Aroldis Chapman Really Hates The Yankees And That's A Great Thing For The Boston V. New York Rivalry
The Rivalry needed this.
After a few years of going dormant, it feels like we're starting to rekindle that energy that is Red Sox vs. Yankees.
Playing in an intense, best-of-three Wild Card series helps. So does a rookie pitcher for the Yankees, who is from Boston, trolling the Red Sox and their fans after the Yankees won.
Cam Schlittler pitched one of the best games I've ever seen in shutting down the Red Sox in Game 3, going eight innings and striking out 12. He was awesome. And apparently was motivated by the Boston fans being meanies.
"I’m not gonna get into it, but there’s a line and I think they crossed it a little bit. I’m a competitor, and I’m gonna go out there and make sure I shut ‘em down. "You know Boston fans, that’s just how it is. We’re aggressive back home and we’re gonna try to get under people’s skin. They just picked the wrong guy to do it to and the wrong team to do it to."
He was so upset, he was trolling Red Sox fans hours after his Game 3 win. I can't wait til he takes the ball at Fenway next summer.
Schlittler's trolling feels more fun, to be honest. Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman sounds like he really doesn't like the Yankees. Speaking on the Swing Completo Podcast, he made it clear he has no interest in returning to New York. Like, ever
“No way. Not even dead. If I were told that I was being traded to New York, I’d pack my things and go home,” Chapman said. “I’ll retire right on the spot if that happens. I’m not crazy. Never again.”
"I dealt with a lot of disrespect there. I put up with a lot of things. I knew that they just wanted to find a way to get rid of me, but they didn't know how. And I just dealt with it quietly, kept playing, and doing what I always do. I got along well with all the players, never had a problem with anybody, even the manager. We're friends and we talk and everything. The bosses are the ones who make those decisions," Chapman went on, per CBS Sports.
I don't know the details of how or why it ended so badly for Chapman in New York. But having watched the Wild Card games in New York with some rabid Yankees fans, I can tell you they have no love for the former Yankees closer, either.
One of my Blog Bosses is one of those who clearly aren't fans of Chapman.
But Hubbs is right. Too much love between the Sox and Yankees. It's no secret that managers Alex Cora and Aaron Boone are good friends. It seems unlikely the hate will come from them. Playing big games will get the fans back to hating each other. And now between Schlittler and Chapman, maybe we'll see the players get in on the action.
The Yankees' signing Alex Bregman would crank things up. Really, any battle for a potential free agent would help. So would a competitive fight for the top of the AL East in 2026.
Red Sox v. Yankees is always better with a good helping of hate. I don't think we're ever getting back to say, 1999-2004 levels, but the comments from Schlittler and now Chapman can only help.