Aroldis Chapman is trucking umps and dealing gas for Royals

August 2024 ยท 2 minute read

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Move! Get out the way!

Aroldis Chapman, the former closer for the Yankees, is pitching for the Royals this season.

Tuesday night, in a game against the Blue Jays in the top of the ninth inning, Chapman trucked umpire Vic Carapazza as he was racing towards first base.

If you read that and thought it may have been out of anger, it was actually incidental contact.

Blue Jays centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier hit a slow-roller to first base, and it was fielded by Vinnie Pasquantino.

Chapman went over to cover first base, but Pasquantino took it himself, diving at the bag to complete the out as Chapman bowled over an unsuspecting Carapazza.

Through it all, Carapazza was a champ.

From the ground, he initially ruled Kiermaier safe, but eventually changed his call to correctly calling the runner out.

The umpire was ultimately helped to his feet by Royals infielder Nicky Lopez.

Meanwhile, in a separate at-bat against Bo Bichette, Chapman was dealing straight gas, hitting 103, 104 and 103 miles per hour on three successive pitches.

The Blue Jays won the game, 4-1.

The 35-year-old Chapman signed a one-year deal with the Royals worth $3.75 million this past offseason.

So far this season, he has pitched two innings and given up no runs.

Chapman closed for the Yankees from 2017 through 2022, and split time between the Yankees and Cubs in 2016.

Want to catch a game? The Yankees schedule with links to buy tickets can be found here.

Chapman had a 4.46 ERA last season and he was left off the postseason roster as punishment for missing a team workout.

Prior to his first stint with the Yankees, he pitched for the Reds from 2010-15.

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