A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 526

The Overperforming Rookie of the Baseball Team 526

The Overperforming Rookie of the Baseball Team 526

As Received, Chapter 111 (6)

That day’s game saw Vincent Hiyama’s fastball explode with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the 5th.

*Whoosh- Bang!*

It must have been a great joy for the Tampa Bay Rays fans, an unparalleled emotion for those who remembered his brilliant prime.

However, from the Tampa Bay club’s perspective, that 99-mile fastball could be the seed of a serious conflict.

Because it was a clear violation of the agreement – the agreement between the coaching staff and the personal trainer, and furthermore, the agreement between the field staff and the front office.

The promise to proceed with the balance adjustment as slowly as possible, while faithfully sharing the progress with the field, had been shattered.

“……Hoo!”

So, it seemed Jiseop was firmly prepared for this day.

He was bound to be criticized. He had to listen to unpleasant things. While listening to the complaints of the older guys, he would try to steer the atmosphere towards discussing follow-up measures as quickly as possible.

With that firm resolve, Jiseop creaked open the door to the club’s main conference room—

‘Oh?’

To put it bluntly, the emergency meeting that night unfolded in a much smoother atmosphere than expected.

Of course, the coaching staff’s expressions weren’t great. Some faces were flushed red, and others were sighing deeply.

However, their anger, frustration, or disappointment wasn’t directed at Jiseop and the front office.

“I see… that’s what it was.”

When Jiseop finished his general explanation, the pitching coach smacked his lips and muttered.

“Vincent Hiyama committed an outrageous act? Haha, so this is exactly what the manager said?”

“The manager?”

As Jiseop tilted his head, the pitching coach gave a hollow smile.

“Yes, the manager stated very firmly earlier that this wasn’t an intentional violation of the agreement.”

He said that the Tampa Bay front office he knew would never break a promise.

He also said that the president he knew would never ignore the field staff.

“If there’s a problem, it’s likely that Vincent Hiyama himself… that he overpaced himself.”

“Ah, the manager said that?”

The unexpectedly calm atmosphere in the conference room suggested that the new manager, Brett Evans, was behind it.

If the manager sends unwavering trust to the front office, the other coaching staff has no choice but to follow without complaint.

He was grateful that Brett Evans trusted him, and also amazed that he had taken control of the coaching staff in such a short time.

‘Hehe, if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s picking a great successor!’

Jiseop glanced at Manager Brett Evans sitting across from him with a sly smile, but—

In the very next moment, he could sense that the situation wasn’t completely over.

[Damn, this has become a pain in the ass.]

That was Brett Evans’ inner thought.

[No matter how good Kim is, this might not be an easy thing to resolve.]

A troublesome matter?

Something not easily resolved?

Just as Jiseop raised an eyebrow, he saw someone in the corner slowly raising their hand.

“President, would you mind if I said something?”

“Ah, Mr. Culkin!”

The one who raised his hand was Thomas Culkin.

He was once the pitching coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, assisting Manager Mike Clemblas.

Now, he was serving as an advisor to other coaching staff in the capacity of a pitching instructor.

He was by far the oldest among the field staff, and his influence from long experience was considerable.

Frankly, he was a slightly burdensome figure even for Jiseop, because he was a very strict stickler for principles.

And this time too,

As expected.

“President, as a former player myself, I understand Vincent Hiyama’s feelings. The desire to throw a better ball, the desire to be confident on the mound… how can we blame him for that?”

Jiseop nodded.

Because it was true.

“But the hearts of players are like egg yolks. They are easily shaken and easily burst. Today’s game, in some ways, could be seen as close to a rampage.”

Jiseop’s eyes narrowed.

It seemed the main point was about to come out.

“In that context, I think it would be better for the front office to make a firm decision now.”

“A decision?”

It was Special Assistant Richard Stelmetzek who reacted.

“Coach, I don’t quite understand. A decision, what kind of decision?”

“What instructions to give Vincent Hiyama for the rest of the season.”

Thomas Culkin continued.

“Whether to focus on balance adjustment to regain his old form, or to focus on playing the season as he is now.”

“Yo, you mean……”

“That’s right.”

This is a choice between two options.

It was at this moment that Thomas Culkin’s voice became firm.

“President, I can’t understand why you made this decision in the first place. Playing the season while adjusting the balance? Who proposed such a dangerous plan!”

“Hold on, Thomas!”

Cody Embler, Vincent Hiyama’s trainer, raised his hand.

Having played in the major leagues together around the same time, the two must have been somewhat acquainted.

“This was done after sufficient review. The player’s physical condition was thoroughly checked, and the physical burden during the game was factored in at 130% of the expected value. The adjustment work is absolutely within a range that doesn’t cause strain……”

“Oh, Cody, Cody, Cody! How can someone like you spout such dreamy stories!”

Thomas Culkin slammed the table.

“You’re making predictions? Calculating? Come on, do you really think that’s possible? With major leaguers? With those beast-like guys who are crazy about baseball?!”

He had one more decisive weapon.

“Do you know why your story can’t hold water? It’s because of what happened today. Vincent has already deviated from your calculations. He threw 99 miles! In a state that wasn’t fully prepared! Even during the game!”

“…….”

“Or was today’s event also included in your brilliant calculations? The fact that Vincent would secretly do personal training? The fact that he would get excited during the game and throw 99 miles without restraint?”

“Th, that’s……”

Having completely crushed Cody Embler, this stickler for principles slowly turned his head towards Jiseop.

“President, data is good and cutting-edge technology is good, but I hope you will also consider the fact that Vincent Hiyama is also… yes, our old colleague is just an ordinary human being.”

Our old colleague.

Thomas Culkin emphasized that word in particular.

“He was a really great friend. He seemed like he could do anything. But he is also human. He can be swayed by emotions, and he can make mistakes.”

“…….”

“Of course, if the plan proceeds perfectly to the end, nothing might really happen. But what if he is swayed by emotions again? What if he makes the same mistake as today again? Today we got lucky, but what if it leads to a major injury then?”

What will you say then?

He sent a desperate look.

“Vincent, it’s because you were swayed by emotions. Vincent, it’s because you made a mistake… Is that what you’re going to say? Surely the Kim I remember, that bright-eyed Assistant Director of Future Strategy Planning……”

Like that,

I don’t think you would have said that.

That was the last word from Instructor Thomas Culkin that day.

* * *

“Kim, I’m really sorry.”

After the meeting ended that day, Manager Brett Evans followed him to his office to express his apologies.

“I could somehow persuade the other coaches, but Coach Thomas Culkin… Hooo, he’s too stubborn, there was no way.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m grateful just for you holding the coaching staff together. Besides……”

Jiseop scratched the side of his ear with his finger and then smiled.

“What Coach Thomas Culkin said was the right thing to say, wasn’t it?”

Jiseop also felt like he had been hit.

“I think I got impatient too. Adjusting the balance while consistently playing in games… Something I would never have allowed normally.”

“Maybe it’s because both of us watched Vincent’s prime right next to him.”

Brett Evans sighed.

“Vincent can do it. That friend can definitely do it. I was subconsciously thinking that too.”

“That’s right, it’s all Vincent’s fault!”

Jiseop threw out a joke.

“Damn it, no matter how perfect his pitching form was, hitting 99 miles in just two weeks… Is that even human? He’s almost a monster!”

“That’s right. He’s a monster. A monster has returned to our Tampa Bay Rays.”

The two looked at each other and laughed, but the laughter didn’t last long.

Because it was time to face reality: what to do with Vincent Hiyama.

“What’s certain is that we can’t take a vague neutral stance.”

Jiseop said, putting his hands together.

“He threw 99 miles per hour, but that’s just showing potential… You said he still needs preparation to use that fastball without worrying about injury, right?”

“That’s right. He needs to fully master his pitching form and adjust his breaking balls accordingly. In my opinion, I think he still needs at least a month.”

At the manager’s words, Jiseop smacked his lips.

“Then well… I have no choice but to accept Coach Thomas Culkin’s proposal.”

A choice between two options.

Jiseop continued.

“Either seal the 99 miles for now and finish the season as he is, or endure a month-long hiatus and aim for complete balance adjustment.”

“……It’s not an easy choice.”

That’s right. It was a difficult choice.

Vincent Hiyama was a player they brought in by giving up promising prospects for the sake of winning three consecutive championships.

‘Realistically, it seems right to just play the season as he is now.’

The most intense ranking competition was about to begin, and it didn’t make sense to not use a player they traded for for a month.

Filling his void was also a problem, but facing the backlash from the media and fans was even bigger.

*Why aren’t you using the player you traded for? He even threw 99 miles, didn’t he?* They were bound to make a fuss like that.

‘But to order him to seal the 99 miles……’

He couldn’t imagine how Vincent Hiyama, that baseball-crazed human, would accept the club’s decision.

It would have been better if he didn’t know the potential. But he had already tasted it, hadn’t he?

He knew he could throw 99 miles per hour, and he also knew he could return to his old form.

Would he really accept the proposal to seal the 99 miles? Even after accepting, wouldn’t he secretly train?

“…….”

This was already a complicated problem, but Richard Stelmetzek, who had been quietly watching the situation, added another unnecessary story.

“Um… Kim?”

“Yes?”

“Whichever way it goes… I think you need to make a decision as soon as possible.”

Jiseop took off his glasses.

He felt like his eyes were getting blurry.

“Why… why is that?”

“Oh, you completely forgot.”

Richard replied with a troubled expression.

“The entire board of directors meeting is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. The president must attend as well.”

“……Can’t I be absent this time?”

“You’ve already been absent twice in a row. The acting owner will have a hard time defending you for the third time in a row.”

Richard carefully continued.

“The news that Vincent threw 99 miles per hour has already spread. Various sports channels are now offering various analyses on this.”

It meant that this news would soon be conveyed to the meddling members of the board of directors.

“Wouldn’t Vincent’s story inevitably come up in the club’s current issues inquiry? If you don’t want to give them an excuse then……”

“It means I have to firmly establish my position before then.”

Jiseop let out a hollow laugh.

It might be a decision that determines whether they win three consecutive championships, but there was a time limit on that decision.

But if he ignored them, the board of directors were the people who held the purse strings of the company called Tampa Bay Rays.

When you think about it, Jiseop is also a salaried president. If he continues to ignore their intentions, it will be the people working under Jiseop who will have a hard time.

“Haha, the hurdle is a bit high this time.”

Whether it was because of the August weather or because of the complicated issues, Jiseop suddenly felt hot.

He was about to loosen his tie a bit, take off his shoes and change into slippers, and finally take off his jacket and throw it behind the chair—

*Thud.*

A fallen envelope.

It was Manager Brett Evans who discovered it first.

“Kim, something fell?”

“Yes? Ah…….”

It was at this moment that Jiseop’s thick eyebrows twitched once.

It was the bag of wisdom – the envelope that President Brian Span had given him before leaving.

‘Did he say to open it when I face a difficult situation?’

Jiseop chuckled.

He didn’t expect to open the bag of wisdom so quickly.

*A general who opens the bag on the day he receives it. Was there such a scene in old historical novels?*

While thinking that, Jiseop quickly tore open the envelope and began to read the contents inside.

“Brian Span? Is it a letter from the former president?”

Richard Stelmetzek looked at the empty envelope and was pleased.

“Kim, what does it say? Is there some important message?”

“Just a moment, it’s a bit difficult to understand……”

In fact, it was at this time that Jiseop first realized it: that President Brian Span had terrible handwriting.

*Chicken scratch*, no, *is the standard word scribbled*? Letters scribbled down haphazardly.

‘Hehe, this is unexpected?’

But while reading each of those hard-to-read letters, a faint smile gradually appeared on Jiseop’s lips.

And when he finished reading the letter, Jiseop’s usual confidence had returned to his face.

“Manager?”

“Yes?”

Brett Evans approached.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t heard the manager’s opinion? Manager, how would you like to resolve this matter?”

“Well, there are more than one or two entangled points.”

Brett Evans smiled awkwardly.

“It was Kim who brought me here, wasn’t it? So I will just faithfully follow Kim’s opinion.”

“Thank you. Then…….”

“Richard?”

Jiseop called his special assistant.

“Do you know where Vincent is? Would he have left work by now?”

“No. I saw him briefly on the way back from the meeting earlier. He seemed to be having a serious conversation with Dr. Goldberg……”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

Jiseop nodded.

“Please call those friends here. I have something important to tell them.”

“Ooh?!”

He has something to tell them.

Richard Stelmetzek seemed to immediately realize what this meant.

“Have you made a decision? I guess President Brian Span left an important message?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Jiseop nodded, carefully holding the letter he had finished reading.

“The president asked me: What is Kim Ji-seop’s baseball? What kind of baseball do you aim for when you come to the major leagues?”

Jiseop continued.

“And whatever that baseball is… the advice was to push it through to the end.”