For those in a hurry
- Aroldis Chapman is a Cuban pitcher who plays for the Kansas City Royals.
- He holds the record for the fastest pitch ever thrown in MLB history, at 105.1 mph (169.1 km/h).
- He achieved this feat on September 24, 2010, at Petco Park in San Diego, California.
- He threw the pitch to Tony Gwynn Jr. in the eighth inning of a game against the Padres.
- He also holds the Guinness World Record for fastest baseball pitch.
Who is Aroldis Chapman?
Aroldis Chapman is a 35-year-old left-handed pitcher who was born in Holguin, Cuba. He defected from Cuba in 2009 and signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent. He made his MLB debut in 2010 and quickly became one of the most dominant relievers in the game. He has played for four teams: the Reds, the Yankees, the Cubs and the Royals. He has been an All-Star six times and won a World Series with the Cubs in 2016.
What is so special about his pitch?
Chapman is known for his blazing fastball, which regularly exceeds 100 mph (160 km/h). He has thrown more than 2,000 pitches over 100 mph in his career, more than any other pitcher. His fastball is not only fast, but also has movement and deception, making it hard for hitters to catch up with it. His pitch is so special that it has earned him the nickname “The Cuban Missile”.
How did he throw the fastest pitch ever?
On September 24, 2010, Chapman was pitching for the Reds against the Padres at Petco Park. It was the eighth inning and the Reds were leading 4-3. Chapman entered the game with one out and faced Tony Gwynn Jr., a left-handed batter. Chapman threw four pitches to Gwynn: a slider at 86 mph (138 km/h), a fastball at 103 mph (166 km/h), another fastball at 104 mph (167 km/h) and finally, a fastball at 105.1 mph (169.1 km/h). Gwynn swung and missed at the last pitch, striking out. The crowd gasped and cheered as they witnessed history. The pitch was clocked by MLB’s PitchFX system and confirmed by Guinness World Records as the fastest baseball pitch ever.
What has he done since then?
Chapman has continued to be one of the best closers in baseball, saving more than 300 games in his career. He has also thrown several other pitches over 105 mph, but none have surpassed his record-breaking pitch. He is currently playing for the Royals, where he signed a one-year deal this offseason. He has rebounded from a career-worst season last year and has been working as a setup man to closer Scott Barlow. He has rediscovered his velocity and has thrown four pitches at least 103 mph this season, including one that matched his record pitch for a strike.
Why should you care?
Chapman’s pitch is an amazing feat of human performance and physics. It shows how far athletes can push their limits and how much skill and power are involved in throwing a baseball. It also demonstrates how baseball is a game of inches and milliseconds, where every pitch can make a difference. Chapman’s pitch is a rare and remarkable event that deserves admiration and respect.
