Baseball: A Two-Way Player-Chapter 647 - 10: First Appearance (Part 2)

The winter morning's cold wind carried a chill from the direction of the field, blowing through his hair and rustling the papers on the podium. Lin Guanglai stood at the microphone, facing countless flashing cameras, also facing the New York Yankees, this most celebrated and demanding stage in the history of world sports.

"Good morning, New York."

When Lin Guanglai said these words in English, breaking the silence on the scene, the more than two thousand fans in the stands erupted into enthusiastic cheers and applause.

"First, allow me to express my sincerest gratitude to the management team, coaching staff, and all the personnel of the New York Yankees - this great team with unparalleled history and tradition. Thank you for giving me this incredible trust, and thank you for your hard work over this period, allowing me to stand here, on this legendary land, wearing this black-and-white striped jersey that bears the weight of history, becoming part of this great team."

"I also appreciate every Yankee fan present today, I see your waving hands, I feel your energy, which makes me excited and feel the heavy responsibility."

As he said this, Lin Guanglai turned his gaze towards the stands, and his body leaned slightly forward to bow to the enthusiastic fans.

"Taking this opportunity, let me introduce myself again, my name is Lin Guanglai. I know many fans and even the media present are not familiar with me - but that's all right, when the new season's games start, I will soon let fans across America know me."

The moment Lin Guanglai's words fell, there was an uproar in the audience; even the always sensational New York media were startled by his remark; then, many reporters flashed a peculiar gleam, evidently finding a huge headline. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

On stage, Lin Guanglai's speech continued.

"I know, as an Asian player who has never pitched or batted in the North American baseball system, many coming to witness my dual swordsmanship challenge in the major leagues must be skeptical - they might view it as overconfidence, as an inflated ego, wondering if this young guy from Japan can adapt? Can he withstand the pressure here? Does he understand what 'Yankees' means?"

At this point, Lin Guanglai couldn't help but laugh, "Let me frankly say, I have indeed studied the history of the Yankees, I have read stories about Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson... and my predecessor, Matsui Hideki."

"I know there are 27 championship flags hanging in this stadium, I know the Monument Park behind me rests great souls, I know in the Bronx, success is only measured by victory - I am not completely ignorant of this."

"Perhaps some see it as heavy pressure, they might fear the fans of the Bronx always demanding the highest standards; but for me, that's the reason I rejected the other 29 teams and chose the Yankees - because, just like everyone here, we are born winners!"

The applause and cheers on-site grew more intense, many Western-faced fans showed expressions of appreciation after understanding this content - evidently, Lin Guanglai's confession was quite appealing to them.

"I can say without humility, in every sport I've engaged in since baseball, I've been the best - in high school baseball, I won the Koshien championship three times, creating unprecedented statistics; in Nippon Professional Baseball, my team achieved three consecutive championships, both MVP and Eiji Sawamura Award were won three times consecutively."

"What an athlete seeks in life is to test their limits at the highest peak, to prove their value in the fiercest battlefield, isn't it? And New York Yankees are the Everest of the baseball world, the ultimate battleground! Pressure? Yes, it exists. But it's not my enemy, it's a touchstone that tempers me into true gold - I assure all Yankee fans that when the new season starts, and you return to the Bronx, I will show you my determination and strength; I have absolute faith in my abilities and adaptability, believing I can replicate my past success in the Bronx!"

"Since winning the World Series championship for the last time in 2009, Yankees, this giant of the baseball world, has been dormant for too long, so long that many have forgotten what awe this team once inspired - Yankee fans, I assure you, I will give my all to bring this great team back to where she belongs!"

Lin Guanglai's words were powerful, full of passion, yet carrying a maturity and resoluteness beyond his age; the Yankee fans in the stands were also moved by these words, the applause gradually merged into patches, reaching another climax.

After finishing this lengthy and exciting speech, Lin Guanglai pointed forward to the upper stands of Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees' World Series championship flags were hanging, each flag inscribed with the corresponding year.

"Coming to America, to New York, my goal is very clear - I will, with my new teammates, bring the World Series championship back to the Yankees, not just one, not just two, not just three... Believe me, Yankee fans, this process won't keep you waiting long, the 28th, 29th, and even the 30th championship flag will eventually be high in the Bronx sky!"

At this point, Lin Guanglai stepped back from the stage, took off his cap, bowing to the reporters and the audience on the stands respectively.

"Finally, thanks again to New York, thanks to the Yankees - from today onwards, this is my new home, my source of honor."

"Honored to be a Yankee - from now, let's get to work."

Thunderous applause, cheers, and whistles erupted, resonating through Yankee Stadium, lasting for a long time. Lin Guanglai's remarks undoubtedly struck the "hot zone" for on-site media and fans:

New York media tired of formulaic speeches, especially like young people who are "open-mouthed" in front of them, many even plan to focus on Lin Guanglai for interviews after the new season begins;

And the complex emotional needs of Yankee fans present were also precisely met: As a new joining player, Lin Guanglai not only showed high recognition of Yankee culture but also displayed his strong will to win and ambition, qualities highly revered in Yankee's traditional spirit.

Wearing the Yankees jersey and stepping back onto the grass of Yankee Stadium, Lin Guanglai left his mark for the first time on this holy land of baseball in the pursuit of the on-site reporters - he was now even somewhat eager for the new season to begin, impatient to leave his mark on the pitcher's mound and batter's box in the Bronx under the gaze of more than fifty thousand Yankee fans!

When the ceremony finally ended, and the crowd gradually dispersed, the time was almost noon; it seemed even God was inspired by Lin Guanglai's speech, as the unexpected warm sunshine appeared over wintery New York at noon.

Seated in the departing car, looking back at the magnificent Yankee Stadium, Lin Guanglai felt something within his heart reigniting.

Just before this bustling street, a more glorious legendary path was slowly unfolding.