As the internet's town criers have by now alerted you, the Cubs have acquired uber-closer Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees. The Cubs of course have legit designs on hoisting the trophy for the first time since 1908, and Chapman, as a lockdown reliever of the first order, can help them do just that.
In the dual interests of hot clicks and ad revenue, though, let's revisit some 2014 hostilities. The day was July 10, and Chapman, then of the Reds, is about to exchange grievances with the Cubs. Also appearing will be a palpably agitated Anthony Rizzo. Step right this way for the Color Television Experience ...
So Chapman buzzed the tower of Nate Schierholtz a couple of times, which led to the near-brawl. Note, for purposes of emotional uplift, that Johnny Cueto seemed momentarily on the verge of using a bag of sunflower seeds as blunt weaponry.
Earlier in the contest, Rizzo and Zack Cozart were plunked, which could have added to the mounting hostilities. After the game, though, Rizzo said this of Chapman (via MLB.com's Carrie Muskat and Manny Randhawa) ...
"He's one of the best players in the game. He's not trying to hit anyone."
Please join me in finding this to be disappointingly mature.
Anyhow, not long after the hostilities in question, Rizzo and Chapman were teammates on the 2014 NL All-Star team, so it's safe to assume any issues between them were over soon after they began. These are adult ballplayers, after all.
