Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman became the major leagues' career leader in strikeouts as a reliever Friday night, toppling a record that had stood for more than half a century. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The 38-year-old left-hander recorded his 1,364th strikeout in his 17-year career, breaking the record long held by Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm, whose 21-year career ended in 1972.
Chapman did not achieve the feat with one of his trademark triple-digit fastballs; instead, his 98.6 mph pitch to Angels' Denzer Guzman was enough to fan the batter.
"I feel very happy, very proud of what I've been able to accomplish," Chapman said through an interpreter. "I just feel very satisfied right now."
Chapman paused briefly to soak in the moment but quickly refocused, needing two more outs. He gave up two hits but escaped the jam with a double-play grounder to secure Boston's 5-2 win and his 383rd career save.
The Red Sox celebrated Chapman's achievement in their Angel Stadium clubhouse, showing a video retrospective of his career to his younger teammates — from his debut with Cincinnati in 2010 to his two World Series championships with the Cubs and Rangers.
"It's cool. We've been waiting for that one," Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said. "What a career he's had. The cool thing is watching the video, and you're seeing him at a young age throwing 102, and he's still doing it. It's just incredible."
In his 889th major league appearance — all in relief — Chapman saved a deserved victory for Red Sox rookie Jake Bennett, who tired in the eighth.
"It's incredible," Bennett said. "It's incredible to even just be a part of a team that it happens on."