Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman sets franchise record amid stellar start

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Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman set a franchise record on April 19, adding to his stunning list of accomplishments.

The Red Sox signed Chapman to a one-year, $10.75 million deal to be the team’s closer this offseason. Despite being 37, the left-hander is still effective and throws hard. On April 19, Chapman threw a ball 102.3 MPH, which is the fastest record pitch in Red Sox history, according to the Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham.

“I’m glad I can still throw hard at this point in my career,” he said. “I thank God for that. I don’t care about records.”

Chapman also holds that record with the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, and New York Yankees.

Since joining the Red Sox, Chapman has been stellar at the back end of the bullpen. He’s 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA and is 4-for-4 on saves.

He spent 2024 with the Pirates, and he says he wanted to return to Pittsburgh, but they had other plans, he revealed in an interview with Pittsburgh Baseball Now’s John Perotto.

"I was interested in coming back," Chapman said. "I guess they didn’t want me. It’s too bad, but I’m happy where I’m at now.”

Chapman is now at the back end of the Red Sox’s bullpen and will help Boston compete for a playoff berth and potentially a World Series.

Chapman is a seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star and a two-time World Series champion. He was also the AL Reliever of the Year in 2019.