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Levine: Aroldis Chapman Electric In Cubs Debut

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The score was 8-1 in favor of the Cubs in the ninth inning when closer Aroldis Chapman made his team debut, and he brought the electricity and heat on a muggy Chicago night. Hitting 103 mph, Chapman had the Wrigley Field crowd buzzing.

With his teammates creating a blowout with a five-run eighth inning, there wasn't much for Chapman to do besides get his Cubs debut out of the way. He did so in one-two-three fashion, striking out a pair of White Sox batters to seal the victory.

"The adrenaline was pretty good even though it wasn't a save situation," Chapman said via translator and teammate Miguel Montero "It was fun to hear the crowd cheering."

Chapman threw 15 pitches, 10 of which were strikes. He struck out fellow Cuban countryman Jose Abreu swinging on a 103-mph fastball and Avisail Garcia on a 103-mph called strike three to end the night. He also induced Todd Frazier to ground out in between.

"That was a pretty exciting moment when you come to a place (for first time as a home player) and everybody is up cheering for you," Chapman said. "That is what every player wishes for when you come to play and people are cheering for you -- a pretty exciting moment."

Chapman was happy to get back to baseball after a rough Tuesday, when he was raked over the coals many members who felt his comments were flippant regarding his domestic violence incident last October. In his introductory media session, Chapman also initially failed to recall details of a Monday conversation with Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and president of baseball operations, saying he was "sleepy." The Cubs sold that conversation as pivotal, saying they wouldn't have traded for him from the Yankees if they weren't satisfied with what they'd heard.

After Wednesday evening's debut, Chapman was approach by Cubs media relations department heads to speak, but he told them he had nothing to talk about. After a bit, with more convincing from Cubs staffers and Montero, Chapman relented and spoke with the media.

"That is over with now," Chapman said via Montero of the tough Tuesday.

Montero added Chapman says, "He has to move on."

On the field, the Cubs are thrilled to have a new super-weapon at the back end of their bullpen.

"It was awesome," said shortstop Addison Russell, who hit his first career grand slam to bust the game open in the eighth inning. "He brought the hype. Standing behind him when he is throwing is a whole different thing -- 101-102 mph is a different ballpark. He is a huge difference-maker. To know that if we get into a little trouble in the ninth, he can minimize that a lot."

Added manager Joe Maddon of Chapman's velocity and talent: "It is unusual. I don't have any comps on that. I don't think anybody does. Maybe if Randy Johnson pitched out of the pen, you would have seen that on a consistent basis. It is just a very fluid delivery. It is an easy 100."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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