Description
Mike Napoli is a former professional baseball first baseman and catcher who is currently serving as the assistant bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB).
He was selected in the 17th round (500th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft, then played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Indians. Napoli was primarily a catcher from 2005 to 2012, before spending the remainder of his career as a first baseman and designated hitter.
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. 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.
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.
The featured 8 x 10 photo has been signed by former Boston Red Sox star Mike Napoli in red. The talented hitter knocked in 92 runs for the Red Sox in their 2013 World Series Championship run. The autograph includes an official Wilder Side of Sports serially numbered hologram for authenticity purposes.
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