Fansided

Cubs fan pledges charity donation for each Aroldis Chapman save

By Dave Stevenson

Jul 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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A Chicago Cubs fan has decided to donate $10 to a domestic violence charity after each save by recently acquired closer Aroldis Chapman.

The Chicago Cubs made an extremely controversial decision when they traded for New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, who brings with him a history of concerning behavior that extends well past his most recent offseason domestic-violence incident. Though Chapman was never charged with a crime, the fact that it involved a discharged handgun makes it one of the more serious domestic incidents in recent sports memory. 

To make matters worse, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein has repeatedly preached character and clubhouse chemistry over the course of his near-five-year tenure, and acquiring someone with a past as volatile as Chapman’s goes pretty flagrantly against that. This despite Epstein and the front office claiming to have done their due diligence in conversing with Chapman about off-field expectations prior to the trade.

Stranger still, Chapman admitted he “didn’t remember” having that conversation because — wait for it — he just woke from a nap. Cubs manager Joe Maddon’s “nobody’s perfect” remarks “nobody’s perfect” certainly didn’t help matters, either. Sadly, it’s the kind of reaction that sports fans are used to hearing these days.

Of course, there are plenty of Cubs fans who are rightfully angry and upset that their team would go out on such a shaky ethical limb. The Cubbies may be going on 107 years without a World Series, but winning one with such a polarizing and violent character as Chapman might feel hollow to some.

One Cubs fan has decided to do something about it by, promising a $10 donation to a domestic violence organization every time Chapman gets a save.

Swieca ultimately decided on the Domestic Violence Legal Council of Chicago, which provides free legal services to victims of domestic violence who live in or around Chicago.

There has been much debate about what sports teams and leagues should do about athletes accused of, or charged with, domestic violence. One idea should be to simply follow Caitlin’s example, and put their money where their mouths are.

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