Aroldis Chapman’s smile returns as Yankees face another October test

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 10:13 AM ET

If baseball had a skip button, the Bronx would jump past two scenes every time: José Altuve’s swing in 2019 and Mike Brosseau’s in 2020. Both landed with Aroldis Chapman on the mound. Both ended the New York Yankees' seasons. Now Chapman shows up in the other dugout wearing Boston Red Sox colors, still throwing 100, and looking ready to cue up a familiar ending — only with a different celebration behind him.

The smile that stuck

In Game 6 of the 2019 ALCS, the Yankees had just tied the game. Chapman offers Altuve a 2-2 slider and the Astro’s second baseman sends it to the tracks. The Yankees’ season ends on a walk-off. Cameras caught Chapman looking stunned, but it was misinterpreted by many as a grin, and the clip went viral for years. He later said it was disbelief.

Fair or not, the picture stuck.

The trend in October

Winner-take-all 2020 ALDS Game 5. Brosseau, who Chapman had buzzed in the final regular-season series against the Rays, turned elevated heat into the decisive eighth-inning homer. The Tampa Bay Rays advanced, the Yankees went home, and Chapman wore it again. Different park, same sting.

How it ended in New York

Before the Boston plot twist, the Yankees chapter ended ugly.

In 2022, Chapman posted a 4-something ERA, lost the closer’s job, dealt with an Achilles issue and a tattoo-related leg infection, skipped a mandatory postseason workout and was left off the playoff rosters. Aaron Boone called his absence “not OK.” Brian Cashman called it disappointing.

That was the last page of his Yankees run.

The 2025 twist

Now he’s Boston’s closer and he’s been nails.

Chapman’s 2025 line reads like a time warp to before his last year with the Yankees. The 37-year-old has a 1.17 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 32 saves, 85 K in 61.1 IP. He’s rejuvenated with the Red Sox and ready to return to the Bronx for revenge.

To make matters worse, the Red Sox just signed him to an extension, meaning he’ll be around to torture the Yankees for a few more years.

Game 1 dominance

The Red Sox already grabbed Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. Garrett Crochet punched out 11. Anthony Volpe gave New York a 1-0 lead with a second-inning homer, but Boston flipped it late and Chapman shut the door with the tying runs aboard. The Boston Red Sox are up 1–0; the New York Yankees are already on the edge.

Full circle in the Bronx

He claimed he wasn’t laughing in 2019. If the Boston Red Sox put the season in his hands this week and the final out lands in a Boston glove, however, Chapman will get the last laugh.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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