Major League Baseball star Aroldis Chapman, widely regarded as one of the best relievers in history, showcased his steely nerves by naming his all-time ideal Cuban baseball team—a task that's always challenging.
Responding to the Instagram page Batboysbaseball, the left-handed pitcher didn't shy away from the challenge and selected a player for each position, although he left his favorite pitchers unlisted. Representing the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chapman chose Ariel Pestano as the catcher, Orestes Kindelán at first base, Antonio Pacheco at second, Omar Linares at third base, and Germán Mesa as the shortstop.
For the outfield positions, the reigning World Series champion with the Texas Rangers opted for Víctor Mesa in center field, Frederich Cepeda in left field, and—showing some hesitation—Osmany Urrutia in right field.
The most striking aspect of Chapman's selection is that none of these players ever competed in the MLB, which could undoubtedly stir some debate among baseball enthusiasts. Additionally, it's worth noting that only the veteran Cepeda remains active, still posting impressive stats in Cuban baseball tournaments.
Relying on the power of his left arm, Chapman touched glory once more last Saturday by becoming the left-handed reliever with the most strikeouts in MLB history. At 36 years old, the native of Holguín struck out Travis d’Arnaud and pinch-hitter Sean Murphy in the ninth inning, although the Pirates fell 1-2 to the Atlanta Braves in 10 innings.
In doing so, he surpassed Billy Wagner's record of 1,196 strikeouts and continues to build his case for a spot in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame when he decides to end his career.
Aroldis Chapman's All-Time Ideal Cuban Baseball Team: Key Questions Answered
Given Aroldis Chapman's bold selections for his all-time ideal Cuban baseball team, many fans have questions about his choices and their implications. Here, we address some of the most pertinent queries.
Why didn't Chapman include any MLB players in his ideal team?
Chapman may have chosen to honor players who made significant impacts in Cuban baseball, regardless of their lack of MLB experience. His selections highlight the rich talent pool in Cuba's domestic leagues.
Is Frederich Cepeda still playing baseball?
Yes, Frederich Cepeda remains active in Cuban baseball tournaments, continuing to add impressive stats to his career.
What record did Aroldis Chapman recently break?
Chapman broke the record for the most strikeouts by a left-handed reliever in MLB history, surpassing Billy Wagner's record of 1,196 strikeouts.