The Number That Matters
Aroldis Chapman just made history at Fenway Park. He recorded his 391st save to pass Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley. This move puts him in ninth place on the all-time list. The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 6-4 to make it happen. It is a huge moment for a pitcher who is 38 years old.
MLB.com Red Sox reported that Chapman is an All-Star again this year. He keeps proving people wrong about his age. The team is now 20-3 since June 25. They are on a hot streak and Chapman is the closer. He does not care about the fame or the records. He just wants to win games.
What The Players Said
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy had high praise for Chapman. Tracy said he was going to give Chapman a lineup card. He noted that Chapman already has so many cards. Tracy added that Chapman’s career speaks for itself. He called what Chapman is doing very impressive.
Chapman himself stayed humble after the game. He told reporters he will keep playing until he cannot anymore. He said he is just trying to do his job. He wants to help the team win the game. He believes the final number will take care of itself.
Patrick Sandoval also played a big part in the win. He faced George Springer with runners on base. Sandoval threw three pitches at 96 mph or higher. He got Springer to pop out on a 96.6 mph sinker. Sandoval said he never wants to give the ball up. He competes hard even with a pitch count limit.
Ceddanne Rafaela added to the fun with a home run. He hit a laser that cleared the Monster for a two-run shot. It was his 10th home run of the season. He also made a great catch to rob Daulton Varsho. Rafaela has been steady and consistent all year.
Why This Changes Everything
This is not just a stat line update for the fans. This proves that age is just a number in baseball. Chapman is 38 and he is still the best. He passed a legend like Eckersley with ease. The Red Sox have a closer they can trust right now.
Some people thought his time was over. They thought he would slow down or lose his edge. He shut them all down with a 96 mph fastball. The team is 20-3 because he locks down the ninth inning. This win shows the whole team is ready to go.
Sandoval’s return from surgery was also a key story. He battled through traffic to get the win. He wanted to finish the inning but Tracy pulled him. The bullpen finished the job to end the threat. This team has depth and it is showing on the field.
The Red Sox are red-hot and climbing the standings. They have a chance to do something special this year. Chapman is the engine that keeps the car running fast. He will keep adding to that save total for a while.
What do you think? Can Chapman reach 400 saves before he retires? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
