A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 500

500. The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good (500/512)

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 500

105. Major League Baseball Promised (4)

Around 10 AM the next day.

A regular club strategy meeting was held in the conference room at Tropicana Field.

With the long-awaited new stadium construction project now realized, the meeting was to determine the direction for the remainder of the season.

“Let’s take a break this season. I think that’s the best course of action.”

This was the opinion of Rebecca Carney, the VP of Baseball Operations.

“Of course, the Tampa Bay Rays are currently maintaining a .500 winning percentage. With one or two aggressive trades, we could aim for even more. But… you all know, right? Now we need to think about tomorrow, more desperately than ever before.”

This was due to the new stadium construction.

A massive project requiring enormous funds.

The club’s financial situation was bound to become difficult, necessitating more efficient operations than in the past.

It wasn’t just a matter of saving money. To ensure that a ‘new star’ emerges to match the new stadium, they needed to tighten the reins from now on.

“Fortunately, the opportunity is very good.”

VP Carney continued.

“This season, there are no absolute powerhouses and no absolute weaklings. Any club can smell a bit of the postseason if they set their minds to it.”

Anyone could be a buyer.

Anyone could go shopping for players to advance to the postseason.

This could be a huge boon for clubs openly declaring themselves as ‘sellers.’

“When demand rises, market prices also rise… By trading just one or two decent starting-caliber players, we can receive a package of promising prospects.”

At VP Carney’s words, the Tampa Bay front office members were unconsciously swallowing hard.

It was certainly an attractive proposition. What could be more enjoyable than earning a lot of profit with little investment?

Just as people’s opinions were slightly leaning towards being ‘sellers,’ support came from the marketing side.

“I agree.”

It was R. J. Higgins, the VP of Marketing.

“The afterglow of last season’s championship still lingers, and with the news of the new stadium construction, our fans’ sentiment is very favorable.”

Baseball teams always have to be mindful of their fans.

VP Higgins seemed to be offering his opinion from this perspective.

“Moreover, with the marketing strategies of the Future Strategy Planning Department working well this season, we’ve also eased the pressure on attendance.”

VP Higgins smiled at Jisub and the people from the Future Strategy Planning Department.

“Of course, it would be ideal if we could become a team that aims for championships every year like the Dodgers or Yankees… But we’re still a small-market club. If we need a break, now is the time.”

Then, VP Higgins presented several cards that could be used in the second half of the season.

A retirement game for ‘Professor’ Brett Evans, a showcase for prospects from Venezuela, and early call-ups for minor league players.

How to console fans disappointed by failing to reach the postseason.

With even that method presented, the meeting participants nodded in agreement.

“Good. Then for this season… Yes, let’s be merchants for a change after a long time.”

Said Brian Span, the General Manager.

“Let’s get a lot of prospects from the clumsy friends who are foolishly aiming for the fall classic [the World Series].”

From the start, the Tampa Bay front office was known as the best in the business.

Everyone was looking at each other with sly smiles when the General Manager took off his glasses and said,

“Oh, and one more announcement.”

People who were packing up their things turned their heads.

“Starting tomorrow, the owner and I will be away from Tropicana Field for ten days. We have an overseas business trip related to the new stadium construction.”

“Wow, you’ll be gone for ten days?”

Everyone blinked.

It was an unusual occurrence.

Brian Span, the General Manager who had been in charge of every aspect of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Even when he took vacations, it was only for a maximum of three or four days, and even then, he never left the state of Florida. What had suddenly come over him?

People were constantly tilting their heads, but the question was soon answered.

“The owner is getting older now, isn’t he? We need to give him plenty of time to recover his strength. Oh, and that reminds me…”

Brian Span now had a ‘reliable backup.’

“Kim, can I have a moment of your time?”

* * *

About ten minutes later.

Jisub was walking on the grounds of Tropicana Field with General Manager Brian Span.

The team was on a road trip to the western United States, so it was difficult to find anyone on the field.

So, it felt somewhat desolate, and the fact that 45,000 spectators had gathered here felt like a dream from the night before.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ General Manager looked at the artificial turf on the ground and spoke in a light tone.

“Kim, how was your conversation with Samuel?”

“Samuel?”

“Oh, should I call him Dr. Goldberg? You know, that eccentric doctor living in your building.”

A subtle smile appeared on the General Manager’s face.

At this moment, Jisub realized that his vague guess was correct.

Why did General Manager Brian Span specifically hand over that shabby building to Jisub?

Was it not the building that the General Manager handed over, but Dr. Goldberg who lived inside?

“Brave Ball, was it? The project that Dr. Goldberg is preparing.”

As if to prove Jisub’s guess, the General Manager continued to talk about Dr. Goldberg.

“I think it’s still a half-baked idea. It needs to be more concrete and systematic. But I guarantee its potential. In about two or three years, he can be a valuable asset…”

And the following remark was quite impressive to Jisub.

“Kim, nurture him well. Dr. Goldberg and his idea can be your own secret weapon.”

“My own… secret weapon?”

Jisub scratched his cheek.

“What do you mean by that? I was just thinking of arranging a meeting with the Baseball Operations Department…”

“Hey, you can’t do that!”

The General Manager patted Jisub on the shoulder.

“Even squirrels in the mountains keep their own acorns separate, right? It’s the same with people. You have to create a separate pocket. Whether it’s ability, connections, or money.”

“…….”

“Especially in this baseball world. You can’t show everything 100%. Fans, players, management… The moment it’s judged that they’ve seen all of a person’s abilities, they lose interest without strength. They quickly turn their eyes to other options.”

It was quite a serious story.

“So always do your best, but keep three or four cards that others don’t know about in your hand. That’s how you survive. Surviving in the baseball world… It’s not easy.”

With one hand on Jisub’s shoulder, he told him his know-how in a gentle voice.

At this time, Jisub was looking at General Manager Brian Span’s face with a slightly dazed expression.

This time, he didn’t bother to look into his eyes. He could tell without doing so.

That this was not a story being told as the General Manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

But just as a senior who had experienced the baseball world a little earlier, he was telling a junior a story he wanted to tell.

“…….”

Listening to his kind advice, looking at the General Manager who cared more about him than the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jisub suddenly felt that he couldn’t delay it any longer.

He felt it when he received the building, and he felt it when he met Dr. Goldberg, but now he really had to tie it up for sure.

“Um… Mr. General Manager?”

Jisub stopped walking.

“There’s something I need to tell you before it’s too late.”

Jisub was now known as an eloquent speaker throughout the entire Major League, not just the Tampa Bay Rays.

He was someone who could start talking glibly and playfully, no matter who the other person was or what difficult story it was.

But at this time, Jisub was hesitating a little.

“That is, um…”

He couldn’t easily figure out where to start.

He seemed to think that he had missed the timing.

He shouldn’t be telling this story to someone who is giving sincere advice.

Unlike usual, he was faltering and unable to open his mouth easily.

“Is it about the Cannons?”

The General Manager spoke first.

“I heard that KH Cannons will start the season in the new stadium from the year after next… Is that the story?”

* * *

The General Manager’s words hit the nail on the head.

At this time, Jisub couldn’t answer for a while.

It was because he was inwardly very surprised. He never knew that Brian Span knew so much about KH Cannons’ situation.

‘Anyway, this guy’s information network…’

Where did he hear it? It hasn’t even been announced to the press yet.

Jisub, newly surprised by the General Manager’s information network, quietly followed him.

It was when Brian Span took a seat in the empty dugout that he spoke again.

“Kim?”

“Yes, Mr. General Manager.”

The General Manager, sitting in the dugout, had a very complicated expression.

He stared blankly at the scoreboard with his legs crossed, picked up sunflower seeds that had fallen in the corner, and then uttered a word as if passing by.

“I have given Kim… so many opportunities. Isn’t that right?”

“O-of course.”

Ah, here it comes.

That’s what Jisub thought at this moment.

How much I cherished you, how many opportunities I gave you, and you betray me like this.

Just as he was bracing himself for such a story.

“Then…….”

Swoosh.

The General Manager turned his head.

“Kim, can you give me a chance too?”

“Y-yes?!”

Jisub had an expression as if he had been hit in the back of the head with a hammer.

It wasn’t a line that someone like the General Manager would say.

“A chance… What kind of chance are you talking about?”

“Haha, isn’t it obvious? Kim, a chance to change your mind. A chance to persuade you.”

The General Manager got up from his seat.

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of letting you go like this. I want you to succeed me. The owner thinks the same way as I do.”

“W-well, thank you for your words, but…….”

“Huh, my story isn’t over yet.”

The General Manager smiled.

“Originally, I wouldn’t make such an offer. There are many people in Major League Baseball. The principle is to move on to the next person as soon as someone says they don’t want to. But… you’ve shown too much to put forward such principles.”

“…….”

“There are too many players we would have missed if you hadn’t been there. There are too many things we couldn’t have achieved if you hadn’t stepped up. Why go far? At some point, I relied on you a lot too.”

So, I’m telling you this.

The General Manager’s tone was earnest.

“Kim, give me just ten days. No more, no less, just ten days. The Cannons’ new stadium isn’t being built tomorrow, so you can wait that long, can’t you?”

“W-well, that’s true, but…….”

As the situation reached this point, Jisub suddenly had a question.

“What are you going to do? I’m getting a little anxious…….”

“Haha, anxious about what! Don’t worry. I’m planning to be friends with you for life… Would I make things difficult for you here?”

At this time, Jisub could see it.

That General Manager Brian Span’s eyes were sparkling.

Not the usual calm, prudent, and sharp eyes, but eyes full of enthusiasm, boldness, and passion.

“…….”

Perhaps it was like the last challenge of a veteran front office member nearing retirement.

Perhaps it was a desire to do something wonderful for the Tampa Bay Rays for the last time.

When his thoughts reached this point, Jisub couldn’t bring himself to give a different answer.

“……I understand.”

Jisub nodded.

“Since you say so, I have no choice. I’ll do as you wish. I’ll postpone the decision and tell you again in ten days.”

“Oh, really! Thank you, thank you so much!”

The General Manager grabbed Jisub’s hands and shook them vigorously.

“Haha, it’s been a long time since I felt like this! The feeling of receiving a mission from someone… It’s like going back to when I first started working in the front office!”

The General Manager, looking at Jisub with eyes that seemed to be lost in memories.

But that was only for a moment, and he continued with a fairly confident expression.

“Then, while I’m away, please take good care of the Tampa Bay Rays.”

“Yes, you can leave that to me, but…….”

Jisub raised his head slightly.

“Are you really not going to give me a hint? What are you going to do…….”

“Huh, didn’t I give you a hint at the meeting earlier? I said I’m going on an overseas business trip with the owner for ten days.”

Then,

Where are we going?

General Manager Brian Span was sending a meaningful look.