Houston Astros rejoice as their team hits around new Ranger Aroldis Chapman in show of vengeance for 2019 Yankee
Aroldis Chapman is a player that Houston Astros fans know all too well. Now, as a result of a recent trade, the team was finally able to light him up in an act of vengeance.
A veteran reliever, the Cuban-born Chapman made his MLB debut as a member of the Cincinnati Reds in 2010. The following year, he registered a pitch with a speed of 105.1 miles per hour, a speed record that was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
In 2016, Aroldis Chapman made the move to the New York Yankees. He was on the 2019 team that lost to the Houston Astros in the ALCS, setting off a fierce rivalry between the two teams that persists until today.
On June 30, 2023, Chapman was traded from the Kansas City Royals to the Texas Rangers. On Monday, July 25, he made his first appearance against his new team's cross-state rival, the Houston Astros, and things did not go so well.
The Astros forever own Aroldis Chapman. pic.twitter.com/gsHOTJ02OB
"The Astros forever own Aroldis Chapman." - Jared Carrabis
After striking out Alex Bregman, Aroldis Chapman walked both Kyle Tucker and Jose Altuve before Chas McCormick rode him 388 feet to left center field to knot the game up at 9-9 in the seventh. Astros fans could hardly hide their excitement.
@Jared_Carrabis They ABUSE him jared
@Jared_Carrabis Call the Astros what you want. This is a Dynasty. Buzz buzz
@Jared_Carrabis it’s so relieving not having the yankees be on the side of this bc of him anymore
The hostility endured during 2019 is brutal. To this day, the Astros are still booed at Yankee Stadium. Although not proven, some suspect Altuve and others of playing an even bigger role - possibly even wearing buzzers - during the team's sign-stealing scandal.
@Jared_Carrabis Well as we always say the reason Houston never sinks into the gulf "Dallas Sucks" only Dallas would get a former Yankee we own and expecting better results!
@Jared_Carrabis I can’t wait for the Chapman statue at MMP
@Jared_Carrabis We broke him again!
The Houston Astros were able to hold on to the 10-9 win, and have improved their spot in the standings to just two games behind the Texas Rangers. The two teams will finish up their series on Wednesday before Houston plays host to the Tampa Bay Rays next weekend.
@Jared_Carrabis Imagine his career without the Astros. Easy HoF
@Jared_Carrabis A thing of beauty
@Jared_Carrabis It's becoming ominous. This guy gets wrecked every time he plays Houston. The Speas was tipping his pitches tonight for the Rangers. He double tapped his glove on FB and stayed in the glove on off speed
Aroldis Chapman's struggles against the Astros seem timeless
In 28 appearances against the Astros in his career, Chapman owns a harsh 5.79 ERA. Sometimes certain teams figure pitchers out. In the case of Aroldis Chapman, his association with the Yankees, who are the sworn enemies of the Astros, makes things all the worse.
If he is to remain a Texas Ranger into the future, the 35-year-old will need to figure this team out. Otherwise, he will go down as the greatest thing that ever happened to the Astros organization since their inception.