A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 517

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 517

110. I’m Naturally Greedy (1)

The news of Brett Evans’ appointment as the new manager of the Tampa Bay Rays sent shockwaves throughout Major League Baseball.

-To be honest… I almost spat out my coffee! Isn’t this unprecedented? Announcing a new manager at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony!

This was the sentiment shared by baseball experts on a Major League Baseball review program.

-Mike Clemblaus’ resignation was expected to be a major crisis for the Tampa Bay Rays… but this will allow them to recover very quickly.

-The consensus in the baseball world was that it would take at least a month to appoint a new manager, wasn’t it? But to announce a new manager in just three or four hours… Haha, it feels like we’ve been possessed by a ghost!

-In the end, the Dark Lord of St. Petersburg has surprised us once again! Amazing, truly an amazing move!

By appointing a Hall of Fame inductee as their new manager, the Tampa Bay Rays once again became the center of attention.

As public interest in their future actions grew, new manager Brett Evans appeared at Progressive Field, the home stadium of the Cleveland Guardians.

It was to meet the Tampa Bay Rays players, who were on a road trip in the Central Division, for the first time.

“Alright, reporters! Stay behind the line! Step back! You can’t interfere with the players’ training, can you?”

Numerous reporters had gathered on the field at Progressive Field, where the meeting was taking place.

Reporters trying to get closer and Tampa Bay Rays staff trying to stop them.

While a fierce battle of nerves unfolded between the two, the new manager’s first message was being delivered to the players.

“Actually, I called Mike Clemblaus last night.”

At Brett Evans’ first words, the players tilted their heads slightly.

It was quite unusual. A new manager starting his tenure by mentioning the former manager.

Usually, it’s common not to talk about the former manager in order to increase one’s own influence, but Brett Evans was going in the complete opposite direction.

“I called around 8 PM and didn’t finish the call until almost midnight… We talked for almost 4 hours. Ah, I never thought I’d be on the phone with a man for so long in my life.”

The younger players chuckled at the manager’s wry smile, but the veteran players slowly nodded.

He had talked to the former manager for almost 4 hours. They could guess why he was mentioning this fact at the first meeting.

‘He means to continue Clemblaus’ line as it is?’

‘So, we just have to do what we used to do… Is that what he means?’

Mike Clemblaus had led the team for almost 10 years, a very long time.

His sudden resignation must have been quite a shock to the players as well.

But nothing changes, just keep moving as you used to, the players’ expressions seemed to relax ever so slightly as the new manager’s message was conveyed.

Of course, Brett Evans’ message did not stop at this level.

“Actually, I also played baseball under Clemblaus’ guidance. Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t say much to him.”

Brett Evans continued.

“Thanks to that, while talking for almost 4 hours, the only thing I could say to the manager was just one thing.”

The Tampa Bay players’ eyes turned slightly serious the next moment.

“It was a promise to deliver the 4th World Series ring to the manager and his wife at the end of this season.”

The 4th World Series ring.

The new manager’s voice grew louder.

“I couldn’t think of any other promise. Because he’s the one who taught us so much. He was the one who ushered in the golden age of the Tampa Bay Rays. And above all… even while his beloved wife was sick, he led the team here without wavering.”

His powerful voice began to echo across the field.

“So, my goal is only one thing. Victory, World Series victory! Achieving the 4th overall victory and 3rd consecutive victory for our Tampa Bay Rays! I’m going to pour everything into that one goal.”

How about you all?

Brett Evans asked.

“Keeping the promise with Clemblaus… Will you join me?”

If they didn’t answer here, the name of Major League Baseball would cry.

“Of course!!”

As the players shouted loudly, Brett Evans spoke in an even louder voice.

“Are you ready to do your best for another World Series victory?”

“Yes!”

“Are you ready to raise our Tampa Bay Rays to be the best prestigious team in Major League Baseball?”

“Absolutely!!!”

As the players’ thunderous answer echoed through Progressive Field, Brett Evans finally gave a faint smile and nodded.

“Good! I feel all the more reassured that you will help me!”

He pressed down on the baseball cap he was holding.

“Alright, then let’s do our best in today’s game as well!!!”

* * *

The meeting between new manager Brett Evans and the Tampa Bay Rays players was successfully concluding.

The last order was the time for the long line of players to shake hands and greet the new manager.

The players were shaking hands with the new manager with determined expressions, and some with slightly nervous expressions.

Of course, there was only one guy who did something unexpected.

“Boss, you really… really came! I really missed you, damn it!!!”

It was Victor Johnson Jr.

Once an unstoppable ‘pitch type researcher,’ and now the best ace in Tampa Bay Rays history.

He was already tearful from the beginning, and as soon as it was his turn, he grabbed Brett Evans in a hug.

Just like that day 5 years ago. As if he had returned to that fledgling [rookie] 시절 [era], relying on the ‘Professor’ for everything and playing each game day by day.

“Mr. Evans… No, Manager!”

“Oh, Alex!”

It wasn’t just Victor Johnson.

The veteran players who had been with the Tampa Bay Rays for the past 5 years were also welcoming the new manager in their own ways.

Some deliberately jumped high and high-fived, some held hands for a long time, and some just gave awkward smiles.

At that very moment when Brett Evans and his colleagues were enjoying their reunion after 5 years.

“After all, Mr. Evans was the answer.”

In front of the visiting team dugout at Progressive Field.

A few steps away from the touching reunion stage.

Here, a conversation was taking place between the two top executives of the Tampa Bay Rays.

“To be able to instantly grab the chaotic team atmosphere using Mike Clemblaus… The ‘Professor’s’ reputation wasn’t just built on nothing.”

The person who was telling his impressions with a rather mature expression was John Larma Taylor.

The very person who brought Jisub to the Tampa Bay Rays in the past, the very person who worked with Jisub in the Future Strategy Planning Division.

He had been acting as the owner on behalf of his father, Jeffrey Taylor, since last season, and he still claimed to be Jisub’s strong supporter.

“David Wilson, that traitorous bastard, called me earlier. He said it was too much. He asked what he was supposed to do if we brought Brett Evans.”

“Haha, you don’t have to worry about Manager Wilson, do you? How many times will the San Francisco Giants meet us?”

“Who knows, that guy might be dreaming of meeting us in the World Series? He’s always had big dreams, hasn’t he?”

“Ah, the San Francisco Giants led by Manager David Wilson… I don’t want to meet them if possible? It doesn’t seem easy at all.”

As Jisub lightly shook his head, John Larma raised the corners of his lips and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Kim, don’t exaggerate. You completely crushed them during the interleague last year, didn’t you? I regret not taking a picture of David’s face back then for the rest of my life.”

The Tampa Bay Rays’ acting owner, who had been chuckling for a long time, recalling the face of his former colleague who had turned red.

But only for a moment, John Larma straightened his clothes and carefully asked Jisub.

“Mike Clemblaus’ vacancy has been successfully filled… So, what’s the next step? Is it still reinforcement of the team?”

“Yes, the trade deadline is only a few days away… Shouldn’t we tighten the reins one last time?”

Two consecutive World Series victories.

It gave Jisub the greatest honor, but at the same time, it also put a tremendous burden on him.

Every time he lifted the championship trophy, the rival teams in Major League Baseball were taking away the Tampa Bay Rays’ power.

Key players were becoming free agents and transferring, and key members of the front office were leaving to become managers or general managers of other teams.

Thanks to that, Jisub was constantly carrying out the mission of discovering and nurturing new people.

“Haha, a trade… I’m going to hear a lot of resentment from other team people again! Saying I cheated them or something?”

That’s what John Larma said, but his face was full of anticipation.

Since becoming the general manager, trading had become Jisub’s specialty.

The acting owner seemed to be looking forward to what kind of trade he would surprise him with this time.

“What kind of player are you thinking of? Can’t you tell me just a little bit?”

“Actually, most of the players are in the final stages of discussion. There are about three or four that are about to be announced. But…”

Jisub narrowed his eyes.

“Since Manager Brett Evans has just been newly appointed, I’m thinking of being a little greedy and recruiting just one more person… I’m thinking about that now.”

“Ah, a gift for the manager’s inauguration?”

John Larma showed interest.

“What kind of player is it? Is it Winterling from Seattle? Or Abreu from Miami?”

He mentioned the players who had recently been put up for sale in the trade market one by one, but Jisub only gave a soft smile and didn’t answer anything.

“Hey, don’t do that, give me a hint. Is it a hitter? Or a pitcher? You must have decided on that much.”

As John Larma asked again, Jisub finally raised his gold-rimmed glasses slightly and opened his mouth.

“Hmm, a hitter or a pitcher…”

While looking at Brett Evans, who had just started training with the players, Jisub continued in a calm voice.

“Mr. Taylor.”

“Yes?”

“How about a player who can do both?”

Jisub asked with a smirk.

“A player who received a lot of love from the fans and a strong trust from the players, but the Tampa Bay Rays at the time were a small market team, so they couldn’t be together anymore…”

If,

He comes back-

“Wouldn’t Manager Brett Evans be very happy too?”