A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 522

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 522

The Baseball Team’s New Recruit Is Too Good 522

111 Received as is (2)

“I’ll entrust Vincent Hyama to you.”

“Please restore him to his former self.”

When Ji-seop’s instructions were given, Dr. Goldberg and his colleagues were stunned for a moment.

“Vi, Vi, Vincent, you said?!”

“Vincent? Vincent Hyama?”

“Kim, are you serious? Vincent Hyama to us?!”

Although past his prime, Vincent Hyama was still one of the biggest stars in Major League Baseball.

For the Braveball Institute [a baseball research and development center], which had only dealt with amateur or minor league-level players, it was an unbelievable opportunity.

Seeing them staring at him with wide eyes, Ji-seop smiled inwardly.

‘Hehe, this brings back memories.’

Facing Dr. Goldberg’s bewildered expression, he felt like he was seeing his past self.

Like when he was in charge of the Yellow Book project [a confidential scouting report]. Or when he was in charge of Vincent Hyama’s trade. Or when he was in charge of the new stadium construction project.

When an unexpected and enormous opportunity came his way, Ji-seop in the past must have had the same expression as Dr. Goldberg now.

‘So… was CEO Brian Spann feeling similar to me back then?’

Ji-seop could see through other people’s minds, but he didn’t understand it at the time.

What on earth is the CEO thinking? Why is he trusting me with such a huge project?

Isn’t he afraid of the risk of failure? Can a Major League CEO proceed with this kind of thing without hesitation?

One of the long-standing questions he had as a rookie front office member seemed to be resolved after many years.

‘Indeed, it wasn’t an easy decision.’

Ji-seop nodded slightly.

‘Actually, it feels more daunting than I imagined before.’

It seemed to be because he knew the club’s situation better as the CEO.

What he had imagined as a risk in the past was only about whether a season’s performance would be good or bad.

But looking back as the head of the front office, there were so many points to pay attention to.

‘I have to pay attention to the team’s morale, and I have to pay attention to the other front office staff who are eager for promotion….’

There’s also the media, who are constantly looking for news, and the board of directors, who are constantly scrutinizing the front office’s decisions.

He thought it was better not to start new things if possible, but there was a reason why he called Dr. Goldberg and his colleagues in.

‘Because they are promising guys.’

In fact, this was a bit of an exaggeration.

To be more honest-

‘The way they work hard, the way they try to get ahead somehow… it’s quite admirable.’

Like wanting to add a few more eggs when seeing baseball team juniors eating roughly cooked ramen, like they were starving.

Like wanting to get better data when seeing players digging into the simply organized data.

Was CEO Brian Spann feeling the same way? Did he find me so endearing back then?

While thinking that he should give him a call later, Ji-seop was adding explanations for Dr. Goldberg.

“As you know, Doctor, Vincent Hyama hasn’t been able to show his former skills since his injury three years ago. It’s not that he’s not earning his keep, but his performance is not what everyone expected.”

At Ji-seop’s words, the Braveball Institute people nodded quietly.

“To be honest, at the club strategy meeting just before the trade, our Tampa Bay Rays’ Baseball R&D team concluded that it would be difficult to dramatically improve Vincent Hyama. They sent a report saying that maintaining the status quo was the best.”

“Hmm….”

The Baseball R&D team is the elite of the Tampa Bay front office.

At the news that they had already ruled ‘impossible to improve,’ the Braveball Institute people looked a little nervous.

“Actually, I have trusted our R&D team’s opinions 100% so far. But as for Vincent Hyama, it’s hard to let go.”

“Well, I can fully understand that. Wasn’t he such a great player? Besides, Kim, you watched his prime right next to him.”

Dr. Goldberg took a deep breath and slapped his knee.

“So, the Braveball Institute is the last resort? In Vincent Hyama’s future career.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Looking back, up to this point, it was consistent with the plan that Ji-seop had envisioned.

First, present the quest, and add a specific explanation to it.

The next thing to follow was originally the presentation of rewards. A process of eliminating the fear of taking on a difficult mission by promising generous rewards.

But the very next moment, Dr. Goldberg showed a reaction that Ji-seop had not even anticipated.

“I see! The last resort! We are Vincent Hyama’s last hope!”

Then, after exchanging meaningful glances with his colleagues, he took out a thick file from his old leather bag.

“Kim, would you take a look at this?”

“This is?”

As Ji-seop received the document with a puzzled expression, Dr. Goldberg wiped his nose with his finger and replied.

“How to overcome Vincent Hyama’s post-injury trauma… This is a report summarizing our own ideas.”

‘I was secretly expecting it.’

Because Vincent Hyama came back.

He smiled and continued.

“Kim wouldn’t have recruited Vincent for no reason. Vincent will be a stepping stone for Tampa Bay Rays’ three consecutive championships. Then…….”

‘Maybe.’

‘Just in case.’

“Maybe the Braveball Institute will have a chance!”

“You thought so?”

Ji-seop looked through the table of contents of the thick report, and then suddenly remembered something he had forgotten and asked again.

“Then, did you have cup ramen for dinner because of this report? Is that why you said you didn’t have time to go to the restaurant separately?”

“Haha, that’s right. Kim is a very busy person, isn’t he? To make a good impression, I thought I should deliver the report while meeting you….”

‘How is it? Is it usable?’

Dr. Goldberg, stretching his neck and looking at Ji-seop’s expression.

Ji-seop was smiling inwardly at the sight of him, reminiscent of an American black bear.

‘Vincent Hyama’s trade was announced this morning, so the time to prepare the report was only a few hours….’

To make this kind of report in such a short time.

‘I also think that the skills I have built up steadily over the past five years have now reached a certain level.’

‘I also think that Dr. Goldberg is the type who makes his colleagues work as hard as he does.’

‘I also thought that if he didn’t want to lose the favor of his colleagues, he would have to give them a generous bonus in advance.’

“……Hmm?”

While reading the report, the most intense thought that came to Ji-seop’s mind was this.

‘Wait a minute, according to this report… it might really be possible?’

Vincent Hyama’s revival.

The return of a two-way ace [a player who excels at both pitching and hitting].

And-

‘Tampa Bay’s three consecutive championships.’

* * *

It was exactly two days later that Dr. Goldberg, who received the ‘GO’ sign from Ji-seop, met Vincent Hyama.

A day off after finishing the home three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The place was a luxury residence in downtown St. Petersburg.

Vincent Hyama, who suddenly received a trade notice, had not yet found a house in St. Petersburg.

“Ah, is that so? Braveball Institute……. I heard a brief explanation from Kim yesterday.”

In the spacious reception room, wide enough to play catch, Vincent Hyama was nodding slowly.

“I heard that it has no direct connection with the Tampa Bay Rays, is that right? A baseball research team that operates independently.”

“That’s right. It was founded under Kim’s leadership, and he is still providing financial support… but the operation is run by me and my colleagues.”

“Hmm, I see.”

It was at this moment that a slight wrinkle formed on Vincent Hyama’s handsome forehead.

‘Is there something he doesn’t like?’ Dr. Goldberg quickly added an explanation.

“But we have been steadily carrying out the Tampa Bay Rays’ requests. We have taken care of promising prospects who have just been drafted, and we have also been in charge of High-A players [players in the High-A minor league level].”

“…….”

“In fact, Kim has made several suggestions. How about joining the Tampa Bay Rays little by little? But we are stubbornly refusing.”

“What’s the reason for the refusal?”

When Vincent asked, lifting his teacup, Dr. Goldberg wiped his dry lips with his tongue and replied.

“I want to help as many players as possible without the restrictions of the club. In that way, I want to gain more fame than Driveline [a well-known baseball training facility] in the past. But frankly, this is a superficial reason….”

“Is there a practical reason too?”

“Yes, to be really frank… the people at our research institute want to support Kim’s activities without interruption.”

“Oh?”

Vincent Hyama’s expression softened slightly for the first time.

“Mr. Hyama knows very well. In Major League Baseball, a front office member above the general manager can move teams at any time.”

“That’s right. A front office member like Kim would receive offers from all over the place even during the contract period.”

“Yes, if we joined the Tampa Bay Rays and Kim transferred to another club… I thought the situation might become very complicated.”

Dr. Goldberg clenched his fist.

“So, we have decided internally to act as Kim’s secret weapon. We will help him wherever he goes.”

“Haha, that’s a good way to put it.”

Vincent Hyama nodded.

“Now that I see it, Kim has gained a good colleague. In Major League Baseball, where most people are entangled in business relationships, it’s rare to hear someone like Dr. Goldberg say that.”

“Haha! Th, thank you!”

Dr. Goldberg smiled awkwardly.

Scratching the back of his head, he seemed to think that the first step of the negotiation was successful.

He knew Vincent Hyama and Ji-seop’s relationship well. He thought he could easily approach him by emphasizing that he came from Ji-seop’s introduction.

But what Vincent said next was beyond Dr. Goldberg’s expectations.

“I’m sorry to say this to Kim’s good colleague, but I hope you can leave now.”

“Yess?!”

Dr. Goldberg’s eyes widened.

“Leave… We just arrived? I haven’t even finished the tea you gave me yet!”

“I’ll pack it for you if you want. That’s not difficult.”

Vincent Hyama had already gotten up halfway.

“I don’t think Kim knew, but I also have a personal trainer. They don’t just watch over my exercise, but they take care of everything, including my physical and nutritional condition.”

Vincent Hyama was receiving the highest salary in Major League Baseball.

It would be strange if there weren’t such people.

“I have been with them for over three years, and I deeply trust their advice. I don’t think I need to listen to other opinions now.”

“B, but…….”

“Yes, if you were officially affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays, I would have considered it at least once. I can’t lightly dismiss the club’s official request. But if not…….”

Vincent bowed politely.

“Thank you for today’s conversation. I’ll contact Kim separately. Then be careful on your way back.”

“Mr. Hyama! Mr. Hyama!”

Dr. Goldberg shouted urgently, but Vincent Hyama got up and left without regret.

He tried to grab him and continue the conversation, but several large bodyguards were blocking Dr. Goldberg and his party.

“Ah, no, this is…….”

Dr. Goldberg was embarrassed by the unexpected situation.

At this rate, he will lose the golden opportunity given to him.

What should I say? How can I stop him?

As he pondered, he shouted loudly at Vincent, who was getting farther and farther away.

“Vincent! Hey, Vincent!”

Until this point, Vincent’s walk seemed unstoppable.

“Is there any pain in your left side!!! On the lower left rib?!”

Dr. Goldberg continued, pushing away the bodyguards’ obstruction.

“To be exact, the lowest part of the left rib! It seems to be okay during the game, but haven’t you felt a tingling sensation since you started recovery training?! I think there will be!!”

At that very moment, as he was struggling to shout amidst the bodyguards’ fierce restraint.

Vincent Hyama, who was walking away, stopped abruptly.

“How…….”

He turned his head and asked.

“How did you know that?”

Vincent was frowning slightly.

“I haven’t told my trainer, my coach, or even Kim… about the pain in my side?”

Looking at Vincent Hyama’s puzzled eyes, Dr. Goldberg was inwardly cheering.

“Didn’t I tell you? I’m a medical doctor! I’m a doctor, doctor! A doctor recognized by Kim!”

He grinned slyly.

“How… would you be willing to have a conversation now?”