ERA 0.98 Rejuvenated at 37? That's the right amount of money for 32.9 billion! 4K → 17G in one inning without losing a point in a row

Sep 08, 2025

채프먼. AFP Yonhap News

I can't believe I'm 37 years old. Although the restraint was slightly reduced compared to the heyday, the blade-like fear was further upgraded.

The Boston Red Sox are excited. He recruited veteran closer, leading the advance to the wild card with the best performance in the league. It's worth it for me to renew my contract.

It's the story of Aroldis Chapman. Chapman took the mound in the top of the ninth inning with a 7-4 lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Arizona on the 8th, and blocked one inning perfectly, making his 29th save this season.

He struck out four in one inning. Arizona's Ildemaro Vargas got on base with a not-out even after striking out. However, Chapman struck out the remaining two batters without shaking.

He played 55 innings in 60 games this season, ranking sixth in relief this season with four wins, two losses, four holds and 29 saves. His 81 strikeouts in 55 innings are also surprising. But there are more notable numbers than these.

With this day's perfect pitching, he finally lowered his ERA this season to the zero mark. Of the 30 pitchers who have double-digit saves in the Major League this season, three have a one-run ERA, and even Andres Munoz (Seattle Mariners), the lowest among them, has only 1.69. Chapman is the only ERA in the 0-point range.

Chapman's WHIP (permission rate of hits and walks per inning) this season is a whopping 0.64. This means that Chapman needs to take the mound twice to get on base. In addition to Chapman, only Josh Hader (Houston Astros, 0.85) has a WHIP of 0 points this season.

채프먼. AP Yonhap News

He changed his uniform seven times. Even Chapman of the world seemed to have no choice at his age. He has been beaten since 2020, and in 2022, the last year of the Yankees, he stepped down from his position as a closer. The ERA was 4.46. There was a lot of evaluation that it was 'retired' and it continued to the rare postseason absence, eventually breaking up with the Yankees.

But Chapman started again on the floor. In 2023, he signed a one-year $3.75 million deal with the Kansas City Royals and made a comeback. In recognition of his value, he was traded to the Texas Rangers, and he won the World Series and won the second ring of his career.

In his later years, his salary is rising again. He received $10.5 million from the Pittsburgh Pirates last year and signed a $10.75 million (about 14.9 billion won) with the Boston Red Sox ahead of this season.

채프먼. AP Yonhap News

After a three-year must-win career, he finished again in Boston, where he was newly involved. And in August, he signed a one-year extension contract for $13 million (about 18 billion won).

Is it the power of the extension contract. At the end of the season, he is raising his momentum even more. He is the record holder in Major League history for throwing up to 105 miles (about 170 kilometers) of fastballs in 2010. Unofficially, he once threw up to 107 miles.

As I got older, my restraint dropped a bit. However, it still sprays fastballs and sinkers up to 103 miles (about 166 kilometers) and 100 miles (about 161 kilometers) on average. In particular, he has recovered his confidence as this ball has been controlled recently. Without giving the batter time to think, he even regained his driving appearance.

He has made 17 consecutive saves in the last 17 games. He had a 0 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 15 innings. Chapman's heyday may be right now.