Chapman sets all-time reliever strikeout record
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- Aroldis Chapman broke the major leagues' career strikeout record for a reliever with his 1,364th K, surpassing Hoyt Wilhelm's mark that had stood since 1972 in the knuckleballer's 21-year career.
- Chapman is a 38-year-old left-hander in his 17th MLB season, and the milestone came in his 889th career appearance — all of them in relief.
- The record-breaking strikeout came on a 98.6 mph fastball against the Angels' Denzer Guzman; Chapman escaped the inning via a double-play grounder, securing Boston's 5-2 win and his 383rd career save.
- Chapman has pitched for seven teams since defecting from Cuba in 2009, winning World Series titles with the Cubs and Rangers, earning eight All-Star nods, and now sitting 10th on the career saves list.
- Boston interim manager Chad Tracy celebrated by showing a video retrospective of Chapman's career in the Angel Stadium clubhouse, calling the milestone 'incredible' and noting Chapman is 'still doing it' at his age.
- Chapman won AL Reliever of the Year in 2025 with a 1.17 ERA and has converted 17 of 19 save chances this season, extending a late-career renaissance since joining the Red Sox.
Why it matters: Chapman now owns a record that spans a fundamental shift in how pitchers are used — from Wilhelm's 1970s knuckleballing pioneer era to today's high-leverage flame-throwers. At 38, after 889 relief appearances across seven teams and a Cuba defection in 2009, he remains a top-tier closer with 17 saves in 19 chances, proving his late-career 1.17 ERA was no fluke.
