Daegu:Samsung Lions starting pitcher Chris Paddack, known for his Texan pride, continues to impress in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason. The Austin native is easily recognizable on game days, sporting a full suit with a cowboy hat and boots. Remarkably, he even encouraged his interpreter to dress similarly earlier in the postseason.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Paddack has been a crucial asset for the Lions, who are now two wins away from their first Korean Series title since 2014, leading the championship series 2-1. Demonstrating his resilience and dedication, the 30-year-old right-hander has thrown 295 pitches over a 10-day span, including a seven-inning, 102-pitch performance in Game 2 of the Korean Series, which the Lions won 3-2 in 12 innings.

Paddack, who made his KBO postseason debut on October 26 in a series against the Kia Tigers, has shown remarkable stamina, pitching on short rest and embodying the workhorse mentality teams covet in the playoffs. Despite the heavy workload, he expressed feeling great both mentally and physically, drawing inspiration from legendary Texan pitchers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens.

Reflecting on his connection to his home state, Paddack mentioned his admiration for Ryan and Clemens, noting their frequent pitching schedules and expressing his desire to emulate their success. He humorously remarked to his teammates that Texan pitchers have "ice in their veins," emphasizing their ability to remain calm under pressure.