“NO WAY, NOT EVEN DEAD”: RED SOX CLOSER RIPS BRONX “BOSSES” IN SCORCHING INTERVIEW
BOSTON, MA—The rivalry just reached a nuclear level of heat. In a bombshell interview that has left the baseball world stunned, Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman delivered a scorching rebuke of the New York Yankees, openly admitting he would rather pack his bags and retire on the spot than ever wear Pinstripes again.
The comments, made during a recent appearance on the Swing Completo podcast, represent the most aggressive “swipe” at an organization by a former star in recent memory. After a 2025 season where Chapman underwent a total career redemption in Boston, the veteran lefty made it clear that some bridges aren’t just burned—they’ve been vaporized.
THE QUOTE THAT SHOOK MLB
Asked if there was any scenario—trade or free agency—where he would return to the Bronx, Chapman didn’t hesitate:
“No way, not even dead. If I were told that I was being traded to New York, I’d pack my things and go home. I’ll retire right on the spot if that happens. I’m not crazy. Never again.”
Chapman’s ire isn’t directed at his former teammates or even manager Aaron Boone, whom he called “friends.” Instead, the “Cuban Missile” pointed his fire directly at the Yankee front office and ownership.
- The “Disrespect” Factor: Chapman cited a “lot of disrespect” during his final years in New York, specifically the 2022 fallout where he was left off the ALDS roster after missing a mandatory workout.
- The “Bosses”: “I knew that they just wanted to find a way to get rid of me, but they didn’t know how,” Chapman added. “The bosses are the ones who make those decisions.”
YANKEES FANS RESPOND: “FEELING IS MUTUAL”
The backlash was instantaneous. While Red Sox fans are embracing the “villain arc” of their elite closer, Yankees fans on social media have been quick to point out Chapman’s own late-tenure struggles in New York, including his 2022 “tattoo infection” IL stint and his history of high-leverage postseason home runs allowed.
“It’s funny he talks about disrespect when he literally skipped a playoff workout,” one viral fan tweet read. “Retire then. We don’t want the 2022 version back anyway.”
Regardless of who holds the moral high ground, Chapman has ensured that every Red Sox-Yankees series in 2026 will be a personal grudge match. He’s made his choice: he’d rather go home than go back to the Bronx.
