The Cubs will add former MLB slugger Mike Napoli to their coaching staff, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (link). Napoli is expected to serve as the club’s quality assurance coach, per Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic (link). As Sharma notes, Napoli was a teammate of new Cubs manager David Ross while a member of the Red Sox in 2013.
Most fans will remember Napoli as a thumping catcher and first baseman responsible for 267 home runs in an MLB career that spanned 12 seasons. Aside from garnering a reputation as one of the game’s more fun-loving clubhouse figures, Napoli also earned himself a World Series ring as a member of the previously mentioned 2013 Boston team (not to mention his runner-up effort as part of the 2016 Indians, who lost in seven games in the Fall Classic to his new Chicago employer).
If similar to other QA roles around the game, Napoli’s new position as quality assurance coach will likely call for an emphasis in hands-on supervision and instruction of players across the Cubs’ roster and minor league system. Recently, Royals quality control and catching coach Pedro Grifol received serious consideration for a handful of managerial openings, so the import of Napoli’s new role is not to be discounted. As a former player — and one who was revered in the clubhouse — Napoli should be adept at conveying data and analytical input to the players on Chicago’s roster.
So Ross reunited with a former teammate in Napoli, and Napoli joins the team that beat him and Cleveland in the WS. Let the party at Napoli’s begin!
Yes. The first out in the bottom of the 10th in game seven.
The cubs are gonna have a party at Napoli’s soon enough
A sausage party
Naturally.
With your Moms.
Hey!
Not nice!
No they weren’t nice. They were nasty!
Hovering and dumb as usual, sox boy.
Beer and chicken party. Yes!
Nice going, Cubs. One step closer.
Napoli’s cousin is an school teacher in Korea. The family is good. I can testify.
The Cubs just added the last piece.
So, we’re getting Korean prospects now?
My aunt’s cousin’s father-in-law’s best friend’s half brother met Napoli’s cousin last year, in Korea, so I concur that he has a valid evaluation of Mike’s character.
the first step towards another former catcher becoming a MLB manager one day
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
Cubs should lead the league in beard pulling
During the world series between Rangers and Cardinals, Cards Pitcher Chris Carpenter got Napoli out on a deep fly ball that was caught right at wall. Carpenter pounded his glove, glared at Napoli and called him a freaking piece of poop. (PG-13 edit)
Classy.
Maybe Napoli will be Caratini’s back up at catcher this upcoming season when the Cubs trade Contreras.
No, that’s what we got David Ross for
Napoli’s new position as quality assurance coach will likely call for an emphasis in hands-on supervision and instruction of players across the Cubs’
Does this mean he will show them how to properly strikeout with 2 on and no outs. Or show them how to when tied 2 outs runner on 3rd hit the deep sac fly now 3rd out. But we needed in the last scenario. Or teach them with 1 out and bases load to roll over an outside pitch into a 4 to 6 to inning double play. Launch angle freak.
Say what you want about Napoli but he would of been the World Series MVP had Nelson Cruz caught that damn ball against the Cardinals.