For Aroldis Chapman, the drama often unfolds in seconds. Wednesday night was no exception. Called upon in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead for the Boston Red Sox, the flamethrowing lefty saw his very first pitch get launched into the seats by Texas Rangers slugger Josh Jung. It was a 393-foot no-doubter to left-center, and just like that, the Red Sox’s lead was down to two.
The 37-year-old veteran regrouped and got a quick groundout. After issuing a walk, he faced Corey Seager, one of the Rangers’ most dangerous hitters, and induced a routine flyout. With two outs and the tying run coming to the plate, it all came down to a duel with Blaine Crim.
103.8 MPH: A New Fenway Fastball Record
Crim didn’t just represent the Rangers’ last hope—he became the unwilling witness to history.
Chapman fired a jaw-dropping 103.8 mph sinker that stunned the crowd, shattered the radar gun, and etched his name once again into the Red Sox record books. It was the fastest pitch by any Boston player since pitch tracking began in 2008. He now holds the crown for the fastest pitch in all of Major League Baseball this season as well.
To no one’s surprise, Chapman also set the previous Red Sox record—102.3 mph—just last month.
Crim fouled off that 103.8 mph heater, battled through a few more offerings, but ultimately went down swinging. Chapman notched the save, secured the 6-4 win, and reminded the league that, even at 37, he’s still must-see TV every time he takes the mound.
Chapman’s Resurgence With Red Sox
This wasn’t just a personal highlight reel for Chapman. It was a crucial win for a Red Sox team desperately needing to get back on track. Boston had dropped five of its last six games entering the night, and with bullpen confidence teetering, Chapman’s emphatic close couldn’t have come at a better time.
Since signing a one-year, $10.75 million deal in the offseason, Chapman has been nothing short of electric. He’s now 5-for-5 in save opportunities, sporting a 2.19 ERA, a 1.054 WHIP, and a blistering 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
Even with an eight-day layoff—his last outing was April 30—Chapman didn’t miss a beat. If anything, the rest might’ve recharged the cannon.
In Boston and Still Throwing Fire
Seven All-Star nods and over a decade in the big leagues haven’t dulled his edge. Aroldis Chapman remains baseball’s ultimate adrenaline rush in the ninth.
And now, with the fastest pitch of 2025 under his belt, the Red Sox have their stopper in peak form—and a radar gun that may never be the same.
