"I will bring this city a championship" — Over 300 pitches in 10 days, plus a bullpen appearance in Game 5! FedEx kept his promise with extraordinary spirit

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The bold ambition he voiced upon joining mid-season was no empty boast. Samsung Lions foreign ace Chris FedEx (30) displayed superhuman spirit, ultimately delivering the championship trophy to his home base in Daegu.

On the 8th, at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, Samsung defeated the KT Wiz 12-1 in Game 5 of the "2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (KS)," securing a series lead of 4 wins and 1 loss to clinch the championship. It was a moment that marked their reclaiming of the Korea Series throne after a 12-year drought since the 2014 season.

Fedex truly burned brightly on this autumn baseball stage. Not only did he pitch nearly 300 balls as a starter over 10 days throughout the postseason, but he also showed dedication by taking the mound from the bullpen in Game 5 of the Korea Series, directly completing the team's championship. He took responsibility for four innings after Won Tae-in pitched five innings.

It was a series of grueling schedules. FedEx started Game 1 of the Playoffs (PO) against the KIA Tigers on October 26, throwing 94 pitches. After resting for just three days, he appeared in PO Game 4 on the 30th, recording 99 pitches.

It did not end there. After another four days of rest, he started KS Game 2 against the KT Wiz on the 4th at Suwon KT Wiz Park. At the time, FedEx threw 102 pitches, delivering a strong performance with seven innings pitched, eight hits allowed, one walk, three strikeouts, and one run allowed. While allowing baserunners in every inning, he showcased his ability to handle high-pressure situations, holding the mound through the seventh inning. Thanks to FedEx's strong pitching, Samsung was able to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory after a 12-inning extra-inning battle.

He started three times in ten days, throwing exactly 295 pitches. It was an extreme schedule he had never experienced in his career. As the ace fulfilling his responsibility, concerns about his physical condition were inevitable. However, what supported FedEx was his strong mental fortitude. Behind that stood his role model and Major League Baseball's legendary "iron arm," Nolan Ryan.

After Game 2 of the Korea Series, FedEx said, "This is the first time I have thrown so many pitches in such a short period. Surprisingly, my physical condition is fine." He emphasized, "I understand that players like Nolan Ryan in the past played seasons with short rest periods. I thought, 'If he could do it, why can't I?'"

Fedex, who is from Texas, has a routine of wearing a suit and a cowboy hat to work on his starting days. Coincidentally, Ryan is also from Texas. FedEx also injected his unique toughness into his teammates in the locker room. He smiled and said, "Ryan also rested for three days before preparing to start. I emphasize that aspect too. If players get injured or hit by pitches, I joke, 'Just ice it. It's okay to get hit.'"

This "Texas spirit" reached its peak in the highly anticipated KS Game 5. In Game 5, with the team on the verge of winning the championship, FedEx completed a grueling schedule by appearing from the bullpen in the top of the sixth inning before his starter's fatigue had fully subsided. On the mound, FedEx showed no signs of fatigue, intimidating the opposing lineup and gifting Samsung the championship.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original