Red Sox celebrate Aroldis Chapman, who earned his 400th save Sunday
Red Sox’s Aroldis Chapman Earns 400th Career Save in Baltimore Victory
Boston’s bullpen legend Aroldis Chapman capped a 3‑1 win over the Baltimore Orioles in Sunday’s game at Camden Yards with his 400th career save—making him only the ninth pitcher in Major League history to reach that landmark.
The game, the Red Sox’s fourth straight victory in Baltimore, ended with a 101‑mph fastball that left Orioles outfielder Christian Encarnacion‑Strand swinging and missing. After the ball hit the glove, the Red Sox bullpen erupted in the “Chappy! Chappy! Chappy!” chant that echoed across the clubhouse, a fitting tribute to a player who had once been a journeyman closer.
Chapman, now 38, began his career as a closer in 2011 with the Cincinnati Reds, where he posted his first save. The following decade saw him slip in and out of the closer role: nine saves with the New York Yankees in 2022, the same number split between the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers in 2023, and 29 saves over the 2023‑24 seasons combined with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Those seasons were a stark contrast to the 33 saves he has already recorded in 2026.
“Getting 400 saves was one of the things I wanted to do in my career,” Chapman told reporters through an interpreter. “It’s very special. A few years back, I lost my role as a closer. When I came here they gave me an opportunity to compete for the job. I was able to win it. There was a moment when I didn’t think I would be able to do it.”
Interim manager Chad Tracy, who stepped in after the Red Sox fired their head coach, praised the reliability of the veteran arm. “I’m blessed to be along for the ride,” Tracy said. “Now that I’ve got to know him and see his work ethic, it’s pretty cool. Excellent.”
Red Sox first baseman Eli White, whose three‑run homer in the second inning set the stage for Chapman’s save, expressed excitement at being part of the historic moment. “It’s super cool to be part of that piece of history right there,” White said. “It’s fun just seeing how he goes about his business on a day‑to‑day basis. He’s always locked in and ready to take the mound.”
With the 400th save, Chapman joins a small club of closers who have reached the 400‑save plateau, adding his name to a list that includes Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, Lee Smith, Francisco Rodríguez, Kenley Jansen, Brad Lidge, and Josh Hader.
The Red Sox will continue their postseason push as they head back to Boston, carrying the confidence of a bullpen that has proven both resilient and historic in the face of a tough Orioles squad.
