone as if throwing it out there.

“Baseball that focuses on Three Pure Outcomes… is not fun.”

* * *

When Brett Evans and Victor Johnson Jr. turned their heads, what came into their view was Richard Stahlmezek.

Richard Stahlmezek.

The Flamingo of the Tampa Bay Rays [a flamboyant player].

The very player who was the top prospect of the New York Yankees and was acquired by Tampa Bay before this season.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t intentionally try to eavesdrop… I thought you seemed too curious.”

Richard gave a slight smile.

“It’s okay. But… not fun?”

Victor Johnson blinked.

“Richard, what do you mean by that? Not fun… What connection does Three Pure Outcomes have with fun?”

“This isn’t a completely unfounded story either. If you think about it a little, Victor, you’ll get a sense of it, right?”

Richard said with his arms crossed.

“Think about it. Strikeouts, walks, and home runs… Let’s say these three increase. Then what will happen on the field?”

“The field?”

Victor Johnson couldn’t quite grasp it, but Brett Evans was a little different.

“Movement will decrease.”

That was his answer.

“Does that mean the fielders won’t move, and the runners won’t run with all their might…?”

“Exactly. That’s Brett for you.”

Richard nodded.

“If a lot of strikeouts occur, the fielders will have nothing to do. They’ll just stand there blankly. If walks or home runs occur? The hitters or runners don’t need to run hard. If this keeps accumulating…”

“The amount of things to see on the field will decrease?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it.”

Richard snapped his fingers.

“Zeus Analytics, you said? They probably would have pointed that out. Baseball that provides a lot of things to see for the fans… That’s what those guys think is ‘good baseball.'”

In fact, when they were in charge of the New York Mets’ club value certification, a similar point was pointed out, and an explanation was added.

The story that the New York Mets players’ complaints were conveyed to the New York Yankees players also followed.

“Brett, buy Kim a nice drink later.”

Richard said.

“That friend… isn’t he having quite a headache right now? Because it’s no different from telling him to revise the Tampa Bay Rays’ game strategy itself.”

“That’s right. Even Kim wouldn’t be able to refuse Zeus Analytics’ requests… Hmm?!”

Just as Brett Evans was agreeing with Richard’s opinion, a shout of ‘Wow!’ erupted from the stands.

Tommy Justice, who was the starting pitcher for Tampa Bay that day, had struck out the opponent’s fourth batter.

“Oh my, Tommy’s in great condition today, isn’t he? If he does well, he might even get more than 10 strikeouts?”

“He’s a hard-working friend. Now, you can even say he’s a one-two punch with Victor.”

When Brett Evans and Richard Stahlmezek, two veterans, were praising their junior pitcher.

Victor Johnson Jr., who had been quietly observing the atmosphere in the stands, opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“But… what do you two think? Do you agree with what those Zeus bastards are saying?”

“Hmm?”

“What is it?”

As the two turned their heads, Victor Johnson crossed his arms and continued.

“Who are those bastards to decide what is fun baseball and what is not? Who are they to tell Kim what to do?”

Look.

Victor pointed to the stands.

“Even if we get strikeouts, the spectators are happy, right? There may not be many people who like walks… But they’ll like home runs even more.”

It’s fun enough baseball.

Maybe it’s Tampa Bay-style baseball.

“There’s no reason for us to be dragged around by guys who we don’t even know where they crawled out from, is there?”

“Th, that’s…”

“Zeus aren’t guys who we don’t even know where they crawled out from, but…”

The two seemed to have similar thoughts.

The fact that they have to change the Tampa Bay Rays’ game strategy. The fact that they are under such pressure.

They achieved success, and even won the championship with that method, but someone is saying that it’s wrong.

“But Victor, this is what the front office does, right? For us to step up and protest is…”

“No, I’m not saying we should protest. I just had a really great idea pop into my head.”

It was at this moment that Victor Johnson’s eyes sparkled.

“Brett, Richard! After the game today, we’re going straight to the airport, right?”

“Right? Because there’s an away game?”

“When the private plane takes off and the seat belt sign turns off… could you gather the players?”

Victor Johnson said.

“In my next scheduled start… I want to properly show those Zeus bastards what real fun baseball is.”

What Tampa Bay’s baseball is.