Mike Napoli

Born in Hollywood, Florida, Napoli attended Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. He signed a letter of intent to play college baseball for Louisiana State, but instead signed with the Anaheim Angels after being selected in the 17th round (500th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft.{{cite news|last1=Gardner|first1=Michelle|title=The Rage Of Rancho Cucamonga|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2004-07-07/sports/0407070053_1_mike-napoli-shoulders-spring-training|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226235045/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2004-07-07/sports/0407070053_1_mike-napoli-shoulders-spring-training|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 26, 2017|access-date=26 December 2017|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=July 7, 2004|language=en}}

Napoli began his professional career with the rookie-level Butte Copper Kings, batting .231,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=napoli002mic |title=Mike Napoli Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=2019-11-02}} but sat out most of the year after suffering a lower back strain. He returned in 2001 with the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, batting .200, before transferring to Single-A Cedar Rapids, where he batted .232. In 2002, he returned to Cedar Rapids, hitting .251 with 10 home runs and 50 runs batted in (RBIs) and 104 strikeouts in 362 at bats as the Kernels' primary designated hitter. He also started at catcher for 37 games. After being transferred to Rancho Cucamonga in 2003, he only played 47 games after injuring his right shoulder.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

In 2004, he hit .282 with 29 home runs and 118 RBI, ranking seventh in RBIs and ninth in walks in all of the minor leagues, with 166 strikeouts (leading the California League) in 482 at bats.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=bat&id=f3bf1f98 |title=2004 California League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=1970-01-01 |access-date=2019-11-02}} In 2005, he was promoted to Double-A Arkansas, batting .237 with 140 strikeouts (3rd in the Texas League) in 439 at bats and 14 errors at catcher in 109 games,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=bat&id=6e3945d1 |title=2005 Texas League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=1970-01-01 |access-date=2019-11-02}} and finishing second in the league in extra-base hits and fifth in runs scored.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

Napoli played for the Águilas Cibaeñas of Santiago in the Dominican Republic during the winters of 2004 and 2005.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

Napoli made his Major League Baseball debut on May 4, 2006, against the Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park, and hit a home run in his first Major League at-bat off starting pitcher Justin Verlander. Eventually, Napoli worked his way to become the Angels' regular starting catcher. In 2006, Napoli hit .228 with 16 home runs in 268 at-bats. He was fourth among AL catchers in errors, with eight, in 96 games at catcher.

File:DSC 0336 Mike Napoli.jpg]]

Napoli began 2007 as the Opening Day starting catcher, and split time with José Molina through the first half of the season. The second half of the season was injury-marred for Napoli, as he suffered a sprained ankle on a game-winning play at the plate during the final game before the All-Star break, causing him to miss 12 games. He then suffered a strained hamstring only five games after returning, causing him to miss all of August. For the season, Napoli hit .247 with 10 home runs, appearing in only 75 games. He was fifth among AL catchers in errors, with seven.

Napoli again was the Angels' Opening Day starter at catcher, and after recovering from his 2007 injuries, began the 2008 season by hitting six home runs in April. Napoli continued to share time behind the plate with Jeff Mathis, who had assumed the back-up duties after the Angels' trade of Molina during the 2007 season. Napoli again was injured in July, causing him to miss 28 games with shoulder issues. However, after recovering from the injury, Napoli led all of Major League Baseball with a .457 batting average in the month of September. For the season, Napoli tallied a .273 batting average and 20 home runs, both career highs, and a .960 OPS. On defense, he was fifth in the AL in passed balls, with seven. The Angels won the 2008 American League West Division championship, with a 100–62 record.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

During Game 3 of the 2008 American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox, with the Red Sox holding a 2–0 series lead, Napoli hit two home runs against Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett, helping extend the game into extra innings. He then singled and scored the game-winning run in the 11th inning, helping the Angels avoid playoff elimination.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS200810050.shtml|title=2008 American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 3, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Boston Red Sox, October 5, 2008 {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-28}}

Napoli continued to compete with Jeff Mathis for the leading catching spot in 2009. He also started 18 games at designated hitter while teammate Vladimir Guerrero was injured. Napoli set or matched career highs in games played (114), at bats (382), runs scored (60), hits (104), doubles (22), and RBIs (56). He also finished the season with a .272 batting average and hit 20 home runs for the second season in a row. On defense, he led AL catchers in errors, with eight, and allowed 74 stolen bases (fifth-most in the AL).{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/napolmi01.shtml |title=Mike Napoli Statistics and History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2011}}

In 2010, the Angels reduced Napoli's playing time at DH after signing Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui.{{cite web |last=Cameron |first=Dave |title=Is Matsui a Potential Problem |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/is-matsui-a-potential-problem/#comment-114793 |date = December 17, 2009 |publisher=fangraphs.com }} Napoli went into spring training with a bigger glove and worked on fundamentals in hopes of getting more playing time as a catcher.{{cite news |last=DiGiovanna |first=Mike |title=For catcher Mike Napoli, the glove may hold the answer |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angels-fyi25-2010feb25,0,1524497.story |date=February 25, 2010 |access-date=February 25, 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times}}

Napoli wound up playing the majority of the 2010 season at first base. He made his first major league start at first base on May 30, after regular first baseman Kendrys Morales broke his lower leg in a walk-off celebration. With the loss of Morales for the season, and the return of fellow catcher Jeff Mathis from the disabled list, Napoli started 70 games at first base, posting a .989 fielding percentage, as he was fifth in the AL with six errors. Napoli set career highs in several categories, most notably home runs (26). He finished seventh in the AL in strikeouts (137), in 453 at bats. Napoli also became the Angels' all-time leader in home runs by a catcher during the 2010 season.{{cite web|last=Gilbert|first=Steve|title=Angels-Yankees matchup: Catchers|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091013&content_id=7449100&vkey=ps2009news&c_id=mlb&fext=.jsp|work=MLB.com: News|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|access-date=January 22, 2013}}

On January 21, Napoli was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays along with outfielder Juan Rivera in exchange for outfielder Vernon Wells.{{cite web |url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110121&content_id=16479674&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor |title=Blue Jays trade Vernon Wells to Angels for Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera |publisher=Toronto.bluejays.mlb.com |access-date=October 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405151619/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110121&content_id=16479674&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor |archive-date=April 5, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} Four days later, he was traded by the Blue Jays to the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitcher Frank Francisco.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110125&content_id=16499196&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_16499196|title=Napoli dealt to Rangers for Francisco|access-date=January 25, 2011|last=Stephens |first=Bailey |date=January 25, 2011 |work=MLB.com}}

On May 29, Napoli was involved in a controversial game-ending play at home plate in the ninth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals. Napoli was at first and Elvis Andrus was up against Joakim Soria. Andrus hit a shot past Eric Hosmer that got into right field. Napoli was sent home by the third-base coach. Hosmer threw the ball to the plate. Brayan Pena tagged Napoli on the upper shoulder, but Napoli was called safe by the home-plate umpire, giving the Rangers a walk-off win. Pena was enraged and arguing with the umpires with manager Ned Yost. Replays showed that Pena did not block the plate, but tagged Napoli, who got his feet in just before the tag.

In Napoli's first season with the Rangers, he batted .320 with 30 home runs (10th in the American League) and 75 RBIs, while improving his defense (throwing out 36% of base-stealers; fourth-best in the league). He had a .631 slugging percentage in 369 at bats.

In Game 5 of the 2011 World Series, Napoli hit a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Rangers a 4–2 lead. The Rangers held on to win and take a 3-games-to-2 lead in the series, but eventually lost the World Series Championship to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

File:Mike Napoli on May 10, 2012.jpg]]

On February 11, 2012, Napoli signed a one-year, $9.4 million deal to avoid arbitration with the Rangers. Napoli filed for $11.5 million, but the Rangers countered with $8.3 million. He received the second highest raise for anyone in their third or fourth time through the arbitration process, with Prince Fielder taking the top spot. In 2012 he batted .227, and finished fifth in the AL in passed balls, with eight. Napoli became a free agent after the season.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/02/rangers-mike-napoli-avoid-arbitration.html |title=Rangers, Mike Napoli Avoid Arbitration |work=MLB Trade Rumors |first=Ben |last=Nicholson-Smith |date=February 11, 2012}}

On December 3, 2012, Napoli agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, pending a physical examination.{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2012/12/red_sox_trying.html |title=Red Sox, Mike Napoli agree to terms on three-year deal |work=Boston.com Extra Bases - Red Sox updates and insights |date=December 3, 2012 |first=Nick |last=Cafardo|author-link=Nick Cafardo}} Following a six-week period during which the status of the deal was in question after his physical showed signs of a hip issue,{{cite web|author=Ben Nicholson-Smith |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/01/red-sox-to-sign-mike-napoli.html |title=Red Sox To Sign Mike Napoli |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=2013-01-22 |access-date=2019-10-30}} Napoli came to terms with the Red Sox on a one-year, $5 million deal with incentives that could make the deal worth $13 million. The incentives were to stay on the active roster for at least 165 days (which Napoli achieved), or get up to 625 plate appearances with at least 120 days on the roster.{{Cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/napoli-2-ways-earn-extra-211310926--mlb.html |title=Napoli has 2 ways to earn extra $8 million - Yahoo! Sports |access-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202083845/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/napoli-2-ways-earn-extra-211310926--mlb.html |archive-date=February 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |date=2013-01-22 |title=Red Sox Sign 1B Mike Napoli to One-Year Contract |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-sign-1b-mike-napoli-to-one-year-contract/c-41094646 |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=MLB.com}}

File:Mike Napoli on July 26, 2013.jpg]]

On April 22, 2013, Napoli hit his fourth career grand slam in a 9–6 win over the Oakland Athletics. On September 15, 2013, Napoli struck out for the 178th time of the season, passing Mark Bellhorn to become the new Red Sox franchise leader in strikeouts in a season. Upon his strikeout, Napoli threw his bat and helmet in frustration and argued with home plate umpire Ron Kulpa and was ejected for the first time in his Major League career. For the 2013 season, Napoli batted .259 with 23 home runs, 92 RBI, and struck out 187 times, fourth-most in the AL and the most ever by a Red Sox player.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/napolmi01.shtml |title=Mike Napoli Stats |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=2019-10-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/leaders_bat_season.shtml|title=Boston Red Sox Top 10 Single-Season Batting Leaders}}

In Game 3 of the 2013 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers, Napoli hit a solo home run off Verlander for the game's only run in a 1-0 Boston win.[http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20131015_BOS@DET Boston holds off Tigers 1-0 behind Lackey, bullpen] cbssports.com wire reports, October 15, 2013.

Although Napoli played more games at catcher than at any other position in each of his seasons with the Angels and Rangers, he did not catch a single game for the Red Sox in 2013, playing almost entirely at first base, with a few games as a designated hitter. During Games 3, 4, and 5 of the 2013 World Series, with the DH rule not in effect per National League rules, regular DH David Ortiz played first base and Napoli was taken out of the lineup rather than moved to catcher. After six games against the St. Louis Cardinals, Napoli received his first career championship ring as the Red Sox won their eighth World Series.

Napoli agreed to re-sign with the Red Sox on a two-year deal worth $32 million on December 6, 2013.{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/12/06/mike-napoli-agrees-to-two-year-deal-with-boston-red-sox/3900073/ | work=USA Today | title=Mike Napoli returning to Red Sox on two-year deal | date=December 6, 2013}}

During 2014, Napoli dealt with injuries throughout the season. He broke his finger in an early season game vs the Chicago White Sox. Napoli returned, but finger problems and sleep apnea took him out of the lineup for much of the latter part of the season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/edge/2015/04/13/red-sox-mike-napoli-sleep-apnea-mlb-sleep-studies|title=Science of nap time: The next frontier in the chase of an edge|work=SI.com|access-date=2018-01-28|language=en}} Napoli’s eight errors were fifth in the AL among first basemen.

Napoli struggled in 98 games for the Red Sox in 2015, hitting .207 with 99 strikeouts, 13 home runs, and 40 RBIs. On defense, he was third among AL first basemen in errors, with seven.

On August 7, 2015, the Texas Rangers acquired Napoli from the Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations.{{cite web |url=http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/08/rangers-close-to-finalizing-deal-to-bring-back-mike-napoli.html/ |title=If Cole Hamels deal was about future, Mike Napoli acquisition shows Rangers believe in playoff possibility this year | | Dallas Morning News |access-date=2015-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808201258/http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/08/rangers-close-to-finalizing-deal-to-bring-back-mike-napoli.html/ |archive-date=August 8, 2015 |df=mdy-all }} Manager Jeff Banister used Napoli against left-handed pitching and played him in left field.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} He played 35 games for the Rangers in 2015, making 91 plate appearances and batting .295 with five home runs, 10 RBI and a .513 SLG. Between the two teams, in 2015 he batted .224.

File:2016-10-10 Mike Napoli at bat Game 3 of ALDS 02.jpg

File:Cleveland Indians vs. Toronto Blue Jays (30441651575).jpg

On January 5, 2016, Napoli signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Cleveland Indians.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/01/its_official_cleveland_indians_2.html|title=Indians sign Mike Napoli|date=January 5, 2016|publisher=Cleveland.com|access-date=January 5, 2016}} During the season, Streetsboro, Ohio resident Nate Crowe coined the popular phrase "Party at Napoli's", creating a t-shirt with the slogan that was gifted to Napoli. Upon wearing the shirt during a post-game interview, demand for the shirts was high. Subsequent sales of the shirt raised over $200,000 for the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2016/10/how_a_party_at_napolis_and_a_c.html|title=How 'Party at Napoli's' and Cleveland Indians postseason run are helping sick children|date=October 7, 2016|publisher=Cleveland.com|access-date=October 17, 2016}} Napoli batted .239 while setting career highs with 34 home runs and 101 RBIs.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20161006/everything-you-need-to-know-about-indians-red-sox|title=Everything you need to know about Indians-Red Sox|agency=Associated Press|work=The Repository|access-date=2018-01-28|language=en}} He finished second in the AL in strikeouts, with 194—the most strikeouts ever, by an Indians player.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/leaders_bat_season.shtml |title=Cleveland Indians Top 10 Single-Season Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=1970-01-01 |access-date=2019-10-31}} Napoli led all AL first basemen in errors, with 13, in 98 games at first base.

In game three of the 2016 American League Championship Series, Napoli's home run off Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman made him the fifth player to hit a postseason home run for four different teams, joining Ron Gant, John Olerud, Reggie Sanders, and Russell Martin.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/125281/mike-napoli-brings-indians-closer-to-party-time|title=Mike Napoli brings Indians closer to party time|work=ESPN.com|date=October 18, 2016|access-date=October 19, 2016}}

File:Mike Napoli in 2017 (35176934554) (cropped).jpg

On February 16, 2017, the Rangers announced Napoli was signed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2018.{{cite web|url=http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/216077972/mike-napoli-introduced-by-rangers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217043441/http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/216077972/mike-napoli-introduced-by-rangers/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 17, 2017|title=Mike Napoli introduced by Rangers|website=Texas Rangers|language=en-US|access-date=February 16, 2017}} In 2017 he batted .193 with 29 home runs and 66 RBIs.

The Rangers declined Napoli's 2018 option on November 6, 2017, making him a free agent.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/rangers-exercise-option-on-perez-decline-options-on-barnette-napoli.html|title=Rangers Exercise Option On Perez, Decline Options On Barnette, Napoli|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 6, 2017|access-date=November 6, 2017}}

Napoli signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on February 28, 2018.{{cite news|title=Indians invite 1B Mike Napoli to Major League camp|url=https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-invite-1b-mike-napoli-to-major-league-camp/c-267460266|publisher=Indians.com|date=February 28, 2018}} The deal included an invitation to the Indians' 2018 spring training camp. He was released on March 22 in a procedural move to allow the Indians to avoid having to pay him a $100,000 retention bonus.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2018/03/22/indians-release-mike-napoli/|title=Indians release Mike Napoli|last=Calcaterra|first=Craig|work=mlb.nbcsports.com|date=March 22, 2018|access-date=March 23, 2018}} Napoli was re-signed by the Indians to a minor league contract on March 23. On April 19, Napoli announced that he would be out for the remainder 2018 season due to a torn ACL and meniscus. This occurred during a minor league game with the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Indians.{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Steve |title=Mike Napoli Suffers Torn ACL, Meniscus In Right Knee |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/mike-napoli-suffers-significant-knee-injury.html |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=April 20, 2018}} He batted .042 for Columbus. Napoli elected free agency following the season on November 2.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|access-date=May 1, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 6, 2018 |language=en}}

Napoli announced his retirement from professional baseball on December 8, 2018.{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2018 |title=Mike Napoli, who made three trips to World Series, announces retirement |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25484653/mike-napoli-announces-retirement-13-year-mlb-career |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=ESPN.com}}

On December 9, 2019, Napoli was hired by the Chicago Cubs as their quality assurance coach.{{cite web |last=Bastian |first=Jordan |date=December 9, 2019 |title=Andy Green joins Cubs as bench coach |url=https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-finalize-major-league-coaching-staff |access-date=December 9, 2019 |website=MLB.com}} He was promoted to the role of first base coach prior to the 2022 season. Following the 2024 season, the Cubs announced they were parting ways with Napoli.{{Cite news |last=Mooney |first=Patrick |title=Cubs make changes to Craig Counsell's staff: Mike Napoli and others are out: Sources |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5807969/2024/09/30/cubs-coaching-staff-changes/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

On November 23, 2024, the Cincinnati Reds hired Napoli as their Major League Staff Assistant.{{Cite web |last=Polishuk |first=Mark |date=2024-11-25 |title=Reds Hire Mike Napoli |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/reds-hire-mike-napoli.html |access-date=November 24, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en}}

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