A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 489

The New Guy in the Baseball Team is Too Good 489

103 Three Pure Accidents (4)

A few days later.

Jisub was visiting Target Field, the home stadium of the Minnesota Twins.

The primary purpose of the visit was, of course, to assess the team’s value. To meet the evaluation criteria set by Zeus Analytics [a fictional sports analytics company], cooperation from an AL Central team was necessary.

However, after the negotiations with the Minnesota front office concluded, Jisub’s steps naturally led him toward the visiting team’s clubhouse.

To meet the Tampa Bay players who were in town for a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins.

More precisely, to meet ace Victor Johnson Jr., who had made the ambitious declaration to ‘show the fun of three pure accidents.’

“Kim, don’t you worry! I’ll show you the essence of Tampa Bay baseball today.”

Victor Johnson, upon seeing Jisub, was practically vibrating with energy.

“After today’s game, that obnoxious guy over there will have a completely different expression on his face.”

Victor Johnson pointed at Tommy Damon, who was looking around the visiting team’s clubhouse, and smirked.

“Who knows? He might even shed tears of emotion? Saying, ‘Kim, I was wrong! Tampa Bay is the coolest baseball team in the major leagues!'”

“Haha, that guy shedding tears of emotion? I’d like to see that too, but…”

Victor, don’t push yourself too hard.

Jisub gently cautioned him with a kind voice.

“Baseball doesn’t always go the way you think it will. Listen to the coach, pay attention to Alex’s opinions… You know what I mean, right?”

“You mean, don’t get carried away and ruin the game? Got it. That will never happen, so Kim, just relax and enjoy the game!”

Since he had to meet with starting catcher Alex Montero next, Jisub patted Victor on the shoulder and turned away.

Walking toward the stands with a mix of anticipation and worry, Zeus Analytics’ Tommy Damon approached him and spoke.

“You’re buying dinner tonight, right?”

“Dinner? Why would I?”

“Ha, look at this shameless guy!”

Tommy Damon crossed his arms.

“Hey, I’m playing the bad guy here. Tommy Damon, the director of an evil certification company who’s constantly picking on the Tampa Bay Rays! The players are giving me some serious looks, you know?”

“Well… isn’t that the truth?”

When Jisub joked, Tommy Damon made a ‘tsk’ sound.

“Aren’t the players more united because of me? Victor seems to have a different determination, too… So, you should at least buy me dinner!”

Considering what he said wasn’t wrong, Jisub slowly nodded.

“Okay, I admit it. Then pick something under $20.”

“Hey, what’s $20? Don’t you know how expensive things are at the stadium? Make it $30.”

“How about $15?”

“Ha, you cheapskate. Fine, $25 then! Come on, let’s be real! Doesn’t my contribution deserve at least a set menu?”

“Hmm, a set menu… Well, that’s true. Deal! Under $25.”

“Okay, thanks!!”

Tommy Damon, having squeezed an extra $5 out of Jisub, was beaming.

Looking at the order app with a relaxed expression, he suddenly remembered something and looked up.

“Kim, by the way.”

“Yeah?”

“When I went to the visiting team’s dugout earlier… why did you avoid eye contact with Tampa Bay’s starting catcher?”

“Starting catcher… Alex? Alex Montero?”

“Yeah, I’m not mistaken, right? It seemed like you were intentionally avoiding him.”

It was at this moment that an expression of ‘Wow, this guy is sharp’ appeared on Jisub’s face.

Tommy Damon’s observation was correct. Jisub hadn’t been able to look Alex Montero in the eye that day.

“Hehe, well… it’s because I have a conscience, you know.”

“Conscience?”

When Tommy Damon asked back, Jisub nodded with a wry smile on his face.

“You’ve probably guessed it, right? Victor Johnson Jr… He’s a very tiring type of pitcher from a catcher’s perspective.”

“Hmm, I kind of got that feeling.”

Tommy, who was once known as an ace scout in the Boston Red Sox front office,
could grasp the tendencies of players with just a quick glance.

“He seems to have a very strong ego? Like, he becomes a tyrant when he gets on the mound?”

“That’s right, that’s him. He’s the most stubborn guy on our team.”

You couldn’t just say it was bad. To survive as a pitcher in the major leagues, you had to have that kind of backbone.

But how much would a catcher have to suffer, having to work with such a pitcher throughout the game?

This was the part that Jisub was slightly concerned about.

“Victor Johnson was already a difficult pitcher to handle, but today he’s going to insist on getting strikeouts no matter what… I can just imagine the hardship Alex Montero will have to go through.”

“Ah, so that’s why you couldn’t make eye contact? I guess I would have done the same. How could you handle that resentful look?”

Clicking his tongue lightly, Tommy Damon turned his gaze to his phone screen and said.

“Anyway, if that’s the situation… then the point of interest for today is set.”

“Point of interest?”

“Yeah, whether Victor Johnson Jr. can get Alex Montero’s cooperation.”

Tommy’s eyes were serious.

“If my prediction is correct, Alex Montero is probably plotting to ruin Victor Johnson’s plan right now.”

A plan to play an entire game with only three pure accidents.

A plan to fill all the outs with strikeouts, even if it means giving up walks.

There was no way a catcher like Alex Montero would just let this plan go.

“Of course, right? It’s a ridiculous story to begin with. He’ll try to stop Victor’s plan somehow.”

“…”

“But what if, just what if, Victor manages to persuade Alex? What if he gets him to participate in this absurd plan?”

Swish.

Tommy Damon looked at Jisub.

“Maybe then I could admit it? That Victor Johnson is a worthwhile guy, that he has considerable leadership, and above all…”

That even after the legendary Brett Evans retires, the solidarity of the Tampa Bay Rays team will not waver.

“…”

At this moment, another point that Jisub had to prove to Zeus Analytics.

It was definitely not an easy mission. As a front office member, he could only watch.

However, a very faint smile was appearing on Jisub’s lips as he heard the conditions of his old friend.

He knew.

To create a game with only three pure accidents.

What choice the Tampa Bay ace pitcher had made for this absurd project.

* * *

At the very same time that Jisub was hearing Zeus Analytics’ position from Tommy Damon.

Tampa Bay Rays’ starting catcher Alex Montero was looking at his teammate with a slightly dazed expression.

“Wait a minute, Victor!”

Alex tilted his head.

“How am I supposed to take this right now? I’m a little flustered.”

“What’s there to be flustered about?”

Victor Johnson Jr. chuckled.

“How can a major league starting catcher be flustered by this? PitchCom [a device used for discreet communication between pitcher and catcher] is a must-have for catchers now, isn’t it?”

That’s right. What Victor Johnson had placed in front of Alex Montero at this time was a set of PitchCom.

A plastic device about the size of two or three fingers, with about 10 buttons attached.

The very device designed for smooth sign exchange between pitchers and catchers after the ‘sign stealing’ storm swept through the baseball world.

It was already a widely used device in the major leagues, so it was perhaps natural that Victor Johnson chuckled.

However, there was a reason for Alex Montero to find this matter strange.

“That’s right, it’s a must-have item for us catchers. But…”

Alex looked at Victor Johnson.

“You said you didn’t want to use it? You said it was uncomfortable and annoying to have all sorts of things attached to your body?”

Victor Johnson Jr. crossed his arms and grumbled.

But only for a moment, he showed a different attitude than usual with a short sigh.

“But I’ve decided to change my mind. I’ll receive signs with PitchCom from today. I’ve practiced in the bullpen, so there won’t be any problems adapting.”

“What, what’s the scheme?”

Alex narrowed his eyes.

“Why are you doing something you never used to do? You just snorted and ignored it when the manager or coaches recommended PitchCom.”

“Ah, well…”

It was probably at this moment that an even more shocking statement than the story of using PitchCom was heard.

“I think it’s better to follow your lead today.”

“What?”

When Alex made an unbelievable expression, Victor Johnson smirked and raised his thumb.

“You know? I’m facing a huge challenge today! To get all 27 outs with strikeouts only!”

“You’re still talking that nonsense…”

“Ah, yeah, yeah, that’s right! To be frank, 27 is impossible. But I’m serious about getting as many strikeouts as possible. So that the Zeus Analytics guys can’t say anything else.”

Victor Johnson continued.

“I’ve been thinking, and I think I need your help to get those strikeouts.”

“My help?”

“Yeah, I don’t *not* study [a double negative, meaning he does study], but you’re more knowledgeable about the opposing hitters, right? Besides, you’re sitting right next to the hitters, so you’ll be able to quickly figure out what pitches the Minnesota guys are aiming for. And…”

“And what?”

“To make this plan a success… I think I need to bring you in as an accomplice.”

“A, accomplice?”

When Alex made a dumbfounded expression, Victor put his hand on his shoulder.

“From what I see, it’s exactly 50-50 right now. Half the players agree with my plan, half think it’s ridiculous.”

“…I think there are more opponents?”

“Well, anyway! If only you join my plan, I think the other teammates will follow. Hey, no matter what anyone says, you’re the starting catcher of our Tampa Bay Rays!”

Watching Victor Johnson continue to speak shamelessly, Alex couldn’t say anything for a while.

He seemed to be wondering what to do with this reckless pitcher. He also wondered why he was so obsessed with strikeouts.

But when Victor Johnson looked at him with earnest eyes, Alex was slowly nodding.

“Okay, I understand. If you say so much… I can’t help it.”

“Oh! Th, then?”

“I’ll help you. Was the goal 20 strikeouts? Let’s give it a try.”

Victor Johnson was overjoyed at Alex’s answer.

“Yes! I knew you’d understand! All right, it’s done! The operation is as good as successful!”

“Instead, you have to faithfully follow my lead. Don’t shake your head on the mound [disagree with the pitch call].”

“Of course! I’m leaving it to you, right? I’m leaving it to you 100%!”

Please take care of me. I believe in you.

Watching Victor Johnson Jr. fuss over him, even massaging his shoulders, Alex was thinking to himself.