Mike Napoli Retires a Fan Favorite Everywhere He Played

Mike Napoli announced his retirement Saturday on his Twitter account after a MLB career which lasted 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, three stints with the Texas Rangers, one with the Boston Red Sox and two stints with the Cleveland Indians.

Along the way, Napoli played in three World Series for three different teams - in 2011 with the Rangers, in 2013 with the Red Sox and in 2016 with the Indians earning a World Series ring in Boston and even more memorable World Series Parade in which he went down Boylston Street shirtless and got good and drunk.

OK, it's not exactly Mookie Betts feeding the homeless, but it was the sort of thing which endeared him to fans wherever he played. He was never the best player on his team, but that didn't stop fans from chanting, "Napoli!!! Napoli!!!" whenever he came up to the plate (especially during his many stints with the Rangers).

Napoli did not play in 2018 due to a torn ACL and meniscus. While he did not mention those injuries in his statement, they were undoubtedly a contributing factor in his decision. In 2017, Napoli only hit .193 with the Rangers, but did slam 29 HR along with 66 RBI. His best numbers came in 2016 with the Tribe when he hit a career high 34 HR and drove in 101 runs. Napoli finishes his career with 1125 hits for a lifetime batting average of .246, 267 HR and 744 RBI, a World Series ring and one AL All-Star appearance. Those numbers won't get him into Cooperstown, but perhaps one day he'll have a spot in The Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals. I'm sure the drinks are better there.