Boston’s Aroldis Chapman sets MLB record for strikeouts as a reliever with his 1,364th K

Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox set the MLB all-time record for strikeouts as a reliever on Friday, July 4, 2026, recording his 1,364th career strikeout against the Angels' Denzer Guzman in Anaheim. The 38-year-old left-hander broke a record held for over 50 years by Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm, whose mark had stood since his career ended in 1972. The record-breaking strikeout came on a 98.6 mph pitch that Guzman was unable to connect with.