Chapman Will Do What's Needed

No babying when it comes to Aroldis Chapman! If you need him in a big situation… he will handle it.

The New York Post writes this of Chapman:

“Yankees manager Joe Girardi didn’t hesitate to go to Aroldis Chapman for a third straight day Friday when he wanted to protect a one-run lead in the ninth.

‘He’s a different guy,’ Girardi said of his closer, who delivered another save in Friday’s 4-3 win over the Cardinals in The Bronx.

Chapman proved it again versus St. Louis, a team he is accustomed to facing from his time with the Reds and the second half of last season with the Cubs…”

This is a throwback, folks… a loose throw back. He always wants the ball. 

And it’s funny, in this day and age they use closers much differently then when they used guys like Rich Gossage.  I think that’s why Gossage gets so angry when he talks about closers today, because back when he pitched, it was a sometimes 3 inning closer situation. 

But Gossage did it, no problem.

These days however, it’s 1 inning, maybe 4 outs, maybe 2 outs, but it’s no where near the work load Gossage had. That being said, I like that Chapman will take the ball and do the job, and yes, even play the percentages and peak in that binder a bit… especially when it comes to pitching for a former NL team and going against the Cards last night. 

Whatever it takes… and I dig it! Another win for the Yanks!