Back in Cleveland, Texas’ Napoli is given his AL ring
Mike Napoli’s only season in Cleveland was a memorable one.
Napoli, now playing for the Texas Rangers, made his first appearance at Progressive Field since helping the Indians reach the World Series last season. The veteran first baseman/DH was presented with his American League championship ring before Monday’s game by Indians manager Terry Francona.
“It was a special year and it’ll be something I can hopefully tell my kids someday about,” Napoli said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Napoli not only produced on the field — hitting 34 homers with 101 RBI — he developed a strong fan following. After an early-season power surge, a local company began selling “Party at Napoli’s” Tshirts that quickly became popular with teammates and fans.
Sales of the shirts raised over $100,000 for the Cleveland Clinic’s Children’s Hospital. The shirts are also a hot item for the Rangers, whose first supply quickly sold out.
“It’s an unbelievable thing that happened, being able to turn it into something special to raise money for kids,” he said. “Any time I can try to give back, it’s what I want to try to do. Any time I see people with (the) shirts on, it brings a special memory to me.”
Cleveland’s fans haven’t forgotten Napoli. He was given a loud ovation during the ceremony and several signs were seen.
Napoli tipped his cap to the Indians dugout, where his former teammates stood and applauded when he received his ring.
Francona and Napoli met in the manager’s office before batting practice.
“He was sitting on my couch for a while,” Francona said. “The guys would walk by and see him. A couple of guys came in and almost tried to tackle him — tried. It was fun to see their reaction to him because he’s so well thought of.”
Later, Francona left the game against the Rangers because he wasn’t feeling well.
The team says that Francona will not return to Monday’s game, but has given no other details.
Napoli and Francona developed a close friendship last season.
“He’ll always be someone special to me,” Napoli said. “He’ll be a friend for life. I don’t think we’ll ever lose contact with each other.”
Baker wants the old “K-Rod”
Dusty Baker would love for his Washington Nationals to add reliever Francisco Rodriguez so long as K-Rod can replicate the form that made him a six-time All-Star.
Amid reports that the Nationals may sign the veteran right-hander to a minor league deal, Baker said only that he had taken “calls from various people” about him and that nothing was official.
Does Washington’s manager want the 35-year-old for his struggling bullpen?
“It depends if he’s still K-Rod,” Baker said. “That’s what it boils down to. I’ll take Sandy Koufax, but he may not be the same Sandy Koufax.”
Rodriguez is fourth on the career saves list with 437, but he was released by Detroit after posting a 7.82 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.
Yankees activate Ellsbury
The slumping New York Yankees have activated outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury from the disabled list and put him back in the starting lineup. But the Yankees later lost second baseman Starlin Castro to a strained right hamstring.
Ellsbury played center field and batted sixth against the White Sox on Monday night. He has been out since May 24 with a concussion, and played two rehab game in Triple-A over the weekend.
Castro had trouble getting down the line after grounding out in the third inning, and left the game.
Around the majors
The Tampa Bay Rays are in the thick of the AL East race and hoping Adeiny Hechavarria can help them stay there. Tampa Bay acquired the veteran shortstop from Miami more than a month before the trade deadline, saying he’s a “Gold Glove-caliber” defender who’s also capable of making them better offensively . ...
The Rockies traded for another left-hander, getting Zac Rosscup from the Cubs for righy Matt Carasiti. They also put lefty starter Tyler Anderson on the disabled list. Colorado said Rosscup would be optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.