Chapman: Crowd reaction in N.Y. debut was 'incredible'

The build up to Aroldis Chapman's much-anticipated return to the mound mimicked his wind-up, followed by his fastball - slow, then electric.

All eyes were on the scoreboard as Chapman flashed his 100 mph fastball, then 101 mph. He was back.

"It was incredible," Chapman said through an interpreter of the fan reaction.

The return marked the end of Chapman's MLB-issued 30-game suspension under the league's new domestic violence policy. But in front of 41,243 fans, he struck out the first two batters he faced before giving up a run.

Related: Chapman makes anticipated Yankees debut

He recorded the last out in the New York Yankees' 6-3 win over the Kansas City Royals, and didn't get the save. But Chapman gave the faithful what they were waiting for, while giving his manager a headache in the process.

"I had people over me screaming at me to bring him into the game," Joe Girardi told reporters.

Girardi went on to say he blended in with everyone as he gazed to see what his fastball was sitting at. The manager wasn't disappointed, and Chapman's fellow reliever Dellin Betances was captivated as well.

"It was electrifying," Betances said. "Everybody, as soon as he started throwing the ball in the bullpen, the whole crowd got up and took out their phone. Everybody was on the top step. It was definitely fun to watch."

Girardi said Chapman will be available to pitch Tuesday as he takes over as the team's closer for Andrew Miller. But if the Yankees continue to sit in last place, there's whispers Chapman and his $11.3-million contract might get dealt at the deadline.

Until then, New York will have its own version of the late-night show whenever Chapman steps on the mound.

"We have some guys in the back end of that bullpen that throw really, really hard," Girardi said, referring to Miller and Betances. "To see that 101, it is not something you see every day."