Chapman Caught Speeding, New Woes

By Circles Robinson

Aroldis Chapman mug shot after speeding arrest.

HAVANA TIMES – Cincinnati Reds lefty Aroldis Chapman throws the baseball over 100 mph and early Monday he got hauled in to the Grove City Police Department for speeding at 93 mph, this time in his car with a suspended license.

The Cuban sensation, 24, with a $30 million dollar contract, is having his ups and downs in going from rags to riches.

The ups are all on the baseball field where he has compiled amazing statistics during the first quarter of the season.

Chapman has a 3-0 record and 0.00 ERA over 22.1 innings of late inning relief pitching, while allowing only 7 hits and 7 walks with a sensational 39 strikeouts.

Aroldis Chapman when he was still with Holguin in the Cuban league.

Manager Dusty Baker has reportedly been considering moving Aroldis to the closer role but how he deals with the pressure of problems off the field may be a telling factor.

Used to being photographed with general managers, agents and lightly clad women, Chapman now has a mug shot for his record for the 1 a.m. speeding arrest.

The tall lanky hurler from Holguin, Cuba is also facing a legal battle after he was sued last week for $18 million by the wife of a Cuban-American man, Curbelo Garcia, detained in Cuba in 2008 during a visit to Holguin and subsequently sentenced to 10 years.

The big question now is whether Chapman can slow down behind the wheel and get good legal assistance to deal with the lawsuit. Will the off the field troubles allow him to continue pitching at full potential remains to be seen.