A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 553

The New Guy in the Baseball Team is Too Good – Chapter 553

The New Guy in the Baseball Team is Too Good 553

117 My Baseball, Your Baseball (1)

-That batted ball is soaring high into the infield! The first baseman is getting ready to catch it. One step to the right, then another. In foul territory… He catches it! That’s the final out!

-World Series! It’s the World Series! The Tampa Bay Rays continue their relentless march towards their third consecutive World Series victory! Congratulations, Tampa Bay Rays!

Woahhhh!!!

Woahhhh!!!

The Tampa Bay Rays versus the New York Yankees.

The rivalry between these American League East division teams concluded with a decisive victory for the Tampa Bay Rays.

A final series record of 4 wins and 0 losses. A perfect victory that more than lived up to the expression ‘overwhelming’.

Perhaps it was the obvious next step, but the following day, the local broadcasting stations in St. Petersburg were overflowing with stories about the Championship Series.

-So, what do you think?

[Good Morning Baseball], a radio show that Ji-seop often listened to on his way to work, was no different.

Once, they frequently aired shows for New York Yankees fans, but now the program had completely transformed into a show dedicated to the Tampa Bay Rays.

They had invited reporters who had directly covered the previous day’s game to share their insights about the Championship Series.

-Actually, while watching all four games of this ALCS [American League Championship Series], I had a thought. Maybe the reporters had it a little easy.

Said the host of the program.

-Wasn’t there a bit of that? It would have been cumbersome to write articles if the game had been back and forth… But this time, there was hardly any of that.

The Tampa Bay Rays dominated their opponents in all four games. There was really no turning point to speak of.

So, the consensus was that it was quite a comfortable series for the reporters covering it.

The reporters didn’t exactly deny it.

-That’s right. It was definitely easier. Reporters hate comeback dramas in the 7th or 8th inning the most. They have to rewrite the articles they’ve already written.

-Right? Haha, I knew it!

-But after the series ended… Whew! Honestly, it was tough. It was no joke.

-Oh, this is getting interesting. What was so difficult?

To the host’s question, the reporters participating as panelists that day all shouted ‘MVP’ in unison.

-Deciding the MVP for this series was very tricky.

-Ah!

-Of course, it’s basically decided through voting. But before that, the reporters gather and exchange opinions thoroughly.

Usually, it didn’t even take 10 minutes, they said. Just a brief discussion would give a rough outline.

But after this Championship Series ended, that discussion continued for over 30 minutes.

-I see. All the Tampa Bay players showed great performances in this series… Hmm?

Here, the host paused for a moment.

-But it seems like the players who could be nominated for MVP would have emerged relatively easily, right? Johannes van Benshoten or Vincent Hiyama… Weren’t these two players’ performances the most outstanding?

Johannes van Benshoten, the pitcher who started in the third game and achieved the second perfect game in Major League postseason history.

And Vincent Hiyama, who pitched a 7-inning shutout as a pitcher, and hit 3 home runs and 9 RBIs [Runs Batted In] as a batter.

To the point that if there were two candidates, it wouldn’t be a problem to go straight to the vote, one of the reporters said with a strange smile.

-That’s right. Actually, the same sentiment arose among the reporters, so we went straight to the vote at first. But…

-But?

-When we opened the ballot box, a third person had taken first place with over 70% of the support.

-A third person? You mean it wasn’t Johannes or Vincent? Then who on earth is it?

-Some of you may have guessed… It was Kim. The general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The reporter continued.

-It was Kim who recruited Johannes, who was released from San Francisco, and it was Kim who finalized the trade for Vincent Hiyama. As a result, the person who should receive the MVP of this Championship Series is Kim… That was roughly the logic.

After that, there was a commotion in the media room at Yankee Stadium, they said.

Can the MVP be given to the front office instead of a player? That was unprecedented. Some reporters raised their voices like this.

On the other hand, some reporters retorted, isn’t the MVP given to the most valuable person? What’s the point of the MVP if you can’t give it to the right person?

In the end, it seemed that the situation was barely resolved when Major League Baseball officials brought up a league regulation stating that ‘MVP awards can only be given to players’.

-Hahaha, that’s what happened? If it weren’t for the Major League Baseball people, the MVP of this series might have been Kim instead of Johannes!

The host laughed heartily.

-I’d like to talk more, but the PD [Program Director] outside keeps pointing at his watch? It seems like we’ll have to wrap up today’s guest segment here. Reporters, can you each say a final word?

-As a reporter, or… as a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays?

-Either way is fine, but isn’t today the day? It would be even better if you could say a word as a fan of Tampa Bay!

-Okay. Then…

And the next moment.

Those words that any Tampa Bay fan would want to say were transmitted throughout St. Petersburg via the radio waves.

-Kim, thank you! Thank you!

-You are our Tampa Bay’s hero!

And one more word following that.

-The upcoming World Series! Please take good care of us for our third consecutive championship too!!!

* * *

At that very moment, when the fans’ love and support for the Tampa Bay general manager was reaching its peak.

Ji-seop was making a cup of instant coffee in his office at Clockwise Field.

“…….”

In fact, this day was originally a company-wide day off set by the Tampa Bay front office.

Thanks to finishing the Championship Series with a 4-game sweep, they had some leeway until the World Series.

So, the intention was to get a good rest for today and prepare for the next series in good condition from tomorrow.

Nevertheless, the reason why Ji-seop had to stubbornly come to work was to welcome a guest who had flown in from far away Miami.

“Here, please have a drink.”

“Thank you.”

A Korean man bowing his head and receiving the coffee made by Ji-seop.

His name was Ryan Choi, a man with a law license in Florida.

He once worked for the famous agency group, [Boras Corporation]. He even served as Brett Evans’ exclusive agent.

But now he had left the agency business and was running a private law office.

He handles litigation work, mediation work, and one thing that cannot be left out of his work.

“Kim, I came to see you today about the [Bonfire Foundation].”

The [Bonfire Foundation] was a kind of scholarship foundation that Ji-seop created when he became general manager.

It supports promising student-athletes’ studies abroad and holds youth baseball tournaments in Korea.

To be honest, it was initially created to reduce taxes a bit, but now it was also giving Ji-seop a sense of rewarding pride.

And Ryan Choi was the operating director of this [Bonfire Foundation].

“Yes, well, I’ve checked the contents you sent me by email earlier…”

Ji-seop rubbed his face with both hands and smacked his lips.

“A huge donation has come into the foundation?”

“Yes, about 20 million dollars… It’s the first time since the foundation was founded.”

“More than 28 billion Korean won [approximately $20 million USD]? And you don’t even know who sent the donation?”

“That’s right. When I wasn’t in the office, they just dropped off an envelope. There was a check inside.”

Ryan Choi’s voice was trembling slightly, as if his heart was still pounding.

“I’ve already reported it to the police. For such a large amount, we need to verify the source of the funds and the identity of the donor. It will take quite a while for the results to come out, but I thought it would be right to visit Kim first and report it…”

“I see. Oh, you’ve worked hard. You must have had other litigation work to do.”

“You’re welcome.”

As Ryan Choi hesitantly took a sip of coffee, Ji-seop, who was sitting on the desk, asked again.

“Did you take a picture of the check? Can I see it?”

“Ah, yes! I’m sorry. I forgot to send it to you.”

He put down his mug and hurriedly started operating his phone.

As a message arrived with a ‘ding’ sound, Ji-seop picked up his phone to check it.

And before long, a subtle smile appeared on Ji-seop’s lips.

“It seems like we don’t have to wait for the police investigation results.”

“Yes?”

“I have a rough idea of where the huge donation came from.”

“No, how?”

As Ryan Choi widened his eyes, Ji-seop pointed to the phone screen.

“Look. Isn’t the amount of the donation exactly 19.03 million dollars?”

“Yes, so I reported it as approximately 20 million dollars…”

“1903 is the year the New York Yankees were founded. I think the name was a little different back then, though.”

“New, New York Yankees?!”

Ryan Choi was startled.

“The New York Yankees donating a huge amount to the Bonfire Foundation… Isn’t that practically an expression of their intention to recruit him?”

He had experience as an agent.

He knew the flow of the industry well.

“Isn’t it often the case when recruiting players, even if there’s almost nothing on the front end? When official contact is difficult, they donate to a foundation run by the player, or something like that.”

“That’s right. I see it that way too.”

Ji-seop had a bitter smile on his face.

He thought, ‘It’s the Yankees after all.’ To spend nearly $20 million just to express their intention to recruit him.

He also thought that maybe this was an expression of confidence. They must be confident that they can definitely recruit him, so they can give such a huge amount.

‘Anyway, it’s a strange place? Where does this confidence come from?’

While Ji-seop was staring at the phone screen with such thoughts, Ryan Choi asked again.

“Then… what are you going to do?”

“Yes?”

As Ji-seop raised his head, Ryan Choi straightened his clothes and continued.

“If the donor has been identified, isn’t it customary to express gratitude to that person?”

“Ah.”

“Will you send a letter? Or call them directly…”

The New York Yankees must have been aiming for this part.

The Yankees have high standards. They rarely take the initiative to contact first, no matter what.

Their way is to make the other party approach them first in this way.

Here, Ji-seop shook his head.

“No. Let’s just wait until we hear from the police.”

“Yes? No, why?”

“There’s no basis other than the fact that it’s 19.03 million dollars, right? Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

Ji-seop put down his phone.

“And now we’re on the verge of the World Series. I’m not so free that I’d deliberately contact them to hear stories from other teams.”

“Ah, that’s right! You’re right.”

Ryan nodded and began to pack up his belongings on the desk.

“Then I’ll be on my way. If there are any updates, I’ll contact you again…”

“Hey, hey, wait a minute!”

Ji-seop waved his hand.

“Why are you suddenly packing up? You came all the way here from Miami, I should treat you to dinner.”

“No, you just said you weren’t free…”

“Hehe, that’s just what I’m saying to those Yankees guys.”

Ji-seop chuckled.

“If you don’t have any other appointments, let’s have a meal together. You’ve worked hard this season managing the foundation.”

“Ah, really? Can you make time?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Ryan Choi, hearing Ji-seop’s story, hesitated very slightly.

He seemed to be wondering whether he could speak, and then carefully brought up the story.

“Kim, if you’re going to make time anyway… could you come with me?”

“With you? What is it, did you have a prior engagement?”

“Yes, that’s right. But it would be great if Kim could come with me.”

He continued.

“I don’t know if you remember… but our [Bonfire Foundation] held a student baseball tournament last month, right?”

“Ah, yes, I remember.”

“The winning team players are here in St. Petersburg now. Kim is such a busy person that I didn’t tell you separately…”

If Kim could come-

“Wouldn’t the students be very happy?”