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Aroldis Chapman’s blunt dismissal of a Yankees reunion set off a fury among the Bronx faithful. It came after the veteran closer declared that he’d rather retire than pitch in pinstripes again.“No way," Chapman said on Monday, via Swing Completo. "Not even dead. If I were told that I was being traded to New York, I’d pack my things and go home. I’ll retire right on the spot if that happens. I’m not crazy. Never again. I dealt with a lot of disrespect there.”Chapman, now playing for the Boston Red Sox, has a long MLB resume: flamethrowing left-hander, multiple All-Star nods and several stints with New York.He is recognized for his elite strikeout ability and his career role as one of baseball’s most feared late-inning relievers. However, Yankees fans weren’t in the mood for forgiveness after Chapman’s latest comments. Chapman's on-field highs and lows with the Yankees, and a few iconic postseason stings, shaped a reaction that ran from smug satisfaction to bitter mockery.“Good Riddance. Biggest choke artist in MLB history… still see that stupid smile on his face when he let up the walk off to Altuve. I mean, how many Yankee seasons ended with Chapman on the bump? A lot lol. Guy’s a complete disaster,” a fan tweeted.Di Parma Yanks @DiParmaYanksLINK@FiresideYankees Good Riddance. Biggest choke artist in MLB history… still see that stupid smile on his face when he let up the walk off to Altuve. I mean, how many Yankee seasons ended with Chapman on the bump ? Alot lol. Guys a complete disaster“I promise you the Yankees feel the same way,” one fan wrote.“Sources say the Yankees would also rather retire than have Aroldis Chapman return,” another fan wrote.“Feelings mutual 🤣 Guys balls jumped back up into his body at any semblance of a big moment. VERY comfortable not having this guy throw a single important pitch for the Yankees ever again,” one fan commented.“I know his past is complicated and understand why people have an issue with him, but it was a long time ago and he’s never had an issue since. We can live in a world where a person did a shitty thing and learned from it and became a better person, and fuck can he pitch,” a fan said.“Spoken like a true Bostonian,” another fan said.From electric high-velocity heat to postseason heartbreak, why Yankees fans still seetheAroldis Chapman’s velocity, intimidating presence and career saves earned him a reputation as one of the game’s most dominant relievers. He has posted multiple 30-save seasons and over 1,300 career strikeouts, and he remains capable of overpowering hitters late in his career.However, the memory of postseason moments, most notably Jose Altuve’s game-winning blow that ended the Yankees’ season, lingers in the memory of many Bronx fans.Chapman has publicly reflected on that moment before, and it forms part of the emotional backdrop to this latest flare-up. Other fans pointed to Chapman’s positives: an ability to miss bats, recent elite peripherals and a long track record of high-leverage success.
