A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 535

113. Reckless and Bewildered (1)

Several weeks had passed since Johannes van Benschoten’s impressive debut.

Now in early September, the Tampa Bay Rays were steadily marching towards winning the regular season.

“Waaaah!!!”

There was a time when their lead over the second-place New York Yankees in the division had narrowed to just one game.

Back then, there was a lot of fuss about the Tampa Bay Rays faltering, Kim’s era coming to an end, and so on.

But as the hot summer faded and the cool autumn breeze began to be felt in the mornings and evenings,

almost no one dared to question the ‘strongest Tampa Bay Rays’ anymore.

“Haha, what did I tell you? The name of faith, Tampa Bay Rays, the name of trust, Kim, isn’t that right?”

As things turned out this way, the most excited person was none other than Jimmy Morris, a commentator for [MLB Network].

The very same guy who was once a foreign pitcher for the KH Cannons and later played for the Baltimore Orioles.

“I think the hiring of manager Brett Evans was truly a divine move. He is a manager who understands Tampa Bay’s baseball philosophy the best and at the same time has the charisma to captivate everyone.”

Jimmy, who would normally at least pretend to be neutral, was now openly in ‘praise mode’.

“Also, it’s worth noting that a lot of new players have emerged in the second half of the season. Well, starting pitcher Johannes goes without saying! Utility player Willie Vasner, slugger Dan Smith… Wow, I felt like I was in an all-you-can-eat buffet! Hahaha!”

Of course, not all commentators thought like Jimmy Morris.

In their view, the Tampa Bay Rays also had weaknesses. There were also points of concern.

“Ahem, ahem!”

Just as another commentator was clearing his throat to make a comment to point that out,

Jimmy Morris, this natural broadcaster, continued to take the lead in the day’s program with the following comment.

“That’s right, but! I have some information that I got from personally messaging the Tampa Bay general manager last night!”

“Ooh, is that true?!”

Personal message exchange with the Tampa Bay general manager. This was a ‘special move’ that commentator Jimmy Morris could use.

Feeling the broadcast cameras in the studio all focusing on him, Jimmy Morris opened his mouth with a very subtle expression.

“There’s an amazing project that will surprise everyone who loves Tampa Bay, as well as Major League Baseball… It’s almost at the success stage now.”

“An amazing project?!”

The host, with his ears perked up, was leaning towards Jimmy Morris.

“What… what is it?”

* * *

To put it bluntly, Jimmy Morris never revealed what that ‘amazing project’ was on the show that day.

Even after the recording ended and his fellow commentators came to inquire about the truth, he kept his mouth shut.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! I made a promise with Kim. The moment I break this, I’ll be kicked out of the group chat right away. And I won’t be able to go back.”

You all know, right?

Kim is like a knife when it comes to this.

Because Jimmy Morris glossed over it with a sly smile, the viewers of the program, as well as those involved in the broadcast, could only smack their lips—

“Originally, we were planning to keep it a secret until the end, but I’ll tell you considering my long relationship with Don Chronos.”

At almost the same time.

In the Clockwise Field general manager’s office, that secret information was being carefully revealed.

“Two days ago, we received a report that Vincent Hyama’s data had risen to 95% of his prime.”

“Wait a minute, Kim! What did you just say? Vincent? Vincent Hyama?!”

The person who was surprised and widened his eyes was Don Chronos, the head of [Clockwise Group].

He had a relationship with Jiseop since his days in the Future Strategy Planning Division. A famous businessman from New York who created Tampa Bay’s first luxury suite and even purchased the naming rights to Tampa Bay’s new stadium.

He had come to the stadium that day for a postseason advertising contract and was faced with unexpected information.

“I heard that Vincent was practically out for the season… Wasn’t he? The 15-day injured list has been renewed several times already, hasn’t it?”

“Haha, out for the season, huh. Certainly, some media outlets have published such speculative articles. But our team has never made any official statement so far.”

As Jiseop gave a very clear answer, Don Chronos began to twirl a gold ring with a large jewel in it.

“Let me see, 95% of his prime? So Vincent isn’t just rehabbing now? Is it some kind of upgrade project? To restore his former destructive power?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

It was at this moment that Jiseop picked up the tablet PC that was on the desk.

Tok, totok. After doing some operations, he turned the screen and placed it in front of Don Chronos.

“Oh, this is…”

“It’s a bullpen pitching video taken two days ago. I can’t disclose specific data, but I thought I should show you the evidence anyway.”

Don Chronos was looking at the video as if he would be sucked into the screen.

Jiseop put his hand on his plump shoulder and continued to speak.

“The project team under me, Vincent Hyama’s personal trainer, and the Tampa Bay Rays Future Strategy Planning Division are working together.”

“Oh…”

“Of course, I can’t guarantee the player’s physical condition 100%, but if the current pace continues, he should be able to participate normally from the Division Series.”

“He’s coming out in the postseason? Vincent Hyama?”

As Don Chronos rolled his eyes, Jiseop’s tongue began to move more smoothly.

“Now, Don Chronos? Let’s imagine. Vincent Hyama is back. In a form comparable to his prime.”

“…”

“That alone would be a huge topic. It’s embarrassing as a general manager, but Vincent Hyama was the most sensational player in our Tampa Bay history.”

“Y-yes, I guess so?”

“And if the current standings remain the same, which team is most likely to face Tampa Bay in the Championship Series?”

Don Chronos could easily answer that much.

“Was it the New York Yankees?”

“Yes, it’s New York. Again, it’s the Yankees.”

Jiseop looked excited.

“This expression is a bit much, but the Yankees’ owner grinds his teeth whenever my name comes up. I’ve been blocking the Yankees in every way so far.”

“Hmm…”

“He’s been vowing to break Kim’s nose this season, but Vincent appears in front of them! The very player they thought was useless and traded away!”

Can you imagine it now?

Do you feel it?

Jiseop patted Don Chronos on the shoulder.

“It’s going to be a mess! It’s always been noisy whenever we play against the Yankees, but this time the rivalry between the two teams is reaching its peak!”

“…”

“Don Chronos, you’ve come to sign an exclusive advertising contract for that historic series. You’ve come to get the chance to put Clockwise’s new product right in the most visible spot in the stadium!”

Gulp.

As Don Chronos swallowed hard, Jiseop quietly picked up the advertising contract that had been lying to one side.

“Of course, I understand. The price has doubled compared to last season… It’s definitely not an easy amount.”

“That’s right, Kim! It’s honestly a burden. It’s not like we paid a small advertising fee last year.”

To Don Chronos’s complaining, Jiseop gave the kindest smile in the world.

“Oh, I know! I know very well! But Don Chronos, it’s Vincent? It’s the New York Yankees?”

“…”

“Are you going to miss this opportunity? Are you going to let another company advertise at Clockwise Field?”

“…”

To Don Chronos, who was deep in thought, Jiseop made a final offer.

“Okay. I’ll give you a 5% discount. Considering our friendship, this is a special price I’m offering. How about it?”

“Gee, when you look at it, Kim is a very brazen person, isn’t he? He brings up friendship for a mere 5%…”

Don Chronos grumbled like that on the outside, but soon he took out a pen from his arms.

“Okay, let’s sign the contract like that.”

He gave a bitter smile.

“But you have to make a really great game? So that I don’t get cursed at by the directors later?”

Don Chronos conveyed his request with a rather earnest expression, but Jiseop didn’t say anything about it.

“…”

He just smiled faintly and tapped his chest.

That answer was enough.

* * *

“President, you’ve worked hard!”

“You’ve really worked hard!”

Immediately after finishing the negotiations with [Clockwise Group], Jiseop was looking for the marketing department’s office.

Even if he was the general manager, information had to be shared with the staff.

It was to inform them of what kind of conversation he had with Don Chronos and what kind of promises he had made.

“Wow, things go smoothly when the president steps in! This advertising negotiation… There was almost no progress for nearly ten days.”

Whew!

To the marketing department director who was breathing a sigh of relief, Jiseop winked.

“Nate also worked hard. Thanks to the marketing department’s good pre-negotiations, I think I was able to successfully persuade Don Chronos.”

“Oh, you’re welcome! We’re just doing what we do every time…”

The marketing department director smiled awkwardly and brought some more data.

The negotiation with Don Chronos was settled, but there were still details to be discussed.

Up to which point to push, and at which point to quietly back down. It was also the general manager’s role to point this out.

Jiseop was talking for a long time and was about to leave the office with the words ‘Okay, please proceed like that’ when.

“Um… President?”

A young employee carefully approaching with a tablet PC next to him.

Jiseop pondered for a while with his fist to his mouth, then snapped his fingers and answered.

“Casey! Casey, right?”

“Wow, you remember my name?”

As the marketing department employee was surprised and pleased, Jiseop gave a strange smile.

“Honestly, I was worried until the end. Casey or Kate.”

“Um, I don’t think you had to say that…”

“Anyway, Casey! What’s wrong? Do you have something to say to me?”

To Jiseop’s question, the marketing department employee answered with a serious expression.

“President, do you happen to remember? Last month, our marketing department held a children’s drawing contest.”

“Drawing contest?”

At first, Jiseop tilted his head slightly, but soon he nodded his head, making an ‘ah’ sound.

“I remember. It was a contest to draw the players, right? The child who won first place could throw the first pitch at Clockwise Field.”

“Yes, that’s it!”

It was one of the events that Major League teams often carried out.

A means to focus children’s attention and at the same time secure future customers.

Therefore, Jiseop also participated in the final judging of this contest.

“But… wasn’t that contest all over? I remember picking the first place with the manager last week?”

“Yes, that’s right. You picked the first place. The president, the manager, and even Alex Montero and Victor Johnson, who came out as player representatives, all unanimously decided.”

The memory that it was a pretty good picture remained in Jiseop’s head.

Was the model Victor Johnson? A work that roughly drew the scene of him striking out and roaring with crayons.

“Originally, we were supposed to invite the child who drew the work to the stadium… But there was a slight problem.”

“Problem?”

“Yes, we couldn’t make a decision on our own, so we wanted to ask the president for his opinion.”

“If you could tell me specifically?”

To Jiseop’s question, the marketing employee continued with a troubled expression.

“When I checked the personal information of the child who won first place, his name was Leo Ryu? He lives in Boston.”

“Leo Ryu from Boston?”

It was a name I had heard somewhere.

“From what I vaguely remember, Boston Red Sox player Ryu Jang-ho’s son was ‘Leo’.”

What should we do, President?