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Throughout his 16-year MLB career, Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has never been afraid to show some excitement on the mound.
Chapman's signature celebration, which he started using repeatedly over the years, is a staredown of the opposing hitter after a strikeout.
On Wednesday, the 37-year-old lefty from Cuba had another opportunity to break out the infamous stare against Boston's American League East rival, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Tied at six in the bottom of the ninth, Chapman needed one more out to send Wednesday's game to extra innings. Facing Toronto's $500 million man, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Chapman whipped a 101.9 mph fastball past his bat to end the inning.
Of course, a staredown of Guerrero followed the strikeout. Surprisingly, the Blue Jays star smiled back at Chapman.
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) reacts during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
“He’s [Guerrero] a great kid, a great player,” Chapman told MassLive's Christopher Smith about Guerrero on Thursday through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “He loves the game. He’s a good kid. We have a great relationship off the field, and we were just having fun.”
Even though Chapman won the seven-pitch individual battle with Guerrero, the Blue Jays won the game 7-6 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th by catcher Alejandro Kirk.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora named Chapman Boston's closer over righty Liam Hendriks before the conclusion of spring training. He's recorded four saves and a 1.59 ERA in 13 games.
Chapman has also reduced his walk rate, averaging 3.2 walks per nine innings in 2025, down from 5.7 walks per nine innings with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 68 games in 2024.
“I think for everybody the velo is eye-opening,” manager Alex Cora told MassLive's Smith about Chapman's fastball on Sunday. “For me, the strike throwing has been the highlight of the season so far. Just to get him in the strike zone — good things are gonna happen. And he’s not walking too many. He’s striking out a lot. And obviously his stuff is amazing."
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Chapman's signature celebration, which he started using repeatedly over the years, is a staredown of the opposing hitter after a strikeout.
On Wednesday, the 37-year-old lefty from Cuba had another opportunity to break out the infamous stare against Boston's American League East rival, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Tied at six in the bottom of the ninth, Chapman needed one more out to send Wednesday's game to extra innings. Facing Toronto's $500 million man, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Chapman whipped a 101.9 mph fastball past his bat to end the inning.
Of course, a staredown of Guerrero followed the strikeout. Surprisingly, the Blue Jays star smiled back at Chapman.
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Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) reacts during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
“He’s [Guerrero] a great kid, a great player,” Chapman told MassLive's Christopher Smith about Guerrero on Thursday through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “He loves the game. He’s a good kid. We have a great relationship off the field, and we were just having fun.”
Even though Chapman won the seven-pitch individual battle with Guerrero, the Blue Jays won the game 7-6 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th by catcher Alejandro Kirk.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora named Chapman Boston's closer over righty Liam Hendriks before the conclusion of spring training. He's recorded four saves and a 1.59 ERA in 13 games.
Chapman has also reduced his walk rate, averaging 3.2 walks per nine innings in 2025, down from 5.7 walks per nine innings with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 68 games in 2024.
“I think for everybody the velo is eye-opening,” manager Alex Cora told MassLive's Smith about Chapman's fastball on Sunday. “For me, the strike throwing has been the highlight of the season so far. Just to get him in the strike zone — good things are gonna happen. And he’s not walking too many. He’s striking out a lot. And obviously his stuff is amazing."
Continue reading...
