Aroldis Chapman joins elite company with milestone save

Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman joins elite company with milestone save

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Aug 25, 2026 12:30 AM ET

By successfully closing the door on a victory for Boston on Monday night, Aroldis Chapman accomplished more than just delivering another win for the Red Sox.

The veteran closer earned his 30th save of the season as Boston took down the Miami Marlins 4-2, reaching the milestone for the 10th time. And recording 10 seasons with 30 or more saves places Chapman on a short list with some elite company.

Aroldis Chapman made history by reaching save No. 30

Chapman, 38, has now joined Mariano Rivera (15), Trevor Hoffman (14) and Lee Smith (10) as the only other relievers in MLB history to own 10-plus seasons with at least 30 saves.

Getting to save 30 in 2026 in his 46th game also puts Chapman on track to put up a new career-high. His single-season best is currently 38, a number he finished with in back-to-back years early in his career with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012 and 2013.

He's also now accomplished 30 in back-to-back seasons again, having registered 32 in 2025 — his first year with the Red Sox.

Aroldis Chapman picks up his 30th save of 2026!

He joins an elite list of Hall Famers to have 10+ 30-save seasons:

Mariano Rivera, 15
Trevor Hoffman, 14
Lee Smith, 10
Aroldis Chapman, 10 https://t.co/eOvTyEKzST pic.twitter.com/w8zGp5WvVT
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2026

Like last year, Chapman is trying to complete a season with a sub-2.00 ERA. He sits at 1.81 after Monday, although that still doesn't beat the 1.17 he ended up with in 67 games one year ago.

Chapman is likely headed to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Chapman's historic personal achievement further enhances his overall resume, one that will likely result in being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and taking his rightful place next to Rivera, Hoffman and Smith.

In 17 seasons, Chapman, a nine-time All-Star, has 62 wins and 396 saves, as he's on the verge of hitting the monumental No. 400, 1,388 strikeouts and a 2.49 ERA. He even has 11 postseason saves and has been a member of two World Series-winning teams with the 2016 Chicago Cubs and the 2023 Texas Rangers.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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