A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 515

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 515

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 515

109 Interview with the Devil (3)

A few days later.

On a dazzlingly clear and sunny Sunday afternoon.

Tens of thousands of people flocked to [Clark Sports Center], located about 10 minutes by car from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

This sports facility, boasting a history of over 120 years, is also famous as the venue for the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony held every summer.

Originally, the induction ceremony was held in front of the Hall of Fame Museum, but the venue had to be moved due to the influx of spectators from all over the United States.

“Oh, William! It’s been a while. Is this the first time I’ve seen you in exactly a year?”

“How have you been, Mr. Brooks! You look even better than last year!”

Many people gathered around the outdoor stage where the induction ceremony was being held, greeting each other happily.

The lineup was truly spectacular. There were legendary players who had been inducted into the Hall of Fame years ago, executives from Major League Baseball teams, and veteran reporters who dominated the industry.

“Hahaha, that’s right! That’s right! I have a special connection with Mr. Evans!”

“It’s more than just a connection. You faced him 12 times and struck out 11 times, didn’t you? Sometimes, Brett is just too much, you know?”

In fact, under normal circumstances, it would have been a time to put aside the tense atmosphere of the season and sincerely convey messages of congratulations and encouragement.

Isn’t it a joyous occasion for the industry? A day when people who have dedicated their lives to baseball are recognized as legends, a day when their achievements remain forever in everyone’s memory.

However, unlike usual, there was an unusual atmosphere around the venue that day.

“Ah, by the way… Have you heard the news? It seems an official announcement was made a few hours ago.”

“Yes, I received a call about that on my way here. I couldn’t believe it even after hearing it, that the rumors were true.”

“In effect, this could completely change the landscape of this season, don’t you think? It’s going to be difficult to focus on the induction ceremony today.”

Murmur, murmur, whisper, whisper.

People seemed to be exchanging pleasantries, but then quickly changed their expressions and continued serious discussions.

Because it was such an important event, people were whispering, but there is always someone who lacks tact, no matter where you go.

“Wh-what are you talking about?!”

It was a voice that erupted from the back of the audience as the guests began to take their seats.

“You mean Manager Mike Klemblas has stepped down? The manager of the Tampa Bay Rays? Is that true?!”

* * *

A young man in his early 30s, startled, shouted loudly.

As people’s attention focused on his voice, his colleagues sitting on either side hurriedly pushed him back down.

“Ronnie, please be considerate! What do you think you’re doing, shouting like that here?!”

George Child of the Toronto Blue Jays frowned.

“Doesn’t Baltimore share information? How can you not know about something that’s already been officially announced?”

Jessica Ross of the Boston Red Sox shook her head with an incomprehensible expression.

“No, I was drinking with Kim until too late last night… I barely crawled my way here.”

The young man smacking his lips was Ronnie Cordell of the Baltimore Orioles.

All of them were colleagues who had studied with Jisub at Fort Myers University.

Now, having grown into key players in their respective teams, they were also attending the induction ceremony that day.

“That’s strange, though? Kim didn’t say anything about it last night? He seemed to be in a really good mood, too.”

As Ronnie Cordell tilted his head, Jessica Ross chuckled and shrugged her shoulders.

“Ronnie, you’re dealing with the Dark Lord of St. Petersburg [referring to the Tampa Bay Rays’ president, known for his shrewdness]. It’s a front that has won the World Series for two consecutive years, you know? Do you think someone like that would reveal all their inner thoughts after a few drinks?”

“W-well, that’s true…”

Ronnie Cordell scratched his eyebrow.

“So, what exactly happened? Why did Manager Klemblas resign? The Rays are in first place in the division again this year, so it can’t be because of their performance.”

“Haven’t there been some rumors going around? That the manager’s wife is about to undergo major surgery.”

George Child replied.

“Fortunately, the surgery was successful a while ago, but I heard she needs to focus on rehabilitation for the time being. Manager Klemblas couldn’t leave his wife alone.”

“Ah, so that’s why…”

Ronnie Cordell sighed briefly.

“Then there’s nothing we can do. No matter how important the role of manager is, it can’t take precedence over the health of family.”

“Yes, so it seems the Tampa Bay team accepted the manager’s resignation. They also decided to pay the contracted salary in full.”

“Oh, I hope his wife gets well soon. It’s a relief that the surgery was successful, but still…”

The first-ever championship 5 years ago. And the two consecutive championships that followed until last season.

He was none other than Mike Klemblas, the renowned manager who had achieved a total of three World Series wins.

But even if he had achieved such tremendous feats, what would it all mean if he didn’t have his beloved family by his side?

Ronnie Cordell, unable to contain his dismay at the misfortune that had befallen the Klemblas family, suddenly turned his head to look at his classmates.

“So… what are you going to do? Has each team come up with any ideas?”

“Ideas? What ideas?”

As Jessica Ross asked back, Ronnie Cordell straightened his back and said,

“Still, aren’t we rivals who have fought together for a long time? As members of the same AL East division [American League East, a division in Major League Baseball], shouldn’t we send them at least a small consolation prize…?”

“Ah, we should send it. It’s right to send it. That would be the proper thing to do as people in the same industry.”

The answer came from behind Ronnie Cordell.

Someone gently placed a hand on the shoulder of this warm-hearted Baltimore front office member and continued,

“But Ronnie, you’re no longer a rookie. If you’ve been working in the Major League front office for over 5 years, shouldn’t you be thinking a little more progressively?”

“Huh? Ah…”

Turning his head to confirm the owner of the voice, Ronnie Cordell swallowed hard without realizing it.

Because the scariest friend among the classmates he met at Fort Myers University was standing there.

The identity of that scary friend was Nicholas Weiner II, the very person who had been appointed as the general manager of the New York Yankees this season.

“Nicholas, you’re late?”

Jessica winked one eye.

“No, should we call you General Manager now? General Manager Nicholas Weiner II?”

“Damn it, cut it out? Don’t you guys just call the president of the Tampa Bay Rays by his first name? I can’t possibly receive the courtesy that even that infamous Dark Lord hasn’t received yet.”

The new general manager of the Yankees, sharing handshakes with his colleagues with a wry smile on his face.

His friends smiled subtly as they looked at his increasingly sparse-looking crown, and Nicholas glared at those friends with a fierce look in his eyes.

Ronnie Cordell, who had been tilting his head in one corner, opened his mouth with a very cautious attitude.

“But… Nicholas? What did you mean by that just now? What do you mean by thinking a little more progressively…?”

“It means exactly what it says.”

It was a very sunny day.

Nicholas took out sunglasses from his jacket pocket and continued.

“There’s no denying that Kim is our proud friend. But is it okay to just leave things as they are? Are you just going to keep watching the Tampa Bay Rays dominate?”

“W-well, no! If the current standings continue, Tampa Bay will win the division for four consecutive years…”

“Exactly.”

Nicholas’s eyes became serious.

“Ronnie, it may sound a little cold, but Manager Klemblas’s situation is a godsend for us. It’s an opportunity we can’t miss.”

“An opportunity we can’t miss?”

“Hey, don’t make that face, and use your head a little! You had the best grades among us, didn’t you?”

Nicholas lowered his voice.

“Klemblas has led his team to three World Series wins. And that’s not all. Although the performance hasn’t been as overwhelming as it was in the past two seasons, they’ve been firmly holding onto first place in the AL East division this season as well.”

“…”

“Now, in this situation, who can really become the next manager of the Tampa Bay Rays? Ronnie, if it were you, could you take on that role?”

Ah.

It was at this moment that Ronnie Cordell’s expression changed.

He finally understood what Nicholas Weiner was talking about.

“T-that’s right! Now that Manager Mike Klemblas has stepped down, the Tampa Bay Rays’ managerial position is…”

“That’s right. It’s like a poisoned chalice [an opportunity that seems appealing but is likely to bring negative consequences]. A chalice that no one can easily accept! So no matter how much Kim is holding on…”

Swoosh.

Nicholas’s eyes gleamed.

“The Tampa Bay Rays’ managerial position won’t be filled so easily.”

* * *

The best manager in Tampa Bay Rays history had voluntarily stepped down from his position.

The team, which had been racing towards its third consecutive championship, suddenly lost its captain.

It was after the news that shook the industry had struck, but fortunately, the event that day was proceeding without incident.

-Above all, I would like to express my gratitude to my family, who have supported me for so long. Oh, Mitchell! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today!

There were a total of three players inducted into the Hall of Fame that day.

It was around the time the second player was on the stage giving his commemorative speech.

Ronnie Cordell, who had briefly stepped out to the back to get some complimentary bottled water, was pondering over Nicholas’s words from earlier.

‘Yeah, when you think about it, it’s a natural conclusion.’

Ronnie Cordell, who was always being nagged by his colleagues for being too soft and too nice, was also the person in charge of the baseball operations division of the Baltimore Orioles front office.

Once he was given an idea, he could easily deduce how the industry was turning around.

‘There are plenty of retired players in Major League Baseball, but only a few of them are considered managerial material.’

A Major League manager had to have strong leadership, the ability to communicate with the front office, and, these days, even knowledge of data.

Moreover, the current Tampa Bay Rays aren’t exactly a good team to continue a managerial career with, are they?

‘It’s literally a poisoned chalice.’

Mike Klemblas was an excessively great manager. A team that suddenly lost such a manager. It’s never easy to fix the atmosphere.

Even if they managed to fix the atmosphere with difficulty, the current Tampa Bay Rays were in a situation where they absolutely had to achieve their third consecutive championship. How easy is that?

Okay, let’s say they even succeeded with the help of the heavens. Would people really properly acknowledge the achievements of the successor manager? Wouldn’t they devalue it, saying that about half of it was due to Manager Klemblas’s achievements?

‘It’s a game where you can only break even if you do really well, or maybe not even break even… Really capable managers wouldn’t bother jumping into a situation like this.’

If the situation was like this, the team didn’t have many options to choose from.

They could have the bench coach take over as acting manager, or they could bring in retired managers who had been out of the game for a long time.

Either way, it was practically a temporary measure. They would just call in anyone suitable to fill the position, and then the front office would hurry to find the next manager-

As his thoughts reached this point,

Ronnie Cordell’s eyes also sharpened.

‘Yeah, as Nicholas said… this is definitely an opportunity we won’t have again.’

He nodded his head.

‘While the Tampa Bay Rays are shaken by the loss of their captain, we’ll defeat them and move up!’

Ronnie Cordell felt as if the alcohol he had drunk the night before had completely worn off.

He felt sorry for Jisub, who had been a fun drinking buddy, but Major League Baseball is basically a competition.

Who should we recruit? Who should we let go? The head of the Baltimore Orioles baseball operations division was getting complicated, right at that moment.

“Jeff, is that really true?”

Among the people who had come into the shade to avoid the pouring sunlight, there were those who caught Ronnie Cordell’s attention.

“Brett said that? Why? Why would he do that?!”

“I know, right? Ugh, I should just kill that idiot…”

Two elderly men were having a serious conversation with each other.

“No, just last week, he said he was going to be a public relations director for some big company, didn’t he? But now, all of a sudden…”

“Has that guy ever listened to me? Even though it was time for him to retire, he stubbornly went to the independent league [a professional baseball league not affiliated with Major League Baseball] to throw the ball?”

At the word ‘independent league,’ Ronnie Cordell couldn’t help but swallow hard for a moment.

There was only one person who could be said to be the intersection of the name ‘Brett’ and the ‘independent league.’

“This is like being possessed by the devil! There’s no other explanation! Oh, God! Why do you give such hardship to your young lamb!”

The two old men, gulping down bottled water as if they were drinking alcohol, were moving towards the audience seats.

Watching their backs as they walked away, Ronnie Cordell was suddenly feeling a bit chilly.

‘Wait a minute, could it be…’

Could it be that the president of the Tampa Bay Rays had already prepared all the countermeasures?

So that’s why he was able to drink so late into the night last night without any worries?

The image of Jisub drinking like a whale flashed through Ronnie Cordell’s mind, right at the moment.

Far away on the stage, the voice of the Hall of Fame Secretary-General, who was hosting the event that day, could be heard.

-Now, let’s bring the last main character of today to this stage. With a total of 261 wins, 3,142 strikeouts, two Cy Young Awards [awards given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball], and one World Series championship, the best pitcher of our time!

Please welcome him with a big round of applause!

-Player ‘Professor’ Brett Evans!!!