Renowned pitcher Aroldis Chapman made history on Thursday by becoming the first Cuban-born player to participate in 10 Major League Baseball postseasons. This milestone was achieved during the 2026 American League Wild Card Series between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Sports journalist Francys Romero highlighted on social media that "The Missile" not only reached this historic mark but did so in style. Chapman struck out all three batters he faced, showcasing that his fastball remains a formidable weapon under intense pressure.
Originating from Holguín, the left-hander is the second Latin American pitcher to reach at least 10 postseasons, following the legendary Panamanian Mariano Rivera, who appeared in 16.
Chapman's Postseason Dominance
With his three strikeouts in this game, Chapman now has a total of 76 postseason strikeouts throughout his career, placing him third among relievers in this historical category, trailing only Rivera (110) and Kenley Jansen (94).
Chapman's 10 postseason appearances have been spread across five different teams: the Cincinnati Reds (2010 and 2012), the Chicago Cubs (2016), the New York Yankees (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), the Texas Rangers (2023), and the Boston Red Sox (2025 and 2026).
A Season of Records
This achievement comes during a record-breaking 2026 season for the Holguín native. In September, he reached 400 career saves, becoming the ninth reliever in MLB history to achieve this since the save became an official statistic in 1969. Just days later, he pushed that number to 401.
Chapman concluded the regular season with 34 saves, a 1.95 ERA, and 68 strikeouts over 50.2 innings, maintaining his status as one of the most dominant closers in the game at 38 years old.
Cuban Presence in MLB Playoffs
Chapman is not the only Cuban player seeking postseason glory. Nine players from the island are participating across seven different teams in the 2026 playoffs, including Yordan Álvarez (Astros), Yandy Díaz (Rays), Andy Pagés (Dodgers), and Raisel Iglesias (Braves), highlighting the significant presence of Cuban talent in the Major Leagues.
Last year, Chapman first set the record for the most postseason appearances by a Cuban player when he participated in his ninth with the Red Sox, surpassing any other Cuban-born player.
At 38, the Holguín lefty continues to add chapters to his extensive MLB career, raising the bar for Cuban players in the postseason.
Insights into Aroldis Chapman's Postseason Legacy
What record did Aroldis Chapman set in the 2026 postseason?
Aroldis Chapman set the record for being the first Cuban-born player to participate in 10 MLB postseasons.
How many career postseason strikeouts does Chapman have?
Chapman has accumulated 76 strikeouts in the postseason, ranking him third among relievers in this category.
Which other Cuban players are in the 2026 MLB playoffs?
Other Cuban players in the 2026 playoffs include Yordan Álvarez, Yandy Díaz, Andy Pagés, and Raisel Iglesias, among others.