Baseball: A Two-Way Player-Chapter 650 - 11: Newcomer Joins the Team (Part 3)

At SoftBank Hawks in Fukuoka, he was Japan's top talent, the number one draft pick, and everyone from top to bottom in the organization acknowledged him as the "Prince of SoftBank." From Chairman Wang Zhenzhi to Coach Akiyama Koji, and even teammates like Shetsu Shou, Nakagawa Seiichi, and Yanagida Yuuki, everyone took his presence for granted from the very beginning.

But when he left Japan and came to the United States alone, everything seemed to change: although he delivered a dominating performance in the Nippon Professional Baseball—dubbed the "4A league"—in the vast land of America, he was temporarily just an unknown.

Even with Tanaka Masahiro, an old acquaintance, helping him avoid some trouble, truly becoming integrated into this team ultimately relied on his own efforts—a reticent person who couldn't even say a word in three tries would never survive in America.

Just as Lin Guanglai was thinking about this, a "big black guy" of similar height but twice his size approached with an enthusiastic smile, wobbling as he walked.

"I heard you turned down both the Red Sox and Dodgers and chose us instead? That's awesome, man! You're a natural Yankee! Welcome to the team. On behalf of the team, I heartily welcome you!"

After saying this with enthusiasm, the big guy grabbed Lin Guanglai and slapped his back vigorously, catching Lin completely off guard with his sudden warmth.

However, he quickly adapted to the man's enthusiasm and even started actively communicating with him.

The introduction phase was simply skipped. After all, who wouldn't recognize CC Sabathia, the Cy Young-level pitcher, if they followed the Yankees?

Before this, Lin Guanglai had already heard about Sabathia's enthusiasm from various media reports and interviews with players. Not only was he witty and humorous, but he also actively stood up for his teammates both on and off the field and engaged in charity work. He was a top player respected throughout the Major League—so much so that even some who hated the Yankees expressed a strong liking for Sabathia himself.

Seeing CC Sabathia, a respected figure in the Yankees' locker room, taking over his job, Tanaka Masahiro, smiling broadly, folded his arms and watched as Lin Guanglai was introduced to his new teammates by Sabathia.

Among them were last season's number two starter Michael Pineda, and Aroldis Chapman, nicknamed the "Cuban Missile," who still holds the record for the fastest pitch in Major League history.

Soon, Lin Guanglai was brought in front of a young pitcher by Sabathia.

"This is Luis Severino, a pitching prodigy cultivated by our very own Yankees farm system. Luis, this is Lin. Say hi."

Respecting the senior's presence, Severino lifted his head and greeted Lin Guanglai—though his tone suggested some reluctance.

Lin Guanglai didn't take any position on this, and it seemed as if Sabathia had anticipated this, quickly moving on to introduce him to other teammates.

Severino's attitude reflected that of many starting pitchers in the Yankees' pitching staff: according to last season's rotation, with Tanaka Masahiro and CC Sabathia locking down the first and fifth starter slots, there were only three spots left in the usual five-man rotation. It was barely enough to go around.

Now, suddenly, an Asian pitcher who hadn't thrown a single pitch in the Major Leagues parachuted in, and at such a young age, many of the players who had grown up within the American baseball system felt uneasy—despite Tanaka repeatedly emphasizing Lin Guanglai's abilities.

All the members were waiting to see if this Asian prodigy, hyped by the media all off-season, was genuinely deserving or just a flash in the pan; even Sabathia, despite his welcoming demeanor, couldn't help but harbor these thoughts.

Ultimately, in Major League Baseball, to earn genuine respect from teammates and opponents, the most basic yet crucial way is still through one's performance on the field.

Fortunately, the wait wouldn't be too long.