Mike Napoli, Ex-Red Sox World Series Champion, Calls It Quits

BOSTON, MA — Mike Napoli, a bearded fan favorite for the scruffy 2013 World Series champion Red Sox, has played his final game. The 37-year-old announced his retirement Saturday afternoon in a social media post, thanking Red Sox fans among others.

Napoli was a power-hitting catcher for the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers before permanently switching to first base when he signed with Boston in 2013. He hit .242 with 53 home runs and 187 RBIs over parts of three seasons in Boston.

The righthanded slugger was one of the most popular players on the surprise 2013 champions. His seventh-inning home run in Game 3 of the ALCS off Detroit's Justin Verlander was the difference in a 1-0 victory. He also homered in Game 6, which ended up being a 4-3 Boston win.

After the Red Sox celebrated their World Series victory parade, Napoli was famously spotted walking down Boylston Street, shirtless, smoking a cigarette.

Napoli finished with a .246 batting average, 267 home runs and 744 RBIs over parts of 12 seasons in the major leagues. He made an All-Star team with Texas in 2012, and in 2016 he was the top power hitter on a Cleveland team that lost in Game 7 of the World Series.

Napoli didn't play last season due to a torn ACL he suffered while playing on a minor league deal.

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