History of Aroldis Chapman in Timeline

Aroldis Chapman is a Cuban-born American professional baseball relief pitcher currently playing for the Boston Red Sox. Known as "the Cuban Missile" for his high-velocity fastball, Chapman has played for several MLB teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs. He is a left-handed pitcher and hitter and a member of the 300 save club. Chapman is also the all-time leader in strikeouts for left-handed relief pitchers, marking him as a dominant force in MLB bullpen history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

February 28, 1988: Aroldis Chapman Born

On February 28, 1988, Albertín Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz, nicknamed "the Cuban Missile", was born in Cuba. He is now a Cuban-born American professional baseball relief pitcher.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Started Pitching

In 2003, Chapman began his career as a pitcher after being a first baseman.

2005: Joined Holguín Sabuesos

In 2005, Chapman joined the Holguín Sabuesos of the Cuban National Series League.

2007: Made Relief Appearances

During the 2007 season, Chapman made 11 relief appearances, compiling 7 saves with the Sabuesos.

2007: Cuban National Team

In 2007, Chapman was part of the Cuban national team at the Pan American Games.

2008: Failed Defection Attempt

After a failed attempt to defect in the spring of 2008, Chapman met with Cuban president Raúl Castro, who gave him a conditional reprieve.

2008: Played Through 2008-09 Season

Chapman played for the Holguin Sabuesos through the 2008-09 season.

July 1, 2009: Defection from Cuba

On July 1, 2009, Chapman successfully defected from Cuba while in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where the Cuban national team was participating in the World Port Tournament.

2009: Defection from Cuba

In 2009, Chapman defected from Cuba after playing domestically and internationally for the Cuba national baseball team.

2009: World Baseball Classic

In 2009, Chapman was part of the Cuban national team at the World Baseball Classic.

2009: WBC Participation Allowed

In 2009, despite a previous suspension, Chapman was allowed to return to the National Series and play in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

January 10, 2010: Signed with Cincinnati Reds

On January 10, 2010, Chapman signed a six-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds worth $30.25 million.

August 31, 2010: MLB Debut

On August 31, 2010, Chapman made his Major League debut against the Milwaukee Brewers.

September 24, 2010: Fastest Pitch Recognized by MLB

On September 24, 2010, Chapman threw the fastest pitch recognized by MLB, clocked at 105.1 mph against Tony Gwynn Jr.

2010: Signed with the Reds

In 2010, Aroldis Chapman signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB).

2010: Fastball Average Speed in 2010

In 2010, Aroldis Chapman's fastball averaged 100.3 miles per hour.

2010: Assigned to Louisville Bats

In 2010, Chapman was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats to begin the season, later transitioning to a relief pitcher role.

2010: First Postseason Loss

In Game 2 of the 2010 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Chapman experienced his first career postseason loss.

April 18, 2011: Disparity in pitch speed

On April 18, 2011, Aroldis Chapman threw a pitch to Andrew McCutchen that was clocked at 106 mph by the scoreboard, but measured at 102.4 mph by the PITCHf/x system, causing confusion about the actual speed.

September 24, 2011: Fastest pitch thrown revised

On September 24, 2011, a pitch Aroldis Chapman threw to Tony Gwynn Jr. was revised up to 105.8 mph and is now considered the fastest pitch thrown.

2011: Fastball Average Speed Decline in 2011

In 2011, Aroldis Chapman's fastball average speed declined to 98.6 miles per hour.

2011: Relief Pitcher

In 2011, Chapman served solely as a relief pitcher, appearing in 54 regular season games with a 3.60 ERA.

2011: Last Home Run Given Up to Left Hander

In 2011, Luke Scott of the Baltimore Orioles hit a home run off of Aroldis Chapman. This was the last time Chapman gave up a home run to a left-handed batter until Rafael Devers did so in August 2017.

May 2012: Chapman Sued

In May 2012, Aroldis Chapman was sued for allegedly serving as an informant for Cuban state authorities after a failed defection attempt and helping turn in another man in order to get back on the country's national baseball team.

July 1, 2012: First All-Star Game Selection

On July 1, 2012, Chapman was named to his first All-Star Game.

July 2012: Delivery Man of the Month

In July 2012, Chapman won the MLB Delivery Man of the Month Award as the best relief pitcher.

August 2012: Further Fastball Decline in August 2012

Through August 2012, Aroldis Chapman's fastball averaged 97.8 miles per hour, a further decrease that may have been an attempt to improve control.

2012: Improved Control in 2012

In 2012, Aroldis Chapman improved his control, walking 23 batters in 71+2⁄3 innings, compared to 41 walks in 50 innings the previous season.

2012: Closer Role

In 2012, Chapman was initially intended to be a starter but became the closer due to preseason injuries to other pitchers.

2012: Arbitration Eligibility

In 2012, an additional bonus was stipulated in Chapman's contract if he became eligible for salary arbitration.

March 2013: Closer for the Reds

In March 2013, it was announced that Chapman would be the closer for the Cincinnati Reds.

August 21, 2013: Strikeout Streak Begins

On August 21, 2013, Chapman's record-breaking streak of consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout began. The streak lasted 49 consecutive games over two seasons.

2013: Arbitration Eligibility

In 2013, an additional bonus was stipulated in Chapman's contract if he became eligible for salary arbitration.

March 19, 2014: Injured by Line Drive

During a spring training game on March 19, 2014, Chapman was struck in the head by a line drive, resulting in a skull fracture and subsequent surgery.

July 11, 2014: Breaks Strikeout Record

On July 11, 2014, Chapman broke the record, previously held by Bruce Sutter, for the most consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout, having struck out at least one batter in 40 consecutive appearances.

July 29, 2014: 100th Career Save

On July 29, 2014, Chapman recorded his 100th save against the Arizona Diamondbacks, becoming the eighth-fastest pitcher to reach that milestone.

August 13, 2014: End of Strikeout Streak

On August 13, 2014, Chapman's streak of 49 consecutive games with a strikeout ended.

September 23, 2014: Fastest to 100 Strikeouts

On September 23, 2014, Chapman recorded his 100th strikeout in his 51st inning pitched of the season, making him the fastest pitcher ever to reach that milestone.

2014: Birth of a son

In 2014, Aroldis Chapman's son was born in Cincinnati.

February 13, 2015: $8.05 Million Contract

On February 13, 2015, Chapman and the Reds agreed to a one-year, $8.05 million contract.

August 2015: MLB enacts new conduct policy

In August 2015, MLB enacted a new personal conduct policy, allowing the league to suspend a player without a conviction, which would later be used to discipline Chapman after his alleged domestic violence incident.

October 30, 2015: Alleged domestic violence incident

On October 30, 2015, Aroldis Chapman was allegedly involved in a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend at his home in Davie, Florida. He was accused of pushing and choking her, and firing eight gunshots.

December 7, 2015: News of domestic violence breaks, Dodgers trade put on hold

On December 7, 2015, news broke about Aroldis Chapman's alleged domestic violence incident from October 30, 2015, leading MLB to investigate, and the Los Angeles Dodgers to put a pending trade on hold.

December 28, 2015: Traded to the Yankees

On December 28, 2015, Chapman was traded to the New York Yankees from the Cincinnati Reds.

2015: Traded to Yankees

After the 2015 season, the Cincinnati Reds traded Chapman to the New York Yankees.

2015: Fastest Pitches of the Season

In 2015, Aroldis Chapman threw the 62 fastest pitches of the season, topping out at 103.92 miles per hour.

January 11, 2016: Named Yankees' Closer

On January 11, 2016, manager Joe Girardi named Chapman the team's new closer for the Yankees.

February 12, 2016: Agreed to Contract

On February 12, 2016, Chapman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $11.325 million with the Yankees.

May 9, 2016: First Appearance for Yankees

On May 9, 2016, Chapman made his first appearance for the Yankees, striking out two and allowing a run in a 6-3 win over the Kansas City Royals.

July 19, 2016: Chapman Matches Pitch Record

On July 19, 2016, Aroldis Chapman matched his previous record of 105.1 mph with a pitch to J.J. Hardy of the Baltimore Orioles.

July 25, 2016: Traded to the Cubs

On July 25, 2016, the Yankees traded Chapman to the Chicago Cubs.

December 15, 2016: Signs with the Yankees

On December 15, 2016, Aroldis Chapman signed a five-year, $86 million contract to return to the Yankees.

2016: World Series Win with Cubs

During the 2016 season, the Yankees traded Chapman to the Chicago Cubs. He then won Game 7 of the 2016 World Series with the Cubs.

May 14, 2017: Placed on disabled list

On May 14, 2017, Aroldis Chapman was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to rotator cuff inflammation in his left shoulder.

2017: Fastest pitch hit for a home run in Statcast era

In 2017, Aroldis Chapman gave up a home run to Rafael Devers off a 103 mph pitch, which was the fastest pitch hit for a home run in the Statcast era. His fastest pitch of 2017 was 104.3 miles an hour, best in MLB.

2017: Fastest Pitch Revision

In 2017, when MLB changed from PITCHf/x to Statcast measurements, Aroldis Chapman's pitch from September 24, 2011, to Tony Gwynn Jr. was revised to 105.8 mph, now considered the fastest pitch ever thrown.

July 13, 2018: Skipping All-Star Game

On July 13, 2018, Aroldis Chapman announced that he would skip the MLB All-Star Game to rest his knee due to tendonitis.

2018: Chapman adds sinker

Since 2018, Chapman also added a sinker that tops out at 102 miles per hour and averages over 100 mph.

2019: AL Reliever of the Year

In 2019, Aroldis Chapman received the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award.

July 11, 2020: Positive COVID-19 Test

On July 11, 2020, it was reported that Aroldis Chapman had tested positive for COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 26, 2021: 300th Career Save

On August 26, 2021, Aroldis Chapman recorded his 300th career save, closing out a 7–6 victory against the Oakland Athletics.

May 2022: Injured list due to Achilles tendinitis

In May 2022, Chapman went on the injured list due to Achilles tendinitis and lost the closer role to Clay Holmes.

2022: Largest relief pitcher contract surpassed

In 2022, Edwin Díaz surpassed Aroldis Chapman's contract, which was the largest contract given to a relief pitcher until that time.

January 27, 2023: Signs with the Kansas City Royals

On January 27, 2023, Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals.

June 30, 2023: Traded to Texas Rangers

On June 30, 2023, the Kansas City Royals traded Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Cole Ragans and Roni Cabrera.

2023: Second World Series Title

In 2023, after signing with the Kansas City Royals and being traded to the Texas Rangers, Chapman won his second World Series championship with the Rangers.

January 31, 2024: Signed with Pittsburgh Pirates

On January 31, 2024, Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

June 29, 2024: Most strikeouts by left-handed reliever

On June 29, 2024, Aroldis Chapman recorded his 1,197th career strikeout, surpassing Billy Wagner for the most strikeouts by a left-handed reliever.

December 10, 2024: Signs with the Boston Red Sox

On December 10, 2024, Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.

2024: Walk percentage as of 2024

As of the end of the 2024 season, Aroldis Chapman has walked 12.6 percent of batters faced in his career.

2024: Whiff rates and strikeout percentage as of 2024

As of the end of the 2024 season, Chapman's fastball has a whiff rate of 33%, his slider has a whiff rate of 58%, and he has struck out 40 percent of batters faced.