The Rangers made some outstanding acquisitions over the off season, by picking up third baseman Adrian Beltre, Yorvit Torrealba, and Mike Napoli, each player has contributed both on offense, as well as defense. Withe the Rangers additions, that has made them a more balanced team on offense and defense. Mike Napoli was always considered a power hitter, but did not hit very well for average in his previous years with the Angels. When Napoli was with the Angels he was a Ranger killer, now he's one of the top offensive producers with the defending American League champions.
Mike has not just produced on the offensive side, he has shown his outstanding defensive play behind the plate. Mike was managed by Mike Scioscia of the Angels, who was an outstanding catcher in his own right. Mike Scioscia knows how to teach catchers on his ball club to be great defensive catchers. Napoli hit for a high average against his former team and manager. Don't you know Mike Scioscia wished the Angels never traded Mike Napoli. The Angels did not trade Napoli to the Rangers, who are their rivals in the American League Western Division. The Angels traded Napoli to Toronto, then Toronto traded him to the Rangers four days after.
Mik Napoli, had a very productive season in all parts of the game, on offense and defense for the Rangers. He played some first base, catcher and designated hitter. Mike was so productive down the stretch of the 2011 season, that Ron Washington could not take him out of the line-up during the playoffs. Mike hit homer after homer it seemed, or a clutch hit when the Rangers needed one in crucial times of the game. Napoli clinched home field advantage for the Rangers, when he hit a two run homer to beat the Angels 3-1 in the final game of the season.
Rangers' Napoli season statistics, he hit .320, with thirty homers, seventy-five rbi's, and a .414 on base percentage. His career batting average is .264, with one hundred twenty-two homers, three hundred twenty-four rbi's, and a .359 on base percentage. Napoli has raised his batting average .56 points. What a turn around in his offensive production. The Rangers plan was to use Mike as a platoon player. However, he turned out to be one of the key players for the Rangers in 2011.
Rangers' manager Ron Washington was asked, why do you think Mike has had better offensive production in the 2011 season? Ron Washington said, he felt like the change of scenery was the difference, as well as his work ethic. Mike is a player that works hard to be the best player he can be to help his teammates win baseball games. How ironic is that? Mike fits right in with his teammates, because that's exactly how the Texas Rangers approach the game of baseball.
When Tampa Bays' manager Joe Maddon was asked about the two run homer Mike Napoli hit in the seventh inning that put the Rangers ahead 2-1 in game three of the ALDS. Maddon said, it's "the year of the Napoli."
