(Daegu = Yonhap News) Reporter Jang Hyun-gu = The driving force behind the professional baseball Samsung Lions' victory in the Korean Series for the first time in 12 years is the comeback pitching of Chris Fedek, a veteran pitcher with a total of 32 wins in the Major League Baseball (MLB).
Fedek, who first appeared in the KBO League on July 18th of this year and had 7 wins and 3 losses in 13 games, an ERA of 2.95, and 9 quality starts (QS, pitching 3 earned runs or less over 6 innings as a starter), threw 1,223 balls in the regular league.
He was Samsung's first starting pitcher in fall baseball and threw 345 balls in two playoff games and two Korean Series games.
He became the losing pitcher after throwing 94 in the first game of the playoffs against the KIA Tigers on October 26, but due to the team's unavailability of starting pitchers, he took the mound again in the fourth game four days later and showed off his strength by throwing out 99.
Then, after throwing 102 in Game 2 of the Korean Series on November 4, he took the mound in relief from the 6th inning in Game 5 of the Korean Series against KT Wiz on the 8th, pitching 50 in 4 innings and blocking with a perfect pitch, earning the winning save.
From Game 4 of the playoffs, Fedek regained his prowess as a big leaguer, and in the Korean Series, he single-handedly decided Samsung's victory with flawless pitching as a starter and closer.
Fedek, who gave Samsung the championship with a fighting spirit and dedication comparable to Superman, said after the ceremony, "I was thinking that all players should dedicate themselves to the team in fall baseball," and smiled brightly, saying, "When I first came here in July, I promised the fans that I would do my best to bring the championship ring to Daegu, and I feel good that I was able to keep that."
Fedek, who said that he thought that if starting pitcher Won Tae-in played well in Game 5, that he would be able to block the team for about 3 innings, said, "I had to take the mound a little early because the lead was 10 points after the 5th inning," and added, "I told the manager and coach that I could continue to pitch more, and I think I was able to win because I thought it was right for me to finish until the end in an important game like today."
Fedek explained that although he did not get a satisfactory result in the first round of the playoffs, he made a lot of effort not to fail and not to be afraid, and that he was able to regain his standing by preparing a lot afterwards.
At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to his teammates who silently supported and cheered him on, saying, "Even when I was having a hard time, my fellow players helped me a lot."
Fedek emphasized that choosing to play in the KBO League was one of the best decisions he has ever made and said he hopes to play for Samsung again next year.
In addition, he mentioned that he barely had a chance to play in the championship game in the United States, but that day he decided to win in Korea wearing a Samsung uniform. He also said, "My family must have been watching this game at 2 or 3 a.m. at home in Texas, USA," and did not hide his joy at the fact that he shared the amazing experience he had in a remote country with his family.
Fedek finally smiled, saying, "The thrilling feeling of catching the final out is a memory that Kang Min-ho and I will take with us for the rest of our lives. I want to quickly see how it was captured in the photo. When me and Kang Min-ho were running toward each other, one of us got hit in the face and I want to check this."
