A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 511

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 512

108 The Legend Begins Like That

At the very same moment that John Llama and the Tampa Bay Rays staff were busily preparing for the event.

Across the Pacific, in Jiseop’s former team, the KH Cannons.

Rookie hitter Ban Ho-jin of this team was pacing the hallway of the away team’s lodging with a disgruntled expression.

“……Seriously, they’re going too far, aren’t they?”

Muttering to himself while staring at his phone screen was Ban Ho-jin.

“A moment ago, they were talking about eating jokbal [pig’s feet], ordering chicken, like they were going to throw a lavish late-night snack party……. Wow, how can they do this? Are people allowed to be like this?!”

Ban Ho-jin had a legitimate reason to be so disgruntled.

In the third game of the semi-playoffs held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul that day, he had put on a fearsome performance with 4 hits in 4 at-bats, including 2 home runs and 7 RBIs.

Wow!!!

A powerful hit that properly demonstrated his strength in big games. A refreshing hit that instantly turned the tide in a series that was evenly matched at 1 win and 1 loss.

Naturally, the Cannons’ seniors patted him on the shoulder, making a firm promise to ‘buy him anything he wanted today.’

However, after returning to the lodging, none of the seniors replied to Ban Ho-jin’s messages.

‘Ah, well…… Hyung [older brother/senior] Soo-bin might be like that! He said he would cut off late-night snacks during this postseason.’

In fact, other senior players could be understood in a similar vein.

Important games were continuing, and of course, the stress would be severe.

But there was one person who could not escape Ban Ho-jin’s resentment.

‘Okay, I understand everything……. But shouldn’t at least Section Chief Go Chang-deok respond to my message?!’

Go Chang-deok, Section Chief of the Analysis Team.

Ban Ho-jin pouted, thinking of his round face.

‘I talked about Section Chief the most during the MVP interview today, didn’t I? More than I talked about the manager! Then I deserve to get at least a late-night snack.’

This was why Ban Ho-jin had come down to the 6th floor of the away team’s lodging.

To meet Section Chief Go Chang-deok. To get even just a cup ramen [instant noodles] out of that chubby guy.

‘Well, it should be okay to go, right? Since he told me to come to him anytime I wanted something, ever since the Florida Spring Camp…….’

Thinking that, Ban Ho-jin strode towards Room 615 of this hotel, Section Chief Go Chang-deok’s room.

Fortunately, the door to Section Chief Go’s room was wide open. It seemed he hadn’t fallen asleep yet.

‘Perfect timing,’ Ban Ho-jin thought, wearing a triumphant smile as he stepped into the room in question, but-

“Section Chief!!! Cup ramen!! Give me seafood-flavored cup ramen……. Oh?!”

Ban Ho-jin, who had entered energetically, suddenly froze on the spot, standing stiffly still.

“Hmm?!”

“Oh!”

“Ho-jin?!”

There were already guests in Section Chief Go Chang-deok’s room.

No, the expression ‘there were’ might not be quite enough.

The guests were crowded. So crowded that there was no room to set foot.

“Ah, no, this is…….”

The guests were also splendid.

Starting with the captain, Lee Soo-bin, and followed by the Cannons’ starting players Kyung Sun-woo, Shim Sung-joon, and Jang Dae-woo.

Front office staff, led by Section Chief Cha Jong-min of the scouting team who had drafted Ban Ho-jin.

And decisively, the very person Ban Ho-jin respected and feared the most.

Even KH Cannons’ manager Arthur Freeman was there as a guest.

“Ah, no, this is…….”

He had only come to get a cup ramen, but what on earth was this situation unfolding before his eyes?

While Ban Ho-jin was bowing awkwardly to Manager Freeman and the other guests with a bewildered expression.

A voice like a lifeline came from behind him.

“Oh, Ban Ho-jin! Ho-jin’s here?”

It was Go Chang-deok.

The Cannons’ Analysis Team Section Chief appeared, carrying a large plastic bag as if he had just been to a nearby convenience store.

“Did you come to watch the broadcast too? You’re more loyal than you look?”

Go Chang-deok, with a constantly beaming expression, took out an ice cream from the plastic bag and held it out.

Ban Ho-jin got one of the snacks he had been hoping for, but he couldn’t help but tilt his head.

“Broadcast……? What broadcast?”

“What, you came without knowing anything? You really just wanted a late-night snack?”

It was Lee Soo-bin, sitting next to the manager, who answered.

“You’re too much, aren’t you? Hey, have you already forgotten? Who put you in the Major League Spring Camp last spring, huh?”

“Yes? That was Tampa Bay Rays’ Deputy General Manager Kim Ji-seop……. Ah!!!”

Only then did Ban Ho-jin slap his knee.

“It was today? The day Deputy General Manager Kim Ji-seop is inaugurated as Tampa Bay’s President of Baseball Operations! Ah, so that’s why everyone is gathered here like this?”

The analysis team’s lodging basically had a satellite TV system.

This meant that broadcasts from local Florida channels could be watched here with a very clear picture.

The reason why the Cannons people, including Manager Arthur Freeman, had gathered in Section Chief Go Chang-deok’s room was precisely because of that.

“Wow, but Deputy General Manager Kim Ji-seop’s popularity is no joke, is it? There’s a game tomorrow, but so many people are gathered here.”

“Well, I don’t know if I should say this as a baseball team’s front office member……. Even if tomorrow was Game 7 of the Korean Series, I’d still have to watch today’s broadcast before going to bed.”

Go Chang-deok nodded firmly, putting down the plastic bag.

“How can I miss this moment when our Ji-seop is becoming the President of Baseball Operations for a Major League team? Don’t you think?”

“That’s right. We can’t miss it. Isn’t this a celebration not only for our Cannons but for the entire Korean baseball scene?”

Lee Soo-bin, who had been refraining from expressing emotions since being appointed as captain, couldn’t hide his excited expression at this moment.

The players and front office staff sitting around him were also feeling their hearts pounding, unable to hide their excitement.

As everyone stared intently at the large TV screen, Manager Arthur Freeman opened his mouth.

“Hey, Mr. Go?”

“Yes, Manager!”

As Go Chang-deok half stood up, Manager Freeman signaled him to sit down and continued speaking.

“Have you contacted Boston’s ‘Leo’s Dad’? I’m curious if he’s watching this broadcast too.”

“Leo…… Dad? Ah, Jang-ho? Are you talking about Ryu Jang-ho?”

Go Chang-deok chuckled.

“Oh my, Manager, your memory is so good. How do you even remember Jang-ho’s son’s name?”

Leo. Ryu Leo.

Ryu Jang-ho’s son, who was born not long ago.

Superstar Ryu Jang-ho’s news of having a son was widely known not only in Major League Baseball but also in Korea, and above all, the name ‘Leo’ was personally given by Vice Chairman Park Hong-joo.

Thanks to this, Ryu Leo was recognized as the team’s mascot by the KH Cannons people.

“I spoke with Jang-ho briefly yesterday. He’s been busy taking care of the newborn these days, but he said he would definitely watch today’s broadcast.”

“Haha, is that so?”

As Manager Freeman smiled gently, Go Chang-deok shared the food he had bought from the convenience store and continued speaking.

“Actually, it’s not just Jang-ho, is it? There must be more than a few people who are excited in front of the TV right now.”

“That’s right.”

Manager Freeman nodded.

“So many people must be waiting for Tampa Bay Rays’ new President of Baseball Operations.”

The two men’s guesses were correct.

Numerous people who had formed relationships with Ji-seop were sitting in front of the TV at this time.

“…….”

Cheon Jin-woo, coach of the Tampa Bay Double-A team, and his inseparable partner, William Doran.

Huck Flender, a friend of ‘The Greatest Showman’ Charles Flex and the organist of Tropicana Field.

Nicholas Weiner of the Yankees and Jessica Ross of Boston, who were active as Ji-seop’s rivals.

And ‘Sakhalin Park’ Vice Chairman Park Hong-joo, along with Ji-seop’s parents and older brother Kim Ji-chang, who were visiting the United States with him-

That moment that all those people had desperately hoped for.

That very moment that all those people had dreamed of for a long time.

The following comment flowed from the Florida local broadcasting station channel a little after 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

-Tampa Bay Rays fans across the country, you’ve been waiting for so long!

It was the announcer of the local broadcasting station who hosted the event that day.

-Now, we will begin the inauguration press conference of Tampa Bay Rays’ new President of Baseball Operations!

The Tropicana Field media room began to stir from that moment.

The reporters who visited the stadium for coverage, the Tampa Bay Rays front office people, and even the players who had rushed from afar, setting aside their vacations.

Everyone was raising their heels and craning their necks like a group of meerkats.

Around the time the tense atmosphere reached its peak, the announcer brought the microphone to his mouth again.

-Everyone, please welcome them with a big round of applause! Team Advisor Brian Spon, Team Owner Jeffrey Taylor! And the person you’ve all been eagerly waiting for…….

He raised one hand high.

-Tampa Bay Rays’ new President of Baseball Operations, Ji-seop Kim!!!

Almost simultaneously with the announcer’s shout, three men appeared on the platform.

The first to come up was Brian Spon, who had led Tampa Bay for nearly 30 years.

Following him was Tampa Bay Rays’ current owner, Jeffrey Taylor.

And the last person to come up, also the person who received the warmest cheers, was Ji-seop.

Kim! Kim! Kim! Kim!

According to Major League Baseball’s custom, it was time for the team owner to come forward and give a welcoming speech first.

Next, it was common for the team’s advisor to come out and briefly introduce the new President of Baseball Operations.

The Tampa Bay Rays also planned to faithfully follow such customs, but at this time, the atmosphere in the media room was deviating from everyone’s expectations.

Kim! Kim! Kim! Kim!

The players were chanting Ji-seop’s name in unison, and the fans who were invited to attend were shaking their cowbells.

Even the people in the Future Strategy Planning division, who were supposed to maintain order in the venue, were swept away by the atmosphere and shouting ‘MVP! MVP!’

“Haha, well, this is…….”

“There’s no other way, is there?”

Team owner Jeffrey Taylor and President of Baseball Operations Brian Spon patted Ji-seop on the shoulder with smiles on their faces.

“Kim, it seems like you’ll have to step up. At this rate, this will just become your fan meeting instead of a press conference!”

Hahaha.

Team owner Jeffrey Taylor was laughing so hard that his uvula was visible.

“That’s right, Kim. It doesn’t seem like it’s time to be bound by old-fashioned customs. Give your greetings first, and then introduce the team owner.”

As Team Advisor Brian Spon also recommended in a gentle voice, Ji-seop had no other choice.

“Alright. Then, I’m sorry, but I’ll go first…….”

“Sorry for what! Go give a great greeting!”

“It’s your first comment as President of Baseball Operations, Kim! Do well!”

Receiving the support of the team owner and the former President of Baseball Operations, Ji-seop slowly walked to the front of the platform.

As he approached the microphone, the atmosphere of the press conference reminded him of Tropicana Field during the World Series.

“Kim! Congratulations! Really congratulations!”

“Our Kim looks incredibly handsome today?! DiCaprio would come and cry!”

“Hey, Flex! Even so, DiCaprio is too much! Are you already trying to get on Kim’s good side?”

The shout of Victor Johnson caused laughter to erupt in the press conference hall.

Ji-seop, with a faint smile on his lips, quietly watched the scene for a while.

“…….”

Although it was a brief moment, it seems that many scenes flashed through his mind at this time.

From the day he received the notice of release from China and bought a beer gift set to give to his parents.

To the day he headed to the KH Cannons field after being called by Sakhalin Park, the scenery he saw from the bus, and so on.

To the day he joined the Tampa Bay Rays, the day he won the championship, and even the moment he announced the construction of the new stadium as a representative of the front office.

“…….”

There were difficult moments, enjoyable moments, and sometimes moments that were so daunting that he couldn’t handle them.

All of that was now a memory. A precious memory that he would never get tired of even if he reminisced about it for hours.

However, Ji-seop decided to push those memories into a corner of his heart and look forward to the days ahead.

There was only one reason.

‘……There are so many now.’

There were so many people watching him.

The players playing on the ground, the front office staff helping them.

In addition to the people who are connected to the team and make a living, and above all, the fans who love the Tampa Bay Rays.

All these people are now watching him. His choices will determine their happiness and unhappiness.

The moment these thoughts flashed through his mind, Ji-seop became more determined than ever.

With such a determined mind,

Also, with such a resolute mind.

The baseball player who once threw a 128km/h fastball.

Nevertheless, this steadfast man who could not abandon his love for baseball.

Passing through a suspiciously good baseball team’s new employee, passing through a front office that created a miracle that no one could have imagined-

So that day,

Of a Major League team,

He was rising to the top.

“Hello, everyone.”

The man’s voice echoed.

“I am Kim Ji-seop, the new President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Rays.”