Life just beginning for Cuban pitching phenom Aroldis Chapman ESPN Video

.........Chapman wants it all and soon he will be able to get it. At some point a major league team will give him a contract somewhere in the $40 million to $100 million range. But will he be better for it? Will all the newness the world offers overwhelm and change him?
After failing in his first attempt to defect in the spring of 2008, Chapman on July 1 walked out of his hotel in Rotterdam, Netherlands -- where the Cuban national team was playing in the World Port Tournament -- climbed into the passenger seat of a car driven by an acquaintance, and was whisked away. In Cuba, he left behind his father, mother, two sisters, girlfriend and newborn baby, whom he's never seen in person. Immediately, Chapman became the most coveted amateur baseball player in the world.
In the ensuing moments after his defection, a conflict for the ages began -- the fight for Chapman's soul.


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[Diablo99V]

What a bunch of ignorant racist assholes in this thread, the kid has talent and people are just judging on skin color and nationality? Pathetic human. Chapman is a better man than any you haters will ever be.

[Paul7596]

Fucking communism, I hope he gets to bring his family to the States.

[monkeyboy451]

@EC91Inf3kt3d93TO are u fucking stupid!!! cuban is not a fucking skin color you ignorant bitch!!! and black is not a fuckin race god damn

[almyman]

GO REDS!

[kingdarius513]

Go reds

[ilovehell666]

He makes all other pitchers fucking boring GO ALDY!

[hawks12thman]

@jlog1506 i would love a cookie, how'd you know?

[jlog1506]

@hawks12thman uhh u want a cookie.... no one cares

[hawks12thman]

@jlog1506 so go ahead and tell me what chapman's 2011 stats at this point are...please i would love to hear them...6.60 ERA and 1.87 WHIP yeah thats right...oh and the no control part, 21 BBs in 15 IPs - hahahaha yeah i had no idea what i was talking about lmaooo

[MrDakota1055]

@Snikiiz heard dat!

[Snikiiz]

Maybe if he could throw at strike...