"Why can't I? They did it": The 'Man's Man' Fedex Invokes the Legend of Texas Who Threw 150 Pitches and Rested for Three Days

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Texas Man's Man" Chris Fedex (30, Samsung Lions) invoked Major League Baseball legend Nolan Ryan to prove his ace-caliber quality on the Korea Series stage.

Fedex started Game 2 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series against the KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 4th, delivering a strong performance with seven innings pitched, eight hits allowed, one walk, three strikeouts, and one earned run. Although he did not earn the win, he solidly held the fort by working seven innings.

Despite the tight pitching schedule continuing from the previous playoff series against the KIA Tigers, Fedex's arm showed no signs of fatigue. After throwing 94 pitches in Game 1 of the playoffs against KIA on October 26, he threw 99 pitches in Game 4 of the playoffs after a three-day rest. He then took the mound in this Korea Series Game 2 after four days off. He also threw 102 pitches on this day, with a top speed reaching 151 km/h.

In an official post-game interview, Fedex explained the secret behind his continued fighting spirit despite the short rest, stating, "I must prepare myself for moments like these, which are the highest stage both physically and mentally." He added, "The training staff provided excellent management to ensure I could take the mound, and once I entered the field, I let my body be driven by adrenaline."

When asked by reporters if he had experienced a grueling schedule of pitching in three games over ten days with approximately 300 pitches, Fedex burst into hearty laughter and brought up the name of his "idol" from his hometown of Texas, Nolan Ryan (79). Strikeout pitchers inevitably have high pitch counts, and Ryan was also a pitcher who did not shy away from walks. Under modern baseball's strict pitch count limits, working five innings might have been difficult, but in the 1980s, when "complete games" were considered the highest virtue for a pitcher, Ryan routinely repeated the superhuman feat of throwing 140 to 150 pitches in a game and pitching again after just three days of rest.

Fedex said, "I am proud to represent Texas as well," adding, "Great pitchers of the past, including Nolan Ryan, pitched on four-day intervals (three days of rest). If they could do it, I thought, 'Why not me?'" revealing his unique determination and pride. He then added a signature joke he often tells his clubhouse teammates, saying, "We have ice. If you are in pain or stiff, icing solves everything," as he laughed.

Fedex also directly explained his ability to handle crises on the mound. Although he wavered by recording 25 pitches in just the first inning, Fedex reflected, "It certainly was not an efficient start." However, he noted, "I trusted my catcher and focused on throwing my pitches. When I saw on the scoreboard that Diaz's RBI had given us the lead in the top of the second inning, the burden on my shoulders was greatly lifted."

In particular, taking the mound in the seventh inning with over 90 pitches thrown through six innings was Fedex's own strong request. Fedex revealed, "The pitching coach came to me and asked about my physical condition," adding, "The opposing batting order for the seventh inning was 8th, 9th, and 1st, with two right-handed batters coming up. I conveyed that I wanted to go back out there and stop them," earning absolute trust from the manager and the bench.

Building on Fedex's seven-inning, one-run pitching performance, Samsung secured a thrilling 3-2 victory after a close game in the 12th inning of extra innings, tying the series. Fedex smiled broadly, saying, "It was a tough game that went to the 12th inning of extra innings, but I feel great because the team won. The bus ride down to Daegu should be much more comfortable now."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original