History of Aroldis Chapman in Timeline
Aroldis Chapman, nicknamed "the Cuban Missile," is a Cuban-born American professional baseball relief pitcher, currently playing for the Boston Red Sox. Known for his exceptionally high fastball velocity, Chapman has played for multiple MLB teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs. He is a member of the 300 save club and holds the record for the most strikeouts among left-handed relief pitchers, marking him as a prominent figure in baseball.
1945: Cubs' Pennant
In 2016, Chapman pitched the final innings of Game 6 securing the Cubs first pennant since 1945.
February 28, 1988: Aroldis Chapman's Birth
On February 28, 1988, Albertín Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz, a Cuban-born American professional baseball relief pitcher, was born.
2003: Began Pitching
In 2003, Chapman transitioned to being a pitcher after showing promise in his throwing ability.
2005: Joins Holguín Sabuesos
In 2005, Chapman joined the Holguín Sabuesos of the Cuban National Series League.
2007: Relief Appearances for Holguín
In 2007, Chapman made 11 relief appearances for the Holguín Sabuesos, recording 7 saves.
2007: Pan American Games
In 2007, Chapman was part of the Cuban national team at the Pan American Games.
2008: Failed Defection Attempt and Reprieve
After a failed defection attempt in the spring of 2008, Chapman met with Cuban president Raúl Castro and was given a conditional reprieve, suspending him for part of the season but allowing him to return and play in the WBC in 2009.
2008: Holguín Sabuesos Season
In 2008, Chapman played for the Holguín Sabuesos of the Cuban National Series League.
July 1, 2009: Defection from Cuba
On July 1, 2009, Chapman successfully defected from Cuba while in Rotterdam, Netherlands, during the World Port Tournament.
2009: Return to National Series and WBC
After a conditional reprieve, Chapman was allowed to return to the National Series and play in the WBC in 2009.
2009: World Baseball Classic
In 2009, Chapman played for the Cuban national team at the World Baseball Classic.
January 10, 2010: Signs 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, throwing his first pitch at 98 mph.
September 24, 2010: Fastest Pitch Record
On September 24, 2010, Chapman threw the fastest pitch recognized by MLB, clocked at 105.1 mph against Tony Gwynn Jr.
2010: Assignment to Louisville Bats
Chapman began the 2010 season assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats.
2010: Chapman's Fastball Speed in 2010
In 2010, Aroldis Chapman's fastball averaged 100.3 miles per hour.
2010: Contract with the Reds
In 2010, Chapman signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds and made his MLB debut that season.
2010: Postseason Loss
In Game 2 of the 2010 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Chapman got his first career postseason loss.
April 18, 2011: Discrepancy in Pitch Speed Measurement
On April 18, 2011, Chapman threw a pitch to Andrew McCutchen that was clocked at 106 mph on the scoreboard at Great American Ball Park, but the PITCHf/x system calculated a release speed of 102.4 mph, leading to discussion and questioning of the disparity.
September 24, 2011: Fastest Pitch Revision
In 2017, when MLB changed from the PITCHf/x to Statcast measurements, a pitch Chapman threw to Tony Gwynn Jr. on September 24, 2011, was revised up to 105.8 mph and is now considered the fastest pitch thrown.
2011: Chapman's Fastball Speed in 2011
In 2011, Aroldis Chapman's fastball averaged 98.6 miles per hour.
2011: Relief Pitcher Role
In 2011, Chapman served solely as a relief pitcher, appearing in 54 regular season games with a 3.60 ERA.
May 2012: Lawsuit Filed Against Chapman
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: All-Star Selection
On July 1, 2012, Chapman was named to his first All-Star Game.
July 2012: Delivery Man of the Month Award
In July 2012, Aroldis Chapman won the MLB Delivery Man of the Month Award as the best relief pitcher.
August 2012: Chapman's Fastball Speed in August 2012
Through August 2012, Aroldis Chapman's fastball averaged 97.8 miles per hour.
2012: Potential Salary Arbitration
In 2012, Chapman had a potential additional bonus if he became eligible for salary arbitration.
2012: Improved Control in 2012
In 2012, Chapman walked 23 batters over 71+2⁄3 innings, improving his control from the previous season.
2012: Closer Role
In 2012, Chapman was named the closer for the Cincinnati Reds after injuries to other pitchers.
March 2013: Reds' Closer
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 streak of consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout began.
2013: Potential Salary Arbitration
In 2013, Chapman had a potential additional bonus if he became eligible for salary arbitration.
March 19, 2014: Head Injury
On March 19, 2014, during a spring training game, Chapman was struck in the head by a line drive, resulting in a skull fracture and requiring surgery.
July 11, 2014: Strikeout Record
On July 11, 2014, Chapman broke Bruce Sutter's record for the most consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout.
July 29, 2014: 100th Save
On July 29, 2014, Chapman recorded his 100th save against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
August 13, 2014: Strikeout Streak Ends
On August 13, 2014, Chapman's 49-game strikeout streak came to an end.
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.
February 13, 2015: Contract Agreement
On February 13, 2015, Chapman and the Reds agreed to a one-year, $8.05 million contract.
August 2015: MLB Enacts New Personal Conduct Policy
In August 2015, MLB enacted a new personal conduct policy allowing the league to suspend a player without a conviction. Chapman was the first player disciplined under this policy.
October 30, 2015: Alleged Domestic Violence Incident
On October 30, 2015, Aroldis Chapman was allegedly involved in a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend in Davie, Florida. He was accused of pushing and choking her, and firing eight gunshots. The trade with the Dodgers was put on hold as MLB investigated the incident.
December 7, 2015: News Breaks of Domestic Violence Allegations
On December 7, 2015, news broke regarding Aroldis Chapman's alleged domestic violence incident on October 30, 2015. The trade with the Dodgers was put on hold, and MLB announced its investigation.
December 28, 2015: Trade to Yankees
On December 28, 2015, Chapman was traded to the New York Yankees.
2015: Trade to Yankees
After the 2015 season, the Reds traded Chapman to the New York Yankees.
2015: Chapman's Fastball Speed in 2015
In 2015, Aroldis Chapman's fastball averaged 99.98 miles per hour, and he 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, Joe Girardi named Chapman the team's new closer.
February 12, 2016: Contract Agreement
On February 12, 2016, Chapman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $11.325 million.
April 2016: Chapman Becomes an American Citizen
In April 2016, Aroldis Chapman became an American citizen.
May 9, 2016: Yankees Debut
On May 9, 2016, Chapman made his first appearance for the Yankees, striking out two and allowing a run in a 6-3 win against the Kansas City Royals, after serving a suspension.
July 25, 2016: Traded to Cubs
On July 25, 2016, the Yankees traded Chapman to the Chicago Cubs.
December 15, 2016: Chapman Signs with Yankees
On December 15, 2016, Aroldis Chapman signed a five-year, $86 million contract to return to the Yankees, which was the largest contract for a relief pitcher at the time.
2016: Division Series Saves
During the 2016 National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants, Chapman made three saves in four opportunities.
2016: Trade to Cubs and World Series Win
During the 2016 season, the Yankees traded Chapman to the Chicago Cubs, with whom he won Game 7 of the 2016 World Series before rejoining the Yankees after the season.
2016: NLCS Appearance
In 2016, Chapman made four appearances during the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2016: World Series Title
In 2016, Chapman won his first World Series title with the Chicago Cubs, pitching in multiple games and earning the win in Game 7.
May 14, 2017: Chapman 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: Division Series Record Tied
In the 2017 National League Division Series, Wade Davis tied Chapman's record with three saves.
July 13, 2018: Chapman Skips 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 a Sinker
Since 2018, Chapman added a sinker that tops out at 102 miles per hour and averages over 100 mph.
2019: Chapman's 2019 Season
In 2019, Aroldis Chapman achieved a 3–2 record with 37 saves and a 2.21 ERA. He was also awarded the AL Reliever of the Month Award for both May and August, and the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award at the end of the season. However, he gave up a walk-off home run in Game 6 of the ALCS, eliminating the Yankees from the playoffs.
2019: AL Reliever of the Year
In 2019, Chapman was named the AL Reliever of the Year.
July 11, 2020: Chapman Tests Positive for COVID-19
On July 11, 2020, it was reported that Aroldis Chapman had tested positive for COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 26, 2021: Chapman Records 300th Career Save
On August 26, 2021, Aroldis Chapman recorded his 300th career save in a 7–6 victory against the Oakland Athletics.
May 2022: Chapman on Injured List
In May 2022, Aroldis Chapman was placed on the injured list due to achilles tendinitis and lost the closer role.
January 27, 2023: Chapman Signs with Royals
On January 27, 2023, Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals.
June 30, 2023: Chapman Traded to Rangers
On June 30, 2023, the Royals traded Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Cole Ragans and Roni Cabrera.
2023: Second World Series Championship
In 2023, Chapman won his second championship, the World Series, with the Texas Rangers.
January 31, 2024: Chapman Signs with Pirates
On January 31, 2024, Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
June 29, 2024: Chapman Passes Wagner for Strikeout Record
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: Chapman Signs with Red Sox
On December 10, 2024, Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
2024: Walk Rate as of 2024
As of the end of the 2024 season, Chapman has walked 12.6 percent of batters faced in his career.
2024: Chapman's Whiff Rates
As of the end of the 2024 season, Chapman's fastball and slider both have extraordinarily high whiff rates, with 33% for the fastball and 58% for the slider.
2024: Chapman's Fastball Speed in 2024
In 2024, Chapman's fastball averaged 98.7 miles per hour, while topping out at 105.1 miles per hour according to Statcast.
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