Better late than never.
The Rangers took care of a World Series straggler on Monday night, presenting relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman with his 2023 World Series ring. Chapman is now pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are in Arlington through Wednesday for a three-game series against the Rangers.
The flamethrower gets his ice cream. pic.twitter.com/m2VQccBN5s
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) 20 August 2024
While the Rangers have awarded World Series rings throughout the season to players who were on the team in 2023 but not 2024, it took until August for Chapman to arrive in Arlington with the Pirates. He is very likely the Rangers’ last pre-game ring ceremonialist: pitcher Martín Pérez has not yet received his, but was traded from Pittsburgh to San Diego after the Padres visited Texas.
The Rangers acquired Chapman from the Royals in June 2023 in exchange for left-hander Cole Ragans, a move that hasn’t looked so great for the Rangers since. That doesn’t take away from Chapman’s time at Texas, however, where he served as an effective (if sometimes a little shaky) left-hander out of the bullpen through the end of the regular season and during the postseason.
Chapman took advantage of his electrifying fastball, posting a 3.72 ERA with four saves in 30 games to close out the 2023 regular season with Texas. He was even better in the playoffs, pitching 8 innings with a 2.25 ERA.
Chapman became a free agent after the 2023 season and signed with the Pirates. This season, he has played 51 games for the Black and Yellows, with an ERA of 3.35 and a K/9 rate of 14.4.
Twitter: @dmn_rangers
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