A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 540

The Baseball Team’s Newcomer Is Too Good 540

114. Please Draw a Number (1)

After the face-off against the Tampa Bay Rays, Ryu Jang-ho began to showcase truly remarkable performance.

Thwack!

Thwaaaack!

In the following week, he blasted 5 home runs, smacked 3 doubles, and drove in a whopping 14 RBIs.

He accomplished in a single week what an average pinch hitter might achieve in an entire season.

Moreover, he stole bases occasionally, and when the team faced tough situations, he thrilled Boston fans with spectacular defensive plays.

Ryu! Ryu! Ryu! Ryu!

It was almost inevitable that he would be selected as the American League’s Player of the Week for the third week of September.

“Ryu, what’s your secret?”

This was the question posed by Boston’s beat reporters during a post-game interview in the locker room.

“You’ve played in almost every game this season, haven’t you? The physical strain must be immense, so how are you able to perform so well?”

By mid-September, most players were running on empty. Injuries were common, and many players were opting to rest.

He wasn’t facing free agency, and the team wasn’t in contention for the postseason, so how was such incredible performance even possible?

Amid the barrage of questions, the Boston Red Sox captain offered the following reply:

“It’s all thanks to the coaches’ help. And I can’t forget the support of the team staff.”

If Major League Baseball had an award for ‘Most Boring Interview,’ this would have easily clinched the top spot.

“And it’s also because I’m determined to put on a good show for the fans who come to the stadium. What other secret could there be?”

“Ah, is that so?”

The reporters clicked their tongues, looking unconvinced, but Ji-seop, who was watching the broadcast, saw through the facade.

‘Heh heh, the coaches’ help, my foot……’

There was a different reason entirely. On the TV screen, behind Ryu Jang-ho, his locker was visible.

And in the center of that locker, in the most prominent spot, was the picture of Ryu Jang-ho that Leo had drawn.

The fact that his son was cheering him on, that to his son, he was the best baseball player in Major League Baseball, seemed to be giving Ryu Jang-ho tremendous energy in the final stretch of the season.

‘Fathers are so… simple.’

Ji-seop smiled softly as he thought of his own father from his childhood.

Was that why his father was so touched by the paper carnations he had made back then for Parents’ Day [a holiday in Korea celebrating parents]?

Was that why he carried a hastily made paper flower in his wallet long after Ji-seop had forgotten his own birthday?

‘Wait, what time is it in Korea right now?’

Ji-seop glanced at the clock on the office wall and began to dial his father’s phone number.

“Yes, Father!”

It must have been almost two months since their last call.

“Hey, what’s wrong… I’m just calling to check in. I mean it!”

His father immediately became wary as soon as he answered the phone.

It took Ji-seop quite a while to convince him that nothing was amiss.

“Yes, yes, of course. I’m eating very well. How about you, Father? Are you taking your medicine regularly?”

He inquired about his father’s health, his mother’s well-being, and whether his brother was still causing his parents trouble.

After a few pleasantries, his father broached the subject he was really interested in.

“Ah, our team? They’re still doing well these days. Come on, Father! You can at least check the standings, can’t you? It’s all in the newspapers.”

Even as he said that, a triumphant smile crept across Ji-seop’s face.

“Thanks to Jang-ho sweeping the Yankees in the 4-game series, the lead over second place has widened quite a bit. If this pace continues…”

It might be different with someone else, but he was talking to his father right now.

Perhaps that was why Ji-seop was expressing his confidence more strongly than ever before.

“We should be able to clinch it in a few days.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Ji-seop nodded.

“I’m talking about winning the regular season title.”

* * *

It was four days later that the Tampa Bay Rays clinched the regular season title, or more precisely, the American League East title.

The Tampa Bay Rays won their away game against the Cincinnati Reds, and the New York Yankees, second in the division, lost their home game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

As a result, regardless of the remaining game results, the Tampa Bay Rays would once again hoist the division championship trophy.

Wowwww!!!

In fact, Ji-seop’s personal feeling was that it was a slightly underwhelming season.

They were recording a somewhat lower winning percentage compared to last season, when they had achieved the highest winning percentage in franchise history.

The absence of players who had left the team after signing free agent contracts was regrettable, and the departure of front office colleagues who were scouted by other teams was disappointing.

However, Ji-seop’s personal disappointment actually highlighted the significance of this victory.

“Maintaining a winning team is never easy… I think the Tampa Bay Rays have succeeded in doing that difficult thing.”

“Looking back, there were many ups and downs, weren’t there? There were many injured players, and there was also the departure of manager Klemblas. This is the result of overcoming all those challenges.”

“Haha, is there any need to say anything else? Tampa Bay has not relinquished the top spot even once since mid-April! That’s explanation enough!”

The remaining point of interest was winning the World Series for the third consecutive year.

Could the Tampa Bay Rays’ ‘Dark Lord’ [referring to Ji-seop] achieve the three-peat that only two teams, the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics, had accomplished?

Could they achieve that incredible record and establish the Tampa Bay Rays as the greatest dynasty of their era?

Possible? Impossible? It was around this time that the entire Major League Baseball world was buzzing with heated debates over this very question-

“……”

A rural house in Yeongsan City, Gyeonggi Province [a province in South Korea].

In this neatly built two-story building with a well-kept garden, a sharp-looking old man was holding a watering can.

“Hmm.”

It was quite an interesting contrast.

The sight of an old man who could intimidate most people with just a glance holding a cute elephant-shaped watering can.

The sight of an old man who could still make dozens of people tremble with a thunderous roar standing in a garden full of blooming flowers.

The name of the old man creating this strange contrast was Park Hong-ju. He was none other than ‘Sakhalin Park,’ who once served as the CEO and acting owner of the KH Cannons.

Chwaaaack- Squeeze.

Originally, he seemed to have come out to water the plants.

In fact, several pots placed on the stairs had been watered to the point of overflowing.

However, about ten minutes after coming out to the garden, he was about to refill the watering can when he pressed the wireless earphone in his ear.

“Um… Vice Chairman?”

The man in the suit standing next to him cautiously spoke, seemingly worried about Sakhalin, who was standing there as if rooted to the spot.

“Is there any important news? Then you should sit down over there…”

“Uh, just a moment. Just wait a moment.”

Sakhalin Park put his finger to his lips as if telling him to be quiet and listened intently.

And after some time had passed, he took off the wireless earphone and smirked.

“Hey, Chief Jung. Do you happen to remember? We used to have a foreign pitcher named Jimmy Morris in our Cannons.”

“Ah, yes, I remember.”

The man called ‘Chief Jung’ quickly nodded.

“Wasn’t he the ace of the team when the Cannons won the championship? And then he went back to Major League Baseball.”

“That’s right, you know about him too?”

Sakhalin lightly tapped his knee.

“That friend of mine has now retired and is working as a commentator, and he sometimes turns on YouTube Live to do personal broadcasts.”

“You, YouTube Live?”

Chief Jung blinked.

Perhaps he didn’t expect the words ‘YouTube Live’ to come out of the mouth of an old man who was turning 79 this year.

However, Sakhalin Park was not at all bothered by such a reaction and was only saying what he wanted to say.

“It’s annoying to have to pay a separate subscription fee… But he gives me news that doesn’t officially come out very often. You know, like stories that are floating around in the industry.”

“Stories floating around in the industry. So, was there something interesting today too?”

“Hehe, you could say that.”

Sakhalin sat down on a bench in the middle of the garden and continued.

“I heard that the Major League Baseball Secretariat is considering awarding a very special award to Kim Ji-seop, the general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.”

“A very special award, you say?”

“Have you ever heard of it? The Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award… It’s the highest award a Major League Baseball official can receive.”

Sakhalin’s words became slightly faster.

“It’s not an award that anyone receives. It’s not an award given every year either. It’s an award given only to those who have made achievements that will go down in Major League Baseball history. It would probably be the first time for a front office member.”

“I heard that the Tampa Bay Rays have won the championship for three consecutive years… Wow, that’s really amazing?”

Chief Jung couldn’t help but be impressed.

“Shouldn’t this be considered a celebration for KH Cannons, no, the entire KH Group [a South Korean conglomerate]?”

“Hehe, is that all? This should be considered a celebration for the entire Korean baseball community! It’s no exaggeration to say it’s a celebration for the Republic of Korea!”

Sakhalin Park threw his head back and laughed heartily, then nodded with a satisfied expression.

“To think that I would hear such a story while living this long. Just a few years ago, that guy was just carrying lunch boxes on the minor league grounds, and now he’s the best front office member in Major League Baseball…”

Ah, no, that’s not right.

He tapped his knee.

“I shouldn’t say a few years ago anymore. It’s already been seven years since I met that friend.”

Time flies. It really flies.

Sakhalin was quietly reminiscing about the old memories with his eyes narrowed.

He remembered when he first met Ji-seop, he remembered training together. He remembered when he sent him off to America, and when he met him again in America.

“Is it time to get a haircut?”

Just as he was brushing back his hair, feeling inexplicably heavy-hearted, the quick-witted Chief Jung made a suggestion.

“Vice Chairman, shall I bring out some snacks?”

“Snacks?”

“Yes, we have the pecan sugar glaze that Kim Ji-seop sent us a while ago. If you have some with tea, it might cheer you up…”

“Oh, that’s a good idea.”

Sakhalin readily replied.

“It’s savory and sweet, so it’s good to eat. Bring some out. You can eat with me.”

“Understood. Then…”

Just as Chief Jung, who had slightly bowed his head, was about to move his steps to the stairs, the cell phone in his pocket began to ring.

“Yes, this is Jung Sang-hyuk.”

Chief Jung stood there and began to have a few words.

He narrowed his brow, smacked his lips, and trailed off with ‘Ah, that’s a bit…’

After talking for a long time, Chief Jung turned his head with a troubled expression.

“Um… Vice Chairman?”

“Hmm?”

“The CEO of KH Cannons… He says he’s on his way to see you right now.”

“Sung-min is?”

Sakhalin frowned.

“Why is he?”

“He, he wants to hear your advice on the team’s operations for next season…”

“Huh, doesn’t that guy ever get tired of it?”

Sakhalin said bluntly.

“Didn’t he say that he’s surrounded by talented people who are recognized in Major League Baseball? He should listen to those friends’ stories, why would he come to listen to my stories now.”

Tell him to go back.

I have no intention of meeting him.

As if he had nothing more to say, Sakhalin Park picked up the watering can and got up from his seat.

But he stopped in his tracks at the story that followed.

“I know your intentions well, Vice Chairman, but… The CEO’s office told me to be sure to convey these words.”

“Words? What words?”

“The CEO is scheduled to leave for St. Petersburg next week.”

St. Petersburg.

Sakhalin Park’s eyebrows twitched.

“He said he definitely wants to hear some advice from you before his trip… What should we do?”