Hard work never stops for All-Star Chapman

BOSTON -- It was a late morning in June, still hours before a weekday matinee in Seattle, and Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman was already lathered in sweat.

While the general public sees Chapman’s triple-digit heat in the late innings, there is so much work behind the scenes that leads up to that.

Backed by a legendary workout routine, Chapman is having his best season in years at age 37, and it has helped make him an All-Star for the first time since 2021.

Though Chapman could have been content with his considerable accomplishments, especially after the Red Sox signed him to a one-year, $10.75 million contract back in December, he instead burned to get back to what he once was.

“I enjoy being in the gym,” said Chapman. “I enjoy being on the field, and that's why I love this sport. I feel like if I'm not sweating, I haven't done anything. I really enjoy all aspects of being here.”

With two World Series rings and over 350 saves in his back pocket, Chapman will keep going as long as someone gives him a uniform to put on.

“As long as I'm healthy and a team wants me, and I'm able to throw the ball and do my job, I feel that I still want to be pitching,” Chapman said. “When I see that one of those things are no longer there, I’ll feel like it's time to go home.”

When the Red Sox signed Chapman, there wasn’t nearly as much buzz as when they made the trade for Garrett Crochet or signed Alex Bregman, Chapman's fellow All-Stars this season.

But then he won the closer’s job in Spring Training and has hardly had any missteps.

Could even chief baseball officer Craig Breslow have expected this version of Chapman?

“I mean, we've seen it in the past,” Breslow said. “But you never know with the volatility of relievers year to year. He's been so good, and we knew he's capable of being this. But it’s just a credit to the work that he puts in that he’s able to keep himself in this physical condition at 37 years old.”

Through 41 appearances entering the break, Chapman converted 17 of 18 save opportunities while posting a 1.18 ERA. In 38 innings, he has struck out 58 while walking only 10.

The improvement in control is what has allowed Chapman to be a full-time closer for the first time since 2021.

That process started in the offseason when Chapman worked with his personal coach in Florida and continued into Spring Training, when he huddled with Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey and bullpen coach Chris Holt.

“I feel like the dedication and the hard work in the offseason with my coach in Florida has been one of the keys for me to having this type of season,” Chapman said. “I feel that we work very hard in the offseason to be able to have these results. I work here with our coaches and with him on the phone. So I feel that that's been one of the keys for my success this year.”

At the forefront of baseball’s velocity movement when he defected from Cuba and broke in with the Reds in 2010, Chapman is still able to bring the heat. He is in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity this season, per Statcast.

“He's throwing a lot of strikes,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Something clicked in Spring Training, and he's been very consistent with it. He's always available and he likes to pitch. The fastball is impressive.”

Of all the players on the Red Sox, perhaps outfielder Rob Refsnyder is in the best position to have perspective on Chapman.

They were teammates with the Yankees when Refsnyder broke into the Majors in 2016-17.

“I was pretty star struck when I saw him in New York,” said Refsnyder. “I was a younger player, but just to see how well he's stayed in shape and how hard he works, it’s really, really cool, to be honest.”

Chapman has a chiseled physique that stands out in a clubhouse.

“Just to be able to take care of his body for that long. I think it's a great example for younger relief pitchers, starting pitchers and all of us,” Refsnyder said. “Just how much he cares about his preparation, his routine.”

In this throwback season, the eight-time All-Star has once again made dominance seem routine.