Pirates' Aroldis Chapman continues to build on his legacy

On Friday night, Chapman actually moved into No. 4 all-time for strikeouts by a relief pitcher. Chapman passed Baseball Hall of Famer Lee Smith, recording three strikeouts in one inning of work during the Pirates' 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Only the all-time record-holders Hoyt Wilhelm, Rich "Goose" Gossage and Craig Kimbrel (in that order) own more strikeouts among relief pitchers. Like Smith, Wilhelm and Gossage are enshrined in Cooperstown as members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ironically, Chapman is the only left-hander in the top five. He passed Billy Wagner back in late June to stand alone as the all-time leader in strikeouts for left-handed relievers.

Chapman talked about his place in baseball history after passing Wagner back on June 29.

"It's the result of hard work through the years," said Chapman postgame to MLB.com's Alex Stumpf via his interpreter Stephen Morales. "You put in hard work every day, and thank God that I can achieve a milestone like this," he added.

So while most probably don't think of Chapman as a Hall of Famer, he also has a career resume that is worthy of serious consideration.

Chapman, 36, who made his MLB debut in 2010 with the Reds, is a seven-time All-Star and has two World Series rings. So despite bouncing around from team to team in recent years, Chapman has proven he can deliver on the biggest stage.

Chapman has recorded 10 or more strikeouts in a playoff series twice, including sending 11 Cleveland batters back to the dugout in 2016 when he played a key role in helping the Chicago Cubs end a 108-year title drought. The Holguin, Cuba native also struck out 10 in the 2017 ALDS for the New York Yankees.

Even though he wasn't as dominant as he was in postseasons earlier in his career, Chapman earned a second World Series ring with the Texas Rangers last season.

And while some questioned if Chapman signing a one-year, $10.5M deal with the Pirates made sense, he's provided Pittsburgh with a stable veteran reliever. He has 79 strikeouts, a 3.14 ERA and even four saves in 48.2 innings pitched so far in 2024.

And as long as he remains effective and keeps ascending up the all-time strikeout list, there's no telling how much longer Chapman will continue to pitch.