who had begun filtering into the media room. The space was used almost daily during the regular season, but it had been fairly quiet over the winter. Kate approached James and Reid, subtly urging them to take their seats at the long table at the front of the room. She couldn’t help but notice how perfect Reid looked in his grey suit and deep red shirt with the team logo in a grid-like pattern behind him. He looked like he belonged, and judging by the smile on his face as James Scott introduced him, it appeared he felt like he belonged already as well.
Kate fought to pull her gaze from Reid and turned her attention to the reporters. With the official introduction complete, the assembled gallery began asking questions of James and Reid. Predictably, the first reporter questioned Reid’s ability to coach considering his own failures at the plate. Reid seemed to expect it, and he explained how he had worked with several young hitters at the University of North Carolina.
“Sometimes knowing what you need to do and being able to do it are two different things,” Reid said. “I may not have the ability to hit at a big league level, but I have plenty of knowledge about it. I’ve seen a lot of pitchers and a lot of hitters. I know I can help the Pioneers improve their already impressive offense.”
The next few questions surrounded Reid’s impressions of the Pioneers, as a team and an organization. Reid spoke diplomatically about the Mets, the organization that had launched his career, before expressing his excitement about being in Portland and starting a new chapter of his life in baseball.
“You were only released a few days ago. How can you be sure another team won’t want you in their outfield?” a reporter asked. “How would you react if that opportunity came up?”
Several recorders beeped as Reid took his time answering the question. His pause was a bit unsettling, and it caused Kate to turn and look at him.
“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue,” Reid said. “But even if it does, I’ve made a commitment to the Pioneers. James and Kate can trust that I will stand by my commitment. That’s who I am.”
Kate and James fielded a few questions about other organizational matters before the press conference ended. Reid followed the front office folks back out into the hallway and into a staff elevator. Inside, it seemed like they let out a collective breath.
“That went pretty well,” James said. “I’m going to check out a few of the autograph lines. Reid, I’ll see you at the cocktail hour later. I know a few of the other partners are anxious to meet you. Enjoy the day, and don’t let Kate wear you out.”
Reid laughed a little, and Kate blushed when she realized where Reid’s mind had taken that comment. The owner, of course, was unaware of their history and thought nothing of Reid’s chuckles. He simply waved before stepping off the elevator a few moments later, turning quickly to the left.
“If he only knew,” Reid said softly.
Kate heard Reid’s comment, but chose to ignore it as they exited the elevator and walked in the opposite direction. Silently, she led him down the wide corridor. She was pleased to see a line at the cash register in the team gift shop. They continued on into a small conference room, where a few dozen fans sat in rows of chairs, facing two of the Pioneers’ young outfielders. Kate introduced Reid to the players, and once the session had started, she quietly left to monitor some of the other Fan Fest activities.
For the most part, she was just relieved to be away from Reid. She’d spent more time with him in the past 24 hours than she ever thought she would again. The effects of his presence were going to be unsettling at best and disastrous at worst. She hoped she would get used to it over time so they could both do their jobs without their history interfering. She didn’t have time to dwell on the past; her job required her to look at the
Kate fought to pull her gaze from Reid and turned her attention to the reporters. With the official introduction complete, the assembled gallery began asking questions of James and Reid. Predictably, the first reporter questioned Reid’s ability to coach considering his own failures at the plate. Reid seemed to expect it, and he explained how he had worked with several young hitters at the University of North Carolina.
“Sometimes knowing what you need to do and being able to do it are two different things,” Reid said. “I may not have the ability to hit at a big league level, but I have plenty of knowledge about it. I’ve seen a lot of pitchers and a lot of hitters. I know I can help the Pioneers improve their already impressive offense.”
The next few questions surrounded Reid’s impressions of the Pioneers, as a team and an organization. Reid spoke diplomatically about the Mets, the organization that had launched his career, before expressing his excitement about being in Portland and starting a new chapter of his life in baseball.
“You were only released a few days ago. How can you be sure another team won’t want you in their outfield?” a reporter asked. “How would you react if that opportunity came up?”
Several recorders beeped as Reid took his time answering the question. His pause was a bit unsettling, and it caused Kate to turn and look at him.
“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue,” Reid said. “But even if it does, I’ve made a commitment to the Pioneers. James and Kate can trust that I will stand by my commitment. That’s who I am.”
Kate and James fielded a few questions about other organizational matters before the press conference ended. Reid followed the front office folks back out into the hallway and into a staff elevator. Inside, it seemed like they let out a collective breath.
“That went pretty well,” James said. “I’m going to check out a few of the autograph lines. Reid, I’ll see you at the cocktail hour later. I know a few of the other partners are anxious to meet you. Enjoy the day, and don’t let Kate wear you out.”
Reid laughed a little, and Kate blushed when she realized where Reid’s mind had taken that comment. The owner, of course, was unaware of their history and thought nothing of Reid’s chuckles. He simply waved before stepping off the elevator a few moments later, turning quickly to the left.
“If he only knew,” Reid said softly.
Kate heard Reid’s comment, but chose to ignore it as they exited the elevator and walked in the opposite direction. Silently, she led him down the wide corridor. She was pleased to see a line at the cash register in the team gift shop. They continued on into a small conference room, where a few dozen fans sat in rows of chairs, facing two of the Pioneers’ young outfielders. Kate introduced Reid to the players, and once the session had started, she quietly left to monitor some of the other Fan Fest activities.
For the most part, she was just relieved to be away from Reid. She’d spent more time with him in the past 24 hours than she ever thought she would again. The effects of his presence were going to be unsettling at best and disastrous at worst. She hoped she would get used to it over time so they could both do their jobs without their history interfering. She didn’t have time to dwell on the past; her job required her to look at the
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