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…