EPSN.com front page: Aroldis Chapman to set own pace

Walt Jocketty:

"We keep reading about his maturity," Jocketty said. "But from everything we've seen, he's a very mature kid, and very intelligent and baseball-savvy. I wonder what people are basing [their comments] on, because it's not like the Cuban coaches are going to tell you that. Maybe it's coming from guys who couldn't get him signed."

Dusty Baker:

"We've got to put the money behind us and realize he's one of us and make him feel as comfortable as possible," Baker said. "If you're better than him, you're gonna pitch. And if you're not better than him, he's gonna pitch. That's as simple as it gets."

Jerry Crasnick:
Chapman's facial features are reminiscent of a young Dwight Gooden, and he has a smile that can light up a room.

Petey sez:
I hadn't seen Android the Destroyer smile before, but they have a nice pic of him yucking it up with Voltron. No guns are shown.

almost 2 years ago PeteyHendrix 15 comments 0 recs |

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There was a nice article on the team's website that talked about the team trying to make Chapman feel included

It doesn’t exactly sound like he’s quite in the fold yet, but the guys – especially the Latinos – are trying to make him feel welcome. Coco Cordero seems to have taken the lead on this initiative, which is a great way for our closer to earn his salary. Kudos to him. Yonder Alonso, being a Cuban himself, has also reached out to him.

It’ll be great when Chapman starts to learn English, but I’m glad we have a number of key members of the organization that speak Spanish. Everything seems to be going great so far with the Chapman Experiment.

by Brendanukkah on Feb 23, 2010 1:01 PM EST reply actions

It's true

This organization seems like a great fit for him, from a cultural perspective. Dusty’s fluent in Spanish, and he has a personal pitching coach and translator that’s Cuban in Tony Fossas.

"aaron harnann is so aweseom" - justin

by BK on Feb 23, 2010 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

And a changeup coach named Mario Soto.

Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move. - Satchel Paige

by PeteyHendrix on Feb 23, 2010 1:36 PM EST up reply actions

And a racist Jerry Crasnick comparing his features to Dwight Gooden.

by Brian B on Feb 23, 2010 2:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

And a racist Jerry Crasnick comparing his features to Dwight Gooden.

by Brian B on Feb 23, 2010 2:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Full disclosure:

The only reason Crasnick still sports that awful, dated ’stache is to hide the stretch marks he acquired in truck stop bathrooms.

A Pete Rose by any other name would still smell of cheap hookers and pinetar.

by Pops Daniels on Feb 24, 2010 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

That's rec worthy

by Highlifeman21 on Feb 27, 2010 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

Hopefully someone's clued him in as to who Tony Perez is, too

Heck, maybe even Dolf Luque.

by Brendanukkah on Feb 23, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Or

Dolph Lundgren

Red Reporter or follow on Twitter: @redreporter

by Slyde on Feb 23, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

I've seen several pictures of Chapman and Volquez hanging out

This one’s my favorite:
When I first saw it, they looked all tangled up together. Eventually I was able to distinguish which hands and feet belonged to each pitcher, but it took some puzzling.