Reds star closer pleads guilty to speeding charge; other charge dismissed

GROVE CITY, Ohio - Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman pleaded guilty Wednesday to a speeding charge that landed him behind bars in May.

The Reds pitcher did not have to appear in person so his lawyer entered the guilty plea to a reduced charge of going 83 mph in a 65 mph zone.

A driving under a suspended license charge was dropped. Chapman's attorney provided proof that the pitcher had a valid license at the time of his arrest.

A court clerk said the lawyer paid a $150 fine and $89 in court costs, ending the case.

Officers in Grove City arrested Chapman, 24, on I-71 north of Columbus on May 21.

During the traffic stop, police found that Chapman had a suspended license in Kentucky. He was arrested and taken to the Grove City Police Department where he was cited for speeding and driving under a suspension. Chapman's license had already been suspended twice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Chapman was locked up for a total of 42 minutes and released after posting 10 percent of his $181 bond. His attorney was granted a continuance for his hearing last month.

Chapman pitched in Tuesday’s Reds game , in which they topped the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-0 at Great American Ball Park. He came in with two outs in the ninth inning and fanned Aaron Hills on four fastballs — the last one 101 mph — for his 14th save in 18 chances.

He currently holds the record for the fastest recorded pitch speed in Major League Baseball throwing 105.1 mph.